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amberannasimmons's review against another edition
4.0
Of The Stars by A.M. Alcedo is a beautiful book, from the cover art to the type-set to the language the author uses to describe her characters. Overall, I enjoyed the story, despite some of my own misgivings about certain tropes and themes.
I generally avoid platonic soulmates, just because it’s hard to do right - and let’s be honest, I like smut a little too much! I don’t know that Of the Stars totally nails the concept, but it comes closer than any other books I’ve read, with the main characters - Norah and Dex - growing into a kind, loving duo with a relationship built on friendship and compassion, as well as shared admiration. These characters definitely drive the story, with each bringing a different perspective to the universe they share. I didn’t find the side characters (with the notable exception of Alina, who has my heart) as engaging, but they moved the story when necessary.
Although the language is beautiful, there are places where the language was purposely complicated or obfuscating just to build prose. And in some places, it works! There are lovingly crafted passages about mental health, about the concept of friendship, about the very mechanics of being alive. Some of the descriptions - but, thankfully, very little of the dialogue - are stilted, or contain so much language that the page feels too full. This made reading a little uneven; the way Norah talks about her trauma is so gut-wrenching, so real that it hurts, but the way some of the other characters describe feelings, or Norah’s descriptions of Dex, just feel like they aren’t as authentic. This translates to the world as well. Corvid is obviously not a great place, but beyond that, I don’t feel like I know much about the world these characters inhabit. Lots of birds, lots of bird themes, it’s a small town but not that small, but never a truly cohesive world - which is a shame, because it has so much potential to be a backdrop to the lives that I’m so invested in. I don’t want to give anything away (which is hard, because I was SHOOK at the twist) but even with the ending giving me so many feelings, I wish Norah and her world could have been more in sync.
Alcedo is a keen student of human nature and the way we relate to each other, and this absolutely comes through in the plot (which I feel like I can’t really talk about because of how the ending plays out, honestly!) and the relationships she builds. I loved the dual POV, and I’m thankful for the straightforward trigger warnings at the beginning of the book. Definitely triggering for those with parental trauma (heck, small-town trauma too) as well as thoughts of self-harm or anyone struggling with mental illness. The concept of not being sure if you’re real or not was both so beautifully discussed and so wonderfully played through, but I can definitely see how it could be triggering. Unlike many internal monologues, Of The Stars gets the voice(s) in your head right, and doesn’t give us blocks of incomprehensible text.
Although I do think there are some stylistic issues - the use of excessively complicated language and descriptors while avoiding some of the world-building I’d have liked, for example - I think it is of particular note that Alcedo does create a story in which, honestly, the antagonist doesn’t matter because the story shows the real truth: that when we learn to listen to ourselves, to love ourselves, to grow and heal and learn and love? Well, then it doesn’t matter what obstacles we face, because we have everything in us we already need.
Full disclosure: I was an ARC reader, and - not that it matters for my review - the author is LOVELY.
I generally avoid platonic soulmates, just because it’s hard to do right - and let’s be honest, I like smut a little too much! I don’t know that Of the Stars totally nails the concept, but it comes closer than any other books I’ve read, with the main characters - Norah and Dex - growing into a kind, loving duo with a relationship built on friendship and compassion, as well as shared admiration. These characters definitely drive the story, with each bringing a different perspective to the universe they share. I didn’t find the side characters (with the notable exception of Alina, who has my heart) as engaging, but they moved the story when necessary.
Although the language is beautiful, there are places where the language was purposely complicated or obfuscating just to build prose. And in some places, it works! There are lovingly crafted passages about mental health, about the concept of friendship, about the very mechanics of being alive. Some of the descriptions - but, thankfully, very little of the dialogue - are stilted, or contain so much language that the page feels too full. This made reading a little uneven; the way Norah talks about her trauma is so gut-wrenching, so real that it hurts, but the way some of the other characters describe feelings, or Norah’s descriptions of Dex, just feel like they aren’t as authentic. This translates to the world as well. Corvid is obviously not a great place, but beyond that, I don’t feel like I know much about the world these characters inhabit. Lots of birds, lots of bird themes, it’s a small town but not that small, but never a truly cohesive world - which is a shame, because it has so much potential to be a backdrop to the lives that I’m so invested in. I don’t want to give anything away (which is hard, because I was SHOOK at the twist) but even with the ending giving me so many feelings, I wish Norah and her world could have been more in sync.
Alcedo is a keen student of human nature and the way we relate to each other, and this absolutely comes through in the plot (which I feel like I can’t really talk about because of how the ending plays out, honestly!) and the relationships she builds. I loved the dual POV, and I’m thankful for the straightforward trigger warnings at the beginning of the book. Definitely triggering for those with parental trauma (heck, small-town trauma too) as well as thoughts of self-harm or anyone struggling with mental illness. The concept of not being sure if you’re real or not was both so beautifully discussed and so wonderfully played through, but I can definitely see how it could be triggering. Unlike many internal monologues, Of The Stars gets the voice(s) in your head right, and doesn’t give us blocks of incomprehensible text.
Although I do think there are some stylistic issues - the use of excessively complicated language and descriptors while avoiding some of the world-building I’d have liked, for example - I think it is of particular note that Alcedo does create a story in which, honestly, the antagonist doesn’t matter because the story shows the real truth: that when we learn to listen to ourselves, to love ourselves, to grow and heal and learn and love? Well, then it doesn’t matter what obstacles we face, because we have everything in us we already need.
Full disclosure: I was an ARC reader, and - not that it matters for my review - the author is LOVELY.
anastashamarie's review
Unfortunately, I don't think the prose of this book is for me, which is such a bummer when everything about the concept seemed right up my alley. I love existentialism, and I love books that have realistic and well-rounded portrayals of therapy, and the parts I read that had a therapeutic aspect to them were wonderful. I know the author is a therapist IRL, and I think that aspect really shines through.
I got to about 13% and decided that it was probably better to just move on to other things in my TBR. Maybe I'll come back to it later, maybe not.
I got to about 13% and decided that it was probably better to just move on to other things in my TBR. Maybe I'll come back to it later, maybe not.
ashleystory's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
First, thank you to A.M. Alcedo for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Of The Stars is a brilliantly written, heartbreaking and heartmending literary fantasy. It is a story that centers on a gorgeous platonic relationship between two deeply traumatized people and their journey through grief by way of an underground fight club.
Norah is a grief stricken mental health care worker at a hospital. She is fierce and caring and needs hugs.
Dex is an amnesiac dapper older man who is the sweetest protector you’ll ever meet. He also needs hugs, but only from Norah.
Cecil is such a dark horse character. He’s grumpy, angry, and prefers fists over words. I love him.
Solus is a gorgeous gender fluid antagonist who has a complicated saviour complex.
All of the characters truly resonated with me in different ways and I adore them all.
Split up into three parts, this book is a bit of a slow start but it allows for deep connection to Norah and Dex. Part two is an emotional and violent and trauma driven journey. Part three is where the healing and the mending happen.
The writing style does sometimes toe the line with purple prose over lyrical description but for me it still works in keeping with the fantasy world and thematic tones.
Y’all. I have not read a book like this. It is so unique and anyone who is currently experiencing grief and loss, be gentle with your self. But just know it is a cathartic read.
If you like contemporary fantasy world, queer and neurodivergent and disability rep, books about grief and loss and fight clubs, please give this a read.
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