Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 18/08/2023
Published by: Recorded Books
ISBN: B0C29P8XGT
Cover:
I could not resist this purple design with its dark edges and science-fiction features. However, I think the design is a bit misleading as it shows no reference to the romance aspect of the story, which is equally as significant as the sci-fi setting.
Writing:
As someone who doesn’t read much sci-fi, I was glad that the writing style was simple and easy to understand. Enough details are provided to bring the story to life, and multiple points of view (POVs) give the full scope of what key characters encounter and their emotions. Only the worldbuilding made this aspect of the story underwhelming, as it is presented in information dumps at the start and then poorly developed over the course of the story.
There is always a choice. You just have to accept the consequences.
Storyline:
It took me a while to get into this story as the world, characters and romances are leisurely introduced in the first half. The storyline and tension then pick up slightly as the characters face constant danger and their secrets are revealed. Though I was still not heavily invested in the story due to the overwhelming romance subplot, the cliffhanger ending set things up nicely for the next book and has me curious to see how this series will progress.
Main characters:
With seven characters driving this story, I was impressed by their distinct personalities and backstories. While I may not have liked said personalities or found them relatable, the friendship and banter that gradually emerged between the characters eventually made them tolerable.
some things are worth fighting for. And so are some people.
Secondary characters:
Beyond the crew of main characters, there are family members, friends and a few other secondary characters. These helped drive the story, but none made much of an impression on me.
Romance:
The instant lust between the characters only made me cringe, and I quickly got tired of the angst that was dragged out throughout the story. Even more irritating, this romance subplot constantly takes over the story, though it is barely developed.
Narration & Audio:
Narrators Mia Barron, Liv Anderson, Samara Naeymi and Ruffin Prentiss expertly enrich the story by providing different voices for each POV and the various characters. I especially loved the emotional depth conveyed by the narrator of the princess’ (Kali’s) POV.
In short, ‘Star Bringer’ was far lighter on the plot and heavier on the romance than I expected. It took most of the story to pull me in, but the ending nicely sets things up for the next book, and I am tempted to continue with this series. Those who enjoyed this should check out Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare for a similar character-driven fantasy read with lots of romance and angst.
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below. For those who have read this and want to discuss it, here are a few questions (contains spoilers!!):
Q: What did you think of the space/ science fiction setting?
My answer: I was surprised by how much I liked this aspect of the story as it was not too complex and was easy to picture. In particular, the spaceship and the experience of the characters on it are nicely detailed, bringing it to life.
Q: Which character was your favourite and least favourite?
My answer: I may not be a massive fan of the main characters, but I liked Rain the most because she is so cute and excitable. Beckett is a close second since her character is fierce but also has a sweet side. In contrast, I could not connect with Kali’s overly naïve and sheltered personality. However, it was snarky, dictatorial Ian, whose whole personality hinges on his constant swearing, that was my least favourite character.
Q: What twist shocked you most?
My answer: Despite the hints (which I likely missed because I was not heavily invested in the story), I was shocked most by Rain not being the high priestess! The betrayal and hurt her character feels after she finds out really made me feel bad for her.
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