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A review by hopeglow
The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi
3.0
2.5
I am so conflicted with this novel.
I am for one completely done with YA and their beautiful, lyrical, metaphorical poses. It is one thing to write beautifully, it is another to toss in so many metaphors and similes to the point where everything is over bearing and I couldn't comprehend it.
I am also done with insta-love. Teenage me would have died for something like that but not anymore. Give me reasons, it doesn't necessarily have to be good or out of this world amazing reasons but at least something. I am tired of reading about the protagonist's heart beating out of her chest or she can't breathe because she saw the love interest. Or she hardly knows the love interest at all but something in her guts, the very small deep part of her guts telling her to trust this complete and utter stranger. (This is basically half of the book, and I understood why insta-love was used here but I am so done with it I can't excuse it anymore).
Diversity! The best thing about the book but even that can't save this book frlom my low rating.
The plot was... what is the plot really? Besides them being fated to be together? The world building wasn't as strong as I hoped it would be, either, I found myself confused and wish that my questions were addressed. Then there are the characters. I'd always say that the characters are the key foundation in story-telling. And if the authors are able to give me good characters, I can forgive the storyline or bad writing. But, the characters here are so flat. I couldn't find myself connecting or caring enough. (Even though I did care about Maya in the beginning, that interest was lost through one-third of the book). I wanted to reach the end simply because I was curious to see if I was right about how the story was going to play out. And I was.
There's also the girl-hate trope that plays a role in the last half of the book. *Rolls Eyes to the back of my head* I am so done with that.
So despite all of the hype and the crazy that have been following this novel around, it was clearly not for me. Although I will check out Chokshi other works in the future to see what else she has to share with her readers.
I am so conflicted with this novel.
I am for one completely done with YA and their beautiful, lyrical, metaphorical poses. It is one thing to write beautifully, it is another to toss in so many metaphors and similes to the point where everything is over bearing and I couldn't comprehend it.
I am also done with insta-love. Teenage me would have died for something like that but not anymore. Give me reasons, it doesn't necessarily have to be good or out of this world amazing reasons but at least something. I am tired of reading about the protagonist's heart beating out of her chest or she can't breathe because she saw the love interest. Or she hardly knows the love interest at all but something in her guts, the very small deep part of her guts telling her to trust this complete and utter stranger. (This is basically half of the book, and I understood why insta-love was used here but I am so done with it I can't excuse it anymore).
Diversity! The best thing about the book but even that can't save this book frlom my low rating.
The plot was... what is the plot really? Besides them being fated to be together? The world building wasn't as strong as I hoped it would be, either, I found myself confused and wish that my questions were addressed. Then there are the characters. I'd always say that the characters are the key foundation in story-telling. And if the authors are able to give me good characters, I can forgive the storyline or bad writing. But, the characters here are so flat. I couldn't find myself connecting or caring enough. (Even though I did care about Maya in the beginning, that interest was lost through one-third of the book). I wanted to reach the end simply because I was curious to see if I was right about how the story was going to play out. And I was.
There's also the girl-hate trope that plays a role in the last half of the book. *Rolls Eyes to the back of my head* I am so done with that.
So despite all of the hype and the crazy that have been following this novel around, it was clearly not for me. Although I will check out Chokshi other works in the future to see what else she has to share with her readers.