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When Stars Come Out #1
When stars come out
Anora Silby can see the dead and turn spirits into gold coins, two things she would prefer to keep secret as she tries to lead a normal life at her new school. After all, she didn’t change her identity for nothing.
As it turns out, hiding her weirdness is just one of many challenges. By the end of her first day, she’s claimed the soul of a dead girl on campus and lost the coin. Turns out, the coin gives others the ability to steal souls, and when a classmate ends up dead, there’s no mistaking the murder weapon.
Navigating the loss of her Poppa, her mother’s mistrust, and Roundtable, an anonymous student gossip app threatening to expose her, are hard enough. Now she must find the person who stole her coin before more lives are lost, but that means making herself a target for the Order, an organization that governs the dead on Earth--and they want Anora and her powers for themselves.
As it turns out, hiding her weirdness is just one of many challenges. By the end of her first day, she’s claimed the soul of a dead girl on campus and lost the coin. Turns out, the coin gives others the ability to steal souls, and when a classmate ends up dead, there’s no mistaking the murder weapon.
Navigating the loss of her Poppa, her mother’s mistrust, and Roundtable, an anonymous student gossip app threatening to expose her, are hard enough. Now she must find the person who stole her coin before more lives are lost, but that means making herself a target for the Order, an organization that governs the dead on Earth--and they want Anora and her powers for themselves.
464 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2018
225 people are currently reading
14831 people want to read
About the author
Scarlett St. Clair
33 books30.8k followersInternational and USA Today Best Selling author Scarlett St. Clair is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation and the author of the HADES X PERSEPHONE SAGA, the HADES SAGA, KING OF BATTLE & BLOOD, and WHEN STARS COME OUT.
She has a Master's degree in Library Science and Information Studies and a Bachelors in English Writing. She is obsessed with Greek Mythology, murder mysteries, and the afterlife.
If you are obsessed with these things, then you'll like her books. You can find pictures of her adorable dog Adelaide on her Instagram at @authorscarlettstclair.
She has a Master's degree in Library Science and Information Studies and a Bachelors in English Writing. She is obsessed with Greek Mythology, murder mysteries, and the afterlife.
If you are obsessed with these things, then you'll like her books. You can find pictures of her adorable dog Adelaide on her Instagram at @authorscarlettstclair.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 730 reviews
July 19, 2022
ohhh. this is very reminiscent of JLAs early YA series. the main characters remind me of her harbinger series while the plot is giving more wicked trilogy vibes. so if you enjoyed those books in all of their urban paranormal glory, then this is something you will want to pick up.
this is being pitched as an orpheus x eurydice retelling and, honestly, i dont agree. theres nothing in this that retells any of that myth. that being said, this is a spooky adventure about the dead and the afterlife. its pretty much everything you could want about a group of teenagers who can see souls and trying to figure out a mystery. its full of intrigue, high school antics, and sticking it to the adults.
i will say the narrative is a little odd at times. usually with first person POVs, the reader learns things at the same time the MC does. but with the world-building here, the MC is aware of certain things but the reader doesnt find out about it until later, meaning some elements of the plot are a little murky for only the reader until the reveal, which i found to be a bit of a weird choice as makes the beginning a little slow.
but regardless, this is a fun and entertaining book overall!
thanks, bloom books, for the ARC!
↠ 3.5 stars
this is being pitched as an orpheus x eurydice retelling and, honestly, i dont agree. theres nothing in this that retells any of that myth. that being said, this is a spooky adventure about the dead and the afterlife. its pretty much everything you could want about a group of teenagers who can see souls and trying to figure out a mystery. its full of intrigue, high school antics, and sticking it to the adults.
i will say the narrative is a little odd at times. usually with first person POVs, the reader learns things at the same time the MC does. but with the world-building here, the MC is aware of certain things but the reader doesnt find out about it until later, meaning some elements of the plot are a little murky for only the reader until the reveal, which i found to be a bit of a weird choice as makes the beginning a little slow.
but regardless, this is a fun and entertaining book overall!
thanks, bloom books, for the ARC!
↠ 3.5 stars
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May 26, 2022A unique reimagining of Orpheus & Eurydice that leant to a really cool magic system.
I'm struck by this feeling that she's the embodiment of my heart, and she's walking around outside my chest, and I'd do anything to protect her, no matter the cost.
TWs: suicide & self harm (not MC), loss of a loved one/grief
*this book is YA*
I'm struck by this feeling that she's the embodiment of my heart, and she's walking around outside my chest, and I'd do anything to protect her, no matter the cost.
TWs: suicide & self harm (not MC), loss of a loved one/grief
*this book is YA*
July 30, 2022
Reading this was an interesting experience for me. I'm not already a Scarlett St. Clair, I tried her other series and it just wasn't for me. I did however think this was much more enjoyable. I thought her writing was much better, her characters more mature and it was relying less on the whole "Greek myth retelling". Having said that. I'm personally not a huge fan of people appropriating Greek myth and relying on that for their story. This is because I grew up with it, so as a reader it just always falls flat for me.
Overall, this was a solid read. It has some interesting elements and I would pick up the next book in the series. It's a 3.5 for me.
Overall, this was a solid read. It has some interesting elements and I would pick up the next book in the series. It's a 3.5 for me.
November 1, 2022
"If I could give you anything in this life, it would be the happiness you feel when you look at the stars."
I was really intrigued by this book as it was about a girl that could see ghosts - I was expecting this to be the perfect October read, and it definitely started out interesting.
The reason behind Anora and her mother moving is kept secret from the reader but you know from the get-go that something bad happened - you just don't know what. There is no dilly-dallying with the ghosts because Anora sees one as soon as she pulls up outside her new school. And it's clear that something isn't right about her new school either - so I think Scarlett St. Clair did well in capturing my attention in the beginning.
However, it went downhill from there once Shy was introduced (the mysterious boy Anora's instantly drawn to) and then the whole Order was laid out, the Valryn and the plot was established. I just found it incredibly boring and cliché. I was really close to DNF this one but I didn't just in case it somehow managed to turn itself around. Unfortunately, it didn't. The characters were underdeveloped and the relationships/friendships between them felt so lackluster. The romance between Anora and Shy was just ... meh. And their 'whole thing' as well was very similar to Lucinda and Daniel in Fallen by Lauren Kate - if you know what I mean. It felt very much like a 2013 paranormal romance - and I've read plenty of those that this didn't feel exciting or unique.
So, I started October on a downer.
I was really intrigued by this book as it was about a girl that could see ghosts - I was expecting this to be the perfect October read, and it definitely started out interesting.
The reason behind Anora and her mother moving is kept secret from the reader but you know from the get-go that something bad happened - you just don't know what. There is no dilly-dallying with the ghosts because Anora sees one as soon as she pulls up outside her new school. And it's clear that something isn't right about her new school either - so I think Scarlett St. Clair did well in capturing my attention in the beginning.
However, it went downhill from there once Shy was introduced (the mysterious boy Anora's instantly drawn to) and then the whole Order was laid out, the Valryn and the plot was established. I just found it incredibly boring and cliché. I was really close to DNF this one but I didn't just in case it somehow managed to turn itself around. Unfortunately, it didn't. The characters were underdeveloped and the relationships/friendships between them felt so lackluster. The romance between Anora and Shy was just ... meh. And their 'whole thing' as well was very similar to Lucinda and Daniel in Fallen by Lauren Kate - if you know what I mean. It felt very much like a 2013 paranormal romance - and I've read plenty of those that this didn't feel exciting or unique.
So, I started October on a downer.
July 6, 2022
3.5 stars
Sometimes a paranormal YA romance is exactly what I need. There's excitement and action, fantastical creatures, and a mysterious boy who the heroine is immediately drawn to. This was fun and quick and I read most of it in one sitting. I liked the Valryn, a sort of human-crow hybrid, since I haven't heard of them before. Then there's ghosts and a thread of fate and I was drawn in.
Anora can see ghosts and is having trouble living with this strange new ability. She's also grieving the loss of her grandpa and dealing with a mom that struggles with her own mental illness and isn't always the best parent. Anora needed someone to be on her side and help her figure out the strange things going on. Luckily she makes several friends at her new school and starts to put together what is actually going on.
The plot wasn't too complicated and the romance took a bit of time to develop, which was nice. I had fun following Anora and learning about the Eurydice and Valryn. I did think we should have gotten more information about the gates and guiding spirits, but maybe that comes in the sequel.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Bloom Books and NetGalley for the copy.
Sometimes a paranormal YA romance is exactly what I need. There's excitement and action, fantastical creatures, and a mysterious boy who the heroine is immediately drawn to. This was fun and quick and I read most of it in one sitting. I liked the Valryn, a sort of human-crow hybrid, since I haven't heard of them before. Then there's ghosts and a thread of fate and I was drawn in.
Anora can see ghosts and is having trouble living with this strange new ability. She's also grieving the loss of her grandpa and dealing with a mom that struggles with her own mental illness and isn't always the best parent. Anora needed someone to be on her side and help her figure out the strange things going on. Luckily she makes several friends at her new school and starts to put together what is actually going on.
The plot wasn't too complicated and the romance took a bit of time to develop, which was nice. I had fun following Anora and learning about the Eurydice and Valryn. I did think we should have gotten more information about the gates and guiding spirits, but maybe that comes in the sequel.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Bloom Books and NetGalley for the copy.
February 19, 2024
Anora Silby lives a regular teenage life, just like anyone else her age. She fights with her mom, she has a crush on the boy at her new school, and she can see the dead. Totally normal right? Anora must navigate through her new power all while dismissing the suspicions of her new classmates, her mother, and Shy, her crush.
This was my first Scarlett St. Clair book and I was not disappointed, This was your classic urban fantasy, high-school romance that we all devour. At points the book did slow down and feel a bit repetitive, but I found myself wanting to come back and finish every chapter. Perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout or fans of the genre in general.
This book deals with a lot of heavy topics, so make sure to check the trigger warnings before reading.
Thanks to NetGalley and SourceBooks Bloom Books for the ARC!
This was my first Scarlett St. Clair book and I was not disappointed, This was your classic urban fantasy, high-school romance that we all devour. At points the book did slow down and feel a bit repetitive, but I found myself wanting to come back and finish every chapter. Perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout or fans of the genre in general.
This book deals with a lot of heavy topics, so make sure to check the trigger warnings before reading.
Thanks to NetGalley and SourceBooks Bloom Books for the ARC!
June 10, 2019
I signed up to write a review for this book. I was approved for the review. The author sent me the kindle version, WSCO Final Paper back in PDF and the epub version of WSCO(When Stars Come by Scarlett St. Clair).
I was not sure what to expect from this book but it sounded like a good and interesting read. It didn't diappoint. The genres: YA and Urban Fantasy
Since I've never read an Urban Fantasy or YA book I really didn't know what to expect. I actually was pleasantly surprised. This book was a page turner and kept my interest. So much so I hated to stop reading it. So your probably asking then why not 5 stars. I most likely would have rated it 5 stars if it weren't for the F-word and other bad language. Actually my rating is 4 1/2 stars but can't do a 1/2 star. I do recommend this book.
I always like trying new authors and genres because how else do yo you find a new favorite author. I judge each book after I have read once. Sometimes if I read the same book twice I get a different perspective and higher my rating.
Thank you ScarlettSt. Clair for letting read your book. I found it a page turner and was very interested. Also, thank you Xpresso Book Tours for approving me to review this book.
Description of This book is about a girl named Anora Silby who can see the dead and turn spirits into gold coins, two things she would prefer to keep secret as she tries to lead a normal life at her new school. After all she didn't change her identity for nothing.
As it turns out, hiding her weirdness is just one of many challenges. By the end of her first day, she's claimed the soul of a dead girl and and lost the coin. Turns out, the coin gives others the ability to steal souls, and when a classmate turns up dead, there's no mistaking the murder weapon.
Navigating the loss of her poppa, her mother's unpredictable behavior, and Roundtable, an anonymous student gossip app threatening to expose her, are hard enough. Now she must find the person who stole her coin before more lives are lost, but that means making herself a target for the Order, an organization that governs the dead on Earth-and they want Anora and her powers for themselves.
I was not sure what to expect from this book but it sounded like a good and interesting read. It didn't diappoint. The genres: YA and Urban Fantasy
Since I've never read an Urban Fantasy or YA book I really didn't know what to expect. I actually was pleasantly surprised. This book was a page turner and kept my interest. So much so I hated to stop reading it. So your probably asking then why not 5 stars. I most likely would have rated it 5 stars if it weren't for the F-word and other bad language. Actually my rating is 4 1/2 stars but can't do a 1/2 star. I do recommend this book.
I always like trying new authors and genres because how else do yo you find a new favorite author. I judge each book after I have read once. Sometimes if I read the same book twice I get a different perspective and higher my rating.
Thank you ScarlettSt. Clair for letting read your book. I found it a page turner and was very interested. Also, thank you Xpresso Book Tours for approving me to review this book.
Description of This book is about a girl named Anora Silby who can see the dead and turn spirits into gold coins, two things she would prefer to keep secret as she tries to lead a normal life at her new school. After all she didn't change her identity for nothing.
As it turns out, hiding her weirdness is just one of many challenges. By the end of her first day, she's claimed the soul of a dead girl and and lost the coin. Turns out, the coin gives others the ability to steal souls, and when a classmate turns up dead, there's no mistaking the murder weapon.
Navigating the loss of her poppa, her mother's unpredictable behavior, and Roundtable, an anonymous student gossip app threatening to expose her, are hard enough. Now she must find the person who stole her coin before more lives are lost, but that means making herself a target for the Order, an organization that governs the dead on Earth-and they want Anora and her powers for themselves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2022
I think I will give this YA story a four because although its not my perfect read I do feel there's a lot of good stuff here that will appeal to those a lot younger than me.
A young girl who since losing her grandfather sees dead people and obviously that's quite problematic and scary at times. Her mother sends her to a new school but straight away Anora runs into a dead girl. Of course there's a hot young guy and yep pretty catty girls here too but the inclusion of a wee bit of Greek mythology and shifters all add up to give a new and hopefully interesting series.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
A young girl who since losing her grandfather sees dead people and obviously that's quite problematic and scary at times. Her mother sends her to a new school but straight away Anora runs into a dead girl. Of course there's a hot young guy and yep pretty catty girls here too but the inclusion of a wee bit of Greek mythology and shifters all add up to give a new and hopefully interesting series.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
February 18, 2025
This was a pretty interesting book. I am curious if the next one (When the Sky Falls) will actually be written or not, but I guess if it doesn't, it didn't end on too much of a cliff hanger, but it does leave me with a few "How's" and "And then what's". There is absolutely a lot more that could be explained and a lot more that could happen with this series, but the second one has been anticipated to come out since 2019 so I am not going to get my hopes up, although I do wish for more.
May 14, 2021
It’s a good story but it would have made so much more sense if the characters were in their 20s and not 16.
August 24, 2022
At first this one started off really good but then I started losing interest halfway through. It had some interesting points and kept my interest at first but I just felt the story was falling through as it went on. Sorry. Unpopular opinion on this one. I guess it just wasnt for me and I wasnt in the mood for it. If you like YA paranormal romances though im sure you would enjoy this one.
April 8, 2024
I found this book to be a fun read. I didn't know anything about it going in and I think that was for the best. I was able to just unwrap this mystery as it came without knowing what to expect.
Having fled New York, Anora looks to start over and try to live a normal life. Well, as normal as one can with seeing the dead. I felt for Anora immediately. Her relationship with her mother was very strained - her mother didn't believe her daughter - and she just wanted to fly under the radar. But of course that doesn't happen. She instantly captures the attention of a few different people and is thrust into this world where she's not the only one who can see ghosts. And of course, there's more to her story than we know.
St. Clair creates this interesting world with threads of fate, non-human protectors, gates to the otherside, and ghosts. I was constantly on edge with Anora because she didn't know who to trust but I had my suspicions. I wasn't super shocked by the reveal at the end, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment of the book.
I heard this was supposed to be a series but there's no other information about a second installment. So I'm not sure what's going on but I really hope we get more in this world because it's so interesting.
Having fled New York, Anora looks to start over and try to live a normal life. Well, as normal as one can with seeing the dead. I felt for Anora immediately. Her relationship with her mother was very strained - her mother didn't believe her daughter - and she just wanted to fly under the radar. But of course that doesn't happen. She instantly captures the attention of a few different people and is thrust into this world where she's not the only one who can see ghosts. And of course, there's more to her story than we know.
St. Clair creates this interesting world with threads of fate, non-human protectors, gates to the otherside, and ghosts. I was constantly on edge with Anora because she didn't know who to trust but I had my suspicions. I wasn't super shocked by the reveal at the end, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment of the book.
I heard this was supposed to be a series but there's no other information about a second installment. So I'm not sure what's going on but I really hope we get more in this world because it's so interesting.
February 16, 2025
3/5 ⭐️
Une romantasy YA écrite par Scarlett, j’étais très curieuse au vu de ses précédents livres (H&P).
Ce n’est pas un flop, mais je ne pense pas que le YA soit fait pour cette autrice, j’ai eu du mal à accrocher et surtout à m’accrocher aux personnages.
Comme pour H&P, on retrouve son thème fav : la mythologie grecque, ici inspiré du mythe d’eurydice.
L’histoire en elle même est plutôt cool, intrigante et j’avais envie d’en apprendre davantage.
On ne s’ennuie pas pendant la lecture, c’est même presque addictif.
Mais j’avoue ne pas avoir accroché aux personnages, trop peu exploité pour moi, les enjeux pas assez développés….
C’était sympa mais sans plus pour moi
Une romantasy YA écrite par Scarlett, j’étais très curieuse au vu de ses précédents livres (H&P).
Ce n’est pas un flop, mais je ne pense pas que le YA soit fait pour cette autrice, j’ai eu du mal à accrocher et surtout à m’accrocher aux personnages.
Comme pour H&P, on retrouve son thème fav : la mythologie grecque, ici inspiré du mythe d’eurydice.
L’histoire en elle même est plutôt cool, intrigante et j’avais envie d’en apprendre davantage.
On ne s’ennuie pas pendant la lecture, c’est même presque addictif.
Mais j’avoue ne pas avoir accroché aux personnages, trop peu exploité pour moi, les enjeux pas assez développés….
C’était sympa mais sans plus pour moi
September 8, 2022
3.5, rounded down. An honestly surprisingly solid YA novel that reminded me of the modern fantasy books I used to read as a teen.
June 26, 2025
I thought it was super good! Booktok said it was!
September 9, 2022
Headlines:
Don't be fooled by that pretty cover
Scary stuff within
Loose Eurydice/Orpheus retelling
This book was completely not what I expected. That cover made me think light ya fantasy when what is inside is dark, somewhat scary and utterly creepy in parts. If you look back at its previous cover, that definitely gives you more of a feel of what is inside this book.
The above said, I did find myself interested in the word of shifting ravens, death speakers and greek mythology links to Charon, hell hounds and all this in a high school context. Anora was a very interesting character, misunderstood, called crazy and she really had no one on her side. I hated her mum, there was some subtle abuse going on that didn't get tied up so I hope that's dealt with in the second book.
When I first met Shy (that full name...), I was a little leery of his interest. The Eurydice element to the story saved my investment, I liked how that part was rolled out and how they connected but I did want to see more depth with these two though. The whole organisation that Shy and others belonged to was suspect and Roth could be friend or foe; I suspect foe.
The plot was dark, really scary for brief moments and it did feel like it had horror elements. Nevertheless, I made it through and I would definitely like to see where the next book goes.
Thanks to Bloom Books for the eARC.
Find this review at A Take From Two Cities Blog.
Don't be fooled by that pretty cover
Scary stuff within
Loose Eurydice/Orpheus retelling
This book was completely not what I expected. That cover made me think light ya fantasy when what is inside is dark, somewhat scary and utterly creepy in parts. If you look back at its previous cover, that definitely gives you more of a feel of what is inside this book.
The above said, I did find myself interested in the word of shifting ravens, death speakers and greek mythology links to Charon, hell hounds and all this in a high school context. Anora was a very interesting character, misunderstood, called crazy and she really had no one on her side. I hated her mum, there was some subtle abuse going on that didn't get tied up so I hope that's dealt with in the second book.
When I first met Shy (that full name...), I was a little leery of his interest. The Eurydice element to the story saved my investment, I liked how that part was rolled out and how they connected but I did want to see more depth with these two though. The whole organisation that Shy and others belonged to was suspect and Roth could be friend or foe; I suspect foe.
The plot was dark, really scary for brief moments and it did feel like it had horror elements. Nevertheless, I made it through and I would definitely like to see where the next book goes.
Thanks to Bloom Books for the eARC.
Find this review at A Take From Two Cities Blog.
December 20, 2018
I really like this book! This book proved two of my prejudices wrong:
That paranormal stories are not as fun as high-fantasy stories –WRONG!
That the romance are gonna be ordinary and cliché –WRONG!
OKay, first of all the story was enticing. So many mysteries imbued right from the first page, which will make readers want to read the next page and the next page and the next page. I’m DEAD SERIOUS, tomorrow I have an anatomy exam but I cannot stop until I see the last page! And the mysteries are built –which is why i love this story. The author gave out the mysteries slowly, one thread at a time so readers have enough time to figure out what is truly going on. This kind of mystery telling intrigued readers the most!
Second, the flow of the story was fast but not too fast that I felt some parts were skipped. No, the story had a really smooth flow from beginning to end. Props to the author.
Third, I have seen better characterization. But Anora was described wonderfully The same goes with Shy and Lily and others.
Although I had hoped for more diversity in the story.
All in all, I really really enjoyed the story and the new world it had given me. So I believe it deserves a 4 stars.
Noww, I thought this book was an ordinary paranormal story, but it’s not. In one of the first pages, the author put a hotline number and words “don’t be afraid to get help.” As I recall to the plot and characterization of this story, I realized that the author was reaching out to readers for an important message through her stories. Anora embodied all people who are afraid to get help. Sometimes people are reluctant to get help because they were ashamed, they did not want anybody else to know, or because they were afraid on how others would treat them. Anora tried to keep all her problems on her own until she could no longer kept it a secret. Fortunately, she discovered people that she could trust and help her. This is what the author wanted to encourage us. There are people, whether you realize them or not, that could help you, that it is okay to trust and open yourself up. And because of this, I am really glad I have read this book.
That paranormal stories are not as fun as high-fantasy stories –WRONG!
That the romance are gonna be ordinary and cliché –WRONG!
OKay, first of all the story was enticing. So many mysteries imbued right from the first page, which will make readers want to read the next page and the next page and the next page. I’m DEAD SERIOUS, tomorrow I have an anatomy exam but I cannot stop until I see the last page! And the mysteries are built –which is why i love this story. The author gave out the mysteries slowly, one thread at a time so readers have enough time to figure out what is truly going on. This kind of mystery telling intrigued readers the most!
Second, the flow of the story was fast but not too fast that I felt some parts were skipped. No, the story had a really smooth flow from beginning to end. Props to the author.
Third, I have seen better characterization. But Anora was described wonderfully The same goes with Shy and Lily and others.
Although I had hoped for more diversity in the story.
All in all, I really really enjoyed the story and the new world it had given me. So I believe it deserves a 4 stars.
Noww, I thought this book was an ordinary paranormal story, but it’s not. In one of the first pages, the author put a hotline number and words “don’t be afraid to get help.” As I recall to the plot and characterization of this story, I realized that the author was reaching out to readers for an important message through her stories. Anora embodied all people who are afraid to get help. Sometimes people are reluctant to get help because they were ashamed, they did not want anybody else to know, or because they were afraid on how others would treat them. Anora tried to keep all her problems on her own until she could no longer kept it a secret. Fortunately, she discovered people that she could trust and help her. This is what the author wanted to encourage us. There are people, whether you realize them or not, that could help you, that it is okay to trust and open yourself up. And because of this, I am really glad I have read this book.
July 8, 2022
Rating: 2.5 stars
Why I Decided to Read This:
I'm pretty sure I read the description of this one and it sounded good.
Plot:
Anora can see ghosts, but when she moves to a new school to get away from her past, she learns that she isn't the only one who can see them. I thought the plot of the book was good. It definitely reminded me of some other books I've read, but I still didn't think the plot was bad.
Brief Thoughts:
When Stars Come Out is a cross between the Fallen series and Gossip Girls, but with ghosts. Overall, I just didn't love the combination and there was a lot of loose ends with this one.
Characters:
First you have Anora, who could see ghosts but doesn't know what she is. Then you have Shy who was some creature that can turn from human to a raven. It's all a little strange, but I didn't love or hate either of the main characters.
Writing Style:
This was written in first person. It actually switches between Anora and Shy's POV, but you don't actually know that until like 7 chapters in, which I thought was strange.
Likes:
- Fallen vibes: I loved the Fallen series, so I loved that this one had elements to that story.
Dislikes:
- Too Rushed: The ending seemed too rushed and didn't really make sense where it ended.
- The Relationship: I just did not understand the relationship between Shy and Anora. It was forbidden, but they were lovers in past lives, so that's why they decided to get together? Did they get together? I'm not even sure. It was too confusing and still doesn't make sense.
Recommendation:
You might like this one if you are 12 years old and love ghost/fantasy stories.
What’s in This Book & Trigger Warnings:
- Forbidden love
- Suicide
- Death
- Car accident
- Ghosts
- Reincarnation
Why I Decided to Read This:
I'm pretty sure I read the description of this one and it sounded good.
Plot:
Anora can see ghosts, but when she moves to a new school to get away from her past, she learns that she isn't the only one who can see them. I thought the plot of the book was good. It definitely reminded me of some other books I've read, but I still didn't think the plot was bad.
Brief Thoughts:
When Stars Come Out is a cross between the Fallen series and Gossip Girls, but with ghosts. Overall, I just didn't love the combination and there was a lot of loose ends with this one.
Characters:
First you have Anora, who could see ghosts but doesn't know what she is. Then you have Shy who was some creature that can turn from human to a raven. It's all a little strange, but I didn't love or hate either of the main characters.
Writing Style:
This was written in first person. It actually switches between Anora and Shy's POV, but you don't actually know that until like 7 chapters in, which I thought was strange.
Likes:
- Fallen vibes: I loved the Fallen series, so I loved that this one had elements to that story.
Dislikes:
- Too Rushed: The ending seemed too rushed and didn't really make sense where it ended.
- The Relationship: I just did not understand the relationship between Shy and Anora. It was forbidden, but they were lovers in past lives, so that's why they decided to get together? Did they get together? I'm not even sure. It was too confusing and still doesn't make sense.
Recommendation:
You might like this one if you are 12 years old and love ghost/fantasy stories.
What’s in This Book & Trigger Warnings:
- Forbidden love
- Suicide
- Death
- Car accident
- Ghosts
- Reincarnation
July 25, 2022
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When Stars Come Out was actually pretty fun to read. At first, things were moving a bit slowly but that's because our main girl was getting used to the new town, school, and people. Now Anora, the main girl, was pretty interesting and good see ghosts. Which doesn't seem like the easiest thing to live with, and she definitely proves that over and over again. Unfortunately, ghosts are the only thing she should be worried about.
Nope, there's a mysterious boy that seems to make her smile. As well as other sketchy stuff too. Whether it's people who are acting suspicious, or the ghosts, she's not exactly sure who she should or shouldn't trust. If only the strangeness would end there.
Other than Anora, we meet Shy. It's an interesting name for a mysterious guy. He doesn't know what's going on with Anora, but he does feel a certain tug towards her. Some would call that fate and others wouldn't. So, it shouldn't be a surprise when people tell him to stay away from her. Funny thing about fate, he can't because it hurts to ignore her.
Besides these two dancing the will they or won't they kiss tango, we have lots of paranormal things to figure out. Who exactly wants Anora and why? The not knowing sort of drove me insane because I couldn't think of who was going to betray her. At least that's how I felt until certain things were pointing to certain people.
In the end, I'm sad about some things and very intrigued by others. I'm hoping that we get more answers in the next book because there's so much to learn about her powers and the freaking order. I'm also secretly hoping that her and Shy get together because they are basically soulmates. I will riot if it doesn't happen.
When Stars Come Out was actually pretty fun to read. At first, things were moving a bit slowly but that's because our main girl was getting used to the new town, school, and people. Now Anora, the main girl, was pretty interesting and good see ghosts. Which doesn't seem like the easiest thing to live with, and she definitely proves that over and over again. Unfortunately, ghosts are the only thing she should be worried about.
Nope, there's a mysterious boy that seems to make her smile. As well as other sketchy stuff too. Whether it's people who are acting suspicious, or the ghosts, she's not exactly sure who she should or shouldn't trust. If only the strangeness would end there.
Other than Anora, we meet Shy. It's an interesting name for a mysterious guy. He doesn't know what's going on with Anora, but he does feel a certain tug towards her. Some would call that fate and others wouldn't. So, it shouldn't be a surprise when people tell him to stay away from her. Funny thing about fate, he can't because it hurts to ignore her.
Besides these two dancing the will they or won't they kiss tango, we have lots of paranormal things to figure out. Who exactly wants Anora and why? The not knowing sort of drove me insane because I couldn't think of who was going to betray her. At least that's how I felt until certain things were pointing to certain people.
In the end, I'm sad about some things and very intrigued by others. I'm hoping that we get more answers in the next book because there's so much to learn about her powers and the freaking order. I'm also secretly hoping that her and Shy get together because they are basically soulmates. I will riot if it doesn't happen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2022
I absolutely love this more than I thought I would. The magic system is so unique, and I loved the difference between characters and what they are. There are so many things revealed slowly, and in typical St. Clair fashion, the alternating chapters between Shy and Anora add an extra layer to the story. You get to see both sides and slowly begin understanding this world.
I really liked Anora discovering herself and her voice. She doesn't always do the right thing, and she isn't always right about people, but she still grows as a person.
Shy Savior is just that: a savior. He fights for what he believes in, and I loved the different forms he can take. It's definitely interesting. I like how his chapters provide an in depth look into him, and that we don't simply see rage or anger from him. There's other emotion too, which I don't find to be super common with a lot of male characters.
5 stars
I really liked Anora discovering herself and her voice. She doesn't always do the right thing, and she isn't always right about people, but she still grows as a person.
Shy Savior is just that: a savior. He fights for what he believes in, and I loved the different forms he can take. It's definitely interesting. I like how his chapters provide an in depth look into him, and that we don't simply see rage or anger from him. There's other emotion too, which I don't find to be super common with a lot of male characters.
5 stars
Want to read
November 9, 2018ARCs can be requested here: [closed - other review opportunities found here]
November 14, 2022
I did enjoy the reading experience overall but unfortunately I was expecting more from this book. I'm willing to continue on with the series to see what it's develops into.
July 26, 2022
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥, 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈’𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭, 𝐬𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦.
𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞—𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐝.
____________________
Anora Silby can see the dead…worse yet is when she encounters one and a thread from her palm appears to engulf them and turn them into coins. One step away from being committed, Anora is relocated by her mother from New York to Oklahoma in search of a fresh start and a normal life. But she soon finds out that her future at Nacoma Knight Academy will be anything but normal. Surrounded by humans with powers and shifters alike, Anora discovers she is not the only person who can see the dead but she is the only person with a thread, and after catching the eye of the Academy’s star quarterback Shy who finds himself drawn to Anora for reasons unknown, it is only a matter of time before she realizes what it all means and the ramifications it will have on her future.
This book was honestly the most pleasant surprise!! YA to its core it gave me the nostalgic vibes of being something I’ve read and loved before with a story that was wholly it’s own.
While firmly YA in spice, PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS. This is a dark YA fantasy that draws inspiration from the legend of Eurydice and Orpheus to make up its dark world of magic, power, occult, witchcraft, murder, death, and deception. Suicide is a heavy plot point at the beginning of the story and carries throughout the book’s theme, recurring in different manners and occurrences for the duration of the book. Please remember if you or anyone you know is contemplating suicide you are NOT alone. Even if you feel alone someone who cares and is willing to talk to you is only a phone call away at hotline 988.
Anora is honestly a GREAT main character. She’s resilient, and even though she continually has the odds stacked against her and is left out in the cold repeatedly without the answers that she so desperately seeks she is brave and pushes forward, questions and all.
Shy is what I imagine the teenage Desmond Flynn would have been, change my mind!! That is by far the highest honor I can think to bestow on him and I love, Love, LOVED his chemistry with Anora. I just want to see so much more of them and their building, forbidden love!!
True to its YA roots nothing in this book came as a surprise and most everything was either explained/revealed in an alternate POV or was just obvious to you as you were reading, but that did not detract from the story AT ALL and it was every bit as seamless and entertaining as any adult book on the market right now.
If you love dark romances, don’t let the YA tag scare you away because this series is going places!!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Sourcebooks / Bloom Books, and the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞—𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐝.
____________________
Anora Silby can see the dead…worse yet is when she encounters one and a thread from her palm appears to engulf them and turn them into coins. One step away from being committed, Anora is relocated by her mother from New York to Oklahoma in search of a fresh start and a normal life. But she soon finds out that her future at Nacoma Knight Academy will be anything but normal. Surrounded by humans with powers and shifters alike, Anora discovers she is not the only person who can see the dead but she is the only person with a thread, and after catching the eye of the Academy’s star quarterback Shy who finds himself drawn to Anora for reasons unknown, it is only a matter of time before she realizes what it all means and the ramifications it will have on her future.
This book was honestly the most pleasant surprise!! YA to its core it gave me the nostalgic vibes of being something I’ve read and loved before with a story that was wholly it’s own.
While firmly YA in spice, PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS. This is a dark YA fantasy that draws inspiration from the legend of Eurydice and Orpheus to make up its dark world of magic, power, occult, witchcraft, murder, death, and deception. Suicide is a heavy plot point at the beginning of the story and carries throughout the book’s theme, recurring in different manners and occurrences for the duration of the book. Please remember if you or anyone you know is contemplating suicide you are NOT alone. Even if you feel alone someone who cares and is willing to talk to you is only a phone call away at hotline 988.
Anora is honestly a GREAT main character. She’s resilient, and even though she continually has the odds stacked against her and is left out in the cold repeatedly without the answers that she so desperately seeks she is brave and pushes forward, questions and all.
Shy is what I imagine the teenage Desmond Flynn would have been, change my mind!! That is by far the highest honor I can think to bestow on him and I love, Love, LOVED his chemistry with Anora. I just want to see so much more of them and their building, forbidden love!!
True to its YA roots nothing in this book came as a surprise and most everything was either explained/revealed in an alternate POV or was just obvious to you as you were reading, but that did not detract from the story AT ALL and it was every bit as seamless and entertaining as any adult book on the market right now.
If you love dark romances, don’t let the YA tag scare you away because this series is going places!!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Sourcebooks / Bloom Books, and the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 17, 2022
Wow, I haven’t read a YA fantasy book that I’ve enjoyed this much in a while (usually into NA or adult fantasy these days). While When the Stars Come Out is meant to be a retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice, I didn’t get much of that from the story. Despite that, I thought the world-building was unique and I really liked the rivalry between the different beings in the story. The romance was sweet rather than annoying (my biggest complaint of true YA books). Though the book works as a standalone novel and the ending summed things up pretty well, I’ve heard Scarlett St. Clair MIGHT continue the series and I REALLY want more books!!
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.
August 23, 2019
Anora has the gift to see dead people as well as a little something more, after her grandfather passed away she told her mother than she could see dead people. Her mother, after the death of Anora's boyfriend/kidnapper, packs them both up and moves to a new town.
Anora soon finds herself in a different world and finds the pieces of a puzzle as to what she is and who murdered or is plotting to murder who.
The reason I gave When the Star Comes Out the rating is because the pacing of the novel felt off, it'd be slow one minute, then quick and then drop the ball and go back down to a slow pace. The puzzle pieces didn't quite fit together either, they seemed more jumbled together and rushed near the end of the story.
At the end Nora makes demands and they are being negotiated, however I'm still questioning the villains actions, why her previous boyfriend decide to try kidnapping her, and why she didn't demand the coin of her dead grandfather's soul back.
It was a quick and nice read, the characters are written okay, I liked the change of perspectives, however I didn't get attached to any character and the story felt like it had to end too quickly because it had placed everything out at the beginning.
Anora soon finds herself in a different world and finds the pieces of a puzzle as to what she is and who murdered or is plotting to murder who.
The reason I gave When the Star Comes Out the rating is because the pacing of the novel felt off, it'd be slow one minute, then quick and then drop the ball and go back down to a slow pace. The puzzle pieces didn't quite fit together either, they seemed more jumbled together and rushed near the end of the story.
At the end Nora makes demands and they are being negotiated, however I'm still questioning the villains actions, why her previous boyfriend decide to try kidnapping her, and why she didn't demand the coin of her dead grandfather's soul back.
It was a quick and nice read, the characters are written okay, I liked the change of perspectives, however I didn't get attached to any character and the story felt like it had to end too quickly because it had placed everything out at the beginning.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2023
This was honestly one of the top books I've read this year. It started out a little slow which is why it got 4 starts but then it was really good!
November 14, 2022
Anora Silby can see the dead. But she’s got an even deeper secret. She can turn spirits into coins. And when one of her coins goes missing, people begin to die.
Did I love this book? Yes. Did I devour it? Also yes. I didn’t go into this with any expectations. I’ve read one of the author’s other books and liked it, but this was her YA book, and I’ve gotten super picky with my YA lately. This turned out to be one of my favorite YA reads of 2022. It’s right up there with Belladonna. There was romance (no spice, it’s YA), fun world building, and plenty of mystery to keep the pages turning. I binged the first 30% in one go. While I’m surprised it didn’t get more 5-star votes, I’m also realizing that it must have resonated with me a lot more than it did others.
Part of why I liked this was the unique world building aspect. There’s a race of supernaturals who look like humans, but can turn into crows or sprout wings in their human form. I haven’t read a lot of books with crow shapeshifters. They have a fully fleshed out social structure with strict rules. Basically, they are in charge of destroying evil. What is that evil? The dark force called “Influence,” which is slowly destroying the world. It can possess people, latching onto their sad or dark emotions. And finally, there are the gold coins that were once souls, now in need of ferrying to the afterlife. Laced throughout everything is the controversy amid the Vaylren (sp?) hierarchy.
The backdrop is a murder mystery, all while Anora is navigating a new life. She’s moved to a new town, and a new school. Not only that, she doesn’t understand that she’s someone special, and people a looking for her. There are people in her life who want to use her, and she doesn’t know who to trust.
I really liked the villain(s) of the story. Their characters were multi-faceted and we got a deep look into their wounds. It was easy to understand why they acted the way they did. I did begin to suspect them, so it was a little predictable, but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment.
Another thing I appreciated were the mental health aspects portrayed between Anora and her mom. Home/family life wasn’t easy, and she struggled with her mom. The biggest challenge was that her mom didn’t believe and trust what Anora claimed she could do. She even threatened to take Anora to a mental hospital to get help. But her mom was clearly suffering from mental health issues, and they both loved each other, so seeing them navigate these challenges offered a unique perspective.
The best part is, there’s a second installment. I don’t know when it will release. I hope I don’t have to wait too long, because I’m so excited for it! I think this will be perfect for fans of JLA’s early series. 𝐌𝐘 𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆: 𝟓/𝟓 ⭐️
Did I love this book? Yes. Did I devour it? Also yes. I didn’t go into this with any expectations. I’ve read one of the author’s other books and liked it, but this was her YA book, and I’ve gotten super picky with my YA lately. This turned out to be one of my favorite YA reads of 2022. It’s right up there with Belladonna. There was romance (no spice, it’s YA), fun world building, and plenty of mystery to keep the pages turning. I binged the first 30% in one go. While I’m surprised it didn’t get more 5-star votes, I’m also realizing that it must have resonated with me a lot more than it did others.
Part of why I liked this was the unique world building aspect. There’s a race of supernaturals who look like humans, but can turn into crows or sprout wings in their human form. I haven’t read a lot of books with crow shapeshifters. They have a fully fleshed out social structure with strict rules. Basically, they are in charge of destroying evil. What is that evil? The dark force called “Influence,” which is slowly destroying the world. It can possess people, latching onto their sad or dark emotions. And finally, there are the gold coins that were once souls, now in need of ferrying to the afterlife. Laced throughout everything is the controversy amid the Vaylren (sp?) hierarchy.
The backdrop is a murder mystery, all while Anora is navigating a new life. She’s moved to a new town, and a new school. Not only that, she doesn’t understand that she’s someone special, and people a looking for her. There are people in her life who want to use her, and she doesn’t know who to trust.
I really liked the villain(s) of the story. Their characters were multi-faceted and we got a deep look into their wounds. It was easy to understand why they acted the way they did. I did begin to suspect them, so it was a little predictable, but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment.
Another thing I appreciated were the mental health aspects portrayed between Anora and her mom. Home/family life wasn’t easy, and she struggled with her mom. The biggest challenge was that her mom didn’t believe and trust what Anora claimed she could do. She even threatened to take Anora to a mental hospital to get help. But her mom was clearly suffering from mental health issues, and they both loved each other, so seeing them navigate these challenges offered a unique perspective.
The best part is, there’s a second installment. I don’t know when it will release. I hope I don’t have to wait too long, because I’m so excited for it! I think this will be perfect for fans of JLA’s early series. 𝐌𝐘 𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆: 𝟓/𝟓 ⭐️
July 12, 2022
3.5 Cocktails
I think I was attracted to this book because of the cover. A retelling of Greek mythology further enticed me.
I don't generally read ghost stories (mainly because nothing compares to the Charley Davidson series) but this was a good story. Anora and Shy were likable characters and I found myself rooting for the two of them. I didn't really like any of the other characters and I'm not sure if that was by design by the author or if it was me. Natalie was a little bitchy, so I didn't like her. Jacobi seemed cool, but we didn't spend enough time with him to count. It seemed as though the author spent a lot of time ingratiating the bad guys to Anora or killing off others that we weren't left with a lot of option to rally behind the good guys.
I'm not sure if I would read any additional books in the series. We'll see when book 2 comes out.
I think I was attracted to this book because of the cover. A retelling of Greek mythology further enticed me.
I don't generally read ghost stories (mainly because nothing compares to the Charley Davidson series) but this was a good story. Anora and Shy were likable characters and I found myself rooting for the two of them. I didn't really like any of the other characters and I'm not sure if that was by design by the author or if it was me. Natalie was a little bitchy, so I didn't like her. Jacobi seemed cool, but we didn't spend enough time with him to count. It seemed as though the author spent a lot of time ingratiating the bad guys to Anora or killing off others that we weren't left with a lot of option to rally behind the good guys.
I'm not sure if I would read any additional books in the series. We'll see when book 2 comes out.
July 16, 2022
This book was so fun! I read it a few weeks ago and found this art at the museum just seemed to fit.
Anora can see the dead and trying to hide this fact at her new academy is proving difficult. As there are weird happenings in this town and a curfew at night due to spirits and such.
Sky, the class hottie, is helping her get acclimated to her new school but also he's keeping an eye on her.
This was an interesting reimagining of Eurydice with the gold coins and souls.
There is a whole secret Order that now has her under watch since odd things are happening (outside their normal odd) and she's new.
I'm very curious to see where this book goes into book #2 due to the ending.
This is a YA book and it has a slow, clean burn.
Anora can see the dead and trying to hide this fact at her new academy is proving difficult. As there are weird happenings in this town and a curfew at night due to spirits and such.
Sky, the class hottie, is helping her get acclimated to her new school but also he's keeping an eye on her.
This was an interesting reimagining of Eurydice with the gold coins and souls.
There is a whole secret Order that now has her under watch since odd things are happening (outside their normal odd) and she's new.
I'm very curious to see where this book goes into book #2 due to the ending.
This is a YA book and it has a slow, clean burn.
August 4, 2022
I have yet to find a Scarlett St Clare book I didn’t love. She is the mistress of retellings and this Eurydice and Orpheus tale lives up to her Hades/Persephone series and then some. Another winner for me!
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