Celadon allowed silence to infuse the room a moment longer than what was comfortable for anyone. Even Arlo shifted at his side, her heart beginning again to flutter in panic. Like all fae of royal blood, there was a glow beneath his skin. Even through his glamour, it shone greenish soft as setting twilight, a color that marked him UnSeelie. If Arlo’s inheritance had been stronger, she’d wear that same glow, but as it were, only their eyes marked their relation. Anyway, these four are all separately dragged into the same mystery and before we know it, we have a budding Scooby gang and the mystery is one that has powerful repercussions through their world and ours.

A Dark and Hollow Star to your winter must 3 reasons to add A Dark and Hollow Star to your winter must

Vehan Lysterne was born to Queen Riadne Lysterne and King Vadrien Hanlon-Lysterne of Seelie Summer, two years after the "death" of his elder brother. Soon after he was born, his mother placed an array on his chest to protect him, which drew the attention of the Hunter Lethe. His father soon discovered the mark and called his mother out for it, but because of Riadne's indifference, he went to former queen Arina Lysterne about the problem, ending in Vadrien's death. Nausicaa is a former Fury, with heartbreaking and horrifying reasons behind that “former” designation. An immortal condemned to spend eternity in the Mortal Realm, she’s torn between causing chaos for her own amusement, and figuring out why dangerous creatures are suddenly stalking the streets. Arlo’s decision hovered on her tongue. She already knew what she wanted to choose, and she was moments from blurting it out, but Councillor Larsen was not yet finished.No,” Celadon continued on, “I only came to collect my cousin. It is her birthday, after all, and her family would like to spend what little time you’ve left her now to celebrate this fact.” He lifted his watch higher to exaggerate this point, then shook his head despairingly. “Apologies for the interruption, Councillors. I wish every one of you a wonderful night.”

Books – Ashley Shuttleworth Books – Ashley Shuttleworth

Do you need to know a person to feel sympathy for them? You’re kind, Arlo, and you feel things deeply. That’s not something to be embarrassed about, you know? There’s a great many people who go their whole lives without every learning to feel that compassion, and it my opinion, it’s better to feel too much of that than to look on at suffering and feel nothing at all.” I can’t remember the last time I full on belly laughed while reading a book (okay it was probably the infamous Daevabad potato head line but still, that was a while ago) and this book had me do it more than a couple of times. Yes,” said Gavin Larsen, Nayani’s husband and Seelie representative of Summer, looking nothing but amused by the proceedings. “And what is Arlo’s decision?” Writing a multi-POV story can be difficult: It needs to feature distinct voices, with characters that are both distinctly drawn and who have arcs of their own. When done poorly, it’s painful. When done right, it’s propulsive, drawing readers deeper into the story in an attempt to connect the dots between a group of seemingly disparate stories.And thankfully, A Dark and Hollow Stardefinitely falls into that latter category.This was such a FUN read, fae, ya fantasy, mystery, gay as all get out and with possible formation of my new fave squad. A gripping flight into fantasy…The plot offers high stakes, simmering romantic tension, political drama, refreshingly casual representation of queer and transgender characters, and an intriguing magic system that draws inspiration from Dungeons & Dragons.”— Kirkus I’m sure it hasn’t escaped your omniscience that her mother is niece to my father, the High King? Arlo is human. She is also fae.”

A Dark and Hollow Star” by Ashley Shuttleworth Book Review: “A Dark and Hollow Star” by Ashley Shuttleworth

It… it should matter that I’m a Viridian,” Arlo heard herself say, in a voice made small by nausea and nerves. “My magic might not be very strong, I might have much more of my father’s iron blood than you’d like, but I can still alter and conceal my appearance with a glamour just fine, and I possess enough of the Sight to see through the glamours of other folk as well…”Now is the perfect time to bring this up,” Celadon countered under his breath. “Anything we can use, Arlo. Remember?” What? No! Nausicaä you can’t kill the Seelie Prince of Summer just for ‘wasting your time,’ you…do know that, right? Should you choose it, the Council will reconvene this hearing on the day that marks the start of your twenty-sixth year. At that time, you will resubmit for Weighing, and if your fae inheritance has manifested as it should, you will be allowed the full privilege and status of the royal blood that runs within your veins. However, if Maturity has not found you by this time, your choices shall revert to what they are now: human, or common magical citizen.” In a time of typewriters and steam engines, Iris Winnow awaits word from her older brother, who has enlisted on the side of Enva the Skyward goddess. Alcohol abuse led to her mother’s losing her job, and Iris has dropped out of school and found work utilizing her writing skills at the Oath Gazette. Hiding the stress of her home issues behind a brave face, Iris competes for valuable assignments that may one day earn her the coveted columnist position. Her rival for the job is handsome and wealthy Roman Kitt, whose prose entrances her so much she avoids reading his articles. At home, she writes cathartic letters to her brother, never posting them but instead placing them in her wardrobe, where they vanish overnight. One day Iris receives a reply, which, along with other events, pushes her to make dramatic life decisions. Magic plays a quiet role in this story, and readers may for a time forget there is anything supernatural going on. This is more of a wartime tale of broken families, inspired youths, and higher powers using people as pawns. It flirts with clichéd tropes but also takes some startling turns. Main characters are assumed White; same-sex marriages and gender equality at the warfront appear to be the norm in this world. Again, no clue. If they’re wasting our time, I promise to exact revenge and lure them out to Cyberniskos’s lair.”

A Dark and Hollow Star Review – The Caffeinated Reader A Dark and Hollow Star Review – The Caffeinated Reader

If that isn’t enough to satisfy your misgivings, let me remind you of something else: it counts a great deal that your suppliant today is the blood of House Viridian. I, myself, as an example, was a late bloomer. Me, the faeborn son of High King Azurean. I didn’t begin to demonstrate any affinity for air—that element of my Court—until Maturity hit nearly two years ago, when I turned nineteen. And it was only months ago that I discovered I possessed a Gift in addition to that affinity.” Beautifully written and deliciously complex, A Dark and Hollow Star is utterly engrossing. The magic is bloody, the humor sharp, and the murder mystery drenched in violence and intrigue. Like a fallen Fury set on vengeance, I couldn’t get enough."Only her husband, the man at Councillor Larsen’s side—short by fae standards, golden-tanned and very blond—showed no surprise at her words. The rest looked up at their Headship in confusion.