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A review by dubsington
The Actual Star by Monica Byrne
5.0
Holy %$*# this book.
I loved this book. Its layers unfolded brilliantly and it’s themes and symbolism were thick with meaning, helped by being clearly and deeply rooted in well-researched mythos.
The Actual Star takes place across three stories, each set 1000 years apart. In 1012 there is the story of 3 royal Mayan siblings getting ready to take the throne of their tribe. In 2012 there is a young woman who travels from Minnisota to Belize to learn more about her father and find a feeling of fullness she’s only felt once before. in 3012 there are two individuals in a near “utopia” society who develop followings based on opposing views who are set to meet.
There is simplicity in each story’s plot which allows for the complexity of each character’s search for truth. Truth about their world, the truth of their place in it and whether there is a truth to the afterlife.
But each story also has it’s purpose and success. The story from 1012 reads like a classic royal fantasy tale and sets the stage for what’s to come. The 2012 story is unassuming and offers the reader an entry point to the beliefs of Myans today. And finally, the standout storyline for me, is the future society in 3012 which is astounding in its worldbuilding and clarity.
All of these stories are rooted deeply in the very real Maya people’s mythos and beliefs. It’s this backbone that makes The Actual Star more grand, more satisfying and more realised than many stories where the lore or mythos is made up just for the story.
The novel is a longer one for me, coming in at about 600 pages, but I found it moved smoothly with fantastic pacing, always knowing just when it should jump to the next storyline, and when to return.
The fairly straightforward nature of all three plots also gives the author more time to delve into each of our central characters in each story. The novel does an excellent job at highlighting the way in which we change, and the ways in which we don’t across multiple millennia.
For fans of character driven stories, especially when those characters are wrestling with meaning and seeking understanding, The Actual Star immediately became a favourite of mine.
I loved this book. Its layers unfolded brilliantly and it’s themes and symbolism were thick with meaning, helped by being clearly and deeply rooted in well-researched mythos.
The Actual Star takes place across three stories, each set 1000 years apart. In 1012 there is the story of 3 royal Mayan siblings getting ready to take the throne of their tribe. In 2012 there is a young woman who travels from Minnisota to Belize to learn more about her father and find a feeling of fullness she’s only felt once before. in 3012 there are two individuals in a near “utopia” society who develop followings based on opposing views who are set to meet.
There is simplicity in each story’s plot which allows for the complexity of each character’s search for truth. Truth about their world, the truth of their place in it and whether there is a truth to the afterlife.
But each story also has it’s purpose and success. The story from 1012 reads like a classic royal fantasy tale and sets the stage for what’s to come. The 2012 story is unassuming and offers the reader an entry point to the beliefs of Myans today. And finally, the standout storyline for me, is the future society in 3012 which is astounding in its worldbuilding and clarity.
All of these stories are rooted deeply in the very real Maya people’s mythos and beliefs. It’s this backbone that makes The Actual Star more grand, more satisfying and more realised than many stories where the lore or mythos is made up just for the story.
The novel is a longer one for me, coming in at about 600 pages, but I found it moved smoothly with fantastic pacing, always knowing just when it should jump to the next storyline, and when to return.
The fairly straightforward nature of all three plots also gives the author more time to delve into each of our central characters in each story. The novel does an excellent job at highlighting the way in which we change, and the ways in which we don’t across multiple millennia.
For fans of character driven stories, especially when those characters are wrestling with meaning and seeking understanding, The Actual Star immediately became a favourite of mine.