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A review by dragoninwinterfell
The Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
First, I want to thank Macmillan Audio, Flatiron Books, NetGalley and Yume Kitasei for providing the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Stardust Grail is the first novel I've read from Yume Kitasei and it definitely won't be the last. I'll be checking out Kitasei's other novel and eagerly waiting for the sequel to The Stardust Grail.
This futuristic space fantasy centers on Maya Hoshimoto, a 31-year-old retired art thief turned graduate student, as she is drawn into another heist by an old friend for a treasure that is vital to the survival of an alien species. Straight away, I adored Maya as a character. She's both an academic who works through the problems with research and knowledge as well as an action girl who can think on her feet and has a reckless streak. She has a very rich backstory that adds texture to her character and helps broaden the world building. Essentially, she was the perfect heroine to follow for this fun treasure hunt.
The supporting characters were also well crafted and unique. There's a mercenary who keeps her cards close to the vest, an academic leaving Earth for the first time who has a rocky relationship with Maya, an ancient alien desperately trying to save their species, and a robot who wants to be sapient. This combination of characters bounce off of each other and Maya beautifully.
In addition to the excellent characters, the world building was fascinating and just complex enough for the story being told. It felt expansive without weighing down the narrative. The magic is also very unique, being presented as an illness that there needs to be a vaccine for, giving Maya both strengths and hindrances.
The Stardust Grail is the first novel I've read from Yume Kitasei and it definitely won't be the last. I'll be checking out Kitasei's other novel and eagerly waiting for the sequel to The Stardust Grail.
This futuristic space fantasy centers on Maya Hoshimoto, a 31-year-old retired art thief turned graduate student, as she is drawn into another heist by an old friend for a treasure that is vital to the survival of an alien species. Straight away, I adored Maya as a character. She's both an academic who works through the problems with research and knowledge as well as an action girl who can think on her feet and has a reckless streak. She has a very rich backstory that adds texture to her character and helps broaden the world building. Essentially, she was the perfect heroine to follow for this fun treasure hunt.
The supporting characters were also well crafted and unique. There's a mercenary who keeps her cards close to the vest, an academic leaving Earth for the first time who has a rocky relationship with Maya, an ancient alien desperately trying to save their species, and a robot who wants to be sapient. This combination of characters bounce off of each other and Maya beautifully.
In addition to the excellent characters, the world building was fascinating and just complex enough for the story being told. It felt expansive without weighing down the narrative. The magic is also very unique, being presented as an illness that there needs to be a vaccine for, giving Maya both strengths and hindrances.