Scan barcode
narteest's review against another edition
4.0
3.8 stars!
There's a lot to be said about this little book. I would have read it much faster if life wasn't as busy.
Although I'm semi-breaking my current East Asian inspired YA fantasy quest, as The Star Touched Queen is Asian inspired rather than specifically East Asian, it semi counts for the 'Asian' part.
So, a quick review!
What I liked:
- That chapter that turned the story on its head - I like it because while there were decisions made that I don't agree with, the chapter ends on an emotional high.
- The writing is really pretty. I was expecting something more beautiful, but I did feel like I was trudging through the writing in the first half - it was pretty but a little dense and it took me a while to warm up.
- The world is very interesting, inspired by Indian folklore (and others)
- The mystery - it was there, though I didn't have to squint too hard.
- I did like the romance, but only because the star crossed nature felt indeed star crossed!
What I could have liked more:
- The romance. It was a little insta-lovey, which, in part you kind of expect from such an age old love. But because the book itself isn't very long and has a very singular focus on the romance between Maya and Amar, it could have had more space for a slower progression of Maya's first meeting with Amar.
- The first half of the book and the romance was a little bit of a joke to me, simply because there wasn't much time spent bonding. If the writing weren't pretty enough to capture my attention I'd have skipped. In saying that, I loved the second half a whole lot more.
- Maya is very solitary. She doesn't have many friends around, but her sister and a horse. Which had me scratching my head a little. How can one know how best to judge life and death if they haven't had a full life's experience?
- There's a flashback towards the end which I think wasn't done enough justice. I enjoyed it, yes, but I wanted more heartbreak from the first life Maya and Amar had together, and all I was left with was the opposite feeling of the chapter that had me going epically onwards.
Nonetheless, I did really enjoy The Star Touched Queen! And I'm looking forward to the next book whenever I can actually find it!
There's a lot to be said about this little book. I would have read it much faster if life wasn't as busy.
Although I'm semi-breaking my current East Asian inspired YA fantasy quest, as The Star Touched Queen is Asian inspired rather than specifically East Asian, it semi counts for the 'Asian' part.
So, a quick review!
What I liked:
- That chapter that turned the story on its head - I like it because while there were decisions made that I don't agree with, the chapter ends on an emotional high.
- The writing is really pretty. I was expecting something more beautiful, but I did feel like I was trudging through the writing in the first half - it was pretty but a little dense and it took me a while to warm up.
- The world is very interesting, inspired by Indian folklore (and others)
- The mystery - it was there, though I didn't have to squint too hard.
- I did like the romance, but only because the star crossed nature felt indeed star crossed!
What I could have liked more:
- The romance. It was a little insta-lovey, which, in part you kind of expect from such an age old love. But because the book itself isn't very long and has a very singular focus on the romance between Maya and Amar, it could have had more space for a slower progression of Maya's first meeting with Amar.
- The first half of the book and the romance was a little bit of a joke to me, simply because there wasn't much time spent bonding. If the writing weren't pretty enough to capture my attention I'd have skipped. In saying that, I loved the second half a whole lot more.
- Maya is very solitary. She doesn't have many friends around, but her sister and a horse. Which had me scratching my head a little. How can one know how best to judge life and death if they haven't had a full life's experience?
- There's a flashback towards the end which I think wasn't done enough justice. I enjoyed it, yes, but I wanted more heartbreak from the first life Maya and Amar had together, and all I was left with was the opposite feeling of the chapter that had me going epically onwards.
Nonetheless, I did really enjoy The Star Touched Queen! And I'm looking forward to the next book whenever I can actually find it!
jojolor3's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a good fast read for me. This was what I needed after reading ACOMAF. A very good stand alone book by itself. This book held my attention from the first page until the very end. The plot was executed very nicely. There were twist and turns and it was just magical. Love the relationship of Maya and Amar.
Amar...super sexy while wearing that hood with just half of his face showing. Any man with just the bottom of his face showing and eyes cover is just ugh....super sexy!
Amar...super sexy while wearing that hood with just half of his face showing. Any man with just the bottom of his face showing and eyes cover is just ugh....super sexy!
bookeliina's review against another edition
3.0
Apmēram 60% no grāmatas man ļoti patika, bet tad . . .
Man patīk fantāzijas žanra darbi, bet reizēm autoram tomēr ir jājūt - kad visa jau ir par daudz un mazāk reizēm ir vairāk. Man patika rakstības stils, tādēļ vien iespējams pamēģināšu vēl kādu no autores darbiem.
Man patīk fantāzijas žanra darbi, bet reizēm autoram tomēr ir jājūt - kad visa jau ir par daudz un mazāk reizēm ir vairāk. Man patika rakstības stils, tādēļ vien iespējams pamēģināšu vēl kādu no autores darbiem.
ashezbookz's review against another edition
4.0
I adored this book - some of it was a bit confusing so hence the 4 stars, but other than that this was a great book.
I adored the horse that took her back in the end - for real, I could listen (I listened to the audio version - it was awesome) to her talk all day, a whole book one her would be awesome, not even an exaggeration on that one. Her sing-song ways and mannerisms are just fabulous.
I'm unsure how to literally spell ANYTHING because I listened to audio, but the world was fun, I can't wait to listen to the second book - I really enjoyed her husband, even though their story was off to a rocky start, I can't wait to see where they end up and how their realm develops.
I adored the horse that took her back in the end - for real, I could listen (I listened to the audio version - it was awesome) to her talk all day, a whole book one her would be awesome, not even an exaggeration on that one. Her sing-song ways and mannerisms are just fabulous.
I'm unsure how to literally spell ANYTHING because I listened to audio, but the world was fun, I can't wait to listen to the second book - I really enjoyed her husband, even though their story was off to a rocky start, I can't wait to see where they end up and how their realm develops.
manov's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
1.0
renma13's review against another edition
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.