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themarishale's review
5.0
If I tried to make comparisons to other novels, I would struggle. Not because VESSEL OF STARFIRE doesn’t fit the YA and Fantasy genres well, but because it simply is a work that stands out so well it does not need comparisons.
You just gotta read it, you know?
There are criminals and assassins and a plethora of otherworldly beings.
There is beauty and darkness, and they are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
There is a queer protagonist who is sometimes unsure of her place in the world while also holding a most assured, even feared, place in the world Carr Waechter has built.
The imagery is what took hold of me immediately, if I am being honest. Reading about Crescent Moon, for instance, felt visceral. The words pull you in until you are seated and waiting for tea, too, you know?
But more than that, there is a complexity to each character—main or supporting. Not everything you see in the first few chapters is ALL they are, if that makes sense. And I love that, because it shows growth and allows us to experience each character fully. Some you will love immediately then maybe end up hoping they died. Some you may distrust right off the bat, then end up cheering for.
Yoonai is my favorite, with her deep knowing and gorgeous locks, followed by Echo; I know, I know, but I am biased.
Really, truly, VESSEL OF STARFIRE is beautiful. Beautiful. The ending and epilogue almost broke me in a myriad of ways. But, of course, now I want more. And isn’t that the sign of a good book?
10/10 would recommend
You just gotta read it, you know?
There are criminals and assassins and a plethora of otherworldly beings.
There is beauty and darkness, and they are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
There is a queer protagonist who is sometimes unsure of her place in the world while also holding a most assured, even feared, place in the world Carr Waechter has built.
The imagery is what took hold of me immediately, if I am being honest. Reading about Crescent Moon, for instance, felt visceral. The words pull you in until you are seated and waiting for tea, too, you know?
But more than that, there is a complexity to each character—main or supporting. Not everything you see in the first few chapters is ALL they are, if that makes sense. And I love that, because it shows growth and allows us to experience each character fully. Some you will love immediately then maybe end up hoping they died. Some you may distrust right off the bat, then end up cheering for.
Yoonai is my favorite, with her deep knowing and gorgeous locks, followed by Echo; I know, I know, but I am biased.
Really, truly, VESSEL OF STARFIRE is beautiful. Beautiful. The ending and epilogue almost broke me in a myriad of ways. But, of course, now I want more. And isn’t that the sign of a good book?
10/10 would recommend
othersideoftherain's review
5.0
intricate world-building and fantastic, inclusive characters -- an incredibly fun fantasy novel suited for upper YA and adult readers alike. a breath of fresh air in the genre!
stephwz's review
5.0
The Outlaws of Interra series is criminally underrated. This first installment in the series follows Echo Rodrigal, her family and their crew know as the Vindicatta - a group of criminals dedicated to vengeance for the marginalized. We jump in as the Vindicatta are thrust into the mist of a brewing political conflict. Magical destinies are revealed and plans are made to stabilize the realms of Interra and save it from destruction.
Allison Carr Waechter is a master of building magical, gorgeous worlds that still feel grounded and lived-in. All of her characters are complex, interesting, unique and queer/allies. I loved how this book mixed NA fantasy, sci-fi and occult magic flawlessly together to make such an interesting story. Echo is so relatable as she struggles with her self-identity and mental heath. There is a romantic aspect to the story but it is not the focus and I LOVED how the action of the story did not begin after the main character met their love interest like so many other NA fantasies. Absolutely mind blowing novel, 5 big stars brimming with starfire!
Allison Carr Waechter is a master of building magical, gorgeous worlds that still feel grounded and lived-in. All of her characters are complex, interesting, unique and queer/allies. I loved how this book mixed NA fantasy, sci-fi and occult magic flawlessly together to make such an interesting story. Echo is so relatable as she struggles with her self-identity and mental heath. There is a romantic aspect to the story but it is not the focus and I LOVED how the action of the story did not begin after the main character met their love interest like so many other NA fantasies. Absolutely mind blowing novel, 5 big stars brimming with starfire!
irma_lonnqvist's review against another edition
3.0
2,5⭐️I don’t know, it was good. But dear god it was slow, it was very character driven and mostly just vibes. And it just wasn’t the fantasy book I wanted it to be. I might continue on but I don’t know.
thejunoverse444's review
dnf at 50%. i tried, i really did. the premise is interesting, and the art is gorgeous, but something about the way this was written causes nothing to stick. multiple times i've had to read the same page over and over again, even going back to earlier parts of the book to make sure i'm not confusing two different characters together. maybe i'll come back to it one day, but i don't think that'll be any time soon
lithium_peaches's review
5.0
Compelling, Authentic, and Refreshing
There is SO much to love about this book. It’s intricate, inclusive, and sexy in the best ways. This science-fantasy YA hits an elusive sweet spot between mystery, magic, and down-to-earth conflicts in science, culture, and spirituality that doesn’t seek to divide and exclude among those themes. Vessel of Starfire is an absolute page-turner that lets you lose yourself in the world and characters that Waechter has set free on the page.
The cast is refreshingly diverse and queer. Screw the “bury your gays” trope: you get to read through the lives of some delightful queer characters, all with different lived experiences. They’re all compelling and genuine in one way or another. The characters are interesting, authentic, and flawed; they are not props or stereotypes. The romances are everything from sweet and demure, to more complicated or heart-wrenching, with some deliciously sexy tidbits for good measure.
The worldbuilding is lush and carefully crafted without feeling contrived. There is clearly love in the attention to detail regarding the various cultures and spaces of Interra. However, the writing just feels effortless, natural, and engaging. The more I learned about the world the more I wanted to sink into the gorgeous scenes. It also blends some political and supernatural intrigue in the larger scope, and seeing these issues played out in the lives of our dear protagonists hits on a visceral level.
One of my favorite elements is the handling of trauma and neurodivergence: it isn’t played for tragic, if irrelevant, backstory. And even though it’s a fantastical setting, trauma isn’t “magicked away”; it doesn’t give you superpowers; it isn’t just there for a “dark night of the soul” for the characters to simply brush off at a convenient moment. It feels real, and very human.
In short, this novel is a RIDE, y’all. Loved it, will read again, can’t wait for the next one.
There is SO much to love about this book. It’s intricate, inclusive, and sexy in the best ways. This science-fantasy YA hits an elusive sweet spot between mystery, magic, and down-to-earth conflicts in science, culture, and spirituality that doesn’t seek to divide and exclude among those themes. Vessel of Starfire is an absolute page-turner that lets you lose yourself in the world and characters that Waechter has set free on the page.
The cast is refreshingly diverse and queer. Screw the “bury your gays” trope: you get to read through the lives of some delightful queer characters, all with different lived experiences. They’re all compelling and genuine in one way or another. The characters are interesting, authentic, and flawed; they are not props or stereotypes. The romances are everything from sweet and demure, to more complicated or heart-wrenching, with some deliciously sexy tidbits for good measure.
The worldbuilding is lush and carefully crafted without feeling contrived. There is clearly love in the attention to detail regarding the various cultures and spaces of Interra. However, the writing just feels effortless, natural, and engaging. The more I learned about the world the more I wanted to sink into the gorgeous scenes. It also blends some political and supernatural intrigue in the larger scope, and seeing these issues played out in the lives of our dear protagonists hits on a visceral level.
One of my favorite elements is the handling of trauma and neurodivergence: it isn’t played for tragic, if irrelevant, backstory. And even though it’s a fantastical setting, trauma isn’t “magicked away”; it doesn’t give you superpowers; it isn’t just there for a “dark night of the soul” for the characters to simply brush off at a convenient moment. It feels real, and very human.
In short, this novel is a RIDE, y’all. Loved it, will read again, can’t wait for the next one.
ashleystory's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
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