ARC Review--Forging Silver Into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer

 

New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer expands the Cursebreaker world in an electrifying new series.

When ancient magic tests a newfound love, a dark fate beckons . . .

Magic has been banished in the land of Syhl Shallow for as long as best friends Jax and Callyn can remember. They once loved the stories of the powerful magesmiths and mythical scravers who could conjure fire or control ice, but now they’ve learned that magic only leads to danger: magic is what killed Callyn’s parents, leaving her alone to raise her younger sister. Magic never helped Jax, whose leg was crushed in an accident that his father has been punishing him for ever since. Magic won’t save either of them when the tax collector comes calling, threatening to take their homes if they can't pay what they owe.

Meanwhile, Jax and Callyn are astonished to learn magic has returned to Syhl Shallow -- in the form of a magesmith who's now married to their queen. Now, the people of Syhl Shallow are expected to allow dangerous magic in their midst, and no one is happy about it.

When a stranger rides into town offering Jax and Callyn silver in exchange for holding secret messages for an anti-magic faction, the choice is obvious -- even if it means they may be aiding in a plot to destroy their new king. It’s a risk they’re both willing to take. That is, until another visitor arrives: handsome Lord Tycho, the King’s Courier, the man who’s been tasked with discovering who’s conspiring against the throne.

Suddenly, Jax and Callyn find themselves embroiled in a world of shifting alliances, dangerous flirtations, and ancient magic . . . where even the deepest loyalties will be tested.

 

I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

 

Brigid Kemmerer returns to the exciting world of the Cursebreakers with a brand new addition, Forging Silver Into Stars! We return four years after the great battle, time has passed, some wounds have healed, but not all. Our story is divided by three storytellers, Tycho, and newcomers, Callyan and Jax. This story was epic beyond proportions and it's only just getting started.

We all felt a little lost, I suppose is the right word, after the end of the Cursebreakers series. It felt like too much was left unsaid after all we learned and all that had occurred. While this new series picks up a few years later, it does seem to settle some of the lingering questions I might have had regarding certain characters. Though there are still plenty of other questions to be had with this new series!

Tycho is the King's Courier, he delivers the highly sensitive messages between Emberfall and Syhl Shallow. Things are not necessarily in the thick of Happily Ever After, nor are they necessarily dark and dismal times. Life is just returning to a sort of normal, though the people of Syhl Shallow are not necessarily thrilled that a magic user is now their king. In fact, there is still a lot of hatred towards magic and magic users among the people.

Jax is a blacksmith with a drunk and abusive father. Jax has an even rougher go of things as he lost a foot in accident when he was young, so he was never able to enlist and the day-to-day tasks of blacksmith present something of a challenge, but he manages. Then he learns his father has been spending their earnings on alcohol instead of paying their taxes and when a somewhat dangerous opportunity arises that could bring in funds to save the blacksmith. He simply holds secret messages between Lady Karyl and Alek, a pair of upperclassman you could say. They're not royalty but they have a high standing in society.

Callyn is Jax's best friend and a baker trying to save her bakery after her father died recently and now she too is in debt trying to pay taxes in order to save her livelihood and take care of her younger sister. She ends up helping Jax in a way with his messages and he shares in the wealth. Until they begin to question just what these messages are about. And that is when Tycho comes to town, merely by happenstance.

For a nearly 600 page book, a lot happens in this story and it's hard to give the highlights without diving into some backstory as well. With three points of view as well, we are all over the board when it comes to seeing just what is happening in this kingdom. Murder plots, conspiracy theories, treason...it's a lot to handle, yet Brigid is able to tell the story without it being overly slow. The story was well-paced, and while there were a few moments that felt a little too long, there was usually an uprising in the plot to make things speed up again.

As promised, all of our old Cursebreakers characters are here as they interact with the new characters. It was fun to still see them and to get to know these new people as well. Jax and Callyn are a great set of friends, though even that steadfast bond is about to be tested in this dangerous game they are playing.

Romance. Oh the romance. I'll admit, I was slightly worried a love triangle would form between these three characters...but luckily that was only ever a half-formed thought. While romantic tension runs high between Tycho and Jax, there was never a wavering doubt that Tycho might also feel for Callyn or her for him. Callyn does have a romantic interest in this one that was surprising as well, though it did leave me wondering about its authenticity. You wonder if they were being truthful with one another and the ending just left my mind in a tailspin.

While the book did seem to move a sedate pace for the most part, you always knew something was coming. Something indeed was building in the background and the ending was quite epic and action packed, much of what I wished could've been happening earlier. I understood for the slow buildup though, I just possibly wish it wasn't as long. The character development along the way was a pleasant way to spend the time until the plot got moving again.

Forging Silver Into Stars was an enjoyable read to the start of a new trilogy. I am sure even greater things are to come with this series and I cannot wait to see what happens next!

 

Overall Rating 4/5 stars

 

Forging Silver Into Stars releases June 7, 2022