  | Book Details Title: Scavenge the Stars (Scavenge the Stars (1)) |
Book DescriptionReview “Tara Sim has crafted a story as deep and glittering as the churning sea–it will pull you under its surface from the first page and never let you go.”―Laura Sebastian, New York Times best-selling author of Ash Princess“With all the politics, intergenerational conflict, FEELINGS, and knives a girl could ask for, Tara Sim expertly weaves action, plot, and ensemble drama for a thrill ride that will keep you turning pages.”―#1 New York Times best-selling author E. K. Johnston“Tara Sim’s Scavenge the Stars is a compelling tale of revenge, full of complications and reverses. I was hooked by Amaya’s story from the beginning, and devoured this book in huge gulps. I loved it, and am already excited for the sequel.”―Kat Howard, Alex Award-winning author of An Unkindness of Magicians“Scavenge the Stars is a garrote of a book, and by the time you realize it, it’ll already have you by the throat. Amaya and Cayo’s quests for vengeance and redemption will tear them-and you-apart, even as they uncover the terrible truths that bind them together. Readers who like heroes with tragedy, heroines with knives, and stories with teeth, all I can say is: eat your heart out.”―Margaret Owen, author of The Merciful Crow“Tara Sim weaves a magical tale of revenge, swordfighting, and secrets set in a corrupt city where things aren’t ever what they seem. This book is an attitude, in the best, bloodthirstiest of ways.”―Rin Chupeco, author of The Bone Witch“A dark, glimmering pearl of a tale-the echoes of the original Count of Monte Cristo add satisfying touches of familiarity, while the lush setting and enthralling characters give the story its own, vibrant flavor. I devoured this book in one sitting, and I recommend it to readers seeking girls who can cut your heart out, as well as breath-taking, perilous adventure.”―Amanda Foody, author of the Shadow Game series“An ensnaring blend of mystery and intrigue-this tale of revenge and redemption will keep readers guessing and gasping to the very end.”―Natalie C. Parker, author of Seafire“A rags-to-riches story with the promise of revenge… Captivating.”―Kirkus ReviewsPRAISE FOR THE TIMEKEEPER TRILOGY“An extraordinary debut, at once familiar and utterly original. Between its compelling world, its lovely prose, and its wonderful characters, the pages flew by.”―Victoria Schwab, #1 New York Times best-selling authorPRAISE FOR THE TIMEKEEPER TRILOGY“Alive with myth, mystery, and glorious romance, Timekeeper will keep hearts pounding and pages turning til the stunning conclusion. Reader beware-there’s magic in these pages.”―Heidi Heilig, author of The Girl from Everywhere and For a Muse of Fire Read more About the Author Tara Sim is a YA fantasy author who can typically be found wandering the wilds of the Bay Area, California. She is the author of the Timekeeper trilogy, which has been featured on Entertainment Weekly, Bustle, and various media outlets. When she’s not chasing cats or lurking in bookstores, she writes books about magic, clocks, and explosives. Read more Customers Review: Title Scavenge the StarsAuthor Tara SimRelease Date January 7, 2020Description from AmazonWhen Amaya rescues a mysterious stranger from drowning, she fears her rash actions have earned her a longer sentence on the debtor ship where she’s been held captive for years. Instead, the man she saved offers her unimaginable riches and a new identity, setting Amaya on a perilous course through the coastal city-state of Moray, where old-world opulence and desperate gamblers collide. Amaya wants one thing: revenge against the man who ruined her family and stole the life she once had. But the more entangled she becomes in this game of deception-and as her path intertwines with the son of the man she’s plotting to bring down-the more she uncovers about the truth of her past. And the more she realizes she must trust no one?Initial ThoughtsFive words. COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO RETELLING I’m all about that. I saw the movie like 15 years ago and was obsessed with it. I watch it whenever it’s on TV.Some Things I LikedGender bent retelling. I thought the balance achieved by switching the gender of the main character was really well done. I’ve seen many retellings that are poorly executed because the gender change is not fully thought through. I thought it was really well done here.Plot twists. I was on the edge of my seat until the last page of this story. I had no idea what was going to happen and I loved that. The story was filled with action and I loved the pirate vibes we got to see throughout the story.Realism. I thought the story, much like the original version, was grounded in realistic tragedy and heartache. Amaya had a hard life and many of the other characters experience personal tragedies which only serve to motivate them further. This book was by no means all rainbows and unicorns. Topics such as addiction, death, and child labor, are just a few of the hardships the cast of characters endured.One Thing I Wasn’t Crazy AboutThis wasn’t exactly a retelling. As this is the first book in a series, I can’t fully judge this aspect yet, but from what I saw, this was a story loosely based on The Count of Monte Cristo but mostly a story of revenge. It was well executed, but I was missing some of the elements of the original story that I would have liked to see. Perhaps we will see them in the next book.Series ValueI would continue with this series. I think this book had a strong start and despite coming up short in the retelling department (in some ways), I want to see where this story goes. I am intrigued and want to know more.Final ThoughtsI liked this book. I think it was reminiscent of a personal favorite movie from childhood and I enjoyed the nostalgic feelings it brought up. Similarly, I enjoyed the gender bending twist on the characters as well as the seaside city of Moray as a setting. I would continue with this series as well as look into reading some of Tara Sim’s other books.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Recommendations for Further ReadingBefore the Broken Star by Emily R. King – if you liked the revenge aspect of this story, check out this series by Emily R. King.Ruined by Amy Tintera – once again, if you liked the revenge plot as well as enemies to lovers romance, try this series by Amy Tintera.Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller – if you liked the sea-faring aspects of this book as well as the setting, try this duology by Tricia Levenseller.
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36 reviews