Ahoy there mateys! This novel takes place on the islands of Gelle-Geu.  The main character is a poet named Erígra Lilún who does not deal well with people and wants to be left alone to garden and write.  Unfortunately, the ghost of their ancestor is badgering them to become the island starkeeper, a position Erígra knows they cannot handle.  The ancestor claims that the star is failing and Erígra is the only person to save it and the islands.  The official starkeeper is Ranra Kekeri who is trying hard to figure out what is wrong with the island and do what she believes is right.  Then Ranra and Erígra meet and are smitten with one another.  But do they deserve happiness on the brink of potential disaster?

I enjoyed this book but didn't love it.  So much of this book focuses on the two characters' inner turmoil.  Not enough of the plot dealt with the island culture and star.  I think the major problem for me was while I loved both characters and sympathized with them, it was hard to watch them make the right choices for themselves and then having such a horrific ending.  I honestly can't say if I believe the ending was inevitable no matter what Erígra and Ranra did or if they could have salvaged the situation by doing something different.

One of the elements that I had trouble with in this book was Erígra spending so much time pondering what their gender identity was.  I totally understand why this was important to the character but it did not seem important to the plot.  Whatever Erígra chose was going to be accepted by island people.  I wanted the focus to be on the islands themselves, the star failing, the magic system, and the impact on the islanders.  Personal preference.

While the writing is still lovely and I will read more from the author, this novel was the least favorite of the Birdverse so far.  No regrets about reading it though.  Arrr!