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rc_hall's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Violence, Abandonment, and Panic attacks/disorders
00phantom's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical trauma
Minor: Self harm
sssssoup's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I really wanted to like this book, and I think it could’ve been interesting, but ultimately it just wasn’t for me. It had a lot of really pretty description, but the characters and plot fell flat for me. Sheetal’s internal conflict was intriguing and well written, but she often came across as whiny when she interacted with the other characters, though I did appreciate her complicated feelings about her family members. I was also confused by a lot of the terminology and I think the author should’ve included a glossary. Overall, it was pretty mid and I think the right person could really enjoy it, but I know that wasn’t me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Confinement
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Physical abuse
Minor: Domestic abuse, Medical content, Alcohol, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
bookstagramrepresent's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Thank you you to Hear Our Voices Tours and Harper Teen for this review copy. This has not affected my review.
Star Daughter is a book about family and what we will and will not sacrifice for them. Sheetal’s struggle to find balance between her mortal Desi side and her celestial star side is so very relatable. As she discovers the truth about her mother and the royal Court of Stars, Sheetal must choose where she will stand. I truly appreciate her best friend. Not only is she loyal and constantly looking out for Sheetal, she remains her own person throughout.
There is so much that happens in this! The story is quite fast paced with these beautiful moments in between. This book truly captivated me with its lush storytelling and glittering world building. From the Night Market to the Court. Not to mention all the food references. I’m still making every dish possible from this one.
I also really LOVE the lgbtq+ rep in this. The characters that are part of the queer community just are and there is no unnecessary explanation or need to stop the story and explain. THEY JUST ARE. THEY JUST EXIST AS THEY SHOULD. It is so wholesome and I just LOVE THAT.
Star Daughter pulls inspiration from Hindu mythology and Stardust. It’s a ya fantasy that’s been missing from bookshelves everywhere. I am here for all the Brown Girl Magic in this book and cannot wait for a second installment.
Rep : Indian, Desi, Queer side characters
CW : Panic attacks, use of a fictional slur, captivity of a hostage and torture
Star Daughter is a book about family and what we will and will not sacrifice for them. Sheetal’s struggle to find balance between her mortal Desi side and her celestial star side is so very relatable. As she discovers the truth about her mother and the royal Court of Stars, Sheetal must choose where she will stand. I truly appreciate her best friend. Not only is she loyal and constantly looking out for Sheetal, she remains her own person throughout.
There is so much that happens in this! The story is quite fast paced with these beautiful moments in between. This book truly captivated me with its lush storytelling and glittering world building. From the Night Market to the Court. Not to mention all the food references. I’m still making every dish possible from this one.
I also really LOVE the lgbtq+ rep in this. The characters that are part of the queer community just are and there is no unnecessary explanation or need to stop the story and explain. THEY JUST ARE. THEY JUST EXIST AS THEY SHOULD. It is so wholesome and I just LOVE THAT.
Star Daughter pulls inspiration from Hindu mythology and Stardust. It’s a ya fantasy that’s been missing from bookshelves everywhere. I am here for all the Brown Girl Magic in this book and cannot wait for a second installment.
Rep : Indian, Desi, Queer side characters
CW : Panic attacks, use of a fictional slur, captivity of a hostage and torture
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Torture
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
[Buddy read with Shar 💛]
I kept getting this book from the library and then running out of time to read it, so a buddy read was exactly the incentive I needed to finally read it. And surprisingly, it was really good, and I quite enjoyed my time with the story.
Thakrar’s writing reminded me very much of Roshani Chokshi, specifically her book The Star-Touched Queen, and Anna-Marie McLemore—lovely descriptions seemingly infused with magic, making even the ordinary seem extraordinary. That and the three-dimensional characters were definitely her greatest strengths; I liked the protagonist Sheetal, and loved her best friend Minal and their relationship.
The story is undeniably slow, and more character-driven than plot-driven, but worth sticking with. While the majority of the book is a series of smaller-scale events that kept me intrigued, the last third was a whirlwind of music, discoveries and power plays. It was entertaining without pause, and led to a rather satisfying conclusion.
Though not a favorite, I’d definitely say Star Daughter is one of the most pleasantly surprising books I’ve read this year. I recommend it, and I certainly want to read more from Thakrar; if this is her debut, I look forward to seeing how she grows.
Representation
I kept getting this book from the library and then running out of time to read it, so a buddy read was exactly the incentive I needed to finally read it. And surprisingly, it was really good, and I quite enjoyed my time with the story.
Thakrar’s writing reminded me very much of Roshani Chokshi, specifically her book The Star-Touched Queen, and Anna-Marie McLemore—lovely descriptions seemingly infused with magic, making even the ordinary seem extraordinary. That and the three-dimensional characters were definitely her greatest strengths; I liked the protagonist Sheetal, and loved her best friend Minal and their relationship.
The story is undeniably slow, and more character-driven than plot-driven, but worth sticking with. While the majority of the book is a series of smaller-scale events that kept me intrigued, the last third was a whirlwind of music, discoveries and power plays. It was entertaining without pause, and led to a rather satisfying conclusion.
Though not a favorite, I’d definitely say Star Daughter is one of the most pleasantly surprising books I’ve read this year. I recommend it, and I certainly want to read more from Thakrar; if this is her debut, I look forward to seeing how she grows.
Representation
- almost entirely desi cast
- sapphic side couple
- minor achillean side couple
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Kidnapping, Confinement, and Torture
Those tagged minor refer to events prior to the story that are mentioned throughout, more so in the second half, but never in graphic detail.albon's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Body horror, Blood, Bullying, and Panic attacks/disorders
journeythroughthechapters's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Thoughts
This was sadly a bit average for me. This cover is absolutely stunning and the atmosphere in the novel definitely matches the cover but this was not for me.
Things I liked
- The atmosphere: the world building and descriptions of the world was absolutely beautiful. I could visualise the world which is unusual for me. But I loved that I could picture this world. That is essentially what kept me reading
And I hate to say it but that’s about all I loved.
Things I didn’t love
- the writing: I hate floral writing and purple prose. I hate when it takes two sentences to describe one thing. And I hate when writing dances around the story. But if that is something you like then you might have a better time with this book than me.
- the plot: I don’t know if anyone else felt this way but I feel like there was so much happening but nothing at the same time. If you get what I mean…I feel because there were so many plot lines that nothing got fleshed out which was really disappointing because it is a clever idea but poor execution in my opinion
- the romance: Not necessarily the romance but the thought of romance was too much and too away from the story
With regards to the characters I didn’t hate them but I didn’t love them. As I said it was a very average book.
Representation
POC (main and side characters), Lesbian (side character)
Trigger Warning
Panic Attack, Violence, Bullying, Abandonment, Addiction
This was sadly a bit average for me. This cover is absolutely stunning and the atmosphere in the novel definitely matches the cover but this was not for me.
Things I liked
- The atmosphere: the world building and descriptions of the world was absolutely beautiful. I could visualise the world which is unusual for me. But I loved that I could picture this world. That is essentially what kept me reading
And I hate to say it but that’s about all I loved.
Things I didn’t love
- the writing: I hate floral writing and purple prose. I hate when it takes two sentences to describe one thing. And I hate when writing dances around the story. But if that is something you like then you might have a better time with this book than me.
- the plot: I don’t know if anyone else felt this way but I feel like there was so much happening but nothing at the same time. If you get what I mean…I feel because there were so many plot lines that nothing got fleshed out which was really disappointing because it is a clever idea but poor execution in my opinion
- the romance: Not necessarily the romance but the thought of romance was too much and too away from the story
With regards to the characters I didn’t hate them but I didn’t love them. As I said it was a very average book.
Representation
POC (main and side characters), Lesbian (side character)
Trigger Warning
Panic Attack, Violence, Bullying, Abandonment, Addiction
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Abandonment, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, and Panic attacks/disorders
taleofabibliophile's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Confinement, Physical abuse, Blood, Violence, and Torture
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Medical content
beefromanoff's review
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders