Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Girl and the Stars by Mark Lawrence Series: Book of the Ice #1
Published by Ace on April 21, 2020
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 380
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
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In the ice, east of the Black Rock, there is a hole into which broken children are thrown. Yaz’s people call it the Pit of the Missing and now it is drawing her in as she has always known it would.
To resist the cold, to endure the months of night when even the air itself begins to freeze, requires a special breed. Variation is dangerous, difference is fatal. And Yaz is not the same.
Yaz’s difference tears her from the only life she’s ever known, away from her family, from the boy she thought she would spend her days with, and has to carve out a new path for herself in a world whose existence she never suspected. A world full of difference and mystery and danger.
Yaz learns that Abeth is older and stranger than she had ever imagined. She learns that her weaknesses are another kind of strength and that the cruel arithmetic of survival that has always governed her people can be challenged.
My first experience with Mark Lawrence’s work was with Red Sister, from the Book of the Ancestor trilogy. I have since been collecting and reading more of his work. The Girl and the Stars is the first in the Book of the Ice series, and is set in the same world, earlier in time.
The main character is Yaz and she is 16. We get only a brief glimpse of her world with her family before things change drastically and she is dropped into a new world none of her people knew existed. She went to save her brother. Throughout our story, Yaz tries to help and save others, even at risk to herself. She learns much about her self and her abilities.
I don’t think it is necessary to have read the Book of the Ancestor trilogy, but it does make it much easier to adjust to the world and know about the different groups of people and their skills. It was a much faster and more engaging read for me knowing more, and I had much less of the slow down I get with first book syndrome trying to understand the world.
The depth and growth of the characters, the action, the rules of magic within the world, and the emotional journey of Yaz were all of the quality and energy I have come to expect from this author. I appreciate the strength of the character created here.
I did not want to like Yaz. She was a good person here and I guess we will see what happens to change her through the years. Certainly I was afraid for her many times, both for her survival and for what the priest wanted with her. I definitely want to continue but it looks like that will be with Black Rock in 2021.
About Mark Lawrence
Mark Lawrence was born in Champagne-Urbana, Illinois, to British parents but moved to the UK at the age of one. He went back to the US after taking a PhD in mathematics at Imperial College to work on a variety of research projects including the ‘Star Wars’ missile defence programme. Returning to the UK, he has worked mainly on image processing and decision/reasoning theory. He says he never had any ambition to be a writer so was very surprised when a half-hearted attempt to find an agent turned into a global publishing deal overnight.
Mark Lawrence is married with four children, one of whom is severely disabled. His day job is as a research scientist focused on various rather intractable problems in the field of artificial intelligence. He has held secret level clearance with both US and UK governments. At one point he was qualified to say ‘this isn’t rocket science … oh wait, it actually is’.
Between work and caring for his disabled child, Mark spends his time writing, playing computer games, tending an allotment, brewing beer, and avoiding DIY.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- COYER-20
Excellent review, Anne? Fantasy can be somewhat out of my comfort zone but it appears the world building here was strong.
The only fantasy I seem to be able to read are those with exceptional world-building and character development. Whether you enjoy the story or not, Lawrence is excellent with these aspects. I have loved everything I have read of his work.
I didn’t realize that this was a new series. I have the audios for the other trilogy and it sounds like I might need to get my hands on this one after I read those. Glad you enjoyed it!
It is new; it’s a prequel by at least 20 years I think, set in the same world. The audio for this one has not been set up or I would have gone that route, especially since I have the audio of the other trilogy. But you could easily listen to the other trilogy and start this series after the audio is available sine the second book is a year away.
Great review. I’ve got the Red Sister on my TBR to try. I like that you point out “I don’t think it is necessary to have read the Book of the Ancestor trilogy, but it does make it much easier to adjust to the world and know about the different groups of people and their skills.” It’s always good to know if or if not you should read something first to have a better enjoyment. Thank you!
I definitely would since you have it. And you’ll do better with understanding the world.
I only recently spotted this one and got excited that it was set in the same world as Book of the Ancestor. Glad it was really good. I’ll be reading or listening to it at some point. 🙂
It looks like the books will be a year apart so you have time if you aren’t reviewing for new release. Also the audio has no release date yet.
Children are thrown into a hole. – Yeah, not sure I can get past that. Good review!
Thanks. Yes some of these fantasy worlds are not good for women or children. Sometimes they aren’t good for anyone except rich old men. And the story gives us the gritty realism, which may be too real.
Ooo I was curious about this since I loved his last trilogy.
You’re probably going to want it. I wanted it on audio but couldn’t wait to read it.
I’ve not read this author before but have heard good things. What a fabulous cover!
I’ve loved everything I have read. I would start with Red Sister, which is in the same world and read that trilogy before this one. I’m still working through his back list though I have purchased almost all of them.
Interesting. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I don’t know if I would want to read a YA fantasy, but this one sounds promising. thanks.
I don’t consider this YA fantasy and I don’t classify it as such. In this world and much of historical fantasy, girls/women are married at 15 or so. She is 16 and the ceremony at the start of the book meant she would be considered an adult and she planned to marry the next day. It seems icky now but in historical times where life was so much shorter and there wasn’t anything like college for men or women I can understand it more.