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seacats 's review for:
Wandering Star: A Zodiac Novel
by Romina Russell
⭐3.5
“We can't give up on people anymore. Even if most react like you say, some won't. So we start with the hearts we can change. That's how we make a difference--we begin with a ripple to end with a wave.”
Spoilers for [b:Zodiac|20821306|Zodiac (Zodiac, #1)|Romina Russell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1404743153l/20821306._SY75_.jpg|40167162] since this is a sequel
Also, if you had read the first book and are expecting a recap in the beginning of this one - there is none. So refresh yourself if you do not remember the major plot points.
➤Plot
Wandering Star throws you right back into the fray after the disaster of a mission that it ended on. Its been a few months since Rho and a bunch of others went on mission to try to find Ophiuchus, the 13th zodiac, only to lose most of her team and one of her love interests, Mathias. Rho begins the novel having to deal with survivor guilt and grief while being reunited with her brother. She lost her guardianship, no longer seen as a leader, and guilt tears at her soul as she tries to move on with her life, blaming herself for everything that happened.
Yet things quickly spiral once again and Rho is forced to make a choice to try to make things right by taking a chance at being a leader again or to bite her tongue when she may have something to offer to help the greater good, even if people may not believe her.
➤Characters
The characters and the world/universe of Zodiac is really the selling point of the series. However, not all of them shine as much as others. I will talk only the main characters because the rest don't have as much page time as others to really make an impression (other than plot related reasons).
Nishiko Sai ♐- Rho's best friend and lover to Deke, brother-like friend to Rho. I think Nishi is great! She doesn't stand out super much at the start but she is a friend that Rho needs and that force to make Rho do what will make her most happy in the long run. I found her, Deke, and Rho's friendship to be very enjoyable to read. We don't see her and Deke's relationship much since we only follow Rho, but they seem to have a very loving relationship. I wasn't exactly rooting for them since I don't know much about either of them BUT I was also not rooting against them.
Stanton Grace ♋ - Rho's older brother. This is the first time we actually got to see him since he was absent for most of the first book but becomes a main character in this one. I wish I had more to say about him but he falls just into the archetype of Older Brother. He is less of a person on his own and just a character for other people to bounce off of. Which is unfortunate but doesn't mean he is a bad character. He is mostly there to be the caring and mentor figure to the other characters around him.
Hysan Dax ♎- Second love interest to Rho and the true Libra guardian. Hysan is too good and deserves better than Rho (LOL). Like... I was reading his character and he is all green flags - which makes it hard to root for this relationship when Rho is the main reason things aren't working out and not treating him right. If there is one criticism I have with his character: He is Too Perfect. Like I can not think of a single flaw about him. Things just work out for him always. But that may play into the fact that Rho isn't trying to learn more about who he actually is and he keeps people at a distance. He does play hero a lot though.
Rhoma Grace ♋- ugh... I mean, she isn't a bad character. I actually like her complicated emotions from taking the leadership too early and many died under her command. How she is afraid to try to lead again and thinks she will only cause more bloodshed. In turn, making her put walls around herself because she is scared to let people get close and have them die like so many she cared about in the past. All amazing points of her character!
..... and then the romance....... oh god. I like the complicated aspects of her relationship and feeling like she can't move on, but certain plot points just make me groan. I always hated the love triangle in the first book (especially since the power dynamics with Mathias) and certain things happen in this book that somehow make it all so much worse! Hysan deserved better lol. I will die on this hill and I hope Rho will be better in the third book because I don't know much more I can take with her leading people on.
➤Enjoyment
Even with my complaining, I enjoyed this book so much. I adore the concept of this universe and really like how Russel wrote the different worlds for each zodiac, the different governments, the takes of how doing the right thing doesn't always start at the top but with the little guy, and I really found myself engrossed of thoughts of "if I was making a character in this world, what would they look like - how would they act - etc". It's great writing and the plot isn't terrible either! As long as you go into this book without expecting the Zodiacs are suppose to be realistic to real people and are for enjoyment, then it's amazing!
The thing I sadly hated that most was the romance (because of Rho), which is sad because Hysan fall for him with some of the things he says. LIKE BROTHER, IF YOU WERE REAL AND WE WERE THE SAME AGE - ENGAGEMENT RING RIGHT AWAY. He is just green flags. Could argue too perfect from the writer standpoint but always interesting to read about.
Excited to read the third when I get around to it.
“We can't give up on people anymore. Even if most react like you say, some won't. So we start with the hearts we can change. That's how we make a difference--we begin with a ripple to end with a wave.”
Spoilers for [b:Zodiac|20821306|Zodiac (Zodiac, #1)|Romina Russell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1404743153l/20821306._SY75_.jpg|40167162] since this is a sequel
Also, if you had read the first book and are expecting a recap in the beginning of this one - there is none. So refresh yourself if you do not remember the major plot points.
➤Plot
Wandering Star throws you right back into the fray after the disaster of a mission that it ended on. Its been a few months since Rho and a bunch of others went on mission to try to find Ophiuchus, the 13th zodiac, only to lose most of her team and one of her love interests, Mathias. Rho begins the novel having to deal with survivor guilt and grief while being reunited with her brother. She lost her guardianship, no longer seen as a leader, and guilt tears at her soul as she tries to move on with her life, blaming herself for everything that happened.
Yet things quickly spiral once again and Rho is forced to make a choice to try to make things right by taking a chance at being a leader again or to bite her tongue when she may have something to offer to help the greater good, even if people may not believe her.
➤Characters
The characters and the world/universe of Zodiac is really the selling point of the series. However, not all of them shine as much as others. I will talk only the main characters because the rest don't have as much page time as others to really make an impression (other than plot related reasons).
Nishiko Sai ♐- Rho's best friend and lover to Deke, brother-like friend to Rho. I think Nishi is great! She doesn't stand out super much at the start but she is a friend that Rho needs and that force to make Rho do what will make her most happy in the long run. I found her, Deke, and Rho's friendship to be very enjoyable to read. We don't see her and Deke's relationship much since we only follow Rho, but they seem to have a very loving relationship. I wasn't exactly rooting for them since I don't know much about either of them BUT I was also not rooting against them.
Stanton Grace ♋ - Rho's older brother. This is the first time we actually got to see him since he was absent for most of the first book but becomes a main character in this one. I wish I had more to say about him but he falls just into the archetype of Older Brother. He is less of a person on his own and just a character for other people to bounce off of. Which is unfortunate but doesn't mean he is a bad character. He is mostly there to be the caring and mentor figure to the other characters around him.
Hysan Dax ♎- Second love interest to Rho and the true Libra guardian. Hysan is too good and deserves better than Rho (LOL). Like... I was reading his character and he is all green flags - which makes it hard to root for this relationship when Rho is the main reason things aren't working out and not treating him right. If there is one criticism I have with his character: He is Too Perfect. Like I can not think of a single flaw about him. Things just work out for him always. But that may play into the fact that Rho isn't trying to learn more about who he actually is and he keeps people at a distance. He does play hero a lot though.
Rhoma Grace ♋- ugh... I mean, she isn't a bad character. I actually like her complicated emotions from taking the leadership too early and many died under her command. How she is afraid to try to lead again and thinks she will only cause more bloodshed. In turn, making her put walls around herself because she is scared to let people get close and have them die like so many she cared about in the past. All amazing points of her character!
..... and then the romance....... oh god. I like the complicated aspects of her relationship and feeling like she can't move on, but certain plot points just make me groan. I always hated the love triangle in the first book (especially since the power dynamics with Mathias) and certain things happen in this book that somehow make it all so much worse! Hysan deserved better lol. I will die on this hill and I hope Rho will be better in the third book because I don't know much more I can take with her leading people on.
➤Enjoyment
Even with my complaining, I enjoyed this book so much. I adore the concept of this universe and really like how Russel wrote the different worlds for each zodiac, the different governments, the takes of how doing the right thing doesn't always start at the top but with the little guy, and I really found myself engrossed of thoughts of "if I was making a character in this world, what would they look like - how would they act - etc". It's great writing and the plot isn't terrible either! As long as you go into this book without expecting the Zodiacs are suppose to be realistic to real people and are for enjoyment, then it's amazing!
The thing I sadly hated that most was the romance (because of Rho), which is sad because Hysan fall for him with some of the things he says. LIKE BROTHER, IF YOU WERE REAL AND WE WERE THE SAME AGE - ENGAGEMENT RING RIGHT AWAY. He is just green flags. Could argue too perfect from the writer standpoint but always interesting to read about.
Excited to read the third when I get around to it.