Reviews

Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar

annne_'s review against another edition

The age difference between me and the main character was just too big. The story would be better fitting for teenagers.

bibliographry's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The concept of this book was really fun. The author was very descriptive in reference to the world of the stars and culture. I do think it’s helpful if you are familiar with Desi culture- I am not so parts were a little confusing. The quality of writing was beautiful and interesting in a lot of parts. There were several it felt slightly repetitive. Overall it was a cute book.

louanne73's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

cre8tivebeauty's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-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

daisyandherbooks's review against another edition

slow-paced

2.0

mrood00's review against another edition

2.0

Considering this book was supposed to be about a competition I don’t think should’ve taken over 80% of the book to get to there, especially when there wasn’t any build up to it and we just meandered along until the 80% mark.

isabelle_rosewrites's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious tense 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? Yes

5.0

hagwife's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Star Daughter is an incredible portrait of family, history, and becoming. I am also deeply in love with the fact that Hindu culture and mythology is front and center.

The magical library whose location system relies on music to find books and everything is ordered according to the asanas is divine, no pun intended.

I love Thrakar's treatment of generational trauma and the core friendship between Sheetal and Minal is beautiful.

This is especially so given their differing secual orientations; Thrakar gives an amazing platonic friendship between the two and gives readers a delightful romance subplot between Minal and Padmini. Usually, I feel we get one or the other or some conflation of the two, and here we get both!

What is an issue for me is the pacing and the kitchen-sink plotting. This book is incredibly fast paced given the complex issues Thakar handles and the story arc she weaves them through. It's a lot and its hard to get attached to certain characters or pieces because it all moves so quickly. To be clear, I don't think Thrakar needs or should have to slow down introducing the readers to the Earthly cast or the Heavenly one – I love the "deep end and swim" approach. There's just one trope too many piled on top of each other at breakneck speed.

(Her boyfriend knew she was a star because someone asked him to keep an eye on her, one parent is divine and one isn't, the divine nature hurting someone as we hit the coming of age, familial trauma causing a rift between two worlds, a competition where suddenly the brand new divine being has to master their talent to save everything, etc.)

 

Overall, its a great addition to YA Literature and I'm excited to see what Thrakar writes next!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment

Moderate: Physical abuse, Violence, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, and Blood

There is a dream sequence early on that is unsettling.

The sequence has to do with the first Star Hunter capturing a star and finding out that her blood has healing properties. You can guess where that ends up. Not explicit but also not fantastic.

dancingprince's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

On the whole, a really fun read. A bit clichè here and there, but doesn't a little stardust go a long way?

starborns's review against another edition

4.0

the REAL court of silver flames