“Lost powers will shake the earth.”
Hello folks so up next is the fantastic debut from Lucy Hounsom. Very rarely do I not finish a book, and I usually give any book a fair chance. My usual rule is that if it doesn’t hook me in the first one hundred pages then we are in a spot of bother. This really was not the case for Starborn.
The first chapter starts off with a crash, bang, wallop leading to a domino effect of catastrophic events all played out by a wonderful protagonist, Kyndra.
Here is the synopsis from the book-
Kyndra’s fate holds betrayal and salvation, but the journey starts in her small village. On the day she comes of age, she accidentally disrupts an ancient ceremony, ending centuries of tradition. So when an unnatural storm targets her superstitious community, Kyndra is blamed. She fears for her life until two strangers save her, by wielding. powers not seen for an age – powers fueled by the sun and the moon.
Together they flee to the hidden citadel of Naris. And here, Kyndra experiences disturbing visions of the past, showing war and one man’s terrifying response. She’ll learn more in the city’s subterranean chambers, amongst fanatics and rebels. But first Kyndra will be brutally tested in a bid to unlock her own magic.
If she survives the ordeal, she’ll discover a force greater than she could ever have imagined. But could it create as well as destroy? And can she control it, to right an ancient wrong?
Lucy Hounsom, has created something truly wonderful here. Kyndra is someone who has been put in a situation in which she has very little choice or say but she reacts in a way that is human. What I’m trying to say is that Hounsom has sprinkled fairy dust onto to the page and truly brings the protagonist to life. Kyndra acts in such a way that we can all relate to her in some way.
As well as having a very cool name.
Bregenne and Nediah, are the Wielders who save Kyndra and take her to Naris. At first there relationship is a little fractious and you will have to read it to see how that develops. With Bregenne and Nediah, Hounsom has written them to be two halves of the same person. Which links nicely to what I felt, was a really cosmic magic system, in more ways than one. Nediah is a solar wielder, and Bregenne is lunar. Each can only use their magic either in the day or night. So both of these characters are already linked in power which equates to them having a very strong personal bond. It really is a lovely magic system.
The pacing and the beautiful smooth prose of this book made the story come to life for me. The world that Lucy Hounsom has created leaves a lot to be explored in later books, which I very much look forward to reading. I do so wish that I could tell you more as to what happens in Starborn but I really don’t want to spoil it. I shall leave you with this though. The ending will blow your mind. It was an ending that I wouldn’t have even attempted at guessing.
A super smashing debut that both lunar and solar magic would be proud of.
Starborn is out now via Tor Uk http://www.panmacmillan.com
Sleepless Musings Of A Well Groomed Moustached Man 
I’m impressed that you usually give a book one hundred pages to prove itself. I thought I gave books a fair shake by waiting until I was about fifty pages in before deciding to give up. Fortunately, I rarely start books that require such an effort. Sounds like Lucy Hounsom’s novel is ‘unputdownable’.
Without a doubt un-bloody-putdownable. With the hundred pages thing it has seldom failed me. It works well for slow starters too.
Hey Romeo 🙂 So long! How’ve you been? And how’s Kat?
Coming back to the review, I really love this by the sound of it! It has such a unique concept (one that I’ve never ever heard of!) I’m definitely going to add this to my list and try my best to read it ASAP!
Great review dear!
I hope you’re having a great weekend 🙂