I really wanted to like this one after the first couple of pages but sadly, the last part of the book put me off a little bit. I enjoyed the initial mystery and intrigue, the first meeting of the two protagonists and the concept of the reveurite/star-metal, but it lacked some serious worldbuilding to really pull me in. Overall, this book could have used some more pages to cement its' world and magic, to shed some more light on the different characters and their motives. The whole conflict was resolved rather abruptly and in a way that felt somewhat unsatisfying. The prose was great though! 'Whimsical' is the most fitting word for the lyrical writing style and I enjoyed it greatly!

A stunning, magnificent fantasy. It was complex, mysterious, and brimming immense jeopardy via the Everly curse. Violet is a wonderful heroine, and Aleksander is great, even though, I personally was confused by the instantaneous romance between them. It’ is such a rich, world building story and I really hope there’s a follow up, Huge thanks to the publisher for this gorgeous ARC. P.S. This book contains my favourite villain and twist ever.

I really enjoyed this novel. The villain is truly a villain and written expertly. The mystery surrounding her family curse is what made this story enticing and addictive. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be recommending this to my students after summer. Perfect for autumn and winter reads!

"The City of Stardust" by Georgia Summers sounds like an engaging fantasy novel with a unique blend of magic, politics, and romance. The concept of a hidden curse tied to the protagonist's lineage, along with the suspense of a looming deadline, adds an intriguing layer to the story. The slow burn romance and themes of betrayal and second chances promise to keep readers invested in the characters' journeys. Overall, it appears to be a promising read for those who enjoy fantasy tales with a mix of mystery and romance.

I absolutely loved this book. The world created by Georgia Summers had echoes of The Night Circus for me, and it was a really immersive read. Violet Everly's mother has abandoned her, and now it falls to Violet to break the family curse. But this is much more than a story about a curse, it's a story about love, and about how far people are willing to go to get the things they think they want. I devoured it!

This is a book about adventures, fairytales, dreaming of getting to be in other worlds, family, betrayal, and so much more.

Violets family is Cursed, and once every generation, one Everly is taken, and they disappear. Since her mother has disappeared, it's now Violet's turn. She either needs to find her mother or a way to stop the curse. This sends her on a journey she never could have expected.

I liked the book, and it was interesting to follow. At the same time, i wish more would be happening. The writing was a little bit confusing in the beginning, but once i got used to the style, it was easier.

I loved this book from start to finish. The title drew me in, the summary made me excited and then I couldn’t put the book down.
Fans of The Invisible Library, Genevieve Cogman and The Starless Sea, Erin Morgentern will fall in love with this book. It was all the right levels of whimsical with the added spice of deception, horror and adventure.

This book was absolutely incredible, the best fantasy book i have read this year... I can't believe this is a debut work!
The world building was excellent, the locations and worlds really felt lived in and real.
The writing is lyrical and atmospheric, and while whimsical it doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of the story.
Violet is a phenomenal protagonist, determined to break her family curse not just for herself, and Penelope was such an excellent antagonist, dark and menacing in the most polite way.

Fantastic read, perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman or Erin Morgenstern.

The moment I started the book it confused me. The first couple of chapters made me reread almost every line as I
Had a hard time following what was happening. After reading the first 10 chapters I could not put it down - it was like watching a movie just in book words.

I enjoyed the writing style that made the whole book even more interesting and my heart was beating so fast in the last few chapters even though I didn't find the book to be predictable I kind of guessed how it will end with Ever.

Although the ending was good, a wanted a bit more. Which I guess is a good thing about the book - that it is keeping you hooked until the last pages.

This one was a bummer. Started off really well, very reminiscent of Erin Morgenstern books but in the end it just felt really choppy and underwhelming. The world building was incredibly confusing and the characters felt pretty flat which just made the reading experience unenjoyable after a certain point.

Violet’s family is cursed, one member in each generation doomed to be stolen away to another world.
In trying to find a way out of this fate, Violet discovers Fidelis: home of the scholars; of myth and wonder. The cradle to other worlds. Unlocked by keys owned by the scholars.
What lengths will violet undergo to discover the truth, as we readers know, adventure and danger and msyery are addictive and seductive. How many of us have waited for that hidden world. that secret in the wardbrobe, and Violet finds it. The story pulls us in as a reader the same way Violet is pulled into the world. Its suspenseful, mysterious intriguing and magical. Its a slow build but it packs a punch a later on and I love all the characters and their interactions and stories.

The City of Stardust is an ethereal and deeply atmospheric book full of mystery and magic.

Violet Everly lives a life of solitude with her uncle in their decaying family home after her mother's disappearance. The Everly family is cursed so that every generation, one of them is taken by a woman named Penelope.

Similarly to The Invisible Life of Addie Larue or The Starless Sea, The City of Stardust is told in the most beautiful prose. It is a compelling read with flawed and loveable characters as well as fantastic world building.

I highly recommend this book! If you enjoyed the books I mentioned above, you are bound to be swept away by this deeply enchanting debut!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the book, it is full of mystery, magic and adventure. I was drawn in from the start however there was some choppy pacing in the story and made it hard to follow sometimes and parts were rushed in order to get to a new plot point.

Nevertheless this was a really enjoyable read and look forward to seeing if this world will be expanded. I recommend this book to anyone who loves books fantasy which has magical doors and interesting characters.

A rich story with lush, evocative writing that reminded me of The Starless Sea and The Ten Thousand Doors of January.

We follow our heroine Violet as she's suddenly flung into an unknown world full of rogue scholars, magical doors and magical keys and evil, soul-sucking gods. Kept in the dark about her own heritage and potential by her guardians in an attempt to protect her from the family curse, she's completely unpreprared for what happens when the curse comes calling for her (because of course it does). We follow her trying to navigate this unkown world, desperately trying to find her mother, who left her when she was a child in an attempt to break the curse, meeting friends and foes - and some who may be both - on the way.

I loved the evocative writing, and like many people I'm a sucker for stories about keys, magical doors and libraries, and I flew through the first half of the book. Unfortunately, then plot became a little choppy in the second half, and the ending fell rather flat for me. However, it is still an impressive debut, and I will be looking for future titles by the author.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here expressed are my own.

The City of Stardust is just as enchanting as your favorite fairytale. Romantic and adventurous, it took me by the hand and led me through worlds I’ve only ever dreamed of. Simply dazzling!

• "It can be a terrible thing, to love so deeply."

With the enchantment of a fairy tale, the story reveals gods, monsters, brokenpromises, and stars; where beauty and cruelty intertwine, unveiling a exquisitely crafted world. Because it takes talent and reveurite for galaxies to be born in the hands of a dreamer.
What a marvelous gift in so few pages!

Ever Everly was an extraordinarily clever man, yet the epitome of foolishness. Marianne ran so fast chasing a dream, that nothing could ever catch her. Ambrose and Gabriel were not the chosen sacrifices, but they chose to sacrifice everything... for Violet: the young girl burdened by an immense debt.

• "What else is a curse but this? Love, stretched and warped beyond all meaning."

The Everly curse turned out to be as real as the very metal of the gods and as deadly as the star that, generation after generation, sentenced them one by one.
So, why is it so tempting to be one of them?
Perhaps, it is due to the fierceness with which they protect each other; or maybe, because I too would have loved to be a prodigious disciple in Fidelis, always dreaming of adventures in lost worlds just a magical door away, visiting forgotten cafes on uncharted corners of the planet. But mainly because, even in these moments while you read my ramblings, my thoughts linger on Caspian and his third option.
Penelope and Aleksander will have to understand it.

• "To be nothing is to be remade, after all."

My only complaint would be that at times it felt like there were too many pages postponing the grand finale, but even then, the plot never wavered.

☆☆☆☆☆
Undoubtedly, one of my favorite reads of the year.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an eARC in exchange for an honest review. It was a wonderful experience.

First, I would like to thank the author & NetGalley for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review is voluntary & honest

A beautiful written story filled with mystery, intrigue, and rich descriptions with fantastical world building.

I loved the unique magic system.
And the unique enemies to lovers plot.

The characters were fantastic, with lots of twists and plots in the storyline.

They only bit that displeased me was, I would have liked more information on what happened to marianne.

Romance
Betrayal
Heartache
Curses
Enemies to lovers
Magic
Murder
Lost family

Once a generation, an Everly walks into the dark, compelled by the shadow beside them.
Stubborn like an Everly, brave like an Everly, doomed like an Everly.

Blown away. This was fantastic - I was immediately sucked in by the prose and plot, and genuinely found myself unable to put it down. It's been a week and I still find myself thinking about the characters. What a magical adventure - cannot recommend The City of Stardust enough! I'm looking forward to more from this author in the future!

Love, betrayal, hate, revenge, curses... This book takes you on a journey through a whole new world that is mysterious and magical. The writing was absolutely fantastic.
The world that was slowly getting built around us while we learn about the characters and their dynamics. The family in this book takes center stage for many different reasons and I loved the relationships between them. It felt like a breath of fresh air because not everything is as it seems and not everyone is who you think they will be. This book also left me feeling I had traveled all over without actually going anywhere at all.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

When I say that "The City of Stardust" is a page-turner, I mean that I stayed up until two o'clock in the morning to finish the book. Summers writes with such a gripping, vivid voice, and her descriptions are so, so beautiful. I loved Violet's journey to find her mother, and Penelope was such a wonderfully evil character. I was a little thrown by the occasional time jump/pacing of the story (at times, it felt a little too fast) but overall, I'd definitely recommend this book! An exceptional fantasy standalone.