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.

I really tried but found this one a struggle and eventually gave up. Just too brutal for me

With thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review

Set in the beginning of the twentieth century when Great Britain was in charge of colonization of Sri Lanka two kindred spirits will not only discover their passion for their careers but a love for each other. However will society norms for women get in the way of everything.
We are introduced to to Stella Polegate who is assisting her father with his research with ancient historical aspects of the country. She has always longed to go away to University to study but in this period they still weren't allowing woman. Her father wishes for her to marry but she knows that if she does any research work she does will be credited to her husband. So overall she is not interested.
We are also introduced to Norton who is civil servant from England who has just began his career and is eager to please his father. He ends up being a close confidante to Stella when she ends up in a horrible situation. Will they be able to overcome?
Overall I enjoyed this novel and the history behind it. This is the first Clare Flynn book I have read and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.

Title: The Star of Ceylon
Author: Clare Flynn
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Release Date: June 9, 2025
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️

Ceylon, 1906: When Norton Baxter and Stella Polegate arrive in Ceylon, their paths were never meant to cross.

Norton was on a mission to prove to himself and his father that he could have a worthwhile career in the British Empire.

Stella was determined to prove she could be just as academically successful as her father as she assisted him in his anthropological research.

But their paths cross and eve amidst broken dreams and heartbreak, they are called to each other.

TW: SA
REVIEW:
First, this book did not come with a trigger warning so I am providing it now. There is a SA scene.

This novel had a slightly higher rating as I started the book and read through it but the abrupt ending really left me unsatisfied. There’s closure…but not, if that makes sense. At first I was sure it had to be a mistake in my copy but no, it just ends.

The setting was interesting - Sri Lanka during the British Raj, an area I knew less about than India during the Raj.

The characters were almost fully formed but I wanted just a little bit more from them.

The romance between Norton and Stella was the novel’s saving grace. The slow burn was done well. This was a closed door novel other than the aforementioned scene with the TW.

I would borrow it from a library or buy it before a long flight.

I enjoyed the historical fiction novel, The Star of Ceylon by Clare Flynn. It is set in the early 1900's when women had limitations in the academic world. Stella Polegate arrives from Britain to assist her father in research in ancient history of the area. This culture believes it is the duty of a woman to be married and raise children and not be a part outside the home. Stella is an intelligent anthropologist who is determined to study at Cambridge.

Stella's father has expectations that she will marry his doctorate student, Ronald Blackstock, and Stella is clearly not interested in him. Norton Baxter is a civil servant who is beginning his career. Stella and Norton become friends and she finds it easy to confide in him. Norton discerns the character of Blackstock and advises Stella that she shouldn't marry him. When Blackstock makes inappropriate advances to Stella, she confides in Norton. Should Stella marry Blackstock or choose otherwise? Can she trust Norton with her life?

Follow Stella's journey through the patriarchy world of that time. I recommend this book to read.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The day before I left for a holiday in Sri Lanka, I was complaining that all the novels I had read about the country were really depressing. Colonialism, followed by a 30 year civil war does that to a country! So I excited to see this historical romance on NetGalley was thrilled when I requested and received a copy the very morning we flew out.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Clare Flynn got some details so right - there really are tennis courts at the top oft he lake in Kandy! the writing was really evocative, with smells, sounds and the heat coming to life. I did take one star off because some of the attitudes seemed a little anachronistic, including the attitude to homosexuality, feminism and colonialism. This was a time when white people were beginning to question their role in countries like this, but the way it was approached in this book felt current. It's a minor quibble, I read for enjoyment and I really enjoyed this book.

Interesting insights into late British colonial Ceylon (early 1900s). Sadly, the xenophobia displayed by the majority of the secondary characters seems to still exist today. I liked how the chapters went back and forth between the two primary characters, even if there were times I wanted just a little bit more of the story from Stella or Norton's point of view before switching. Flynn doesn't shy away from some very tough topics but personally I would've liked to see a trigger warning regarding rape prior to beginning the story.

It is a tale well-told; my historically fascinated side would've liked to read some of the conclusions that Stella and her father came to regarding the Tamil people and their customs. I realize that wasn't the point of the book though. I don't know if Flynn is planning another book for this series, but I wish there would've been an epilogue of sorts, letting us know how things 'fell out' in the next two years or so.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

A touching story of a girl struggling to navigate between what she has and what she really wants. Beautifully written. This ARC was given to me in exchange for an honest review. This review is mine.

Hopefully a new saga set in Ceylon.
The book begins with the characters onboard the ship taking them to the shores of the British Empire.
Stella follows her professor father to Ceylon to help with his research.
Norton is starting his career in the civil service.
A chance meeting on the boat, is the start of friendship.
Through the pages we see how life is hard for women, society's expectations and life in high society
Great descriptions of the country, rituals and protocols.
I hope to read more about Stella and Norton.

Ceylon 1906: Stella Polegate steps off the ship in Colombo harbour happy to be involved in her father's research but painfully aware that her brilliant mind will remain uncredited simply because she is a woman.
When the unwelcome advances from her father's assistant escalates to violence, Stella's world shatters and her reputation is at stake. She finds an unexpected ally in Norton Baxter a young civil servant whose own disillunsionment with colonial rule matches her own.
From misty Kandy to the bustling port of Colombo, Stella's quest becomes not one only for love but for the freedom to be herself.
I very much enjoyed this story by Clare Flynn and I look forward to further adventures of Stella. Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read this story prior to publication.

This was a wonderful read. It deals with issues like colonialism, women’s rights, class, sexuality and loyalty. I loved the two main characters, for their perception and decency. But there were also some odious characters to balance this out. There were several subplots, and I hope there is a sequel as I would like to know what happened to these characters , especially Stella, Norton and Winnie. I have enjoyed all the books I have read by Claire Flynn, and she has a knack of creating a world that shows the foibles of human nature. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a copy to review.

I was keen to read this novel, having spent a couple of months in Ceylon back in the 1970s. It was a way to recapture my happy memories of that time, as the characters moved around the island. The novel contains snippets of the culture of the Sinhalese prior to independence through the research of anthropologist Sir Michael and his daughter Stella, whilst an aspiring government junior, Norton witnesses outdated practices of rule. The characters are likeable, as is their lifestyle, the writing easy reading and in all an uplifting and engaging story with romance at its heart.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Storm Publishing, for this ARC.

Romance set in Ceylon. Interesting as to the social conditions in Ceylon, particularly as far as the British are concerned as opposed to the natives, this novel remains however rather light and predictable. A pleasant and quick read!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

The Star of Ceylon is an absolutely captivating historical novel that brilliantly combines themes of feminism, colonialism, and self-determination. Stella is a fierce and inspiring protagonist, navigating the harsh constraints of her time with strength and intelligence. The lush setting of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) is vividly portrayed, making the island a character in itself. The slow-burn romance with Norton is both tender and complicated, and the challenges Stella faces as a woman trying to carve out her own future are heartbreakingly real. This book is a powerful exploration of identity, freedom, and resilience, and it kept me hooked from start to finish. A must-read for fans of historical fiction with strong, multidimensional characters and an unforgettable setting.

The story starts on the voyage from England to Ceylon. Norton Baxter, a young Cambridge graduate, on his way to take up a post in the colonial civil service, meets Paul Carberry, a tea planter. New passengers embark at Cochin, Sir Michael Polegate, an Oxford professor of anthropology, his daughter, Stella, son Ronald and PhD student, Gordon Blackstock. They are doing a research project on the indigenous Tamils in Ceylon.
The year is 1906 and the rigid, snobbish attitudes of the self-appointed ruling class are apparent from the start.
This is a very well written story, meticulously researched and totally absorbing. The characters are brought to life vividly, from the glimpses of the pearl divers to the stuffy government officials who ride roughshod over the local people without understanding or compassion.
The lowly position of women is a central theme which threads through the whole story. It is amazing that this was all so true and only just over a hundred years ago.
It is hard to describe events without giving away the story, but there is love, hate, violence, prejudice and huge emotion all the way through, as well as excellent description and details. It ends on a slight cliffhanger and I would love to know what happens with Stella, Ronald and Cynthia.
I loved this book and recommend it as a really good read.

The Star of Ceylon is a beautifully crafted historical book that transports readers to the lush landscapes and complex societal structures of colonial Ceylon in 1906. With evocative detail and emotional depth, Clare Flynn tells a story of resilience, injustice and the quiet defiance of a woman refusing to be silenced.

Stella Polegate arrives in Colombo as her father’s unofficial research assistant, full of curiosity and ambition. Her brilliant mind and scholarly passion are unquestionable, but she lives in a world that refuses to acknowledge a woman’s intellectual worth. Flynn draws out this tension with striking clarity, setting Stella's personal struggle against the backdrop of an empire in decline.

When an incident involving her father’s student threatens her future, Stella finds herself not only navigating the stifling rules of colonial society, but also trying to reclaim her agency in a world that has repeatedly tried to take it from her. Her path crosses with Norton Baxter, a civil servant disillusioned with the very system he represents. Their connection is gentle and considered, and their growing understanding of each other adds a quiet tenderness to the narrative.

Flynn’s writing is atmospheric and richly descriptive. From the tea plantations of Kandy to the bustling streets of Colombo, the setting is vivid and immersive. Every detail adds to the book’s texture, grounding Stella’s personal journey in a tangible, sensory world. It is clear that the historical research is meticulous, yet it never overshadows the story.

This is a book about voice, choice and the strength it takes to demand more. It is about women carving space for themselves in places that were never designed to welcome them. Stella is a compelling protagonist—clever, principled and brave in the quietest and most powerful ways.

The Star of Ceylon is a rewarding and thoughtful read for those who enjoy historical fiction that goes beyond romance and scenery to ask deeper questions about power, identity and freedom. Clare Flynn has written a story that lingers, as elegant and fierce as its heroine.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Clare Flynn’s The Star of Ceylon is a richly atmospheric historical novel which is set-in colonial Ceylon in 1906. It follows Stella Polegate, a young woman confronting the limitations imposed by gender and empire as she assists her father in his academic work. Flynn weave's themes of personal freedom, colonial injustice, and resilience into a compelling narrative. With vivid descriptions and interesting characters, the novel offers a thoughtful and engaging exploration of a complex era. A rewarding read for fans of intelligent historical fiction. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I was invited by the publisher to review this book. Set in 1906, Stella follows her father to Ceylon to conduct research on its ancient history, knowing full well that because she is a woman she will not get credit for her work. When one of her father's doctoral students makes advances toward her, her reputation becomes questioned. It is during this trial that she meets Norton, a civil servant who is growing wearing of colonialism and society's pecking order. Stella must make some personal choices: whether she wants to fall into society's expectations or push forward for her dreams, and whether she can trust Norton

I enjoyed that this book was more than just a character learning to trust and love again. It centered on women's rights, but also on the local culture of Ceylon and so I learned a great deal about the local people of this region. I also appreciated the author's research into the specifics of colonial life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Star of Ceylon is a novel that focuses on mood and sensory qualities of the setting rather than on plot development. The location takes place in 1906 Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka), focusing on the main character Stella (explained that her name means star, hence the book’s title), who as a woman during this era, is not allowed the freedoms afforded to men both academically and professionally. The novel follows Stella’s feelings and her complex growth and journey to find her place during the age in which she lives. Beautifully written. Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

An absorbing and beautifully written novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page.
Clare Flynn’s vivid storytelling brings colonial Ceylon to life in all its complexity — from the breathtaking landscapes to the intricate web of British colonial rule and its impact on both colonisers and the local population. This is more than a historical romance; it’s a thoughtful and compelling look at the legacy of empire, the rigidity of academia, and the human cost of ambition and displacement.

The characters are deeply drawn and wonderfully realised, each with authentic voices and emotional depth. Their personal struggles are set against the rich backdrop of a country on the cusp of change, and the historical detail is impeccably researched without ever feeling heavy-handed.

This was my first novel by Clare Flynn, and it certainly won’t be my last. She has earned a firm place on my must-read list. I’m eagerly anticipating the next instalment in the series.