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A review by adperfectamconsilium
Starlight Jewel by E.L. Lyons
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-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
'All night he’d fought the battle against his adoration, but the consequences already set, knowing the outcome would be stolen regardless, he surrendered to the thief.'
A truly unique first book in what is planned to be an epic fantasy trilogy.
This is a world of humans, sprygans and hybrids.
The hybrids, part-human and part-sprygan live below the city of Minalav which is famed for it's lavish hospitality at the Starlight Palace.
Nobles and the rich are entertained and seduced and then stolen from but with their memories of the night removed all they know is that they've had a good time.
Our main character, Axly is the Starlight Jewel, highest ranked of the Starlight Company 'birds'. Seductress, thief, assassin. A beautiful murderer with deadly secrets.
We follow her with a third person POV for most of the narrative and with skillful writing the author builds the world around her divulging more on the people, places, politics, intrigue and powers as the plot progresses.
The sprygan are taken from folklore, initially the mythological creatures from Cornish folklore usually referred to as Spriggan, and have seeped into popular culture as fae creatures via Dungeons & Dragons and other stories and cartoons.
Here they are at one with nature, almost tree like and can become literally rooted. The hybrids vary in form from passing as human to varying degrees of bark-like skin. Many have powers giving heightened senses such as keenscent, which gives an organic & ecological feel to this medieval world.
There's action, some quite brutal, and Axly is often at the forefront of it. She can be compassionate and caring and vulnerable but she's also deadly and will do whatever it takes to meet her agenda, and it's finding out exactly what she's trying to accomplish that propels the plot along. It's slightly confusing at times but it's a wild ride with a little bit of romance on the side and the conclusion has me waiting for book two.
And just wait for Cleatus the dog to become one of your favourites too.
A truly unique first book in what is planned to be an epic fantasy trilogy.
This is a world of humans, sprygans and hybrids.
The hybrids, part-human and part-sprygan live below the city of Minalav which is famed for it's lavish hospitality at the Starlight Palace.
Nobles and the rich are entertained and seduced and then stolen from but with their memories of the night removed all they know is that they've had a good time.
Our main character, Axly is the Starlight Jewel, highest ranked of the Starlight Company 'birds'. Seductress, thief, assassin. A beautiful murderer with deadly secrets.
We follow her with a third person POV for most of the narrative and with skillful writing the author builds the world around her divulging more on the people, places, politics, intrigue and powers as the plot progresses.
The sprygan are taken from folklore, initially the mythological creatures from Cornish folklore usually referred to as Spriggan, and have seeped into popular culture as fae creatures via Dungeons & Dragons and other stories and cartoons.
Here they are at one with nature, almost tree like and can become literally rooted. The hybrids vary in form from passing as human to varying degrees of bark-like skin. Many have powers giving heightened senses such as keenscent, which gives an organic & ecological feel to this medieval world.
There's action, some quite brutal, and Axly is often at the forefront of it. She can be compassionate and caring and vulnerable but she's also deadly and will do whatever it takes to meet her agenda, and it's finding out exactly what she's trying to accomplish that propels the plot along. It's slightly confusing at times but it's a wild ride with a little bit of romance on the side and the conclusion has me waiting for book two.
And just wait for Cleatus the dog to become one of your favourites too.