Coulthurst emphasizes self-reliance, forgiveness, and the redemptive power of love in this satisfying tale” — Publishers Weekly
“Asra’s rich emotions in the face of difficult choices in this coming-of-age saga will absorb audiences.” — Booklist
“Engag[es] teens in a mystical world of darkness and blood magic. Fans of dragons, dark magic, and romance will embrace this novel.” — School Library Journal
Praise for OF FIRE AND STARS: “A powerful and exquisite love story” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Praise for OF FIRE AND STARS: “This book is bold enough to create a world that moves beyond the prejudices we are still fighting in our real world.” — Caitlyn Paxson, NPR
Praise for OF FIRE AND STARS: “A deeply romantic, bold, and nuanced fantasy. You will be captivated by Denna and Mare and their star-crossed love for each other.” — Malinda Lo, Author of Ash and Huntress
Praise for OF FIRE AND STARS: “Lovely…a worthy debut that succeeds as both an adventure and a romance.” — Booklist
Praise for OF FIRE AND STARS: “Murder, mayhem, magic, romance—and horses…a romantic fantasy that will appeal to those who appreciate character-driven novels.” — Kirkus Reviews
Praise for OF FIRE AND STARS: “I devoured Of Fire and Stars in two sittings; it’s a delightful debut, full of all the things I like best in a fantasy story, including not one but two wonderful heroines. I’m looking forward to seeing what Audrey does in the future!” — Mercedes Lackey, New York Times bestselling author of over 125 books, including the Valdemar series
Praise for OF FIRE AND STARS: “Coulthursts’s debut is an absolute delight; I loved seeing these smart, fierce princesses fall in captivating, slow-burn love as they investigate political assassinations and unravel magical conspiracies.” — Corinne Duyvis, author of Otherbound and On the Edge of Gone
Praise for OF FIRE AND STARS: “Romantic, compelling, and bursting with fascinating characters, Of Fire and Stars is the fantasy novel we’ve all been waiting for.” — Amy Tintera, author of Ruined
Praise for OF FIRE AND STARS: “Romantic, compelling, and bursting with fascinating characters, Of Fire and Stars is the fantasy novel we’ve all been waiting for.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
2018-01-22
A demigod pines for romance but finds herself responsible for deaths and chaos.Asra lives alone on a mountain, providing villagers with magic-infused herbal remedies. If she mingles with mortals, they'll learn she's a bloodscribe: words written with her blood can change the past or future. Desperate to keep her (secret) mortal lover, Ina, from marrying a boy, Asra uses her bloodscribe power, accidentally (and inevitably) triggering deadly events. Whether she necessarily caused as many deaths as she thinks, she's consumed by guilt: if she finds Ina, who's become a vengeful dragon and departed, Asra can rewrite the past. Romantic love is Asra's primary focus—after Ina, a boy named Hal, also a demigod. Questions of faith also run through the book, both in the form of Asra's curiosity over which god is her parent and a challenge to the king, which threatens the land's life-support. Given that Asra's blood causes magic on contact, readers may wonder whether she menstruates (gods do have children). Dramatic chapter-ending cliffhangers invigorate momentum; ongoing, unnecessary reiteration slows it. Bisexuality in both protagonist and villain is refreshing, though the concluding text explicitly undermines Asra and Ina's relationship in hindsight. Asra and Ina are white; Hal is dark brown. For richer treatment of bisexuality, passion, and blood power, look to Sarah Fine's The True Queen (2018).Filled with fervor but more told than shown and diluted by repetition. (Romance/fantasy. 13-16)
