Paperback: 400
Published: 2020
Rating: 5 / 5 stars
I've heard nothing but great things about Adalyn Grace's debut novel ever since it came out. A book about magic, pirates and a princess doing everything she can to save her kingdom?
Sign me in!
All the Stars and Teeth tells the story of Visidia, a kingdom where everyone is free to choose their own magic, as long as they learn only one, for multiple magics are said to be their doom. The exception from this rule is the royal family, who doesn't have the freedom of choosing, their magic - soul magic - is locked in their bloodline and therefore it is their duty to control it before it can grow to control them.
Amora Montara, the heir to the throne, has to prove on her eighteenth birthday that she can master soul magic in order to inherit the title of High Animancer and her father's throne, yet when the demonstration goes awry, she is forced to flee her island and bargain with a pirate in order to save herself and her people from certain death.
I went into this book with sky high expectations and with hopes that it would get me out of the reading slump I accidentally landed in - which it did, but I nearly DNF-ed it in the process. For the first 50 pages, I had a really hard time connecting with the story and the main character and I was seriously considering putting it down for good. I was impatient to get to an exciting point and couldn't see the purpose of such a long introduction, yet looking back, it was not long, and proved very useful.
Passing that certain point though was what I needed in that moment and when I did, my patience came back and I could enjoy the story as I should have from the beginning: page by page.
Now first things first: Amora. She is an interesting character, one that even though I had trouble connecting with at the beginning, I came to admire and root for in the end. Her fiery personality and adventurous spirit make for a marvelous story,
"I love Arida, but gods, what I wouldn't give to turn this ship around and keep sailing."
yet a story that paused way too abruptly in my opinion.
But then again, if it were for me, the entire story would be told in one long book, and where would be the fun in that?
I think what I like most about Amora is the determination she shows with every opportunity and her refusal to accept her fate without daring to challenge it. She knows who she is, who she trained her entire life to be, and nothing will stand in the way of that.
Not even a curse.
Bastian on the other hand is reckless and acts like he has nothing to lose at all times, which can get annoying, but in his case, wasn't. His past was a story I quite enjoyed trying to decipher and his constant sass was a delight.
Now I'm quite fond of the enemies to lovers trope, when done well, and it was clear from the moment those two laid eyes on each other that it would eventually come to it, so I could be heard in the background praying that this ends well.
The results exceeded my expectations.
While I enjoy a good representation for this trope, I am not a heavy romance fan and would rather see more magic and adventure happening than the development of their relationship - and the author did not disappoint on that matter. Adalyn Grace managed to mix a slow burn romance with sailing, curses, mermaids and a lot of sword fighting - and I could not have asked for something better.
The world building is yet another thing I really loved about this book, that and the magic system. Every island is attributed a color and a magic: the people either learn the ability of their land, or they move to another. Simple as that, and quite efficient, keeping everything in order.
My inner Monica Geller is pleased at the organization.
The ending had me searching almost instantly for the second book, the need to know how this duology concludes taking over. I'm excited to start book two and see what other adventures are in stock for us.
Until then, happy reading everyone!
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