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Starspill
It's been 140 years since the Wolf swallowed the Sun, so why are all the cats in the dark, fog-shrouded town of Starspill bothering Zac about it now? He just wants to stay warm, listen to stories, and work hard for his brother as an apprentice starsmith. But the cats have other ideas. They want Zac to steal one of the three legendary Embers of the Sun from the town museum for them, and they've taken his precious secret map to make sure he'll agree!
- GenresFantasy
287 pages, Paperback
Published January 14, 2025
7 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Fisher
64 books1,610 followersCatherine Fisher was born in Newport, Wales. She graduated from the University of Wales with a degree in English and a fascination for myth and history. She has worked in education and archaeology and as a lecturer in creative writing at the University of Glamorgan. She is a Fellow of the Welsh Academy.
Catherine is an acclaimed poet and novelist, regularly lecturing and giving readings to groups of all ages. She leads sessions for teachers and librarians and is an experienced broadcaster and adjudicator. She lives in Newport, Gwent.
Catherine has won many awards and much critical acclaim for her work. Her poetry has appeared in leading periodicals and anthologies and her volume Immrama won the WAC Young Writers' Prize. She won the Cardiff International Poetry Competition in 1990.
Her first novel, The Conjuror's Game, was shortlisted for the Smarties Books prize and The Snow-Walker's Son for the W.H.Smith Award. Equally acclaimed is her quartet The Book of the Crow, a classic of fantasy fiction.
The Oracle, the first volume in the Oracle trilogy, blends Egyptian and Greek elements of magic and adventure and was shortlisted for the Whitbread Children's Books prize. The trilogy was an international bestseller and has appeared in over twenty languages. The Candleman won the Welsh Books Council's Tir Na n'Og Prize and Catherine was also shortlisted for the remarkable Corbenic, a modern re-inventing of the Grail legend.
Her futuristic novel Incarceron was published to widespread praise in 2007, winning the Mythopoeic Society of America's Children's Fiction Award and selected by The Times as its Children's Book of the Year. The sequel, Sapphique, was published in September 2008.
Catherine is an acclaimed poet and novelist, regularly lecturing and giving readings to groups of all ages. She leads sessions for teachers and librarians and is an experienced broadcaster and adjudicator. She lives in Newport, Gwent.
Catherine has won many awards and much critical acclaim for her work. Her poetry has appeared in leading periodicals and anthologies and her volume Immrama won the WAC Young Writers' Prize. She won the Cardiff International Poetry Competition in 1990.
Her first novel, The Conjuror's Game, was shortlisted for the Smarties Books prize and The Snow-Walker's Son for the W.H.Smith Award. Equally acclaimed is her quartet The Book of the Crow, a classic of fantasy fiction.
The Oracle, the first volume in the Oracle trilogy, blends Egyptian and Greek elements of magic and adventure and was shortlisted for the Whitbread Children's Books prize. The trilogy was an international bestseller and has appeared in over twenty languages. The Candleman won the Welsh Books Council's Tir Na n'Og Prize and Catherine was also shortlisted for the remarkable Corbenic, a modern re-inventing of the Grail legend.
Her futuristic novel Incarceron was published to widespread praise in 2007, winning the Mythopoeic Society of America's Children's Fiction Award and selected by The Times as its Children's Book of the Year. The sequel, Sapphique, was published in September 2008.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 3, 2024
It took me a few chapters to get into this book, but once in, I was completely hooked and found it hard to put down! This book has everything from drama, mystery, excitement, and emotion, storytelling at its best! The characters have been cleverly thought about complimenting each other well.
I hope there will be plenty of new adventures for Zac and Alys to go on with the bookseller Aurelian and, of course, Jinx!
I hope there will be plenty of new adventures for Zac and Alys to go on with the bookseller Aurelian and, of course, Jinx!
September 26, 2024
4 Stars
One Liner: A slow start but a worthy read
The town of Starspill had been in Fog for over 140 years, ever since the Wolf ate the Sun. But why are the cats now intent on making Zac steal one of the three Embers of the Sun from the Museum? What will the cats gain from it? Why did they steal Zac's old Map to make him do the job?
The story comes in the third-person POV (Zac’s).
My Thoughts:
This is more of a tween book than MG fiction but it is clean (despite the darkness).
The premise and the cover made me request a copy right away. It has fantasy, cats, atmosphere, and kids who need to be brave. What’s not to like?
The book has a slow start which makes sense we need some would-building and meet the characters. Right away, we can see cats will have a major role in the plot (yay!).
The concept is terrific – a city named Starspill that has been enveloped by the Fog for centuries, ever since the Wolf ate the Sun. The residents get light from star-powered lamps made by Startsmiths (Zac’s family) or candles (Alys’s family).
Zac and Alys should be around thirteen (I don’t remember reading their ages). While the boy is an introvert, Alys is a firebrand (the kind who will hit first and talk later). They make an interesting team.
The atmosphere gets full marks from me. I love how real the Fog feels as if it seeps out of the pages and envelopes the reader.
The main characters are well done but the side ones don’t get the same attention. This is a common concern in MG fiction. I’m still not sure what to think about Martha’s character. It seems to change as required for the story.
The cats in the book can talk. Jinx is a little black kitten with high aspirations and self-confidence a thousand times its size!
The stakes get higher as the story progresses. There’s enough danger and adventure for kids to stay hooked and turn the pages. However, I felt the conclusion in the climax needed a little more explanation. (Also, I needed more about the green star).
The ending is satisfactory and heartwarming. The book is a standalone but it could very well become a series with the same setting and more adventures.
The pacing is uneven but somehow works for the plot. As we get to the last quarter, it really ups the momentum. Yet, it doesn’t feel rushed or messy. There’s tension, danger, action, courage, and empathy. Loved that little moment in the climax which showed Zac’s character. Beautiful!
To summarize, Starspill is a delightful middle-grade (and younger YA) fantasy with an atmospheric setting and an adventure of a lifetime. I wish it had some illustrations too!
Thank you, NetGalley and Firefly Press, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #Starspill
One Liner: A slow start but a worthy read
The town of Starspill had been in Fog for over 140 years, ever since the Wolf ate the Sun. But why are the cats now intent on making Zac steal one of the three Embers of the Sun from the Museum? What will the cats gain from it? Why did they steal Zac's old Map to make him do the job?
The story comes in the third-person POV (Zac’s).
My Thoughts:
This is more of a tween book than MG fiction but it is clean (despite the darkness).
The premise and the cover made me request a copy right away. It has fantasy, cats, atmosphere, and kids who need to be brave. What’s not to like?
The book has a slow start which makes sense we need some would-building and meet the characters. Right away, we can see cats will have a major role in the plot (yay!).
The concept is terrific – a city named Starspill that has been enveloped by the Fog for centuries, ever since the Wolf ate the Sun. The residents get light from star-powered lamps made by Startsmiths (Zac’s family) or candles (Alys’s family).
Zac and Alys should be around thirteen (I don’t remember reading their ages). While the boy is an introvert, Alys is a firebrand (the kind who will hit first and talk later). They make an interesting team.
The atmosphere gets full marks from me. I love how real the Fog feels as if it seeps out of the pages and envelopes the reader.
The main characters are well done but the side ones don’t get the same attention. This is a common concern in MG fiction. I’m still not sure what to think about Martha’s character. It seems to change as required for the story.
The cats in the book can talk. Jinx is a little black kitten with high aspirations and self-confidence a thousand times its size!
The stakes get higher as the story progresses. There’s enough danger and adventure for kids to stay hooked and turn the pages. However, I felt the conclusion in the climax needed a little more explanation. (Also, I needed more about the green star).
The ending is satisfactory and heartwarming. The book is a standalone but it could very well become a series with the same setting and more adventures.
The pacing is uneven but somehow works for the plot. As we get to the last quarter, it really ups the momentum. Yet, it doesn’t feel rushed or messy. There’s tension, danger, action, courage, and empathy. Loved that little moment in the climax which showed Zac’s character. Beautiful!
To summarize, Starspill is a delightful middle-grade (and younger YA) fantasy with an atmospheric setting and an adventure of a lifetime. I wish it had some illustrations too!
Thank you, NetGalley and Firefly Press, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #Starspill
August 23, 2024
I’ve always been enchanted and enthralled by Catherine Fisher’s worlds, but none like this. The fog shrouded, starlit town of Starspill seeped into my thoughts whenever I put the book down. The writing can be so wonderfully evocative and sensory, and it’s gloriously atmospheric – as magical as it is mysterious, from setting to characters. It feels like there’s something around every corner just waiting to reveal itself. Possibility is tantalisingly tangible.
It feels like a storybook world at times. Stars used as sources of light. The gathering of townsfolk to listen to a history that feels more myth than real. But Starspill doesn’t shy from thrilling with threat either. The spectre of the Wolf lives on in more than just the perpetual darkness of the world and there’s the ever-present slither of the knowing fog. The cats are both adorable and scheming. They’re both excellent facets of the book and work so well together to bring it to life and give it depth.
Zac is a great protagonist, considerate and dreamful and brave. But the entire cast is fantastic. His friendship with Alys feels lived in and she makes for a great compliment to him with her astuteness and ability to charge ahead. Aurelian’s wisdom and Jinx’s ambitious round the group out perfectly. And I love Jinx. What a sweet wee schemer.
I did begin to worry once the second Ember came into play and I noticed how many pages were left. But I should have had more faith in Fisher. It comes together wonderfully and Zac’s moment of consideration made me quite emotional. My one criticism is that while threats that are so terribly powerful makes for great tension and thrills but it forces certain constraints on the way the end plays out. I wish it hadn’t been taken quite so out of hand.
To end on a more positive note, I love the little sub-headings under each chapter. They build anticipation so well and add to that sense of magic that I love so dearly.
It feels like a storybook world at times. Stars used as sources of light. The gathering of townsfolk to listen to a history that feels more myth than real. But Starspill doesn’t shy from thrilling with threat either. The spectre of the Wolf lives on in more than just the perpetual darkness of the world and there’s the ever-present slither of the knowing fog. The cats are both adorable and scheming. They’re both excellent facets of the book and work so well together to bring it to life and give it depth.
Zac is a great protagonist, considerate and dreamful and brave. But the entire cast is fantastic. His friendship with Alys feels lived in and she makes for a great compliment to him with her astuteness and ability to charge ahead. Aurelian’s wisdom and Jinx’s ambitious round the group out perfectly. And I love Jinx. What a sweet wee schemer.
I did begin to worry once the second Ember came into play and I noticed how many pages were left. But I should have had more faith in Fisher. It comes together wonderfully and Zac’s moment of consideration made me quite emotional. My one criticism is that while threats that are so terribly powerful makes for great tension and thrills but it forces certain constraints on the way the end plays out. I wish it hadn’t been taken quite so out of hand.
To end on a more positive note, I love the little sub-headings under each chapter. They build anticipation so well and add to that sense of magic that I love so dearly.
November 24, 2024
'In fact, the Wolf ate all there was to eat. And finally, when nothing else was left and the animals and people still alive were sheltering in caves from fear, and the moon had hidden herself and the rivers were running away in terror, what was left for the Wolf to eat?'
Silence.
They all knew the answer, but no one wanted to say it. It was unlucky to say it.
But Zac whispered the words. 'The Sun,' he said.
This is one of those typical British children's fantasy books with an incredibly original background of a world in which the Sun has, once upon an undefined time in the past, been eaten by an enormous being called the Wolf. Also, there are talking (and meddling) cats. What's not to love?
Okay, fine, the story is not groundbreaking or anything. I was never really astounded, it never felt absolutely thrilling. It didn't get me at the edge of my seat. But it was still a sound book. The main characters - Zac, Alys and Aurelian - are all great. Alys definitely has a rebel streak. Zac's character slowly changes throughout the book. And Aurelian's background is mysterious enough as long as it lasts - it took me quite a while before I decided that he is one of the good guys.
The cats are fun to have around, although it would have been nice to see more of them, instead of mostly having all attention pointed at Jinx.
Arguably, the best scene is the one about halfway through Starspill, in which Aurelian comes clean and tells about his past. It seems as if Fisher feels like a fish in water (sorry, couldn't resist) if she can weave stories into her book. All scenes in which she tells a story are fantastic.
There aren't any real plot twists, but enough action scenes to keep you on your toes. It's great to see how Zac and Alys slowly start figuring out a plan and start learning more about their town and the rest of the world. As a reader, you really feel their knowledge expanding.
7/10
Silence.
They all knew the answer, but no one wanted to say it. It was unlucky to say it.
But Zac whispered the words. 'The Sun,' he said.
This is one of those typical British children's fantasy books with an incredibly original background of a world in which the Sun has, once upon an undefined time in the past, been eaten by an enormous being called the Wolf. Also, there are talking (and meddling) cats. What's not to love?
Okay, fine, the story is not groundbreaking or anything. I was never really astounded, it never felt absolutely thrilling. It didn't get me at the edge of my seat. But it was still a sound book. The main characters - Zac, Alys and Aurelian - are all great. Alys definitely has a rebel streak. Zac's character slowly changes throughout the book. And Aurelian's background is mysterious enough as long as it lasts - it took me quite a while before I decided that he is one of the good guys.
The cats are fun to have around, although it would have been nice to see more of them, instead of mostly having all attention pointed at Jinx.
Arguably, the best scene is the one about halfway through Starspill, in which Aurelian comes clean and tells about his past. It seems as if Fisher feels like a fish in water (sorry, couldn't resist) if she can weave stories into her book. All scenes in which she tells a story are fantastic.
There aren't any real plot twists, but enough action scenes to keep you on your toes. It's great to see how Zac and Alys slowly start figuring out a plan and start learning more about their town and the rest of the world. As a reader, you really feel their knowledge expanding.
7/10
July 14, 2024
Overall this is a truly excellent book, incredibly exciting and with a wonderful setting, lore and storyline.
My only problem is that very little happened in the first half, and it didn't grab me much until about halfway through when suddenly everything started coming together, and the story got incredibly fast paced in very exciting. I found myself not that bothered reading the first half, it was good, I wanted to find out what happened but wasn't hooked. But the second half! Wow! Could not put the book down and was completely in awe. Honestly it was so so good!
I could have read a whole series based on this storyline and lore. I almost wish it had been a series so there would be more of it!
At one point I thought maybe it would be a series because there felt like a lot still to happen and my kindle was saying I had only 10.minutes worth of reading left. But although the ending was incredibly fast paced, it didn't feel rushed in the slightest. It actually worked brilliantly to it's advantage as I was desperate to know how they would, presumably, save the day, in such a short space of time.
So I highly recommend this book. Just give it a chance to warm up, and you will love it too!
My only problem is that very little happened in the first half, and it didn't grab me much until about halfway through when suddenly everything started coming together, and the story got incredibly fast paced in very exciting. I found myself not that bothered reading the first half, it was good, I wanted to find out what happened but wasn't hooked. But the second half! Wow! Could not put the book down and was completely in awe. Honestly it was so so good!
I could have read a whole series based on this storyline and lore. I almost wish it had been a series so there would be more of it!
At one point I thought maybe it would be a series because there felt like a lot still to happen and my kindle was saying I had only 10.minutes worth of reading left. But although the ending was incredibly fast paced, it didn't feel rushed in the slightest. It actually worked brilliantly to it's advantage as I was desperate to know how they would, presumably, save the day, in such a short space of time.
So I highly recommend this book. Just give it a chance to warm up, and you will love it too!
July 29, 2024
I love the premise of this story - the wolf has literally swallowed the sun, barring three scraps or embers which a cat saves by scattering them across the world. Thanks to this action, cats have entrance to every house in Starspill. Zac isn't so keen when they turn up to blackmail him into stealing one of the embers of the sun, which happens to be in Starspill. He enlists the help of best friend Alys to break into the museum but that is just the start of their adventures.
There is a lovely fairy tale/mythological aspect to this story, a villain with seven shadows (how creepy is that!), a gigantic and magical map, a mysterious bookshop keeper and very demanding talking cats. I like Jac and his interest in story telling. The family dynamics with his brother, Gryff, and sister-in-law are well done. I love they have a shop to sell lamps powered by star power, and that there are occasional Star Gathers, when Gryff leaves Starspill to find fallen stars.
One of my favourite elements in the story is the fog.. I really like how the fog is portrayed, blanketing the town and creeping into people's homes, crawling into cupboards and hidden places. Some even say it has a mind...
Starspill is a great fantasy, and thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the eARC.
There is a lovely fairy tale/mythological aspect to this story, a villain with seven shadows (how creepy is that!), a gigantic and magical map, a mysterious bookshop keeper and very demanding talking cats. I like Jac and his interest in story telling. The family dynamics with his brother, Gryff, and sister-in-law are well done. I love they have a shop to sell lamps powered by star power, and that there are occasional Star Gathers, when Gryff leaves Starspill to find fallen stars.
One of my favourite elements in the story is the fog.. I really like how the fog is portrayed, blanketing the town and creeping into people's homes, crawling into cupboards and hidden places. Some even say it has a mind...
Starspill is a great fantasy, and thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the eARC.
September 5, 2024
It doesn't matter the age, but in my opinion a good children's book will fill anyone's heart.
I let myself be guided by the cover of this story and look how wonderful I found it.
A super atmospheric story where you feel like you are going through the fog at every step and where you can feel the mystique of those stories they tell in the village.
I loved Zac and Alys, they are curious and adventurous kids that make you have a great time, but without a doubt my favorite character was Jinx, a talking kitty that accompanies these kids. She got me with the talking cats.
It was a great story, the quest to bring light back to the village because years ago it was devoured by a wolf, the stars being used as a source of energy and light, chatty and nosy kittens and the dense fog that envelops all the villagers.
I wasn't expecting much and was super satisfied.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with such a beautiful ARC.
I let myself be guided by the cover of this story and look how wonderful I found it.
A super atmospheric story where you feel like you are going through the fog at every step and where you can feel the mystique of those stories they tell in the village.
I loved Zac and Alys, they are curious and adventurous kids that make you have a great time, but without a doubt my favorite character was Jinx, a talking kitty that accompanies these kids. She got me with the talking cats.
It was a great story, the quest to bring light back to the village because years ago it was devoured by a wolf, the stars being used as a source of energy and light, chatty and nosy kittens and the dense fog that envelops all the villagers.
I wasn't expecting much and was super satisfied.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with such a beautiful ARC.
April 8, 2025
I loved this! The cats are awesome and hilarious, especially Jinx, the little black kitten. I loved him. The story was so well told (with the small exception of for a few pages the woods they went to were called the Twisted Woods and then it changed to the Tangled Woods), I could see all it. I haven't read a Catherine Fisher book since the Incarceron duology and this book reminds me of how good she is. The story pulled me straight in and I couldn't put it down. Wonderful.
June 12, 2024
This was dark and scary at times and I loved it. There are stars, magic and cats. So many cats. Some are good and some aren't!
Zac and Alys end up on an adventure that will change their lives and the lives of the people of Starspill. They're keen and driven, but they need to work out who they can trust and who they can't (cats included!). They face many challenges but with hard work and some help from others, they manage to solve problems and find answers.
A fabulous read, full of adventure and fun.
Zac and Alys end up on an adventure that will change their lives and the lives of the people of Starspill. They're keen and driven, but they need to work out who they can trust and who they can't (cats included!). They face many challenges but with hard work and some help from others, they manage to solve problems and find answers.
A fabulous read, full of adventure and fun.
August 26, 2024
Loved this book right from the very first page. A truly spellbinding story, perfect for key stage 2 children. I cannot wait to read this with a class. A fantastic, epic tale of friendship, bravery, fear, tension and so much more.
I could almost feel the Fog as I was reading, such a clever story within a story. I was all in with Zac, Alys, Aurelian and Jinx on their quest. I adored the world Catherine Fisher described and I do hope we hear from her characters again. But if not, a perfect standalone novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Firefly press for the advance copy.
I could almost feel the Fog as I was reading, such a clever story within a story. I was all in with Zac, Alys, Aurelian and Jinx on their quest. I adored the world Catherine Fisher described and I do hope we hear from her characters again. But if not, a perfect standalone novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Firefly press for the advance copy.
June 28, 2024
It is a very interesting premise about the sun being eaten up by Wolf and the city having to rely on fallen stars for light. The idea of the sun being eaten by Wolf reminds me of the Chinese myth about solar eclipse which says that a Heaven's Dog ( a wolf actually) eating up the sun, causing solar eclipse. The idea of a city engulfed in a fog reminds me of a movie from quite a few years ago.
The adventure is fun to read. I also love how the cats are depicted in this story.
The adventure is fun to read. I also love how the cats are depicted in this story.
October 12, 2024
Cats ahoy
Very similar to the Relic Master. I prefer that series but this was like revisiting an old old friend
Thank you 😊
Very similar to the Relic Master. I prefer that series but this was like revisiting an old old friend
Thank you 😊
April 13, 2025
Talking cats bully a kid into taking part in a heist - amazing!
Read by Jemma
Read by Jemma
September 15, 2024
Loved it. Truly magical and mysterious. And finally a true standalone!!! The worldbuilding is rich and fascinating with a whole lore... and talking cats ! I may still have a question at the end, but I do feel satisfied with the ending. I had a great pleasure and entertaining time following Zac and his friends in his quest!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews