Whilst I love a good fantasy series, there's something nice about settling down to a standalone and having the story wrapped up in one book. That being said, when a detailed plot with history and complex relationships is condensed into just 350-ish words, it can leave me feeling a bit underwhelmed.

Unfortunately, this is one of those that should have been a duology at least. Either that or a couple of hundred more pages.

The premise is great - a cursed family, a missing mother who is presumably off in search of a way to defeat the curse, a daughter left to pick up the pieces that goes on her own quest... but with the addition of romance, betrayal and a history of gods and other worlds - it's a lot to cram into one book.

I enjoyed it but it lacked depth. I would have loved to have learn more about what Ambrose and Gabriel were doing whilst Violet is off trying to find her mother, perhaps more about the Gods and who they are, why they are.

The writing in this really reminded me of everything I’ve ever read by Olivie Blake - it has that warm, wispy, ethereal quality to it that almost makes you feel like you’re in one long dream.

That is to say, the writing was excellent.

The story, on the other hand, is a different ball game altogether. The premise was amazing. I was drawn straight in, but the pacing was off for a lot of the book and the plot was so convoluted for most of the book it made for a really confusing reading experience. I felt as though nothing happened for the first 45% of the book and then when things did start to ramp up, it became choppy and the chapters and scenes didn’t flow smoothly at all. At times, I was reading about Violet being somewhere or doing something without explanation for a chapter or two, which kept making me question whether I’d accidentally skipped a page or two of something important on my Kindle. It felt like a lot of the important decisions were happening in the authors head and not making their way to paper. As a reader, Im all for using my imagination but Im not a mind reader.

I’m also still not sure, as I sit here having finished this, what the point was of the book being so heavily centred around Violets mother. I felt we got no resolution for that by the end of the book. I just feel frustrated.

That’s not to say I wouldn’t be interested in another book, but I’d want to see the plot holes filled in, I’d want more character background and development being done. I felt like I barely knew Aleksander and Violet by the end of the book.

Despite its flaws, this gave similar vibes to The Mirror Visitor by Christelle Dabos and almost everything written by Olivie Blake, so if you enjoy those, then you’ll find a place for this.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for sending me a copy in exchange for a review.

I love books about books and libraries, and magical worlds hidden in plain sight so this was right up my street - and it had been recommended for fans of The Starless Sea which is my all time favourite book. Although it didn't quite live up to the whimsy and magical-ness of TSS, it brought a more gritty aspect, with gore, and in my opinion, higher stakes for our Main Character Violet.

The relationship between Violet and Aleksander was just such a slow burn that I was grinning like a fool every time they interacted, and the villain of our story, Penelope was incredibly nuanced, and her story was beautiful in its own way.

I truly loved this book, I devoured it, and when I was away from my kindle doing something as mundane as working, I just couldn't stop thinking about this book.

Wow! I so loved this book, I resented having to put it down to go to sleep, it was so gripping. Following the glorious main character, Violet, on her flight, worrying if she would be caught and what the price would be. The ending left me worrying still about Marianne and the uncles. Recommended with umpteen stars and stardust

Sadly, this book wasn't for me (though I made myself finish it). I don't like to leave negative reviews, especially when it's an author's debut, so I'll be brief.

The love interest was simply because they didn't know anyone else. Violet has been leading a fairly reclusive life, and Alexander has in his own way too. It felt like there was very little chemistry between them.

The author made the decision throughout to not include important or emotional scenes, and to simply tell us they'd happened. I'd rather be in the moment with a character.

I knew about 30% of the way in that the author's style was keeping me too removed from the characters to fully engage with and love the story, but I thought I should keep going to give the debut a fair shot. I thought there might be a stunning ending that would make me reevaluate, but there wasn't.

Rounded up.

I loved this book and it's captivating nature. The imagery was stunning and there was so many places to explore with a unique premise.

Found that it could have ended a little sooner as it started to drag towards the end.

Regardless. A great read that I think people will love

I absolutely loved The City of Stardust!
I was so excited to read this book as it was advertised for fans of The Starless and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and both are some of my favourite books!

City of Stardust definitely didn't dissapoint.
It was beautifully written and I really loved the the magic system!
I thought it was really well done.
I also thought Violet wasa great character and the further I got into the book the more I loved her!

I really highly recommend this book!
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A glorious fantasy tale of stars, different worlds, a curse that links generations, and a woman on a mission.
Gorgeous world building, and well written characters.

4.5 stars!

The City of Stardust follows Violet Everly, being the sole member of the newest generation of Everlys who are cursed to have one member disappear every generation. Plagued by her mother's abandonment, her thirst for adventure and the mystery of an ever-youthful woman named Penelope who her uncles will never clarify who she is, Violet embarks on a trek to find her mother and break her family curse.

Fans of Angel Mage by Garth Nix and The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern will enjoy the worldbuilding and mythology in TCOS. While the antagonist's fate and the major twist of the novel (the origin of the Everly curse) were easy to figure out (for me!), the hints were well-planted and subtle nevertheless. I was hooked to continue reading the story to soak up the world, see how Violet and Aleksander's relationship unfolds, and witness how much Violet grits to find her mother (thus demonstrating how much family means to her in the grander scheme of things). It's a wonderous book that whisks you along with Violet on her quest, absorbing the sights and tasting history as she does.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with the e-ARC/DRC in exchange for an honest review.

4.25⭐️
“
The Everly family is cursed. Every generation is destined to lose their best and brightest, taken by a woman named Penelope, who never ages, never sickens, and never forgives a debt.

When her mother vanishes in the middle of the night, the curse falls on Violet Everly—unless she can break it first. To do so, she must descend into a seductive, magical underworld of power-hungry scholars, fickle gods, and monsters bent on revenge. And at the edges of the world, she’ll find the City of Stardust, where the Everly story began.”

This is such a magical story, filled with darkness, betrayal, love and adventure. I fell in love with Violet from the start, her wanting to find out what happened to her mother and discovering the secrets being kept from her. I was immersed in the world, the way Georgia described the magic and worlds was descriptive but not confusing and it was as if I was seeing it myself. Loved the side of romance too and discovering more about Aleksander as the book went on. Overall I really enjoyed this! It was a fun, fast faced fantasy book with great characters and and an engaging plot line.

Thank you to NetGalley, Georgia Summers and Hodder and Stoughton for the arc of this book, all opinions are my own.

An interesting premise. However the pace of the book was a little too erratic for me. Found the characters a little vanilla and found it hard to really invest in the story.

Violet Everly has lived with her uncle in their decaying house since her mother's disappearance when she was just ten, her other uncle an occasional, glamorous visitor. She doesn't go to school or have any friends so spends her time in the family library living vicariously with books - and it's while she's hiding in the library that she overhears a chilling conversation between her uncle and a strange woman, one in which her uncle begs for ten year's grace. Every generation an Everly is sacrificed to this woman, Penelope, and with her mother's disappearance she is next in line. Supposedly her mother is looking for a way to break the curse, but as time starts ticking away Violet knows she can't wait, she is going to have to find a way to save herself...

Dark, absorbing and totally original I inhaled The City of Stardust in one day. Books, libraries, quests, strange worlds, a doomed love, betrayal, abandonement, courage, sacrifice - this book has it all. Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an Arc!

The City of Stardust was a wondrous adventure, the premise was very interesting and Georgie Summers really made it their own! Once a generation, an Everly walks into the dark, compelled by the shadows beside them. Violet’s family is cursed and one family member in each generation is stolen away to another world.

I really enjoyed Violets character, she was so fun to read and I was really rooting for her the entire time. She was such a strong and likeable character I loved reading about her and she grew as the story moved along. The dynamic of the characters was something that this book does very well, I especially loved Violet and Aleksander.

The magic in this book was also very unique, creative and mysterious! I was through intrigued by the magic system which transported me to a new and enthralling fantasy world.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves strong protagonists, fantasy worlds, and mysteries.

This was such an interesting read! I found myself so engrossed in the story, the characters had such incredible arcs, and I can't wait to follow this author's journey!

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.

Thank you to Hodder and Stoughton for providing the arc in exchange for a review!

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.

With her mother missing, and secrets wrapped up in mysterious, this enthralling, magical, lyrical stand-alone is rich in descriptions, emotions, and yearning.
In her desperation, what lengths will Violet go to uncover the truth of the curse? Of the astrals who are trapped in their world? Of the sweet boy who keeps appearing everywhere she goes, who seems so lost and alone?

Because adventure, it turns out, is a dangerously seductive word. It reaches underneath Violet's ribcage and pulls, like a cosmic string attuned to a compass point elsewhere.

This is such an ode to book lovers. Those of us who spent our childhoods (and heck, adult life) wishing for that hidden door, that secret cupboard, that mysterious passageway that leads to… somewhere. To adventure. To something greater.

Books have always been her escape. When she couldn't leave the house, when no one would answer her questions, when she felt so very alone in the world. They have given her a way out before - maybe they can do it again.

I would recommend this to fans of A Darker Shade of Magic, Ink Blood Sister Scribe, and Daughter of Smoke and Bone.

THE CITY OF STARDUST is of the best books I have read in a long long time. I was completely enthralled with every page and carried away by the wonderful adventure. Violet and Aleksander are the perfect protagonists, so engaging and yet achingly flawed. The world building and ease with which the reader is immersed in the fantastical-scape is reminiscent of Laini Taylor and Erin Morgenstern. Knowing this is a debut work floored me as – for me – this is as near a perfect book as you can get.

A fantastical world of mystery and intrigue 💫

'Curses after all, are made to be broken'.

Synopsis
With a curse placed on the Everly family, one member who is the most talented disappears over the years, hunted and taken by a woman, Penelope, who is owed the debt.

Our FMC, Violet's, mother disappears on an 'adventure' when Violet is small. As Violet grows older, she learns that this adventure is not all as it seems. She is searching for ways to free their family of the curse, and to save Violet from the same fate.

Tied to a deadline, Violet sets off on her own adventure, delving into the magical world of scholars to figure out how the curse can be broken, to find her mother, and the key to where the curse started.

'But she grew up on a feast of fairy tales and myths; there is always blood. And she is so very tired of curses'.

Thoughts
Dynamic characters, unique magic and a mystery to be solved. Violet is a likeable character, and I was routing for her to find the key and break the curse on her family.

'The challenge is this: dare you stand in the world on your own?'

There were a lot of characters introduced, all with different stories but all tying together. I almost felt sorry for Penelope in a way, she is of course evil with her actions, however she is wanting her debt to be paid so she can go home.

Overall, a recommended read for fantasy lovers!!

The City of Stardust is a completely intriguing and transportive fantasy. I loved this unique premise and I was instantly drawn into this world of magic and mystery. Although I did find it a bit difficult at times to understand this new magical system I loved learning about it and meeting all these dynamic characters. This was unlike anything I've ever read before and I highly recommend to anyone who likes fantasy.

Thanks NetGalley and publishers for the arc A city of stardust Georgia Summers.

I enjoyed the premise of the book but found it difficult to keep reading in parts as it felt choppy. That said, it is well worth reading if only for the storyline.