A review by wraithandmermaid
Even the Darkest Stars by Heather Fawcett
3.0
I read this book a long time ago and I haven't read it since, but I'm going back and reviewing books, so bear with me.
I originally picked this (and the second book) up because a popular artist on IG kept promoting it, saying they were her favorite books. With a treacherous Himalayan setting and a sister rivalry, how could I not be interested? Sadly, I was disappointed. I expected more out of this book. I don't even remember much of it.
The book advertises dangerous action (which makes sense, given the mountainous setting), and yet, so much of the book is just the cast struggling to climb the mountains, and a lot of dialogue. Like a lot of YA books, the protag (Kamzin) ends up with the "mysterious traveler/ stranger" (River) and you can see it coming from miles away. Kamzin's relationship with her sister Lusha was nothing special either, with all the tough love, and naturally, a sibling/ girl rivalry (aka one of my least favorite tropes). There was a lot of focus on how cool Kamzin thought River was, not enough on the sibling relationships. The plot blurb on the book was also not accurate with the way Kamzin joined up with River. I think one of the few good things about this book was the actual plot twist at the end when they finally found what they were looking for, I guess. I just remember rooting for River more than Kamzin.
I have only read the ETDS duology and none of Heather Fawcett's other work, so I have no idea if she's improved, but the worldbuilding in this was not used to its full potential. The whole world wasn't. As I said, there was too much focus on dialogue and not enough on emphasizing the weight and danger of the journey. I never see settings like this, so it was truly disappointing to just know the world was mountains and empire. That's about it. The Himalayan setting was one of the few things I enjoyed, but at least it's expanded on in the next book.
Anyway, that's my review. I haven't reread it and I probably won't again. It was fine for a one time read, I suppose.
I originally picked this (and the second book) up because a popular artist on IG kept promoting it, saying they were her favorite books. With a treacherous Himalayan setting and a sister rivalry, how could I not be interested? Sadly, I was disappointed. I expected more out of this book. I don't even remember much of it.
The book advertises dangerous action (which makes sense, given the mountainous setting), and yet, so much of the book is just the cast struggling to climb the mountains, and a lot of dialogue. Like a lot of YA books, the protag (Kamzin) ends up with the "mysterious traveler/ stranger" (River) and you can see it coming from miles away. Kamzin's relationship with her sister Lusha was nothing special either, with all the tough love, and naturally, a sibling/ girl rivalry (aka one of my least favorite tropes). There was a lot of focus on how cool Kamzin thought River was, not enough on the sibling relationships. The plot blurb on the book was also not accurate with the way Kamzin joined up with River. I think one of the few good things about this book was the actual plot twist at the end when they finally found what they were looking for, I guess. I just remember rooting for River more than Kamzin.
I have only read the ETDS duology and none of Heather Fawcett's other work, so I have no idea if she's improved, but the worldbuilding in this was not used to its full potential. The whole world wasn't. As I said, there was too much focus on dialogue and not enough on emphasizing the weight and danger of the journey. I never see settings like this, so it was truly disappointing to just know the world was mountains and empire. That's about it. The Himalayan setting was one of the few things I enjoyed, but at least it's expanded on in the next book.
Anyway, that's my review. I haven't reread it and I probably won't again. It was fine for a one time read, I suppose.