The City of Stardust sounded like the perfect book for me, the plot sounded intriguing and exciting. But I think this is a book where the execution didn't match my expectations, the plot was slow and I found myself getting bored. I was expecting a lot more tension and excitement for a book about secret worlds, revenge plots and star magic.

The start of the book is intriguing and sets up the world nicely while leaving enough questions but the urgency tailed off once Everly was trying to solve the curse and she just sort of meanders from place to place. The writing was really pretty but lacked depth, I feel like I have a great idea of what Fidelis looks like but no idea why the scholars exist and what their goals are, why do they all follow Penelope for example? Maybe I missed it but it just seemed to not be fully fleshed out.

I found the switch in POV quite offputting too, the changes happen mid-chapter rather than each chapter being a different character. We'd be following Everly then suddenly it would be Aleksander even though they were quite literally worlds apart.

I'm sad I didn't love this one more, there's so much potential but it just wasn't quite right for me.

(3.75 stars) I'm still getting into third person books, so this book was a bit harder for me to read at first. However, after I finally started understanding the back and forth between POVs, I REALLY enjoyed this author's writing style! The magical world was incredibly, and the overall mood of the book gave me relaxing rainy day vibes (if that makes sense). 100% would recommend this to fantasy lovers!

Thank you to Net Galley and Hodder and Stoughton for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review.

The City of Stardust is one of the best written books I've read in a while. The prose is truly beautiful and really makes you savour each and every word. I found the plot to be very interesting and different to others which I've read in similar genres.

As the story begins, Violet's mother disappears one night, never to be seen again. Violet is left in the care of her uncles and shielded from the world of magic, scholars and Penelope. Throughout the story, Penelope is the "big bad" which Violet is running from. Penelope is part of her family curse and she does not break promises. Violet has only a certain time to find her mother, otherwise she'll be taken instead.

While I did enjoy the book, it did take me a little bit to warm up to the pace of the story and how it was being told. The story is told through third person which I find can be slightly less immersive and while it was nice to have a different perspective on certain elements of the story I think I would have preferred if it was directly from Violet's POV. I felt a bit disjointed to the characters due to this which is a shame.

I did also struggle with the overall pacing of the story. I feel like the story could have benefited with another book to fully flesh certain lore and back story, particularly at the end of the story. I really wanted to explore more of the plot at this point (without giving any spoilers!), I found it ended a little bit too quickly and the characters we were introduced to weren't given full justice of development in my opinion.

That being said, I really enjoyed this book and I'd wholeheartedly recommend this for any reader wanting a book of fantasy shrouded in mystery with a lot of magic and beautiful writing.

"She believes in curses like she believes in stories. For a curse is just another kind of story, dark and toothy and razor-edged. It's the unspoken tale singing its way through her family history: once a generation, an Everly walks into the dark compelled by the shadow beside them."

Violet Everly is twelve when her mother Marianne walks away into the night, leaving her daughter to try and break the curse facing their family. But her disappearance means Violet is in danger, for a monstrous goddess wants her tithe, and if she can't get it from Marianne, she'll take Violet instead.

Violet's uncles ask the goddess – Penelope – for a ten-year reprieve in which to find Marianne. But even a decade isn't long enough and a year before time runs out, Violet's uncles come clean with her. So, she heads out on her own, trying to find her mother. This leads her to the edge of the City of Stardust – Fidelis – where secretive scholars, like Marianne once before, serve Penelope. Alongside Violet is Aleksander, Penelope's assistant, someone she can't help trusting, despite her strongest misgivings.

I really loved this gorgeous urban fantasy about adventure, magic, familial love, truth, lies, and betrayal. I would have liked a little more resolution around one of the central mysteries, but overall I liked how the story unravelled. This is a stunning debut and if this is what Georgia Summers is capable of, I hope to read more from her in future.

Wow. The city of stardust is a beautifully written book, it is a book you will not want to put down
Highly recommend

"The City of Stardust" - A Mesmerizing Blend of Greek Tragedy and Magical Realism

The plot of the book stands out for its originality, offering readers a refreshing take on the blending of magic, romance, and the resonance of ancient Greek narrative that carries a distinct Greek tragedy vibe, evoking a sense of inevitability and emotional resonance. The author's ability to create a world that feels both fantastical and rooted in a certain classical charm is commendable.

One of the strengths of "The City of Stardust" lies in the author's skilful storytelling. The narrative is structured in a way that keeps readers consistently engaged, unveiling layers of the plot that are both surprising and thought-provoking. The careful balance of mystery, fantasy, and emotional exploration contributes to a story that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

In addition to the compelling plot, the characters play a pivotal role in making this book a standout. The side characters, in particular, are finely crafted with attention to detail, each contributing a unique thread to the tapestry of the story. Their individual stories and connections add depth and dimension, creating a world that feels alive and interconnected.

"The City of Stardust" is a testament to the author's ability to create a narrative that is both fantastical and deeply rooted in human experience. It successfully combines elements of magic, romance, and Greek tragedy, making it a must-read for those who appreciate a well-crafted and immersive story. Overall, the author's adept storytelling and the novel's unique blend of genres make it a memorable and enchanting literary journey.

3.75 / 5 🗝️✨

This book had absolutely stunning writing and prose which brought the setting to life. It's a book you don't want to put down but also want to slow down and savour every minute of it. I loved the characters and the plot was such a unique premise. I read this entirely in 2 sittings and it was so good and for a debut that's actually incredible. My favourite though was the setting, the stars, the subtle magical elements. I mean anything with magic keys to other worlds, sign me up. The main world being full of stars absolute perfection. I also love how easily this book was told over the 10 years. Despite how much I loved it, I feel like something was missing and I can't put my finger on it. But nonetheless, it certainly was a magical ride and adventure.

This novel is full of beautiful, evocative lyrical prose. Slightly gothic, it reminded me a little bit of V E Schwabs writing and I think this would be perfect for fans of Gallant. I particularly enjoyed the setting across different European destinations and the fact that the villain was a real villain. The ending did let it down slightly for me as it feels slightly rushed, but apart from that a really good book in the stand-alone fantasy genre.

When I first heard about this book, it was said that if you loved Addie Larue, this would be right up your alley.

Thank you Hachette, Hodder & Stoughton, for this e-arc.

This book is beyond my own capabilities of dreaming and imagining. The writing itself is beautifully poetic and the sentences are a joy to devour. I’m blown away by the intricacies of this book. The magic system is very new and extremely well crafted. Your main character is strong, stubborn but also vulnerable. There is a lot of delicate trauma in this book and the way it’s described is just pure talent. I don’t read many 3rd person povs but reading this has made me question why I do not.

I love this way of story telling and Georgia Summers has excelled. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends whom I have forced to read Addie. This is obviously not Addie, but Violet’s story has had a similar impact on me as Addies did.

I am completely worn out, this book is beautiful from all sides.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Wow did I love this book! The City of Stardust has some of the best writing I have read in a while. The storytelling is done in such a way that the reader has no choice but to pay attention. This was multiple POV and as much as I enjoyed them I feel like Violets was a lot less fleshed out. Even though her POV was a lot more lengthy than Aleksander's. The plot was such an interesting concept, I was completely engrossed once I got into it. The pacing is the only thing that fell a bit flat for me. I found it started a bit on the slow side, but once I was in it I was a goner.

What a beautiful, stunning, glorious debut. Perfect for fans of The Night Circus, Divine Rivals and Practical Magic.

The prose, oh the prose! I was enveloped dreamily into this book from the first page, and when I wasn’t reading it; thoughts of it chased me throughout my day. I am completely in awe of how the story was so complexly woven through different worlds and times, yet didn’t leave me behind once. The world building was picturesque and captivating, and I am so grateful for a decent story told in third person. I’m a first person hater, sorry not sorry.

We follow a lot of different characters, but our girl violet steals most of the limelight with her agonising need for adventure. Abandoned by her mother as a child, she races against the clock to prevent the consequences of the dreaded everly curse.

Closely on her heels is our damaged and shy yet darling aleksander, who delightfully fits into both rescuer and rescuee boxes.

I love a book that leaves me feeling empty, yet full at the end of a story - like all emotions have been wrung out of me throughout the journey.

This book is for every book lover who daydreams about being whisked away on an adventure.
_____________________________________
Thank you Netgalley and Hodder Books for the ARC.

My review is honest, unbiased and all thoughts are my own.

2.5 Stars
One Liner: Worthy premise, flat execution

For centuries, the Everlys have been paying a debt to Penelope for something no one remembers. She is ageless and ruthless, making her almost invincible and impossible to take on. Years ago, Marianne Everly vanished to find a way to break the curse, and Penelope wants either Marianne or her daughter Violet as the repayment.
Violet has been sheltered by her uncles in an attempt to keep her safe. By hiding the truth from her, they might have put Violet at a greater risk. With very little time left on their side, Violet has to either find her mother or break the curse and be free of Penelope.
But will the woman let her go? Of course, there’s Aleksander, Penelope’s assistant, someone Violet cannot help but be drawn to. Will he be her friend or betray her?
The story comes in the third-person POV of multiple characters (Ambrose Everly, Violet Everly, Aleksander, and Penelope) plus an omnipresent third-person.

My Thoughts:
I requested the book for the cover and the premise (since it was supposed to be an adult fantasy). Well, let’s say the results are mixed. Also, the book might work better as New Adult Fantasy (which explains why I couldn’t like it much).
The book has potential. No two ways about it. Despite the lack of structure and insufficient world-building, the writing has a sense of ethereal quality, which will work for some readers. Didn’t make an impact on me, but I can see the talent in there.
The major issue is with the main character, Violet. The plot is too big for her fragile shoulders. It’s more than okay to have a naïve lead who makes mistakes. But for her to continue being the same doesn’t help.
The side characters are like sheets of paper fluttering in the wind- so random and not rooted enough to assert themselves.
Penelope is pure evil, or so it seems. She manages to stand out and carries the book as much as possible.
The romance between Violet and Aleksander is expected. However, I couldn’t care less about the track. Never mind that Violet needs helluva growing up to do. Aleksander shows great promise with some grey shades and a tragic past, though the arc is not fully developed.
The concept of keys to the world is intriguing. The cover is perfect for the setting. Yeah, many aspects of world-building are unexplained. I think I have a vague idea (think being the operative term). It is easy to go with the flow since there isn’t much I can otherwise do.
The ARC copy doesn’t have proper formatting. There are no indicators for scene breaks. Countless times, I had to reread a paragraph to understand there had been a POV and scene change from the previous one. When the narrative jumps at random between characters, not having clear markers is a recipe for disaster.
Moreover, the present tense doesn’t help the narrative as the story weaves between the random past and the present. It gets exhausting to fit the event into the timeline, like trying to fit the puzzle pieces.
There’s an epilogue of sorts, but let’s say I did not like it much either. There is no explanation for how Violet’s growth. We have to accept it since the characters say so (and this happens throughout the book).
The pacing is inconsistent, too. The first half progresses quickly, but after that, the story goes on and on. The climax is so simple that it made me wonder if we needed all this.

To summarize, The City of Stardust has great potential but ends up as a lukewarm read with half-baked characters. It needs more development to hit the right notes. I really wanted to like this one, but it’s not to be. Do check out other reviews before you decide.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton (Hodderscape), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
*******
The review will not be posted on Amazon due to the low rating.

Once a generation an Everly must gave up one family member. Why?

The City of Stardust was beautiful story about young girl who tried to break her family curses and investigate the missing mother. The story bring together magic based on stars, family mystery with atmospheric setting. The premise really intriguing and make me engaging until the last page.

The writing is really good, lush with beautiful romantic prose and bring unique world alive. I personally enjoy the lore from begining each part about love story between a star Goddess and mortal craftsman. It is beautiful, romantic and mysterious.

The 3rd person POV gave us poetic descriptive narration. Sadly for me the characters was lack  personality. I knew Violet struggles but she lack something that will make her standout from another book's heroine. The relationship between Violet and Aleksander is unique when contains friendship and betrayals but the romance is unconvincing.

The plot is slow burning and the pace slower than my normally reads.
It is make me enjoy the narrative but less invested into the story.

It is a pleasure to read debut book and saw the potential, I would love to try another from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodderscape from Hodder & Stoughton for providing copy of this ebook and audiobook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Expecting Publication : 25 Jan 2024

An absolutely stunning debut from Georgia Summers, perfect for fans of Laini Taylor and Alix E. Harrow!

Each generation, the brightest of the Everlys is collected by a woman who never ages, taken as punishment for a long forgotten crime and never seen again. Over a decade ago, Violet Everly’s mother left to break the curse on their family and never returned, leaving her daughter in the care of her two uncles. Now Violet must find her mother, or Penelope will collect her in her mother’s place.
But no one puts up a fight like an Everly, and Violet is determined to find a way to break the curse. Her search leads her into a magical underworld of power-hungry scholars and vengeful gods, and into the path of Penelope’s assistant Aleksander, and into a world she wouldn’t have imagined possible.

I absolutely adored The City of Stardust and was fully invested in Violet’s quest as well as in the subtle romance subplot to this fantasy novel. While the novel is an enchanting read, there are very dark elements to the world building. I enjoyed Violet’s mettle and loved discovering the magical underworld alongside her. Penelope was an absolute storybook villain – it was great to also get her POV in some parts of the story. The novel is rich in world building – I loved all the fairytales that were included and woven into the plot, and the tarot-style fortune readings using astrals instead of arcana. Totally engrossing - my eARC is full of highlighted passages. For me, there was one central question that didn’t get answered and which I’m still puzzling over, so taking that into account it’s 4.5 stars (rounded up here) from me.

For ages, the Everlys have witnessed their brightest and most exceptional members vanish mysteriously, a consequence of an ancient crime lost to memory and a purpose shrouded in enigma. Their relentless tormentor is Penelope, a woman untouched by time and ailment, harbouring an unrelenting grudge against an undisclosed debt.

A decade has elapsed since Violet Everly's mother embarked on a quest to shatter the curse, disappearing without a trace. Now, Violet stands on the precipice of sharing the same fate unless she locates her mother swiftly.

Her quest plunges her into an enchanting magical realm, where power-hungry scholars, capricious deities, and vengeful monsters vie for supremacy. Along this perilous journey, Violet encounters Aleksander, Penelope's seemingly unassuming assistant, whom she instinctively distrusts. Yet, an undeniable attraction draws her toward him.

Bound by an imminent deadline, Violet traverses the farthest reaches of the world in pursuit of her mother and the elusive key to the city of Stardust, the origin of the Everly saga. In this mesmerizing odyssey, secrets unfold, alliances shift, and Violet unravels the threads connecting her family to the cosmic tapestry of destiny.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Georgia Summer's debut is a solidly written fantastical tale that enchanted me on page 1. It tells the story of Violet Everly, starting when she's still a sweet little child. She's born into a family cursed to see a mysterious woman named Penelope take their brightest daughters once every generation. When it becomes clear that Violet is next on Penelope's list, she takes it upon herself to solve the mystery of the curse, find her missing mother who seems to have escaped said curse and in the end, save her own life.

Summer's writing is beautiful, yet always kept me a little detached from the characters and events happening. While it is almost lyrical at times, I sometimes had a hard time keeping up with the abrupt pov changes in the middle of chapters, especially because the different povs (Violet, her uncles, her love interest Aleksander, Penelope...) don't have distinct voices to help keep them apart. The pacing is also rather slow for the story that is being told, and the novel could have benefitted from editing out some of the less (or not at all) relevant parts especially in the middle and all throughout the end. The plot is interesting but a bit meandering at times, but I did like the world building surrounding it.
I quite liked Violet as our protagonist, mostly because she's such a bookworm and her struggles are interesting. She doesn't really have much of a personality beyond that though, so in the end, she remains rather forgettable. Her love interest, Aleksander, is generally more intriguing - not only does he gives us glimpses into the magical society of this world, he's also the personal assistant to our main antagonist, Penelope. He does keep making exactly the same choices over and over again, which is kind of annoying, and he's also not the most complex character as a whole. I really didn't enjoy their romance either, because quite frankly it made Violet look like a complete idiot most of the time and they simply lack chemistry. I vastly would have preferred them to just become slow friends and allies instead of pushing them into an unnecessary romance because these kinda books just have to have a romance. Penelope is a really interesting antagonist and I LOVED her backstory and the whole mythological world building connected to it. The secondary characters are sadly entirely unmemorable and I couldn't even tell you the names of Violet's uncles.

In conclusion, I really liked the concept of the story but the execution mostly didn't work for me. 2,5 stars, rounding up to 3.

The hype is real. I've heard a lot about this so I was delighted to be able to get both audio and ebook arcs on @netgalley. It's difficult to believe that this is a debut novel, it's so good. Reminiscent of Erin Morgenstern and Laini Taylor, this lush ethereal fairytale for grown ups consumed me.
I listened to most of it driving to and from work, reluctant to leave the car at either end and leave the characters behind before swallowing the ending in one frenzied reading chunk on Saturday.
This story is fraught with tension as the Violet races to end the curse that has taken one member of her family every generation for centuries, racing against a deadline to save her own life whilst battling her feelings for Alexander the boy beholden to the very person that cursed her family. All of the characters are rich and complex and the world is so lush. Even the villain evokes sympathy even as you want to throttle the life out of her for the trail of destruction she wreaks across the story.
I long to spend more time with these characters to see Fidelis and the other worlds.
@ge_summers style is literary but yet not pretentious, and Kitty Parker narrates it so beautifully like a softly gripping bedtime story so even in Penelope's bloodiest most vicious moments it feels like some kind of lucid dream one, the terror and the horror are real but yet it feels like it did as a child reading fairytales at bed time, the witch might be wicked but you're safe in your bed, wrapped in a warm duvet. (Even if in reality I was attempting to drive down the M62 whilst cursing it's endless traffic jams and supposedly 'smart' motorway)
This is an instant modern classic and I intend to throw it at all my friends with ferocity.

The City of Stardust gave me Locke and Key vibes and not only because there's a key on the absolutely gorgeous book cover.

Violet discovers that there's a curse on the Everly family, her family, one that her mother seemingly ran away from leaving Violet in her place to be the next Everly taken by the curse. We don't find out why her mother actually left. Personally I don't think she would have left her daughter willingly, I'm sure she's trapped somewhere.

Decade long deals are made to ensure Violet's safety and so she's kept pretty much in the dark until she's almost 18 years old. I get why her uncles didn't say anything, but I don't agree with their decision. They should have been honest and upfront with her from the start, but they wore blinders and were content to pretend that they weren't running out of time.

Alexander was an enigma. I'm not sure how I feel about him. I do hope he's changed for the better and I appreciated the insight into his growing up with Penelope. It definitely helped to make sense of why he did the things he did, but I'm not sure how I feel about him and Violet. I preferred Caspian honestly.

All in all an enjoyable read and a series I'd like to continue reading.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to NetGalley!

I fell in love with the cover straight away as it is so beautiful! *-* The blurb was also interesting, so I happily got into the story of the Everlys.

The Everly family has been cursed for a long time. They captivate the most talented of all their generations. This task is performed by a mysterious blonde-haired woman every single time. She's called Penelope, and she does not look a day older than when the curse started...

The last generation of the Everly family consists of three siblings (Gabriel, Ambrose, and Marianne) and their sister's daughter, Violet Everly. One day, Violet's mother turns into a mist, so Penelope intends to collect Violet instead of Marianne. She gives them some time - ten years to be exact - but the clock keeps ticking and they see little chance of breaking the curse. A boy also accompanies Penelope, Aleksander, who was a small child at the time, meets Violet, who is the same age as him. Aleksander wishes that one day he can become too a scholar, like the others that Penelope has collected over time. Scholars are searching for talented people who can manipulate reveurite (precious materials from stars).

Many years pass, meanwhile, Violet has grown up and works in a coffee shop. One day she meets with Alexander again. But can she trust in him? But the best is yet to come, so there will be something to be excited about!

I didn't find all the answers to my questions but I recommend it to those who liked it Alix E. Harrow: The Ten Thousand Doors of January book.



I was thinking between 3.5-4 stars and ended up giving this story 4 stars.
★★★★☆

Overall, I liked it, and I recommend it to others!

THE CITY OF STARDUST ✨🗝️ by Georgia Summers was an enigmatic and lyrical fantasy novel set in our world and a world beyond our own. It is a stunning book filled with ancient worlds, a hidden city and a story that goes through generations. The protagonist, Violet Everly is a young woman who is part of a family’s generational Everly curse. Violet was a character I connected with through her love for books and dreams.

Violet embarks on a journey to find her mother, Mariette after she left a decade ago after trying to break the curse. Violet’s journey was fraught with tension and intrigue as she meets people from the hidden city of Fidelis, home to the Scholars with secret keys and doorways. Aside the Scholars, Fidelis is home to a woman named Penelope, who hunts down Everlys due to said curse.

Aleksander, the second main character was interesting to learn about as he was someone who’d grown up in the secret city of Fidelis and serves as Penelope’s assistant. Aleksander and Violet’s path cross multiple times and I enjoyed their interactions from distrust to mutual interest.

I absolutely devoured this book and liked how beautiful and lyrical the prose was. Getting to travel to countries within the book was wonderful and I learned about Prague and their underground cities!

The character development between the characters were phenomenal. As for Violet’s uncles, Ambrose and Gabriel Everly who were her guardians, really reminded me of the Salvatore siblings - particularly Gabriel Everly and his leather jacket.

I loved how the book revolved around doorways and keys, together with the history and myths surrounding the mysterious Penelope and the lore behind the worlds of the Outside world (Earth) and Fidelis (the hidden city between worlds) The world building was great and I liked the fantasy elements to this book.

Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an eARC in exchange for review.