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purrson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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? No
4.5
Without giving away spoilers, I was excited but unsure what to expect from this second novel, and was pleasantly reassured just a few pages in—the story is so dynamic, it grabs you immediately and doesn’t let you go. All the Painted Stars opens 2 years after the earlier novel in the series One Night in Hartswood, (which I read directly before this) and unlike ONIH’s winter backdrop, All the Painted Stars’ summer setting brings fresh liveliness that’s felt throughout the novel. While some of the heaviness of ONIH lingers, overall the stakes are high but not quite as traumatic or life-threatening. There’s a healthy mix of unexpected turns/situations that aren’t exactly as they seem, and foreshadowing/hints so the plot flows smoothly. Problems are solved creatively and satisfyingly, and there’s some happy reappearances from ONIH. I was pleased by the (historically accurate) queerness, the found/chosen family themes, and I do hope there’s a third book—a certain squire and Jo’s family members all make for interesting characters, and I would love focus on Lily’s brother Ash. I enjoyed author Emma Denny’s writing—some of the imagery she evokes is so vibrant it stayed with me: the deep orange linen of a dress, crystalline lakes nestled in a woodland, a “whorl of intricate stars” on a startlingly blue gambeson. For me, her second novel is absolutely as enjoyable as the first.
All the Painted Stars an adventurous, lively, hopeful, very queer historical romance (set in 14th century England), and it was as fun to read as I’d been hoping. I’ll cross my fingers that there will be at least one more book in the series.
(I very much appreciate the ARC from the publisher and NetGalley)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
One main character has trauma from an abusive parent, who has recently died at the start of the book.clairebartholomew549's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Special thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for giving me an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
The premise of this book is ridiculous and outrageously fun: set in 1300s England, we follow a noble lady, Johanna, whose family has arranged a marriage for her based on a jousting tournament, and her best friend, Cecily ("Lily"), who disguises herself as a knight and enters the jousting tournament to save her. Of course, shenanigans ensue, and along the way they fall in love.
I loved the set-up of this book and enjoyed Lily and Johanna's love story and journey to figure out what they want and how to be together in an incredibly patriarchal and homophobic society and time. There obviously aren't many books written about queer people in Arthurian England, and this book is a really valuable addition because of course there were many queer people back then trying to figure out how to be themselves and have the love they wanted and deserved. Where this book fell flat for me was the writing - I found it a bit childish at times, and the constant use of italics irked me. It never really felt like the stakes were too high, and I wish some of the other characters had been fleshed out more. But at the end of the day, this is a fun, sexy romp with heartwarming messages.
The premise of this book is ridiculous and outrageously fun: set in 1300s England, we follow a noble lady, Johanna, whose family has arranged a marriage for her based on a jousting tournament, and her best friend, Cecily ("Lily"), who disguises herself as a knight and enters the jousting tournament to save her. Of course, shenanigans ensue, and along the way they fall in love.
I loved the set-up of this book and enjoyed Lily and Johanna's love story and journey to figure out what they want and how to be together in an incredibly patriarchal and homophobic society and time. There obviously aren't many books written about queer people in Arthurian England, and this book is a really valuable addition because of course there were many queer people back then trying to figure out how to be themselves and have the love they wanted and deserved. Where this book fell flat for me was the writing - I found it a bit childish at times, and the constant use of italics irked me. It never really felt like the stakes were too high, and I wish some of the other characters had been fleshed out more. But at the end of the day, this is a fun, sexy romp with heartwarming messages.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Gore, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
lackyducks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
slow-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
4.5
Having not yet read the first book (waiting for it to be available from my library), I was able to fall into this world without issue. Lily and Jo are both such vivid characters, and I love how they clash, yet meet in the middle.
The plot is tropey and unrealistic, but I loved it. The various twists and turns it took were exciting, and whilst I predicted some, I didn't predict others.
I did feel a little cheated out of more tournament, though. I was looking forward to watching Lily beat everyone </3
The plot is tropey and unrealistic, but I loved it. The various twists and turns it took were exciting, and whilst I predicted some, I didn't predict others.
I did feel a little cheated out of more tournament, though. I was looking forward to watching Lily beat everyone </3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia
period typical homophobia/transphobia does play a part in the characters internal monologues and the worldbuilding at large, but is not sharply focused on!rosieclaverton's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.0
Gorgeous novel about this delightful pair, with domesticity and daring and hurt/comfort and really hot sex.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent