I received an advanced copy via the publisher from Netgalley for an honest review.

Wow.....just, wow! This novel I think is an all new level of amazing and something that I completely did not expect, but entirely in a good way. Emily introduced an incredibly amazing, whole new world that just sucked me in and kept me completely guessing. Tying some amazing mythology, religious beliefs (in the novel, not preaching), and some fantastic bad ass women with a steampunk flare! This was a whole new amazing world that I absolutely adore and cannot wait to keep exploring....so hurry up, where's the next part?!?!?!?

This is seen as a gender swap Pinocchio story with some pirates and a whole new magical world and so many more adventures to come. I would HIGHLY recommend this because it is just spectacular!!!

I haven't read The Hundredth Queen series yet (although I'm dying to) but when I got the chance to read and review King's latest novel, I couldn't say yes fast enough.


King's writing is lyrical and melodic. Sometimes too much so - in the first chapter, the sentences are unnecessarily purple prosy and hard to read - but generally the writing is beautiful. I also like how the writing styles correlates so well to the general atmosphere of the book, which is stunning in itself. The world is magical and haunting, and the atmosphere has that dark fairytale vibe I love so much.

I do have issues with the plot and pacing. While I can't say that the book ever took me to a place of "Oh my word I'm gonna DNF", it didn't completely win me over, either. The first half, especially, doesn't have a lot of action and not much actually happens: everyone is on a ship, there are a few mild skirmishes/arguments, but otherwise it's plain sailing (no pun intended). Basically, nothing rocks the boat. (Sorry ;). I just wish the author had brought in some subplots, brought in some serious complications, and not played everything so safe. As is, it's a very smooth story with little upsets. The characters don't go through hell, they manage to overcome obstacles with minimal sweat, and every so-called obstacle can barely be called an obstacle. Everything stays on a simple path to the end.

Incidents like when Everley kills Cuthbert or when the group is cornered by the witch are so swiftly dealt with and resolved that it's disappointing. These are opportunities bursting with potential conflict, something to knock the characters off course (I am all about the nautical puns today, it would seem), and yet they barely blink! Even the deaths (personally, not enough people died - it was way too happy) are glossed over and the characters hardly get the chance to cry. I'm not calling for gratuitous torture scenes and violence, but making the characters work for their happily-ever-after should be a given. I wanted to see hearts shatter and relationships implode. Give me conflict that actually has repercussions!


❝ I believe in monsters. I have seen them take and destroy, suffocate and shred, every sliver of light in the world."


The entire cast suffers from the same problem: lack of complexity. I like Everley, I do - I like that she's stoic and independent and prickly (this brings out some golden humour moments) - but she barely undergoes development, or at least the author doesn't make a big enough deal out of it. Everley, like everyone else, is simplistic. All the secondary characters are flat, and the villains are one-dimensional. Jamison, as the love interest, is the stereotypical "strong and silent" type, with an abusive father and dead sister in his past, for whose death Jamison blames himself. He's a walking cliche. For that reason, I couldn't find it in myself to ship him and Everley. When you have weak characters, you get a weak relationship.


I know this review sounds pretty negative. Honestly, I do not hate the book and I don't even dislike it. Yes, it was overly simplistic and certain elements could have been improved upon, but thanks to an atmospheric world, strong dialogue, and haunting fairytale origin, it is fun. I had a lot of fun reading through it. I suppose it's one of those books where you have a whole lot of bad to say about it, but then can't bring yourself to say that you didn't like it. You know what I mean?



Before The Broken Star is a beautifully written, magical fairytale fantasy sparkling with innocent fun. If not for its simplistic characters and plot, it would be an amazing novel.

Before The Broken Star is a new series from the amazingly talented Emily R. King and it's a new masterpiece.
Everly Donovan's family was murdered when she was younger by a traitor thought to be a friend. She would not have survived her family's slaughter if not for her Uncle finding her after a sword had been thrust in her chest. Her uncle Holden miraculously saved her with the help of some sort of clock heart and Father Time (a God, I think, Evie didn't really know the details).
Disguised as his newly appointed apprentice (He's a Clock Master and one of the best in the Kingdom), Evie is able to live with her Uncle.
She grew but the horrors of that night was forever imprinted on her soul and so was her hatred for Markham the friend of her father who ruined her family. with the fire burning in her, Evie finds solidarity in venturing into the streets.
Under the Veil of darkness, she acquires many skills among them being adept with a sword and a stubbornness that burns bright and hot.
With her late father's sword by her side, Everly could be while even if just for the adrenaline of the night to wear off.
Her life gets turned around once more when an encounter with her family's murderer which may or may not be orchestrated by fate, leads her down the road of vengeance.
Unfortunately for her, she is caught in the wrong place at the wrong time (or right depending on how her future goes) and is arrested with the ladies of the night (Streetwalkers who are really badass women who do what they have to to survive.)
Everly along with the women are sentenced to seven years on Dagger Island to mate/join with other male convicts sentenced there also on order of the Queen. Dagger Island is a kingdom feared cursed because of events that transpired there centuries ago and also with the way men seem to disappear there.
Evie's father who used to be the Royal Explorer had previously recommended to the Queen that inhabiting the desolate island is a bad idea. But after time passed the greed of the Queen (coupled with what I sense to be underground machinations/­manipulations) led her to demanding convicts be sent there to breed and colonize the island.
While it was a tragedy, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Everly as Markham seems to be the leader of the colony.
As a prisoner aboard the Lady Regina, the ship taking them to Dagger Island, Everly finds herself getting attached to people. Quinn a little girl who is to be Markham's maid and Lieutenant Jamison Callahan, a man under Markham who despite all her attempts to sway him aside still slips past her defenses.
Everly's journey is plagued with many surprises most unpleasant but some blessings in disguise.
I love how this book foreshadows a lot of things, there's enough tidbits to keep you guessing but still many twists and turns to keep things fresh and surprising.
Emily R. King excels in building vast worlds with complex yet so relatable characters and she has outdone herself here.
The undertaking is very ambitious as there is a WHOLE LOT involved but it was masterfully executed. I was so happy to see things progress as each reveal was a wonder.
There is so many action as this is a book where the characters gets into many crazy situations, the magical setting is unique and very coherent as it all blends into a nice weave.
Dagger Island is no doubt Evie's destiny as it changes all she's ever believed to be true, myths come to life, past meets present and things thought gone awakens.
The moments before the ending was a constant motion of shock as things exploded, sometimes literally. The most important thing to know going into this book is that not all is as it seems.
Also if you're looking for quick romance or instalove, shelve that for now because Everly and Jamison is a slow burn just how the doctor prescribed. I love the way things slowly build for them.
I bow to Emily R. King as she has once more created a world that vaults into my top ten list (It is HARD to crack but this book shattered the glass ceiling), I DARE you not to like this book.
The ending sets the stage for so many exciting things to come in the sequel one of which might or might not be an underwater world (Please don't stone me!!!). Plus that cover is pretty epic and would look resplendent on any bookshelf.
Before the Broken Star is a journey of a character that refuses to be broken despite what's thrown at her and shoulders on bolstered by her thirst to right wrongs done.
With 100% of my soul I recommend this book to readers of all ages, you will not be disappointed. Yes there's a lot of books out there but please pick this one.

P.S:There's the otherworldly character introduced close to the end and I adore her!