Written by Clancey Cheeley
As someone who read an egregious amount of young adult literature growing up, the tired trope of the world’s most mediocre brunette girl being fought over by two different boys (often of the supernatural variety), was something I was inundated with. A girl with zero personality is thrust into a new environment and for no apparent reason a bunch of gorgeous guys fall passionately heads-over-heels for her. Suffice to say this formula got old quickly so, before the end of pride month I decided to review a book that breaks from the tropes of typical YA romance and cover Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst.
Set in a medieval fantasy world, Of Fire and Stars opens following Princess Dennaleia as she travels to her arranged marriage with the prince of the southern kingdom of Mynaria, an equestrian nation that aggressively persecutes magic users. While Denna and the prince get along well their political union is threatened by Denna’s secret gift of fire manipulation and her growing feelings for the prince’s rebellious sister, Princess Amaranthine.
Of Fire and Stars was an inconsistent read. Outside of the romantic thread the other plotlines tended to fall flat. One of the driving plotlines introduced early revolved around political intrigue and an assassination, this was a compelling storyline that could have added a layer of mystery to the novel, but was let down by introducing the most blatantly obvious villain I have encountered in fiction. The less than stellar plot was thankfully countered by engrossing world building and the loathing-to-love romance between Denna and Mare.
Audrey Coulthurst managed to create a believable world that featured a staggering amount of detail, tradition, and texture. The sheer amount of horse training facts I had no interest in learning, but was exposed to anyway, fleshed out Mynaria’s culture and the book’s characters. This is a world that is ripe for storytelling and it is no surprise that Of Fire and Stars has spawned a sequel and a prequel. The true highlight of the book is the relationship between Denna and Mare. The slow-burn of both characters going from dreading each other’s company to falling for each other is perfectly paced and feels far more authentic than most romance found in YA fiction.
Not all young adult romance is made equal. Too many books pander to overused tropes and archetypes and Audrey Coulthurst should be commended for trying something original. While Of Fire and Stars is far from perfect, the novel’s world building and romance elevate it to a book I would recommend to anyone.
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