A Star Appears

by Addison Dixon

Sixteen-year-old Riley has never had the confidence to stand up to the school bullies—until one of them harasses his friend Caroline. But his act of courageous defiance causes a mysterious black star to appear at the corner of his eye, setting in motion a series of events that will change his life forever.

The star marks Riley as the third star bearer in a prophesy that spans hundreds of years. Thrust into the otherworld of Leíso, he must defeat Iradocc, a demolic who’s intent on spreading Dark Magic through Leíso and the Human World . . . and who is determined to see Riley dead.

The first two star bearers failed. Now, only Riley can stop Iradocc before it’s too late. If he doesn’t, the Dark Magic will permeate both worlds, and everyone will die. But can Riley overcome his fears and believe in himself enough to save the world and those he loves?

A Star Appears is the first book in The Star & Cicatrix Legacy series, a magical and enchanting fantasy about family, friendship, loyalty, and courage.

256 pages, Unknown Binding

Published March 22, 2023

About the author

Addison Dixon is an avid reader who enjoys archery, gaming. and traveling.

Below are the links to Addison's Instagram and Facebook pages.

https://tinyurl.com/AddisonDInstgram

https://tinyurl.com/AddisonDFacebook

Reviews

[C.E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Star Appears" by Addison Dixon is a fun read! It's a classic tale of good vs. evil set in a cool, unique world, and it gave me Wrinkle in Time, Narnia, and LotR vibes.

Riley is a solid protagonist and I identified with him a lot. His reactions were believable, and the side characters he encounters were awesome. Each had a fascinating backstory, stood out on their own, and played a role in the events of the book. While I did feel like Riley didn't grow much, he was so relatable that this hardly bothered me.

The villain in this book was a pleasant surprise. I thought he’d be the stereotypical, distant dark lord, but Dixon threw in a few twists that made him unique! The worldbuilding was awesome too, and some of the places/peoples were so intriguing that I can't wait to learn more about them! (Haedian and the mizzers, anyone?) I also liked the idea of the star and how it was incorporated into Riley’s struggles.

In short, "A Star Appears" is fun, well-edited, flows nicely, and has a refreshingly unpredictable plot. My only complaint with it was that some parts felt very cliché. There is a wise old mentor character who often shows up just in the nick of time, stereotypical bullies, a laughing villain, etc. However, these elements didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story. 4.5 out of 5! I'm looking forward to Dixon's next installment. :)

[M.H. Elrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harry Potter meets Portal Fantasy in this fun, clean YA Fantasy.
I really liked this book! It was fun and action-packed. I find Riley to be a very relatable main character, and I loved following his journey from cowardice to courage. It was fun getting to know the world over the course of the story. She made a unique race called a mizers and then took a different view of vampires, all in the medieval fantasy setting. I also liked the idea of how each person had a special mark that designated what they could do. The author was great at building suspense and having plot twists, keeping me flipping the pages until the very end. For those who don't like cliffhangers, there is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end which will make you want book 2 (I know I do!). Overall, this is a very good book for teenagers who are looking for fantasy, adventure, and friendship in their novels.
For those who are sensitive to magic or spells, there is quite a bit of both of those things. There is also a ghost, which could be offensive to some. Finally, this book was very much geared for teenagers, and even though adults could enjoy this book (as I have), I think a teen would much more enjoy it.

*I was a beta reader for this novel, and I really enjoyed her updated version! My thoughts and opinions of this book are my own, however!

[Kendra Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young Adult Fantasy is a genre that I began reading a few years ago, when my boys got interested in it. A Star Appears by Addison Dixon is the latest in this genre that I have read. It is Book 1 in The Star & Cicatrix Legacy series.

I have to say I really didn't get into the book until the Second Chapter. The storyline started slow, but then picked up and I started to get interested in the book. The main character in this book is 16 year old Riley. Riley has always been one that keeps to himself and never has had a lot of courage. That changes the day he see his friend Caroline getting bullied at School. He immediately stands up to the Bullies and from that point he has changes in his life. A Star appears in the corner of his eye. He finds himself fighting for his life and fighting against demons in the fantasy world. I really LOVE that he finds courage when most of his life he was very timid and shy. The book is filled with Twists and Turns, the characters were very interesting. The books is really strong on Fantasy and Adventure, and is geared towards teens. I HIGHLY recommend this to Teens and those who LOVE Fantasy, Dark Worlds and more. GOOD BOOK!

[Christi · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is something magical about picking up a fantasy novel, particularly a young adult fantasy. There is an air of innocence that permeates the narrative that always gives me the warm fuzzies and takes me back to simpler times.

A Star Appears is one young man’s journey, and I like that the focus is on bravery, finding your true self and potential, and fighting the good fight. I actually enjoyed the beginning of the story and the whole setting of the stage the most. The imagery is wonderful as we go on this incredible journey with Riley as we see him find his full potential and bravery in the best way possible.

I never could quite get lost in the narrative as much as I’d hoped, most likely due to the fact that I am not necessarily the target audience, but I do believe this is perfect for readers of all ages. The fantasy world is imaginative, and I think this is a wonderful start to a new, adventurous series.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.

[Kelly-Ann ~ Sassy Bookish Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a new middle grade/ YA book for your fantasy loving kid then this would be a great option. I found the characters to be relatable especially Riley. Following his journey and growth throughout the story was neat to experience. For me the best part of a fantasy book is seeing out how an author will create a world that is non existent with settings that have to captivate you and enthrall you to keep those pages turning and to imagine yourself in the setting. I mean that is a big challenge for new authors to do especially when you have CS Lewis, Tolkien and Rowling as the masters of fantasy but I must say that Ms. Dixon did a great job. She made a unique race that made you look at vampires in a different light and I truly could picture the setting in my mind with her descriptions.

Overall I enjoyed this story and if you are looking for a new fantasy book that has suspense, adventure and friendships this is a great one to add to your lists.

I received a copy of this book for review. All views expressed are my own.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have two teenage sons, so I love finding fantasy books with male leads. This is a fun YA fantasy with interesting characters. It is a quick and enjoyable one day read. There were a few little hiccups that took me out of the story, but I wanted to keep reading and enjoyed the progression of the plot line. It was fast paced and suspenseful with a couple of well placed surprises. I think it would be enjoyed by pre-teen and early teen readers. I only have a e-copy, but if I had a book, I would pass it down to my youngest to see if he would be interested (he currently prefers physical copies).

I did recieve an ARC of this book. All thoughts shared above are my own honest opinions.