Starborn

Rating: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS    

MY REVIEW:    

Firstly, I need to address the title of this book. If you are the type of person to judge a book by its cover, (everyone does this at least to some degree) you will miss out on a phenomenal book. The cover and title tend to make potential readers think this book will be about outer space and will be a sci-fi novel, however, this is not the case. Starborn is a perfect example of fantasy fiction at its finest.

I literally devoured this book. The characters are so vividly described that a picture of each of them immediately formed in my mind. Not only that, but each character has a fully imagined history that further fleshes out their believability.

This is the first book in the WorldMaker trilogy and even though this book hasn’t been released in North America yet, I am already wishing that I could get my hands on the next book in the series. I believe not only that this book is destined to become a Bestseller, but that it will also be optioned for it’s film rights.

This story has just the right amount of betrayal and dedication, fantasy, magic, history, romance, frustration,  ingenuity and truly astounding world-building which all combine to create a surefire winning combination.

Not since the Harry Potter series, the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Hunger Games trilogy have I encountered an author with the ability to so seamlessly craft a complex epic tale of right and wrong, of good and evil and with the ability to build an entire world from nothing but their own imagination. The name of Lucy Hounsom will soon be on the lips of North American readers and publishers all over the continent, and rightly so.

I highly recommend this book to both youth and to adults who love epic adventure stories.

This book will grab your attention from the first page and it will not let go. It is because of its ability to entrance the reader and because of the author’s incredible world-building, that I have no choice but to rate this book as 5 out of 5 Stars.  

My recommendation is to mark your calendars for August 24th and grab your copy right away since this amazing book is bound to sell out quickly.

* A special Thank You to Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book.

Starborn... the title had me intrigued of course, after all, I am a star lover.
From the beginning, I was quite caught up in the story, picturing this fantasy land the author presents to us, reminding it a bit of the beginning of Eragon. A lot of things happening, lots of questions.
We follow the story with the eyes of Kyndra, a young girl with gifts she is slowly discovering, while her world is shattered to pieces. Of course, with this title, we, reader, know where they come from. I've waited for so long to see it finally revealed in the book!!
I have to say though that I had problems with Kyndra's character. She was very childish and stubborn to stupidity sometimes, and half the time, I wanted to shake reason and common sense in her head. She had her good moments too, but that's one of the things (the main), stopping me from giving a better grade to this book!
I really enjoyed the universe created by the author, the building of the story too, the powers coming from the Moon and Sun, the history forgotten, that was all very well done.
Another thing that was treated was the way a crowd, people's mind, can be dangerous. How people you love and lived with can turn against you, because of their narrow mind and need of reasons when catastrophes strike. The author describes quite well the problem of the old ways ruling over reason too, and warn us against the mistake of the past.
The writing was quite pleasant as well (and it's something I always pay a lot of attention to!), and I would recommend this book for any fantasy lover!

At first this book moved very slowly and I didn't quite understand what was happening and who the characters were. About half way through the book started to get really good and at that point I couldn't put it down. I'm just not sure how this is going to be part of a trilogy

This was by no means a genre-defining novel, but it was a more than decent debut that maybe stayed a little too close to some YA/Fantasy tropes. It hit all the right notes in the pacing and was an entertaining read.

A decent read, being a debut novel. It is a traditional epic fantasy with a YA tone to it. I enjoyed reading it. The pacing was good, and the narrative easy to follow. There is awesome magic, action, and well-rounded characters written with depth and nuance. There is a coming-of-age feel to the story, as it follows the journey of a young lady from her idyllic life to a life of adventure, power, and the attempts of saving the world from destruction.

The worldbuilding was pretty solid. I liked the concept of 'breaking' in which natural(?) disasters strike the world without any premonition and leave havoc in its wake. The most interesting thing of the book is the magic system, which is ingenuous and fantastic in a sort of far-fetched manner. The people who wield powers are called wielders, and they derive their power from the sun, the moon, and the stars. I'm intrigued by the way in which Hounsom has created the concept of 'Starborn'. And, if one carefully analyses, one will notice that the names and powers of stars are developed after the Norse concept of Runes. There is a lot unsaid left in the lore, with regards to the Rairam and the Acre, which is addressed in the second novel, and a lot is revealed about the conflict between the Sartyan empire and Solaris.

Thank you to the publisher, Sourcebooks Fire, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Starborn in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Gist
Starborn by Lucy Hounsom is a gripping and imaginative fantasy novel that takes readers on a thrilling adventure through a beautifully crafted world of magic, mystery, and danger. The novel follows the journey of Kyndra, a young girl who discovers that she has the power to control the elements and that she is destined to play a crucial role in the fate of her world.

The Details
Hounsom's writing is both descriptive and engaging, bringing to life a rich and detailed world that is full of unique cultures, magical creatures, and powerful forces. The characters are also well-developed, with Kyndra in particular standing out as a strong and determined protagonist who grows in strength and confidence as the story progresses.

The plot of Starborn is full of twists and turns, with unexpected revelations and surprising developments keeping the reader engaged throughout. Hounsom does an excellent job of balancing action and suspense with quieter moments of character development and introspection, creating a narrative that is both exciting and emotionally resonant.

One of the strengths of the book is its exploration of themes such as destiny, identity, and power. Kyndra's struggle to come to terms with her abilities and her role in the world is a powerful and relatable story that will resonate with many readers. At the same time, the novel's portrayal of complex political machinations and the consequences of power add depth and nuance to the story.

The Verdict
Overall, Starborn is an excellent debut novel that is sure to delight fans of fantasy and adventure. With its well-crafted world, engaging characters, and exciting plot, it is a must-read for anyone looking for a thrilling and thought-provoking tale of magic and destiny.