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A review by emilameliab
A Circle of Stars by Craig Montgomery
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I love the concept of this book. The idea of magic inspired by astrology is so fun, and such a clever way to organize a magic system. Novilem is an interesting location too. I think the use of the Geminis to equate with the nonsensical hate experienced on earth is also great because it's subtle in its connection.
Which brings me to my first negative about the story. I understand this is young adult, and I might just not be the target audience. However, I think it underestimates its audience by doing a lot of telling rather than showing. Each lesson is sort of right on the nose, you know? It causes certain interactions and outcomes to come off as a bit corny.
Overall the story feels rushed. With more time and space, the plot and relationships would have developed more naturally. Casper and Helix are both likable characters, but I find their arcs to be pushed forward in a way that feels overly manufactured. The moments that they argue because of each of their respective emotional baggages, it feels a little forced to me, like it's meant to meet a quota of conflicts.
That being said, I appreciated Montgomery writing the kind of conversations partners should have in times of conflict. Active listening, empathetic understanding, and clearly acknowledging one another's feelings. Wonderful to read. I can admit, sometimes I want a bit more bite in romantic leads in a story, a little more complication, but it's good that fluffier, easier relationships exist in stories too. Again, I also think with more time and space, the ups and downs of their relationship, the development of their feelings for one another, could have come across as more natural.
The plot has a great setup, but similarly moves too quickly to an extent where the details get a bit confusing. My unsolicited advice to Montgomery would be to let the story be dynamic in its pacing. Let things move quickly in a way that is dazzling and maybe confusing to the characters in the story, disorienting even, and then slow down to show the outcomes of these moments. There are a lot of great ideas and messages in the writing, so that's great! Just slow down to stick the landing.
Which brings me to my first negative about the story. I understand this is young adult, and I might just not be the target audience. However, I think it underestimates its audience by doing a lot of telling rather than showing. Each lesson is sort of right on the nose, you know? It causes certain interactions and outcomes to come off as a bit corny.
Overall the story feels rushed. With more time and space, the plot and relationships would have developed more naturally. Casper and Helix are both likable characters, but I find their arcs to be pushed forward in a way that feels overly manufactured. The moments that they argue because of each of their respective emotional baggages, it feels a little forced to me, like it's meant to meet a quota of conflicts.
That being said, I appreciated Montgomery writing the kind of conversations partners should have in times of conflict. Active listening, empathetic understanding, and clearly acknowledging one another's feelings. Wonderful to read. I can admit, sometimes I want a bit more bite in romantic leads in a story, a little more complication, but it's good that fluffier, easier relationships exist in stories too. Again, I also think with more time and space, the ups and downs of their relationship, the development of their feelings for one another, could have come across as more natural.
The plot has a great setup, but similarly moves too quickly to an extent where the details get a bit confusing. My unsolicited advice to Montgomery would be to let the story be dynamic in its pacing. Let things move quickly in a way that is dazzling and maybe confusing to the characters in the story, disorienting even, and then slow down to show the outcomes of these moments. There are a lot of great ideas and messages in the writing, so that's great! Just slow down to stick the landing.