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A review by bubblewombat
Starlight Jewel by E.L. Lyons
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I've been meaning to read this for the last year, but never got around to it, so I'd like to thank the SFF Insiders Discord server for organising a buddy read and finally pushing me to do it.
I loved Starlight Jewel just as much as I was expecting to. The writing and the world immediately drew me into the story, but the characters were my favourite by far.
Axly's shenanigans were so fun to follow, she's the best main character and I feel for her because of everything she went through. She has a strong protective instinct towards her brother and would do anything to keep him safe.
Their relationship was so sweet to me, until they "reunited" when it got a bit strained. I was just waiting for them to fist bump it (since Greg doesn't like to be touched) out and that didn't exactly happen. I know that Axly isn't very fond of his gifts, and has her reasons for wanting to keep a distance, but it kept eating at me every time she wasn't nice to him or vice versa.
I JUST WANT THEM TO GO BACK TO THE WAY THEY WERE. CRY.
That wasn't the only thing that caused me pain though, oh no, the worst pain came in the form of Grim and something relating to him that I can't spoil. So you'd better go and read this book so I can rant, thank you!!
Grim changed a lot from start to finish, and not just because of the thing I mentioned, I like to think that Axly changed him for the better, bit by bit.
We got crumbs of their romance and those were enough to make me giddy, I ship them so hard, even if they have a hard road ahead. If Axly and Grim have one shipper left, it's me, if Axly and Grim have no shippers left, I'm no longer in this world. I'M COMMITTED NOW, YOU CAN'T GET RID OF ME!!
I also fell in love with Ramus, Kyper, Tarley, Jory, Cira'lav, Fria'lav, Roarik...even Henry (kinda) by the end. There's probably someone I forgot to mention, but really, all the characters are so well developed that you can't help but get attached.
The world is so rich with lore that it will make you want to explore every nook and cranny of it, and considering there's some travel going on we do get to see parts of it.
A lot of travel is skipped for the story's benefit and probably the reader's too. I only have a slight complaint in regards to that, it would happen in the same chapter and just a paragraph later. You're suddenly a month or a year later into the story and it can take a few seconds to adjust. It's not a huge bother though, I just would've preferred it to be a bit more separated.
The magic system is super intriguing, you can tell the author worked hard on developing it. Impartation is my fav fav gift though. You already know why (duh, Grim). I just really like the idea of it, and of Axly being able to help Grim (or anyone she touches) see the world a bit clearer, with heightened senses.
The ending though...if I had a physical book to throw at the wall, that's likely where it would've ended up, sorry! I'M STILL SO MAD. SO SO MAD. AFTER EVERYTHING...THAT HAPPENS. GAH.
Book two can't come soon enough, I'll be counting down the days.
*Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
I loved Starlight Jewel just as much as I was expecting to. The writing and the world immediately drew me into the story, but the characters were my favourite by far.
Axly's shenanigans were so fun to follow, she's the best main character and I feel for her because of everything she went through. She has a strong protective instinct towards her brother and would do anything to keep him safe.
Their relationship was so sweet to me, until they "reunited" when it got a bit strained. I was just waiting for them to fist bump it (since Greg doesn't like to be touched) out and that didn't exactly happen. I know that Axly isn't very fond of his gifts, and has her reasons for wanting to keep a distance, but it kept eating at me every time she wasn't nice to him or vice versa.
I JUST WANT THEM TO GO BACK TO THE WAY THEY WERE. CRY.
That wasn't the only thing that caused me pain though, oh no, the worst pain came in the form of Grim and something relating to him that I can't spoil. So you'd better go and read this book so I can rant, thank you!!
Grim changed a lot from start to finish, and not just because of the thing I mentioned, I like to think that Axly changed him for the better, bit by bit.
We got crumbs of their romance and those were enough to make me giddy, I ship them so hard, even if they have a hard road ahead. If Axly and Grim have one shipper left, it's me, if Axly and Grim have no shippers left, I'm no longer in this world. I'M COMMITTED NOW, YOU CAN'T GET RID OF ME!!
I also fell in love with Ramus, Kyper, Tarley, Jory, Cira'lav, Fria'lav, Roarik...even Henry (kinda) by the end. There's probably someone I forgot to mention, but really, all the characters are so well developed that you can't help but get attached.
The world is so rich with lore that it will make you want to explore every nook and cranny of it, and considering there's some travel going on we do get to see parts of it.
A lot of travel is skipped for the story's benefit and probably the reader's too. I only have a slight complaint in regards to that, it would happen in the same chapter and just a paragraph later. You're suddenly a month or a year later into the story and it can take a few seconds to adjust. It's not a huge bother though, I just would've preferred it to be a bit more separated.
The magic system is super intriguing, you can tell the author worked hard on developing it. Impartation is my fav fav gift though. You already know why (duh, Grim). I just really like the idea of it, and of Axly being able to help Grim (or anyone she touches) see the world a bit clearer, with heightened senses.
The ending though...if I had a physical book to throw at the wall, that's likely where it would've ended up, sorry! I'M STILL SO MAD. SO SO MAD. AFTER EVERYTHING...THAT HAPPENS. GAH.
Book two can't come soon enough, I'll be counting down the days.
*Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*