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Daystar: The Days are Numbered
'What's to stop me killing you and taking the Powers?' The giant raised the sword. 'All I see is a dwarf, a pony and seven children, none of whom is even remotely capable of resisting the might of Uller Princekiller.' For centuries, the knights, dwarves, giants and sages of Auberon-Zamberg have been intent on a single quest. They're all searching for 'The King Who Guards the Gate'. Prophecy speaks of him as one of seven protectors who will defeat the armies of night and overcome the Dark Sleeper. The last thing anyone is expecting is that these seven protectors are ordinary children.
264 pages, Paperback
Published January 30, 2016
33 people want to read
About the author
Anne Hamilton
56 books186 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
For twenty years, I was the coordinator of an annual camp for children based around The Chronicles of Narnia. That experience shaped a lot of my thinking about how readers enjoy fantasy.
Like CS Lewis, my fantasy story Many-Coloured Realm began with a picture in my mind's eye: a boy without arms floating in a field of stars and faced with an impossible choice.
My non-fiction series beginning with God's Poetry can be traced back to the observation that Lewis comes from the Welsh word for lion. The discovery of name covenants led to the discovery of threshold covenants, as well as many other long-forgotten aspects of our Judeo-Christian heritage.
I love exploring words, mathematics and names. All of these combine in my books, whether they are fiction or non-fiction, or whether they're for adults or children, whether they're academic in tone or primarily devotional. I hope my readers always come away from my books with a renewed delight for the world around us and a child-like wonder for its awesome aspects.
For twenty years, I was the coordinator of an annual camp for children based around The Chronicles of Narnia. That experience shaped a lot of my thinking about how readers enjoy fantasy.
Like CS Lewis, my fantasy story Many-Coloured Realm began with a picture in my mind's eye: a boy without arms floating in a field of stars and faced with an impossible choice.
My non-fiction series beginning with God's Poetry can be traced back to the observation that Lewis comes from the Welsh word for lion. The discovery of name covenants led to the discovery of threshold covenants, as well as many other long-forgotten aspects of our Judeo-Christian heritage.
I love exploring words, mathematics and names. All of these combine in my books, whether they are fiction or non-fiction, or whether they're for adults or children, whether they're academic in tone or primarily devotional. I hope my readers always come away from my books with a renewed delight for the world around us and a child-like wonder for its awesome aspects.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 31, 2016
Anne Hamilton's Daystar was a delight to read. I enjoyed reading her Merlin's Wood so was thrilled to see that she'd published another fantasy book.
Fern greatest wish is to be invisible, ever since her mother disappeared and she feels unwanted by her step-Dad and stepsister. Tricked into running a race by her bossy stepsister, Fern runs away and finds herself in a strange world.
Ansey is a prince of Auberon whose only ambition is to be a knight and spends his days avoiding the spite and malice of his stepmother and stepbrother. He is devastated when his father insists he vows to give up his ambition. Meanwhile the land is folding and a Frost giant is seeking The King Who Guards the Gate.
When Fern and Ansey come together with the white three and two other mysterious children, a whole train of events is set in motion and they must find a way to survive - and perhaps save the world from certain destruction.
Daystar is a middle-grade portal fantasy with strong echoes (and even mentions) of Narnia. Anne has created a delightful world in consonant with the Lewis' many worlds concept (in The Magician's Nephew). It has brave children from broken families, talking animals, giants, dwarves, brave knights and mysterious prophecies and helpers. It is fast pacced and full of insight and humour.
I loved the cover of Daystar and the beautifully illustrated drop capitals at the start of each chapter (reminiscent of manuscript illumination) and was delighted to work out their recurring pattern of musical notes (the meaning of which was later revealed in the story). Recurring patterns are quite significant in this book. I loved the characters - the children, Candle the dwarf, Gratian and the Ancient of Days. The pace was fast, sometimes almost breathless. At times it took the characters a long time to catch on to some of the secret identities (though to be fair, the reader has the insight of all the different point-of-view characters). My only other quibble would be that a couple of passages were a bit confusing - particularly in chapter one, using 'it' for the horse, and in chapter 3, in the ascent of the Harrowfell to the castle - where captain pushed Ansey clear but he hits a rock & I thought had come off the horse).
Overall, this was a delightful book and I look forward to the sequel (and maybe the sequel to Merlin's Wood one day.)
I'd like to thank Anne Hamilton for a free copy of Daystar in return for a honest review.
Fern greatest wish is to be invisible, ever since her mother disappeared and she feels unwanted by her step-Dad and stepsister. Tricked into running a race by her bossy stepsister, Fern runs away and finds herself in a strange world.
Ansey is a prince of Auberon whose only ambition is to be a knight and spends his days avoiding the spite and malice of his stepmother and stepbrother. He is devastated when his father insists he vows to give up his ambition. Meanwhile the land is folding and a Frost giant is seeking The King Who Guards the Gate.
When Fern and Ansey come together with the white three and two other mysterious children, a whole train of events is set in motion and they must find a way to survive - and perhaps save the world from certain destruction.
Daystar is a middle-grade portal fantasy with strong echoes (and even mentions) of Narnia. Anne has created a delightful world in consonant with the Lewis' many worlds concept (in The Magician's Nephew). It has brave children from broken families, talking animals, giants, dwarves, brave knights and mysterious prophecies and helpers. It is fast pacced and full of insight and humour.
I loved the cover of Daystar and the beautifully illustrated drop capitals at the start of each chapter (reminiscent of manuscript illumination) and was delighted to work out their recurring pattern of musical notes (the meaning of which was later revealed in the story). Recurring patterns are quite significant in this book. I loved the characters - the children, Candle the dwarf, Gratian and the Ancient of Days. The pace was fast, sometimes almost breathless. At times it took the characters a long time to catch on to some of the secret identities (though to be fair, the reader has the insight of all the different point-of-view characters). My only other quibble would be that a couple of passages were a bit confusing - particularly in chapter one, using 'it' for the horse, and in chapter 3, in the ascent of the Harrowfell to the castle - where captain pushed Ansey clear but he hits a rock & I thought had come off the horse).
Overall, this was a delightful book and I look forward to the sequel (and maybe the sequel to Merlin's Wood one day.)
I'd like to thank Anne Hamilton for a free copy of Daystar in return for a honest review.
February 10, 2016
Fern is having trouble at home. If she stays invisible no one will notice that she doesn’t belong.
Ansey wants to be a knight but his father, the king, forbids him to have training.
When Fern is whisked away to Ansey’s world, strange things begin to happen. Frost giants and dwarf kings, talking animals and ancient prophecies are colliding. What are the Seven Days and who is ‘The King Who Guards the Gate’?
Anne Hamilton’s latest children’s fantasy takes readers on a thrilling ride from our own world to another which is torn apart by suspicion and mistrust. The world is folding in on itself as bitter rivals race to unravel ancient prophecies and save their world.
I really enjoyed the colourful complex characters and magnificent descriptions of the settings. It was fun to read references to Narnia and the mysterious link between the worlds, which had twenty first century technology ending up in a medieval fantasy. The rich themes throughout the book will have readers wanting to re-read to make sure they get the full depth of the story.
I did find the amount of italicized words confusing. It took me a while to unravel what was thought and what was telepathic communication. Both were quite prolific and shown in italics.
Anne has built an amazingly colourful and varied world for her characters and readers to explore. The characters journey through time and space, over mountains and across chasms. There are dragons and castles and underground kingdoms. Daystar is a delightful adventure story full of wisdom and courage. The story is brimming with mystery, hidden dangers and friends who appear to be enemies. It keeps you guessing to the end and beyond.
For anyone who loves Madeline L’Engle’s 'A Wrinkle in Time' or C.S. Lewis’ 'The Chronicles of Narnia' this is a book you should definitely check out.
Ansey wants to be a knight but his father, the king, forbids him to have training.
When Fern is whisked away to Ansey’s world, strange things begin to happen. Frost giants and dwarf kings, talking animals and ancient prophecies are colliding. What are the Seven Days and who is ‘The King Who Guards the Gate’?
Anne Hamilton’s latest children’s fantasy takes readers on a thrilling ride from our own world to another which is torn apart by suspicion and mistrust. The world is folding in on itself as bitter rivals race to unravel ancient prophecies and save their world.
I really enjoyed the colourful complex characters and magnificent descriptions of the settings. It was fun to read references to Narnia and the mysterious link between the worlds, which had twenty first century technology ending up in a medieval fantasy. The rich themes throughout the book will have readers wanting to re-read to make sure they get the full depth of the story.
I did find the amount of italicized words confusing. It took me a while to unravel what was thought and what was telepathic communication. Both were quite prolific and shown in italics.
Anne has built an amazingly colourful and varied world for her characters and readers to explore. The characters journey through time and space, over mountains and across chasms. There are dragons and castles and underground kingdoms. Daystar is a delightful adventure story full of wisdom and courage. The story is brimming with mystery, hidden dangers and friends who appear to be enemies. It keeps you guessing to the end and beyond.
For anyone who loves Madeline L’Engle’s 'A Wrinkle in Time' or C.S. Lewis’ 'The Chronicles of Narnia' this is a book you should definitely check out.
June 7, 2016
The heroes / heroines of this story are seven youngsters or 'Days'. Whether they are human, animal or mythic creatures, each of these are complex, unique characters. They have personal challenges to overcome while participating in a quest they didn’t particularly choose to participate in.
Fern's desire to be invisible may have worked back home but as a human in a 'non-human' world, it isn't so easy. Prince Ansey's ambition to become a knight is stolen, but before he can wallow too deeply in his loss, he finds himself on a dangerous journey which has a serious goal.
Each of the other characters have their own internal goal which unfolds while contributing to the quest to save their world. For children who love imaginary characters, diverse settings and action packed adventures, this story simmers with it all. The descriptions are rich and the pace fast with multiple twists and deep underlying meanings.
I suspect the story would most likely suit advanced readers in upper primary, or early high school.
I thank Anne for the privilege of reading the story, for an honest review.
Fern's desire to be invisible may have worked back home but as a human in a 'non-human' world, it isn't so easy. Prince Ansey's ambition to become a knight is stolen, but before he can wallow too deeply in his loss, he finds himself on a dangerous journey which has a serious goal.
Each of the other characters have their own internal goal which unfolds while contributing to the quest to save their world. For children who love imaginary characters, diverse settings and action packed adventures, this story simmers with it all. The descriptions are rich and the pace fast with multiple twists and deep underlying meanings.
I suspect the story would most likely suit advanced readers in upper primary, or early high school.
I thank Anne for the privilege of reading the story, for an honest review.
February 23, 2016
(Review from my daughter Merridy, 11 years)
I liked the book, Daystar. It was very interesting. The starting letter of each chapter with the picture is pretty clever. I like how it fits into the story.
I wanted to keep reading, even after it ended. I hope there’s a sequel because I want to know if Fern gets caught. I didn’t know what a mage was and it would have been helpful if it was more clear. There are lots of big words in the book, and things I didn’t know about, like soothsayers and Nero. I will probably understand it more when I’m older.
If I were Fern I wouldn’t have been able to stay quiet without asking more questions. She didn’t seem very surprised about landing in another dimension.
I liked Anne Hamilton’s other books, ‘Many Coloured Realm’ and ‘Merlin’s Wood’ better. But I did enjoy Daystar too, which is why I want a second!
I liked the book, Daystar. It was very interesting. The starting letter of each chapter with the picture is pretty clever. I like how it fits into the story.
I wanted to keep reading, even after it ended. I hope there’s a sequel because I want to know if Fern gets caught. I didn’t know what a mage was and it would have been helpful if it was more clear. There are lots of big words in the book, and things I didn’t know about, like soothsayers and Nero. I will probably understand it more when I’m older.
If I were Fern I wouldn’t have been able to stay quiet without asking more questions. She didn’t seem very surprised about landing in another dimension.
I liked Anne Hamilton’s other books, ‘Many Coloured Realm’ and ‘Merlin’s Wood’ better. But I did enjoy Daystar too, which is why I want a second!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
February 29, 2016I realised this would be my 777th review on Goodreads, so naturally it had to be about a book that's 77777 words long. I know this book is that length for a fact because I specifically designed it that way.
Just in case anyone happens to think I’m obsessed by numbers, I ignored them in the chapter count. There’s Chapter A, Chapter B, Chapter C, Chapter D, Chapter E, Chapter F, Chapter G. Perhaps you might think it goes on to Chapter H, but be prepared for a change. It goes back to Chapter A... then cycles through a couple more times.
I doubt if anyone will notice the word length unless I tell them. Lots of people might miss the fact there’s no chapter numbering because the illuminated letters make the chapter breaks so visible. Nevertheless these subtle background arrangements are there to emphasise one of the themes and to lay the groundwork for some important clues.
It’s a children’s fantasy, verging on young adult. One of the most significant themes is, at least in my view, peace. It’s long been a concern of mine that violence is virtually a trope of heroic fantasy — and that we are what we read. What happens to a culture that feeds on violence? Today, that’s what happens.
Daystar features seven children who, though they don’t know it, are ‘The Days’. The Days are the prophesied saviours of the age. For centuries, everyone in the world of Auberon-Zamberg has been hoping for mighty warriors, incredibly wise sages or dauntingly powerful mages to emerge as the ones who will ward off the rising of the Children of Night.
No one is expecting The Days to be seven ordinary children. No one even begins to imagine that the Armour of the Daystar — the Helmet of Providence, the Messenger Shoes, the Mailcoat of Justice, the Daystar Shield, the Belt of Integrity, the Speaking Sword — will fall into the hands of seven emotionally crippled children. Not all of whom are human. There’s a young fox, a fawn and a baby owl in the mix. Hector the fox is obsessed with a personal prophecy about meeting a prince and joining him on a quest to save the world — and he hates his date with destiny being imperilled by having to help others. Boody the owl learns about the concept of sunglasses and becomes obsessed with owning a pair. Ginevra the fawn isn’t obsessed by anything much.
Dallan is autistic and functionally blind — at least in a world where there are no glasses. He’s helped through life by Madmerry, a wildling who wears a fantastically decorated headdress — covered with everything from feathers and beads to a stuffed kingfisher.
Ansey is a prince of Auberon. All he wants to do is become a knight. His father refuses to allow him to do so, despite permitting his younger step-brother Tybold to train as a knight. And the last of The Days is Fern, who comes from this world, not the strange dimension of Auberon-Zamberg where the moon is a leaf and the sun a petalled flower.
In fact, Fern isn’t meant to one of The Days. She accidentally gets caught up in events that were meant to draw someone else as the Perfect Helper for Auberon-Zamberg. And it is with puzzlement and trepidation that she learns to be part of a world so different from her own.
She meets The White Three from the White Tree — Hector, Ginevra and Boody — and immediately understands their speech. It takes her quite a while to realise the significance of that ability. Realising that she is from another dimension, the animals decide to take her to meet the king.
Their plans are interrupted by an attack from a dwarf — who happens to be the companion of Ansey. This brings them to the attention of Madmerry and Dallan — and, more importantly, to the frost giant, Uller Princekiller. Whose motto is: ‘Uller Princekiller is my name and royalty’s passing is my game.’
Things go seriously awry when, to save his life once he’s got himself into an awkward predicament, Tybold suggests the frost giant take Ansey hostage.
Will Ansey be rescued?
Will Fern get back to this world?
Will Boody get sunglasses?
Will Hector finally meet the prince?
Will the frost giants find ‘The King Who Guards the Gate’?
Will The Days be able to overcome the Dark Sleeper with just some armour that doesn’t fit any of them?
Well, I’d tell you — but unfortunately, my word count is up. I wanted to make this review 777 words and I’ve run out of space. So you’ll just have to read the book for yourself.
Just in case anyone happens to think I’m obsessed by numbers, I ignored them in the chapter count. There’s Chapter A, Chapter B, Chapter C, Chapter D, Chapter E, Chapter F, Chapter G. Perhaps you might think it goes on to Chapter H, but be prepared for a change. It goes back to Chapter A... then cycles through a couple more times.
I doubt if anyone will notice the word length unless I tell them. Lots of people might miss the fact there’s no chapter numbering because the illuminated letters make the chapter breaks so visible. Nevertheless these subtle background arrangements are there to emphasise one of the themes and to lay the groundwork for some important clues.
It’s a children’s fantasy, verging on young adult. One of the most significant themes is, at least in my view, peace. It’s long been a concern of mine that violence is virtually a trope of heroic fantasy — and that we are what we read. What happens to a culture that feeds on violence? Today, that’s what happens.
Daystar features seven children who, though they don’t know it, are ‘The Days’. The Days are the prophesied saviours of the age. For centuries, everyone in the world of Auberon-Zamberg has been hoping for mighty warriors, incredibly wise sages or dauntingly powerful mages to emerge as the ones who will ward off the rising of the Children of Night.
No one is expecting The Days to be seven ordinary children. No one even begins to imagine that the Armour of the Daystar — the Helmet of Providence, the Messenger Shoes, the Mailcoat of Justice, the Daystar Shield, the Belt of Integrity, the Speaking Sword — will fall into the hands of seven emotionally crippled children. Not all of whom are human. There’s a young fox, a fawn and a baby owl in the mix. Hector the fox is obsessed with a personal prophecy about meeting a prince and joining him on a quest to save the world — and he hates his date with destiny being imperilled by having to help others. Boody the owl learns about the concept of sunglasses and becomes obsessed with owning a pair. Ginevra the fawn isn’t obsessed by anything much.
Dallan is autistic and functionally blind — at least in a world where there are no glasses. He’s helped through life by Madmerry, a wildling who wears a fantastically decorated headdress — covered with everything from feathers and beads to a stuffed kingfisher.
Ansey is a prince of Auberon. All he wants to do is become a knight. His father refuses to allow him to do so, despite permitting his younger step-brother Tybold to train as a knight. And the last of The Days is Fern, who comes from this world, not the strange dimension of Auberon-Zamberg where the moon is a leaf and the sun a petalled flower.
In fact, Fern isn’t meant to one of The Days. She accidentally gets caught up in events that were meant to draw someone else as the Perfect Helper for Auberon-Zamberg. And it is with puzzlement and trepidation that she learns to be part of a world so different from her own.
She meets The White Three from the White Tree — Hector, Ginevra and Boody — and immediately understands their speech. It takes her quite a while to realise the significance of that ability. Realising that she is from another dimension, the animals decide to take her to meet the king.
Their plans are interrupted by an attack from a dwarf — who happens to be the companion of Ansey. This brings them to the attention of Madmerry and Dallan — and, more importantly, to the frost giant, Uller Princekiller. Whose motto is: ‘Uller Princekiller is my name and royalty’s passing is my game.’
Things go seriously awry when, to save his life once he’s got himself into an awkward predicament, Tybold suggests the frost giant take Ansey hostage.
Will Ansey be rescued?
Will Fern get back to this world?
Will Boody get sunglasses?
Will Hector finally meet the prince?
Will the frost giants find ‘The King Who Guards the Gate’?
Will The Days be able to overcome the Dark Sleeper with just some armour that doesn’t fit any of them?
Well, I’d tell you — but unfortunately, my word count is up. I wanted to make this review 777 words and I’ve run out of space. So you’ll just have to read the book for yourself.
July 20, 2016
Daystar: The Days are Numbered is a children's fantasy novel I recently read. The story follows young prince Ansey as he and his new friends go on an adventure that could change their lives and if they're successful, save the ancient principality of Auberon-Zamberg.
The world Anne Hamilton created for her characters is full of fascinating creatures and cultures. There are frost giants, dwarves and knights. Talking foxes and magical Powers that hint to more than meets the eye. There were a few times I found myself getting lost in the story and wanting to see just around the corner.
One of the things I appreciated most about the story was what it was encouraging in the reader. It's a story of teamwork and perseverance. Of finding identity and discovering the armor of God. And ultimately it's a story of trusting the Ancient of Days.
I thought it was a very clever way to tell children about the armor of God. I've always been a big believer that the things God has for us are much more tangible than we think. So reading Hamilton's tale of finding Powers and seeing the allegory of them being the armor of God made me smile.
It's a tale I would have loved to tell.
There were only a few parts that felt false to me. There is a character who is autistic. While I love the idea of an autistic character, it felt a bit forced. More preachy than letting me, the reader, discover more about how a person with autism acts. However, knowing this is a children's book, reminded me that it would have to be written more that way in order for children to understand.
So. While it was one thing I didn't particularly care for, it also made me realize how much I'd forgotten I was reading a kids book. My love for story had consumed me until that moment.
Daystar reminded me of C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia and John White's The Sword Bearer. It's rich story world and characters came to life in my mind and I for one, hope Anne Hamilton writes more adventures with Ansey and his companions.
If you have children, I encourage you to go and purchase this novel and read it with your kids.
The world Anne Hamilton created for her characters is full of fascinating creatures and cultures. There are frost giants, dwarves and knights. Talking foxes and magical Powers that hint to more than meets the eye. There were a few times I found myself getting lost in the story and wanting to see just around the corner.
One of the things I appreciated most about the story was what it was encouraging in the reader. It's a story of teamwork and perseverance. Of finding identity and discovering the armor of God. And ultimately it's a story of trusting the Ancient of Days.
I thought it was a very clever way to tell children about the armor of God. I've always been a big believer that the things God has for us are much more tangible than we think. So reading Hamilton's tale of finding Powers and seeing the allegory of them being the armor of God made me smile.
It's a tale I would have loved to tell.
There were only a few parts that felt false to me. There is a character who is autistic. While I love the idea of an autistic character, it felt a bit forced. More preachy than letting me, the reader, discover more about how a person with autism acts. However, knowing this is a children's book, reminded me that it would have to be written more that way in order for children to understand.
So. While it was one thing I didn't particularly care for, it also made me realize how much I'd forgotten I was reading a kids book. My love for story had consumed me until that moment.
Daystar reminded me of C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia and John White's The Sword Bearer. It's rich story world and characters came to life in my mind and I for one, hope Anne Hamilton writes more adventures with Ansey and his companions.
If you have children, I encourage you to go and purchase this novel and read it with your kids.
May 29, 2016
Daystar is a middle-grade portal fantasy with epic stakes. It follows a cast of several characters, but chief among them are Ansey, a prince from the kingdom of Auberon, and Fern, a girl from out world who stumbles across the dimensions into Ansey’s world.
Something strange is happening in this world. The land is contracting in on itself. Places are closer to each other than they used to be. Frost giants are storming the cities searching for a prophesied king who guards the gate. A band of seven children, some human, some talking animals, are drawn into the conflict.
The world-building in this book was a lot of fun. This is not a typical world. I don’t want to say too much, but it has been affected by an event they refer to as the Englobing.
One of the characters in this book was an autistic boy. I liked this inclusion for a couple of reasons. First it gives autistic kids like my son a character they can relate to, but it can also teach other children about autism, how it affects people, and how to effectively communicate with an autistic person.
While there are battles in this story, the book focuses on non-violent solutions to problems, which is again, a great lesson for kids to learn.
Daystar features some biblical analogy, through more subtle than what you typically find in the Narnia books by C.S. Lewis. This was mostly focused on the armour of God from Ephesians 6. I enjoyed this aspect of the book.
Daystar is aimed at primary-school children. I think my grade 5 daughter would struggle with some of the words and concepts, but every child is different. The appeal of this book would, I believe, extend into lower high school, and even to adults who are young at heart.
Daystar is an entertaining and educational read. It provides a thrilling story and enough for the mind to chew on.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Something strange is happening in this world. The land is contracting in on itself. Places are closer to each other than they used to be. Frost giants are storming the cities searching for a prophesied king who guards the gate. A band of seven children, some human, some talking animals, are drawn into the conflict.
The world-building in this book was a lot of fun. This is not a typical world. I don’t want to say too much, but it has been affected by an event they refer to as the Englobing.
One of the characters in this book was an autistic boy. I liked this inclusion for a couple of reasons. First it gives autistic kids like my son a character they can relate to, but it can also teach other children about autism, how it affects people, and how to effectively communicate with an autistic person.
While there are battles in this story, the book focuses on non-violent solutions to problems, which is again, a great lesson for kids to learn.
Daystar features some biblical analogy, through more subtle than what you typically find in the Narnia books by C.S. Lewis. This was mostly focused on the armour of God from Ephesians 6. I enjoyed this aspect of the book.
Daystar is aimed at primary-school children. I think my grade 5 daughter would struggle with some of the words and concepts, but every child is different. The appeal of this book would, I believe, extend into lower high school, and even to adults who are young at heart.
Daystar is an entertaining and educational read. It provides a thrilling story and enough for the mind to chew on.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2017
A 'shades of Narnia' portal fantasy of intriguing proportions. Fern and Ansey meet after both run away from tricky family situations and find themselves in a strange world together with the white three and two other mysterious children. They are catapulted into a series of events and find themselves in the centre of an adventure which will test their survival skills, while looking for a way to save the world from destruction. An assortment of interesting characters come together in a fast paced story with wonderful concepts and humour making Daystar: The Days Are Numbered a delightful and well-written read. While fantasy is not my favourite genre I found Daystar to be as good as any of the Narnia Series of fantasy stories..
I would like to thank Anne Hamilton for the free copy of this book for an honest review.
I would like to thank Anne Hamilton for the free copy of this book for an honest review.
May 23, 2016
Hamilton, Anne.2016. Daystar. The Days are numbered. Wombat Books: Capalaba
When Ansey is forbidden to be a knight by his father, his heart is broken. The dwarf Candle comes to talk to him and then they go to the fair. Fern got to the fair…well she doesn’t really know how she got there, or why she is accompanied by an Owl, a Fox and a deer. They suspect she has been called to a perfect helper. At the fair Fern meets Madmerry, Ansey and also Dallan. There is a frost dragon at the fair who says he is looking for “The King who guards the gate,’ but it seems that everyone else is looking too. The frost giant picks Ansey up and runs off with him, eventually dropping him in the wild. Back at the fair, Madmerry decide they should leave at once so they all pile into the cart and drive off to meet more trouble in the hostile landscape… The characters are engaging and believable and there is a lot of underlying humour in the story. I don’t always ‘get’ fantasy, but I love this story with its twists and turns and wonderful magic. There is such a lot to take in. The introduction of the beautiful hymn ‘Be thou my vision…’ at the end of the book brings in a transcendent layer that lifts the whole story to another realm. Now I can’t wait for the next book.
When Ansey is forbidden to be a knight by his father, his heart is broken. The dwarf Candle comes to talk to him and then they go to the fair. Fern got to the fair…well she doesn’t really know how she got there, or why she is accompanied by an Owl, a Fox and a deer. They suspect she has been called to a perfect helper. At the fair Fern meets Madmerry, Ansey and also Dallan. There is a frost dragon at the fair who says he is looking for “The King who guards the gate,’ but it seems that everyone else is looking too. The frost giant picks Ansey up and runs off with him, eventually dropping him in the wild. Back at the fair, Madmerry decide they should leave at once so they all pile into the cart and drive off to meet more trouble in the hostile landscape… The characters are engaging and believable and there is a lot of underlying humour in the story. I don’t always ‘get’ fantasy, but I love this story with its twists and turns and wonderful magic. There is such a lot to take in. The introduction of the beautiful hymn ‘Be thou my vision…’ at the end of the book brings in a transcendent layer that lifts the whole story to another realm. Now I can’t wait for the next book.
February 16, 2023
It's overtly Christian (as in contains an entire hymn and a lot of moralising - when there is a choice between exciting deeds and moral angst we get to stay with the moral angst and only hear about the exciting deeds after. It's a cluttered plot with a bit too much- too much royalty: princes and lordss and kings, too many artifacts to a confusing level, too many digressions onto stuff kids wouldn't really care about like whether people were faithful to their spouse. I mean I get that it's a Christian book but mostly the subject matter is aimed at 10 year olds who might not need to waste a lof of time thinking about (in)fidelity.
I've read worse, it wasn't too offensive and did try to make some points about peace being better than war (it undermined its own argument here but I appreciate the effort). I think the author was trying to be CS Lewis which is a more ambitious thing than I think she realises. The female protagonist was a disappointing non-event.
I've read worse, it wasn't too offensive and did try to make some points about peace being better than war (it undermined its own argument here but I appreciate the effort). I think the author was trying to be CS Lewis which is a more ambitious thing than I think she realises. The female protagonist was a disappointing non-event.
January 31, 2025
I always struggle a bit with the strangeness of fantasy settings and characters, however given that context, this is still a grand adventure and a great read.
March 29, 2020
I wanted to like this book but found it really confusing. It was hard to separate the characters and know who was who. It was also hard to understand where the story was going. So disappointed that I had to stop reading.
September 1, 2016
What is it I can tell you that will make you want to read this, or run away screaming saying that is not what you like? Yes, it has the reluctant hero (in this case heroine), it has the villain who has alteriar motives, it has the princes and kings and stuff you would expect from a fantasy novel. I believe one review said it was similar to the Narnia books, which it is, if you are looking for a god-like being, and underlying Christian theosophy.
But what I want to emphasize is this book doesn't take itself all that seriously. It was actually fun reading it. Fern, the girl from our world, who ends up in the world of the Daystar, is a just an average wallflower. Ansey can hear sparrows and know what they say. He wants to be a knight. Oh, and he happens to be first in line to the throne. There are actually seven protagonists in all, but these two tell the story the most.
Here is an example of the lightness (though bits are dark) of the writing and characters. This is the fox speaking. Oh, did I mention that out of the seven protagonists that three are animals. Three are animals that talk. Three are animals that are all white. Other than that, nothing interesting about them.
Oh and there is also an evil stepmother, but as this quote says, that is it:
I didn't cry. It isn't that sort of book. I did laugh though, so that is good.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
But what I want to emphasize is this book doesn't take itself all that seriously. It was actually fun reading it. Fern, the girl from our world, who ends up in the world of the Daystar, is a just an average wallflower. Ansey can hear sparrows and know what they say. He wants to be a knight. Oh, and he happens to be first in line to the throne. There are actually seven protagonists in all, but these two tell the story the most.
Here is an example of the lightness (though bits are dark) of the writing and characters. This is the fox speaking. Oh, did I mention that out of the seven protagonists that three are animals. Three are animals that talk. Three are animals that are all white. Other than that, nothing interesting about them.
"Fortunately for my moment of destiny, he couldn't fool me."
"Hector" A gentle voice, different from the first two, spoke quietly. "We're tired of hearing about your destiny."
"You're just jealous because you don't have one, Ginevra."
Oh and there is also an evil stepmother, but as this quote says, that is it:
"A shapeshifter. A mistress of Illusion. She's a frost giant?"
"Fraid not," Candle shock his head. "No, your highness, she's just an extremely ambitious woman who, tragically, is insanely jealous of your father's continuing love for your mother and for you."
I didn't cry. It isn't that sort of book. I did laugh though, so that is good.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
May 27, 2021
Daystar was on my TBR but was thrust up the list when it became required reading for a contest assessment. Disclaimer: The author has edited a number of manuscripts for me, but I had no preconceived expectations when I began reading this middle-grade portal fantasy, other than my previous experience of enjoying other instalments of their work. Upon reading I was immediately struck by the quality of writing and the author's ability to successfully manage a large cast of characters (as is the way with fantasy), whilst developing a complex storyline and embedded patterns, without loosing pace or interest. To my delight I thoroughly enjoyed the story from start to end. With Narnia-like overtones and allegorical elements, the reader is immediately thrush into the colliding worlds of Ansey, prince of Auberon, and Fern, a young person whose life has been uncertain since her mother's disappearance. Fern has additional misery inflicted by her overbearing stepsister, while Ansey wants only to be a knight and also has step-parent/sibling issues. Further, the land is gradually folding in on itself. When Fern is transported to this other realm, she and Ansey are joined by five other children (if talking animals count - which of course they do, it's fantasy ;-) ), where they face frost giants, sages, dwarves and knights as they find themselves tied up in the search for "the King Who Guards the Gate". When danger threatens and challenges seem insurmountable, they must band together to survive - and maybe even prevent destruction of the world. Unexpectedly, they find themselves central to a Prophecy about seven protectors. Can this really be fulfilled by children? You'll have to read for yourself to find out. :)
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