Dark Star

by Prudence MacLeod

All Starla’s efforts had been in vain, so she had ran away and spent months on the streets, begging for money, and secretly, in an abandoned building, practicing the ways of dark magic. At last she was ready, and called upon the god of Darkness. Her fate was sealed, and her death swiftly followed as the demon god answered that dread call.
That’s when Starla learned there really is life after death, not life as promised by the church, or as she had imagined within the sacred circle, but something very different. Now she had to decide what to do with that new life, but she had opened that door to Darkness, would she be able to close it, or would the Denizens of the Darkness over run the world? Death was only the beginning for Starla Kirby.

Nook

First published June 11, 2011

About the author

Ordinary people are capable of remarkable feats given the right set of circumstances and these days, maybe more than ever, we all need more everyday heros.

The stories I love best are ones in which I could see at least a part of myself and that is actually the starting point of many of my stories. I am an observer. I love to people watch! I can’t help but notice what makes an ordinary person stand out to me and I can’t resist building stories around those unique character sketches.

The stories I least like are ones where the “hero” remains tormented and without resolution even at the end of a book. If I wanted reality, I’d have watched TV. Good fiction should entertain, and have a momentum of its own that carries rather than drags the reader along. My stories are intended to transport the reader away from the stresses of their day-to-day lives, and to sweep them up into a different world where people much like themselves overcome challenges and have remarkable adventures.

My goal is to write stories that inspire people to be their own everyday hero; to imagine new possibilities for themselves and perhaps change the course of their own story. I invite you to join me on the adventure.

Reviews

[Alberta Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

This week I have been reading YA a new genre for me, and I am well out of the age range:( I have recently, though, dipped the odd toe or two. I understand why they are written as they are and, on the whole, approve of stories that encourage, advise and inspire. They have never been part of my reading diet though; in a time of wartime shortages I teethed on adult tales of an altogether different ilk, but I am glad to have read Dark Star by Prudence MacLeod

This is a tale of ‘good’ witchcraft and religion, of intolerance and tolerance, belief and non-belief. It is also a testament to the power of friendships, relationships and love. A story about a group of children condemned for using ‘dark arts’, combined with paranormal creatures and man-made spells, this is not my normal reading matter but nothing ventured nothing ever, in this world, is gained.

The hero of the story leaves her family and her church, both of whom have tried to deny her the right to practice her own beliefs. In her angst, and plotting revenge, she begins to dabble in the dark side of witchery. Always a bad move. I'll not narrate the storyline as I am not keen on spoilers, suffice to say she unleashes some formidably dark forces and imperils the world.

I enjoyed the play between ‘modern religion’ and the ‘age old’. Found the lengths that people and establishments will go to in order to preserve their beliefs and identities, handled well. The children, as they mature into the world’s future, find strength in true friendship and bonding, facing incredible dangers and responsibilities well, becoming stronger for it.

To my surprise I found Dark Star a page turner! I became involved with the characters, wanting them to succeed, to survive, and although I knew they probably would, I wasn't always sure of that point, Prudence Macleod keeps the tension going well.

I'm an old cynic and found the ending improbable, but maybe the folk I hang out with are not as nice as you folk across the pond. Would the church behave so in the end? I am not sure that tolerance or understanding stretches that far. But hey, it's a book about dark portals, ancient magic, nasty beasties, and if I can believe in all those then I will suspend belief in this matter also and accept the ending fits.

A thoroughly good read, thank you very much Prudence.

Will I continue to dip toes in this genre, I think I will. The three I have tried so far have satisfied the younger me, residing still within the crust of too many decades:)

[Shalilayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all of your other stories so far, this was a wonderfully written novel. You have some very good insights to the human mind that are very poignant. Thank you very much for sharing this story with us!