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Like Falling Stars
A new fairy tale in which friendship is the truest love of all.
Prince Nicolas rules the winter of the Northern Realm with a frosty attitude that chills all who look upon him, until the day a warm human woman enters his life unannounced. Lost and without memories to find her way home, Ann finds herself sharing the ice palace with the prickly prince. However, her visit has a time limit written into faerie law, and a deadly consequence should Nicolas allow her to stay beyond it.
All Ann wanted was to find her way home; all Nicolas wanted was to be left alone. Though circumstance brings them together, a shared longing to be seen and understood soon ties them to each other, and it is that bond which will decide their fates.
Prince Nicolas rules the winter of the Northern Realm with a frosty attitude that chills all who look upon him, until the day a warm human woman enters his life unannounced. Lost and without memories to find her way home, Ann finds herself sharing the ice palace with the prickly prince. However, her visit has a time limit written into faerie law, and a deadly consequence should Nicolas allow her to stay beyond it.
All Ann wanted was to find her way home; all Nicolas wanted was to be left alone. Though circumstance brings them together, a shared longing to be seen and understood soon ties them to each other, and it is that bond which will decide their fates.
- GenresFantasy
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 27, 2022
2 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 13, 2019
This was a charming, magical introduction to the secret world (and hierarchy) of fairy royalty. It follows Ann, a strange human who wakes up in the forest with no memories of her past, and Nicholas, an aloof and distant fairy prince, ruler of the winter season and all things cold. Their paths converge by luck (or is it fate?), and they learn to help and care for each other as the story progresses.
Overall I loved this book. It was light and enjoyable, the writing was clean with excellent grammar (this is something I always pay attention to!), and the story was well-crafted with clever twists and turns.
The characters were fun and well fleshed out. Ann was the most compelling, and I enjoyed watching her slowly uncover secrets of her mysterious past. At first I thought we were in for a romance as she slowly melts the heart of the icy Nicholas, but most of Ann’s segments are devoted to her finding out who she used to be. Though the romance is subtle, we still see plenty of relationship development as she struggles to find her family and Nicholas struggles to fix the mistakes of his past – and work on plans for Yule and the future.
I did feel act III was a little rushed compared with the rest of the book, and I would have liked to see certain storylines come to a more definitive conclusion. There were a few loose ends that I wish had been tied up – mostly with secondary characters – but I’ll wait for future books in the series to find out more. I was also left with some questions regarding fairy laws and society (mostly in terms of their relationships and interactions with humans, or human-ish creatures), but these questions were pretty minor, and they didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story.
Highly recommended for fans of lighter-fare fantasy, YA, fairy tales, and magical creatures.
Overall I loved this book. It was light and enjoyable, the writing was clean with excellent grammar (this is something I always pay attention to!), and the story was well-crafted with clever twists and turns.
The characters were fun and well fleshed out. Ann was the most compelling, and I enjoyed watching her slowly uncover secrets of her mysterious past. At first I thought we were in for a romance as she slowly melts the heart of the icy Nicholas, but most of Ann’s segments are devoted to her finding out who she used to be. Though the romance is subtle, we still see plenty of relationship development as she struggles to find her family and Nicholas struggles to fix the mistakes of his past – and work on plans for Yule and the future.
I did feel act III was a little rushed compared with the rest of the book, and I would have liked to see certain storylines come to a more definitive conclusion. There were a few loose ends that I wish had been tied up – mostly with secondary characters – but I’ll wait for future books in the series to find out more. I was also left with some questions regarding fairy laws and society (mostly in terms of their relationships and interactions with humans, or human-ish creatures), but these questions were pretty minor, and they didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story.
Highly recommended for fans of lighter-fare fantasy, YA, fairy tales, and magical creatures.
July 18, 2017
As a child, I was never an avid reader of fairytales, so at first, I wasn’t sure how much I’d enjoy one as an adult. The verdict? Like Falling Stars made me wish I could go back to childhood and do it all over again, that I–like one of our main protagonists in the novel, Ann–could pick up every fairytale on the shelf of my local library, and then add this one to the mix.
In reading Like Falling Stars, I was transported to another world, not only because from the very first page we were introduced to fairies, royalty, magical woods, and all creatures of fantasy and mystery, but because the whimsical narrative tone was the perfect call back to the classics. In reading this novel, I was reminded of being seven years old and listening to my father read The Chronicles of Narnia out loud each night, reminded of the excitement I’d feel then, and how excited I’d be to go to bed just because it meant I got another chapter in my life. Like Falling Stars shared that same sense of fantasy and that take control, trustworthy tone that made me sure from page one that I was in good hands.
But this story isn’t just for children. Filled to the brim with mystery, magic, and mayhem, Like Falling Stars is that sort of ‘safe for kids, but fun for adults’ crossover that will make any reader happy. The story opens with prince Nicolas, a frost fairy in charge of winter and–excuse the pun– his chilly attitude during the change of seasons from Summer to Autumn. Winter is in the near future, and Prince Nicolas is already gearing up for the preparations. Meanwhile, not too far away, an amnesiac wakes up alone in the forest, knowing nothing but her own name: Ann. If Nicolas is the brains of the story–calculating, nervous, careful–then Ann is the heart, as warm and loving as she is reckless. This unlikely duo contrast and complete each other in every way, making every moment they’re on the page together a funny, heart warming, and thoroughly entertaining adventure. Their relationship is forbidden–a human and a faerie crossing paths–but this only makes you want it more.
But Like Falling Stars has no forced romance, and this is perhaps one of its best features. While reading, I was entranced by the magic and the whimsical tale, was made to feel like a kid again, and while I’m as much of a sucker for a good will-they-won’t-they love story as the next reader, a sudden heated scene would have felt out of place in such a story. Like Falling Stars reminds us that love isn’t just a kiss in the rain or loud declarations of undying affection; it is not expressed only in physical intimacy but in the little things people do for one another. It’s friendship–and the efforts we have to go to to maintain our friendships–it’s understanding, forgiveness, and empathy. It’s about feeling at home in someone else’s company. Sometimes its the simplest things that make it the most complicated.
Sometimes beautiful, sometimes eerie, something tense, Like Falling Stars is a book that always kept me guessing, but that was the best part about it. Avalon Roselin’s writing is superb, with each level of this story’s mystery carefully planned. The way it all unfolds is expertly done, and I was intrigued through the last word.
It’s safe to say I now consider myself a fairytale fan, and I look forward to the next wild ride Roselin has in store.
In reading Like Falling Stars, I was transported to another world, not only because from the very first page we were introduced to fairies, royalty, magical woods, and all creatures of fantasy and mystery, but because the whimsical narrative tone was the perfect call back to the classics. In reading this novel, I was reminded of being seven years old and listening to my father read The Chronicles of Narnia out loud each night, reminded of the excitement I’d feel then, and how excited I’d be to go to bed just because it meant I got another chapter in my life. Like Falling Stars shared that same sense of fantasy and that take control, trustworthy tone that made me sure from page one that I was in good hands.
But this story isn’t just for children. Filled to the brim with mystery, magic, and mayhem, Like Falling Stars is that sort of ‘safe for kids, but fun for adults’ crossover that will make any reader happy. The story opens with prince Nicolas, a frost fairy in charge of winter and–excuse the pun– his chilly attitude during the change of seasons from Summer to Autumn. Winter is in the near future, and Prince Nicolas is already gearing up for the preparations. Meanwhile, not too far away, an amnesiac wakes up alone in the forest, knowing nothing but her own name: Ann. If Nicolas is the brains of the story–calculating, nervous, careful–then Ann is the heart, as warm and loving as she is reckless. This unlikely duo contrast and complete each other in every way, making every moment they’re on the page together a funny, heart warming, and thoroughly entertaining adventure. Their relationship is forbidden–a human and a faerie crossing paths–but this only makes you want it more.
But Like Falling Stars has no forced romance, and this is perhaps one of its best features. While reading, I was entranced by the magic and the whimsical tale, was made to feel like a kid again, and while I’m as much of a sucker for a good will-they-won’t-they love story as the next reader, a sudden heated scene would have felt out of place in such a story. Like Falling Stars reminds us that love isn’t just a kiss in the rain or loud declarations of undying affection; it is not expressed only in physical intimacy but in the little things people do for one another. It’s friendship–and the efforts we have to go to to maintain our friendships–it’s understanding, forgiveness, and empathy. It’s about feeling at home in someone else’s company. Sometimes its the simplest things that make it the most complicated.
Sometimes beautiful, sometimes eerie, something tense, Like Falling Stars is a book that always kept me guessing, but that was the best part about it. Avalon Roselin’s writing is superb, with each level of this story’s mystery carefully planned. The way it all unfolds is expertly done, and I was intrigued through the last word.
It’s safe to say I now consider myself a fairytale fan, and I look forward to the next wild ride Roselin has in store.
August 1, 2019
This is a really cute story, especially for reading during the autumn and early winter months! At first I thought it was for younger readers because of the artwork inside the book as well as the style and the fairytale aspects, but I guess it's more for slightly older readers or general audiences? As in, maybe elementary school is a bit too young for some of the darker subjects in the book, but it depends on the reader.
So, I'm going to go by list format to force myself to be more succinct, but here's more specific details about what I thought of it:
The Good Stuff:
- The characters are all really interesting, and I liked how they played off of each other, even the side characters. I especially liked the contrast between Ann and Nicholas since they kind of fill in for each other's weak spots. Ann is especially endearing, though she sometimes made me feel like I'd suddenly turned into a worried mom who wanted to tell her to "Be home before dark and would you please take this lunch I made for you before you go out?" every time I opened the book.
- There was definitely a contemporary fairytale vibe to the story but without making it "darker and edgier", which I appreciated since there seem to be too many fairytale retellings that really vamp up the blood and gore and nothing else. Instead, and perhaps influenced by Ann's presence, there was overall this innocent aspect to it, as in something I could comfortably read as a bedtime story without a fear of nightmares.
- I liked the seasonal- and hemisphere-based worldbuilding for the fairies since it makes sense that Frost fairies can't be everywhere at once in the world. Also, why would you need them at the equator? So yeah, it's cool to see something new.
- I also really liked the character development over time, to see how Ann and Nicholas changed for the better because they met each other. Yay, friendship arcs!
- I liked the dialogue and overall thought it was very natural. And if it wasn't natural to my ears, it was usually apparent that the reason for that was because the speaker wasn't human, which makes sense.
- I enjoyed the humor that was in the story, from the internal thoughts/dialogue to the little ways in which the writing was phrased or described, to physical comedy.
- I need a copy of Caring for Your Human for Reasons.
Weaker Stuff:
- I really wasn't sure of the time period and setting for the story. Was it set in the 2010's? The mid-20th century? A parallel world to ours where fairies are real? I kept trying to find clues to orient me throughout the story.
- There were some strange loose ends or questions that I kinda wish had been addressed.
- Worldbuilding wise, I was never quite clear on how all these fairies worked, exactly. How does the hierarchy work given that there's royalty and servant fairies?
- This is a minor nitpick in the grand scheme of things, but why are the names the way they are for the fairies? As in, we have: Titania, Oberon, Bethilde, Nicholas, Tosya and Julius. Also: Drew, Jack, and Zoe. How do they get their names, given how different these are? Some sound really old or distinctly non-human and some sound very human-like. But there's not really any rhyme or reason for it explained in the book and it was one of the first things I noticed.
Overall, I had a lot of fun reading this and encourage fans of fairytales or just interested in a book for the winter months to give it a shot!
So, I'm going to go by list format to force myself to be more succinct, but here's more specific details about what I thought of it:
The Good Stuff:
- The characters are all really interesting, and I liked how they played off of each other, even the side characters. I especially liked the contrast between Ann and Nicholas since they kind of fill in for each other's weak spots. Ann is especially endearing, though she sometimes made me feel like I'd suddenly turned into a worried mom who wanted to tell her to "Be home before dark and would you please take this lunch I made for you before you go out?" every time I opened the book.
- There was definitely a contemporary fairytale vibe to the story but without making it "darker and edgier", which I appreciated since there seem to be too many fairytale retellings that really vamp up the blood and gore and nothing else. Instead, and perhaps influenced by Ann's presence, there was overall this innocent aspect to it, as in something I could comfortably read as a bedtime story without a fear of nightmares.
- I liked the seasonal- and hemisphere-based worldbuilding for the fairies since it makes sense that Frost fairies can't be everywhere at once in the world. Also, why would you need them at the equator? So yeah, it's cool to see something new.
- I also really liked the character development over time, to see how Ann and Nicholas changed for the better because they met each other. Yay, friendship arcs!
- I liked the dialogue and overall thought it was very natural. And if it wasn't natural to my ears, it was usually apparent that the reason for that was because the speaker wasn't human, which makes sense.
- I enjoyed the humor that was in the story, from the internal thoughts/dialogue to the little ways in which the writing was phrased or described, to physical comedy.
- I need a copy of Caring for Your Human for Reasons.
Weaker Stuff:
- I really wasn't sure of the time period and setting for the story. Was it set in the 2010's? The mid-20th century? A parallel world to ours where fairies are real? I kept trying to find clues to orient me throughout the story.
- There were some strange loose ends or questions that I kinda wish had been addressed.
- Worldbuilding wise, I was never quite clear on how all these fairies worked, exactly. How does the hierarchy work given that there's royalty and servant fairies?
- This is a minor nitpick in the grand scheme of things, but why are the names the way they are for the fairies? As in, we have: Titania, Oberon, Bethilde, Nicholas, Tosya and Julius. Also: Drew, Jack, and Zoe. How do they get their names, given how different these are? Some sound really old or distinctly non-human and some sound very human-like. But there's not really any rhyme or reason for it explained in the book and it was one of the first things I noticed.
Overall, I had a lot of fun reading this and encourage fans of fairytales or just interested in a book for the winter months to give it a shot!
September 28, 2018
None of what happened in this book was predictable or expected.
I love how closely-tied this story is to fae lore and how each type of fairy dresses and acts in different ways. The scenes are beautifully described and all of the plot points melded together nicely in a way that avoids cliche. At one point Ann and Nicolas have a fallout, which isn't unheard of as means to create conflict- but it was presented in a way that fits with each character's personality and the given situation, rather than the author saying "Well I have nothing better to say, so we're going to make them fight." Not only that, but the twists were delightfully unexpected and after the Yule Festival I had to put the book down to fully process what happened.
By the end, all of my questions were answered and the only one I have now is, "Will there be a sequel?" The only thing I'm having a tough time with is figuring who I can recommend this to. Adults and teens would enjoy it, and I'd want to let my nieces read it some day, but I feel like the descriptive image of a corpse, as well as what happened immediately after, would be a bit scary for anyone below the age of eleven. Maybe twelve and up?
It's definitely worth a read, and when I have time I'm going back to read it again knowing what I do now.
I love how closely-tied this story is to fae lore and how each type of fairy dresses and acts in different ways. The scenes are beautifully described and all of the plot points melded together nicely in a way that avoids cliche. At one point Ann and Nicolas have a fallout, which isn't unheard of as means to create conflict- but it was presented in a way that fits with each character's personality and the given situation, rather than the author saying "Well I have nothing better to say, so we're going to make them fight." Not only that, but the twists were delightfully unexpected and after the Yule Festival I had to put the book down to fully process what happened.
By the end, all of my questions were answered and the only one I have now is, "Will there be a sequel?" The only thing I'm having a tough time with is figuring who I can recommend this to. Adults and teens would enjoy it, and I'd want to let my nieces read it some day, but I feel like the descriptive image of a corpse, as well as what happened immediately after, would be a bit scary for anyone below the age of eleven. Maybe twelve and up?
It's definitely worth a read, and when I have time I'm going back to read it again knowing what I do now.
January 19, 2020
This is a delightful and pleasant read which I have really enjoyed. It has the essence of a fairy tale and the characters have a very strong narrative throughout this book.
This is a book which has taken me right back to my childhood and re-emphasised my love of fairy tales. The cover is also extremely pretty and enticing.
This is one of those books that I’m sure I will read again and again. I honestly feel it will be as fabulous every time as well.
For me, this is definitely a five star read and is one that I highly recommend to anyone who loves a fairy tale or just needs a happy read.
This is a book which has taken me right back to my childhood and re-emphasised my love of fairy tales. The cover is also extremely pretty and enticing.
This is one of those books that I’m sure I will read again and again. I honestly feel it will be as fabulous every time as well.
For me, this is definitely a five star read and is one that I highly recommend to anyone who loves a fairy tale or just needs a happy read.
October 24, 2018
Like Falling Stars is a sweet, fun read! It perfectly captures the mood of the season, and it mixes fairy tale elements with a more character-focused narrative with ease.
My favorite character, by far, was Ann. An amnesiac with a cheerful disposition, I smiled along with her as she chased squirrels and climbed trees. It was easy to see why she made friends everywhere she went! Nicolas made a great foil to her with his more stoic nature, and the supporting cast did a great job of making the world feel lived-in! The writing style is also very engaging, and definitely a page-turner. I read it whenever I could — on break during lunch, in between meetings, and more!
If I were able to, I'd probably give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars, because the POV switches did occasionally become confusing, and I did feel that there were some minor pacing issues, especially towards the end. But overall, I was happy to round up because the story was such an entertaining read, perfect to read curled up with my cat next to the space heater as the weather cools down! I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a way to ring in the changing seasons.
My favorite character, by far, was Ann. An amnesiac with a cheerful disposition, I smiled along with her as she chased squirrels and climbed trees. It was easy to see why she made friends everywhere she went! Nicolas made a great foil to her with his more stoic nature, and the supporting cast did a great job of making the world feel lived-in! The writing style is also very engaging, and definitely a page-turner. I read it whenever I could — on break during lunch, in between meetings, and more!
If I were able to, I'd probably give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars, because the POV switches did occasionally become confusing, and I did feel that there were some minor pacing issues, especially towards the end. But overall, I was happy to round up because the story was such an entertaining read, perfect to read curled up with my cat next to the space heater as the weather cools down! I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a way to ring in the changing seasons.
June 23, 2023
Nicholas is the ruler of winter in the Northern realm and he likes to be left alone.
When a girl shows up at his castle with no memories of who she is, he is obligated to allow her to stay in his home for one week, as fairie laws demand.
Ann is a typical human girl with a bubbly personality who loves to explore and learn. Seemingly Nicholas' opposite, the two begin to form a bond of friendship.
This tale of found families is so sweet. I loved all the characters that Ann comes across as she is trying to recover her past. The world of the fairies was fascinating and I really enjoyed learning about the types and ranks fairies have.
My heart hurt for Nicholas as his past was uncovered on Halloween. It brings to light the emotional baggage that we all tend to carry.
This light fairy tale was a fun read and had great character depth for a re-telling style story. Roselin did an awesome job and I felt connected to Ann and Nicholas as I was reading.
When a girl shows up at his castle with no memories of who she is, he is obligated to allow her to stay in his home for one week, as fairie laws demand.
Ann is a typical human girl with a bubbly personality who loves to explore and learn. Seemingly Nicholas' opposite, the two begin to form a bond of friendship.
This tale of found families is so sweet. I loved all the characters that Ann comes across as she is trying to recover her past. The world of the fairies was fascinating and I really enjoyed learning about the types and ranks fairies have.
My heart hurt for Nicholas as his past was uncovered on Halloween. It brings to light the emotional baggage that we all tend to carry.
This light fairy tale was a fun read and had great character depth for a re-telling style story. Roselin did an awesome job and I felt connected to Ann and Nicholas as I was reading.
April 17, 2020
Can't believe I didn't review this when I added it originally but in my defence I read it before I had GoodReads but it's never too late.
Anyway, you can find my full adaptation based review of the book: https://youtu.be/2P3gTbalby0
To sum up, this is everything I think a modern take on old fairytale vibes and conventions needed and it's so good that I wish Disney would do a 2D adaptation of it.
Anyway, you can find my full adaptation based review of the book: https://youtu.be/2P3gTbalby0
To sum up, this is everything I think a modern take on old fairytale vibes and conventions needed and it's so good that I wish Disney would do a 2D adaptation of it.
November 6, 2019
Having consumed Roselin’s ALICE and STELLAR ECLIPSE: CLOUDLESS RAIN over two days, I was eager to dive into LIKE FALLING STARS. I’m not the biggest fan of fairies and happily ever afters, but the fantasy world in LIKE FALLING STARS was well-developed, enthralling, and magical. I loved Nicolas and Ann and became fully invested in their journey from the start, eager to discover what happens next. I also love the complicated character relationships throughout, as well as Ann’s discoveries about her past, which I felt unfolded in a realistic way. My only criticism of the book is that the last third felt rushed, but I was so delighted by the story, I didn’t care too much about the pacing at that point. If you’re looking for a charming, lighthearted read, you’ll want to grab LIKE FALLING STARS immediately.
November 3, 2018
This was such a sweet, warm, restful read. It felt very light and fairy tale-ish, the kind of read that makes you want to curl up in a comfy chair. The two protagonists were a delight- Nicolas is such a gloomy silly adorable bean, and Ann is a little ray of sunshine that captures everyone's hearts. So many moments in the book - mostly to do with their relationship - made me melt. It was lovely to see Nicolas try to figure out how to care for his human** and Ann was a cute and delightful lil bean. I liked how their relationship- and others!-played out. The conflict resolutions were very sweet and soft.
The POV changes did threw me a little bit as I was reading. It didn't really detract from my enjoyment, though. And it did take me a little bit to get into the book, but once I was, I was delighted with the book's vibe.
It was heart-warming, a little bittersweet, and mostly comforting. Also the illustrations were adorable.
**And Caring for Your Human? gentle, soft squeal too precious.
The POV changes did threw me a little bit as I was reading. It didn't really detract from my enjoyment, though. And it did take me a little bit to get into the book, but once I was, I was delighted with the book's vibe.
It was heart-warming, a little bittersweet, and mostly comforting. Also the illustrations were adorable.
**And Caring for Your Human? gentle, soft squeal too precious.
March 8, 2024
This is a good book if you want a cozier, lighthearted read that's a lot more focused on characters than plot. It can be a little hard to get through at parts, but it was a fine experience. My critique would be how certain things remained confusing and unexplained, even at the end of the book, and some plotlines felt a bit silly.
July 16, 2020
This is outside my usual reading tastes--I rarely read middle-grade anymore and I've had a bad run lately with fairy-tale-like books--but it was one of this month's selections for the indie-author book club I belong to. I ended up with some strongly mixed feelings, so let's start with the good stuff.
I liked a lot about this. Structurally it's basically a slow-burn friend-mance; I recognize a lot of story beats from a typical romance, though friendship is the end goal here, as is carefully and tactfully pointed out from time to time. And that's a better take on the young(ish) girl/immortal-and-much-older man dynamic that never seems to go completely out of style. Faeries and humans are different enough, and Nicolas himself isolated enough, that it's more believable that Ann is opening him up to friendship and not romantic love.
I love that Nicolas is a crafter/artist. He sews, he paints, he bakes, he candy-makes. (Yes, I made up that word for to get a rhyme. What can I say, this is a pretty lighthearted read.) He's stuffy and stiff-necked and insecure, while also being intelligent and yes, kind, when he's motivated to be. His fumbling early attempts to be a good host are adorable, and everything related to the in-universe book Caring For Your Human was utterly charming.
Ann I found to be more challenging to know and like as a character. In the end, there's some justification for that, and clues to her history hidden within the issues I had with her, so I can't say much without spoiling that completely. But the very vagueness of her amnesia made her difficult to pin down, unpredictable. I can appreciate the craft involved in her portrayal, but retroactively it doesn't really make me more comfortable with her or her role in the story. (Also, she treats everyone she meets like they already know she has amnesia, even when she doesn't tell them, and every single one of them takes it completely in stride. I'm trying to chalk that up to "this is a fairy tale" but that threw me whenever it happened.)
Which leads me to the things I didn't care for as much. Ann is one step up from a Manic Pixie Dream Girl in function, and I don't like that dynamic in general, but especially when 90% of the other characters are male...seriously, where are the women in Faerie? There's the Queen, she's important, and there are some random girl faeries at the Yule party. (I don't recall any really being mentioned earlier on at the fall festival.) All of Nicolas' friends/former friends are male--his predecessor was female but she's long gone. The town librarian is male and has a boyfriend he constantly mentions. So the only other woman of importance in the story is the witch...who is not the greatest person at any point in the story for a number of reasons.
Yeah, sure I love that the book is queer-inclusive, but it rings a little hollow if the only queer relationships shown are m/m, even when romantic relationships aren't the point of the story. Why don't any of those random female faeries at the Yule party that Ann makes friends with for about ten seconds introduce their girlfriends? On top of all of the important friendships in Nicolas' past being exclusively male relationships, this felt like a bit of a kick in the teeth. It feels like male relationships are being prioritized (aside from Nicolas' growing friendship with Ann--but hey, her friendship "fixes" his other friendships, so it's still kind of about men.)
So Ann does have an arc of her own, which means she's not fully MPDG, but if half of her purpose is to discover who she is, then the other half is to make Nicolas less of a jerk through the power of friendship. I don't think it's the greatest look, especially for a younger target audience, that the heroine (who has a murky backstory for reasons) is constantly spending a great deal of her emotional energy trying to better the life of the hero who has a rich and complex backstory complete with lost friendships and long-held grudges, who is part of a richly detailed and complex society, and what's more, who has power in that society. That imbalance between the development of their characters, while understandable eventually for Plot Reasons, made me uncomfortable the whole way through.
My last complaint is that this book felt longer than its actual run time. It meanders through the plot at a relaxed pace, and the narrative style often errs on the side of wordy and complex, which I think is strange for a MG novel--usually those are written more simply, with straight-forward grammar and structure.
I liked a lot about this. Structurally it's basically a slow-burn friend-mance; I recognize a lot of story beats from a typical romance, though friendship is the end goal here, as is carefully and tactfully pointed out from time to time. And that's a better take on the young(ish) girl/immortal-and-much-older man dynamic that never seems to go completely out of style. Faeries and humans are different enough, and Nicolas himself isolated enough, that it's more believable that Ann is opening him up to friendship and not romantic love.
I love that Nicolas is a crafter/artist. He sews, he paints, he bakes, he candy-makes. (Yes, I made up that word for to get a rhyme. What can I say, this is a pretty lighthearted read.) He's stuffy and stiff-necked and insecure, while also being intelligent and yes, kind, when he's motivated to be. His fumbling early attempts to be a good host are adorable, and everything related to the in-universe book Caring For Your Human was utterly charming.
Ann I found to be more challenging to know and like as a character. In the end, there's some justification for that, and clues to her history hidden within the issues I had with her, so I can't say much without spoiling that completely. But the very vagueness of her amnesia made her difficult to pin down, unpredictable. I can appreciate the craft involved in her portrayal, but retroactively it doesn't really make me more comfortable with her or her role in the story. (Also, she treats everyone she meets like they already know she has amnesia, even when she doesn't tell them, and every single one of them takes it completely in stride. I'm trying to chalk that up to "this is a fairy tale" but that threw me whenever it happened.)
Which leads me to the things I didn't care for as much. Ann is one step up from a Manic Pixie Dream Girl in function, and I don't like that dynamic in general, but especially when 90% of the other characters are male...seriously, where are the women in Faerie? There's the Queen, she's important, and there are some random girl faeries at the Yule party. (I don't recall any really being mentioned earlier on at the fall festival.) All of Nicolas' friends/former friends are male--his predecessor was female but she's long gone. The town librarian is male and has a boyfriend he constantly mentions. So the only other woman of importance in the story is the witch...who is not the greatest person at any point in the story for a number of reasons.
Yeah, sure I love that the book is queer-inclusive, but it rings a little hollow if the only queer relationships shown are m/m, even when romantic relationships aren't the point of the story. Why don't any of those random female faeries at the Yule party that Ann makes friends with for about ten seconds introduce their girlfriends? On top of all of the important friendships in Nicolas' past being exclusively male relationships, this felt like a bit of a kick in the teeth. It feels like male relationships are being prioritized (aside from Nicolas' growing friendship with Ann--but hey, her friendship "fixes" his other friendships, so it's still kind of about men.)
So Ann does have an arc of her own, which means she's not fully MPDG, but if half of her purpose is to discover who she is, then the other half is to make Nicolas less of a jerk through the power of friendship. I don't think it's the greatest look, especially for a younger target audience, that the heroine (who has a murky backstory for reasons) is constantly spending a great deal of her emotional energy trying to better the life of the hero who has a rich and complex backstory complete with lost friendships and long-held grudges, who is part of a richly detailed and complex society, and what's more, who has power in that society. That imbalance between the development of their characters, while understandable eventually for Plot Reasons, made me uncomfortable the whole way through.
My last complaint is that this book felt longer than its actual run time. It meanders through the plot at a relaxed pace, and the narrative style often errs on the side of wordy and complex, which I think is strange for a MG novel--usually those are written more simply, with straight-forward grammar and structure.
July 20, 2020
Book Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars)
Imagine waking up with no recollection of yourself. This is exactly what happens to Ann. She wakes up in a magic forest, which frankly isn’t the worst place for her to end up, and is sent on her way by an odd woman named Tanya to the house of Nicolas Rasmussen, Prince of the Frost Faeries, Ruler of the Season of Winter, Second Eldest Ruler of the Northern Realm. But you can just call him “Your Highness.” Nicolas would rather be left alone though, and is thrown aback by this sudden curious, loud spoken, and happy young woman arriving on his doorstep.
Like Falling Stars is a lighthearted tale about found-family and self discovery. In a quest to discover who she is, Ann builds friendships between others and herself, finding the softness in a curmudgeon of a faerie, and bringing light to winter once again. Avalon Roselin does a beautiful job creating this fairy tale world, bringing these characters to life with distinct personalities that bounce off pages. Immediately, I was drawn into their personalities, and loved watching their friendship buzz.
As with many stories this length, my biggest complaint is that there wasn’t more. I would have liked to see more of the early stages of Ann and Nicolas’s friendship while she was meandering around his palace as an annoyance rather than a welcome guest. There was also a much heavier focus on Nicolas’s development than Ann’s, and while we do get answers about Ann’s past it comes very late in the game after many other issues have been resolved.
That being said, the ending will make your heart melt. Ann chooses her destiny in the end. She decides where home is, even if it isn’t where she was supposed to end up.
So if you want a lighthearted tale with elements of your favorite fairy tales, like Little Red Riding Hood and Alice in Wonderland, I recommend you check out Like Falling Stars. If you have a bitter heart, perhaps Ann can warm it up for you as well.
Imagine waking up with no recollection of yourself. This is exactly what happens to Ann. She wakes up in a magic forest, which frankly isn’t the worst place for her to end up, and is sent on her way by an odd woman named Tanya to the house of Nicolas Rasmussen, Prince of the Frost Faeries, Ruler of the Season of Winter, Second Eldest Ruler of the Northern Realm. But you can just call him “Your Highness.” Nicolas would rather be left alone though, and is thrown aback by this sudden curious, loud spoken, and happy young woman arriving on his doorstep.
Like Falling Stars is a lighthearted tale about found-family and self discovery. In a quest to discover who she is, Ann builds friendships between others and herself, finding the softness in a curmudgeon of a faerie, and bringing light to winter once again. Avalon Roselin does a beautiful job creating this fairy tale world, bringing these characters to life with distinct personalities that bounce off pages. Immediately, I was drawn into their personalities, and loved watching their friendship buzz.
As with many stories this length, my biggest complaint is that there wasn’t more. I would have liked to see more of the early stages of Ann and Nicolas’s friendship while she was meandering around his palace as an annoyance rather than a welcome guest. There was also a much heavier focus on Nicolas’s development than Ann’s, and while we do get answers about Ann’s past it comes very late in the game after many other issues have been resolved.
That being said, the ending will make your heart melt. Ann chooses her destiny in the end. She decides where home is, even if it isn’t where she was supposed to end up.
So if you want a lighthearted tale with elements of your favorite fairy tales, like Little Red Riding Hood and Alice in Wonderland, I recommend you check out Like Falling Stars. If you have a bitter heart, perhaps Ann can warm it up for you as well.
March 24, 2019
The plot was simple enough to get but also kept me interested. Some of the twists were a bit predictable but that didn’t make them any less enjoyable. It was a story about friendship and that came across very clear and it was a nice change of pace for me. Ann’s journey of discovering her identity is an emotional one that did end up surprising me at the end. Who she was and how she came to be weren’t what I was expecting. I didn’t find any plot holes, but that was probably because as I stated the plot was simple. The solutions to the problems that did arise could come off as a bit weak sometimes. I was disappointed that I never got to see some of the creatures mentioned throughout the story.
The characters were all endearing in different ways and each had a unique personality. Their voices came across clearly. It was easy to become invested in what they were doing or what was happening to them. Their interactions with each other were believable and well done. The characters were the strongest part of the story.
The characters were all endearing in different ways and each had a unique personality. Their voices came across clearly. It was easy to become invested in what they were doing or what was happening to them. Their interactions with each other were believable and well done. The characters were the strongest part of the story.
May 24, 2022
Like Falling Stars is a fun easy read, that pays homage to the classics that came before it while telling its own story. The lives of the brooding Nicolas: A Frost Fairy with a loaded past and a bleak future. The loveable Ann: A girl with no past and a future of endless possibilities ahead are drawn together and have wonderful chemistry that make a believable albeit testy relationship that the audience roots for. The mysteries and revelations surrounding both characters works to keep the reader turning the page and guessing how the narrative will unfurl. Thanks to the short and easily digestible word count the pacing never slacks off or becomes a slog to get through. However, the denouement has a wild subplot that runs off the farm the ending has an effective enough ending to keep me happy. While there can sometimes be a lack of stakes the interpersonal relationship managed to keep me pulled in. The ending I think readers will have a fun time reading through the blooming relationship of Nicolas and Ann.
3 out of snowflakes 5, give it a read!
3 out of snowflakes 5, give it a read!
August 4, 2020
I loved this book. Most of the stuff I read has a romantic subplot, so it was nice to read something that focuses more on found family and the power of friendship for once.
There were a couple of bits I struggled to follow, and the ending seemed rushed, with part of it feeling out of place, but despite this it was still remarkably enjoyable.
The words in this flow really well, which was great as I was also reading it out loud, and there were a few moments where I was genuinely concerned for Ann’s safety. So glad my bookclub decided to choose this one and I can’t wait to read more of Avalon’s work.
There were a couple of bits I struggled to follow, and the ending seemed rushed, with part of it feeling out of place, but despite this it was still remarkably enjoyable.
The words in this flow really well, which was great as I was also reading it out loud, and there were a few moments where I was genuinely concerned for Ann’s safety. So glad my bookclub decided to choose this one and I can’t wait to read more of Avalon’s work.
June 28, 2020
I really like this book. It has interesting characters and is mostly lighthearted while still having a consistent plot.
I don’t really have anything else to say, I’ve just been trying to be better about remembering to review indie books I like, but it’s also kinda hard for me to think of things to say about them, so idk.
I don’t really have anything else to say, I’ve just been trying to be better about remembering to review indie books I like, but it’s also kinda hard for me to think of things to say about them, so idk.
October 11, 2024
I really loved this story! It was an easy book to read and flows really well. An interesting take on the fae and seasonal changes in a more modern world. The characters are bright and fun to read, really relatable. It touches on some interesting concepts, but it doesn't try to be too deep. I loved the world building. This book knows exactly what it is. Friendship is healing.
November 25, 2018
I won this book in a giveaway. I overall enjoyed reading it. The main character was annoying at times, and sometimes I didn't know where the plot was going, but in all it was a cute story and pleasant to read.
May 14, 2022
Another book that I've had on my shelf for a while, but one I def recommend to anyone who's looking for a fun little fantasy book with some YA vibes. I loved the take on fae in this, and I think that all of the characters were fleshed out and lovely to read about.
July 13, 2020
3.5 stars. A very cute story, with wonderful themes of friendship and home. All the questions were answered well, and the use of omniscient pov was executed nicely.
February 12, 2020
Book Theme Song: Plant Life by Owl City
This is a heartwarming book about friendship and identity. Ann and Nicolas are both memorable characters, and many of the side characters are just as charming. Though the story stays lighthearted for the most part, there are elements of darkness as there is in any good fairy tale. The book reads like an homage to fairy tales and the worldbuilding uses a lot of fairy tale logic, but puts a unique spin on it. I'd definitely recommend this book to people who like fairy tales and/or Power of Friendship stories.
This is a heartwarming book about friendship and identity. Ann and Nicolas are both memorable characters, and many of the side characters are just as charming. Though the story stays lighthearted for the most part, there are elements of darkness as there is in any good fairy tale. The book reads like an homage to fairy tales and the worldbuilding uses a lot of fairy tale logic, but puts a unique spin on it. I'd definitely recommend this book to people who like fairy tales and/or Power of Friendship stories.
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