Lets talk Starborn by Lucy Hounsom

 Hey lovelies, welcome back!

One of my new year’s resolutions is to read the books I already own, and Starborn by Lucy Hounsom has been on my tbr shelf for years! Last month was hectic, with third year studies and Christmas at Waterstones, I needed an escape and was craving a fantasy read.

The Inheritance Ceremony is a rite of passage for the young people of Brenwym. On the day of Kyndra’s, disaster strikes when she destroys the sacred relic that reveals her inheritance. When a devastating storm follows, the superstitious townsfolk blame her and demand a life for a life. The arrival of two strangers, whose concealed powers are fuelled by the sun and moon, escalates the fears of the residents, forcing Kyndra to flee with the strangers for her life.

Together, they seek refuge at the hidden citadel of Naris - a sanctuary for Solar and Luna wielders. Plagued by visions of the past, that attracts the city’s rebels and fanatics, Kyndra faces the ultimate test – to see if she too possesses magic. However, the outcome might not be what she expects, for there is a third power, fuelled by the stars with the ability to destroy everything – Starborn. If Kyndra possesses this power, she has the chance to right an ancient wrong, if she can control it…

Fantasy meets steampunk. 

The premise of this book promised the escape I was craving, and the first 350 pages did just that! Even though I felt the plot was drawn out way more than it needed to be and I guessed the outcome within the first 100 pages, I sped through it in a day. However, the last 150 were what ruined it and let the whole book down.

In the unnecessarily drawn-out plot, sub-plots emerged. Assuming these would play out into bigger plot points throughout the trilogy, I ploughed through. However, the characters involved in these sub-plots were killed off at the end of the novel, and any intrigued and investment this book might have held, died along with them. This begs the question – what was the point?

In addition to these trivial sub-plots, the overarching plot, that could have spanned the whole trilogy, was condensed into one chapter. There was no cliff-hanger, and although the ending sets up the sequel, there desire to find out what happens just wasn’t there.

The only story arch that still holds some curiosity is between three supporting characters, and I’m sure a quick google search will reveal their fate.

A promising premise let down by poor execution. 

Have you read Hounsom's Worldmaker trilogy? If so, let me know your thoughts in the comments below. 

Until next time, lovelies!