TITLE: Forging Silver into Stars
AUTHOR: Brigid Kemmerer
GENRE: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, LGBTQ+
PUBLISHING YEAR: 2022
PAGE COUNT: 560
MY RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
SPICE LEVEL: 🌶️.5
FORMAT: Audiobook (read by Cecily Bednar Schmidt, Nezar Alderazi, and Chase Brown)
INITIAL THOUGHTS
In 2024, I dove head first into the world of Brigid Kemmerer, devouring her Defy the Night trilogy in about a week. Naturally, I decided I should read A Curse so Dark and Lonely next, since I had heard so many good things about it. While I enjoyed the series, I had mixed feelings about the final book, especially as it pertained to Rhen and Grey, the two leading men, and how the enemy kingdoms of Syhl Shallow and Emberfall would be moving forward.
When I learned that Kemmerer had written the first book in a sequel series that centered around a younger character from ACSDAL, Tycho, I was immediately interested. After all, the original series left the world and characters is a state of turmoil and I desperately needed to know what would become of my favorite tortured blond prince.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
(WARNING: Contains spoilers for the Cursebreakers series)
Forging Silver into Stars is the first book in a new series by Brigid Kemmerer, a sequel to her Cursebreakers series. It takes place fours years after A Vow so Bold and Deadly, with the kingdom of Emberfall and the queendom of Syhl Shallow on the brink of war. Grey, the rightful heir to the Emberfall throne and the last remaining magesmith, now rules Syhl Shallow alongside his wife and the queen, Lia Mara. In a land that fears magic, the people are wary of his position as their new king, and a rebel group known as the Truthsayers have started sowing discord in the queendom.
Tycho, who has been soldiering for Grey for the better part of four years, now serves as the King's Courier, delivering messages between Syhl Shallow and Emberfall. One night, he finds himself in need of a blacksmith, so he makes a pitstop in the small town of Briarlock. While there, he meets best friends Callyn and Jax. Callyn runs a small bakery with her sister, while Jax works as a blacksmith with his no-good father. The three friends soon find themselves caught in the middle of a conspiracy where loyalties are tested and truths are twisted. And they may just start catching feelings along the way.
MY REVIEW
Returning to Emberfall and Syhl Shallow was like stepping into a room full of old friends. It's amazing how much I missed this world and these amazing characters (despite my mixed feelings about how A Vow So Bold and Deadly ended, but I digress). As usual, Brigid had me hooked from the very first chapter and I immediately fell head over heels for Tycho. Because who wouldn't?
This first book in the sequel series to A Curse So Dark and Lonely really reminded me just how much I love Brigid's writing. And her brain, let's be real. She has such a knack for court politics and pitting friends against each other, but also for the most butterfly-inducing romantic relationships. I was so glad to finally be back in the Cursebreakers world because of how the series ended and I'm thrilled to say that she's starting to make up for the short straw she gave Rhen. I was a little disappointed in his ending but things are definitely looking up for him!
Tycho is an amazing main character. I didn't think much of him in the original series; I thought he was sweet, but he was too timid and in the background for me to form much of a deeper opinion. Getting inside his head was so eye-opening and it was refreshing to see how much he had grown in the last four years.
I have a complicated relationship with Callyn. Her character is amazing, but she has some ideas about things that are frustrating because we, as the readers, know better. She's a great female MC, however, because she's not your typical bad@ss girl. She's a baker, she loves her sister, and she's fierce without being aggressive. I love that about her.
Jax was a surprising favorite of mine. When his point of view was first introduced, I wasn't sure how I would feel about it. Initially, I thought he would be a bit of a third wheel or maybe part of a love triangle. But boy was I wrong. Don't let that initial idea fool you!
Overall, I really liked this one! It definitely felt like a great beginning to the series and set up some awesome conflicts for the next book. I'll say 4.5 stars - it was very good, but it didn't quite punch me in the gut like all my 5-star reads 😅
Learn more about my rating system and spice levels here.
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