What do you think?
Rate this book
The Blazing Star #1
The Blazing Star
Sixteen-year-old Portia White is used to being overlooked—after all, her twin sister Alex is a literal genius.
But when Portia holds an Egyptian scarab beetle during history class, she takes center stage in a way she never expected: she faints. Upon waking, she is stronger, faster, and braver than before. And when she accidentally touches the scarab again?
She wakes up in ancient Egypt—her sister and an unwitting freshman in tow.
Great.
Mysterious and beautiful, Egypt is more than they could have ever imagined from their days in the classroom. History comes alive as the three teens realize that getting back to the present will be the most difficult thing they’ve ever done. Stalked by vicious monsters called Scorpions, every step in the right direction means a step closer to danger.
As Portia and the girls discover that they’re linked to the past by more than just chance, they have to decide what it truly means to be yourself, to love your sister, and to find your way home.
But when Portia holds an Egyptian scarab beetle during history class, she takes center stage in a way she never expected: she faints. Upon waking, she is stronger, faster, and braver than before. And when she accidentally touches the scarab again?
She wakes up in ancient Egypt—her sister and an unwitting freshman in tow.
Great.
Mysterious and beautiful, Egypt is more than they could have ever imagined from their days in the classroom. History comes alive as the three teens realize that getting back to the present will be the most difficult thing they’ve ever done. Stalked by vicious monsters called Scorpions, every step in the right direction means a step closer to danger.
As Portia and the girls discover that they’re linked to the past by more than just chance, they have to decide what it truly means to be yourself, to love your sister, and to find your way home.
286 pages, Paperback
First published December 6, 2016
9 people are currently reading
1498 people want to read
About the author
Imani Josey
5 books65 followersImani Josey is a writer from Chicago, Illinois. In her previous life, she was a cheerleader for the Chicago Bulls and won the titles of Miss Chicago and Miss Cook County for the Miss America Organization, as well as Miss Black Illinois USA.
Her one-act play, Grace, was produced by Pegasus Players Theatre Chicago after winning the 19th Annual Young Playwrights Festival. In recent years, she has turned her sights to long-form fiction.
The Blazing Star was her debut novel; it is followed by its sequel The Falling Star.
Her one-act play, Grace, was produced by Pegasus Players Theatre Chicago after winning the 19th Annual Young Playwrights Festival. In recent years, she has turned her sights to long-form fiction.
The Blazing Star was her debut novel; it is followed by its sequel The Falling Star.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
December 4, 2016
*I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
1.5
"You’re in Egypt, Portia. Ancient Egypt."
ME: *shocked gasp* *headwall* *some more headwall* *why universe just why*
First of all, let me specify that I was able to properly read only a little more than half the book, and only skimmed through the rest. And let me also say that I thought I was going to write a long, ridiculously detailed review, but it's late, I'm tired and, after all, there's really no need for it.
•There were two things about this book that immediately caught my attention. The first one was that the mc is a poc; in other words, it promised diversity. At the end of the day, though, I didn't feel like it changed things that much, which on the one hand is good, because should that make such a difference? But I also think that, since not many young-adults feature black heroes/heroines, one maybe could want to try to make it significant one way or the other.
Anyway, this neither bothered or pleased me. It's a choice the author made, and naturally I am 100% okay with that. Plus, I had bigger problems. Like where the heck is Egypt.
•Someone please print a hundred missing person posters for me because honestly, this book could have been set in any other ancient country and in any other ancient era. In the second half there is definitely more rich on the mythology side, but still, in general I didn't feel the Egyptian vibe. At all. I was so disappointed I wanted to cry. Basically, I picked the novel up because it was supposed to tell about time travel to ancient Egypt, only to find close to no Egypt? Are you kidding me?
•To make up for the missing Egypt, the book provides a shining case of insta-love squeezed (ironically) in the last 70%. They meet at the beginning of the book, separate, meet again in the second half of the book, and basically declare their love for each other at their third meeting. Yeah right. Little problem, . Also, .
•At the beginning I was really enjoying the irony and the tone of Josey's writing in general, which is not bad at all actually and can even be engaging, but sadly it wasn't enough to keep up a whole book. Also, I couldn't connect with Portia's character. She can be snarky and interesting to follow as a mc, but most of the time she's just nagging.
•Sometimes things happen and you can't understand why or what is happening, and, generally speaking, the storytelling is just not one of the best I've ever seen (and that's part of the reason why I decided I could just skim. I wasn't invested in the story and had problems following it anyway). Random characters are introduced without an iota of an explanation as to who they are what to they want and why they are even there. The mc provides information which we have absolutely no idea where she's gathered. Plus, a lot of things are simply explained with "I just know", which is to say, not explained at all, which is kind of justified with what we come to know at the end of the book, but in the meanwhile it's frustrating nonetheless.
➽ Unfortunately, as you may have gathered by now, I can't recommend the book. (But I still totally want a good young-adult fantasy set in ancient Egypt.)
1.5
"You’re in Egypt, Portia. Ancient Egypt."
ME: *shocked gasp* *headwall* *some more headwall* *why universe just why*
First of all, let me specify that I was able to properly read only a little more than half the book, and only skimmed through the rest. And let me also say that I thought I was going to write a long, ridiculously detailed review, but it's late, I'm tired and, after all, there's really no need for it.
•There were two things about this book that immediately caught my attention. The first one was that the mc is a poc; in other words, it promised diversity. At the end of the day, though, I didn't feel like it changed things that much, which on the one hand is good, because should that make such a difference? But I also think that, since not many young-adults feature black heroes/heroines, one maybe could want to try to make it significant one way or the other.
Anyway, this neither bothered or pleased me. It's a choice the author made, and naturally I am 100% okay with that. Plus, I had bigger problems. Like where the heck is Egypt.
•Someone please print a hundred missing person posters for me because honestly, this book could have been set in any other ancient country and in any other ancient era. In the second half there is definitely more rich on the mythology side, but still, in general I didn't feel the Egyptian vibe. At all. I was so disappointed I wanted to cry. Basically, I picked the novel up because it was supposed to tell about time travel to ancient Egypt, only to find close to no Egypt? Are you kidding me?
•To make up for the missing Egypt, the book provides a shining case of insta-love squeezed (ironically) in the last 70%. They meet at the beginning of the book, separate, meet again in the second half of the book, and basically declare their love for each other at their third meeting. Yeah right. Little problem, . Also, .
•At the beginning I was really enjoying the irony and the tone of Josey's writing in general, which is not bad at all actually and can even be engaging, but sadly it wasn't enough to keep up a whole book. Also, I couldn't connect with Portia's character. She can be snarky and interesting to follow as a mc, but most of the time she's just nagging.
•Sometimes things happen and you can't understand why or what is happening, and, generally speaking, the storytelling is just not one of the best I've ever seen (and that's part of the reason why I decided I could just skim. I wasn't invested in the story and had problems following it anyway). Random characters are introduced without an iota of an explanation as to who they are what to they want and why they are even there. The mc provides information which we have absolutely no idea where she's gathered. Plus, a lot of things are simply explained with "I just know", which is to say, not explained at all, which is kind of justified with what we come to know at the end of the book, but in the meanwhile it's frustrating nonetheless.
➽ Unfortunately, as you may have gathered by now, I can't recommend the book. (But I still totally want a good young-adult fantasy set in ancient Egypt.)
October 30, 2016
A few things attracted to me to this book when I saw it go up on Net Galley (yes, I received a free copy, and no, it did not influence my review).
First of all, we have a woman-of-color heroine, and a black one to boot. In fact, this book is basically all non-white characters save maybe two or three minor ones in the beginning and I praise that heavily! I seldom run into YA books in the fantasy genre especially with so much diversity and with the leading point-of-view character being a person of color. Second of all, its plot-line is all about time-traveling back to ancient Egypt (I am, to be blunt, somewhat madly in love with ancient history) and mixes in the fantasy element with magic. Overall, this seemed like it would have a good set up and I was very eagerly hoping it would be something I could love and praise.
So, what did I think of this book? To be direct, this was actually a very good book, and for a debut I’m impressed, and with that ending (it definitely feels like a cliffhanger with a lot left to explore) I’m praying this gets a sequel or two! I loved the setting and characters; Portia was very well written and is relatable. I liked the world building, though I think at times the author relies on the reader having previous knowledge of ancient Egypt since not everything was spelled out. It took me a second to grasp some of the terms. I’ve read a few books set in ancient times that got really complex really quick once priestesses and magic and royal affairs were introduced, but as a YA this book had a balance between simple enough for the intended audience to enjoy but complex enough to keep readers interested. Overall, I think the plot was interesting and well developed.
As for the language, the author had a nice balance going; she showed that Portia, Alex, and Selene were modern girls, but still wrote things eloquently enough that readers can feel the ancient setting and get a feel for the tone of the story without being dragged down by overtly complex or wordy phrasing. There were even times when the way the author wrote sounded very poetic and beautiful.
I also want to mention that this book has a small dash of romance (which I hope very much develops more in the next book that I assume will exist because I have to know how the rest of the story unfolds) and while it’s not a book that seems to focus on romance so much as it does Portia and her role as The Star, I think it was a sweet little addition that made me smile.
I only have two small points of complaint: one is that I felt like we should have gotten some more time to explore Portia and Alex’s relationship. The author sets up a good scenario for Portia and Alex to really bear their feelings, the ones they’ve always kept hidden from each other, and to have a big emotional reconciliation or epiphany. Though I think it was necessary to not put too much focus on this because the book needed time to adequately involve the girls in this world and get the major plot of “evil people are trying to start wars and take the throne so by the goddess’s will we must stop it” in motion. If there is a sequel, I’m sure we’ll see more interaction between these two since it seems like a situation that is wrought with emotion and character development. My other complaint is that, at times, I had a little trouble following some things. There were instances where names seemed to get lost in the mix or I feel like I’d missed an explanation or something. I think the faster pacing might have been partially responsible or perhaps there just wasn’t much exposition. But regardless, these aren’t really inherent flaws I can point out as wrong or bad so much as they were just things that rose up that weren’t satisfactory for me personally.
Even though this is set in ancient Egypt, the overall tone and themes are tame, making this an appropriate read for someone younger. There’s no subject matter that would be disturbing or offensive outside of the swear words used (which weren’t very severe or frequent). I didn’t note anything that I’d consider problematic in its context, themes, or plot devices. Seal of approval in that department!
Overall, a very nice read. It was pretty quick, but nonetheless an interesting read that’s well written and enjoyable. I can’t seem to find any information that would suggest there is a sequel, but I am hopeful, and the way the book sets up so much but only resolves a few of the problems makes me think that there has to be more, and if so, I look forward to it! If not, I’ll still likely keep an eye on Imani Josey and anticipate more from her writing career in the future.
First of all, we have a woman-of-color heroine, and a black one to boot. In fact, this book is basically all non-white characters save maybe two or three minor ones in the beginning and I praise that heavily! I seldom run into YA books in the fantasy genre especially with so much diversity and with the leading point-of-view character being a person of color. Second of all, its plot-line is all about time-traveling back to ancient Egypt (I am, to be blunt, somewhat madly in love with ancient history) and mixes in the fantasy element with magic. Overall, this seemed like it would have a good set up and I was very eagerly hoping it would be something I could love and praise.
So, what did I think of this book? To be direct, this was actually a very good book, and for a debut I’m impressed, and with that ending (it definitely feels like a cliffhanger with a lot left to explore) I’m praying this gets a sequel or two! I loved the setting and characters; Portia was very well written and is relatable. I liked the world building, though I think at times the author relies on the reader having previous knowledge of ancient Egypt since not everything was spelled out. It took me a second to grasp some of the terms. I’ve read a few books set in ancient times that got really complex really quick once priestesses and magic and royal affairs were introduced, but as a YA this book had a balance between simple enough for the intended audience to enjoy but complex enough to keep readers interested. Overall, I think the plot was interesting and well developed.
As for the language, the author had a nice balance going; she showed that Portia, Alex, and Selene were modern girls, but still wrote things eloquently enough that readers can feel the ancient setting and get a feel for the tone of the story without being dragged down by overtly complex or wordy phrasing. There were even times when the way the author wrote sounded very poetic and beautiful.
I also want to mention that this book has a small dash of romance (which I hope very much develops more in the next book that I assume will exist because I have to know how the rest of the story unfolds) and while it’s not a book that seems to focus on romance so much as it does Portia and her role as The Star, I think it was a sweet little addition that made me smile.
I only have two small points of complaint: one is that I felt like we should have gotten some more time to explore Portia and Alex’s relationship. The author sets up a good scenario for Portia and Alex to really bear their feelings, the ones they’ve always kept hidden from each other, and to have a big emotional reconciliation or epiphany. Though I think it was necessary to not put too much focus on this because the book needed time to adequately involve the girls in this world and get the major plot of “evil people are trying to start wars and take the throne so by the goddess’s will we must stop it” in motion. If there is a sequel, I’m sure we’ll see more interaction between these two since it seems like a situation that is wrought with emotion and character development. My other complaint is that, at times, I had a little trouble following some things. There were instances where names seemed to get lost in the mix or I feel like I’d missed an explanation or something. I think the faster pacing might have been partially responsible or perhaps there just wasn’t much exposition. But regardless, these aren’t really inherent flaws I can point out as wrong or bad so much as they were just things that rose up that weren’t satisfactory for me personally.
Even though this is set in ancient Egypt, the overall tone and themes are tame, making this an appropriate read for someone younger. There’s no subject matter that would be disturbing or offensive outside of the swear words used (which weren’t very severe or frequent). I didn’t note anything that I’d consider problematic in its context, themes, or plot devices. Seal of approval in that department!
Overall, a very nice read. It was pretty quick, but nonetheless an interesting read that’s well written and enjoyable. I can’t seem to find any information that would suggest there is a sequel, but I am hopeful, and the way the book sets up so much but only resolves a few of the problems makes me think that there has to be more, and if so, I look forward to it! If not, I’ll still likely keep an eye on Imani Josey and anticipate more from her writing career in the future.
did-not-finish
February 18, 2017I really wanted to finish this book but I just couldn't. I've been reading it for almost 2 weeks now and have barely made it to page 40. It is just so slow and I can't force myself to finish anymore
February 7, 2017
3.5 stars
I received a free digital copy from the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Portia White has always been in the shadow of her smarter, prettier twin Alex until one day something odd happens and Portia finds herself transported to Ancient Egypt where she finds out she has the magic power of Heka. When Portia realises Alex and another girl Selene have also been transported, they must figure out what’s going on and how to get home.
I really enjoyed this and it was pleasant journey for me from going to a book about Ancient Rome (Legacy of Kings by Eleanor Herman) to one about Ancient Egypt. From the get go, i just really liked Portia and I think I really connected with her doubts in her self belief and self worth and her new struggles to connect with her twin and best friend when they suddenly want different things.
I feel like Portia had some really great character development in this book and I really saw her grow as she came into her powers and really became a leader for Alex and Selene in a way she had never been before. I didn’t really like Alex and the obsession with ‘twinning’ and I actually just wanted her to get lost most of the time (would have totally preferred her to have just stayed in the other world). I liked Portia’s older sister relationship with Selene and how they protected each other, it was lovely to read and unlike Alex, I liked Selene who also had some great character development throughout.
There were some bits abut the Heka and the Star that I think at one point went over my head so at times, I was a bit confused about what was going on but I think it might have been cause I was slightly ill when reading so my attention probably wavered a bit at that point.
I really loved Portia’s relationship with Merenptah/Seti. I thought they seemed to have a genuine chemistry and especially the second time they meet there is just so much chemistry, I was begging them to kiss!
I thought the second last chapter ended really abruptly and I would have liked it to have been wrapped up a little bit better. I am presuming there’s going to be another book coming out in this series/trilogy and will definitely be reading!
I received a free digital copy from the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Portia White has always been in the shadow of her smarter, prettier twin Alex until one day something odd happens and Portia finds herself transported to Ancient Egypt where she finds out she has the magic power of Heka. When Portia realises Alex and another girl Selene have also been transported, they must figure out what’s going on and how to get home.
I really enjoyed this and it was pleasant journey for me from going to a book about Ancient Rome (Legacy of Kings by Eleanor Herman) to one about Ancient Egypt. From the get go, i just really liked Portia and I think I really connected with her doubts in her self belief and self worth and her new struggles to connect with her twin and best friend when they suddenly want different things.
I feel like Portia had some really great character development in this book and I really saw her grow as she came into her powers and really became a leader for Alex and Selene in a way she had never been before. I didn’t really like Alex and the obsession with ‘twinning’ and I actually just wanted her to get lost most of the time (would have totally preferred her to have just stayed in the other world). I liked Portia’s older sister relationship with Selene and how they protected each other, it was lovely to read and unlike Alex, I liked Selene who also had some great character development throughout.
There were some bits abut the Heka and the Star that I think at one point went over my head so at times, I was a bit confused about what was going on but I think it might have been cause I was slightly ill when reading so my attention probably wavered a bit at that point.
I really loved Portia’s relationship with Merenptah/Seti. I thought they seemed to have a genuine chemistry and especially the second time they meet there is just so much chemistry, I was begging them to kiss!
I thought the second last chapter ended really abruptly and I would have liked it to have been wrapped up a little bit better. I am presuming there’s going to be another book coming out in this series/trilogy and will definitely be reading!
November 14, 2016
«this was gods and goddesses, myths and legends, and very old magic»
This book was filled with adventure and magic and sisterhood and I was caught up in all of it. I liked how every time Portia turned a corner in the temple, something was bound to happen. She just can't stay out of trouble that one.
Let me just say that I love prince seti so much, I NEED MORE OF HIM!! I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE SECOND BOOK BECAUSE I AM STARTING TO SHIP A PARTICULAR PAIR SO HARD AND I JUST WANT MORE ROMANCE BETWEEN THEM. That particular scene at the last chapter had my heart soaring all over the place. (I also think something might happen between Rawer and Selene, but that could be just me).
But putting romance aside, I loved the sisterhood and the conflict between the twins. I am eager to see how they'll work out their issues. Every single girl and woman in this book was amazing, I think I liked Sikara so much, and I loved the priestesses dynamic with the three girls. And other than that, I loved the plot twists, they certainly weren't something I expected.
June 2, 2017
2016 Book Awards
Runner Up: Worst Read 2016
(more information about these awards on my blog)
I received this book as an ARC from Wise Ink Creative Publishing on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book had potential to me. It held a lot of things that are exactly to my taste, such as ancient civilizations, magic and time travel.
Aaaand then there were things that I didn't like and unfortunately they outweighed the good things.
1, Predictability
I found so much of this story to be incredibly predictable. I felt like I knew exactly who was a good and a bad guy from the start, as well as who was going to live or die and who was going to fall in and out of love. And all of those predictions came true!
2, Teenage-y drama
Yeah, this might have to do with me being 25, but I just can't stand books with a lot of teenage drama/angst/whatever. Come to think of it I couldn't really stand those when I was a teenager either, so maybe it's just a thing I've never enjoyed. But if you don't mind books that fall in this category you shouldn't have a problem with this one.
3, No editor?
I know I received this as an arc, which might mean it's not the finished version and there might be mistakes, but seriously; this many mistakes? I almost wished I had this in print just so I could mark all the faults - and I don't even like marking out all of the faults to my students! I just... it is just very annoying to have both grammar mistakes, misspelled words, sentences where the words have been mixed up as well as words, sentences and even whole paragraphs repeated when you're trying to enjoy the story. And to have at least one of these things happen on every page...
I can see potential for this story, but I don't think I'll continue reading a possible sequel. Sorry.
Runner Up: Worst Read 2016
(more information about these awards on my blog)
I received this book as an ARC from Wise Ink Creative Publishing on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book had potential to me. It held a lot of things that are exactly to my taste, such as ancient civilizations, magic and time travel.
Aaaand then there were things that I didn't like and unfortunately they outweighed the good things.
1, Predictability
I found so much of this story to be incredibly predictable. I felt like I knew exactly who was a good and a bad guy from the start, as well as who was going to live or die and who was going to fall in and out of love. And all of those predictions came true!
2, Teenage-y drama
Yeah, this might have to do with me being 25, but I just can't stand books with a lot of teenage drama/angst/whatever. Come to think of it I couldn't really stand those when I was a teenager either, so maybe it's just a thing I've never enjoyed. But if you don't mind books that fall in this category you shouldn't have a problem with this one.
3, No editor?
I know I received this as an arc, which might mean it's not the finished version and there might be mistakes, but seriously; this many mistakes? I almost wished I had this in print just so I could mark all the faults - and I don't even like marking out all of the faults to my students! I just... it is just very annoying to have both grammar mistakes, misspelled words, sentences where the words have been mixed up as well as words, sentences and even whole paragraphs repeated when you're trying to enjoy the story. And to have at least one of these things happen on every page...
I can see potential for this story, but I don't think I'll continue reading a possible sequel. Sorry.
February 7, 2017
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for approving my request for a free digital copy in exchange for a review.
The Blazing Star is a strong debut, albeit, as expected, one with flaws. Nevertheless, I would venture to say that this book as "un-put-down-able."
TBS was both character and plot driven, a book that feels like a mishmash of The Mummy and the Kane Chronicles, with hints of Brandy Colbert's style at points- it may just be the Chicago setting. The dynamic of a sibling relationship is very well handled in my opinion (but to be fair I am an only child). However, the repeated use of the word "twinning" was a bit offsetting and I do hope that word doesn't appear as often in upcoming books. I liked the multiple nerd references including Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings.
The secondary characters were also very interesting but their back stories were inconsistently developed. While there is a particular character appearance in the early part of the book, the details of this are never fully explored and are instead disregarded with a "more on that later" which is not resolved before the end of TBS. One can hope that this will be handled in the sequel.. With regard to the romance, it is age appropriate and not entirely predictable, which is something I did appreciate.
I do believe that the story would have been improved through the inclusion of multiple points of view, and even a point of view on how their father is adjusting to their disappearance. Speaking of father, I could not get over Portia calling her father Rich or Richard.....just odd. Additionally, the issues of the Scorpions felt a bit clumsy and never felt adequately explained. In that regard, TBS fell short of the required world building.
Despite these drawbacks I would not hesitate to recommend This Blazing Star. One cannot go wrong with a book that has diversity, strong female characters and family dynamics.
The Blazing Star is a strong debut, albeit, as expected, one with flaws. Nevertheless, I would venture to say that this book as "un-put-down-able."
TBS was both character and plot driven, a book that feels like a mishmash of The Mummy and the Kane Chronicles, with hints of Brandy Colbert's style at points- it may just be the Chicago setting. The dynamic of a sibling relationship is very well handled in my opinion (but to be fair I am an only child). However, the repeated use of the word "twinning" was a bit offsetting and I do hope that word doesn't appear as often in upcoming books. I liked the multiple nerd references including Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings.
The secondary characters were also very interesting but their back stories were inconsistently developed. While there is a particular character appearance in the early part of the book, the details of this are never fully explored and are instead disregarded with a "more on that later" which is not resolved before the end of TBS. One can hope that this will be handled in the sequel.. With regard to the romance, it is age appropriate and not entirely predictable, which is something I did appreciate.
I do believe that the story would have been improved through the inclusion of multiple points of view, and even a point of view on how their father is adjusting to their disappearance. Speaking of father, I could not get over Portia calling her father Rich or Richard.....just odd. Additionally, the issues of the Scorpions felt a bit clumsy and never felt adequately explained. In that regard, TBS fell short of the required world building.
Despite these drawbacks I would not hesitate to recommend This Blazing Star. One cannot go wrong with a book that has diversity, strong female characters and family dynamics.
February 8, 2017
The Blazing Star is Imani Josey's debut novel and it's 1000% magical. There is so much in this novel that you'll feel blessed and loved and this is what you want in your fantasy stories. It has a biracial main character, mythology, a non-western setting (Egypt), time-traveling, sisterhood, characters of color, royalty, magic, etc. (ﾉ´ヮ´)ﾉ*: ･ﾟ
I loved, loved all the characters. There is some serious girl power in this book. The woman are fierce and powerful and beautiful and magical. Seriously, check this book out for them if you don't like the other aspects. They are the main characters of this story and they rule. The. World.
There is also a friendship that maybe will turn into romance with an Egyptian prince. This is my SHIP, THIS IS MY SHIP. They really care for each other and will always be there for one another. I'm feeling this romance , guys ~
This was gods and goddesses, myth and legends, and very old magic.
I loved, loved all the characters. There is some serious girl power in this book. The woman are fierce and powerful and beautiful and magical. Seriously, check this book out for them if you don't like the other aspects. They are the main characters of this story and they rule. The. World.
There is also a friendship that maybe will turn into romance with an Egyptian prince. This is my SHIP, THIS IS MY SHIP. They really care for each other and will always be there for one another. I'm feeling this romance , guys ~
May 11, 2017
First reaction: OMG
Read the full review here!
Read the full review here!
February 4, 2017
I received a review copy in exchange with an honest review.
Very beautiful and descriptive writing was used in this book to describe even the most mundane thoughts. You will be highlighting, like a lot. You might as well take flirting notes from the Pharaoh himself!
Portia always has to go along with whatever her twin sister does because she is a genius! Twinning is her sister's brand, but Portia is tired of being her shadow.
When they visit a museum,Portia touches a Scarab, and suddenly ends up in Ancient Egypt with her twin and a new freshman.
There, she uncovers the truth about who she really is, finds her voice, and learn about her real ancestors.
I have to start by saying " LOOK AT THAT COVER!!!" Doesn't it Diversify the fuck out of you????? An Egyptian, person of color is on it........... I am an Egyptian Person of Color!!!!
I have to say that the plot was very slow at first, that I almost lost interest to finish it. However, Portia's sassiness and non-stop "snarks" , even in the most serious occasions, never ceased to be. That kept me flipping the pages with a wide smile plastered to my face.
By 40% of the book, I was slowly, yet surely enjoying this book. I mean, with an unknown mystery, a coming of age tale, magic , and people of color everywhere, how could I resist??
I have to admit that I ended up staying up till 5 in the morning to finish the book . There was just so much to uncover, and also romance stuff were finally connecting!!!!
Overall, I highly recommend this book. Yes, it was a bit too slow at first, but it is definitely worth it.
I give it 4/5 stars
Very beautiful and descriptive writing was used in this book to describe even the most mundane thoughts. You will be highlighting, like a lot. You might as well take flirting notes from the Pharaoh himself!
Portia always has to go along with whatever her twin sister does because she is a genius! Twinning is her sister's brand, but Portia is tired of being her shadow.
When they visit a museum,Portia touches a Scarab, and suddenly ends up in Ancient Egypt with her twin and a new freshman.
There, she uncovers the truth about who she really is, finds her voice, and learn about her real ancestors.
I have to start by saying " LOOK AT THAT COVER!!!" Doesn't it Diversify the fuck out of you????? An Egyptian, person of color is on it........... I am an Egyptian Person of Color!!!!
I have to say that the plot was very slow at first, that I almost lost interest to finish it. However, Portia's sassiness and non-stop "snarks" , even in the most serious occasions, never ceased to be. That kept me flipping the pages with a wide smile plastered to my face.
By 40% of the book, I was slowly, yet surely enjoying this book. I mean, with an unknown mystery, a coming of age tale, magic , and people of color everywhere, how could I resist??
I have to admit that I ended up staying up till 5 in the morning to finish the book . There was just so much to uncover, and also romance stuff were finally connecting!!!!
Overall, I highly recommend this book. Yes, it was a bit too slow at first, but it is definitely worth it.
I give it 4/5 stars
arcs-to-review
December 8, 2016 I love science-fictions and even more when it include time-travelling, so this book is just made for me. :P Plus the synopsis sounds SO good. Can't wait to read it.
January 21, 2017
there were a few things that made me not like this book as much as I feel I could but it is, nevertheless, a pretty good read.
the time traveling aspect and the egyptian setting totally sold me on this one. although I think the world building could be a little more developed (somethings aren't as clear as I wanted, even if I could still follow the story at all times), I found the images created by Josey so clear. I wasn't in my mind, I was there. the representation seems very respectful but I'm only a baby egyptian civilisation lover. I just wanted to understand the dynamics of the magic and the conflict a bit better.
my absolute favourite thing about this book were the characters. they're mainly women (and of colour) and I loved them all. they're so different and so particular, I just wanted to be with them all all the time. unfortunately the ending was too abrupt and strange but I hope the next book will make it worth it!
full review here: https://catshelf.wordpress.com/2017/0...
the time traveling aspect and the egyptian setting totally sold me on this one. although I think the world building could be a little more developed (somethings aren't as clear as I wanted, even if I could still follow the story at all times), I found the images created by Josey so clear. I wasn't in my mind, I was there. the representation seems very respectful but I'm only a baby egyptian civilisation lover. I just wanted to understand the dynamics of the magic and the conflict a bit better.
my absolute favourite thing about this book were the characters. they're mainly women (and of colour) and I loved them all. they're so different and so particular, I just wanted to be with them all all the time. unfortunately the ending was too abrupt and strange but I hope the next book will make it worth it!
full review here: https://catshelf.wordpress.com/2017/0...
September 3, 2018
Review also posted on Samodivas
I received a free advanced copy from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It’s very rare (at least for me) that after falling in love with a cover, I’d fall in love with the book’s insides as well. It’s either that I end up hating the book, despite the cover, or just enjoying it. When I first saw The Blazing Star’s cover, I was a goner. I mean, you have a beautiful girl (Can we talk about the importance of having a smiling girl of colour on a book cover? Because !!!!!!) and a beautiful graphic design at once. Can you blame me? Then I read the premise and I knew that I had to read this book, asap. Everything about The Blazing Star spoke of promise.
The story starts with Portia, her twin sister, Alex, and a freshman named Selene, who are taken back to Ancient Egypt after Portia touches a museum artifact. They now have to learn to navigate this land that is as foreign to them as they are to it, all the while searching for a way to get back home. But soon the girls learn that there’s a lot more than meets the eye, and their presence in Pharaoh’s Egypt is not quite so accidental as they had initially thought.
It took me a while to finish this book, due to my massive (and now year-long) book slump. I tried to pick it up multiple times over the course of three months, but I put it back down when I saw that it just wasn’t happening. I didn’t want the book to suffer because of my lack of desire for reading. But it’s a new year, as cliché as it sounds, and I’ve decided to sit on my ass and get myself back into books. With that determination, I finally finished The Blazing Star! And boy, am I glad that I did!
Imani Josey is, pun intended, an actual blazing star. Her writing is definitely something I’ll be coming back to, it hooked me right in. Portia’s voice is just as relatable as you’d expect from a high-schooler. Her narrative is light, but at the same time you can definitely tell you’re reading historical fantasy. I did, however, have some issue with the pacing, which felt a bit too rushed at times, and a little dragging at others. Combined with my still recovering, it made the story a little harder to follow at certain parts, because there’s quite a bit of information to take in. But I got so invested in the book that, by the end, these issues took a backseat.
I love all the characters that appear. The main ones, the secondary ones, the ones that appear for about a page or two, I love them all. They were honestly so great to read about. Especially the girls. Each one had something unique and entirely her own to bring to the table. I often wondered which one of them I related to most, but, honestly, I relate to a little bit of each. Portia, and how she’s been constantly overshadowed by her sister. Alex, with her difficulty of accepting change. Selene, with how her little insecurities. Tuya, with her sense of duty and doing what’s right by her people. I enjoyed the rest of them, and found the antagonist a really well-written one, but it’s these girls that shone the brightest. (I did like Prince Seti quite a bit, too. *wink wink* Whenever him and Portia were in a scene together, they had me screeching in delight.)
Honestly, I really do not know what to say about this book other than the fact that I really enjoyed it. Despite its little imperfections, The Blazing Star is an amazing debut and a really promising start of (what’s hopefully going to be) a series. For me, this wasn’t just another mediocre read with a spectacular cover. The inside was just as incredible as the outside! There’s a million other thoughts I’d like to share, but my scattered brain won’t allow me, so just trust me when I say that The Blazing Star is definitely worth the read.
February 10, 2017
This was gods and goddesses, myths and legends, and very old magic
It was this quote, the cover and the promise of diversity that got my attention!! But they led me quite wrong, unfortunately.
I feel that all the main characters (Portia, Alex, and Selene) could have been better used, to be honest.
Full review here .
It was this quote, the cover and the promise of diversity that got my attention!! But they led me quite wrong, unfortunately.
I feel that all the main characters (Portia, Alex, and Selene) could have been better used, to be honest.
Full review here .
December 2, 2016
This review was originally posted at https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com/
I received an e-ARC of this book from Wise Ink Creative Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Critically
Plot – 3 out of 5 stars
I was really looking forward to reading this book but I was confusing most of the time while I was reading. It involves time travel, mystery and action. However, the book felt too long, like it dragged and it was kind of boring at times when things slowed down. The story was very elaborate with a lot of different elements, though one in particular (the romance) felt unnecessary. Honestly, I think this was a great idea but there was too much going on for me to enjoy myself while reading.
Writing Style – 3 out of 5 stars
The writing style is very descriptive, but it almost feels like too much sometimes. It’s detailed and packed full of information, so much so that it was overwhelming and intense and made it difficult to be sucked into the story. It was really confusing and drawn out and it really took away from my enjoyment of the book.
Characters – 3 out of 5 stars
I’m still not really sure how I feel about the characters. I appreciate how the entire cast is made up of people of color. It’s realistic and it’s definitely something needed in Young Adult literature right now. However, I liked some of them, hated others and was even confused about some too. Portia is our main character and narrator. She’s a twin which I found really interesting and unique, though she’s currently struggling with what that means for her individual identity. She’s really headstrong and strong in general. However, I feel like she has a low self-esteem and she’s very hurt in this moment that we get to know her. She’s caring and kind to those around her but I still wanted more from her. I don’t know what specifically but I feel like I didn’t get to know her personality as much as I wanted to. I also felt like with the characters in general, they adjusted too quickly to their surroundings which made the progression of the story feel a bit unrealistic. Also, I have to say that there were way too many side characters. It got very confused with all the different names which were culture and period specific (which is perfect but hard to remember) and I felt like I couldn’t get to know them well because as soon as I felt like I had them all down, more would come. Like I said above, Portia is a twin and unfortunately, I feel like that dynamic was not explored enough. The sisters spend most of the time apart and since I wanted to see how the twin bond was going to be for them, that was really disappointed.
Emotionally
I received an e-ARC of this book from Wise Ink Creative Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Critically
Plot – 3 out of 5 stars
I was really looking forward to reading this book but I was confusing most of the time while I was reading. It involves time travel, mystery and action. However, the book felt too long, like it dragged and it was kind of boring at times when things slowed down. The story was very elaborate with a lot of different elements, though one in particular (the romance) felt unnecessary. Honestly, I think this was a great idea but there was too much going on for me to enjoy myself while reading.
Writing Style – 3 out of 5 stars
The writing style is very descriptive, but it almost feels like too much sometimes. It’s detailed and packed full of information, so much so that it was overwhelming and intense and made it difficult to be sucked into the story. It was really confusing and drawn out and it really took away from my enjoyment of the book.
Characters – 3 out of 5 stars
I’m still not really sure how I feel about the characters. I appreciate how the entire cast is made up of people of color. It’s realistic and it’s definitely something needed in Young Adult literature right now. However, I liked some of them, hated others and was even confused about some too. Portia is our main character and narrator. She’s a twin which I found really interesting and unique, though she’s currently struggling with what that means for her individual identity. She’s really headstrong and strong in general. However, I feel like she has a low self-esteem and she’s very hurt in this moment that we get to know her. She’s caring and kind to those around her but I still wanted more from her. I don’t know what specifically but I feel like I didn’t get to know her personality as much as I wanted to. I also felt like with the characters in general, they adjusted too quickly to their surroundings which made the progression of the story feel a bit unrealistic. Also, I have to say that there were way too many side characters. It got very confused with all the different names which were culture and period specific (which is perfect but hard to remember) and I felt like I couldn’t get to know them well because as soon as I felt like I had them all down, more would come. Like I said above, Portia is a twin and unfortunately, I feel like that dynamic was not explored enough. The sisters spend most of the time apart and since I wanted to see how the twin bond was going to be for them, that was really disappointed.
Emotionally
February 5, 2017
Boricuan Bookworms- Book Reviews
Starting out The Blazing Star, I wasn’t really sure what I was expecting. This book is basically about a girl who's in a time that's not her own and that discovers some things that'll change her life. It has time travel and fantasy, and while it has some structural issues, I think it’s worth a read.
This book is immensely character driven. Portia is the leading lady and she definitely knew how to capture your attention. She starts off insecure but quickly turns into a self-assured and strong leading lady. Portia knew to make difficult decisions to protect the ones she loved, which is drastically different from who she was at the beginning of the story. I love how the author wrote Portia’s voice. You could really feel she was a teenager, as well as feel her anxieties and fears.
In fact, the author's writing is pretty good. She made each character's voice different, which made it all around easier to recognize who's who. For Portia, her voice was more modern-sounding, which means that it included more slang and sarcasm, meanwhile for the Egyptians, you see how much more "formal" their speech was. Also, the writing made it easy to keep passing the pages, because it didn't feel like it was bogging you down with useless info.
Another thing I really liked about this book was the fact that it was so diverse. First of all, the cover features Portia, a woman of color with natural hair. And, since it takes place in Ancient Egypt, all of the characters are black. In fact I think every single character in this book was a character of color. Not to mention, the book had several women of color in positions of power or just being generally badass.
The romance here was short but very sweet. It doesn’t overpower the plot; in fact, it only appears near the end of the story. It was a bit predictable, and I thought it developed just a little bit too fast, but I’m willing to overlook it just because it was so adorable.
The problem with this book is the fact that its pacing is so slow. It feels like nothing’s happening for 30 to 40% of the book. Another thing that I wish would have been better was the world-building, for even though it was set in Ancient Egypt, I didn’t really feel there, even though I know there was a lot of research made based on the different cultural aspects that were integrated in the novel. I’m hoping this is something the author will address is the next book.
All in all, I think had this book been longer, and been a little bit more fleshed out in terms of world-building and pacing, it would’ve been a solid 5 stars. I still really enjoyed this book despite its flaws, and can’t wait to see what else Imani Josey has in store.
A review copy was provided by the publisher via Netgalley.
My Amazon Review.
"You’re in Egypt, Portia. Ancient Egypt."
Starting out The Blazing Star, I wasn’t really sure what I was expecting. This book is basically about a girl who's in a time that's not her own and that discovers some things that'll change her life. It has time travel and fantasy, and while it has some structural issues, I think it’s worth a read.
This book is immensely character driven. Portia is the leading lady and she definitely knew how to capture your attention. She starts off insecure but quickly turns into a self-assured and strong leading lady. Portia knew to make difficult decisions to protect the ones she loved, which is drastically different from who she was at the beginning of the story. I love how the author wrote Portia’s voice. You could really feel she was a teenager, as well as feel her anxieties and fears.
In fact, the author's writing is pretty good. She made each character's voice different, which made it all around easier to recognize who's who. For Portia, her voice was more modern-sounding, which means that it included more slang and sarcasm, meanwhile for the Egyptians, you see how much more "formal" their speech was. Also, the writing made it easy to keep passing the pages, because it didn't feel like it was bogging you down with useless info.
Another thing I really liked about this book was the fact that it was so diverse. First of all, the cover features Portia, a woman of color with natural hair. And, since it takes place in Ancient Egypt, all of the characters are black. In fact I think every single character in this book was a character of color. Not to mention, the book had several women of color in positions of power or just being generally badass.
The romance here was short but very sweet. It doesn’t overpower the plot; in fact, it only appears near the end of the story. It was a bit predictable, and I thought it developed just a little bit too fast, but I’m willing to overlook it just because it was so adorable.
The problem with this book is the fact that its pacing is so slow. It feels like nothing’s happening for 30 to 40% of the book. Another thing that I wish would have been better was the world-building, for even though it was set in Ancient Egypt, I didn’t really feel there, even though I know there was a lot of research made based on the different cultural aspects that were integrated in the novel. I’m hoping this is something the author will address is the next book.
All in all, I think had this book been longer, and been a little bit more fleshed out in terms of world-building and pacing, it would’ve been a solid 5 stars. I still really enjoyed this book despite its flaws, and can’t wait to see what else Imani Josey has in store.
A review copy was provided by the publisher via Netgalley.
My Amazon Review.
November 20, 2016
The premise of this story is everything I want in a YA book. Strong female protagonists. Characters of color are the majority of the cast. Disabilities are addressed and not treated as handicaps. Family and friendship relationships more importance than romance. Magical realism. Historical fiction. Action. Flaws. Mythology. Adventures. And yet… nothing really clicked for me.
The first half of the book sets us up well. We learn a lot about Alex and Portia's relationship. But we are also introduced to a lot of mystery. Who is this cat? Why did it appear? Why did they travel to Egypt? Why does Selene even matter? What is really going on with Alex and Portia's relationship? So many questions-- I assumed everything was foreshadowing. I was excited to get some answers, just as Portia was. But the pacing felt off; nothing had happened yet. Suddenly, I had reached 50% and I felt like we hadn't left the exposition yet, I was starting to be concerned…
Things started to disintegrate quickly one the Hyksos princess was introduced. We had more and more characters jumping in the storyline with each passing chapter. Instead of building relationships and developing the characters we had, we just added more. I felt like none of the characters grew in this book. They all served their purpose to move the plot forward, and that's it.
In fact, that plot didn't really move forward. Thanks to all the new characters, things quickly became convoluted. I felt like I was always out of the loop and I wasn't quite grasping the reasons characters were taking actions. I didn't know them well enough as individuals to figure out if these actions were plot points or superfluous details. With the little I know about the culture of ancient Egypt, that was very opaque to me. As details began to fly in, I started to space out a bit more as I read. I honestly don't know if the last third of the book was confusing because I wasn't paying close enough attention or if it was just poor writing.
There is a lot of potential in Josey's writing. I love the relationships she is attempting to cultivate. I want to know more about Portia and Alex and Selene. I want to understand why they are in Egypt and why it matters. I want to know more about this magic and the political intrigue which was alluded to. I know that debut books, particularly when they are the first in a series, can be a challenge for me as a reader.
I am not giving up on Josey yet. I love the premise, I just feel like execution was off for The Blazing Star. I have a feeling I will really love her future works, and I will definitely keep an eye out for more from her.
The first half of the book sets us up well. We learn a lot about Alex and Portia's relationship. But we are also introduced to a lot of mystery. Who is this cat? Why did it appear? Why did they travel to Egypt? Why does Selene even matter? What is really going on with Alex and Portia's relationship? So many questions-- I assumed everything was foreshadowing. I was excited to get some answers, just as Portia was. But the pacing felt off; nothing had happened yet. Suddenly, I had reached 50% and I felt like we hadn't left the exposition yet, I was starting to be concerned…
Things started to disintegrate quickly one the Hyksos princess was introduced. We had more and more characters jumping in the storyline with each passing chapter. Instead of building relationships and developing the characters we had, we just added more. I felt like none of the characters grew in this book. They all served their purpose to move the plot forward, and that's it.
In fact, that plot didn't really move forward. Thanks to all the new characters, things quickly became convoluted. I felt like I was always out of the loop and I wasn't quite grasping the reasons characters were taking actions. I didn't know them well enough as individuals to figure out if these actions were plot points or superfluous details. With the little I know about the culture of ancient Egypt, that was very opaque to me. As details began to fly in, I started to space out a bit more as I read. I honestly don't know if the last third of the book was confusing because I wasn't paying close enough attention or if it was just poor writing.
There is a lot of potential in Josey's writing. I love the relationships she is attempting to cultivate. I want to know more about Portia and Alex and Selene. I want to understand why they are in Egypt and why it matters. I want to know more about this magic and the political intrigue which was alluded to. I know that debut books, particularly when they are the first in a series, can be a challenge for me as a reader.
I am not giving up on Josey yet. I love the premise, I just feel like execution was off for The Blazing Star. I have a feeling I will really love her future works, and I will definitely keep an eye out for more from her.
November 30, 2016
3.8 stars
I received this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. A big thank you to the publisher for accepting my request.
When I saw this on NetGalley I was instantly drawn to it. Time travel and ancient Egypt?? (I may or may not have an obsession with egyptian mythology). I expected a lot and thankfully it did not disappoint. The Blazing Star was full of action, kick ass ladies and the most heart warming romance. What do I forget? Oh right MAGIC.
Firstly, before I dive into the review I would like to give this book a shoutout. Not only does it have a vast kick ass female cast, it also has very good poc representation. To be honest this is the first book I've read with a black main and I didn't know how much I needed books like these in my life until I read one.
So, the plot. The plot was captivating and overall very very intriguing.
Magic abilities? Check.
Ancient Egyptians? Check.
Monsters? Check.
Female friendship? Check.
THE CUTEST ROMANCE? DOUBLE CHECK.
Really I don't want to say much for fear of spoiling it, I believe it is better going into this one not knowing much, trust me.
The writing style appealed to high school me a lot. Josey managed to capture the way teenagers speak, act and think. I especially liked how, when Portia was in ancient Egypt, she kept using the vocabulary from the modern world, which often bought confusion to everyone around her.
Let me just quickly say that I LOVED PORTIA as a character. She was funny and sarcastic, thought before she acted (most of the time), had common sense (for a 17 year old) and she was overall awesome. I also LOVED Sikara and to be honest every female presented. They were all unique and amazing.
I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE SEQUEL!!
Be sure to grab a copy of The Blazing Star which comes out December 6.
I received this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. A big thank you to the publisher for accepting my request.
When I saw this on NetGalley I was instantly drawn to it. Time travel and ancient Egypt?? (I may or may not have an obsession with egyptian mythology). I expected a lot and thankfully it did not disappoint. The Blazing Star was full of action, kick ass ladies and the most heart warming romance. What do I forget? Oh right MAGIC.
Firstly, before I dive into the review I would like to give this book a shoutout. Not only does it have a vast kick ass female cast, it also has very good poc representation. To be honest this is the first book I've read with a black main and I didn't know how much I needed books like these in my life until I read one.
So, the plot. The plot was captivating and overall very very intriguing.
Magic abilities? Check.
Ancient Egyptians? Check.
Monsters? Check.
Female friendship? Check.
THE CUTEST ROMANCE? DOUBLE CHECK.
Really I don't want to say much for fear of spoiling it, I believe it is better going into this one not knowing much, trust me.
The writing style appealed to high school me a lot. Josey managed to capture the way teenagers speak, act and think. I especially liked how, when Portia was in ancient Egypt, she kept using the vocabulary from the modern world, which often bought confusion to everyone around her.
Let me just quickly say that I LOVED PORTIA as a character. She was funny and sarcastic, thought before she acted (most of the time), had common sense (for a 17 year old) and she was overall awesome. I also LOVED Sikara and to be honest every female presented. They were all unique and amazing.
I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE SEQUEL!!
Be sure to grab a copy of The Blazing Star which comes out December 6.
February 7, 2017
**I received a free ebook from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.**
The first thing that struck me about this book was the cover. No, seriously, look at that cover. Isn't it beautiful? I am also 100% here for a book that has Black girls cast in all the major roles. I really thought this was going to be one of those 'wow' books for me.
But it wasn't.
There were 3 things that made this book difficult for me to finish.
1. I could not connect with Portia. At all. I love snarky characters but Portia felt very flat to me.
2. It's set in Egypt but, honestly, it could have been set anywhere. I was expecting more of an Egyptian feel to the setting and the characters but nah. This literally could have taken place in Arizona. Lack of details.
3. The plot was so boring to me. I'm not sure if it was just because it took SO LONG for something to happen but I set this book down several times. I clearly remember looking down at my Kindle and realizing I was 55% in and absolutely nothing had happened.
I think it goes without saying that I wouldn't recommend this book.
The first thing that struck me about this book was the cover. No, seriously, look at that cover. Isn't it beautiful? I am also 100% here for a book that has Black girls cast in all the major roles. I really thought this was going to be one of those 'wow' books for me.
But it wasn't.
There were 3 things that made this book difficult for me to finish.
1. I could not connect with Portia. At all. I love snarky characters but Portia felt very flat to me.
2. It's set in Egypt but, honestly, it could have been set anywhere. I was expecting more of an Egyptian feel to the setting and the characters but nah. This literally could have taken place in Arizona. Lack of details.
3. The plot was so boring to me. I'm not sure if it was just because it took SO LONG for something to happen but I set this book down several times. I clearly remember looking down at my Kindle and realizing I was 55% in and absolutely nothing had happened.
I think it goes without saying that I wouldn't recommend this book.
May 16, 2017
The thing that drew me to this book was a black girl on the front cover. Let me repeat that:
A BLACK GIRL ON THE FRONT COVER
. I saw it and just said to myself "about bloody time." The cover design is absolutely beautiful and I genuinely can't get enough of it and look at the typography! Look how amazing it is! Another thing that drew me to this book is that it's set in Egypt. This is the first young adult book that I have ever read that is set there, and I couldn't wait to get sucked in.
Sixteen-year-old Portia White is used to being overlooked—after all, her twin sister Alex is a literal genius.
But when Portia holds an Egyptian scarab beetle during history class, she takes centre stage in a way she never expected: she faints. Upon waking, she is stronger, faster, and braver than before. And when she accidentally touches the scarab again?
She wakes up in ancient Egypt—her sister and an unwitting freshman in tow.
Mysterious and beautiful, Egypt is more than they could have ever imagined from their days in the classroom. History comes alive as the three teens realise that getting back to the present will be the most difficult thing they’ve ever done. Stalked by vicious monsters called Scorpions, every step in the right direction means a step closer to danger.The first 30/40 pages of this book were quite slow and
The first 30/40 pages of this book were quite slow and almost made me give up on it. But then I realised that I can't really judge a book by the first 30 pages and anyway, I'm here to review the entirety of the book, not just a little bit of it. So I carried on, and I'm so glad that I did. Ancient Egypt sounds amazing. I love how Josey portrayed this time in history and how she was so good at the cultural appropriation. She described the clothing that they wore, the Gods that they believed in, and the superstitions that surrounded the Egyptians of that time.
I could relate to Portia in so many ways. Even though I am not a twin, I know what it feels like to live in someone's shadow and constantly compare your achievements to someone else's, so Alex tended to really annoy me. It was no fault of her own, she wasn't annoying on purpose, I just felt what Portia felt. But when they got sent to Ancient Egypt, that's when Alex actually started to annoy me because of her actions. She was desperate to get back home and I understand that I really do, but you're in ANCIENT EGYPT! TAKE IT ALL IN! LIVE IT! BREATHE IT! Because how many times can one experience that type of history first hand? She was lucky to be able to partake in the Egyptian lifestyle and she just seemed so ungrateful of everything that the High Priestess did for her.
I think I just loved the magic of it all. It just felt like I was there with Portia experiencing this magnificent world. For a debut novel, Josey wrote with such beauty. There was such gorgeous imagery of Egypt and the temples in which the characters lived. I just think that the descriptions were absolutely breathtaking, it's almost like I travelled down the River of Time!
There is a little bit of romance in this book, but not enough for me to add this book into the romance category. This book focused on how Portia's character developed on her own and not how she kept comparing herself to her twin. We follow Portia in her fight for survival, knowledge and acceptance within the Egyptian society and I absolutely loved her friendships with some of the characters.
I need for there to be a sequel. That ending just demanded to carry on and be developed and I really hope that Josey decides to write one (or two!) more books because that would just be brilliant!
Overall, this is a book that centres around a lot of female characters trying to do good in the world. The Blazing Star is everything that I would want a book set in Ancient Egypt to be, and even though the beginning was quite slow, I am so glad that I carried on reading as this turned out to be a fantastic book!
Disclaimer: this book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Sixteen-year-old Portia White is used to being overlooked—after all, her twin sister Alex is a literal genius.
But when Portia holds an Egyptian scarab beetle during history class, she takes centre stage in a way she never expected: she faints. Upon waking, she is stronger, faster, and braver than before. And when she accidentally touches the scarab again?
She wakes up in ancient Egypt—her sister and an unwitting freshman in tow.
Mysterious and beautiful, Egypt is more than they could have ever imagined from their days in the classroom. History comes alive as the three teens realise that getting back to the present will be the most difficult thing they’ve ever done. Stalked by vicious monsters called Scorpions, every step in the right direction means a step closer to danger.The first 30/40 pages of this book were quite slow and
The first 30/40 pages of this book were quite slow and almost made me give up on it. But then I realised that I can't really judge a book by the first 30 pages and anyway, I'm here to review the entirety of the book, not just a little bit of it. So I carried on, and I'm so glad that I did. Ancient Egypt sounds amazing. I love how Josey portrayed this time in history and how she was so good at the cultural appropriation. She described the clothing that they wore, the Gods that they believed in, and the superstitions that surrounded the Egyptians of that time.
I could relate to Portia in so many ways. Even though I am not a twin, I know what it feels like to live in someone's shadow and constantly compare your achievements to someone else's, so Alex tended to really annoy me. It was no fault of her own, she wasn't annoying on purpose, I just felt what Portia felt. But when they got sent to Ancient Egypt, that's when Alex actually started to annoy me because of her actions. She was desperate to get back home and I understand that I really do, but you're in ANCIENT EGYPT! TAKE IT ALL IN! LIVE IT! BREATHE IT! Because how many times can one experience that type of history first hand? She was lucky to be able to partake in the Egyptian lifestyle and she just seemed so ungrateful of everything that the High Priestess did for her.
“You have kept me from a dishonourable death," he said. "It would be my honour to do the same for you."
I smiled at the odd compliment.
"Look!" he said. "I have cured her sour disposition. My debt is almost repaid.”
― Imani Josey, The Blazing Star
I think I just loved the magic of it all. It just felt like I was there with Portia experiencing this magnificent world. For a debut novel, Josey wrote with such beauty. There was such gorgeous imagery of Egypt and the temples in which the characters lived. I just think that the descriptions were absolutely breathtaking, it's almost like I travelled down the River of Time!
There is a little bit of romance in this book, but not enough for me to add this book into the romance category. This book focused on how Portia's character developed on her own and not how she kept comparing herself to her twin. We follow Portia in her fight for survival, knowledge and acceptance within the Egyptian society and I absolutely loved her friendships with some of the characters.
I need for there to be a sequel. That ending just demanded to carry on and be developed and I really hope that Josey decides to write one (or two!) more books because that would just be brilliant!
Overall, this is a book that centres around a lot of female characters trying to do good in the world. The Blazing Star is everything that I would want a book set in Ancient Egypt to be, and even though the beginning was quite slow, I am so glad that I carried on reading as this turned out to be a fantastic book!
Disclaimer: this book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
February 6, 2017
I received this free from the author via NetGalley
Portia has been living in her twin sister’s shadow her entire life because her twin sister is a genius and Portia has been standing behind Alex in support her entire life. But when Portia comes into contact with an ancient Egyptian scarab, she is pushed into the limelight for the first time in her entire life – she is transported to Ancient Egypt. Now Portia is in Ancient Egypt with her sister and a freshman, and a new magical ability she’s never had before. They find out they are tied to the past, and to each other, in more ways than they ever realised and now they have to decide what is truly important.
The Blazing Star was a well-researched and enjoyable book. The Blazing Star is definitely a breath of fresh air in YA – it is an original story with a unique setting so it is one I’d would recommend for those looking for a historical time travelling fantasy with a diverse setting. The setting was atmospheric and one of the best aspect of The Blazing Star – the myth, culture, and religion was really interesting and rich.
However, the reason it got a lower rating was largely due to its very sluggish pace. The second half picked up a little bit. I also felt like characterisation was lacking compared to the world building. Portia herself had some decent character growth, I felt like the secondary character were not as well developed. The same can be said for the relationships. Being a twin myself I was looking forward to Alex and Portia’s relationship but it did not really resonate with me. Portia’s relationship with Meremptah also suffered from insta-love, but it was actually cute and they had a good chemistry but I am glad it wasn’t at the forefront of the story. There was a lot of girls supporting girls, so that was also a positive.
Overall, an original and diverse read with a rich and atmospheric setting – would definitely recommend.
Portia has been living in her twin sister’s shadow her entire life because her twin sister is a genius and Portia has been standing behind Alex in support her entire life. But when Portia comes into contact with an ancient Egyptian scarab, she is pushed into the limelight for the first time in her entire life – she is transported to Ancient Egypt. Now Portia is in Ancient Egypt with her sister and a freshman, and a new magical ability she’s never had before. They find out they are tied to the past, and to each other, in more ways than they ever realised and now they have to decide what is truly important.
The Blazing Star was a well-researched and enjoyable book. The Blazing Star is definitely a breath of fresh air in YA – it is an original story with a unique setting so it is one I’d would recommend for those looking for a historical time travelling fantasy with a diverse setting. The setting was atmospheric and one of the best aspect of The Blazing Star – the myth, culture, and religion was really interesting and rich.
However, the reason it got a lower rating was largely due to its very sluggish pace. The second half picked up a little bit. I also felt like characterisation was lacking compared to the world building. Portia herself had some decent character growth, I felt like the secondary character were not as well developed. The same can be said for the relationships. Being a twin myself I was looking forward to Alex and Portia’s relationship but it did not really resonate with me. Portia’s relationship with Meremptah also suffered from insta-love, but it was actually cute and they had a good chemistry but I am glad it wasn’t at the forefront of the story. There was a lot of girls supporting girls, so that was also a positive.
Overall, an original and diverse read with a rich and atmospheric setting – would definitely recommend.
January 24, 2018
I won this book in a Twitter giveaway & was so excited to receive it! Time travel, twin sisters & Egypt?! Oh and a stunning cover! I enjoyed the main character, Portia and her journey throughout the story. I liked how the story was focused on strong female characters and family. I especially loved the ancient Egyptian setting. There was even a touch of romance that felt appropriate to the story. The secondary characters were interesting as well and I hope they're explored more in the next book.
I thought it was a little strange how we're not told how Portia and Alex's father is doing back in Chicago? I also didn't like how Portia referred to her father as Richard...it just didn't sit well with me. I'm hoping we get more information/explanation on Dad in book two. Also hoping for more backstory on the Scorpions. I feel like that could have been explored a bit further.
I liked the pace of the book and the plot twists. Overall I really enjoyed it! Definitely looking forward to book two.
I thought it was a little strange how we're not told how Portia and Alex's father is doing back in Chicago? I also didn't like how Portia referred to her father as Richard...it just didn't sit well with me. I'm hoping we get more information/explanation on Dad in book two. Also hoping for more backstory on the Scorpions. I feel like that could have been explored a bit further.
I liked the pace of the book and the plot twists. Overall I really enjoyed it! Definitely looking forward to book two.
August 14, 2017
I'm very sad that I didn't love this book.
Don't get me wrong I liked this for many reasons:
1. The characters felt very real and flawed but at the same time very lovable Especially Portia who was very interesting
2. The sister relationship
Portia and Alex's relationship was very well executed although sometimes I felt like we didn't get much from them ( and felt like Portia was very harsh on her sister)
3. Great book about Mythology and history
The idea was unique and very well researched and even if a person had 0 knowledge of Egyptian mythology would enjoy the book.
But this being said I feel like there were many points that weakened the book in my opinion:
1. The plot was very slow
I felt like there was nothing happening until 55% of the book which really throws me off and I debated dnfing it until then (But honestly I'm glad that I did continue because after that it was amazing)
2. Got really confusing sometimes
I sometimes felt like there were so many side characters that I got confused and didn't know who is who or what was happening most of the time.
I think if the first half was faster I'd have given this book 4 stars But all of this being said I see that good potential for the sequel to be action packed and I probably will read it.
Don't get me wrong I liked this for many reasons:
1. The characters felt very real and flawed but at the same time very lovable Especially Portia who was very interesting
2. The sister relationship
Portia and Alex's relationship was very well executed although sometimes I felt like we didn't get much from them ( and felt like Portia was very harsh on her sister)
3. Great book about Mythology and history
The idea was unique and very well researched and even if a person had 0 knowledge of Egyptian mythology would enjoy the book.
But this being said I feel like there were many points that weakened the book in my opinion:
1. The plot was very slow
I felt like there was nothing happening until 55% of the book which really throws me off and I debated dnfing it until then (But honestly I'm glad that I did continue because after that it was amazing)
2. Got really confusing sometimes
I sometimes felt like there were so many side characters that I got confused and didn't know who is who or what was happening most of the time.
I think if the first half was faster I'd have given this book 4 stars But all of this being said I see that good potential for the sequel to be action packed and I probably will read it.
December 5, 2016
An Electronic Advance Reader Copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review. Quotes have been pulled from an e-ARC and may be subject to change.
I really enjoyed how this book started because it felt like such a contemporary novel at first. Then all of a sudden it switches and the characters are transported into another time and place. And one of my favourite places to boot..Ancient Egypt. The writing was full of action with great characters who just needed that extra push. Through out the entire novel, I was throughly rooting for Portia. The writing flows impressively with all the magical wonder of Egypt.
The main characters are superb with well-rounded personalities, each of them distinct. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Portia and her main love interest. It was so refreshing to read a novel where chemistry is good and not cheesy or over-the-top romantic. I also love how the relationship between the two sisters were strained enough to keep them friends and be as competitive as rivals. My favourite part was the world building, having set in the past and then adding all the magic? It moved rather well. I didn't really think the killer scorpions were too scary, I would have been more interested in humans being possessed by an unseen dark force, but they added a nice visual detail to my imagination. The main aspect that drew me to this novel? That beautiful gorgeous diverse cover. I love seeing a POC on the cover, and I will do what it takes to read more diverse reads and this one was a great one to start with.
Overall, this was a wonderful diverse novel that had me turning the pages, and wishing for my own source of magic to appear mid-air.
RATING 3/5
QUOTES
"I’d always wanted to be a special snowflake, especially once I discovered I had a genius for a twin."
"Neither of you like the truth when you hear it."
"People don’t expect me to fail. People don’t expect me to do anything at all."
You’ll travel your own path, but you’re never alone.
I really enjoyed how this book started because it felt like such a contemporary novel at first. Then all of a sudden it switches and the characters are transported into another time and place. And one of my favourite places to boot..Ancient Egypt. The writing was full of action with great characters who just needed that extra push. Through out the entire novel, I was throughly rooting for Portia. The writing flows impressively with all the magical wonder of Egypt.
The main characters are superb with well-rounded personalities, each of them distinct. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Portia and her main love interest. It was so refreshing to read a novel where chemistry is good and not cheesy or over-the-top romantic. I also love how the relationship between the two sisters were strained enough to keep them friends and be as competitive as rivals. My favourite part was the world building, having set in the past and then adding all the magic? It moved rather well. I didn't really think the killer scorpions were too scary, I would have been more interested in humans being possessed by an unseen dark force, but they added a nice visual detail to my imagination. The main aspect that drew me to this novel? That beautiful gorgeous diverse cover. I love seeing a POC on the cover, and I will do what it takes to read more diverse reads and this one was a great one to start with.
Overall, this was a wonderful diverse novel that had me turning the pages, and wishing for my own source of magic to appear mid-air.
RATING 3/5
QUOTES
"I’d always wanted to be a special snowflake, especially once I discovered I had a genius for a twin."
"Neither of you like the truth when you hear it."
"People don’t expect me to fail. People don’t expect me to do anything at all."
You’ll travel your own path, but you’re never alone.
January 15, 2019
Galley provided by publisher
Rep: African-American mcs, Egyptian characters and setting
If I'm honest, this book dragged a bit too much for me. It took a good two thirds of the whole thing to actually get to the part where there was any action, and I need to be hooked on pretty much the first page to fully like a book. So as it was I was a little disappointed.
Basically the slowness of the plot was the biggest issue I had with this book. It was also a pretty complex plot and I got lost on that a couple of times, which is also not going to help with my enjoyment.
Then there was the fact that Portia seemed to have more chemistry with Selene and Tuya than any of the male characters. But of course . The instalove with Seti is pretty stifling too. I know that loads more time passes in the book than appears, but even knowing that doesn't help that it seems they meet and he's immediately suggesting marriage. It's like their relationship hasn't developed at the same rate that time has passed, meaning it seems all the more like instalove.
There was also when the author kept referring to Selene as "the freshman" when she could easily have used her name. Or a pronoun. Because referring to someone by a noun, once they have a name, makes for awkward writing. Or at least it does for me.
Rep: African-American mcs, Egyptian characters and setting
If I'm honest, this book dragged a bit too much for me. It took a good two thirds of the whole thing to actually get to the part where there was any action, and I need to be hooked on pretty much the first page to fully like a book. So as it was I was a little disappointed.
Basically the slowness of the plot was the biggest issue I had with this book. It was also a pretty complex plot and I got lost on that a couple of times, which is also not going to help with my enjoyment.
Then there was the fact that Portia seemed to have more chemistry with Selene and Tuya than any of the male characters. But of course . The instalove with Seti is pretty stifling too. I know that loads more time passes in the book than appears, but even knowing that doesn't help that it seems they meet and he's immediately suggesting marriage. It's like their relationship hasn't developed at the same rate that time has passed, meaning it seems all the more like instalove.
There was also when the author kept referring to Selene as "the freshman" when she could easily have used her name. Or a pronoun. Because referring to someone by a noun, once they have a name, makes for awkward writing. Or at least it does for me.
Read
February 6, 2017I just can't anymore guys. I was getting to the point where I couldn't enjoy anything and was hunting for things to further my dislike. I never want to get to that point with a book. At 52%, I can say this book was not right for me.
First of all, I don't feel like anything was happening. I have the feeling that maybe the plot was about to pick up but I just don't care anymore. I was expecting so many grand things from a book set in Egypt with a full POC cast. However, even that disappointed me. Honestly, if you changed the names, this book could have taken place in any ancient civilization.
Josey didn't do a very good job of describing or explaining things. She would use the word "dress" or "skirt" four or five times and then randomly switch to using the Egyptian term for it without explaining that a shendyt was what she had previously been referring to as a skirt. This ARC was also very unedited. There were so many repeated words, grammar mistakes, and sentence fragments that did not form coherent thoughts. The editor really needed to read through this once more.
I always said that I wouldn't DNF review books, but I'm also not going to put myself into a reading slump over this.
*I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
*As I am choosing not to finish this book, I will not give it a star rating.
First of all, I don't feel like anything was happening. I have the feeling that maybe the plot was about to pick up but I just don't care anymore. I was expecting so many grand things from a book set in Egypt with a full POC cast. However, even that disappointed me. Honestly, if you changed the names, this book could have taken place in any ancient civilization.
Josey didn't do a very good job of describing or explaining things. She would use the word "dress" or "skirt" four or five times and then randomly switch to using the Egyptian term for it without explaining that a shendyt was what she had previously been referring to as a skirt. This ARC was also very unedited. There were so many repeated words, grammar mistakes, and sentence fragments that did not form coherent thoughts. The editor really needed to read through this once more.
I always said that I wouldn't DNF review books, but I'm also not going to put myself into a reading slump over this.
*I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
*As I am choosing not to finish this book, I will not give it a star rating.
dnf
January 17, 2017DNF at 30%. I'm bummed that I had to put this down because I was really looking forward to reading this- it was actually one of my most anticipated reads on my Netgalley shelf. I enjoyed the beginning, and I think Josey's a talented writer because she evokes empathy for her characters, and much of her descriptions (the some that are there) are vibrant. But the world-building was lackluster and haphazard. When Portia travels back to ancient Egypt, we're introduced to a flurry of characters all at once, none of whom are given the developed introductions they need. The new characters also took over the narrative and we didn't get to see the setting at all - perhaps the problem is rectified further in the book, but at the 30% mark, everything was so scattered and disjointed that I couldn't continue. Perhaps I'll give it another go some time in the future, but as of right now, it's going in the DNF shelf. :(
June 29, 2017
I was captivated by the stunning world building in The Blazing Star. The ancient Egyptian setting was my favorite part of this story and it just leant itself so perfectly to the mysterious and beautiful magic system that Imani Josey created.
Portia made for a fantastic main character, who I truly enjoyed rooting for throughout the story. It was a pleasure seeing her journey unfold and the personal growth that her character underwent. There were a few just fabulous female characters in this story, including Portia, all of whom were a pleasure to read.
The execution of the time travel elements of the story did strain my suspension of disbelief just a bit. This book would probably have been a five-star read for me if it had just been a fantasy novel set in ancient Egypt, because that part of the book was absolutely engrossing, original, and so well-written. The modern-day segments of the story were fine on their own as well, but the combination of the two didn't work for me for some reason. With the way the book ended though, I'm hoping the worlds will blend more in the second book and feel more cohesive.
The plot has a wonderful pace to it, despite the disjointed feel of the separate time periods, and it had some phenomenal twists that I didn't expect. I will most certainly be picking up the second book!
Portia made for a fantastic main character, who I truly enjoyed rooting for throughout the story. It was a pleasure seeing her journey unfold and the personal growth that her character underwent. There were a few just fabulous female characters in this story, including Portia, all of whom were a pleasure to read.
The execution of the time travel elements of the story did strain my suspension of disbelief just a bit. This book would probably have been a five-star read for me if it had just been a fantasy novel set in ancient Egypt, because that part of the book was absolutely engrossing, original, and so well-written. The modern-day segments of the story were fine on their own as well, but the combination of the two didn't work for me for some reason. With the way the book ended though, I'm hoping the worlds will blend more in the second book and feel more cohesive.
The plot has a wonderful pace to it, despite the disjointed feel of the separate time periods, and it had some phenomenal twists that I didn't expect. I will most certainly be picking up the second book!
January 31, 2019
This review was originally posted on OhBookish
Actual rating 1.5 stars
Firstly, can we just appreciate how stunning that cover is? It’s the single reason I wanted to read the book in the first place, if I’m being honest.
The Blazing Star follows sixteen year-old Portia when she’s transported back to Ancient Egypt along with her twin sister, Alex, and Selene, an unwitting freshman, when she touches an ancient scarab during a history trip. In the midst of trying to find a way back home the three teens must avoid deadly monsters known as scorpions and try to uncover why they were sent back in the first place.
I’m going to be blunt; I did not like this book. If it wasn’t my inability to leave books half-read I probably would’ve DNFed this. Whilst I started off enjoying it, everything went down-hill once they’d been sent back to Ancient Egypt. There was little to no world-building, information and characters were being thrown at us in large chunks, which left me disoriented. Even after finishing the book I still don’t understand the magic system or what the deal with the scorpions is.
For approximately 60% of this book absolutely nothing is happening, which made getting through it unbearably slow. As the trio are split up when they’re first sent back, I expected the plot to pick up when they’re finally reunited but it’s completely lackluster.
There’s also a case of insta-love. Whilst I liked Prince Seti as a character, his romance with Portia made no sense to me. Their affection for one another comes out of nowhere. During their first meeting there’s not even an inkling of a blooming romance between the two so I was very confused when they were suddenly in love.
This doesn’t mean that this book has no redeemable qualities, so I do want to quickly mention some of the things I did like. I really enjoyed the fact that not only was the cast of characters made up of people of colour but almost all of our main characters were strong females. The writing, for the most part, was good and I appreciated the fact that Portia spoke distinctively different to the Ancient Egyptians. Too often in time-travel books author’s will make the characters speak like those native to the place they’ve traveled to which is unrealistic since our language has evolved over the centuries. I also found the modern comparisons Portia would make to what was going on in Egypt funny.
I’m not too sure if Josey is planning a sequel, the ending definitely hints at the possibility to one and there are so many unresolved questions that I think there needs to be one. Despite seeing potential in this book (series?) I don’t think I’d continue on unless there’s a drastic improvement with pacing and plot.
Actual rating 1.5 stars
Firstly, can we just appreciate how stunning that cover is? It’s the single reason I wanted to read the book in the first place, if I’m being honest.
The Blazing Star follows sixteen year-old Portia when she’s transported back to Ancient Egypt along with her twin sister, Alex, and Selene, an unwitting freshman, when she touches an ancient scarab during a history trip. In the midst of trying to find a way back home the three teens must avoid deadly monsters known as scorpions and try to uncover why they were sent back in the first place.
I’m going to be blunt; I did not like this book. If it wasn’t my inability to leave books half-read I probably would’ve DNFed this. Whilst I started off enjoying it, everything went down-hill once they’d been sent back to Ancient Egypt. There was little to no world-building, information and characters were being thrown at us in large chunks, which left me disoriented. Even after finishing the book I still don’t understand the magic system or what the deal with the scorpions is.
For approximately 60% of this book absolutely nothing is happening, which made getting through it unbearably slow. As the trio are split up when they’re first sent back, I expected the plot to pick up when they’re finally reunited but it’s completely lackluster.
There’s also a case of insta-love. Whilst I liked Prince Seti as a character, his romance with Portia made no sense to me. Their affection for one another comes out of nowhere. During their first meeting there’s not even an inkling of a blooming romance between the two so I was very confused when they were suddenly in love.
This doesn’t mean that this book has no redeemable qualities, so I do want to quickly mention some of the things I did like. I really enjoyed the fact that not only was the cast of characters made up of people of colour but almost all of our main characters were strong females. The writing, for the most part, was good and I appreciated the fact that Portia spoke distinctively different to the Ancient Egyptians. Too often in time-travel books author’s will make the characters speak like those native to the place they’ve traveled to which is unrealistic since our language has evolved over the centuries. I also found the modern comparisons Portia would make to what was going on in Egypt funny.
I’m not too sure if Josey is planning a sequel, the ending definitely hints at the possibility to one and there are so many unresolved questions that I think there needs to be one. Despite seeing potential in this book (series?) I don’t think I’d continue on unless there’s a drastic improvement with pacing and plot.
December 31, 2017
Check out my blog for more reviews and bookish posts!
The Blazing Star combines time traveling and Ancient Egypt. I thought this was a fascinating premise. It’s an #ownvoices book.
Portia, the overlooked twin, time travels to Ancient Egypt with two other people and tries to get back in to her time. She discovers her links to Egypt and that she is being stalked by scorpions.
The Good
The world-building was well-written. The descriptions of Ancient Egypt and the temples were super. The story was very slow in describing heka (magic). Thus, I had the feeling I was learning about it at the same pace as Portia. The passages about the different hair styles were beautiful.
The ending scene was amazing. I thought that it was constructed really well, and it left the reader wanting to know more.
The Bad
Portia’s twin has glasses. Cue me being interested in finding out how she copes without having glasses in Ancient Egypt. What happens when the MC asks her why she doesn’t have glasses anymore – turns out she doesn’t need them in Ancient Egypt. How fascinating, poor eyesight can be solved by time traveling. Seriously though, I thought this was going to be an interesting storyline and I found this very disappointing.
Portia didn’t question much about Ancient Egypt. She seemed to know everything right away, and this was rather confusing. How did she not need to question certain things about her surroundings? Why did she just know the names of the seasons?
I didn’t enjoy the writing at all. The phrases were very over-the-top and flowery. Some examples: “hoisted me up like a princess bride (or pirate wench)” , “help a cup whose contents smelled like liquid veganism” (what does this even mean?), “She’d also changed into a jade sheath to become an Ancient Egyptian Tinkerbell” .
There was an insta-love storyline and I didn’t really understand how they fell in love, seeing as they barely knew or saw each other.
I don’t like the cover that much. Portia looks too confident and sure of herself, and this is not how I think she is at all. Also, the person on the cover looks a lot older than a highschooler.
All in all
I really wanted to like this book, and as I mentioned there were some things that I did like about it. However, all in all, it just wasn’t that captivating and the writing wasn’t for me at all. I was very disappointed in the handling of the glasses issue. I won’t be reading the next book.
The Blazing Star combines time traveling and Ancient Egypt. I thought this was a fascinating premise. It’s an #ownvoices book.
Portia, the overlooked twin, time travels to Ancient Egypt with two other people and tries to get back in to her time. She discovers her links to Egypt and that she is being stalked by scorpions.
The Good
The world-building was well-written. The descriptions of Ancient Egypt and the temples were super. The story was very slow in describing heka (magic). Thus, I had the feeling I was learning about it at the same pace as Portia. The passages about the different hair styles were beautiful.
The ending scene was amazing. I thought that it was constructed really well, and it left the reader wanting to know more.
The Bad
Portia’s twin has glasses. Cue me being interested in finding out how she copes without having glasses in Ancient Egypt. What happens when the MC asks her why she doesn’t have glasses anymore – turns out she doesn’t need them in Ancient Egypt. How fascinating, poor eyesight can be solved by time traveling. Seriously though, I thought this was going to be an interesting storyline and I found this very disappointing.
Portia didn’t question much about Ancient Egypt. She seemed to know everything right away, and this was rather confusing. How did she not need to question certain things about her surroundings? Why did she just know the names of the seasons?
I didn’t enjoy the writing at all. The phrases were very over-the-top and flowery. Some examples: “hoisted me up like a princess bride (or pirate wench)” , “help a cup whose contents smelled like liquid veganism” (what does this even mean?), “She’d also changed into a jade sheath to become an Ancient Egyptian Tinkerbell” .
There was an insta-love storyline and I didn’t really understand how they fell in love, seeing as they barely knew or saw each other.
I don’t like the cover that much. Portia looks too confident and sure of herself, and this is not how I think she is at all. Also, the person on the cover looks a lot older than a highschooler.
All in all
I really wanted to like this book, and as I mentioned there were some things that I did like about it. However, all in all, it just wasn’t that captivating and the writing wasn’t for me at all. I was very disappointed in the handling of the glasses issue. I won’t be reading the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews