Well done! He loves too much . For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. The ironborn half-fae outcast of her royal fae family.A tempestuous Fury, exiled to earth from the Immortal Realm and hellbent on revenge. Yayyy!! If you missed my last post, you can check it out here! Here are just three reasons you should make sure to add it to your winter must-read list this month.
This devoted, supportive, and protective sapphic love is what I had been looking for in fantasy stories for such a long time, and Im so glad I found it. An immortal condemned to spend eternity in the Mortal Realm, shes torn between causing chaos for her own amusement, and figuring out why dangerous creatures are suddenly stalking the streets. The complex story ofA Dark and Hollow Staris set in a world that looks a lot like our own, the eight fae courts work hard to keep the peace in the Mortal Realm and prevent humans from finding out about the existence of fae, immortals and other magical beings. Then theres Nausica, also known as my precious murderous child that I will protect at all costs. There is so much miscommunication between these two, but more on that when I talk about the dynamics. Vehan is the Crown Prince of the Seelie Court of Summer, who wants to do his best to protect the people he will someday rule over. Arlo, a half-human/half-Fae girl (known as an ironblood) who desperately wants a life in the magical world that looks down on her for her slightly less than pure birth. Where should I even begin? Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. So detailed, so fun-so GOOD !! But if this book is not on your radar, tell me about your favorite underrated fantasy novels! Other than a few instances where I felt the world-building was too much that it threw off the pacing/the slew of information dumps, this book was perfect. (LogOut/ Also, theres an INTERNATIONAL pre-order campaign going on right now that runs on until Feb.22, 2021 for these beautiful character cards, etc!!! (And then I can fangirl with someone else hehe), Amazing review! If they fail, they risk the destruction of the faerie and human worlds alike. 
The ironborn half-fae outcast of her royal fae family.A tempestuous Fury, exiled to earth from the Immortal Realm and hellbent on revenge.A dutiful fae prince, determined to earn his place on the throne.The princes brooding guardian, burdened with a terrible secret. As a result, I was on the edge of my seat pretty much the entire novel, and while fantasy is my favorite genre, it is hard to find narratives these days that are different from other fantasy series. As for the non-romantic dynamics, they were equally compelling. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welcome to Regal Reads! Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. Like those you find in fairytales, mythology, and childrens books? No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. the yemen crisis, 2019 2021 REGAL READS Nausica is smart, sassy, and a queen of sarcasm. Heroes were the stuff of tragedies.. The story hinted continuously at the two main romances, with two tropes that could not be different. This is 100% definitely better than both The Cruel Prince and City of Bones in my opinion.I dont mean to hype this book too much because the hype can sometimes kill a book BUT SERIOUSLY I LOVE THIS SO MUCH I WOULD DIE FOR THESE GUYS which I definitely was not expecting going into this.Thank you Ashley for making me feel like this. I demand that Ashley be sued for the too many feels.. For an urban fantasy novel, there was so much world-building. Oh my god THIS WAS DUCKING PERFECTArlo, Nos, Vehan, Aurelian . Nowif any of them are killed, I will be left destroyed. im terrifiedIn this world, Fae and faeries also live in the human world, while of course, not allowing the humans to discover that magical creatures do in fact exist. She is genuinely scared of getting involved, and she certainly does not dive headfirst like heroines usually do. It reminded me of reading books like Vampire Academy or The Mortal Instruments for the first time, but updated for a modern audience. The pieces fall together, and everything makes sense, rather than feeling like the answers came out of left field. faraday davies seriesdom The entire story takes place in Toronto and Las Vegas. And thankfully, A Dark and Hollow Stardefinitely falls into that latter category. especially a certain dark haired, golden eyed person. covid relief for india Enter your email address to subscribe to Regal Reads and receive notifications of new posts by email. It contains alchemy?! I went into this book with tempered expectations. Yet, something continuously draws them to one another. Can she save the Mortal Realm from more ironborn murders? And when you find out what the title means? An introvert who doesnt believe shes anything special, shell find herself drawn into a dangerous mystery involving other ironborn teens suddenly going missing.
But thank you ahhhh you definitely should try this out! specialstl It really makes the story stand out because few urban fantasies take place in those locations. Of course, the backdrop for A Dark and Hollow Star was Toronto, but there is an element of high fantasy since the mortal and immortal realms are separated.
How am I supposed to wait at least a year for the sequel?! Nausica sure as hell was, and appointing herself as Arlos personal bodyguard please, I just love them so much. . But in reality, it is a little more complicated than that. Or it might have been while flipping through catalogs on Edelweiss. She cares about everyone, from her closest friends and family to complete strangers. That said, if youre going into this book looking for romance, you have to have patience. It actually makes me want to read this book too!! I love all our main characters. Change). There are just so many unique aspects to the novels dynamics, and these aspects further strengthen the relationships, making them compelling, complex, and alluring at the same time. Something big. Aurelian also cares deeply, even if he does not show it the same way the other characters do. It has everything I have dreamed my ideal fantasy story would have: a complex and beautiful sapphic relationship, stunning dynamics in general, complex characters, and a compelling and original narrative that kept me begging for more right until the very end. And can i ask you a question? No character felt misused or unnecessary.
I love her and I will not never stop saying how much I love her because this girl is amazing and deserves the world and the respect that some of these idiots cant give. Theyre all just JEALOUS they cant be an ironborn half-fae, half-human haha suckersss. First, there is Arlo and Nausica, who are rivals to lovers. No. There were so many thoughtful quotes through the dialogue or the narrator, and it further pulled me into the novel. Release Date: February 23, 2021Format: HardcoverPages: 499Genre: fantasy, romance, urban fantasy, young adultPublisher: Margaret K. McElderry BooksContent Warning: provided at the beginning of the book! Great review! 2022 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Or at least, were well on the road to seeing them take place. How do ARC reviews work? CODE: renstrange.
omg for some reason I was looking thru my spam comments and I found yours there??? Its exciting, and lived in, and feels like a place that could really exist, just a little bit out of our own reach. Set in the magical underworld of Toronto, it follows the story of ironborn teen Arlo Jarsdel, whose half-human, half-fae blood leaves her an outcast in her own family; reckless former Fury and known murderer Nausica Kraken; Fae prince VehanLysterne fromthe Seelie Court of Summer; and Aurelian Bessel, the princes steward, and childhood best friend. The secondary characters in A Dark and Hollow Star are terrific and crucial to the story. . When done right, its propulsive, drawing readers deeper into the story in an attempt to connect the dots between a group of seemingly disparate stories. If thats not bad enough, theres a war brewing between the Mortal and Immortal Realms, and one of these teens is destined to tip the scales. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account.
He is the sweetest and most caring cousin to Arlo. That is just so chaotic in the best way, and I am here savoring every moment of it. However, Ashley Shuttleworth has accomplished this feat. From the first chapter, you want to know more about Nausica and then Arlo. Four queer teens, each who hold a key piece of the truth behind these murders, must form a tenuous alliance in their effort to track down the mysterious killer behind these crimes. But in the long run, it didnt affect my opinion too much since most of the information was fascinating, even if it wasnt always 100% necessary. For the sequel(s), I would love to learn more about the dynamic between Arlo and her mother and Vehan and his mother. But the detailed world-building really helped me grasp what precisely this fae world entails and how it is different from other novels. ! Really happy you enjoyed reading it!, i need to pre-order this book NOW!! . Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. (LogOut/ It was Arlos choice.She would have to be the one to decide the shape her future was going to take.She didnt want to be a hero, she didnt want to die, but would her life really be worth living if it meant never taking part in things, regardless of the risk? Theres also an element of forbidden romance there. By reluctantly spending more time together, they instinctively start looking out for each other. to say that I started to worship this girl is definitely an understatement. Even though Vehan is a prince, he struggles with his mental health. Thankfully,Ashley Shuttleworths debutA Dark and Hollow Star does just that and more. Interested in my blog? She is a survivor who doesnt take shit from anyone and doesnt care what people think of her. People are dying and nobody cares. Of course, this makes their dynamic extra angsty since it seems their relationship goes from best friends to almost strangers to a mix of both to lovers. My name is Ren Strange and my pronouns are she/they. I know exactly what thats like. Im always looking for more books to read. I dont want to talk too much about the villain because of spoilers, but I will say thisI loved how the antagonists story unraveled, learning about them in fragments. They have their own backgrounds and personalities, but they all share one thing in common. Shes so funny and chaotic. it leaves me in awe. Her painful past shapes much of who she is today, but it doesnt make her a typical antihero. Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth. Sort of. Wish them luck. And while we can probably thank Holly Blacks megapopularFolk of the Air trilogy for a big portion of this trend, youll find faeries and other related members of the folk playing major roles in works from Sarah J. Maas to Naomi Novik. Something is coming. Something that requires the sort of nerve you only find in heroes, without the stagnation of their short-lived roles. . She had no idea what it meant, what she herself wanted it to mean, but she knew with absolute certainty that Nausica was important to her.They were a team, if nothing else, and just as Arlo wouldnt have made it out of that factory without Nausica, she was starting to realize Nausica wouldnt have fared too well without her. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If thats not bad enough, theres a war brewing between the Mortal and Immortal Realms, and one of these teens is destined to tip the scales. Arlo and Nausica soon discover that their first impressions of one another were so wrong, and then feelings begin to develop, even if Arlo wasnt 100% aware. Theme By Lucid Themes.
Your email address will not be published. All that hurt is too much for one to carry alone and I cant wait to see that healing in the next book, It eats at me, because feeling that?That soul-crushing hopelessness that drowns everything else inside you and tells you youre totally and completely alone, that youre nothing but a tool, a means to an end, a burden, and no one will really miss you when youre gone?I know exactly what thats like.. South Parks vaccination special is what we all need, Welcome to Tonidale: Everythings coming up Toni Topaz on Riverdale, A Court of Silver Flames marks a new era for Sarah J. Maas' Court of Thorns and Roses series, The Gilded Ones: Namina Forna's feminist, West-African inspired fantasy is worth the wait, Beneath the Keep is the Queen of the Tearling prequel you didn't know you needed, Sequel All the Tides of Fate offers a bittersweet but satisfying conclusion. Required fields are marked *. He is the most mysterious of the four characters. A sidhe prince, a lesidhe guard, an ironborn girl, and a former Furythey seemed less like a serious investigative team and more like the lead-in to some terrible joke. Bloodlines (Bloodlines, #1) by Richelle Mead |Review, Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia |Review, A Dark and Hollow Star (A Dark and Hollow Star, #1) by Ashley Shuttleworth | ARCReview, Twice as Perfect by Louisa Onom | ARCReview, This Vicious Grace (The Last Finestra #1) by Emily Thiede | ARCReview. Im a 25-year-old Ashkenazi Jewish aspiring writer, graduate student, book nerd, and amateur designer. I want to make sure youre ready. The only question is: which way?Wish them luck. lets just say that shes very fierce and annoyingly persistent when she wants something.. Do I love it anyway? So is A Dark and Hollow Star perfect? Heroes went through so much hardship.
I want to cry wow do i sound crazy, And lastly theres Aurelian Besseleveryones brooding and dramatic gay druid boy who pretends to not care at all about *ahem* a blue-eyed someone. Muahahhaha I love a girl who says exactly whats on their mind without a care in the world. So glad it made you feel this way xD and I saw that you got an ARC hehe. Im imagining the moment when they realize their mutual feelings, and good lord, I am so ready for that.
This quartet all have plenty of their own problems and most of their stories dont even intersect in any real way for at least the first half of the novel. Nausica owns who she is and what she has done without being afraid of consequences. ohmygod TELL ME THAT DOESNT WANT TO MAKE YOU CRY??
In recent years, Aurelian has kept his distance from Vehan to protect him from a horrible secret regarding his mother. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. Ultimately, the Seelie Summer Court pressures and expects a lot from Vehan. The soul-crushing hopelessness that drowns everything else inside you and tells you youre totally and completely alone, that youre nothing but a tool, a means to an end, a burden, and no one will really miss you when youre gone? A dutiful fae prince, determined to earn his place on the throne. Writing a multi-POV story can be difficult: It needs to feature distinct voices, with characters that are both distinctly drawn and who have arcs of their own.
I got my pre-order early, so Im extra grateful that I can publish this review on RELEASE DAY! Based on how this story is progressing, I think mother-child relationships have the potential to be a thoroughly explored theme, something I find is rare in the fantasy genre. your review was so fun to read , Omg thank you Ahaana!! Overall, I had extremely high expectations for A Dark and Hollow Star, and the novel has surpassed all of them. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint! Arlo thought on the kiss theyd shared just that night. Im really excited to see how Shuttleworth further explores alchemy and the romantic relationships.
? There is still a lot more to learn about him, but we already know he is fiercely loyal, sensible, and intelligent. I highly recommend it, especially if youre looking for a new fantasy series to read with kickass LGBTQ+ representation. What she did understand was that wherever Nausica went, she was going to follow.
Nausica is my favorite. I love how Arlo is different without making her any less of a hero, even if she doubts herself sometimes. So I read this book hoping to love it, but not expecting anything. It is safe to say Im currently on an intense A Dark and Hollow Star high, and I couldnt be happier. Lesbian MC, questioning (later to be confirmed pansexual, per the author) MC, gay MC, bisexual MC, & 2 genderfluid/non-binary side characters (OwnVoices), Anger, arson, blood/gore, body horror (minor), death of a child, depression, disownment, divorce, drug use/addiction, grief/grieving, human trafficking, poverty, psychopathy, stalking, suicide (past, off-page), suicide ideation, toxic relationship/manipulation, trauma/PTSD, racism, & violence/gun violence. Usually, Im picky with the rivals to lovers trope because I find that writers often translate this trope to hate but also lots of sex or add an abusive, toxic power imbalance to the relationship that doesnt sit well with me.
This book sounds so exciting and needs to go on our TBR!!! Really hope you enjoy it! Nausica has quite the backstory. To have four main characters with their own POVs can be risky, but Ashley Shuttleworth pulls it off flawlessly. She isnt your typical YA fantasy heroine, and that makes her more relatable and a better character. Oh Aurelian, youre not fooling anyone, except maybe that person. This guy . Have you read A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth? In short, this is one of the most entertaining aspects of the book, and I cant wait to see what happens between both pairs in the sequel. headless horseman sleepy hollow wikia legend pdsh domain fandom Ashley Shuttleworth captured Aurelian beautifully by showing us who Aurelian is without divulging too much into his past. The Cruel PrincemeetsCity of Bonesin this thrilling urban fantasy set in the magical underworld of Toronto that follows a queer cast of characters racing to stop a serial killer whose crimes could expose the hidden world of faeries to humans. Until she finds herself in the middle of a mystery regarding ironborn murders. There are four main charactersArlo, Nausica, Vehan, and Aurelianand they are all so different. But they work, and I am rooting so hard for both of these relationships to work out. The only question is: which way? I cant wait to hear your thoughts on this!. I discovered A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth through a Twitter thread dedicated to sapphic 2021 releases. . They incorporated Greek Mythology with fae lore and magic, creating a unique spin on faeries and fantasy as a whole. The fact that the world-building is jam-packed with fantasy concepts from all over added to the excitement of the story. It is truly noble of him, and I hope to learn more about his character in the sequel(s). With the help of his future steward and current (sort of) best friend Aurelian, hell attempt to investigate the ironborn murders on his own, which may lead to dangerous consequences for them both. I have made myself the president of her defense club.
Sorry for bothering you with this question, though! What did you think? A Dark and Hollow Staris now available. The princes brooding guardian, burdened with a terrible secret. Nausica committed this act on behalf of her deceased sister, Tisiphone. ! Over my dead body . The second central romance is between Vehan and Aurelian, best friends to lovers. Oh My! Their chemistry is off the charts. (LogOut/ I want to MURDER the person who made him feel that way and I know EXACTLY who I should be targeting., Aghh you see what I mean? Im Sarah, and I use she/they pronouns (please use both). it sounds ridiculous BUT SHE LOVES ANIME SO IDC. And she definitely hates socializing like every introvert . Im so ducking in love with them its not even funnyNow the real question is: Whens 2022? ? .
. . I hope to learn more about the Immortal Realm in the future, whether through flashbacks of Nausicas past or current scenes set in the Immortal Realm. Keep up the good work , Ahhh thank youuu that means so much!! Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. If Vehan is trapped, the best he can do is fight for his kingdom and his people, regardless of their magical status. , AHH CURSE YOU WORDPRESS. And that ending! Build your customCulturess Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onCulturess and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. . yeah wordpress seems to do that with all my comments. I usually dont read fantasy, but you have convinced me otherwise! he acts all grump and uncaring, but to find out the truth about the why behind it and know its because of that MONSTER, Im not being dramatic when I say that DEATH MUST COME FOR THAT MONSTER next book OR ELSE, Now I love those 4, but I have to say that Celadon Viridian was my favouritee I wish he was a main character too because Im so hopelessly in love with him. So, without further ado, lets do this book review. They really created something special here and I hope more people pick up this amazing novel. . For a people who it pains to tell lies, youre very bad at admitting truths. . Change). valkyria magician If they fail, they risk the destruction of the faerie and human worlds alike. The relationships are in the very early stages here. Arlo doesnt make decisions lightly, but a driving force of her choicesand her characteris her heart. But the main reason I loved this book so much? Youre a very clever girl, Arlo Jarsdel, and I was testing that. Ive actually been to Vegas and a couple of the locations there mentioned, which was dope. Even when we think we know everything, Ashley Shuttleworth incorporates one last plot twist regarding a character. I love her so much.
Arlo doesnt need to be warrior-like or recklessly courageous 24/7. Your email address will not be published. This is all to say that its kind of difficult right now to release a faerie book that stands out from the pack, and any attempt had better give readers a compelling story to go along with all that lore. One of the reasons why the overload of information at times did not bother me too much is because Ashley Shuttleworth writes so well. Fabulous review! Is she worthy enough to be a hero? (LogOut/ I actually knew exactly how the scenes looked like whenever they took place ahhhh the feeling is so nice.Im so very much in love with everything in this book, but mostly (as Ive probably mentioned a million times by now) with THE CHARACTERS*, From the moment I met Arlo Jarsdel, I fell in love with her.But from the moment I found out that she was a manga/anime fan, I knew right then and there, Id lay down my life for this girl. Shes also a lesbianif I werent rooting for her and Arlo, I would absolutely marry her. . It stands out more than any other characteristic, followed by her resourcefulness, making her an amazing heroine. Book Review: A Dark and Hollow Star by AshleyShuttleworth, apparently i never posted the ducks in love in my yard #twitterpated, im your son & im your daughter, im your mother, im your father #newhaircut #septumring #oksotheringsarefake, April & May 2021 Reading Wrap-Up Strange Storyteller, Follow Strange Storyteller on WordPress.com, Book Review: The Bone Shard Emperor by Andrea Stewart(ARC), Most Anticipated Books: November & December2021, Book Review: The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake, The Words that Built the Story: A Study of Sarah J. Maas Writing Style, The Words that Built the Story: A Study of Neil Gaimans Writing Style, Dragons and Lesbians and War! Seriously, where did they learn how to write like that?! Nausica would need the luck that had saved them both now more than ever if what this deityTitan?told Arlo was true.A dark and hollow star.Arlo didnt understand it yetthis compulsion inside her to look at Nausica in a way shed never looked at anyone else, and come away breathless. Finally, there is Aurelian, Vehans bodyguard. Absolutely. Often, these moments seemed to have one information dump after the other, and it would hinder the narrative for a bit. . But on a personal note, it was so fun reading a fantasy story set in Toronto. And, ultimately, I think that really benefited my reading experience.Sure, the world-building is a bit muddled. Image courtesy Simon and Schuster. Like Arlo, Nausica loves deeply, even if she is more selective about who she cares for. I am just asking cause I have no idea and I am really curious about it. I am very very sad and especially after that ending, I fear for my life because whats going to happen omgggg that ducking shouldnt happen. Thanks! (at least Im pretty sure hes a villain?) Even the main characters from my favorite fantasy novels have this type of heroine. He is determined to solve the ironborn murders because he relates to the half-fae, half-human beings. They want to find out who is behind the ironborn murders. Eternally grateful to Simon & Schuster Canada for bestowing upon me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.All quotes in this review are subject to change upon release date. And its two central romances are queer ones, taking place between the former Fury Nausicaa and ironborn girl Arlo, and Seelie prince Vehan and his steward Aurelian. It seems so interesting! Every character is genuinely integral to this story, and when you think someone isnt important, think again. As for the storyline itself, I find it challenging to write a fantasy series these days rooted in genuinely original faerie lore.