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renma13's review
DNF @ 71%
OKAY OKAY HOLD YOUR PITCHFORKS! I have a feeling that I seriously need to explain myself here.
The Star-Touched Queen had a good plot. It was magical and weird (in a good way) and had a talking horse that actually intrigued me.
But it just wasn't my cup of tea.
I didn't care about the characters. I tried really hard to care for Maya, at least. But nope. Nothing. I had zero feelings and could care less about anyone in the book.
The romance didn't convince me. Amar was too flowery and sweet for me. I didn't like it, and it felt like it was too forced. Like the book was telling me, "Here, it's the couple you have to ship so here's some cute terms of endearment here and bittersweet quotes there so NOW SHIP THEM."
I had NO idea what was going on 99% of the time. Like I just kept on reading and hoping some event would make me understand everything. But nope. I was confused and lost, to the point that I just had to DNF it. (There was actually one point at around 50% of the book where I thought I was finally "getting it," but then something happened again and I just... I don't even know, bruh.)
That being said though, The Star-Touched Queen has a nice plotline. I think it was just a book that I read at the wrong time, or the type that just wasn't for me. But it could be for you, especially since a lot of people seem to love this book. So I think you should still give it a try, despite the feelings I just shared above.
OKAY OKAY HOLD YOUR PITCHFORKS! I have a feeling that I seriously need to explain myself here.
The Star-Touched Queen had a good plot. It was magical and weird (in a good way) and had a talking horse that actually intrigued me.
But it just wasn't my cup of tea.
I didn't care about the characters. I tried really hard to care for Maya, at least. But nope. Nothing. I had zero feelings and could care less about anyone in the book.
The romance didn't convince me. Amar was too flowery and sweet for me. I didn't like it, and it felt like it was too forced. Like the book was telling me, "Here, it's the couple you have to ship so here's some cute terms of endearment here and bittersweet quotes there so NOW SHIP THEM."
I had NO idea what was going on 99% of the time. Like I just kept on reading and hoping some event would make me understand everything. But nope. I was confused and lost, to the point that I just had to DNF it. (There was actually one point at around 50% of the book where I thought I was finally "getting it," but then something happened again and I just... I don't even know, bruh.)
That being said though, The Star-Touched Queen has a nice plotline. I think it was just a book that I read at the wrong time, or the type that just wasn't for me. But it could be for you, especially since a lot of people seem to love this book. So I think you should still give it a try, despite the feelings I just shared above.
bluebeereads's review
DNF at 35%
I'm such a sad little dumplin right now. Just to be clear, this is not a bad book. This is one of those "It's not you, it's me"-cases, for sure. Because the story is fascinating and kinda unique and the characters seem well-developed from what I read so far and the writing is beautiful. So why did I stop reading? Because it's just not my thing. I can't get into it at all and I can't connect to any of the characters. That's really JUST ME though because a lot of people I know LOVE this book. It also doesn't help that I'm not a big mythology fan and I know nothing of Indian mythology. I'm also not familiar with Indian culture so some of the terms used in this book were strange to me, but there's no glossory to explain what it all means.
So yeah. This is really just me and you should check it out for sure!
I'm such a sad little dumplin right now. Just to be clear, this is not a bad book. This is one of those "It's not you, it's me"-cases, for sure. Because the story is fascinating and kinda unique and the characters seem well-developed from what I read so far and the writing is beautiful. So why did I stop reading? Because it's just not my thing. I can't get into it at all and I can't connect to any of the characters. That's really JUST ME though because a lot of people I know LOVE this book. It also doesn't help that I'm not a big mythology fan and I know nothing of Indian mythology. I'm also not familiar with Indian culture so some of the terms used in this book were strange to me, but there's no glossory to explain what it all means.
So yeah. This is really just me and you should check it out for sure!
the_story_girl389's review
4.0
Beautiful writing as ever! Roshani Chokshi is amazing. Her voice is just so flowy and velvety and omg I love it!!! It was giving me serious Aru Shah vibes even though I know this one was first...
Personally, I thought the romance was a tad bit overdone, and I'm usually all for it! Maybe it's just because I'm not too big on the whole love-at-first-sight thing. Or the passionate love. idk, I guess I just like it a little quieter or subtler if that makes any sense.
It did take me a little to get into the story, if that makes sense, but there were definitely some really good scenes in there. (my personal faves were the ones with food lol)
Personally, I thought the romance was a tad bit overdone, and I'm usually all for it! Maybe it's just because I'm not too big on the whole love-at-first-sight thing. Or the passionate love. idk, I guess I just like it a little quieter or subtler if that makes any sense.
It did take me a little to get into the story, if that makes sense, but there were definitely some really good scenes in there. (my personal faves were the ones with food lol)
desertlover's review
3.0
I liked certain aspects of this book, but it fell short of my expectations. The language was so flowery and wordy, it completely diminished the storyline. I enjoyed the middle, but the last quarter completely lost me. Overall, it was decent, but didn't make an memorable impression.
miabluu's review
5.0
This is one of the most beautiful and enchanting books I've ever read. Usually I care more about characters than the world building, a world can be original and fantastic but if the characters are flat for me, then I won't enjoy it.
Even though this book doesn't put much thought to the development of the characters, they still don't feel flat for me, they are more like intricate and mysterious and too complex to be explained fully. (This doesn't mean that I wouldn't have liked a bit more of information about the characters tho.)
On the other hand, the world and the writing were so captivating that I found myself completely consumed by the wonders of the Night Bazaar and the Naraka realm. I was so involved in this world that I found myself still awake at 1:00am because I just couldn't stop reading (and this doesn't happen frequently I'm usually asleep by 10:30pm lol) and not wanting to stop either.
This is definitely one of my favorite books that I've read this year and I'm going to be picking up the next one soon.
Even though this book doesn't put much thought to the development of the characters, they still don't feel flat for me, they are more like intricate and mysterious and too complex to be explained fully. (This doesn't mean that I wouldn't have liked a bit more of information about the characters tho.)
On the other hand, the world and the writing were so captivating that I found myself completely consumed by the wonders of the Night Bazaar and the Naraka realm. I was so involved in this world that I found myself still awake at 1:00am because I just couldn't stop reading (and this doesn't happen frequently I'm usually asleep by 10:30pm lol) and not wanting to stop either.
This is definitely one of my favorite books that I've read this year and I'm going to be picking up the next one soon.
carefulfearanddeaddevotion's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
If there is one thing I haate it's a dumb main character and Maya is SO fucking stupid and rash , in all of her lives . She did not have one single thought for herself, and made every decision on impulse and based on something someone she absolutely shouldn't trust (HELLO??? Mother Dhina hates you and has been nothing but evil to you your whole life whyyy would you choose to heed her "keep some secrets for yourself" advice, ESPECIALLY in regards to a weird ass door you found in a palace that you've been warned is basically out to get you???) (HELLO?????? "i need you to lead me" ???? how did it take her so long to connect the fucking dots? (and only after the dots were already connected for her, mind you. so really, she never connected shit) you were just the victim of an attempted murder by a shadow woman that said these exact words to you, why would you believe anything that comes out of the mouth of the person who just said this to you and is clearly trying to manipulate you??). She really must have not loved Amar if she believed Nritti over him in TWO lifetimes.
Anyway, pretty writing (though OVERLY flowery at times) so 3 stars.
Anyway, pretty writing (though OVERLY flowery at times) so 3 stars.
soele's review
3.0
My main criticism is, that it was too short. I would have liked to dive deeper into some aspects of the story and I sometimes missed a more detailed development of the relationships (and some (female) friends for her).
However, it was an entertaining and fast read and I really enjoyed it. :)
However, it was an entertaining and fast read and I really enjoyed it. :)
bright_night's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0