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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
Dystopian Chosen One to Save the Stars
This is a YA dystopian novel following Casper as he is ripped from his life on Earth to save the people of Novilem. While he is there he meets so many people, but not everyone is to be trusted. Casper has to figure out his new role as the Telos and find out who he can trust to help him save their world. I really loved the relationship development and how Casper has to grow in his beliefs in order to truly save the people of Novilem. The characters get a HFN ending with a slight cliffhanger. This book is a great read for someone who likes dystopian worlds, a chosen one hero, fish out of water and found family tropes. Please check your triggers, this book deals with forced outing, betrayed and disowned by family and friends for who you love.
This is a YA dystopian novel following Casper as he is ripped from his life on Earth to save the people of Novilem. While he is there he meets so many people, but not everyone is to be trusted. Casper has to figure out his new role as the Telos and find out who he can trust to help him save their world. I really loved the relationship development and how Casper has to grow in his beliefs in order to truly save the people of Novilem. The characters get a HFN ending with a slight cliffhanger. This book is a great read for someone who likes dystopian worlds, a chosen one hero, fish out of water and found family tropes. Please check your triggers, this book deals with forced outing, betrayed and disowned by family and friends for who you love.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I received an eARC of this book courtesy of the author and BookFunnel in order to honestly review.
I’ve not felt this refreshed by a sci-fi/dystopian novel in a long time. The story is Avatar: The Last Air Bender meets queer astrology in the best way possible. As soon as I felt like “the other shoe dropped” there was another one waiting to drop as well. I think the 3 narrators are written really well. The use of 3 different perspectives of the story really gives the reader a feel for each side of the problem.
I am genuinely excited for the 2nd book in this duology and this one isn’t even officially out yet!
I’ve not felt this refreshed by a sci-fi/dystopian novel in a long time. The story is Avatar: The Last Air Bender meets queer astrology in the best way possible. As soon as I felt like “the other shoe dropped” there was another one waiting to drop as well. I think the 3 narrators are written really well. The use of 3 different perspectives of the story really gives the reader a feel for each side of the problem.
I am genuinely excited for the 2nd book in this duology and this one isn’t even officially out yet!
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A Circle of Stars has a good ending. when reading this book, I felt torn about perhaps giving it a 3 star rating, but the ending, as they say, is paramount. The ending of the book made reading this book, dispite it's flaws, worth it I think. I'm surprised that this is a duologue, as I have no idea what book 2 is gonna be about. Politics?
The flaws of this book are 2 main things. The beginning has too many chapters from Casper's POV, this is a flaw as when reading this book, you don't get a lot of characters or information to get your self attached to. When reading, I really felt "what's the point?" And it's kind of annoying how rude the MC was always treated in those first 100 pages.
Helix's POV, works much better to set the stage and also gives you a cast of characters. a book isn't just about 1 character, and that was the problem with having so many Casper POVs in the beginning. I think if we mixed in a couple of more Helix POVs in the first half, the book would have been better off. For example, I think this book would have been far more engaging if chapter 6(our first POV of Helix) was actually ourfirst chapter, and then we have the five. Chapters of Casper.
It just sets the stakes, characters, and world buildings much better then Casper's did.
THE SEXOND huge flaw is that there is some issue with the dialogue in this book. I don't know whats wrong, but whenever characters would talk with each other, I would always get a sense of 'weird' and I have no idea why.
I also think this book would have been better as a portal fantasy, then as a SCI-Fi. This is because, the mix between the two worlds actually causes some minor plot holes. If the two worlds have a more aggressive separation, the world building would make more sense.
In gernal, the world building here is really good, and the plot holes are minor. I was quite engaged thought the second half of the book (this was probably majorly helped by having more POV switches).
It's kind of weird, cuz I like Casper, but I didn't like his POVs. I think this has to do with the dialogue, as Casper talks with random quips, like he's a marvel character doing their big joke line, and everyone kind of ignores him when he talks. It's weirdly not engaging for the majority of the book.
Anyway, I enjoyed this, but I have 0 intentions for continuing the series.
The flaws of this book are 2 main things. The beginning has too many chapters from Casper's POV, this is a flaw as when reading this book, you don't get a lot of characters or information to get your self attached to. When reading, I really felt "what's the point?" And it's kind of annoying how rude the MC was always treated in those first 100 pages.
Helix's POV, works much better to set the stage and also gives you a cast of characters. a book isn't just about 1 character, and that was the problem with having so many Casper POVs in the beginning. I think if we mixed in a couple of more Helix POVs in the first half, the book would have been better off. For example, I think this book would have been far more engaging if chapter 6(our first POV of Helix) was actually ourfirst chapter, and then we have the five. Chapters of Casper.
It just sets the stakes, characters, and world buildings much better then Casper's did.
THE SEXOND huge flaw is that there is some issue with the dialogue in this book. I don't know whats wrong, but whenever characters would talk with each other, I would always get a sense of 'weird' and I have no idea why.
I also think this book would have been better as a portal fantasy, then as a SCI-Fi. This is because, the mix between the two worlds actually causes some minor plot holes. If the two worlds have a more aggressive separation, the world building would make more sense.
In gernal, the world building here is really good, and the plot holes are minor. I was quite engaged thought the second half of the book (this was probably majorly helped by having more POV switches).
It's kind of weird, cuz I like Casper, but I didn't like his POVs. I think this has to do with the dialogue, as Casper talks with random quips, like he's a marvel character doing their big joke line, and everyone kind of ignores him when he talks. It's weirdly not engaging for the majority of the book.
Anyway, I enjoyed this, but I have 0 intentions for continuing the series.
TL;DR: A super interesting premise for a world (especially because I love astrology so much), coupled with some intense themes and a main pairing who are crafted with some beautiful qualities I don't see often in fiction.
THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER-FREE
CHARACTERS: I'm really impressed by Casper. His backstory and the trauma of his past is not something I have personally read much of in my fiction travels. There is an instant sympathy for his plight and a desire to see him succeed. I was really impressed with how he was written overall. Helix comes up just slightly behind him in terms of how well-rounded and impressive he is. But their character arcs through this first book were definitely worth the read.
PLOT: The plot is heavily internal, as suggested by the blurb, with 'political intrigue'. Not necessarily my favorite, as I prefer external plots that don't rely so much on secrets and miscommunication or non-communication, but eventually we get somewhere with it. The exposition is slow going, sometimes dense because of how intricate the world is. I will admit that I skimmed the parts that weren't from Casper or Helix's POV.
EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: There is no good/bad here. Sometimes I just want a low-investment entertainment read whereas other times a high-stakes 'I need a therapist to recover' is what I need.
4 of 5. This one is high based upon some of the deeper themes in the backstory. It also touched upon a couple of 'pressure points' for me (see my profile for that, no spoilers!). This one is too intricate to work well as a beach read, and the stakes are high enough that you can't be certain for a HEA ending.
CATHARTIC FULFILLMENT: Is the emotional journey worth it? Do I finish this book feeling that I've crested the wave of the climactic moment and everything has been settled, leaving me settled and fulfilled?
For a first book of two, I was 99% fulfilled, as usual. The conflict of the first book is wrapped up, the set up for the main conflict of the second book is there, and our main pairing grows both as individuals and within their relationship. I'm keen to see how the series will end.
WOULD I GO BACK IN TIME AND READ THIS BOOK KNOWING WHAT I KNOW NOW?
Yes, I would still read this one. It's good to know where it stands on the intensity scale, so I know how much emotional and mental brainpower I'd need, but I would still read this one.
THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER-FREE
CHARACTERS: I'm really impressed by Casper. His backstory and the trauma of his past is not something I have personally read much of in my fiction travels. There is an instant sympathy for his plight and a desire to see him succeed. I was really impressed with how he was written overall. Helix comes up just slightly behind him in terms of how well-rounded and impressive he is. But their character arcs through this first book were definitely worth the read.
PLOT: The plot is heavily internal, as suggested by the blurb, with 'political intrigue'. Not necessarily my favorite, as I prefer external plots that don't rely so much on secrets and miscommunication or non-communication, but eventually we get somewhere with it. The exposition is slow going, sometimes dense because of how intricate the world is. I will admit that I skimmed the parts that weren't from Casper or Helix's POV.
EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: There is no good/bad here. Sometimes I just want a low-investment entertainment read whereas other times a high-stakes 'I need a therapist to recover' is what I need.
4 of 5. This one is high based upon some of the deeper themes in the backstory. It also touched upon a couple of 'pressure points' for me (see my profile for that, no spoilers!). This one is too intricate to work well as a beach read, and the stakes are high enough that you can't be certain for a HEA ending.
CATHARTIC FULFILLMENT: Is the emotional journey worth it? Do I finish this book feeling that I've crested the wave of the climactic moment and everything has been settled, leaving me settled and fulfilled?
For a first book of two, I was 99% fulfilled, as usual. The conflict of the first book is wrapped up, the set up for the main conflict of the second book is there, and our main pairing grows both as individuals and within their relationship. I'm keen to see how the series will end.
WOULD I GO BACK IN TIME AND READ THIS BOOK KNOWING WHAT I KNOW NOW?
Yes, I would still read this one. It's good to know where it stands on the intensity scale, so I know how much emotional and mental brainpower I'd need, but I would still read this one.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
This book was a blast from start to finish! It's been a while since I read a YA fantasy that hooked me from the very beginning and kept my attention through its entirety, but this book did. I find it hard to believe that this is Craig's debut novel. It reads like its written by a seasoned YA novelist. Craig created two great main characters that go through hell as they discover the secrets and lies their world is built on. From the very beginning, we saw our MC, Casper, get kicked out of his home because of his sexuality before being ripped from Earth and transported far across the galaxy to a whole new world. Even though every sexuality is considered normal and widely accepted, this world still held it's own prejudices against a minority that those in charge didn't fully understand. Those in power chose to control this group of people by locking them away just so they could keep the power they worked so hard to build. I think Craig did an excellent job of creating a political world that mirror's our own in the US. The every day people are the ones who are forced to bare the weight of the nation instead of those in power (wealthy). I thought that this was a very creative way of voicing concerns and frustrations about things in our reality through a fantasy lens.
I think that Craig has a very bright future as an author. I can't wait to read the 2nd book in The Stardust Duology and other stories that he creates. If you are looking for a fun YA fantasy, especially a queer YA fantasy, this is the book for you. I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy of the audiobook for an honest review!
I think that Craig has a very bright future as an author. I can't wait to read the 2nd book in The Stardust Duology and other stories that he creates. If you are looking for a fun YA fantasy, especially a queer YA fantasy, this is the book for you. I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy of the audiobook for an honest review!
A Circle Of Stars, by Craig Montgomery, brings astrology and fantasy together in a mind blowing and relatable way.
I knew when I was in tears 3 pages in that this book was going to be an emotional rollercoaster. I was right. Unfairly revealed by a classmate as being gay, Casper isn't sure how life can get any worse. Until he's stolen away from everything he's ever known and told his sole responsibility is to be a beacon of hope for an entire kingdom. A kingdom he's never heard of or have any inkling off how things work. It's ok though because he meets Helix. Together they make revelations and discoveries about the community Casper is supposed to lead and helix has spent a lifetime learning to govern. Can they fix the wrongs without destroying everything? I can't wait to find out.
If you're not a fan of astrology don't fret. This is nothing like the astrology you're familiar with. Other than when you were born deciding your zodiac, there's no moon phases or anything to keep track of. I found the magic system tied to the astrological signs very interesting, of not a little complicated at times. I still don't feel like I have a complete grasp on exactly how it works but I understand enough to enjoy it.
The story itself was engaging throughout. It opens on a slower build till around 45% then it really takes off. But I personally don't mind a slow build up with world building and character development. Which this book definitely has.
Overall totally solid debut book. The writing worked for me and didn't feel clunky or overwritten. I didn't find myself repeatedly pulled out of the story or bored at any time. I can't wait for book 2!
I knew when I was in tears 3 pages in that this book was going to be an emotional rollercoaster. I was right. Unfairly revealed by a classmate as being gay, Casper isn't sure how life can get any worse. Until he's stolen away from everything he's ever known and told his sole responsibility is to be a beacon of hope for an entire kingdom. A kingdom he's never heard of or have any inkling off how things work. It's ok though because he meets Helix. Together they make revelations and discoveries about the community Casper is supposed to lead and helix has spent a lifetime learning to govern. Can they fix the wrongs without destroying everything? I can't wait to find out.
If you're not a fan of astrology don't fret. This is nothing like the astrology you're familiar with. Other than when you were born deciding your zodiac, there's no moon phases or anything to keep track of. I found the magic system tied to the astrological signs very interesting, of not a little complicated at times. I still don't feel like I have a complete grasp on exactly how it works but I understand enough to enjoy it.
The story itself was engaging throughout. It opens on a slower build till around 45% then it really takes off. But I personally don't mind a slow build up with world building and character development. Which this book definitely has.
Overall totally solid debut book. The writing worked for me and didn't feel clunky or overwritten. I didn't find myself repeatedly pulled out of the story or bored at any time. I can't wait for book 2!