What do you think?
Rate this book
The Star #1
Abbii had been afraid of the dark for four long years. She hated the eerie silence that filled the night.
She would often try to forget by closing her eyes at night, but she would always be met by dreams of Shadows that would attack her, dragging her into the Darkness. Most nights, she would simply lie there with her bedding wrapped tightly around her, hoping that she would drift off into a dreamless sleep.
Ever since that day four years ago, the dark had frightened her; she had thought it would be a curse throughout the whole of her life, but something changed when she met him.
The dark seemed to lose its power and the moon’s light brightened.
Her dreams didn’t stop; nightmares still stole her sleep, but there was always a figure of Light that would save her and allow her to wake.
He said the same thing every night in her dreams. Keep fighting, Abbii.
She thought that he was part of her imagination, someone that she had created to save herself, until she met him and was drawn into his bright hazel eyes.
His name was Nate.
She would often try to forget by closing her eyes at night, but she would always be met by dreams of Shadows that would attack her, dragging her into the Darkness. Most nights, she would simply lie there with her bedding wrapped tightly around her, hoping that she would drift off into a dreamless sleep.
Ever since that day four years ago, the dark had frightened her; she had thought it would be a curse throughout the whole of her life, but something changed when she met him.
The dark seemed to lose its power and the moon’s light brightened.
Her dreams didn’t stop; nightmares still stole her sleep, but there was always a figure of Light that would save her and allow her to wake.
He said the same thing every night in her dreams. Keep fighting, Abbii.
She thought that he was part of her imagination, someone that she had created to save herself, until she met him and was drawn into his bright hazel eyes.
His name was Nate.
236 pages, ebook
First published May 30, 2013
77 people are currently reading
460 people want to read
About the author
Clemy Warner-Thompson
10 books174 followersAuthor of the exciting paranormal fantasy 'The Star' Series, which delves into what makes the human heart vulnerable, and how magic and balance aren't the only two things that matter, and the paranormal angel 'Within the Light' series, a trilogy of books that explore the elements of the mortal and angel worlds, and how they sometimes overlap. Clemy has two very vocal ginger and white cats, lovingly named Rodney and Rory, as well as owning a very proud collection of books by indie and traditional authors. Situated in the not so sunny Uk, she loves to explore the fantasy side of all things, whilst spending time with her small but wonderful family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 26, 2021
I connected with the author via Instagram and ended up buying The Star via Smashreads. I am unclear if the downloaded version makes a difference but I read the EPUB.
This one was a tad of a struggle as I spent a lot of time being lost and thrown out of the world immersion due to the cadence and editing issues.
The reader learns about things as Abbii does, which is very slowly until a massive info dump at the end. It might just be me but at some points this is jarring, for example a place named Pennyworth is mentioned and then not explained at all until we find out that a character used to live there, even though it's the character's main focus. It was also a struggle to see how Abbii just accepts that everyone knows more than she does but isn't telling her.
The whole light vs dark battle is a good idea although I needed that info dump that came at the end a lot sooner. I spent too much time thinking "why this geographical area?" "Does moving around a town really prevent these shadows from finding someone?" "What even is a shadow, since it changes form yet has bones and bleeds?"
She is a very good descriptive writer for setting and atmosphere, I had no trouble picturing things as they happened.
An editor would pick out, for example, that a phrase like "elongating a blink" should appear maybe once or twice in an entire book. The other was " X character stated clearly" in dialogue - I just didn't see these very distinct phrases being situationally appropriate.
The end finally brought some truly interesting concepts to the book, though it happened after a battle where Abbii kept using her few advantages to get distracted, reminisce, and let herself get battered again. The interspersing of inner monologue and recap throughout the book were good for summary but sometimes placed in the middle of other action.
The reading experience reminds me of like Morgan Rice or early Jeff Wheeler uploads where I really want to like the book but it needs a strong proofreader, then editor to point out structural things. The very ending probably bumped this up to a 3 star for me and I think for a YA level it would be an appropriate read.
This one was a tad of a struggle as I spent a lot of time being lost and thrown out of the world immersion due to the cadence and editing issues.
The reader learns about things as Abbii does, which is very slowly until a massive info dump at the end. It might just be me but at some points this is jarring, for example a place named Pennyworth is mentioned and then not explained at all until we find out that a character used to live there, even though it's the character's main focus. It was also a struggle to see how Abbii just accepts that everyone knows more than she does but isn't telling her.
The whole light vs dark battle is a good idea although I needed that info dump that came at the end a lot sooner. I spent too much time thinking "why this geographical area?" "Does moving around a town really prevent these shadows from finding someone?" "What even is a shadow, since it changes form yet has bones and bleeds?"
She is a very good descriptive writer for setting and atmosphere, I had no trouble picturing things as they happened.
An editor would pick out, for example, that a phrase like "elongating a blink" should appear maybe once or twice in an entire book. The other was " X character stated clearly" in dialogue - I just didn't see these very distinct phrases being situationally appropriate.
The end finally brought some truly interesting concepts to the book, though it happened after a battle where Abbii kept using her few advantages to get distracted, reminisce, and let herself get battered again. The interspersing of inner monologue and recap throughout the book were good for summary but sometimes placed in the middle of other action.
The reading experience reminds me of like Morgan Rice or early Jeff Wheeler uploads where I really want to like the book but it needs a strong proofreader, then editor to point out structural things. The very ending probably bumped this up to a 3 star for me and I think for a YA level it would be an appropriate read.
November 1, 2013
Fairest of All Book Reviews received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
“Some may wonder to and fro
Keeping pace with fate no one knows,
Yet alas, Light is blooming
Straying from Shadows so Dark,
The smile of the one you Love
Or a Star warmed with Light,
Love may fall here and there
Wounded with pain unwavering,
But the Future is all too clear
Waiting for the wind to blow,
Pushing you to face Destiny…”
Light vs. Dark…Good vs. Evil – both concepts that have been explored in a variety of ways in many genres. For the most part, they are shown as two separate entities battling it out, where, in the end, good ultimately wins.
But what happens when the separation is unclear – when the division between the two ideas is not so easily seen? What happens when they mesh together in one soul like they so often do? The battle is waged from within and only time will tell which side is victorious.
Abbii’s life was never easy. Her father left when she was extremely young and her mother dropped her off in the middle of nowhere and left her there alone. Even as she started going to The Everglades College, Abbii found it hard to make friends or let people get too close for fear of being abandoned. Then she met Jake, and their friendship made her feel a connection to someone at last. But that connection was not what Abbii thought – Jake was not who Abbii thought he was. In the midst of dealing with Jake’s loss, Abbii finds herself running from the dark and its shadows as she struggles to solve the mystery behind her magical powers and her destiny.
Abbii is not alone in this journey though because the same day she loses Jake, she meets Nate Edwards in the school’s infirmary and instantly feels a connection to him. But Nate is not who he seems either, and he keeps secrets from Abbii about who he is as well as details about Abbii’s powers and the role she plays in bringing back the Light for good.
“You, Abbii, are the Lasting Star- Our hope of returning the Light. You have powers which will brighten our horizon.”
As Abbii learns that her nightmares are actually visions of events to come, she struggles with accepting who she is because she is afraid of people she feels connected to getting hurt and she does not want to deal with anymore loss. Nate helps Abbii to control her powers and stabilize her use of light; he protects her at all costs because he feels deeply for her – their connection is deeper than Abbii even knows. At the end of Book One, Abbii learns the mystery behind her being The Star and faces the Shadows and some of The Forgotten with Nate by her side, but the ultimate betrayal is left to be resolved in the next book.
There were many concepts of this book that I enjoyed:
The unique concept of Light vs. Dark and the idea that they are both in an individual and depending on circumstances and who one is surrounded by forces one side to outduel the other were both intriguing to me.
The deeper theme/idea explored about people being afraid of differences and how some do not accept individuals who are different which causes lasting effects is a subject that holds to in today’s society as well.
The duel between the Light and the Dark and the plot twists that occurred during the last 20% of the book was an exciting read; and while I sort of figured out Nate’s connection to Jake and I even had an inkling that perhaps Jake was not dead, I didn’t really expect Jake’s role to be what it was in all of this.
What I found problematic about the book was the slow reveal of who Abbii really was as well as Abbii’s almost acceptance, in a way, to let other people dictate what was told to her about her own life and destiny. For all that Abbii went through in her life, I wanted to see her fight so much earlier than she did to find out the truth and have a bit more backbone to attempt to dictate her own fate. I also felt like readers were told a lot of the information instead of shown. I wanted to go through what the characters went through, and most times, I didn’t feel like I was there with them; I just felt like it happened and happened too quickly.
Overall, The Star is an enjoyable read. It takes a bit to get into the story because the pace is slow at the beginning, but the mystery of who Abbii is and what her role as the Star entails kept me reading until the answers were revealed.
3.5 poison apples
“Some may wonder to and fro
Keeping pace with fate no one knows,
Yet alas, Light is blooming
Straying from Shadows so Dark,
The smile of the one you Love
Or a Star warmed with Light,
Love may fall here and there
Wounded with pain unwavering,
But the Future is all too clear
Waiting for the wind to blow,
Pushing you to face Destiny…”
Light vs. Dark…Good vs. Evil – both concepts that have been explored in a variety of ways in many genres. For the most part, they are shown as two separate entities battling it out, where, in the end, good ultimately wins.
But what happens when the separation is unclear – when the division between the two ideas is not so easily seen? What happens when they mesh together in one soul like they so often do? The battle is waged from within and only time will tell which side is victorious.
Abbii’s life was never easy. Her father left when she was extremely young and her mother dropped her off in the middle of nowhere and left her there alone. Even as she started going to The Everglades College, Abbii found it hard to make friends or let people get too close for fear of being abandoned. Then she met Jake, and their friendship made her feel a connection to someone at last. But that connection was not what Abbii thought – Jake was not who Abbii thought he was. In the midst of dealing with Jake’s loss, Abbii finds herself running from the dark and its shadows as she struggles to solve the mystery behind her magical powers and her destiny.
Abbii is not alone in this journey though because the same day she loses Jake, she meets Nate Edwards in the school’s infirmary and instantly feels a connection to him. But Nate is not who he seems either, and he keeps secrets from Abbii about who he is as well as details about Abbii’s powers and the role she plays in bringing back the Light for good.
“You, Abbii, are the Lasting Star- Our hope of returning the Light. You have powers which will brighten our horizon.”
As Abbii learns that her nightmares are actually visions of events to come, she struggles with accepting who she is because she is afraid of people she feels connected to getting hurt and she does not want to deal with anymore loss. Nate helps Abbii to control her powers and stabilize her use of light; he protects her at all costs because he feels deeply for her – their connection is deeper than Abbii even knows. At the end of Book One, Abbii learns the mystery behind her being The Star and faces the Shadows and some of The Forgotten with Nate by her side, but the ultimate betrayal is left to be resolved in the next book.
There were many concepts of this book that I enjoyed:
The unique concept of Light vs. Dark and the idea that they are both in an individual and depending on circumstances and who one is surrounded by forces one side to outduel the other were both intriguing to me.
The deeper theme/idea explored about people being afraid of differences and how some do not accept individuals who are different which causes lasting effects is a subject that holds to in today’s society as well.
The duel between the Light and the Dark and the plot twists that occurred during the last 20% of the book was an exciting read; and while I sort of figured out Nate’s connection to Jake and I even had an inkling that perhaps Jake was not dead, I didn’t really expect Jake’s role to be what it was in all of this.
What I found problematic about the book was the slow reveal of who Abbii really was as well as Abbii’s almost acceptance, in a way, to let other people dictate what was told to her about her own life and destiny. For all that Abbii went through in her life, I wanted to see her fight so much earlier than she did to find out the truth and have a bit more backbone to attempt to dictate her own fate. I also felt like readers were told a lot of the information instead of shown. I wanted to go through what the characters went through, and most times, I didn’t feel like I was there with them; I just felt like it happened and happened too quickly.
Overall, The Star is an enjoyable read. It takes a bit to get into the story because the pace is slow at the beginning, but the mystery of who Abbii is and what her role as the Star entails kept me reading until the answers were revealed.
3.5 poison apples
January 23, 2014
The Star by Clemy Warner-Thompson is a fantasy book. It was an interesting and intriguing read. A book of magic, demons, witches, and powers. A battle of good vs. evil, darkness vs light. A power source being fought over...What is the star...a power of pure light, a unlimited power source, but given that stars do die out they do have a limit of some kind. In this book the heroine is The Star coming into her powers, she fears the darkness because she is light itself. It is a journey of self discovery and learning to trust others. She has dreamed of a light for the past four years that kept telling her to "Keep fighting Abbii." That light will definitely blow your mind when you find out who the light is...The light will be the one you fall in love with and cheer for where as the darkness you will hate. The battle of light versus darkness rages on in this book. The ending will leave you wanting the next book...Let's hope it is intriguing and fantastical as this read.
November 14, 2024
Left on a Cliffhanger!
I love stories like this that focus on the battle between the light and the dark with all the twists and turns it brings. This story ended on a cliffhanger and I’m curious to see how it will continue.
I love stories like this that focus on the battle between the light and the dark with all the twists and turns it brings. This story ended on a cliffhanger and I’m curious to see how it will continue.
November 30, 2013
First, I was not sure what to expect when I delved into this story, but for some reason no matter how many pages into the book I got I could not get the following song out of my head... Baby, I'm A Star by Prince.
I would have shared a video but, they simply do not have one that I can snag.
Now, on to more important things, the review. The Star is not a new concept, but it is presented in a very unique story that creates a whole new point of view for the story of good vs. evil, light vs. dark. There is this rumor that there are no new stories to be written, ignore them. This is a new story with a lot of potential to go far, and the author definitely knows how to create a cliffhanger. Yes, I am more than anticipating the next book in the series as I really NEED to know what is going to happen.
The characters are very well crafted, but there are times that they lose their dimension and drop to being flat, I think this can be corrected with some more development, and a few edits made here and there. Edits will definitely help the flow of the story as well. There is a good foundation idea that the author builds on, but there are a few spots where the reader will potentially hit a roadblock in the reading process. These are areas where the story is either underdeveloped, or burdened with too much time spent on description. The other area that will potentially trip people up is the different use of the English language. Those of us on the US side of the big pond, may not immediately grasp some of the concepts because of the minor language issues.
All in all though, The Star presents a solid story that just needs a minor polish to make it shine as bright as the most brilliant star in the universe.
I would have shared a video but, they simply do not have one that I can snag.
Now, on to more important things, the review. The Star is not a new concept, but it is presented in a very unique story that creates a whole new point of view for the story of good vs. evil, light vs. dark. There is this rumor that there are no new stories to be written, ignore them. This is a new story with a lot of potential to go far, and the author definitely knows how to create a cliffhanger. Yes, I am more than anticipating the next book in the series as I really NEED to know what is going to happen.
The characters are very well crafted, but there are times that they lose their dimension and drop to being flat, I think this can be corrected with some more development, and a few edits made here and there. Edits will definitely help the flow of the story as well. There is a good foundation idea that the author builds on, but there are a few spots where the reader will potentially hit a roadblock in the reading process. These are areas where the story is either underdeveloped, or burdened with too much time spent on description. The other area that will potentially trip people up is the different use of the English language. Those of us on the US side of the big pond, may not immediately grasp some of the concepts because of the minor language issues.
All in all though, The Star presents a solid story that just needs a minor polish to make it shine as bright as the most brilliant star in the universe.
November 26, 2013
Abbii has bad dreams, this makes her scared to sleep trying to put it off until she is exhausted. This all happened 4 years ago when the shadows came to take her light. Her mother took her to the college where she was abandoned, her only friend was Jake and he was killed the tragic night that the shadows came to find Abbi. After this Nate turns up at the college and Abbii is drawn to him and she doesn’t know why. What annoyed me about this book was that after Jake dies Abbi has so many questions but no one is willing to tell her anything, they just say that she is not ready to learn what is going to happen but they keep saying it will happen soon, surly this is the perfect time to clue someone in? All this does is cause Abbii to run off by herself to find answers, she is heading to Jakes hometown because she wants to know why it looked like he embraced the dark in his final moments. However something’s should not be learned how will Abbii deal with this new information she has discovered. I have to say that the ending of this book was the best part of the book for me; the fight scenes were great as there was so much going on to keep it exciting and page turning. There was a cliffing hanger at the end but I kind of figured it out beforehand. To finish I loved Abbii she had a great heart even though she really had no idea what was happening to, she was willing to sacrifice herself so that other people would not die along with her. I also loved Nate he was so noble he took everything he was told about the wars between light and dark in his stride so he could stand by Abbii no matter what.
The reason that I gave 4* was because I felt the story lost some of its momentum in the middle, however it more than made up for it with the ending
The reason that I gave 4* was because I felt the story lost some of its momentum in the middle, however it more than made up for it with the ending
September 23, 2013
**I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review**
The idea behind this story was neat, I thought it was a cool change to the light vs darkness plot, and the way magic was used and explained was kinda neat and different. I found myself lost a few times trying to figure out what was happening, I think I needed a bit more back round information which I did get later but I had kinda figured it out for myself by then.
Abbii was a complex character which I enjoyed, but at times I was frustrated with her nonchalance of nobody telling her who she is, why the shadows are after her, and what being the star means,maybe it's because I wanted to know so bad I wished she was more interested and persistent in finding out what people know. I noticed Nate brought out a fight in Abbii that I had hoped for, and I hope now that they have some answers about themselves they can be together and fight side by side.
Overall I found this book enjoyable and I think it was a good start to what I am sure will be an exciting series. The ending gave the book a bit of a kick start and now with the new revelations Abbii and Nate were given I think things may really pick up.
The idea behind this story was neat, I thought it was a cool change to the light vs darkness plot, and the way magic was used and explained was kinda neat and different. I found myself lost a few times trying to figure out what was happening, I think I needed a bit more back round information which I did get later but I had kinda figured it out for myself by then.
Abbii was a complex character which I enjoyed, but at times I was frustrated with her nonchalance of nobody telling her who she is, why the shadows are after her, and what being the star means,maybe it's because I wanted to know so bad I wished she was more interested and persistent in finding out what people know. I noticed Nate brought out a fight in Abbii that I had hoped for, and I hope now that they have some answers about themselves they can be together and fight side by side.
Overall I found this book enjoyable and I think it was a good start to what I am sure will be an exciting series. The ending gave the book a bit of a kick start and now with the new revelations Abbii and Nate were given I think things may really pick up.
January 24, 2022
I cannot begin to say how much loved this read! (i’ve never left a review so just bare with me here😅)
The Star by Clemy Warner-Thompson is about Abbii, a student at The Everglades college. with the unfortunate death of her best friend and the Shadows restlessly chasing after her, Abbii goes on a journey to find out she she is and the powers that are inside her.
I looove this read for so many reasons! The author, Clemy, reached out to me via instagram and ask me to read her book, I was thrilled! I hadn’t ever read a book like this before and it did not let me down!!
One of the things I loved about this book was that I had no idea how the story was going to end! As someone who over analyzes a lot of things, there were a lot of ways i thought the book could play out and it didn’t play out like I thought it would at ALL (in all the best ways possible 😉)
I was talking to Clemy as I was reading trying to get her to tell me SOMETHING but she didn’t crack and i’m grateful!
I would definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for a pretty fast-paced thriller! It slowed down a little in the middle but that’s when you figure out all the things about her. I give it a 10/10!!!!
The Star by Clemy Warner-Thompson is about Abbii, a student at The Everglades college. with the unfortunate death of her best friend and the Shadows restlessly chasing after her, Abbii goes on a journey to find out she she is and the powers that are inside her.
I looove this read for so many reasons! The author, Clemy, reached out to me via instagram and ask me to read her book, I was thrilled! I hadn’t ever read a book like this before and it did not let me down!!
One of the things I loved about this book was that I had no idea how the story was going to end! As someone who over analyzes a lot of things, there were a lot of ways i thought the book could play out and it didn’t play out like I thought it would at ALL (in all the best ways possible 😉)
I was talking to Clemy as I was reading trying to get her to tell me SOMETHING but she didn’t crack and i’m grateful!
I would definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for a pretty fast-paced thriller! It slowed down a little in the middle but that’s when you figure out all the things about her. I give it a 10/10!!!!
December 29, 2015
The Star was an amazing book. The characters, the story, how it was written, all to my liking. I really enjoyed reading this book, and look forward to reading the next one.
I enjoyed getting to know all of the characters, especially Abbii. She was very relatable in the terms that she is shy and reserved, as well as an outcast. The other characters, such as Jake and Nate were nice to get to know, as well as the secrets that lay behind them.
I loved the fantasy aspect of the book with all of the different things such as demons, witches and magic, as well as the struggle for the darkness and the light. It was very creative and interesting. I feel like the story was very unique in it's own way. I love the fantasy twisted with the romance of the novel. It really keeps you interested.
The book was really well written and planned out. Like I said before, I cannot wait to read the next book in the series, Mirage. It sounds interesting, and I am super excited. I have to give this book 5 out of 5 stars. :)
I enjoyed getting to know all of the characters, especially Abbii. She was very relatable in the terms that she is shy and reserved, as well as an outcast. The other characters, such as Jake and Nate were nice to get to know, as well as the secrets that lay behind them.
I loved the fantasy aspect of the book with all of the different things such as demons, witches and magic, as well as the struggle for the darkness and the light. It was very creative and interesting. I feel like the story was very unique in it's own way. I love the fantasy twisted with the romance of the novel. It really keeps you interested.
The book was really well written and planned out. Like I said before, I cannot wait to read the next book in the series, Mirage. It sounds interesting, and I am super excited. I have to give this book 5 out of 5 stars. :)
June 29, 2013
Abbii is stuck in a school, abandoned not only by her father, but also by her mother for the last four years. The Everglades College for the Gifted is a dumping ground for parents that can't cope. Or is it?
Clemy Warner-Thompson weaves a tale of magic, of a young woman gifted with the ability to change reality, well. The reader is drawn in by Abbii's depth of despair, and through her growth to one who accepts what must be.
Although slow to start, with details that don't seem important at the time, The Star quickly picks up speed. A quest of discovery turns into a fight for survival. In the end, Abbii has more decisions to make, and it's clear this is only the beginning of a story yet to be told. Those who love magical quests, tales of journey and discovery, and a good understand of how important the elements are will be drawn into this story.
I can't wait for the next chapter of this story and recommend it for all fantasy lovers.
Clemy Warner-Thompson weaves a tale of magic, of a young woman gifted with the ability to change reality, well. The reader is drawn in by Abbii's depth of despair, and through her growth to one who accepts what must be.
Although slow to start, with details that don't seem important at the time, The Star quickly picks up speed. A quest of discovery turns into a fight for survival. In the end, Abbii has more decisions to make, and it's clear this is only the beginning of a story yet to be told. Those who love magical quests, tales of journey and discovery, and a good understand of how important the elements are will be drawn into this story.
I can't wait for the next chapter of this story and recommend it for all fantasy lovers.
January 8, 2022
The Star by C. Warner-Thompson is an exciting and interesting ya fantasy book.
I have never read anything by this author before so I went into The Star not knowing what to expect. You can really hear the author's unique voice in her writing style. The beginning of the book's plot sort of left me a bit lost and wanting answers but the rest of book answered my questions and moved at a quick, exciting pace. The description of magic in this world was really interesting. Abbii being able to gain some control quickly was a blessing because I was definitely worried about what was coming for her. I think Abbii and Nate are great together. Their interactions and growth together warmed my heart. I thought it worked well as an introduction to the world and the characters in it. All in all, I thought this was an exciting, fun read.
I have never read anything by this author before so I went into The Star not knowing what to expect. You can really hear the author's unique voice in her writing style. The beginning of the book's plot sort of left me a bit lost and wanting answers but the rest of book answered my questions and moved at a quick, exciting pace. The description of magic in this world was really interesting. Abbii being able to gain some control quickly was a blessing because I was definitely worried about what was coming for her. I think Abbii and Nate are great together. Their interactions and growth together warmed my heart. I thought it worked well as an introduction to the world and the characters in it. All in all, I thought this was an exciting, fun read.
September 8, 2013
The story line for the book was good. I found it a little difficult to read, but once I got into the book I wanted to finish it. The main character seemed a little week for going through so much in her life. I would have like her to seem stronger instead of stubborn. One thing I can tell you is that I was kind of angry for the male lead. She was so worried about her best friend almost to the point of which she was in love with him, but she mentions that she didn't really know him, and in front of her she has this sexy sweet boy. He is protecting her and caring for her and all she wants is to get to know her best friend. Because I am all for romance I wanted her to see him as the hunk he was sooner. Good read guys!
June 4, 2022
I really am not the biggest fan of fantasy,
However….
I bloody loved this!!
Abbi as such a phenomenal character and likeable from the get go.
The book grabs you right from the start with a devastating event that starts Abbi on her journey of discovery.
The story is full of twists and turns and it’s incredibly gripping.
The first couple of chapters gave me Hogwarts vibes, if hogwarts was a university and the dementors (or shadows in this book) where a hell of a lot more scary and destructive.
Anyone who is a fan of Shadow and Bone would also like this as it has a very similar vibe but set in the real world.
Also Nate is just 😍
This will definitely not be the last @cwarnerthompson book I read!
However….
I bloody loved this!!
Abbi as such a phenomenal character and likeable from the get go.
The book grabs you right from the start with a devastating event that starts Abbi on her journey of discovery.
The story is full of twists and turns and it’s incredibly gripping.
The first couple of chapters gave me Hogwarts vibes, if hogwarts was a university and the dementors (or shadows in this book) where a hell of a lot more scary and destructive.
Anyone who is a fan of Shadow and Bone would also like this as it has a very similar vibe but set in the real world.
Also Nate is just 😍
This will definitely not be the last @cwarnerthompson book I read!
June 25, 2013
The Star was such a good book! As soon as the book started, I fell for Jake. But not long after, he dies. Then Nate appears. Trust me, I fell for him too! They were all such wonderful characters! I loved Abbii. She was reserved and an outcast. Very relatable. I really loved this story. It was perfect! The story line itself was very well planned out, and the book well written. The book held a lot of secrets that were revealed along the way. I was shocked when I found out about Jake and Nate being one. And then the way this book ended? I don't want to give too much away, but let me just say that I can't wait to find out what is going to happen in the next book! Definitive 5 out of 5 stars!
June 13, 2021
I received this book in exchange for a review and I was not disappointed. It's a delightful read and holds all the good tropes you want in a classic YA, a good, relatable MC (Abbii) some awesome good vs evil, and lots of magic. There is also a brilliant twist at the end, which I thought I'd figured out about halfway, then was proven wrong and the finale built into a very well-written climax, lots of action and twists and turns. There were also some cute boys!! For which I'm always up for reading more of. I really enjoyed this and I'm interested to see where this story goes and also read some of the author's latest work.
September 15, 2013
Ok, so I really liked this book and am really hoping there is going to be another one. That being said, I really got into this book I liked the characters and how it kept me guessing. Like what did the shadows want with this girl? and who the heck is Nate? There was the crazy twist at the end that I really didn't expect, like who Maria really is, Who Nate really is, and who was behind the whole shadows wanting Abbii...wow really didn't see that coming.
So anyway, it was a really good book and I enjoyed it and would recommend it to others who enjoy paranormal books.
So anyway, it was a really good book and I enjoyed it and would recommend it to others who enjoy paranormal books.
November 17, 2013
I was given this book for free in exchange for a review.
Okay this was a very good book I give it 4 stars because it was not one that I just couldn't put down. I didn't feel the need to keep reading till I finished it in one sitting, although it was still a great book.
The characters are very like able. Abbii did annoy me at times but that makes her seem like a normal person would lol.
The ending was good there is a bit of a cliffhanger but not that major of a one I did manage to guess that part was gonna happen.
I still say you should give the book a chance.
Still excited to read book 2.
Okay this was a very good book I give it 4 stars because it was not one that I just couldn't put down. I didn't feel the need to keep reading till I finished it in one sitting, although it was still a great book.
The characters are very like able. Abbii did annoy me at times but that makes her seem like a normal person would lol.
The ending was good there is a bit of a cliffhanger but not that major of a one I did manage to guess that part was gonna happen.
I still say you should give the book a chance.
Still excited to read book 2.
January 29, 2014
The Star is a story about good vs. evil and darkness vs. light. It is an intriguing and wonderfully written story that will have you biting your nails in anticipation of what's to come. Abii is a strong willed woman but she is also vulnerable at the same time and for that reason I think I liked her even more. The story itself did seem to "fizzle" out there towards the middle but picked back up in a thrilling conclusion.
June 12, 2021
The Star is a fun and intriguing fantasy about a girl learning she has the magic to save her realm. What is most interesting is the mystery surrounding two of her friends, Jake and Nate. Both boys are similar to each other, but Nate is the most engaging character of the two because of his charm and how he helps Abbii, the main character, struggle through her challenges. I enjoyed this book and am interested in reading the sequel. I looked forward to picking it up each day.
September 27, 2013
I received this book as a gift for a review.
A battle between light and dark, with twist and turns. I love the characters development of Abbii. She lost so much, and found things out about her self. She wanted to protect her friends. This book had me on the edge of my seat. It was amazing. Loved it. Highly recommended. <3
A battle between light and dark, with twist and turns. I love the characters development of Abbii. She lost so much, and found things out about her self. She wanted to protect her friends. This book had me on the edge of my seat. It was amazing. Loved it. Highly recommended. <3
September 20, 2016
This book was a breath of fresh air to me! The writing was simply fantastic and drew me into the world almost immediately. The characters were well developed and the world itself was very detailed. I highly recommend this amazing piece of fiction. I can't wait to see what Clemy comes up with next!
February 11, 2019
Good read! You could tell the author put a lot of thought into the story line and characters. It keeps you hooked throughout the entire book.
May 9, 2024
Slow, glorious, build to perfection
This book was well planned and executed. I will admit that I felt frustrated alongside Abbii trying to figure out her path and where the story was going. But it was well worth it.
If you like stories where light and darkness converge to battle, this is a great story for you. I highly recommend this and other books by the author.
This book was well planned and executed. I will admit that I felt frustrated alongside Abbii trying to figure out her path and where the story was going. But it was well worth it.
If you like stories where light and darkness converge to battle, this is a great story for you. I highly recommend this and other books by the author.
April 25, 2022
Short Summary: Abbii has just lost her best friend and she can't help but look for him everywhere, feel him everywhere. But as soon as he is gone, Nate is there. She knows something is different about her but no one is willing to tell her why. She knows everyone around her is in danger but no one will say a word. All she has is Nate and she is pretty sure he has her answers. But he also has her feeling things she hasn't before.
______________________________________________
So usually I have quotes everywhere because I feel like it gives a vibe of the book, good or bad. But to be honest, I couldn't find one thing in this book really worth highlighting or that stands out. No really good lines that hit you in heart.
I gave this story a three because it has so much potential. The idea of Abbii being "the star" and the push/pull between the light and dark was really creative. I felt like there was a lot of good ideas in there and the story had quite a bit of depth. I didn't find the twist at the end anything special or unexpected. In fact, from the get go I kind of figured Jacob was far from done in the story.
Buuuuuuut this story was hard to finish. For three main reasons. First one, the editing. The editing. The editing. This story needs it. It would help so much, it might even fix my second problem. But it just needed some more love. There were moments that I felt were way too detailed and then I'd be reading another moment wishing I had more? Bummer.
My second problem was the pacing. Maybe editing could have helped this but it just felt off. The story kicked off soooo fast but somehow felt soooooooooooooo slow. Like. Get on with it. The characters were moving so fast. It was like, "Okay, hurry, we need to get through the story fast." But then every connection felt nonexistent.
My third problem: Abbii and Nate needed so much more. Especially Abbii. I could get down with Nate at times, he could easily be developed into a crush for me. But they lacked chemistry and I think it was because they were just moving through the story so fast. Slow down. Build it. Give them moments with each other, let them get to know each other. It was instant and not in a good way. Nothing even really happens between them either? Nothing. They talk about how they can't get over each other and they can't be separated but that's it. They don't flirt or banter. They knew each other for days, with literally three interactions MAYBE, and then Nate's like, "I'll follow her anywhere!"
Okay, Nate, chill.
Abbii just made NO SENSE to me. Everyone is literally telling her they know everything but "sorry, we can't tell you." And she's like, "ugh, how frustrating. Okay." And moves on. What? No, Abbii, put your god damn foot down. Stop being a fucking pushover. I wanted her to become a badass. But I just felt like she never got there. I also don't get the Jacob dynamic? They were friends, not lovers in any way, and she should mourn him. Absolutely. But it's like this barrier for Nate and her the entire story? And he just keeps saying, she will never be over him. She will never choose me.
But. What?
I know it sounds like I hated this but I didn't. This could be a great story. I just think the author needs to give it a little more love before going on towards the next book. I think the characters need more depth, more moments to grow together. Less self monologue. Less details. Let the story tell itself. It doesn't need to be heavy the entire time. Give them a moment to lighten things up, laugh or flirt.
It's not ready. Not yet. But when it is? It'll be killer.
I'm glad the author reached out to ask me to read this. I still think it was worth my time. I'd love to read it again if it ever gets some good editing.
______________________________________________
So usually I have quotes everywhere because I feel like it gives a vibe of the book, good or bad. But to be honest, I couldn't find one thing in this book really worth highlighting or that stands out. No really good lines that hit you in heart.
I gave this story a three because it has so much potential. The idea of Abbii being "the star" and the push/pull between the light and dark was really creative. I felt like there was a lot of good ideas in there and the story had quite a bit of depth. I didn't find the twist at the end anything special or unexpected. In fact, from the get go I kind of figured Jacob was far from done in the story.
Buuuuuuut this story was hard to finish. For three main reasons. First one, the editing. The editing. The editing. This story needs it. It would help so much, it might even fix my second problem. But it just needed some more love. There were moments that I felt were way too detailed and then I'd be reading another moment wishing I had more? Bummer.
My second problem was the pacing. Maybe editing could have helped this but it just felt off. The story kicked off soooo fast but somehow felt soooooooooooooo slow. Like. Get on with it. The characters were moving so fast. It was like, "Okay, hurry, we need to get through the story fast." But then every connection felt nonexistent.
My third problem: Abbii and Nate needed so much more. Especially Abbii. I could get down with Nate at times, he could easily be developed into a crush for me. But they lacked chemistry and I think it was because they were just moving through the story so fast. Slow down. Build it. Give them moments with each other, let them get to know each other. It was instant and not in a good way. Nothing even really happens between them either? Nothing. They talk about how they can't get over each other and they can't be separated but that's it. They don't flirt or banter. They knew each other for days, with literally three interactions MAYBE, and then Nate's like, "I'll follow her anywhere!"
Okay, Nate, chill.
Abbii just made NO SENSE to me. Everyone is literally telling her they know everything but "sorry, we can't tell you." And she's like, "ugh, how frustrating. Okay." And moves on. What? No, Abbii, put your god damn foot down. Stop being a fucking pushover. I wanted her to become a badass. But I just felt like she never got there. I also don't get the Jacob dynamic? They were friends, not lovers in any way, and she should mourn him. Absolutely. But it's like this barrier for Nate and her the entire story? And he just keeps saying, she will never be over him. She will never choose me.
But. What?
I know it sounds like I hated this but I didn't. This could be a great story. I just think the author needs to give it a little more love before going on towards the next book. I think the characters need more depth, more moments to grow together. Less self monologue. Less details. Let the story tell itself. It doesn't need to be heavy the entire time. Give them a moment to lighten things up, laugh or flirt.
It's not ready. Not yet. But when it is? It'll be killer.
I'm glad the author reached out to ask me to read this. I still think it was worth my time. I'd love to read it again if it ever gets some good editing.
February 18, 2019
When we look at young adult fantasy, we typically think of Harry Potter, and The Hunger Games, and the Divergence Series as well as the Maze Runner Trilogy as some of the hallmarks and legends and classics of the genre, along with the Percy Jackson series. However, in an age where decisiveness and creativity are abundant its fresh to see yet another talented author whose capable of bringing adult themes and tones to young adults in a way that really does translate and connect with them. This is our review of Clemy Warner-Thompson’s ‘The Star’, and its overall rating within our scale.
In this, we see Clemy-Warner Thompson’s, ‘The Star’ the first in her second Series of Young Adult Novels. Overall, first we start with this Character Abbi, who, at first appearances is a typical protagonist female with power she doesn’t quite understand, and even worse and horrifying enemies that we start off knowing little about. But soon, from the gate, we learn that there’s more to Abbi than this seemingly tired out trope that’s been done before, and we see the true originality of the mind-set behind Abbi, and her desperation to not just overcome her fear of the dark, but to fulfill the destiny that’s awaiting her. In this, we are introduced to a mysterious figure who has come to Abbi in her dreams since her arrival at a school, aptly titled ‘The College’, where while things seem normal, it couldn’t be farther from the truth. Scarred physically and emotionally, readers will be able to connect with Abbi, regardless of gender, as well as the supporting cast of characters, including our Mysterious Dream Protector whose watched Abbi since she was a child and played the role of Guardian Angel. The power that Thompson brings to the pages to make these characters as believable and real is so refreshing in the Indie World, and overall, Meztrailov Fantasy Games has to say that this is a must-read and we cannot look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Reasoning: Why did we choose this rating? Its simple; Thompson takes the traditional notions of light and dark, and plays a spin on them that makes our deepest nightmares and troubles as young adults like social acceptance and self-esteem, and brings them to the forefront with not just the utmost care, but also the most brazen and courageous way possible. In her storytelling she introduces us to characters that we can not only relate to, but we can also feel that in this story, that there is truly a sense of hope despite the overwhelming Darkness that surrounds Abbi and the other Supporting cast, and the physical Manifestation of the Shadows that we are all so well-meant to be afraid of. This book is highly suggested, and is a must read for any fans of young adult fiction. Taking Elements of what can be construed as Harry Potter and mixing them with Urban and Young Adult Themes like something from Cirque De Freak, we immediately are immersed in this world of darkness and light, and yet then there is this grey area in which Abbi stands on the cusp and is needing of making a choice; which is something we can all easily relate to. At Mez Fantasy Games, we tip our hats off to Clemy Warner-Thompson and look forward to reading the next book in the series!
Where to Buy:
www.smashwords.com%2Fbooks%2Fview%2F3...
In this, we see Clemy-Warner Thompson’s, ‘The Star’ the first in her second Series of Young Adult Novels. Overall, first we start with this Character Abbi, who, at first appearances is a typical protagonist female with power she doesn’t quite understand, and even worse and horrifying enemies that we start off knowing little about. But soon, from the gate, we learn that there’s more to Abbi than this seemingly tired out trope that’s been done before, and we see the true originality of the mind-set behind Abbi, and her desperation to not just overcome her fear of the dark, but to fulfill the destiny that’s awaiting her. In this, we are introduced to a mysterious figure who has come to Abbi in her dreams since her arrival at a school, aptly titled ‘The College’, where while things seem normal, it couldn’t be farther from the truth. Scarred physically and emotionally, readers will be able to connect with Abbi, regardless of gender, as well as the supporting cast of characters, including our Mysterious Dream Protector whose watched Abbi since she was a child and played the role of Guardian Angel. The power that Thompson brings to the pages to make these characters as believable and real is so refreshing in the Indie World, and overall, Meztrailov Fantasy Games has to say that this is a must-read and we cannot look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Reasoning: Why did we choose this rating? Its simple; Thompson takes the traditional notions of light and dark, and plays a spin on them that makes our deepest nightmares and troubles as young adults like social acceptance and self-esteem, and brings them to the forefront with not just the utmost care, but also the most brazen and courageous way possible. In her storytelling she introduces us to characters that we can not only relate to, but we can also feel that in this story, that there is truly a sense of hope despite the overwhelming Darkness that surrounds Abbi and the other Supporting cast, and the physical Manifestation of the Shadows that we are all so well-meant to be afraid of. This book is highly suggested, and is a must read for any fans of young adult fiction. Taking Elements of what can be construed as Harry Potter and mixing them with Urban and Young Adult Themes like something from Cirque De Freak, we immediately are immersed in this world of darkness and light, and yet then there is this grey area in which Abbi stands on the cusp and is needing of making a choice; which is something we can all easily relate to. At Mez Fantasy Games, we tip our hats off to Clemy Warner-Thompson and look forward to reading the next book in the series!
Where to Buy:
www.smashwords.com%2Fbooks%2Fview%2F3...
August 18, 2013
Not so long ago, I read Purest Light by Clemy, and was pleasantly surprised by her writing style, the world she created and the personality of the characters. I loved Purest Light, with it good and less good sides.
So when Clemy told me she was working on something new, I was… well, I was giddy. The snippets she provided on her FB page intrigued me, and I wanted to read The Star more and more (just had a few pesky finals to go through first).
Finally, finally, the day arrived when I could sit down with Clemy’s book – and I quickly got sucked straight into the pages. The world she has created is wonderful. Filled with magic (for a few), with Light and Darkness, battles, emotional rollercoaster rides, secrets and more twist and turns than I thought.
Abii was sent to the Everglades four years ago, after a vicious attack by the shadows, which not only left her with emotional and physical scars, but also with strange dreams.
Abii and her friend Jake have a habit; every time one of them can’t sleep (which happens a lot for Abii), they meet outside the school’s ground at the lake. One night is different though. To Abii, it seems like Jake is saying goodbye, and she’s afraid of what’s going to happen. Will he really leave The Everglades, leave her?
And so he does. But not the way I thought he would. Jake is killed by the Shadows and Abii witness it all. Afterwards, she struggles to understand what happened, and who Jake really was. Not to forget Nate. Nate shows up in at the school after Jake’s death, and for no reason Abii can understand, she is drawn to him, trusts him. Even though she doesn’t know him. Abii is determined to get to the bottom of all this. She wants to know who she is, why the shadows wants her so badly, and why Jake seemed like he was embracing the Darkness instead of fighting it before he died. Abii runs straight into her journey determined to find out the truth. But sometimes when you look for answers, you will learn more than you bargained for. Will Abii be ready for the truth?
I truly enjoyed The Star. There was a point around halfway through the book were I felt the book was standing a little still, but the last 1/3 of the book, more than makes up for that. The fight scenes are well written, and I couldn’t stop reading – so I ended up staying up to around 1 am in the morning (thank you for that, BTW Clemy!!). So yes. I’m tired this morning. I have to confess, if I didn’t know Clemy was working on the sequel right now, her health would be in serious danger…. from me.
There are so many good things about the book; Abii, Nate, the fight between Dark and Light, ghosts, the love triangle (or is it?), The Forgotten versus the Elder, and what Abii really is. Just to name a few. Oh and the twist and turns Clemy makes in The Star is amazing. I swear, when I get my signed copy from her, I will go back and re-read the ending, because so much happened in the end. I almost had trouble keeping up.
I’ve waited a long time to read this book, and Clemy did not disappoint. The Star is wonderful, to put it simply. You know the best part? I can see improvement in Clemy’s writing compared to her book Purest Light. She has grown; not only as a person, but as a writer as well, and THAT is amazing in itself.
Thank you Clemy for a wonderful new series, for a new addiction (like I needed one) and here’s for the future (raises teacup). Keep on writing girl – I love your work!
So when Clemy told me she was working on something new, I was… well, I was giddy. The snippets she provided on her FB page intrigued me, and I wanted to read The Star more and more (just had a few pesky finals to go through first).
Finally, finally, the day arrived when I could sit down with Clemy’s book – and I quickly got sucked straight into the pages. The world she has created is wonderful. Filled with magic (for a few), with Light and Darkness, battles, emotional rollercoaster rides, secrets and more twist and turns than I thought.
Abii was sent to the Everglades four years ago, after a vicious attack by the shadows, which not only left her with emotional and physical scars, but also with strange dreams.
Abii and her friend Jake have a habit; every time one of them can’t sleep (which happens a lot for Abii), they meet outside the school’s ground at the lake. One night is different though. To Abii, it seems like Jake is saying goodbye, and she’s afraid of what’s going to happen. Will he really leave The Everglades, leave her?
And so he does. But not the way I thought he would. Jake is killed by the Shadows and Abii witness it all. Afterwards, she struggles to understand what happened, and who Jake really was. Not to forget Nate. Nate shows up in at the school after Jake’s death, and for no reason Abii can understand, she is drawn to him, trusts him. Even though she doesn’t know him. Abii is determined to get to the bottom of all this. She wants to know who she is, why the shadows wants her so badly, and why Jake seemed like he was embracing the Darkness instead of fighting it before he died. Abii runs straight into her journey determined to find out the truth. But sometimes when you look for answers, you will learn more than you bargained for. Will Abii be ready for the truth?
I truly enjoyed The Star. There was a point around halfway through the book were I felt the book was standing a little still, but the last 1/3 of the book, more than makes up for that. The fight scenes are well written, and I couldn’t stop reading – so I ended up staying up to around 1 am in the morning (thank you for that, BTW Clemy!!). So yes. I’m tired this morning. I have to confess, if I didn’t know Clemy was working on the sequel right now, her health would be in serious danger…. from me.
There are so many good things about the book; Abii, Nate, the fight between Dark and Light, ghosts, the love triangle (or is it?), The Forgotten versus the Elder, and what Abii really is. Just to name a few. Oh and the twist and turns Clemy makes in The Star is amazing. I swear, when I get my signed copy from her, I will go back and re-read the ending, because so much happened in the end. I almost had trouble keeping up.
I’ve waited a long time to read this book, and Clemy did not disappoint. The Star is wonderful, to put it simply. You know the best part? I can see improvement in Clemy’s writing compared to her book Purest Light. She has grown; not only as a person, but as a writer as well, and THAT is amazing in itself.
Thank you Clemy for a wonderful new series, for a new addiction (like I needed one) and here’s for the future (raises teacup). Keep on writing girl – I love your work!
June 28, 2013
I wasn't really sure what to expect from this book after I signed up for the Cover Reveal and was then asked if I would like to join the Blog Tour! It sounded good from the synopsis, but the synopsis also didn't give anything away, so I wasn't really sure! I was quite eager to find out the story behind the synopsis though! This book was really good! It impressed me, but I felt that it was missing something as well! I thought that it started a little slow and there was quite a lot in it, but I enjoyed it at the same time! The plot was pretty unique! I haven't really read anything like it before! I did find it a little confusing at some points, but as the story progressed I was able to make out certain things that helped me understand what I couldn't before! The plot did get a little weird for me at the end! I started to lose what was actually happening and I sort of started to skim over it because I lost a bit of interest as it didn't go in the direction that I thought it would! The characters were great and really impressed me! Abbii was someone who was slightly lost in her life! She was trying to find answers and she was determined to get them! Abbii discovered so much about herself during this book and she also discovered how important she was! I think that she handled learning all of this very well! She got a lot thrown at her in such a short space of time, but she took it all in her stride and she was determined to do something about it! Nate was the love interest of Abbii and he was so cute! I loved how protective he was of Abbii and how much he cared about her! A massive secret about Nate is revealed and the end of this book and I can honestly say that I didn't see it coming! It was an amazing twist! I liked that this book was written from Abbii and Nate's point of view as I loved getting to go into both of their heads! There were so many other characters in this book as well and they added so much to the story! I think that I heard that this book is book one of three books and I can say that I will probably read the rest of this series as The Star was an okay book, but the squeals probably won't be at the top of my TBR list! The cover did draw me to this book! I think it suits the book perfectly! You can see how much the cover suits the book after you have read it! Big thank you to Clemy for a copy of The Star and to Ann and Penelope for having me on the Blog Tour!
November 20, 2024
The Star by Clemy Warner-Thompson: a YA fantasy novel of magic and mystery centred around Abbii, a troubled teen who discovers that she has an important role to play in the struggle between light and dark.
I was asked to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Because of that, I am going to be honest and start by saying: this novel wasn't really my personal cup of tea. To begin with, being a download from Smashreads meant that all formatting was completely lost on my Kindle (so everything was smushed together in one long block of text) which I can't blame the book for, but I'm not going to lie: it made the reading experience a challenge! I also feel like the novel could really do with some editing as there are a lot of typos and very clunky language.
BUT that being said - I do want to praise the author as I understand that she wrote this book when she was a teenager herself (which alone is an achievement) and whilst there does seem to be a lot more tell than show in some places (the ending does have a bit of a brain dump), the ideas and the story she is trying to portray are ultimately really good.
I found the main character of Abbii a bit bland (although love the spelling of the name!) as she seems just generally lacking in curiosity or moxie. Some of the supporting cast though, are really intriguing - especially Nate, who ends up having a fascinating backstory (I did enjoy the twist there!) and I have to say even though we only meet him towards the end, I also found myself wanting to know more about Sythe, an agent for the dark who is clearly tempted towards the light (can he be redeemed??). I struggled to feel a sense of place throughout (were they in the UK? In America? In Italy? In a fantasy world?) BUT some of the visual imagery is really vivid and at points I could easily imagine myself there in the centre of it all - especially some of the magical fight scenes.
Overall then, a mixed bag. There's a lot to be celebrated about this book: it has the feel of a tale with a rich backstory and intricate magic system - it just doesn't do itself full justice in the delivery. And at the end of the day, I do have to remind myself that I'm probably not the intended audience - so for a young teen I think The Star would be an entertaining read.
I was asked to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Because of that, I am going to be honest and start by saying: this novel wasn't really my personal cup of tea. To begin with, being a download from Smashreads meant that all formatting was completely lost on my Kindle (so everything was smushed together in one long block of text) which I can't blame the book for, but I'm not going to lie: it made the reading experience a challenge! I also feel like the novel could really do with some editing as there are a lot of typos and very clunky language.
BUT that being said - I do want to praise the author as I understand that she wrote this book when she was a teenager herself (which alone is an achievement) and whilst there does seem to be a lot more tell than show in some places (the ending does have a bit of a brain dump), the ideas and the story she is trying to portray are ultimately really good.
I found the main character of Abbii a bit bland (although love the spelling of the name!) as she seems just generally lacking in curiosity or moxie. Some of the supporting cast though, are really intriguing - especially Nate, who ends up having a fascinating backstory (I did enjoy the twist there!) and I have to say even though we only meet him towards the end, I also found myself wanting to know more about Sythe, an agent for the dark who is clearly tempted towards the light (can he be redeemed??). I struggled to feel a sense of place throughout (were they in the UK? In America? In Italy? In a fantasy world?) BUT some of the visual imagery is really vivid and at points I could easily imagine myself there in the centre of it all - especially some of the magical fight scenes.
Overall then, a mixed bag. There's a lot to be celebrated about this book: it has the feel of a tale with a rich backstory and intricate magic system - it just doesn't do itself full justice in the delivery. And at the end of the day, I do have to remind myself that I'm probably not the intended audience - so for a young teen I think The Star would be an entertaining read.
April 20, 2022
Title: The Star
Author: Clemy Warner- Thompson
Synopsis: Abbii had been afraid of the dark for four long years. She hated the eerie silence that filled the night.
She would often try to forget by closing her eyes at night, but she would always be met by dreams of Shadows that would attack her, dragging her into the Darkness. Most nights, she would simply lie there with her bedding wrapped tightly around her, hoping that she would drift off into a dreamless sleep.
Ever since that day four years ago, the dark had frightened her; she had thought it would be a curse throughout the whole of her life, but something changed when she met him.
The dark seemed to lose its power and the moon’s light brightened.
Her dreams didn’t stop; nightmares still stole her sleep, but there was always a figure of Light that would save her and allow her to wake.
He said the same thing every night in her dreams. Keep fighting, Abbii.
She thought that he was part of her imagination, someone that she had created to save herself, until she met him and was drawn into his bright hazel eyes.
His name was Nate.
Review: I really enjoyed the whole concept of this book and thought it was very unique. It was a bit slow in the beginning but it did not last too long! Abbi as a character was a little annoying and only thought about herself in the beginning which was very selfish of her but I am glad that it did not last too long. Considering that Abbi is young I could see why she can come across that way. I was happy to see that she improves the more that I kept reading. I felt bad that everyone knew so much about Abbi then Abbi did herself! However, a lot was revealed at the ending which I will definitely start reading! This was a fun read and if your looking for a unique book I would say check this book out!
Author: Clemy Warner- Thompson
Synopsis: Abbii had been afraid of the dark for four long years. She hated the eerie silence that filled the night.
She would often try to forget by closing her eyes at night, but she would always be met by dreams of Shadows that would attack her, dragging her into the Darkness. Most nights, she would simply lie there with her bedding wrapped tightly around her, hoping that she would drift off into a dreamless sleep.
Ever since that day four years ago, the dark had frightened her; she had thought it would be a curse throughout the whole of her life, but something changed when she met him.
The dark seemed to lose its power and the moon’s light brightened.
Her dreams didn’t stop; nightmares still stole her sleep, but there was always a figure of Light that would save her and allow her to wake.
He said the same thing every night in her dreams. Keep fighting, Abbii.
She thought that he was part of her imagination, someone that she had created to save herself, until she met him and was drawn into his bright hazel eyes.
His name was Nate.
Review: I really enjoyed the whole concept of this book and thought it was very unique. It was a bit slow in the beginning but it did not last too long! Abbi as a character was a little annoying and only thought about herself in the beginning which was very selfish of her but I am glad that it did not last too long. Considering that Abbi is young I could see why she can come across that way. I was happy to see that she improves the more that I kept reading. I felt bad that everyone knew so much about Abbi then Abbi did herself! However, a lot was revealed at the ending which I will definitely start reading! This was a fun read and if your looking for a unique book I would say check this book out!
February 6, 2019
I really enjoyed reading The Star, the author has grown so much in her writing since The Sacred Prophesies trilogy, and the flow of writing is so much smoother. I enjoyed following Abbii’s journey to realise her potential, and Nate’s identity kept me guessing to the end. I will definitely be reading the second book in the series. I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys escaping into a world of fantasy and magic. It’s suitable for younger readers - but as a (40) year old - I enjoyed it!! My only criticism would be that the author is sometimes too descriptive, which can hinder the flow, and needs to be careful of the ‘favourite word’ overuse, I understand this is her eagerness to share the world she has created, but things such as 'a sigh escaped his lips' would read better as 'he sighed' we already know as readers where sighs come from, this kind of description - the obvious - isn't needed, and can read like the author is trying a little too hard, which reminds you that you are reading a story, rather than allowing you to immerse yourself in the world the author has created. I hope this makes sense! I would have liked more description of the various locations, magic, creatures (I struggle to imagine the shadows, are they human form, animal, solid or like ghosts?) and less of the describing everyday things like sighs and shivers. Overall my 3 star review reflects the growth of the author, but belief that she has so much more to come, and I believe the quality will continue to improve, as it has so much since I proofed Darkest Regrets. And I am aware that this book is a few years old now, so I am really looking forward to the progression in the remaining books by the Author! Give it a go!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews