This book was such an exciting adventure! I have been aching for more stories about the sea and this one was perfect for me. I felt like the characters were likable and relatable.

I loved the pirate theme, the romance, the friendship. I really felt like this was a character driven story and that for me is so important. The world building added to it, but the characters really made this book memorable.

I was engaged from the get go! I am looking forward to hopefully a number 2!! Full review to come on my blog upon this books release! I’ll hopefully be reviewing via audio!

Thank you @netgalley for letting me review this amazing story!

Magic- check

Mermaids- check

Pirates- check

Unique fantasy world?- check!

This story had it all, it was so nice to take a break from my average read, find a YA fantasy that really spiked my interest and escape to a beautiful new land. It wasn’t your average mainstream YA fantasy either, I can’t wait to read the next book to see how the lives of the characters grow. It can be read as a stand-alone as well, luckily there was no cliff hanger.

This story brings us into a young girls world where she’s about to become heir to the throne. When by surprise, she ends up on an adventure that she’s always dreamed of. (in a sense) Embarked on this thrilling ride, she meets some new (and some old) friends alike and sets out to help a new friend only to find something she wasn’t expecting in every way.

I can’t really explain without giving away too much, but I strongly recommend you read this book as it was so different and wonderful to be submerged into.

Definitely 5 stars from me!

I was lucky to receive an advanced readers copy of All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace, an action-packed, high-seas adventure coming to a bookstore near you February 4th, 2020. I first heard about All the Stars and Teeth from Tomi Adeyemi, the New York Times bestselling author of Children of Blood and Bone. Intrigued by the premise and trusting Adeyemi’s taste in books (and friends!) I requested All the Stars and Teeth as soon as I could. This book promises bloody magic and a journey full of adventure, and it fully delivers on those promises.

SETTING
I am not usually a fan of ebooks because they don’t draw me in as much as a physical book. Adalyn Grace weaves such a magical world with her creative and vivid descriptions that I didn’t have a problem getting sucked into the world of All the Stars and Teeth. The kingdom of Visidia is composed of several islands, and readers get to visit most of those islands. Rather than getting bogged down by the repetition of visiting island after island and the required descriptions of each location, Grace manages to weave these islands into the story in such a way that it moves the story along. I wanted to keep reading because I wanted to keep learning about Visidia, which is as diverse as it is beautiful. Readers are surely in for a visual treat when they pick up All the Stars and Teeth.

CHARACTERS
In addition to the setting, the characters also move the story along nicely. Amora is definitely my favorite character, and not just because she’s the protagonist. Amora has been sheltered from much of her home for most of her life, and her journey across the kingdom reveals just how little she knows. Instead of getting wrapped up in self-pity, though, Amora uses her lack of understanding to keep moving forward on her quest to save her kingdom from a dark threat. She keeps pushing through even when she learns a truth that turns everything she knows on its head. Amora is the definition of a strong female character, and readers are sure to fall in love with this feisty heroine.

Amora is far from the only character in All the Stars and Teeth. She is joined by the pirate captain, Bastian; her fiance, Ferrick; and even a mermaid, Vataea. Amora is by far the most developed character, but the supporting characters all bring something to the story. But you’ll have to read the book to find out!

DARK THEMES
Another of my favorite aspects of All the Stars and Teeth are its darker themes. Amora practices soul magic, and soul magic requires blood. All the Stars and Teeth definitely reads like an old-fashioned Grimm-style fairy tale. One of the first instances of Amora’s magic fully demonstrates how dark it actually is, and Grace does not hold back from other examples.

In addition to dark magic, Grace also addresses dark themes like slavery, corrupt politics, and sexism. She addresses these themes in various ways. I don’t want to spoil the plot for anyone, so I won’t go into too much detail. I do want to promise you that she does not paint the world of Visidia in black and white. Do not expect there to be a clear good side and bad side, because there are always so many shades of gray in between. Grace weaves these concepts into her story seamlessly, and not once does she come across as “preachy.” These themes are definitely a testament to her storytelling abilities.

I love love loved this one! The world was so beautiful and unique, and the settings in the story sounded amazing. The politics combined with the fantasy element was very cool.

If you loved Caraval and Six of Crows, you need to read All the Stars and Teeth!

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The cover of this book first caught my eye, and I’m glad it did! It took me a bit to get into this book, but once I did, I really enjoyed it. All the Stars and Teeth is an exciting tale of pirates, mermaids, and magic.

It was really interesting following Amora as she’s journeying outside her island for the first time. She’s discovering that everything she thought about magic was a lie. Her dad has sheltered her all her life, so Amora has to come to terms with how he’s been intentionally lying to her and to the entire kingdom.

Anyways, she escapes from execution after a little mishap with her magic with the help of Bastian, a pirate. Ferrick, Amora’s fiance, joins them, albeit reluctantly. Later, they add Vataea, a mermaid, to the crew. I loved all of their dynamics; naturally, there was a slight love triangle between Bastian, Amora, and Ferrick, so there was a great deal of tension there. Vataea’s banter with all of them is great.

Also! Vataea is bi (possibly? no labels are used, but she says she’s into women and possibly men).

The worldbuilding was really cool. The kingdom is made of up of different islands, each of which has their own, different magics. Amora, as the sol heir of the Montara family, has soul magic, the rarest kind. Ferrick has healing and regeneration magic.

I will say that this book is a little gory because part of Amora’s magic is that she requires body parts to burn. Since Ferrick can grow back limbs, he helps her with that easily. Here are the content warnings.

Anyways, Bastian’s trying to get his magic back, so he offers Amora a way out. They set off on their journey, and thus starts our book! The plot is fast-paced and thrilling. I also liked the writing; this is a debut, and I’m excited to see what this author does next.

Overall, this was a great debut. The writing was pretty, the characters were detailed, and the plot was excited. I definitely recommend All the Stars and Teeth if you’re looking for a fast-paced fantasy with magic and mermaids!

All the stars sounds about right! I was so in love with this story of princesses, pirates and mermaids! I was really wanting a story that gave me all the seafaring, magical adventures my heart desired and I was not let down! The magic system was beautifully layered and the characters are what really drew me into this story. Bastian!!! Can I say, all the stars and hearts? 😂 The twists at the end had me reeling! I simply cannot wait to read the next installment!

This entire book is absolutely flawless! I cannot stop saying positive things about it to all of my friends and students. The plot is immersive and excellent. It stands worlds apart from other releases this year. As far as debuts go, this is an absolute MUST READ. Amora is a strong and fearless main character, but she’s also willing to be vulnerable and stand for what she believes is right. Her crew, from her fiancé to the captain of the Keel Haul add humor and fascinating circumstances that you just don’t see in books these days. I am in love with the world building Adalyn Grace had in this novel and the way that magic is established. Everything she takes care to build and introduce slowly unravels, albeit intentionally, but it is done with such passion and beautiful intent. I kept craving more and read it so fast because I was anxious about the ending. Thankfully, I know there’s going to be a sequel and I cannot wait!! If you read any book in 2020, please make it this one. You won’t regret it, I honestly cannot criticize any aspect of it as I’ve fallen so deeply in love with Visidia and Amora. It started from page one but was lovingly established from the subtle Princess Bride reference in chapter six. I hope everyone loves All the Stars and Teeth as much as I did.

"The ache that stirs from the idea of leaving surprises me. I wish there were enough time for me to sink into a barrel of mead and fill my body with a hundred more lavish petit cakes. To chat with Ikaeans about silly things like fashion and trends." ~ "All the Stars and Teeth"

This replesedent ya adventure is fast-paced and tons of fun. The backstories and character development are carefully crafted, so detailed and it makes the characters feel more real. My favorite chapter is where we learn Cato and Sira's backstories. The storytelling is so vibrant and it makes Amora's story stand out even more than it already does.

I love the dynamic between the crew members of the Keel Haul. Amora, Bastian, Kerrick and Vataea have amazing friendship chemistry. They balance out each other's strengths and weaknesses and their bond is so strong. It's impressive that Adalyn Grace didn't fall into the overdone trap of love triangles. I really expected Amora, Bastian and Ferrick to be fighting all the time, but luckily that didn't happen! I was going to rate this book for 3 stars, but the lack of an annoying love triangle is enough to make me appreciate this story.

The lack of a love triangle doesn't harm the plot whatsoever. There's definitely some steamy romance, but all the characters manage to stay true to their friendships and loyal ties. Romance is never put before family or friendship, a fresh twist for a ya fantasy story. The concepts of pirate curses, multiple magics, queens in charge and mermaid scars are original and daring enough to make this story stand out. I hope this book is the first in a long line detailing Amora's fantastical adventures!

I loved that All the Stars and Teeth promised me pirates, epic quests, and mermaids and delivered ALL of that. I will not get over how much I enjoyed the world building of All the Stars and Teeth. Take me there please and protect me! I'm not going to lie, for the beginning I was like, "Where are the mermaids?" because you can't promise a girl mermaids and not deliver. But when the mermaids were proven not to be a lie, I could relax and dive deeper into All the Stars and Teeth. The world building is spectacular. Not only are there myths within this story, but also monstrous creatures and curses. While I still have a few outlying questions about the history of this world, I was pleased with the attention to detail and sheer epic scale of the world.

The characters in All the Stars and Teeth were fantastic. Amora has the spirit of adventure thrumming in her blood. Even though she's deeply committed to being queen, there's a part of her that yearns to be on the open seas. To be having adventures and discovering new places. And who can blame her? I knew I was going to love Bastian because I have a soft spot for pirates. It's something about their ability to sail a ship, their rugged sea salt nurtured locks, and their smolder. But I think my favorite character has to be the mermaid. She wasn't the sanitized flowing locks and seashell type. My favorite mermaids have fangs. They lure men in with their songs to drown them. Give me the mermaids with weapons in their hands, gorgeous hair, and blood in their teeth

The only bad thing about I can say about this book is that there weren't enough mermaids. That's the only criticism I can come up with. All the Stars and Teeth was a sweeping epic fantasy that I devoured as fast as I could.

Amora is such a badass princess. She wields soul magic, allowing her to read someone else's soul. Or kill them. She's struggling with how to step out of her father's shadow, and reputation, to prove to her kingdom that she is their best choice. She wants nothing more than to protect her kingdom and see it flourish. But it may be too late for her to save her kingdom, and herself.

The magic throughout this world is so unique and well thought out. I loved that each island had its own unique magic and that each person interprets magic in their own unique way. Just because the whole island shares the same affinity or base magic, does not mean they all have the same skills.

The cast and crew of characters drove the novel. They weren't just filling a role or trope, they were uniquely driven. There was so much character growth and it truly felt like we watched them over a few months, not 300 pages. The pacing helped cemented the magic of this book. It played into a character's urgency or misery.

I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next one. You won't regret picking this one up.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Imprint through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

This book was an awesome adventure full of swashbuckling, mermaids, magic, sword fights, legendary sea monsters, kingdom ruling, and a kickass princess leading the way. No detail was too small, no story was left untold, and it was all gripping and fascinating and un-put-down-able. Bravo to the author for getting this book just right in all the best ways! My singular complaint is that I could have used a bit more resolution and story about the aftermath, but clearly there’s another story to come ...

RATING: 3/5 STARS

This was a solid debut novel full of action, fantasy, and a touch of gore. The highlights of this read for me were the descriptions of Amora's unique powers and the adventures that Ferrick, Bastian, Vataea, and Amora encounter on their journey. Fans of fast-paced stories and beautiful writing about monsters, mermaids, and magic will enjoy this book. I would have liked more characterization and development of the romance between Bastian and Amora (but that's just my personal preference). This book ended with much to be explored in part two of the duology, so I'll be on the lookout for that!

A sincere thanks to NetGalley and Imprint for providing an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Social: @_shelf.awareness on Instagram

I have been waiting for this book ever since I accidentally followed Adalyn on Instagram. I immediately knew I had to read this book (partly because of the cool artwork she posted, seriously, check her Instagram). Let me just say this: I was not disappointed. I expected nothing less from someone who worked on The Legend of Korra (I love this woman).

All the Stars and Teeth was a magical read. I loved every part of it. The worldbuilding was stunning. Visidia captures your attention and completely draws you in. I loved exploring with Amora and getting to know each of the islands and their unique magics.

I also enjoyed how Adalyn pulled apart her own world, she clearly sets up the rules in the beginning and then proceeds to break those rules. Books, where nothing is as it seems and authors challenge the rules of their own worlds, are my bread and butter.

The writing was also incredible. I couldn’t put the book down. It contains lush descriptions, raw emotions and loads of witty banter. This book was SO good, I’m probably never going to stop gushing about it.

Usually it takes me about 10-13% to decide if I like a book enough on NetGalley to preorder the real thing. With All the Stars and Teeth, I knew by the first scene that I had to have it! Grace has created a compelling, rich fantasy world and a unique magic system that draws the reader in!!

I had a tough time gauging the intended age range for this one. The narrator states her observations repeatedly in what is either terrific foreshadowing for a twelve year old reader or browbeating for anyone older than that. But, then, there is some sexytime and a generous amount of violence, so...huh?

If you're going to read a YA book this is the one you should read. I am not one to typically enjoy YA, but the cover/blurb caught my attention, and the story didn't let me go. The author wove the words in the most entrancing way to create an epic adventure.

The main character, Amora, is a work of art. She is strong, yet flawed. A product of her upbringing, but has the ability to rise above what she thought she was destined for. Her journey of discovery was enthralling. I felt every emotion with her, and cheered her on through all the struggles. All of her crew mates hold their own burdens, and are just as thoughtfully created down to their core. While there was a bit of sexual tension in the story, it was in no way a romance, or insta-love. Very well written and and believable characters, with many layers to each of them.

I will be looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Amora.

The world is amazing, I loved the twist on magical abilities, and the lesson in folklore/history, jealousy and greed. So many layers to discover and the story peeled them back perfectly.

I received this book via NetGalley.

4/5 Stars
I received an early e-galley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I'm also a member of the author's street team.

So, I heard about this book when the cover was revealed. If you're following my Instagram you know I love pirates and pirate books. Now add in that the main character is a princess, heck yes royalty, now make that princess flee after messing up, okay she's flawed even better, now add in a handsome pirate and I'm 100% interested. If you liked Daughter of the Pirate King, this book is definitely for you.

So what did I like (other than the piratey stuff)?
Well let's see:
There is a ton of action in this book, there are a few slow moments but even those had enough going on to keep me interested. It's a very fast paced and quick read.
The romance: I definitely was worried for a bit that there was going to be a love triangle after the pirate and her fiance both became involved but it's resolved slightly early on and completely in the end. The romance was also kind of just a small part of the book it didn't take anything away from the overall plot but definitely added to the book.
The friendships: Amora starts out the story with no friends due to being a sheltered princess that hasn't been able to explore the world. Along the journey she gets a group of friends - her crew. They all know they need each other they all have their strengths and weaknesses and lean on each other but don't completely rely on each other. Amora knows she has to be strong but that she can lean on her friends if needed.

What I didn't like:
The only thing I didn't like was that I predicted many of the twists early on. It's not a big deal and didn't ruin the story, however I feel like the author hinted way to heavily and kind of gave them away early on. That could totally just be me though.

All in all I highly recommend this book.

parts of this were really good and interesting but more of it was lacking - primarily in characters and dialogue and story plotting. beautiful cover.

thanks to the publisher for an ARC, this is my honest review.

This is a solid debut YA fantasy. There's magic, mermaids, and pirates - so there's a nice mix for everyone's tastes. The title was a bit misleading. Vataea was a probably my favorite character, but I had a hard time connecting with the cast of characters overall. Ferrick didn't have much of a story line, except to patch people up. The story line was interesting, though there was a bit of predictability. I liked the twist at the end,a s well as the fact that the romance wasn't overwhelming.