MARCH 2018 - AudioFile
Fans of romantic fantasy will enjoy the story but not necessarily the listening experience of this audiobook. Sadly, the sound editing of the narrators who use drastically different styles is not well done. Moira Quirk portrays Denna, a princess who is slated to marry Prince Thandilimon out of political obligation, in spite of her romantic feelings for his sister, Mare. As Denna, Quirk speaks loudly, with a cadence that fits her noble character. Saskia Maarleveld’s portrayal of Mare’s chapters also fits the character well; she gives Mare a quiet, raspy vocal quality that hints at how she feels like an outcast in her family. Maarleveld’s narration is significantly quieter and faster than Quirk’s. Listeners may be jarred by the sudden shifts in volume and speed from chapter to chapter. S.P. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
★ 09/26/2016
At the start of Coulthurst’s spectacular debut, seven-year-old Princess Dennaleia of Havemont discovers that she has a magical “Affinity” for fire. Unfortunately, she is already betrothed to Prince Thandilimon of Mynaria, a kingdom where the practice of magic is considered heresy. Dennaleia’s mother swears that if she ignores her gift, it will fade, but the opposite proves true; when a 16-year-old Dennaleia arrives in Mynaria to start her new life, she nearly starts a conflagration. While hiding her ability, Dennaleia must also find a way to work with the prince’s prickly and rebellious older sister, Amaranthine, to dissuade Mynaria’s king from waging an unjustified war. But Dennaleia is faced with difficult choices about her future after something other than friendship unexpectedly develops between the two princesses. Dennaleia and Amaranthine’s narratives combine to create a powerful and exquisite love story that also provides incisive political commentary and cautions against zealotry, vengeance, and intolerance. The central mystery is intriguing, Coulthurst’s worldbuilding is excellent, and the book’s explosive conclusion both thrills and satisfies. Ages 13–up. Agent: Alexandra Machinist, ICM. (Nov.)
From the Publisher
A powerful and exquisite love story” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Reminiscent of the kinds of fantasy books I loved when I was a young teenager, tales of princess angst, horses, and the blossoming of reluctant love. This book is bold enough to create a world that moves beyond the prejudices we are still fighting in our real world.” — Caitlyn Paxson, NPR
“A deeply romantic, bold, and nuanced fantasy. You will be captivated by Denna and Mare and their star-crossed love for each other.” — Malinda Lo, Author of Ash and Huntress
“Lovely…a worthy debut that succeeds as both an adventure and a romance.” — Booklist
“Murder, mayhem, magic, romance-and horses…a romantic fantasy that will appeal to those who appreciate character-driven novels.” — Kirkus Reviews
“I devoured Of Fire and Stars in two sittings; it’s a delightful debut, full of all the things I like best in a fantasy story, including not one but two wonderful heroines. I’m looking forward to seeing what Audrey does in the future!” — Mercedes Lackey, New York Times bestselling author of over 125 books, including the Valdemar series
“Coulthursts’s debut is an absolute delight; I loved seeing these smart, fierce princesses fall in captivating, slow-burn love as they investigate political assassinations and unravel magical conspiracies.” — Corinne Duyvis, author of Otherbound and On the Edge of Gone
“Romantic, compelling, and bursting with fascinating characters, Of Fire and Stars is the fantasy novel we’ve all been waiting for.” — Amy Tintera, author of Ruined
“A slow-burn love story about two unique, brave, and endearing young women.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
Caitlyn Paxson
Reminiscent of the kinds of fantasy books I loved when I was a young teenager, tales of princess angst, horses, and the blossoming of reluctant love. This book is bold enough to create a world that moves beyond the prejudices we are still fighting in our real world.
Amy Tintera
Romantic, compelling, and bursting with fascinating characters, Of Fire and Stars is the fantasy novel we’ve all been waiting for.
Corinne Duyvis
Coulthursts’s debut is an absolute delight; I loved seeing these smart, fierce princesses fall in captivating, slow-burn love as they investigate political assassinations and unravel magical conspiracies.
Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
A slow-burn love story about two unique, brave, and endearing young women.
Mercedes Lackey
I devoured Of Fire and Stars in two sittings; it’s a delightful debut, full of all the things I like best in a fantasy story, including not one but two wonderful heroines. I’m looking forward to seeing what Audrey does in the future!
Malinda Lo
A deeply romantic, bold, and nuanced fantasy. You will be captivated by Denna and Mare and their star-crossed love for each other.
Booklist
Lovely…a worthy debut that succeeds as both an adventure and a romance.
Booklist
Lovely…a worthy debut that succeeds as both an adventure and a romance.
School Library Journal
10/01/2016
Gr 8 Up—In this fantasy world of kings and magic, Princess Dennaleia has been groomed for her most important task: to marry Prince Thandilimon in order to solidify the relationship between their kingdoms. It is a future that she fully embraces, hindered only by her secret magical affinity for handling and creating fire, which she has kept hidden and cannot control. Upon her arrival in the kingdom of Mynaria, Denna is paired with Princess Amaranthine (Mare), who is to give her riding lessons in preparation for the wedding day. Mare's standing in her own kingdom is somewhat tenuous, as she has very little interest in her duties as a princess and prefers to spend her time riding and training horses. The two strike up a friendship amid a series of royal murders and terrorist acts supposedly orchestrated by renegade magic users and separatists. The real focus is on the attraction and love that soon develop between Denna and Mare. As they work to solve the murders and mysteries, the teens fall in love and begin to question their predestined roles. Same-sex love is neither forbidden nor controversial in Mynaria, so the novel's theme does not center on LGBTQ issues. It is simply a love story that just happens to be about two women, and the setting and plot are tangential. Some mild sexual scenes make this appropriate for older readers. VERDICT Those looking for a complex sci-fi/fantasy may be a little unsatisfied with the narrative. However, the gentle LGBTQ romance will win over many teens.—Patricia Feriano, Montgomery County Public Schools, MD
MARCH 2018 - AudioFile
Fans of romantic fantasy will enjoy the story but not necessarily the listening experience of this audiobook. Sadly, the sound editing of the narrators who use drastically different styles is not well done. Moira Quirk portrays Denna, a princess who is slated to marry Prince Thandilimon out of political obligation, in spite of her romantic feelings for his sister, Mare. As Denna, Quirk speaks loudly, with a cadence that fits her noble character. Saskia Maarleveld’s portrayal of Mare’s chapters also fits the character well; she gives Mare a quiet, raspy vocal quality that hints at how she feels like an outcast in her family. Maarleveld’s narration is significantly quieter and faster than Quirk’s. Listeners may be jarred by the sudden shifts in volume and speed from chapter to chapter. S.P. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Review
2016-07-26
Murder, mayhem, magic, romance—and horses, lots of horses! Sixteen-year-old Princess Dennaleia departs for the kingdom of Mynaria, home of her betrothed, the blond, blue-eyed Thandilimon. Neither royal realizes that Denna’s secret, stigmatized ability to control various elements will soon spiral out of control, as do her feelings when she meets Mare, her bold, gray-eyed future sister-in-law. The plot unfolds slowly as the green-eyed, white-skinned Denna, with her scholarly ways, is at first unsure what to make of Mare, most comfortable in the simple stable clothes that cause her to be mistaken for a boy. Only two characters seem to be of color (one described as dark-skinned and one who hides shyly behind her glossy black hair). Homophobia is a nonissue, as heterosexuality is refreshingly not assumed to be the default, yet sexism is very much present. Denna is stymied by rigid gender roles in her efforts to help investigate two royal murders blamed on reviled, magic-using rebels. Risky undercover excursions with Mare and cozy evenings à deux heighten the tension between the young women. The pace of the final chapters builds to a galloping crescendo as Denna must decide whether and how to be true both to her magical nature and her powerful feelings for Mare. The political machinations are somewhat repetitive and less compelling than the romance, but touches of humor lighten the journey. A romantic fantasy that will appeal to those who appreciate character-driven novels. (Fantasy. 14 & up)
