When artist Talia is thrown into an alternate world through one of her paintings, she must start the journey to find a way back home. Along the way she meets and befriends a charming and handsome companion, a sentient squirrel, powerful witches and warriors, and more.

This book was a wonderful cozy fantasy! I would describe it as almost a slice of life book, as we follow the characters on a journey through the forest. There was just a touch of romance as well. The plot definitely picks up at the end and we get a good amount of action for a cozy fantasy. Most of the plot lines were not wrapped up at the end, so this is definitely the first in a series and not a standalone. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next one!

This book was amazing! The main characters were so cute together and the story was very well written. If you are looking for a cozy fantasy this book is for you!

A beautiful novel, filled with lovely pros. So magical and lovely! I really enjoyed the world that Michelins Ryckman created.

Micheline Ryckman's vivid storytelling and intricate world-building captivated me from the very first page, creating an immersive experience that resonated with me long after the final chapter. That ending made me want to pick up the next book right away! It is a perfect read for anyone who craves a mix of fantasy, friendship, and a dash of courage. It's the perfect book for a cozy autumn day, for sure!

‘Charting Stars’ by Micheline Ryckman is a whimsical and cozy fantasy with delightful characters and charming humor, perfect for a lighthearted escape.

The story follows Talia, a Canadian girl who finds herself transported to the magical Nine Realms. Accompanied by the charming Jarrett, Talia embarks on a series of lighthearted yet thrilling encounters with various enemies. The narrative is lighthearted but well-structured, providing a perfect blend of whimsy and excitement. The enemies they face add just the right amount of tension to keep readers engaged without overshadowing the story’s cozy nature.

Talia and Jarrett are absolutely adorable. Their chemistry and interactions are heartwarming, making them instantly lovable. The misunderstandings between Talia, with her earthly Canadian references, and the inhabitants of the Nine Realms add a layer of humor and charm to the story. I also really loved the addition of Bash and Moses; together with Talia, Jarrett, and Maren, they formed the perfect little group with each their own personalities that somehow challenged but also complemented each other. However, more background information on characters like Maren and Jora would have enriched the narrative. Hopefully, future installments will delve deeper into their stories.

The concept of allocated animals is fascinating, though I would have loved to hear QB speak. The Nine Realms are vividly described, immersing readers in a world that feels both magical and cozy. The Star Trek references are a delightful bonus for fans, adding an extra layer of enjoyment.

Micheline Ryckman’s writing is engaging and fast-paced. The story flows effortlessly, making it easy to devour in a single sitting. Ryckman herself describes ‘Charting Stars‘ as a comedic, cozy (but spirited) fantasy, and it truly lives up to this description. It’s a book designed to make readers feel good, and it certainly succeeds.

Would I recommend it?

‘Charting Stars‘ is a whimsical and heartwarming start to The Nine Realms Tales series. It’s a fast-paced, well-written fantasy that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment. As a Trekkie, the Star Trek references were a delightful surprise, adding to the overall enjoyment. I can’t wait to see where Talia and Jarrett’s adventures take them next!

Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

This book has a cozy fantasy vibe that reminded me a bit of Narnia. However, it didn't really resonate with me. The writing style seems to target a much younger audience, which is a bit odd since there are some mature themes in the story. Personally, I didn't feel invested in the story or the characters. While it might appeal to others, I don't think I'll continue with this series.

Thank you to Victory Editing Net Galley Co-op and Net Galley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

I got almost instantly in this book.
I'm so glad you wrote this book, but at the same time I'm sad for the reason why it was written and not drawn. Normally, cozy books aren't for me (I normally prefer gory horror books), but the cover drew me in so much that I couldn't stop thinking about it, and it actually turned out to be in my top five of books I've read this year.

I liked this book. It is just so wholesome and whimsical. This was a sweet adventure cozy fantasy. I really enjoyed the cast of characters! I love both Talia and Jarrett and enjoyed getting to see both of their POVs. I also really enjoyed the group they traveled with; they were a fun cast of characters. The storyline was interesting and I am curious where the next book will head!

What can you expect

🌹 Cozy Fantasy
🌹 He Fell First
🌹 Angels and Witches
🌹 Perfect - Imperfect Heroes
🌹 Magic and Mayhem
🌹 Portal Fantasy
🌹 Rap Tag Companions
🌹 Animal Sidekicks

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

🌌✨Charting Stars is a cozy & whimsical adventure that's perfect for reading under the stars on summer nights!

✨Loveable Talia Benson's journey across the universe sparkles with hope & will have you laughing out loud as you watch her learn to navigate a world without coffee, all while making friends in the most unusual places during dark, dire circumstances.

✨This story is cozy, heartwarming & comforting, I simply couldn't put it down..then didn't want it to end, which to me are the earmarks of being something very special! From angels to cats, thieves, princes & gypsies, this
fantasy felt like a hug wrapped in a book!

✨Talia is like the best friend you never knew you had, watching her adapt to her newfound misadventures & all the perils within was inspiring, watching as she dug deep to find the brave heart she never knew she had. The ways she went above & beyond to comfort & encourage everyone she met showed that being a braveheart doesn't always mean great acts of heroism but is often shown in small acts of servanthood rooted in love. She would make a lovely role model for younger girls, teaching that you never know whose life you might change when you let your light shine in this dark world.

✨Talia has the soul of an artist, much like her creator; author & artist Micheline Ryckman! This was an adaptation from her graphic novel which Micheline breathed new life into when she gave Talia's story room to grow as a full length novel. So it's no surprise that there are artistic impressions & references sprinkled throughout the story like bright dappled sunlight on a forest path.

✨I loved the diversity in Talia's travelling party, their personalities are so sparkling with wit & heartfelt emotions that they practically come to life on the pages as fate throws them together to save a star and the kingdoms that rely on it's strength to protect them.

✨It was a joy getting to experience Talia & Jarrett's swoony exchanges from a dual point of view as they charted their unexpected romance from different worlds to finding their home in each other's hearts...

✨Lastly I just have to add that Drew the white cat was the perfectly cozy sidekick you never knew you needed! Maybe a cat doesn't sound like your obvious choice while journeying through an unknown realm galaxies away from home, but then again nothing is as it seems in the Nine Realms & Drew is no exception!

I loved this book & give it
🌟✨🌟✨🌟

this book was an arc but all opinions are my own

A cozy sweet fantasy with romance and funny characters. Kind of like a rom-com dress in a beautiful fantasy-world with intriging adventure and sidekick animals.
A great read and a geat story!

Defently reading the next one :D




Also I will do a reveiw on IG the 12.july (on Fantasy-Friday)

I DNF'd this one about 10%

The cover for this one is so pretty, but for some reason the story didn't keep my attention. I just didn't feel invested and curious about what would happen next. I've never watched the Wizard of oz and I felt like I was missing something with how often the female character referred to it and I got the feel this story should have a bit of a similar vibe to that. I just didn't look forward to keep reading, so decided to set it aside for now.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Charting Stars by Micheline Ryckman is a dual-POV first person portal fantasy. Talia Benson is a Canadian college student who lives alone with her mother. On the night that her ex-boyfriend asks to talk, most likely to get back together, and a strange star appears in the sky, Talia is transported to a new world and meets Jarrett, a Runner who promises to help her find her way back home, but affections are quick to form between them.

There’s some metafiction elements particularly in relation to The Wizard of Oz. Talia and her mother are fans, with Tali’s mother owning a Wicked Witch coffee mug and Talia making references to the ruby slippers and the yellow brick road throughout. Other metafiction elements include how Talia considers her feelings for Jarrett in relation to Insta-love and other romance genre tropes.

Charting Stars is a throwback to the Middle Grade fantasies I remember when I was a kid. Animal companions, a portal, found family, and a sense of wonder as Talia explores the new world she’s found herself in. Jarrett has a squirrel companion called QB that he can communicate with while Talia meets Drew, a seemingly ordinary cat that takes a liking to her. The sense of wonder is mostly extended to the different species in the world, from tree people to angel-like beings to witches.

Talia and Jarrett’s relationship is more on the romantic side rather than the sensual side. They are physically attracted to each other, but the tension is more emotional with less emphasis on body parts. Though both Jarrett and Talia accept their attraction very early on, their romance is more of a slowburn because Talia has to return to her world at some point.

I would recommend this to fans of portal fantasy, readers looking for a Middle Grade-ish fantasy with college-age main characters, and those looking for a portal fantasy that has more cozy vibes and less spice.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange of an honest review

Charting Stars is a sweet adventure fantasy book. The storyline is interesting and the characters are so easy to love. Talia, Jarret and the group they travelled with were so enjoyable! The story feels wholesome and the dual POV was a perfect addition to it. A cozy fantasy book that I highly recommend!

(Will add a link to my Goodreads review soon)

I hadn’t heard of this book prior to requesting but it was so wonderful! It was such a cozy yet adventurous book and the main characters were so likeable - plus who doesn’t love a he falls first. I love the duel POV from Talia and Jarrett as you really get to know both sides. Great world building as well. I will be recommending this to everyone and adding to our library!

Dieses Buch hat mich tief berührt. Die herzerwärmende und zauberhafte Atmosphäre sowie die ausgezeichnete Charakterentwicklung haben mich von Anfang an in ihren Bann gezogen. Jeder einzelne Charakter ist so lebendig und authentisch beschrieben, dass ich mich sofort mit ihnen verbunden fühlte.

Die Geschichte war einfach nur entzückend.

I loved the characters in this book! The friendship and the slow burn love. My favorite trope he falls first is so good in this book. Absolutely cozy fantasy/romantasy with great setting and worldbuildung and even better dialogues between the characters.

This book was so much fun! I enjoyed this wonderful adventure and could not put it down.

The story alternates between Talia and Jarrett's POVs. The plot developed very organically, and it realistically captured how Talia didn't know anything about the world she suddenly found herself in. The characters are fantastically written and they interact so well together. This will definitely be a book I pick up time and time again.

this was a super cute book! a quick and engaging read following talia who wakes up unexpectedly in a fantasy world and gets swept away on a quest to get back home. during this quest she meets a whole cast of different characters and while they aren’t there yet, they’re going to be a pretty great found family - i just know it.

i had lots of fun with this, i liked all the different personalities in the group and in particular the main two; talia was sweet and jarrett was dorky (in a good way). and while technically i guess it is high-stakes, they don’t feel that high on account of this being a cosy fantasy. which i’m a fan of.

i’m really excited to keep reading this series as it comes out and actually very sad i can’t continue immediately.

This was a sweet and cozy(ish) fantasy story about a girl named Talia, beginning at home in Canada where the extent of magic in her life is skirts with pockets. That all changes and somehow she ends up in another realm on an epic journey through a forest full of magical creatures. She starts out lost and alone but survives thanks to the kindness of many friends she meets along the way. Her internal monologue makes her lovable and easy to root for - she lacks confidence but becomes brave, she wants to be loved but would give that up to avoid hurting others, she’s inexperienced but her choices are mature.

Overall I enjoyed and recommend this story. I will say I was craving some more closure at the end, so I very much look forward to book 2 so I can see what happens!

Thank you to Whimsical Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

I just wish you got more world building. Like having the politics and why they run the nine realms like they do, and how. I wish you understood characters/races more. For example, Tae talking about rebelling cause of how they treat other races an how it got to be so. I just wanted more explanation for everything. It would've been better if it was longer than 217 pages. It all felt very surface level.