This book should win an award for having a beautiful cover. It is absolutely stunning and represents the book perfectly.

What I enjoyed about the book:

1. The magic. It was so unique. The idea of soul magic had me intrigued from the start.
2. The world building was well done as well. When books have maps, I love it. It's usually a good indicator that the setting is going to be complex. In the case of All the Stars and Teeth, it also means that the plot will be further developed as the characters develop the setting.
3. While we should love Amora's character growth throughout the story, I think Ferrick undergoes the most change. It was relatively subtle, but then explodes. Now, I'm not sure that explosion was adequately developed in the pages leading up to the event, but it worked well enough to help move the plot along and encourage Amora's continued growth.
4. The mermaid in this book is awesome!
5. The pacing is consistent and suitable for keeping you turning the pages. All the Stars and Teeth is definitely a page tuner.

There is a bit of predictability in some of the events, but it doesn't take away from the story. My one gripe for the book would be the dialogue. It's a bit forced and unnatural at times. In fact, it became pretty obvious that some portions of the dialogue were trying extra hard to push the plot forward.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and I thought it was a fun adventure. Readers looking for a strong female MC will enjoy adventuring along with Amora.

I didn’t think I’d like this book. I thought it’s going to be just like many others YA fantasy: bland adventure, insta love, simple magic. And that’s where I was wrong. Sure, since this book is for young adult readers, the story itself can’t be compared to high fantasy or adult fantasy ones. But All The Stars and Teeth exceeds my expectations and definitely makes me can’t wait for the sequel!

Let’s start with the magic system. Most fantasy books didn’t explain much about it for the readers. Meanwhile, I got so much from this one. The history, how it works, the limits, etc. It’s just felt so satisfying to know the magic so I needn’t ask questions inside my head.

And what is most interesting is the characters! Can you imagine a crew with a pirate, a princess, and a mermaid? It’s one of the things that lured me into reading this book. And just as it sounds intriguing, the crew does have amazing chemistry! I love them and am looking forward to how things will turn out in the next book. I personally like Vataea, she’s just everything I wish every female character would be; smart, witty, and brave.

Those great aspects are completed with a fascinating storyline. Yes, there were one or two things that were predictable. Yes, there were things that I wish would be different. Did I still enjoy it? BIG YES. The reason why is because it dug deeply, 384 pages is packed not just with mind-blowing adventure but also information about the world I was in, Visidia. That really blew me away because things were seriously getting out of control (in a very good way) and plot twist everywhere until I didn’t know how or what to think I just flipped the pages and continue to read!

And now you’d probably wonder, or probably not, how’s the romance? Well, good people, it’s not as captivating as I hoped to. The romance, it was every bit of YA fantasy; easy and predictable. But I didn’t mind it. I think that it can be more than it is now in the sequel. Fingers crossed.

Overall, All The Stars and Teeth was a great and unique read. Spellbinding story with intricate magic, unusual but awesome crew, exciting adventure, and a lovely romance, this is a must-read for you who enjoy fantasy books and is looking for a next book to devour. It’s definitely worth the hype so I recommend without a doubt.

A pirate, a princess and a kingdom to defend! Who doesn't like to read a book with this as its plot? I absolutely couldn't put this book down! A quick read that wants you to continue for more as you finish! Highly recommend!

Interesting story - I haven't read fantasy in a while, so it took me a bit to get into the story, but I enjoyed the main character, the epic journey, and travel descriptions were vivid and overall a great read. The ending disappointed me, but I understand it's a cliff hanger until book two.

It's never a good sign when you don't really remember anything about a recent read, is it? This reads like a mash-up of several stories, with magical curses and a society tightly regulated by tradition handed down over the years. There's a quest of sorts, a race against time to repair things, and that's where this book ends: no, everything hasn't been resolved, but enough has changed to make the next book worth reading.

eARC provided by publisher.

This book was such an exciting adventure! I have been aching for more stories about the sea and this one was perfect for me. I felt like the characters were likable and relatable.

I loved the pirate theme, the romance, the friendship. I really felt like this was a character driven story and that for me is so important. The world building added to it, but the characters really made this book memorable.

I was engaged from the get go! I am looking forward to hopefully a number 2!! Full review to come on my blog upon this books release! I’ll hopefully be reviewing via audio!

Thank you @netgalley for letting me review this amazing story!

Magic- check

Mermaids- check

Pirates- check

Unique fantasy world?- check!

This story had it all, it was so nice to take a break from my average read, find a YA fantasy that really spiked my interest and escape to a beautiful new land. It wasn’t your average mainstream YA fantasy either, I can’t wait to read the next book to see how the lives of the characters grow. It can be read as a stand-alone as well, luckily there was no cliff hanger.

This story brings us into a young girls world where she’s about to become heir to the throne. When by surprise, she ends up on an adventure that she’s always dreamed of. (in a sense) Embarked on this thrilling ride, she meets some new (and some old) friends alike and sets out to help a new friend only to find something she wasn’t expecting in every way.

I can’t really explain without giving away too much, but I strongly recommend you read this book as it was so different and wonderful to be submerged into.

Definitely 5 stars from me!

I was lucky to receive an advanced readers copy of All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace, an action-packed, high-seas adventure coming to a bookstore near you February 4th, 2020. I first heard about All the Stars and Teeth from Tomi Adeyemi, the New York Times bestselling author of Children of Blood and Bone. Intrigued by the premise and trusting Adeyemi’s taste in books (and friends!) I requested All the Stars and Teeth as soon as I could. This book promises bloody magic and a journey full of adventure, and it fully delivers on those promises.

SETTING
I am not usually a fan of ebooks because they don’t draw me in as much as a physical book. Adalyn Grace weaves such a magical world with her creative and vivid descriptions that I didn’t have a problem getting sucked into the world of All the Stars and Teeth. The kingdom of Visidia is composed of several islands, and readers get to visit most of those islands. Rather than getting bogged down by the repetition of visiting island after island and the required descriptions of each location, Grace manages to weave these islands into the story in such a way that it moves the story along. I wanted to keep reading because I wanted to keep learning about Visidia, which is as diverse as it is beautiful. Readers are surely in for a visual treat when they pick up All the Stars and Teeth.

CHARACTERS
In addition to the setting, the characters also move the story along nicely. Amora is definitely my favorite character, and not just because she’s the protagonist. Amora has been sheltered from much of her home for most of her life, and her journey across the kingdom reveals just how little she knows. Instead of getting wrapped up in self-pity, though, Amora uses her lack of understanding to keep moving forward on her quest to save her kingdom from a dark threat. She keeps pushing through even when she learns a truth that turns everything she knows on its head. Amora is the definition of a strong female character, and readers are sure to fall in love with this feisty heroine.

Amora is far from the only character in All the Stars and Teeth. She is joined by the pirate captain, Bastian; her fiance, Ferrick; and even a mermaid, Vataea. Amora is by far the most developed character, but the supporting characters all bring something to the story. But you’ll have to read the book to find out!

DARK THEMES
Another of my favorite aspects of All the Stars and Teeth are its darker themes. Amora practices soul magic, and soul magic requires blood. All the Stars and Teeth definitely reads like an old-fashioned Grimm-style fairy tale. One of the first instances of Amora’s magic fully demonstrates how dark it actually is, and Grace does not hold back from other examples.

In addition to dark magic, Grace also addresses dark themes like slavery, corrupt politics, and sexism. She addresses these themes in various ways. I don’t want to spoil the plot for anyone, so I won’t go into too much detail. I do want to promise you that she does not paint the world of Visidia in black and white. Do not expect there to be a clear good side and bad side, because there are always so many shades of gray in between. Grace weaves these concepts into her story seamlessly, and not once does she come across as “preachy.” These themes are definitely a testament to her storytelling abilities.

I love love loved this one! The world was so beautiful and unique, and the settings in the story sounded amazing. The politics combined with the fantasy element was very cool.

If you loved Caraval and Six of Crows, you need to read All the Stars and Teeth!

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The cover of this book first caught my eye, and I’m glad it did! It took me a bit to get into this book, but once I did, I really enjoyed it. All the Stars and Teeth is an exciting tale of pirates, mermaids, and magic.

It was really interesting following Amora as she’s journeying outside her island for the first time. She’s discovering that everything she thought about magic was a lie. Her dad has sheltered her all her life, so Amora has to come to terms with how he’s been intentionally lying to her and to the entire kingdom.

Anyways, she escapes from execution after a little mishap with her magic with the help of Bastian, a pirate. Ferrick, Amora’s fiance, joins them, albeit reluctantly. Later, they add Vataea, a mermaid, to the crew. I loved all of their dynamics; naturally, there was a slight love triangle between Bastian, Amora, and Ferrick, so there was a great deal of tension there. Vataea’s banter with all of them is great.

Also! Vataea is bi (possibly? no labels are used, but she says she’s into women and possibly men).

The worldbuilding was really cool. The kingdom is made of up of different islands, each of which has their own, different magics. Amora, as the sol heir of the Montara family, has soul magic, the rarest kind. Ferrick has healing and regeneration magic.

I will say that this book is a little gory because part of Amora’s magic is that she requires body parts to burn. Since Ferrick can grow back limbs, he helps her with that easily. Here are the content warnings.

Anyways, Bastian’s trying to get his magic back, so he offers Amora a way out. They set off on their journey, and thus starts our book! The plot is fast-paced and thrilling. I also liked the writing; this is a debut, and I’m excited to see what this author does next.

Overall, this was a great debut. The writing was pretty, the characters were detailed, and the plot was excited. I definitely recommend All the Stars and Teeth if you’re looking for a fast-paced fantasy with magic and mermaids!

All the stars sounds about right! I was so in love with this story of princesses, pirates and mermaids! I was really wanting a story that gave me all the seafaring, magical adventures my heart desired and I was not let down! The magic system was beautifully layered and the characters are what really drew me into this story. Bastian!!! Can I say, all the stars and hearts? 😂 The twists at the end had me reeling! I simply cannot wait to read the next installment!

This entire book is absolutely flawless! I cannot stop saying positive things about it to all of my friends and students. The plot is immersive and excellent. It stands worlds apart from other releases this year. As far as debuts go, this is an absolute MUST READ. Amora is a strong and fearless main character, but she’s also willing to be vulnerable and stand for what she believes is right. Her crew, from her fiancé to the captain of the Keel Haul add humor and fascinating circumstances that you just don’t see in books these days. I am in love with the world building Adalyn Grace had in this novel and the way that magic is established. Everything she takes care to build and introduce slowly unravels, albeit intentionally, but it is done with such passion and beautiful intent. I kept craving more and read it so fast because I was anxious about the ending. Thankfully, I know there’s going to be a sequel and I cannot wait!! If you read any book in 2020, please make it this one. You won’t regret it, I honestly cannot criticize any aspect of it as I’ve fallen so deeply in love with Visidia and Amora. It started from page one but was lovingly established from the subtle Princess Bride reference in chapter six. I hope everyone loves All the Stars and Teeth as much as I did.

"The ache that stirs from the idea of leaving surprises me. I wish there were enough time for me to sink into a barrel of mead and fill my body with a hundred more lavish petit cakes. To chat with Ikaeans about silly things like fashion and trends." ~ "All the Stars and Teeth"

This replesedent ya adventure is fast-paced and tons of fun. The backstories and character development are carefully crafted, so detailed and it makes the characters feel more real. My favorite chapter is where we learn Cato and Sira's backstories. The storytelling is so vibrant and it makes Amora's story stand out even more than it already does.

I love the dynamic between the crew members of the Keel Haul. Amora, Bastian, Kerrick and Vataea have amazing friendship chemistry. They balance out each other's strengths and weaknesses and their bond is so strong. It's impressive that Adalyn Grace didn't fall into the overdone trap of love triangles. I really expected Amora, Bastian and Ferrick to be fighting all the time, but luckily that didn't happen! I was going to rate this book for 3 stars, but the lack of an annoying love triangle is enough to make me appreciate this story.

The lack of a love triangle doesn't harm the plot whatsoever. There's definitely some steamy romance, but all the characters manage to stay true to their friendships and loyal ties. Romance is never put before family or friendship, a fresh twist for a ya fantasy story. The concepts of pirate curses, multiple magics, queens in charge and mermaid scars are original and daring enough to make this story stand out. I hope this book is the first in a long line detailing Amora's fantastical adventures!

I loved that All the Stars and Teeth promised me pirates, epic quests, and mermaids and delivered ALL of that. I will not get over how much I enjoyed the world building of All the Stars and Teeth. Take me there please and protect me! I'm not going to lie, for the beginning I was like, "Where are the mermaids?" because you can't promise a girl mermaids and not deliver. But when the mermaids were proven not to be a lie, I could relax and dive deeper into All the Stars and Teeth. The world building is spectacular. Not only are there myths within this story, but also monstrous creatures and curses. While I still have a few outlying questions about the history of this world, I was pleased with the attention to detail and sheer epic scale of the world.

The characters in All the Stars and Teeth were fantastic. Amora has the spirit of adventure thrumming in her blood. Even though she's deeply committed to being queen, there's a part of her that yearns to be on the open seas. To be having adventures and discovering new places. And who can blame her? I knew I was going to love Bastian because I have a soft spot for pirates. It's something about their ability to sail a ship, their rugged sea salt nurtured locks, and their smolder. But I think my favorite character has to be the mermaid. She wasn't the sanitized flowing locks and seashell type. My favorite mermaids have fangs. They lure men in with their songs to drown them. Give me the mermaids with weapons in their hands, gorgeous hair, and blood in their teeth

This book took me on a journey! Prates, mermaids, and unique magic, oh my!

Amora is to be queen. As long as she passes the test of her magic. Things don't go as planned though and she ends up on the run with her "fiance" and a pirate. She is on a journey to save her kingdom and herself by discovering the truth of the magic in her land. Along the way she finds out she might not know the whole truth about her family history and about all the magic her world holds.

I really enjoyed this story! It only took me two days to finish and I am highly anticipating the next one!

I liked the writing style and it was easy to read and pretty fast paced. I never got bored or felt like things were too slow. The characters each had their own voices and I actually liked all of them. I liked that none of them were perfect and each was holding a grudge in their own way.

We have a lot of different types of magic in this story and I liked that each one was pretty unique and not really ones I've seen done or done in ways that were new.

If you like pirates, mermaids and sea adventures then this one might be for you!

The only bad thing about I can say about this book is that there weren't enough mermaids. That's the only criticism I can come up with. All the Stars and Teeth was a sweeping epic fantasy that I devoured as fast as I could.

Amora is such a badass princess. She wields soul magic, allowing her to read someone else's soul. Or kill them. She's struggling with how to step out of her father's shadow, and reputation, to prove to her kingdom that she is their best choice. She wants nothing more than to protect her kingdom and see it flourish. But it may be too late for her to save her kingdom, and herself.

The magic throughout this world is so unique and well thought out. I loved that each island had its own unique magic and that each person interprets magic in their own unique way. Just because the whole island shares the same affinity or base magic, does not mean they all have the same skills.

The cast and crew of characters drove the novel. They weren't just filling a role or trope, they were uniquely driven. There was so much character growth and it truly felt like we watched them over a few months, not 300 pages. The pacing helped cemented the magic of this book. It played into a character's urgency or misery.

I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next one. You won't regret picking this one up.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Imprint through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

This book was an awesome adventure full of swashbuckling, mermaids, magic, sword fights, legendary sea monsters, kingdom ruling, and a kickass princess leading the way. No detail was too small, no story was left untold, and it was all gripping and fascinating and un-put-down-able. Bravo to the author for getting this book just right in all the best ways! My singular complaint is that I could have used a bit more resolution and story about the aftermath, but clearly there’s another story to come ...

RATING: 3/5 STARS

This was a solid debut novel full of action, fantasy, and a touch of gore. The highlights of this read for me were the descriptions of Amora's unique powers and the adventures that Ferrick, Bastian, Vataea, and Amora encounter on their journey. Fans of fast-paced stories and beautiful writing about monsters, mermaids, and magic will enjoy this book. I would have liked more characterization and development of the romance between Bastian and Amora (but that's just my personal preference). This book ended with much to be explored in part two of the duology, so I'll be on the lookout for that!

A sincere thanks to NetGalley and Imprint for providing an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Social: @_shelf.awareness on Instagram

I have been waiting for this book ever since I accidentally followed Adalyn on Instagram. I immediately knew I had to read this book (partly because of the cool artwork she posted, seriously, check her Instagram). Let me just say this: I was not disappointed. I expected nothing less from someone who worked on The Legend of Korra (I love this woman).

All the Stars and Teeth was a magical read. I loved every part of it. The worldbuilding was stunning. Visidia captures your attention and completely draws you in. I loved exploring with Amora and getting to know each of the islands and their unique magics.

I also enjoyed how Adalyn pulled apart her own world, she clearly sets up the rules in the beginning and then proceeds to break those rules. Books, where nothing is as it seems and authors challenge the rules of their own worlds, are my bread and butter.

The writing was also incredible. I couldn’t put the book down. It contains lush descriptions, raw emotions and loads of witty banter. This book was SO good, I’m probably never going to stop gushing about it.