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Friday, July 1, 2011

Book Review: StarCrossed by Elizabeth C. Bunce

StarCrossed by Elizabeth C. Bunce
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Publication date: October 2010
ISBN: 9780545136051
Source: Library


StarCrossed 

Digger is used to sneaking around and finding secrets of others.  But, when she nearly gets caught on a job and has to run from the city, she expects to just be keeping her own secrets.  Taken up by some aristocratic young people, she eventually finds herself as a ladies maid and becomes embroiled unwillingly in an intricate plot that becomes more complex the more she learns.  Will she be able to extricate herself before she becomes too invested or becomes a target herself in the deadly game of Llyvraneth politics?

Things I Liked:
This was a twisty, complex riddle of a book, full of surprises and discoveries and innumerable secrets.  I loved getting caught up in the web of lies and deceit with Digger.  I really liked having a main character who is so obviously not perfect or even close.  She's a thief and she revels in her deceit.  But I also love how she begins to discover that lying and thieving aren't the only things in life.  The plot was fantastic, leaving me guessing and wondering and trying to figure things out along with Digger.  A fantastic book filled with unique fantasy details and interesting new characters.  Favorite parts:

I love trapdoors.  They mean secrets and hiding places and the thrill of discovering things you were never meant to see.  p 169
I've never been that fond of secrets, myself.  I think they're at the heart of a lot of what's wrong right now - the fear and suspicion, the secrecy.  Neighbors turning on each other, parents hiding their children, people hiding their faith.  That can't be what any of the gods intended.  p 263
Things I Didn't Like:
The first twenty to thirty pages were really confusing.  I felt like I was tossed into a new world (which I was) with little to no explanation (which there wasn't) and I spent that whole time trying to catch up and figure out who was who and what was what.  But, as you saw above, I did catch up and I loved it.  But, those first pages might be a turn off for those not interested in trying to figure out a new fantasy world with many new characters and customs.


Read-alikes:
Crown and Court Duel by Sherwood Smith

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
some here and there, nothing very strong


mrg-factor: X
implied stuff, but nothing really happens on page


v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

6 comments :

  1. I loved this one as well. It does take a while to get into but once I did I could not put it down. Marvelous story and I can't wait for the next one.

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  2. Good to know. This one's been on my list for awhile and it looked good but I hadn't heard what anyone thought. Now I'm more excited and will be prepared for those fist pages.

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  3. I felt the same way! The whole beginning left me really confused, but once I caught up I loved it! So much intrigue and secrets. I also liked how Digger wasn't perfect and grew throughout the book.

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  4. Kristen, ooh, there's a next one? Hooray!

    Jenny, definitely think it's worth it.

    Small, I love intrigue and secrets (at least in books) and I was so happy Digger wasn't perfect too!

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  5. Thanks for the review. I would have trouble reading on if I was confused at the beginning.
    Ann

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  6. Ann, yeah it definitely requires some investment time.

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