Fleeing into the unknown, she is drawn into a team of outcasts:
A broken soldier, who once again takes up the weapons he’s forbidden to wield and carves a trail back home.
A drunken prince, who steps out from his beloved brother’s shadow and claims a purpose of his own.
An imprisoned thief, who escapes the crushing dark and discovers a gleaming artifact – one that will ignite a power struggle across the globe.
On the run, hunted by enemies old and new, they must learn to trust each other in order to survive in a world evolved in strange, beautiful, and deadly ways, and uncover ancient secrets that hold the key to their salvation.
But with each passing moment, doom draws closer.
I generally try to approach every book I pick up with something close to wild enthusiasm. Sometimes that feeling is more intense, depending on whether I’ve read books by the author before, or maybe there has just been a lot of buzz surrounding a book.
Expectations can be a funny thing, for sure. I don’t even really know how to qualify my what my expectations were for THE STARLESS CROWN. James Rollins is not an author I’ve read anything by, but I know he is well regarded for his adventure novels, and I’ve had at least a couple of online friends that are big fans of his work. This is apparently something of a “returning to one’s roots,” as I gather Rollins wrote fantasy/speculative fiction years back.
The synopsis for this sounded right up my street, and it is ALWAYS cool getting an email from Tor with an offer for an ARC. I’ve had this one for awhile, but it was really starting to call my name recently, as I found myself more & more curious about what this book would be like.
THE STARLESS CROWN….just fucking dazzled me, from the first page to the last. This was one of those books where I could not wait to get back to it every time I was away from it. Whether I only had time for a chapter, or had a couple of hours to devote to THE STARLESS CROWN, I cherished every moment I spent in this world. James Rollins has created something truly special with this first book in the MOON FALL series, and I am thrilled to be on this epic journey.
Our main character is a young girl named Nyx. A student at the Cloistery of Brayk, Nyx has had a challenging life. She was abandoned as a newborn in the swamps of Mýr, temporarily raised by giant bats (GIANT BATS), and is nearly blind. But her adoptive family loves her fiercely, and she is a bright & promising student.
Kanthe is a prince, but…just barely. The younger twin, he will always be second in every way to his brother. Kanthe is generally fine with his lot in life, and spends his days in something of a drunken haze. His entire view of the world is set to change, he just doesn’t know it.
Graylin is a knight living in exile, guilt-ridden about some dark things in his past, and raising two not-really-dogs-but-basically-dogs who are Extremely Good Boys™️ I fell in love with this makeshift “pack” straight away.
These three characters (and more) come together in some epic & unexpected (but possibly fated?) ways, and the result is something of a quest novel. There are some familiar elements at play, certainly, but somehow the overall effect feels entirely unique.
James Rollins pays special attention to the natural elements in this world, and even mentioned on Twitter that he consulted with biologists & astrophysicists while writing THE STARLESS CROWN, as well as relying on his background as a veterinarian. Additionally, the book has some really cool anatomical drawings of some of the creatures/animals in this world!
There are some big, BIG surprises in THE STARLESS CROWN, as well as some brutally emotional scenes that took me right the fuck out. Which is testament to the fact that Rollins creates a really compelling & likable cast of characters that I was fully engaged with right away.
I genuinely adored THE STARLESS CROWN. Nyx was an instant new favorite protagonist for me… she’s someone with the odds perpetually stacked against her, but she just refuses to be broken by the sometimes-harsh world she lives in. She’s brave & curious, and feels things very deeply. Oof…just an incredible character at the heart of this new series, and I can’t wait to catch up with her again!
This world just has so much to offer fantasy readers…the landscapes are as treacherous as they are beautiful, and the wildlife can turn on you in a heartbeat. There are environmental concerns in this world with major implications for everyone involved, which is really interesting to see. THE STARLESS CROWN is just a big-hearted, thrilling, and bold fantasy novel. One of my favorites I’ve read this year, without a doubt!
Massive thanks to Tor Books for sending me an ARC! THE STARLESS CROWN releases January 4th!
Grimdark Dad 
I’ll be reading this book VERY SOON!!!
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I’m a huge fan of the author’s adventure novels, so I guess my expectations were sky high and that’s probably why I felt it didn’t live up to them… but as you mentioned, I loved the characters. Nyx, Kanthe and Graylin all became favorites and the two not-dogs were just so amazing.
Your review is amazing and I loved reading it. Who knows, maybe I’ll give it a reread some day in the future and fall in love more. It’ll be a long wait for the sequel though 😞
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Thanks, Grimdarkdad (love the pen name!), for your very generous review of my return to my fantasy roots. I’m THRILLED you enjoyed the book, and I hope you like what’s to come next for Nyx and company. The true mayhem is just beginning. Again, THANKS, for the kind words and for taking the time to read the book. You have my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude.
All the best, James Rollins
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