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ollieandeviesmama's review
2.0
When starting this book immediately I was hooked. I love the use of mythology and I was so intrigued to see into the life of a star. Once Sheetal had left the mortal world and we learn that it was for a competition I became less intrigued and found it fairly difficult to finish this book. I felt like Sheetal and Devs relationship was just thrown in when it shouldn’t have. To me there were many parts in this book that just seemed to not belong where they were and didn’t smoothly transition into the next. The ending was lovely when Sheetal woke up from his coma and saw her mom there in the hospital room, that may have been my favourite part of the book. I got the book from FairyLoot, the cover is beautiful and was the initial reason I was excited to read it.
marieintheraw's review
3.0
With a beautiful cover, beautiful writing and a character who is half-human, half-star I was hoping for more, but unfortunately, the plot let me down a bit on this one.
laura_cs's review
5.0
Words cannot begin to describe how simply MAGICAL this book is! Not to mention how absorbing Thakrar's writing is--there were many times where I felt like I was in the Night Market, walking with Sheetal through the palace, eating all of the food and seeing all the colors and clothes and hearing the music... I never wanted it to end!
alyssaindira's review
3.0
*NO MAJOR PLOT SPOILERS WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS REVIEW**
“You want to understand humans? That is what makes us—and art—what we are. That choice to keep getting back up and trying again in the face of suffering and injustice and despair.”
i finally got around to reading this book. And well....it tried. It is definitely YA, so no worries there. But even as a YA debut novel...it had promise. The lush myths that were woven into the story were glorious. I loved the rich ancient tales that were conveyed through the pages. i really enjoyed learning a new magical world and how the 'stars' perceived humanity and such. But while the author is good at past storytelling and making worlds....she isnt the best at the story that those are meant to surround.
Again, the writing was good, not too detailed but detailed enough to fall into the world. But the pacing of this world.....the beginning of the book was good, the end was good, the middle...I feel there could have either been more that happened in rapid succession, or less pages for the things that did happen to be quicker. Although the need tor learning and storytime for the character was important, i think it could have been conveyed in a different way. Though the premise was good and the ending was good, i dont know, the middle, and the stuff that actually happened...it just wasnt as captivating.
The main character...i dont know, she almost seems plain. Like she has so much potential, with the star stuff, but...i feel like we are told more than shown about this character. She states she wants to save her dad, and not be not seen and stuff, but not much of it was 'shown'. Maybe that was the point? i dont know...i felt like the betrayal and ending were the most riveting storybased part of the book, lmao
Alright, that is all my ramblings, if you want your own, read the book
“You want to understand humans? That is what makes us—and art—what we are. That choice to keep getting back up and trying again in the face of suffering and injustice and despair.”
i finally got around to reading this book. And well....it tried. It is definitely YA, so no worries there. But even as a YA debut novel...it had promise. The lush myths that were woven into the story were glorious. I loved the rich ancient tales that were conveyed through the pages. i really enjoyed learning a new magical world and how the 'stars' perceived humanity and such. But while the author is good at past storytelling and making worlds....she isnt the best at the story that those are meant to surround.
Again, the writing was good, not too detailed but detailed enough to fall into the world. But the pacing of this world.....the beginning of the book was good, the end was good, the middle...I feel there could have either been more that happened in rapid succession, or less pages for the things that did happen to be quicker. Although the need tor learning and storytime for the character was important, i think it could have been conveyed in a different way. Though the premise was good and the ending was good, i dont know, the middle, and the stuff that actually happened...it just wasnt as captivating.
The main character...i dont know, she almost seems plain. Like she has so much potential, with the star stuff, but...i feel like we are told more than shown about this character. She states she wants to save her dad, and not be not seen and stuff, but not much of it was 'shown'. Maybe that was the point? i dont know...i felt like the betrayal and ending were the most riveting storybased part of the book, lmao
Alright, that is all my ramblings, if you want your own, read the book
argrenier's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
auora1484's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
2.5
destobie's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-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? Yes
3.5
chaosandbooks's review
2.0
While the concept of the book showed a lot of premise, I thought the plot itself was a bit confusing. I wasn't a fan of the competition show in space and the main character felt shallow.
mind_body_sol's review
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
starrymynx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
4.25
This book was fun! It wasn't perfect, but I still enjoyed it. It was a quick read, and definitely a YA book.
Stars being people and inspiring humanity to create great things (very much like Greek muses) is very much a concept I could get behind. I loved the idea of a half-star / half-human girl struggling to find her place in the world. The Night Market was also quite fun and I wished I could be there exploring it with the characters. I loved the friendship between Sheetal and Minal too. Despite the magical world in the stars, this book felt very normal -- like this is something that could really happen. Sheetal's struggles were relatable, even while being sometimes magical in nature.
However, there was so much potential for more character development and world building within the book itself, instead it was very much a tell not show kind of book. I loved the whole idea of the world in this book and I would have loved to learn more of it. The inspiration from Hindu myth is fascinating, but I was often confused and found myself googling terms and things I didn't know what they were.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, I just wanted more from it.
Stars being people and inspiring humanity to create great things (very much like Greek muses) is very much a concept I could get behind. I loved the idea of a half-star / half-human girl struggling to find her place in the world. The Night Market was also quite fun and I wished I could be there exploring it with the characters. I loved the friendship between Sheetal and Minal too. Despite the magical world in the stars, this book felt very normal -- like this is something that could really happen. Sheetal's struggles were relatable, even while being sometimes magical in nature.
However, there was so much potential for more character development and world building within the book itself, instead it was very much a tell not show kind of book. I loved the whole idea of the world in this book and I would have loved to learn more of it. The inspiration from Hindu myth is fascinating, but I was often confused and found myself googling terms and things I didn't know what they were.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, I just wanted more from it.