Those of you who have been following my blog for a while know I’ve been madly in love with the Cursebreakers Trilogy by Brigid Kemmerer for years. You can imagine my joy when she announced a new trilogy, set in the same world. Without any doubt, Forging Silver into Stars is going to be one of the contestants for my Dragon Awards 2022!
Attention: This review contains spoilers for the original trilogy!
Forging Silver into Stars
Forging Silver into Stars takes us back to the world of the Cursebreakers Trilogy, four years after the end of the final book. This time, we experience the story through the eyes of two new characters, and one fan-favourite from the original series. Tycho, the former stable hand who was one of the first to swear loyalty to King Grey, is now the Kings Courier. As he travels between the royal court in Syhl Shallow and Ironrose Castle where the Prince-Regent of Emberfall resides, he meets the two other protagonists: Jax, a blacksmith, and Callyn, a baker. But times are hard, and the people of Syhl Shallow are still mistrusting of their new magical king. Fearing for their queen a revolt against magic is in the making, and Jax, Callyn, and Tycho just might find themselves right in the eye of the storm.
I loved to be back in this world
How I had missed Emberfall. In the last couple of weeks, I’ve been struggling to read, but I had no issue with this book whatsoever. As of the first chapter, I was once again obsessed with Brigid Kemmerer’s stories. This book reads like a train, the characters are wonderful and the plot will keep you on the edge of your seat.
While the worldbuilding is great, I’m more of a character-girl myself (as is the author). I loved to meet the older Tycho and I also greatly appreciated Jax. Like with Harper in the original series, Jax’ disability does not define him. Throughout the first book, he learns to see himself as so much more than a blacksmith with only one foot. Furthermore, I loved the interactions between him and Tycho.
And then there’s Prince Rhen, my absolute favourite character. I’m so glad we get to see him more in this book (my reading journal entry might start out with “RHEN RHEN RHEN RHEN”) and the unexpected friendship he forms with one of the other characters left me breathless. It’s exactly what I hoped for and I cannot believe it actually came true! I feel quite proud of myself of having realised they would make a great pair of friends. Rhen just truly deserves it and I love how this turn of events helps him cope with his trauma and visual impairment. I’m even giddy about it. 😀
I’m glad this book was written in much the same style as the original trilogy. While I also liked Defy the Night, I found the writing style a bit too repetitive at times. While I noticed some instances in this book too, repetition was largely kept to a minimum.
Last but not least, the romance in this book is swoon-worthy! I loved the main romance intensely. There’s also an enemies-to-lovers plotline. I’m not sure how I feel about that one yet, that will depend on the way the “enemy” evolves in the next book as I’m still not sure what his deal is.
If you loved the Cursebreakers Trilogy, you will love this new trilogy. Without a doubt: five out of five gemstones:
Age Category: Young adult, but also suitable for an older audience
Representation: M/M relationship between main characters, disability, trauma
Trigger Warnings (click here, may contain spoilers)
Warnings for parental death, off page rape, physical and verbal parental abuse, and miscarriage.Do you want to discover more?
If my review inspired you to pick up the book, don’t hesitate to check it out at Goodreads or at the below online stores.
Amazon.nl: Hardcover Edition
Amazon.nl: Paperback Edition
There’s also a great book trailer available on the author’s website:
As far as I’m aware, there are currently three special editions available. One is the Waterstones Exclusive edition, which has sprayed edges. It’s still available online for about € 9. While it’s definitely pretty, I’m sad that it’s a paperback (I dislike reading special edition paperbacks, as it will damage them). The other one is the Barnes & Noble Exclusive edition. This hardcover is still available online as well, for about € 16. This edition is signed, has a unique cover, and includes bonus letters. If you have to choose, I would definitely go for this one over the Waterstones one.
I also really love the Fairyloot one though. This edition has a peach hardback that complements the teal tones of the edges and details on the cover beautifully. It also has a reversible dustjacket and custom endpapers, and comes with a bookplate. This edition is available second hand, but as it’s only now coming on the market, the price hasn’t stabilized yet. I expected it to go between € 50 and € 100 eventually.
Similar to this
While it is not necessary per se to read the Cursebreakers Trilogy before reading Forging Silver into Stars, I would definitely recommend doing so as it would spoil quite a bit of the original storyline. Nevertheless, if you’ve started with Forging Silver into Stars, I’m positive you’ll want to return to Emberfall as soon as possible. Seeing that part two has not yet been announced, this would mean that you’ll have to go back to the first novel, A Curse so Dark and Lonely. This is the book that made me fall in love with Brigid Kemmerer’s style, so you will not be disappointed! You can find my review of part one here. It’s a whole new take on a tale as old as time…
I would also like to recommend her other new series, Defy the Night. This tale is an enemies-to-lovers YA fantasy that is – lightly – inspired by the Robin Hood legends. While I was less convinced by the first book in this series than I was by the Cursebreakers Series, I’m still very much looking forward to part two, Defend the Dawn which is set to be released in September. Interested? Check out my review of part one!
Recap: Forging Silver into Stars
In the following section, you’ll find a recap that you can use to prepare for the next book when it is published. Of course, this is by definition full of spoilers, so it is hidden behind a spoiler tag. Enter at your own risk!
Want a recap before starting the next part? (click here, contains spoilers)
World: : Emberfall and Syhl Shallow have been united by the marriage between King Grey and Queen Lia Mara. They rule from the castle in Syhl Shallow, while Prince Rhen is regent of Emberfall and resides in Ironrose Castle with Princess Harper. Although the two nations now have peace, people remain mistrusting of Grey’s magic. They believe he has forced their queen into the alliance, which leads to an ever growing rebellion. The Truthbringers are the ringleaders who are planning to kill the King.
Main characters: The story has three main protagonists: Tycho, Jax and Callyn. Tycho is now the King’s Courier and during his travels he falls in love with Jax. Lord Alek, however, manages to sow discord between Tycho and Grey and when the entire court starts to doubt Tycho’s loyalty, Grey seems to have his own doubts as well. While at Emberfall, he befriends Rhen against all odds.
Jax is a blacksmith who has lost his foot when a cart fell on top of him. His father is a drunkard and frequently abuses him verbally and physically. His mother is dead. When Tycho teaches him how to shoot, he finally starts to have more self-confidence.
Callyn is Jax’s best friend since childhood. She has taken over the bakery when her father was killed by the King’s magic during the uprising. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do to protect her twelve-year-old sister, Nora. She falls in love with Lord Alek, who is the narrator of the final chapter. He’s one of the Truthbringers who are trying to liberate Syhl Shallow of magic.
Plot: At the beginning of the story, the court discovers a communication system via which coded messages are being passed, which seem to be linked to an upcoming new uprising. Jax and Callyn discover that they are way behind their taxes and are at risk of losing their house and businesses. In order to gain money, Jax agrees to keep closed messages for Lord Alek and a mysterious lady. When his friendship with Tycho grows he starts to doubt about his involvement which could potentially be treason (they do not know the content of the messages they are passing). Unbeknownst to him, Callyn takes over his role.
In the meanwhile, Tycho’s loyalty is being questioned and he finds himself at odds with Grey and Lia Mara. Unexpectedly, he grows closer to Rhen, however, who tries to defend him.
In an attempt to unite the two people, games are organised in Emberfall. While the King is there, he receives word that Lia Mara and their daughter are kidnapped. He immediately leaves, despite Rhen’s protests that they need a plan. Tycho follows him but Grey loses consciousness as he has exhausted his magic in order to speed their travels. Tycho makes a deal with the scaver Nakiis: he’ll save Grey and bring them to their destination and in return, Tycho will fight for him when the time comes. Tycho manages to save Lia Mara and princess Sinna (who are being held hostage in Callyn’s barn) with the help of Callyn. In the meanwhile, Grey and Jax manage to hold their own against the armed rebels. They are seriously outnumbered though and it will take days for Rhen’s army to arrive. They are saved by Nakiis and his army of scravers.
Everyone is re-united, but there’s still a serious risk of rebellion and Tycho is still not trusted by the court. As they saved the royal family, Jax and Callyn are pardoned. Jax and Tycho leave with Rhen to Emberfall, while Callyn and Nora become Sinna’s ladies-in-waiting and leave for the Chrystal Palace in Syhl Shallow. Still at odds with the King, Tycho refuses to tell Grey what he promised Nakiis in return for his life. He does tell Rhen, however.
Plot twist: it turns out that close proximity to a magical artifact for an extended period of time allows magic to seep into your veins. Because of this, Tycho (who wore magical protection rings) and Callyn (who wore a charm to protect her against magic) now suddenly find themselves with magical powers.