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A review by path_through_pages
Of the Stars by A.M. Alcedo
5.0
4.5!
Of The Stars is probably one of the most unique story concepts I have read in a long time.
With a dual perspective narrative that is both clinical and accessible, you follow two characters constantly riddled with inner conflict and good intentions.
Written by a licensed therapist, Of The Stars is the perfect example of why you shouldn't try to pour from an empty cup.
Nora is a brilliant and empathetic therapist who is struggling to come to terms with the trauma of her past, while wrestling with guilt, and an addiction to grief. Her ability to connect and guide her patients is admirable, especially considering how fiercely she runs from herself.
In a moment of intense emotion, she meets an ethereal man named Dex, who is equal parts shattered and whole. Dex has these strange abilities, that in his own disbelief, he turns from. Being unsure of himself is nothing he isn't used to, because Dex has no memory of himself. 20 years ago he fell (or jumped?) From a 12 story building, but miraculously was back on his feet in days.
Through an unlikely friendship, Dex and Nora find themselves on a hunt for memories, working through trauma, united in a shared fight (both figurative and literal). They uncover a secret arena of Figments who are seeking solace and safety, but are also engaged in violent bouts to try and regain their memories.
This book is so incredibly interesting and complex. Throughout the course of the story you keep feeling like you're missing something, but that's because you are. You go through the discoveries with the characters and learn as they do.
This story is exhausting and taxing but that's because, as fantastical as some of the elements are, the exhaustion of a mental health crisis and mental health work is so incredibly real.
If this sounds like your kind of story I highly recommend you give it a try!
What kept it from being 5 stars was mainly personal preference and a few minor editing mistakes.
There were a handful of spelling mistakes or typos maybe 8-10 that I saw, and although that's not a big deal it does take you out of the story.
And in terms of the writing and the flow, I absolutely did enjoy it but it was very heavy in descriptors. As I mentioned above I feel like this was part of the point of the book because mental health can feel so incredibly exhausting and so this may have been an intentional language device, but for me as a reader I felt it to be a bit taxing at times.
Beyond that I really did love the story!
Of The Stars is probably one of the most unique story concepts I have read in a long time.
With a dual perspective narrative that is both clinical and accessible, you follow two characters constantly riddled with inner conflict and good intentions.
Written by a licensed therapist, Of The Stars is the perfect example of why you shouldn't try to pour from an empty cup.
Nora is a brilliant and empathetic therapist who is struggling to come to terms with the trauma of her past, while wrestling with guilt, and an addiction to grief. Her ability to connect and guide her patients is admirable, especially considering how fiercely she runs from herself.
In a moment of intense emotion, she meets an ethereal man named Dex, who is equal parts shattered and whole. Dex has these strange abilities, that in his own disbelief, he turns from. Being unsure of himself is nothing he isn't used to, because Dex has no memory of himself. 20 years ago he fell (or jumped?) From a 12 story building, but miraculously was back on his feet in days.
Through an unlikely friendship, Dex and Nora find themselves on a hunt for memories, working through trauma, united in a shared fight (both figurative and literal). They uncover a secret arena of Figments who are seeking solace and safety, but are also engaged in violent bouts to try and regain their memories.
This book is so incredibly interesting and complex. Throughout the course of the story you keep feeling like you're missing something, but that's because you are. You go through the discoveries with the characters and learn as they do.
This story is exhausting and taxing but that's because, as fantastical as some of the elements are, the exhaustion of a mental health crisis and mental health work is so incredibly real.
If this sounds like your kind of story I highly recommend you give it a try!
What kept it from being 5 stars was mainly personal preference and a few minor editing mistakes.
There were a handful of spelling mistakes or typos maybe 8-10 that I saw, and although that's not a big deal it does take you out of the story.
And in terms of the writing and the flow, I absolutely did enjoy it but it was very heavy in descriptors. As I mentioned above I feel like this was part of the point of the book because mental health can feel so incredibly exhausting and so this may have been an intentional language device, but for me as a reader I felt it to be a bit taxing at times.
Beyond that I really did love the story!