Star Thief

by Robin Kristoff

“A gift to the worthy” is what one witch calls it, but fifteen-year-old Nolan Newman would have to disagree. A jar filled with stars and dying planets is a poor reward for saving a woman from drowning. When the rescued woman asked what he wanted, Nolan never meant his answer of "the moon and the stars" to be taken literally. He just meant that the sea life he’d started fell far short of his dreams for heroic adventure. But now Nolan’s words have stopped the tides, the night sky is dark, panicked mobs are stoning witches in the street, and he’s carrying the life and death balance for millions of people in a jar tucked under his spare shirt. If Nolan can’t find a way to get the universe back the way it was soon, the jar’s spell will kill every world trapped inside of it.

No, Nolan doesn’t think he has a gift, and he’s not feeling too “worthy” either.

Determined to save the people trapped in the jar before time runs out, Nolan races north to the Dawn Caves, where legends say that he’ll receive any one wish–if he lives that long. When Nolan meets Tylan and Kris, a brother and sister from one of Nolan’s captive worlds, he reluctantly decides that they’d be safer with him than on their own. Together the three journey north while struggling to hide Kris’s magical powers amidst the anti-magic religious fervor now sweeping Nolan’s world.

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 3, 2017

Reviews

[Pamela Loring · Rating 5 out of 5]

From its opening pages, where young Nolan toils alongside his father in a stable and dreams of traveling the world, to the moment when he saves a "young woman" from drowning, I was captivated. This magical adventure written by debut novelist, Robin Kristoff, is a coming-of-age story set in a world that will transport you. When the stars fall from the sky, Nolan's journey takes him to the seas, distant lands, and finally beyond, to forbidding dark mountains from which no one has been known to ever return. Nolan and the smart and powerful young girl, Kris, are fully fleshed characters who aren't perfect, but they learn and grow and will surprise and inspire you -- you'll root for them every step of the way. Original, imaginative and beautifully written, this coming-of-age adventure is a thoroughly satisfying read, and you'll be left wanting more. A masterful storyteller whose writing will resonate with readers of all ages, Kristoff is a world-builder extraordinaire and a writer at the top of her craft. Hopefully, fingers crossed, she has many more novels to write, because after you read Star Thief, you'll be wanting more. What a beautiful book to curl up with, and read alone or with your family. Was so pleased to get an Advance Reader's Copy. Absolutely five star!

[cindy ost · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring

I just couldn't get into it. It doesn't grab my attention in the first couple of chapters I really won't finish it. Nothing to do with actual plot. Just didn't catch and keep my interest.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, engaging and a lot of fun. Highly recommend this talented new author.

[Emily Xaviere · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read for anyone who has ever wanted to do something heroic. A book for grade-school kids and adults alike. I quickly connected with Nolan’s desire to make a mark on the world and his frustrations when life seems too ordinary. I cannot decide if Nolan’s story is a cautionary tale, even though his “adventure” doesn’t live up to his expectations.

I really enjoyed the well-imagined places and colorful characters Nolan meets along his journey. If one place or group of characters doesn’t grab you, the next one will. The characters are all well-developed, and feel real even when their appearance in the story is brief. They sometimes affect Nolan’s story long after he meets them.

I hugely appreciate that this book is enjoyable as an adventure story, but there’s also thematic depth readers can explore if they want to. People in Nolan’s world are conflicted about the roles of magic, religion, and women in their world. Nolan and his companions explore self-worth and self-control. And what love really means. Although all these topics are currently very relevant, they never get in the way of just enjoying the story. Books with this kind of depth are always my favorites to reread. I look forward to rereading STAR THIEF!

[Brenda C. Crook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

I finished reading last night this coming of age book in a unique storyline. The concept was fascinating and I am glad that I read it. Good story!