Shuttleworth sensitively tackles the plot’s darker elements, including trauma and suicidal ideation, tempering them with tenderness and wry wit. The blood in her veins is red, not blue—not fae—and she possesses none of the traits that would make her one of us. Every time she felt them bubbling up inside her, those good intentions turned to cowardice and were swallowed once more by nerves.

A Dark And Hollow Star - Review - Cinelinx | Movies. Games A Dark And Hollow Star - Review - Cinelinx | Movies. Games

This likeness was exaggerated into absurdity by their overwhelming beauty, but even among the fair folk, Celadon was exceptionally striking. I’m excited to eventually read this one now hehe (also I adore your blogs new look, I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this to you yet or not but I LOVE it! The decision burst from her mouth in the first firm declaration she’d made all day, speaking to a hope she’d long kept boxed away.

Not for the first time, she found herself wishing she had a little more of this brand of bravery for herself. You possess less talent on the cusp of adulthood than what a goblin infant can perform by instinct,” Councillor Siegel—Seelie representative of Autumn—interposed.

A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth | Goodreads A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth | Goodreads

The world-building was excellent, I loved the courts and their different locations, I loved the magic for those not fully of the fae realms and the differing levels between the ‘fae’ themselves and other beings. But Arlo knew that it would do no good to try to pretend that she was anything other than terribly unremarkable. In many ways, he was also the worst role model a freshly turned eighteen-year-old girl could find, but he was the closest thing Arlo had to a brother, and even though he was a couple of years older than her, the molasses rate that fae aged meant there was little difference in their maturity.Shifting broke out in the stands as the Council no doubt realized where Celadon’s argument was leading. Her overall power was woefully weak, but she did have the bare minimum needed to qualify for common magical status in their community. This boy, whom death loved dearly for his years of worship, for the souls he’d sent like offerings to death’s altar, made him a deal - an offering of his own: immortality for service.