We Are Bound by Stars

We Are Bound by Stars

By Author / Illustrator

Kesia Lupo

Genre

Fantasy

Age range(s)

11+

Publisher

Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

ISBN

9781408898079

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

09-07-2020

Synopsis

The next adventure in Kesia Lupo's stunning and original YA fantasy world. Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Laini Taylor.On a mysterious island where the very earth holds magic, masked assassins plague the city and strange creatures rise from the desert. Livio has riled against his destiny his whole life. Beatrice longs to escape her life of servitude.


But when a twist of fate unites them, it is up to them to stop a deadly revolution.Are they just puppets in someone else's game? Will they have to accept the hands they have been dealt or can either change their fortunes?Another thrilling, plot-driven adventure, with an even bigger twist, We Are Bound by Stars is a tale of masks, politics, desire and deception that will have you gripped once again in Kesia Lupo's rich fantasy world.

Reviews

Linda

We are Bound by Stars is the second instalment set in the magical fantasy world of Scarossa (see We Are Blood and Thunder) and once again the authors writing is as beautiful and stirring. Bea is the middle sister in a set of triplets that have been destined since birth to a life of servitude for the god Mythris. The three sisters use the magic that is bestowed on them to create powerful masks for this gods followers.

However, all is not as it seems, Bea desperately wants to escape this life, she cannot seem to except it the way her sisters have. During a tragic assassination attempt by masked assassins, Bea discovers something that makes her world spin. What decisions will she make with this news?

Livio is the only grandson and heir of the ruling Contessa. He is also struggling with his destiny and with his magic, and fears that he will let his grandmother down. During a detention in the library he comes across a book that changes the course of his world and this is where our two main protagonists meet...

Bea and Livio are interesting and likeable characters, you feel for both of them, wanting them to succeed. The author writes characters with believable depth which further develop and grow as you journey with them through the story. The book has been laid out with alternative chapters between Bea and Livio's perspectives that contain enough world building text that ensures the reader will eagerly keep turning the pages.

This story has just about everything; mystery, magic, intrigue, death, mild torture scenes with a little romance that keeps the reader engaged. This fantasy adventure contains 337 unputtable-down pages that are suitable for confident/non-confident 13+ readers. The book would also be great for reading groups/book clubs due to the many interesting discussion points that could arise!

Even though this is the second book set on the Valorion continent, it's still a stand alone read, but I highly recommend that you read the first book, We are Blood and Thunder, as it's so beautifully written. I only wish this book had been a little longer and then the interaction between these two characters could have been more developed and not feeling a little rushed.

If you love Gods, magic, mythology, a little mild violence and a dash of romance then this is the book for you!

384 pages / Ages 13+ / Reviewed by Linda Brown, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 14+

 

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