⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
Forging Silver into Stars
By Brigid Kemmerer
*SPOILERS for the A Curse so Dark and Lonely series*
This book...was wonderful.
It is the sequel to Brigid Kemmerer’s A Curse so Dark and Lonely series. Now, I am a huge fun fan of this series. It is one of my favorite Beauty and the Beast retelling by far. Like right up there with ACOTAR for me. And this sequel just flowed so well with where it left off.
Forging Silver into Stars takes places four years after the ending to A Vow so Bold and Deadly. Grey has been made king after having married Lia Mara and Tycho is the King’s Courier.
There is a lot of discourse among the people because their new king is magesmith, a being capable of wielding magic. A tragedy, not of his own making, forces Grey to use magic that causes an even further greater rift between himself and the people he wants to protect.
In this novel, you meet new characters that are caught in the middle of an internal war that has them questioning...are they loyal to what they think they know...or to the Queen and King? This causes them cross paths with Tycho who is quickly learning that nothing is ever what it seems.
One thing I truly adored about this book is that everyone is so morally grey it’s hard to grasp who is good and who isn’t. It made for such a fun, thrilling read I couldn’t put it down. I got reconnected with characters I love and fell head over heels for new ones.
This books is phenomenal! If you want a armory that is centered on relationships with a plot that grips you by the throat and won’t let go...this is the one for you.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely is one of my favorite books. I was drawn in from the very beginning. While I enjoyed the other books in the trilogy, ACSDAL continues to hold a special place in mg heart.

Imagine my excitement when I learned that Brigid Kemmerer had decided to take us back to Emberfall and Syhl Shallow! Amazingly, even with expectations as high as mine were, Forging Silver into Stars didn’t disappoint. From the moment Tycho was first introduced, I’ve been craving to learn more about his background and to see him break away from Grey to become his own person. This book showed us all of that along with introducing some intriguing new characters and even offering a look into what some of the former favorite characters are up to.

I can’t wait for the next book in this new series. Dare I ask for a bit more Harper in that one??

I’m heartbroken that this book was a pretty strong “meh” for me.

I’ve been a big Brigid Kemmerer fan for a really long time. I had high hopes for the Cursebreakers trilogy and I was sad that I enjoyed each book less and less than the one before it.

I went into Forging Silver into Stars hoping it could possibly be an improvement to the end of the Cursebreakers series, but that wasn’t the case.

Things dragged and dragged. With it being well over 500 pages, very little actually happened in the name of plot.

I don’t think I’ll be continuing this series.

But not every book is for every reader. If you loved the entire Cursebreakers trilogy then you’ll absolutely adore this story.

But if you’re like me and felt underwhelmed as the trilogy went on, then you may as well skip this.

I also don’t recommend reading this if you haven’t read the original trilogy yet. You will be completely lost.

I have spent the past 2 months piecing myself back together after House of Sky and Breath only to be ripped apart once again in the span of 12 hours by this book. I was even more on edge with this book than with HOSAB and that is high praise! I am in love with the new characters and the new romances! I loved seeing the old characters but it was nice having new people to fall in love with!

I love the this series has multiple characters with varying disabilities. It is representation I love to see, as a disabled person, and she writes them all SO WELL.
Brigid Kemmerer is a BRILLIANT storyteller and this book is no exception. The way she weaves the plot together and all of the politics is amazing. 10/10

I should state right off the bat that it's likely this first book in a new series in the same world as the "Cursebreakers" trilogy is going to appeal mostly to those who either liked the conclusion of the trilogy or didn't find it so bad. So, if you happen to not find yourself in any of these camps, then it's up in the air whether you'll enjoy <i>Forging Silver into Stars</i>. And if you've not read the previous trilogy, then I don't recommend you pick this one up, because you'll be both lost and tremendously spoilered from start to finish, because this book is for "Cursebreakers" connoisseurs, not for newcomers to Brigid Kemmerer, and there's too much you need to know beforehand.

Having been on the camp that found the ending to the "Cursebreakers" trilogy extremely disappointing, I was still willing to give the world another chance in hopes a new story would compensate for the bitter aftertaste left by "A Vow So Bold and Deadly." I cannot say in all honesty that this expectations has been met. This spin-off repeats many of the same mistakes as in the original trilogy, with the addition that the new leading characters aren't even a fraction as interesting as Grey/Rhen nor as subversive and compelling as Harper. I couldn't find anyone to care about in this story, as both Callyn and Jax are dull and flat, so monotonous and bland I'd get into a lull and my interest would flare up only for the brief episodes where Gray and Lia Mara, Rhen and Harper would have a scene. Tycho is a lovely character in the first trilogy, and I like him, but frankly he doesn't have the clout to carry the plot on his own, not for me. And Alek? I've just closed the book and already barely remember him. Not a good sign

It doesn't help at all that the pace is excruciatingly slow and, unlike what you'd expect for a first book in a trilogy to be at least moderately self-contained but with a lead in to the next volume, this one is so blatantly set-up and more set-up you almost want to scream at the hubris of assuming we readers want a trilogy and will buy the next two books no questions asked. This is how they're shoving trilogies down our throats now, by making the first book pure set-up and ending it on a mother of all cliffhangers? It risks causing the readership to feel insulted, if you ask me. At the very least, Kemmerer could've drawn new characters worth the price of buying all 3 books, not bait-and-switch us with dangling old beloved characters from the first trilogy that, here in this book, are in the background for most of the onpage time.

The "conflict" looks a bit artificial, too. Like, there'd be none if all those daft people <i>talked</i> to each other, clearly if possible. I'm not a fan of Big Misunderstanding tropes, and this is one of the reasons the first trilogy turned out like it did, amongst others. It'd have perhaps been better to create a spin-off that was its own story with new characters and set in another part of the world, maybe even another time, and not recycle the old characters as in-and-out highlights in a "new" trilogy that does leave the impression of wanting to fix some of the issues of the previous trilogy, but that might end up adding more instead.

I recommend finishing Kemmerer's Cursebreaker series before reading this as you'll need the background knowledge. This book assumes you already have that in mind and won't explain a lot. Anyone who enjoyed that series will enjoy this. Unfortunately this didn't really do it for me. Couldn't get behind the characters, and even though I did see a lot of character growth, I wasn't fully invested to really enjoy this book. Will still be buying it for our collection as I think a lot of readers will like this.

This book continues in the world of the Cursebreaker series, which I had absolutely loved and was so excited to hear it was confining. It takes place a few years after those books and follows the character Tycho, introduced in the earlier series and was friends with the main character, Grey. If you enjoyed that world that Kemmerer created, then it’s well worth your time to pick up a copy of this!

The kingdoms that were seemingly united at the end of “A Vow so Bold and Deadly” are not quite so peaceful in this book. We follow Tycho, now the King’s Courier and trusted friend of Grey. This book widens the world even further, introducing us to the people in the country and specifically two friends Jax and Callyn. Both of them have been affected by magic. Their stories intertwine with Tycho’s seamlessly.

I appreciated that this world now feels so much more vast and complicated. The new characters become more fleshed out as the story goes on, and we are given much more insight into Tycho, who had become so important to Grey previously. I connected immediately with Tycho’s story, and eventually Jax as well. It took me longer with Callyn and it was a bit frustrating at times, but by the end of the book I was on her side too.

While this is Tycho’s story, I would still consider Grey a main character. I also liked reading more about Rhen’s experiences since the previous book’s events. I would have liked to hear more about other characters that have continued into this book, but I recognize it is not about them and some were very brief encounters. And although this is a continuance in terms of the world, it still felt like a lot had to be established.

I think this book is a great re-setting of this world and the next book in this series is sure to add even more depth. It is a great YA option (and for adults too!). Thank you #NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book and I recommend #ForgingSilverIntoStars - can’t wait for the next one!

I have been a fan of this author for years and I loved her A Curse So Dark and Lonely series when it came out out, as well as her contemporary YA books which hooked me on her writing. Returning to the world she lovingly created for Harper, Rhen, Grey and Lia Mara in this book was a wonderful gift. And, it may be one of my favorite books that she has written so far because of the maturity of the story as well as the character she created. I devoured it and was swept back into Emberfall and swept away by the romance in this YA fantasy novel. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Well, it was exciting to return back to the Cursebreakers Universe, welcoming back Tychno ( we already met with him at “A heart so fierce and broken’). This book also introduces us two 18 years old new characters: Jax, the blacksmith- more likable character than Callyn the baker who are doomed to live in Syhl Shallow, the land where the magic has been banished.

Even though these two friends are adamant to learn the magic that is appeared in the form of magesmith, they find themselves into an espionage scheme that threatens the new king’s life! At that moment, Lord Tycho- the Courier of the king arrives to the land to investigate the culprits conspiring against the kingdom.

It took a little time for me to get into the story and resonate with the new characters. But as a fan of Cursebreakers series, I enjoy this thrilling ride and looking forward to read the upcoming sequels as well. I advise you to read the series at first to understand the dynamics between characters and true nature of magic!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books/ Bloomsbury YA for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

Here we are again, a new series following the Cursebreakers books by Brigid Kemmerer. I don’t want to spoil any of the things that happened in Cursebreakers or want to give away anything from this book but all I have to say is that it was a great read and a perfect way to start the new series. While it was a slow start it was a good start nonetheless. The story takes place 4 years after A Vow So Bold and Deadly and features 3 main POVS.

1) Tychno- a 19 year old working for the king (appeared in A Heart So Fierce and Broken)

2) Jax- 18 year old blacksmith (new character)

3) Callyn- 18 year old baker (new character)

We also get cameos of some of our favs from the Cursebreakers series. I liked Tychno and while Jax and Callyn were a bit harder to connect too they werent too bad ( though Callyn’s storyline made me want to scream in frustration at times, but thats just how it is sometimes). I can’t wait to see where the next books go and how these characters grow!!

*Thanks Netgalley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books, Bloomsbury YA for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I was hesitant going into this book since I enjoyed the original trilogy so much. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't the fast-paced, plot-driven story I expected. This book is definitely grounded in its characters. I really enjoyed the new characters (especially Jax) and I enjoyed their dynamic together. People should go into this open-minded, because even though I enjoyed it I probably would have liked it more if I didn't have such high expectations.

Brigid Kimmerer returns to the Cursebreaker world with Forging Silver into Stars, a novel which turns her former protagonists into secondary characters and gives Tycho the stage. While acting his official role as envoy between the two kingdoms, Ty lands in the same place that Alek, a lord of Syhl Shallow, is using to pass and receive treasonous notes. There he meets a handsome blacksmith, Jax, who may or may not be mixed up in this sedition. Either way, Grey is not happy when it seems Ty’s loyalty might be divided.

Ty and Jax’s relationship is precious and the book’s plot was well-written, but Forging Silver into Stars felt too similar to the rest of the Cursebreaker books. The break between Ty and Grey was too close to the one between Grey and Rhen, and I kept waiting for Ty to get strung up between the posts again. There is too much blurring as Kemmerer examines the different sides of these relationships. I just want a good and evil.

After reading Forging Silver into Stars, I’m interested to see where the scravers take us, but if Alek gets his own book, I’m done.

I cannot recommend this book enough. If you loved the Cursebreakers Series – Rhen, Grey, Lia Mara, Harper and Co. then you’re going to absolutely going to love this next installment. It’s perfectly crafted, the vibe and tone of it is everything I want in an Upper YA fantasy book. The dash of spice Brigid includes is *chef’s kiss* perfect. I loved this book so much and I’m surprised I got through this review. I’m still very much a giddy excited mess that just wants to throw this book at everyone and yell that them to read it. Seriously, get your pre-orders in and dive into this book as soon as you can. You’re going to love it, and then be left desperate for more.

I have to admit, I was a little disappointed when I started this book and realized that it was going to focus on Tycho and Grey, whom I enjoy deeply, but I wanted to get back to my original characters from book one.. Brigid Kemmerer found a way to win me over with this engaging, complex and riveting book that gets two enthusiastic thumbs up from me.

She continues her exquisite world building, great character development, and just knows how to tell a good story! Please, publisher, continue to give this offer more book contracts!!!

Brigid Kemmerer has written another amazing novel. I love the politics that she covers in her books. Some of it even seemsto mirror what has happened recently in our politics. We also not only get to see some favorite characters but a whole other side of Syl Shallow as well. The main characters aren't the only ones flushed out either. The family dynamics that shape why Call and Jax are accepting messages that they know are suspect are shown throughout the book which adds temendously to the plot. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait till it comes out so that I can recommend it to my teens.

#ForgingSilverintoStars #NetGalley Thank you to the publisher and @NetGalley for the E-ARC copy of this book. The rating of this book is entirely of my own opinion.