A review by caughtbetweenpages
Starstruck by Elaine Lee
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What an absolute romp. I came to Starstruck after watching the Dimension 20 liveplay set in the same world (and DMed by the author Elaine Lee's son, Brennan Lee Mulligan) so I thought I was prepared for the zany technicolor universe of this story but I absolutely was not. The universe of Starstruck is simply too big to have a complete grasp on, and the cast of characters within the universe are each so batshit insane and deeply realized that every person's storyline is also too big to allow a wider focus on the world when you're following a given gal. The multi-generational sagas of the Medeas, the Bajars, the Tis, etc. all come together into a story I can't really condense down into a review, so I'll go for vibes instead:
This book feels like what getting just a little past comfortably high and staring at the flashing billboard lights of times square feels like, if while you're staring you're also starring in a one-man slam poetry thing, getting robbed by girl scouts, and avenging the crimes done to your ancestors. This book feels like an EDM remix of That Funny Feeling by Bo Burnham played at 1.25 speed in your car on an inexplicably empty road at 3am. This book feels like shutting your eyes while taking a bath and letting your head fall under water and thinking of everything and nothing at the same time, and it feels like the second you emerge, a half second too late for it to be comfortable, and slosh bathwater all over your floor and debate whether to leave it or clean it up for simply way too long. I laughed. I pondered. I had a great time. I can't wait to pick up the sequel.
This book feels like what getting just a little past comfortably high and staring at the flashing billboard lights of times square feels like, if while you're staring you're also starring in a one-man slam poetry thing, getting robbed by girl scouts, and avenging the crimes done to your ancestors. This book feels like an EDM remix of That Funny Feeling by Bo Burnham played at 1.25 speed in your car on an inexplicably empty road at 3am. This book feels like shutting your eyes while taking a bath and letting your head fall under water and thinking of everything and nothing at the same time, and it feels like the second you emerge, a half second too late for it to be comfortable, and slosh bathwater all over your floor and debate whether to leave it or clean it up for simply way too long. I laughed. I pondered. I had a great time. I can't wait to pick up the sequel.