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A review by themarishale
Vessel of Starfire by Allison Carr Waechter
5.0
If I tried to make comparisons to other novels, I would struggle. Not because VESSEL OF STARFIRE doesn’t fit the YA and Fantasy genres well, but because it simply is a work that stands out so well it does not need comparisons.
You just gotta read it, you know?
There are criminals and assassins and a plethora of otherworldly beings.
There is beauty and darkness, and they are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
There is a queer protagonist who is sometimes unsure of her place in the world while also holding a most assured, even feared, place in the world Carr Waechter has built.
The imagery is what took hold of me immediately, if I am being honest. Reading about Crescent Moon, for instance, felt visceral. The words pull you in until you are seated and waiting for tea, too, you know?
But more than that, there is a complexity to each character—main or supporting. Not everything you see in the first few chapters is ALL they are, if that makes sense. And I love that, because it shows growth and allows us to experience each character fully. Some you will love immediately then maybe end up hoping they died. Some you may distrust right off the bat, then end up cheering for.
Yoonai is my favorite, with her deep knowing and gorgeous locks, followed by Echo; I know, I know, but I am biased.
Really, truly, VESSEL OF STARFIRE is beautiful. Beautiful. The ending and epilogue almost broke me in a myriad of ways. But, of course, now I want more. And isn’t that the sign of a good book?
10/10 would recommend
You just gotta read it, you know?
There are criminals and assassins and a plethora of otherworldly beings.
There is beauty and darkness, and they are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
There is a queer protagonist who is sometimes unsure of her place in the world while also holding a most assured, even feared, place in the world Carr Waechter has built.
The imagery is what took hold of me immediately, if I am being honest. Reading about Crescent Moon, for instance, felt visceral. The words pull you in until you are seated and waiting for tea, too, you know?
But more than that, there is a complexity to each character—main or supporting. Not everything you see in the first few chapters is ALL they are, if that makes sense. And I love that, because it shows growth and allows us to experience each character fully. Some you will love immediately then maybe end up hoping they died. Some you may distrust right off the bat, then end up cheering for.
Yoonai is my favorite, with her deep knowing and gorgeous locks, followed by Echo; I know, I know, but I am biased.
Really, truly, VESSEL OF STARFIRE is beautiful. Beautiful. The ending and epilogue almost broke me in a myriad of ways. But, of course, now I want more. And isn’t that the sign of a good book?
10/10 would recommend