The Star of Ceylon by Clare Flynn was a beautifully historical romance set in set Ceylon which is now called Sri-Lanka in 1906 and was beautifully written from the very beginning till the very end and I loved it. Especially as Sri-Lanka, is a beautiful place to visit and it was so different back in the early 1900, which was lovely to read about. This is my special place. a place in my heart, and a must visit. So when I saw this title for Clare Flynn's latest book, I just had to read it and it did not disappoint. WoW this was a beautiful read from start to finish. It just took my breath away. It was so good I ended up reading all day until I had finished, and I did not want it to finish it was so addictive.

The Star of Ceylon is a story between Stella and Norton and they have feeling for each other, sadly something happens and Stella is raped by Gordon. In those days, women were often forced into marrying their rapists, if they become pregnant!. which Stella did. . . . . . Everything changes and this book becomes dark.
I am so glad things have changed today of that happens.

If you want to find out what happens next you will need to read The Star of Ceylon. It was an excellent book and a great one to read.

I highly recommend it 5 star read.

Big Thank you to Netgalley and Storm publishing for the ARC.

My rating:

Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

Historical Fiction

Review:

This book gives both an historical insight into life in Colonial Sri Lanka during British rule as the position of women at the beginning of the 20th century. The book is well written and the plot flows well with the right amount of intrigue to keep you going till the end. The characters are interesting; their actions are explained well this gave them a realistic feel, like in real life some were more likeable than others

Overall a interesting story, well written and captivating with realistic characters

Review copy provided through Netgalley at no cost to me.

It was 1906 when Stella Polegate left the ship in Colombo harbour, along with her father, brother and a doctoral student of her father's. An assistant to Sir Michael - a glorified secretary really - Stella wanted to follow her dreams of studying back home in England, but she was a woman in times when it was a man's world. As they headed to Kandy, and the temples from ancient times, plus the tea plantations where Stella and her father would interview the Tamils, her brother Ronald, along with the student, George Blackstock, forgot what they were there for, gambling and drinking. But it was when Blackstock declared his intent of marrying Stella - much against her wishes - that things went terribly wrong. Sir Michael's health deteriorated, so he and Stella headed to the high country where the air was fresher, and Ronald and Blackstock went to Jaffna to follow up on Sir Michael's research. But there was more trouble on the horizon...

The Star of Ceylon is my second book by Clare Flynn and while I loved my first - The Chalky Sea - this one, unfortunately, disappointed me. I couldn't get a feeling for the many characters; there were quite a few arrogant, stuffed shirts (male) and it felt choppy. Plus the ending was very abrupt! But Stella, Mrs Metcalfe, Norton & Winnie were my saving grace. Recommended to fans.

With thanks to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for my digital ARC to read and review.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this eCopy to review

I recently finished The Star of Ceylon by Clare Flynn, and I was completely captivated by its rich historical detail and compelling characters.

Set in Ceylon in 1906, the novel follows Stella Polegate, a brilliant young woman who arrives in Colombo as her father’s unofficial research assistant. She’s eager to explore the island’s ancient temples and lush tea plantations, but she’s painfully aware that her intelligence and contributions will go unrecognized simply because she is a woman. When her father’s doctoral student makes unwelcome advances that escalate into violence, Stella’s world is shattered. With her reputation and future hanging in the balance, she finds an unexpected ally in Norton Baxter, a principled civil servant whose growing disillusionment with colonial rule mirrors her own questioning of societal constraints. As Stella navigates the suffocating expectations of colonial society, she must decide whether to accept the limitations imposed upon her gender or fight for the academic future she deserves.

What I loved most about The Star of Ceylon was its atmospheric setting and powerful themes of resilience and self-determination. Flynn’s writing is immersive, transporting me to the misty highlands of Kandy and the bustling port of Colombo. Stella is a deeply compelling character, her strength, intelligence, and determination make her journey both inspiring and heart breaking. The novel beautifully explores the tension between personal ambition and societal expectations, making it a thought-provoking read.

The Star of Ceylon is an unforgettable story of courage, love, and the fight for independence. If you enjoy historical fiction with strong female leads and evocative settings, this book is a must-read!

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved reading this book about Ceylon, which is now called Sri Lanka.
The story is about Norton, who comes to Ceylon so that he can start working as a civil servant. Whilst on the ship he meets Stella, she will be working with her father who is researching the local traditions and history of the country.

As their friendship grows, they become closer.

The story explores what they go through because of the what the society thinks about them.

The story had me hooked, turning the pages, reading about the history of Sri Lanka.

I highly recommend this book.

This book was a solid and authentic read. Clare Flynn has done her research on British Ceylon to the point that I felt that I too was in the tropics.

The story was incredibly suspenseful...I couldn't put the book down for fear that Blackstock would find a way to snatch Stella away, and ended up spending the whole day reading it. The characters were finely drawn and it was easy to get absorbed in the plot(s).

I would give this fabulous book a 5 except--it finished as a cliffhanger! What happened to Stella in England? Did she come back and what did she do then? It seemed like there would be a grand finale and then it segued into an excerpt from Pearl of Penang!

I requested this book from NetGalley as soon as I saw the word Ceylon in the title, since it’s the old name for my country, Sri Lanka. The story follows Norton, a British man who arrives in Ceylon to begin his career as a civil servant. On the same ship, he meets Stella, who has come to assist her father in his research on local traditions and history. Norton and Stella grow close, and their bond deepens over time.

Although the book doesn’t focus heavily on the romance between the two main characters, it beautifully explores the societal pressures they face before marriage. I was hooked from the beginning, as the story unveils multiple layers of Sri Lanka's history without disrupting the narrative flow.

I truly admire the author’s attention to historical detail—her research into colonial Sri Lanka is evident and impressively accurate. The occasional use of Sinhala words within the context of the story made it feel even more personal and special to me. The characters are well developed, bringing just the right emotional depth to make the story heartfelt and immersive.

This book is perfect for fans of Dinah Jefferies and anyone looking for a romance set against the richly textured backdrop of colonial Sri Lanka.

i felt like i was at once transported back in time. to a time i dont think we get told of enough. but also a time that was as important as any other. so it felt equally important that i was reading this which only added more weight to a book i was already becoming completely involved in. it didnt shy away from the complexities of the time but neither did that overwhelm or over burden me as a reader so that i felt i couldnt keep up. im always one to worry about such topics because i feel too inferior to truly know how things were i never feel clever enough. but books like this with the learning yet such a good plot that run alongside it, gives so much more understanding and the ability to truly "feel" it.
learning about the parts we all had to play in this time felt hard at times. but again, this is what we all must learn of if we are to continue to do better. or try to understand at least.
some of the things that went on in this book made me sad that it still felt so relevant to today. especially with woman. but again this was very real.
seeing what both our characters went through bought lots of my own emotional moments. especially Stella who i just wanted to hold very tight. but also was in awe of for her courage and determination.
this was far more than i ever thought it could be going in. but it felt important for it to be so.

Dnf 14% didn't connect with characters or storyline. Although from synopsis I'm sure some will love it.

I really enjoyed this compelling work of historical romance about a time in history that most people either turn away from or romanticize. The Star of Ceylon neither ignored the horrors of colonialism nor glorified the heydey of it.

Set during the British Raj from the point of view of the British invaders, this is the love story of Stella, a woman ahead of her time who is assisting her father with an anthropological research project, and Norton, a young man who is just starting his career as a pencil-pushing civil servant. Through stolen glances and deep talks, the two manage to meet and form a connection. But then the unthinkable happens and a graduate student's claims on Stella turn violent, bringing these two idealists into a whirlwind romance and rescue mission.

Norton quickly grows disillusioned, perhaps too quickly, with the colonialist system he's never questioned his whole life, as he works for an odious man who relishes cruelty, witnesses floggings of children who steal bread, and deals with a GA who pressures him at every turn into marrying his spoiled, manipulative daughter, Cynthia, for his career. This book did a good job of showing how oppressive this dark time in history was for men as well as women. For women it was even worse. Denied the vote, and the ability to earn a college degree, women were often forced into marrying their rapists.

The love story between Stella and Norton was a little instalove, and I wasn't sure how I felt about Norton realizing he's definitely in love with her after she confesses she's been raped by Gordon. The rape was also shown in needlessly graphic detail as Stella discovers the other man on top of her while sleeping. But then again this was a very dark book. That's definitely a trigger warning though.

The romance was not nearly as compelling to me as being transported to this troubled time in history, with the British colonizers constantly playing tennis at the country club, drinking cocktails and gossiping, and bringing English buildings and customs to a place where they so clearly didn't belong. And most Europeans didn't belong there either; they were either wives brought against their will or men escaping from something or making a name for themselves. At times the oppression was so stifling that I wondered if these two would ever find their HEA. But it was a hard fought HEA eventually. This is a love story for those in the margins, the good people suffering from a cruel and unnatural regime as well as those they colonized.

The characters were also compelling; I liked how intense Stella was and how determined she was to study anthropology despite all the restrictions against women and the clear misogyny flung about by her brother and the hapless graduate student Gordon. I liked how Norton was a studious bleeding heart who cared more about the welfare of the native population and disdained his obnoxious countrymen. I couldn't imagine a man like him would last long in the civil service, or it would turn him cruel. But he didn't have many other options.

All in all I found this a fascinating, gripping and complicated look at the British Raj and the people this corrupt system uprooted.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A wonderfully evocative novel of old colonial Ceylon. Stella suffers so many of the indignities that existed for women of that time. Brilliantly written with great characters.

This book is not for me—it just didn’t capture my interest. . I prefer a lighter tone and a faster pace. DNF ~7%.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

This was a well constructed romance with colonial Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, as its focus. The story brings to life colonial attitudes in the early part of the 29th century with its indolent lifestyle and the use of preferential treatment to gain advancement. Central to the book is the theme that women are not capable of rational, academic thought and need a husband to support them. The lead characters destroy this discrimination, the man showing a progressive attitude and the woman proving t9 be highly competent. The book does not fight shy of controversial issues making this a worthwhile read.

I just love Clare Flynn’s books.
From the very first page you are drawn in and you know you are entranced from the very first page and you never wanted it to end and this book is no exception..
Set at the beginning of the 20th century on board a ship sailing to Ceylon Norton a young civil servant travelling to take up his first post in that country notices Stella a young woman who is travelling with her father and two other men.
Little does he know what is in store for him and does not expect to ever see this woman who momentarily caught his eye again.
Beautifully crafted story line which is what one gets in Clare’s stories.
Can’t recommend it enough

The Star of Ceylon by Clare Flynn.
4*

This novel, set in 1906, follows Stella as she travels with her father, brother and father's PHD student on a trip to Ceylon (a.k.a Sri Lanka) to conduct research on the local traditions and history. It also follows Norton as he begins a career within the British Colonial Civil Service within Ceylon. After fate-fully meeting aboard the ship to Ceylon, Norton and Stella become friends and allies as they navigate the challenges of societal pressures and grievances imposd on them.

I really enjoyed this book. I appreciated the respect and love shown to the local culture of the Sinhalese people, whilst also showing some negativity of British Colonisation. I also appreciate the gentle handling of some really difficult subjects discussed- mainly the way women were treated by potential husbands.

I also respect the discussion around gender roles and restrictions from the early 20th century.

I loved Stella as a character. She was clever, whitty, kind and intelligent. And I adored Norton's kindness and gentle nature.

I hope there is another book coming, I look forward to seeing what Stella and Norton do next!

Thank you Netgalley and Storm publishing for allowing me to read this ARC

This novel ended too soon. I want MORE, MORE, MORE! Sri Lanka is perfectly captured and I was transported to that era. Wonderful work. Did I say I want more?

4.5⭐️s. The history and landscape in this was so rich and the characters really well done. It gave a really transparent look at the colonization of Ceylon, which is apparently now Sri Lanka, and the subjugation of their people under the British. It exemplified how unfortunate and arrogant that treatment and view was trying to force out a culture just because it was different. I enjoyed learning of the history as unfortunate and dismaying as it was. The contrast of characters between Norton recognizing something wasn’t right and the other officials enforcing things was well done, and immersive. It helped me feel invested in the situation the way it was written.

The incorporation of the lack of women’s rights and recognition was also presented well with Stella and her research and family struggles, and everything else she went thru. It was certainly a difficult and frustrating position to be in as a woman during that time, without a lot of good options.

I enjoyed the book and the characters and would definitely be interested in the next in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

"The Star of Ceylon" opens aboard an ocean liner bound for Ceylon during the height of British imperial rule. We’re introduced to a diverse cast of characters whose stories reflect the varied reasons people chose to travel or build lives abroad during this era. While the novel offers rich insight into these motivations, it misses a crucial perspective: that of the Sinhalese. The absence of a strong local character feels like a missed opportunity. Additionally, the abrupt ending left me unsatisfied and somewhat disappointed, as it undercut the emotional investment built throughout the story.

Having just finished The Star of Ceylon, I have to say, I just love the title!

This story takes place in 1906 as Stella travels with her father, brother and her father’s doctoral student, to undertake research in Ceylon.
What follows is a journey of discovery, both of local culture and of one’s self.

The FMC Stella is an intelligent, and strong willed female, who unfortunately finds herself having to make some tough decisions that many women of the early 1900’s had to face within society rules. Don’t let the strong women’s rights vibes fool you into thinking that all this novel is about though, because it’s about so much more.

Its cultural representation, and breathtaking descriptions of Ceylon are beautiful.
As well as being filled with some beautiful, but also some truly deplorable characters that all contribute to the story and character growth.

The last half of this books really heated up and I couldn’t put it down. The ending leads me to feel like a sequel is on the cards… if it’s not, there absolutely should be. I’d love to see what the future has in store for not just Stella and Norton, but everyone else too.

Thank you so much Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I decided to finish this as the writing is in itself very good and the characters met are interesting in their own right. The story is moving even if the ending is rushed. As much I really enjoyed a lot of the story, my earlier reservations remain.

Review
Not sure what to make of this. Set during GBs colonial years in Sri Lanka it sets a distinction re those characters we are introduced to. Those who agree with Empire and those who question its existence. Selfishness and bullying vs Compassion and respect.

From the start the characters are very interesting and Flynn is a very good writer. I found them all well developed and woven together in a way that propelled their stories forward with pace. It's moving, and explores how people get bullied and trapped having to find creative ways to escape. It is oftentimes well observed (I'm very familiar with Sri Lanka, and its history). However, there are no main or elevated characters native to Sri Lanka - and whole story is set there. They met no one? There were no serious interactions at all pertinent to character's own narratives? There is a lot of observational speak about the native people and how they are treated and the genuine interest some of the main characters have in the country but it really stands out that all the characters of interest are White English - for a story set in a country where the majority are not and especially given at least 2 of the main characters claim to have a real interest in the Sri Lankan people and are in contact with many every day.

Perhaps the absence wouldn't be so obvious had the main characters been written with different interests but as it stands the exclusion of Sri Lanka characters with agency, interests and connection is very odd. This is a country full of personality, an incredibly rich history, and very interesting people. There are so many commonalities between the women in SL and the women in England especially at that time. Or perhaps the author is trying to show that even though the English characters claim a genuine interest in the country and the people, and are at heart compassionate and engaged people, they actually make no serious effort to know either at all? It's a country to be used for various gains any way you look at it.

These reservations arrived after I was about 40% into the story and now I've read it all I still think this story could have been set against any colonial setting, if that was the goal - it didn't need to be Sri Lanka.