A review by coinmanatee
A Dark and Hollow Star, by Ashley Shuttleworth
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Its... Okay. I don't know if its the YA nonsense Im objecting to or not. If it is... then this book is great if you like faery bullshit set in Toronto.
Otherwise, I'm disappointed, I suppose. I feel like its 500 pages of set up for something that might not happen for another thousand pages or more? If I knew for definite it was only a two parter Id be more accepting, but for Reasons I suspect itll be more and I do not have the patience for that.
The worldbuilding was not exactly creative. It felt more like it smushed basic tropes together and I found myself skimming through a lot of description because I already knew what things would look like, or smell, or geel, because it was exactly like every other faery book in the world.
I will say the character voices are good and I do very much enjoy Nausicaas existence and mindset.
Could have done without the romance. (I dont trust any of these children to have healthy romantic attachments) but the attraction was well written and fairly believable
Otherwise, I'm disappointed, I suppose. I feel like its 500 pages of set up for something that might not happen for another thousand pages or more? If I knew for definite it was only a two parter Id be more accepting, but for Reasons I suspect itll be more and I do not have the patience for that.
The worldbuilding was not exactly creative. It felt more like it smushed basic tropes together and I found myself skimming through a lot of description because I already knew what things would look like, or smell, or geel, because it was exactly like every other faery book in the world.
I will say the character voices are good and I do very much enjoy Nausicaas existence and mindset.
Could have done without the romance. (I dont trust any of these children to have healthy romantic attachments) but the attraction was well written and fairly believable
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death
Minor: Addiction