Pages:
222
Publisher:
Chicken House
Release
Date: 5th
May 2016
Edition:
UK proof, review
copy
Forbidden
to leave her village on Joya’s coast, Isabella dreams of the unmapped heart of
her island. When her closest friend disappears beyond the village walls, she’s
determined to lead the search party. Guided by an unfinished map, a beloved
myth and her knowledge of the stars, Isabella navigates the dangerous Forgotten
Territories. But beneath the dry rivers and smoking mountains, a fiery legend
is stirring from its sleep…
I've heard nothing but praise for
The Girl of Ink and Stars and I was
so excited to get my teeth into it that I saved for an afternoon where I could
read it all in one sitting. I did, and it was delicious.
Within pages of starting this
beautifully written debut I was completely immersed in Isabella’s world. Joya is
rich in myth, magic and legend and I almost felt like I was racing through the
hot, dusty market town right along with Isabella. The setting was just how I like
it: vivid, rich and tangible. I also love it when the setting of the story
almost becomes a character in the novel and that definitely happened in The Girl of Ink and Stars. Everything was
revealed wonderfully slowly, just drips and drops to tantalise us, and the way
it unfurled was beyond what I had imagined for it. Pure magic.
And the maps! Oh, the maps! Isabella’s
da is a cartographer and he’s been teaching Isabella to create them. Most of
Joya has been sectioned off and marked as forbidden for all of Isabella’s life.
Her own island is unmapped and she’s determined to change that. Da’s maps are
beautiful and almost alive, and the ones featured in the proof (which is the
most gorgeously produced proof I've ever had the pleasure of reading, btw) were
just as lovely. I want book maps all over my walls, please.
I love it when friendship becomes
a primary focus of the story and I loved the evolution of Isabella’s
relationship with Lupe. The clash of the poor girl and the governor’s daughter
comes to a head very quickly, but I enjoyed watching them both realise the
fault lay with neither of them and they ended up on the most wonderful
adventure together. Younger friendships aren’t always portrayed as strong or as
long-lasting as those in YA, but The Girl
of Ink and Stars proved that wrong. There were a few moments towards the
end that they both brought tears to my eyes.
The
Girl of Ink and Stars is
a gorgeously written debut that’s bursting with adventure and friendship, myth
and magic. I can't wait to read more from Kiran Millwood Hargrave.
Thanks to Chicken House for the
review copy.
Sophie
Sounds like an awesome read. Cant wait to start this one myself, Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
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