Hi Cara,
Today I am reviewing the debut novel by Ashley Shuttleworth. A Dark and Hollow Star is the first book in the self-titled series.
The “ironborn” half-fae outcast of her royal fae family.
A tempestuous Fury, exiled to earth from the Immortal Realm and hellbent on revenge.
A dutiful fae prince, determined to earn his place on the throne.
The prince’s brooding guardian, burdened with a terrible secret.
For centuries, the Eight Courts of Folk have lived among us, concealed by magic and bound by law to do no harm to humans. This arrangement has long kept peace in the Courts—until a series of gruesome and ritualistic murders rocks the city of Toronto and threatens to expose faeries to the human world.
Four queer teens, each who hold a key piece of the truth behind these murders, must form a tenuous alliance in their effort to track down the mysterious killer behind these crimes. If they fail, they risk the destruction of the faerie and human worlds alike. If that’s not bad enough, there’s a war brewing between the Mortal and Immortal Realms, and one of these teens is destined to tip the scales. The only question is: which way?
Wish them luck. They’re going to need it.
(Synopsis from Goodreads.com)
A Dark and Hollow Star has so many different magical beings in a book set in a modern world.
The book is told in multiple POV of view from Arlo the Iron Blood Fae. Nos the ex Fury. Vehan a Seelie prince and Aurelian his Unseelie friend and attendant. I liked all of them but really loved Nos, just for her lack of filter, sarcasm and pop culture references.
The world that Ashley has created is interesting and complex. The different type of fae, the schooling, the Gods and monsters that lurk without human knowledge.
There is a lot going on in A Dark and Hollow Star, from personal problems to bigger issues impacting the magical community. The mystery surrounding the community brings action, mystery, and drama to the book. Especially towards the end of the book. The personal problems made me emotionally connect to those characters. Especailly one of the revelations towards the end of the book.
Topics in A Dark and Hollow Star contains racism, LGBTQ and depression.
My Rating for A Dark and Hollow Star is 4.5 out of 5.
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Thanks for reading,
