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Otherworld #1.5
The Girl Who Read the Stars
Set after Skylar Dorset’s debut The Girl Who Never Was and before the thrilling conclusion to her Otherworld duology, The Boy With the Hidden Name, this novella is told from the perspective of Merrow, the Fay of the Summer Equinox.
Merrow could tell is was going to be a good school year because Jupiter was moving into her constellation. Merrow read the stars...well, sometimes she got a feeling anyway. The stars were always dancing — they were difficult to understand. And then there was Trow. He was a new boy at school and Merrow got a feeling... Which is weird because she’s never minded being on her own before. (She wasn’t exactly popular.) But there was something about Trow. And a prophecy and fate and danger and love — if only the stars would hold still.
183 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2014
143 people are currently reading
742 people want to read
About the author
Skylar Dorset
7 books203 followersSkylar’s first story was a tale of romantic intrigue involving two feuding factions of squirrels. Think “Romeo & Juliet” but with bushy tails and added espionage. She was seven.
Since that time, Skylar’s head has been filled with lots of characters and lots of drama. She is delighted to be able to share some of it with all of you now, because, honestly, it was getting pretty loud and crowded in there.
Skylar is a born-and-bred New Englander, which is why Boston was a natural setting for her debut novel, THE GIRL WHO NEVER WAS. Skylar shares her home with a cardboard cutout of the Tenth Doctor, lots of Mardi Gras beads from the time she spent living in New Orleans, and a harp she’s supposed to be teaching herself to play. She’d like to get a dog.
Since that time, Skylar’s head has been filled with lots of characters and lots of drama. She is delighted to be able to share some of it with all of you now, because, honestly, it was getting pretty loud and crowded in there.
Skylar is a born-and-bred New Englander, which is why Boston was a natural setting for her debut novel, THE GIRL WHO NEVER WAS. Skylar shares her home with a cardboard cutout of the Tenth Doctor, lots of Mardi Gras beads from the time she spent living in New Orleans, and a harp she’s supposed to be teaching herself to play. She’d like to get a dog.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 12, 2018
I read this after the second book because silly me. It was still good though and I like this series as a whole.
November 19, 2014
Originally reviewed on LauraofLurking
Strong language: Some, mild
Drugs: None
Violence: None
Sexual content: No
Please note: I have read an advanced reader copy of the sequel, The Boy With the Hidden Name before this novella so I had some insight into what was happening. Any inconsistencies in my review can be put down to that.
Merrow is a high school girl and a bit of a loner, but she doesn't mind about that part. After all she has the yoga classes she teaches, reading tarot cards, the stars, the way salt and pepper fall as well as dust motes to tell her it will be a good year. She doesn't know why, but it just will be. After all, we all know the stars can be a bit fickle like that!
She also has two Moms, one a hippie yoga teacher (she owns the studio Merrow gets to teach some classes at, and a lawyer Mom who keeps them both tied to the ground so they don't float away in their stars!
The book is written in first person, a very chatty voice used, the kind you'd be happy to sit and listen to as she tells you crazy stories of her life she feels are completely normal. She still has many of the complaints of a normal youth, but gets along with both her moms smashingly and finds her solace around them. I loved that that was just a fact, not a big thing made of it, just a fleeting line in the story before we move on.
So Merrow knows she will be having a good year – until she sits down in homeroom and finds a new boy in front of her, the first boy she's ever really paid attention to. Then the stars and tarot and salt and pepper and dust motes and everything else start to tell her things that make no sense. There's a boy. And she's far too attracted. She never gets attracted. Can this be a good thing?
I found said boy, Trow, (yes there is a slight penchant for unusual names, which I found charming) seems nice, if a bit dry and with secrets. Well, he's her first boy-interest, this could never go smoothly, now could it?
I thought at times the plot was a bit hectic, to use an example Merrow might think of, it was a bit like a long string of wiggly spaghetti that had wrapped around itself and gotten confused in places as to which way you went at the crossing. Having read the sequel I knew things about certain characters, so I found it easier to follow, but I do worry some readers may be confused.
The supernatural element, excluding the fortune and future reading in its various forms, was introduced suddenly into our laps, however, like that piece of tangled spaghetti above it was slowly and carefully unravelled into a roughly straight line so everybody understood what was happening. Much like young love, the parties this most involved were the last to understand!
The 411
This was a sweet novella with a thoroughly charming voice that made me want to be friends with Merrow, the point of view character, from the very first chapter. At times it was confusing, but there were also fascinating conversations about life, and takes on aspects that only a hippie teen could have.
If you are not used to fantasy I would recommend you consider reading The Boy With The Hidden Name first, however, I think you should definitely return to this. Readers of fantasy should get along fine with the novel
For voice I give it a 5
For casual use of a lesbian adoption in YA fiction I give it a 5
For comprehension of foreign concepts I give it a 3.5
Overall I give this novel a 4
Strong language: Some, mild
Drugs: None
Violence: None
Sexual content: No
Please note: I have read an advanced reader copy of the sequel, The Boy With the Hidden Name before this novella so I had some insight into what was happening. Any inconsistencies in my review can be put down to that.
Merrow is a high school girl and a bit of a loner, but she doesn't mind about that part. After all she has the yoga classes she teaches, reading tarot cards, the stars, the way salt and pepper fall as well as dust motes to tell her it will be a good year. She doesn't know why, but it just will be. After all, we all know the stars can be a bit fickle like that!
She also has two Moms, one a hippie yoga teacher (she owns the studio Merrow gets to teach some classes at, and a lawyer Mom who keeps them both tied to the ground so they don't float away in their stars!
The book is written in first person, a very chatty voice used, the kind you'd be happy to sit and listen to as she tells you crazy stories of her life she feels are completely normal. She still has many of the complaints of a normal youth, but gets along with both her moms smashingly and finds her solace around them. I loved that that was just a fact, not a big thing made of it, just a fleeting line in the story before we move on.
So Merrow knows she will be having a good year – until she sits down in homeroom and finds a new boy in front of her, the first boy she's ever really paid attention to. Then the stars and tarot and salt and pepper and dust motes and everything else start to tell her things that make no sense. There's a boy. And she's far too attracted. She never gets attracted. Can this be a good thing?
I found said boy, Trow, (yes there is a slight penchant for unusual names, which I found charming) seems nice, if a bit dry and with secrets. Well, he's her first boy-interest, this could never go smoothly, now could it?
I thought at times the plot was a bit hectic, to use an example Merrow might think of, it was a bit like a long string of wiggly spaghetti that had wrapped around itself and gotten confused in places as to which way you went at the crossing. Having read the sequel I knew things about certain characters, so I found it easier to follow, but I do worry some readers may be confused.
The supernatural element, excluding the fortune and future reading in its various forms, was introduced suddenly into our laps, however, like that piece of tangled spaghetti above it was slowly and carefully unravelled into a roughly straight line so everybody understood what was happening. Much like young love, the parties this most involved were the last to understand!
The 411
This was a sweet novella with a thoroughly charming voice that made me want to be friends with Merrow, the point of view character, from the very first chapter. At times it was confusing, but there were also fascinating conversations about life, and takes on aspects that only a hippie teen could have.
If you are not used to fantasy I would recommend you consider reading The Boy With The Hidden Name first, however, I think you should definitely return to this. Readers of fantasy should get along fine with the novel
For voice I give it a 5
For casual use of a lesbian adoption in YA fiction I give it a 5
For comprehension of foreign concepts I give it a 3.5
Overall I give this novel a 4
July 14, 2022
Merrow is a high school girl and a bit of a loner, but she doesn't mind about that part. After all she has the yoga classes she teaches, reading tarot cards, the stars, the way salt and pepper fall as well as dust motes to tell her it will be a good year. She doesn't know why, but it just will be. After all, we all know the stars can be a bit fickle like that!
She also has two Moms, one a hippie yoga teacher (she owns the studio Merrow gets to teach some classes at, and a lawyer Mom who keeps them both tied to the ground so they don't float away in their stars!
Heather's Notes
This book does not end in a cliffhanger, which made happy after the first book did. I really hope the second book pulls it all together because right now this story is all over the place. Still I enjoyed meeting Merrow and Trow. I also enjoyed learning more about world they live in.
She also has two Moms, one a hippie yoga teacher (she owns the studio Merrow gets to teach some classes at, and a lawyer Mom who keeps them both tied to the ground so they don't float away in their stars!
Heather's Notes
This book does not end in a cliffhanger, which made happy after the first book did. I really hope the second book pulls it all together because right now this story is all over the place. Still I enjoyed meeting Merrow and Trow. I also enjoyed learning more about world they live in.
July 6, 2015
In comparison to the first novella and first book in this series, this novella has been the weakest. The beginning was extremely hard for me to get into. Merrow's thoughts are a bit too sporadic for my tastes. I feel like the author is trying to do the whole Holden Caulfield type of writing and it's unnecessary for this situation. If anything, it slows the writing and the plot. Some interesting characters introduced. I liked the relationship between Merrow and Trow. For the length of the novella, it was appropriate and moved at a good speed. I'm definitely going to finish this series!
December 12, 2014
This was a great story to hold us over until "The Boy With The Hidden Name", and Merrow is my new favorite character in this series- she is amazing!!
July 4, 2015
weird....but strangely interesting.
August 19, 2017
The Girl Who Read the Stars is a novella in between the Girl Who Never Was and the Boy With the Hidden Name. It was a good story and fit in perfectly with the series.
This book follows brand new characters. Readers are introduced to Merrow and a cast of whole other characters. Merrow is different, she's not like other people and that's okay with her. She is different than most people in almost every way and she loves her uniqueness. Merrow, who has rainbow hair, two moms, teaches yoga and reads the stars, is about find out how different she is. Things are starting to change in her life and she has find her way through. Apparently nothing is as it seems and Merrow has to do something very important, she has a destiny.
Skylar keeps her magical world intact with TGWRTS, she follows her same whimsical patterns and Alice in Wonderland type quality. With these new characters we get a new but important story in the series that helps continue the story.
Overall 3.75 stars
This book follows brand new characters. Readers are introduced to Merrow and a cast of whole other characters. Merrow is different, she's not like other people and that's okay with her. She is different than most people in almost every way and she loves her uniqueness. Merrow, who has rainbow hair, two moms, teaches yoga and reads the stars, is about find out how different she is. Things are starting to change in her life and she has find her way through. Apparently nothing is as it seems and Merrow has to do something very important, she has a destiny.
Skylar keeps her magical world intact with TGWRTS, she follows her same whimsical patterns and Alice in Wonderland type quality. With these new characters we get a new but important story in the series that helps continue the story.
Overall 3.75 stars
March 28, 2021
I enjoyed this MUCH better than the first book. :) I mean, the plot was basically identical to the first half of "The Girl Who Never Was" except that instead of two aunts the main character had two moms, and instead of a mysterious guy she has a crush on who talks with her at a park, there is a mysterious guy she has a crush on who talks with her at school, and they are in two different cities, and there are two different wizards who appear when the world ends and are frustrated that they don't realize they are fairies, etc. Basically the same. But for all that the plot was the same, I just really enjoyed the writing and characterization of this one better.
February 27, 2018
The girl
I am writing about this book talk the girl. I think very good to ready for bed time and leaning has to ready a books. Xox
I am writing about this book talk the girl. I think very good to ready for bed time and leaning has to ready a books. Xox
February 10, 2019
There is a girl who read the stars and there is boy who heals. That’s it.
I haven’t read other books in this series.
I haven’t read other books in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2025
I really enjoyed this! So easy-to-read and got me out of my reading slump.
November 16, 2014
Quick Thought (or not)
Even though this says Novella 1.5 I went ahead and read it before I read the first book which is The Girl Who Never Was. I didn't really feel like I had to read that one in order to understand what was going on. It did however take almost to the end of this novella to find out what secrets were being hid, and I'm not sure had I read the first book I would of known or not.
I wasn't overly impressed with Merrow, but I enjoyed her enough to want to know what happened. After being locked in her bed room from her Mother, and getting out only to come back and find the house destroyed she embarks on a mystery (that's what I'll call it) to find out what happened, and where her mothers are, and more than anything find out who she is.
In her little "mystery journey" she had the help from Trow the boy she made friends with at school. I enjoyed Trow. We learn later what secrets he has hidden, and I kind of like him after the fact. The responsibility he has for someone his age is tremendous, but he doesn't let it get him down.
The beginning of the story we learn that Merrow actually has Two Mothers. One she calls Mom who is her real mom and then one she calls Mother who is Mom's partner. I love this because it's something different and fresh, and both of them are in her life.
As everything unfolds and Merrow and Trow learn who they both are I'm like okay..awesome, and then it ends.
I'm hoping that The Boy with the Hidden Name will somehow pick up from that.
And I will leave you with this!
"You Tell Me Merrow. What do the stars say?"
"I don't care." and I kiss him.
"And what does that say?"
"That sometimes we make the stars read exactly what we want them to," I answer.
"Rewrite the story," Trow says.
"Exactly."
Even though this says Novella 1.5 I went ahead and read it before I read the first book which is The Girl Who Never Was. I didn't really feel like I had to read that one in order to understand what was going on. It did however take almost to the end of this novella to find out what secrets were being hid, and I'm not sure had I read the first book I would of known or not.
I wasn't overly impressed with Merrow, but I enjoyed her enough to want to know what happened. After being locked in her bed room from her Mother, and getting out only to come back and find the house destroyed she embarks on a mystery (that's what I'll call it) to find out what happened, and where her mothers are, and more than anything find out who she is.
In her little "mystery journey" she had the help from Trow the boy she made friends with at school. I enjoyed Trow. We learn later what secrets he has hidden, and I kind of like him after the fact. The responsibility he has for someone his age is tremendous, but he doesn't let it get him down.
The beginning of the story we learn that Merrow actually has Two Mothers. One she calls Mom who is her real mom and then one she calls Mother who is Mom's partner. I love this because it's something different and fresh, and both of them are in her life.
As everything unfolds and Merrow and Trow learn who they both are I'm like okay..awesome, and then it ends.
I'm hoping that The Boy with the Hidden Name will somehow pick up from that.
And I will leave you with this!
"You Tell Me Merrow. What do the stars say?"
"I don't care." and I kiss him.
"And what does that say?"
"That sometimes we make the stars read exactly what we want them to," I answer.
"Rewrite the story," Trow says.
"Exactly."
April 27, 2015
I am actually presently surprised by this one. I wasn't a huge fan of the first novel I read in the series, but I found this one to fit quite well into the story line. Its helping to set up for the final book. I really liked how we do follow Merrow and Trow, especially since I we would not have been able to get the back story of them in the next book. I loved all the characters, and I'm thinking that, Merrow especially will become one of my favorite characters in the series. This novella has just made me so excited to read the second and final book in the series, I can't wait till I get the chance to read it.
December 26, 2014
This book is really ,good you can find it on iBooks. The details are good well almost. Talks about how should met this boy that the mom didn't approved because she was a Frearie but the daughter didn't knownthat .its cool how the daughter can read the stars because she is a ferarie, But agin she did'not know in the begin it mostly talks about how the daughter can read stars and she met a boy ,You have to read to get into it,but it is a awesome book it kinda lives you hanging at the end. The book is really good enjoy!
December 17, 2014
This book is about a girl named Merrow. She can read the stars, the stars tell her what is going to happen. Then she meets a boy who's name is Trow, he can heal a cut or burn or anything. Then Merrow finds out that she is in danger. She rushes home to find that her parents are missing. Her and Trow go to find them, but get in more danger. Will this danger ever stop?
June 1, 2016
This was a free book at the app store. Just because it's a free book, doesn't mean it's going to be a really bad book.
At first, I thought that it was longer than it was and it turned out that there was a thirty page preview for the next one.
The only thing I can complain about is that I have to pay for the other books that follow this one. I wish they were all free because it was so good!! :D
At first, I thought that it was longer than it was and it turned out that there was a thirty page preview for the next one.
The only thing I can complain about is that I have to pay for the other books that follow this one. I wish they were all free because it was so good!! :D
November 16, 2014
DNF. I could not get into this story. I loved the first book and am excited for book 2 but this was not for me.
December 10, 2014
Cute little side story that helps make a little more sense of the things happening in Boy with the Hidden Name. Worth the read for that alone.
April 18, 2015
Does Trow get a novella too?
April 17, 2015
I thought this book was a really good book.
October 6, 2015
Way too repetitive!!! But I enjoy the whole idea. I hope it plays out well. I'm liking Trow's character. The last bit of this book is where the juice is at.
March 31, 2016
This was fun. Best thing is the fact that I didn't have to read the first book (which I didn't) to enjoy and be able to understand this story.
August 16, 2017
♥I love Love LOVED IT. I almost cried when Merrow was in trouble. Geez, so many feels. 10/10 do recommend.♥
Read
August 10, 2018the first half of the book looks pretty like love love story, but the second half turn out to be a Harry Potter in Boston thing, which is unacceptable. These two parts look like to seperate books and have no inner connections.
Read
December 28, 2018Great book
Wish it had more. Another book to finish would be great. But very enjoyable. Recommended to those who like different.
Wish it had more. Another book to finish would be great. But very enjoyable. Recommended to those who like different.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews