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A review by astravars
A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Let's start with what I didn't like
The beginning was honestly a little slow and I had a hard time really getting into the book but once the plot started picking up about halfway into the book I enjoyed it!
I wasn't a fan of the writing in Nausicaäs chapters specifically, especially in the beginning, but that too got better throughout the book.
However, I'm very attached to all of the characters, especially Vehan and Aurelian who should have gotten a little more on-page time in my opinion since I was a little more interested in their side of the plot.
The characters are all well fleshed out and I loved seeing the story develope from different point of views who all had different information and reasons for participating in their group investigation. They might have been my favourite thing about the book and the reason I ended up giving it 4 stars.
Another thing I loved about this book was the casual genderqueer representation in a lot of the side characters, especially the way most of their deities seemed to be genderqueer (this is even specifically expressed by one of the characters who complains about the term "gods" being too male for their predominantly genderqueer selves).
Overall my biggest complaint is probably the pacing and while the plot wasn't the most genius thing I've ever read I did find myself getting fully invested and needing to read the second book immediately once I'd finished it.
I definitely recommend this one if you want some characters to obsess over and to experience queer joy about the representation.
The beginning was honestly a little slow and I had a hard time really getting into the book but once the plot started picking up about halfway into the book I enjoyed it!
I wasn't a fan of the writing in Nausicaäs chapters specifically, especially in the beginning, but that too got better throughout the book.
However, I'm very attached to all of the characters, especially Vehan and Aurelian who should have gotten a little more on-page time in my opinion since I was a little more interested in their side of the plot.
The characters are all well fleshed out and I loved seeing the story develope from different point of views who all had different information and reasons for participating in their group investigation. They might have been my favourite thing about the book and the reason I ended up giving it 4 stars.
Another thing I loved about this book was the casual genderqueer representation in a lot of the side characters, especially the way most of their deities seemed to be genderqueer (this is even specifically expressed by one of the characters who complains about the term "gods" being too male for their predominantly genderqueer selves).
Overall my biggest complaint is probably the pacing and while the plot wasn't the most genius thing I've ever read I did find myself getting fully invested and needing to read the second book immediately once I'd finished it.
I definitely recommend this one if you want some characters to obsess over and to experience queer joy about the representation.