Hi everyone! I hope you all have a few extra hours because I have just found a book that you need to read!
Maya is cursed. With a horoscope that promises a marriage of Death and Destruction, she has earned only the scorn and fear of her father's kingdom. Content to follow more scholarly pursuits, her whole world is torn apart when her father, the Raja, arranges a wedding of political convenience to quell outside rebellions. Soon Maya becomes the queen of Akaran and wife of Amar. Neither roles are what she expected: As Akaran's queen, she finds her voice and power. As Amar's wife, she finds something else entirely: Compassion. Protection. Desire...
But Akaran has its own secrets -- thousands of locked doors, gardens of glass, and a tree that bears memories instead of fruit. Soon, Maya suspects her life is in danger. Yet who, besides her husband, can she trust? With the fate of the human and Otherworldly realms hanging in the balance, Maya must unravel an ancient mystery that spans reincarnated lives to save those she loves the most. . .including herself.
Wow… I picked up this book expecting a whimsical story with an influence of Indian mythology and a decent plot. What I got was so much more. Maya is a young princess with a horoscope predicting a marriage of death who has learned to fend for herself in a world that fears her. The romance of this story is captivating and mysterious as the plot twists in unexpected directions (and after all of the YA books I’ve read, it’s hard to surprise me). The world that is crafted in the story is both fascinating and multifaceted. The beauty of the world created is so vivid it is as if you could smell the flowers in the gardens and taste the jewel fruit (yes, jewel fruit… read the book!). The descriptions are so beautiful that I want to slip into the world and walk in the halls of Akaran or sit under a tree in Bharata.
The references to Indian mythology was a special treat because I did not know much about those stories but I found them beautiful. However, my favorite part of the book was the subtle theme of empowering women and the growth of Maya throughout the story. The story starts out with a young female being married off for political reasons. She had little control over her life and was bartered off like an item. Throughout the story Maya learns about herself and becomes confident in her decisions. Maya grows to trust in herself and she is an equal to her husband in the ruling of their kingdom. I loved this aspect of the book and I think this is what turned The Star Touched Queen from very good into truly memorable.
Fans of Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge and Caraval by Stephanie Garber will adore The Star Touched Queen! To make it easier for y’all to get your hands on this book here is a link to take you to the Monroe County library system (the best place in the world besides Barnes and Noble, right?)
I hope that all of you will get a chance to pick up this book and give it a try! Trust me, you will not regret it. Have a wonderful rest of your January and stay warm!
Until next time,
-Laura
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