*thank you to NetGalley for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for a review*

*No spoilers*

The premise of the novel is a young woman named Hazel who is an outcast in her community. To make matters worse the man she loves is suddenly engaged to her cousin and she finds herself willing to do anything to get him back... including entering a magical bazaar that promises riches should she complete a required task...

This book is a quick read that will captivate you into its magical world. From the first chapter, I could feel Hazels frustration, fear, and I itched to figure out the secrets going on. The Bazaar itself is interesting and beautiful. The author does an excellent job of making it feel real and alive and I was instantly enthralled and drawn to the characters and the setting.

Also, the love interest is grade A magical romantasy quality. At times it felt a bit confusing with Hazel's conflicting feelings, but ultimately it intrigued me to read the next novel to learn more about exactly how much he knows about her (because I do not think we have the full story yet) as well as if fate is involved in all of this which would explain some of the weirdness.

My one concern with this book was the pacing. Sometimes it felt like there needed to be more of introduction to people/things. For example, at one point she just starts saying the names of the guards with her, but when did she learn them? Also, why should we care about them? Or we come into contact with a magical being and she just suddenly knows its name?? It tended to feel rushed in that sense.

Again though this did not take away from the overall magic of the story and I am still very interested to see what happens next! I understand that this is just book one so I am anxious for the adventure that awaits.

Thank you to Netgalley for access to an eArc for These Wicked Stars in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the concept of this book, but there was nothing particularly unique or interesting about it other than the bazaar itself.

The characters:
- I absolutely love the concept of the bazaar. A sentient place, brimming with monsters, designed to lure in humans with fantasies of their deepest desires? Yes yes sign me up. The bazaar only opens up once every 30 years during the alignment of the seven planets.
- Hazel deserved better as a FMC. She was a poor concocted blend of YA stereotypes and tropes.. Not like other girls. The chosen one. Pretty but she doesn't know it. Etc. Etc.
- Cassian & Zaire. There was absolutely nothing interesting or unique about them.
- Across the board I felt like the characters were inconsistent. Hazel has gone through all of this trauma and heartbreak at the hands of her family but decides to trust & help a random stranger at the inn, but then also refuses to trust anyone else for the entire book?

The plot:
- After the first 25% the plot was completely predictable. At the halfway point I ended up skimming to the end.

The writing:
- The writing was fine. I looked back at my kindle notes and I had zero highlights or annotations. Nothing inspiring but not bad. I definitely chuckled a few times. Oh the scene with the lotus eaters definitely game me the creeps. The romance was... not romantic. This book would have benefited significantly if the romance element was removed, it just confused the plot and felt forced.

How it could have gotten to four stars:
- Challenge the stereotypes for the characters. Better understand their underlying motivations and base their decisions on those factors. Develop consistency for their actions, words, and behaviors so they feel true, real, and relatable.

Myth: 2.5/5

I had a hard time getting into this book, cool concept, magical bazar, not all is as it seems, don’t take what’s offered, but it didn’t feel fleshed out to me out side of that. Hazel was an interesting character, an outcast in her society, but in the scene setting we got before moving onto the main story, I had a hard time connecting with her motivations. She was definitely a low confidence, low self esteem heroine that you wanted to see grow into her own, but I’m not sure she fully got that in the arc in this story, though it does seem like the first in a series, so it could definitely progress.

Magic: 2/5

The magic, world building and backstory, especially of the gods and the bazar didn’t make sense to me. Cool vibes, but just didn’t land for me, I’m sure it will for others.

Overall: 2.5/5

I like the magical appearing bazar vibes but had a hard time connecting with the characters and therefore the plot.

I received an ARC reader copy through NetGalley for an honest review.

I was SO captivated by the world and the story. Very Aladdin-y like vibes that I don't normally read but definitely need more of in my life now. The Bazaar world had me so intrigued and I am fascinated to see what will happen in the next book!

The characters were a 50/50 for me. Sometimes I adored the fact that Hazel didn't overcome her problems right away. Other times she annoyed the freaking heck out of me.

Cassian is a dream! A man who gives space for the woman to grow and shape herself. He isn't perfect, but he is who he is meant to be!

All in all a great read! 3.8 rounded to a 4

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

These Wicked Stars had so much potential, but it ultimately fell flat for me about 15% of the way through the book. The beginning started off with our main character, Hazel, finding out that her fiancé is a nasty man and is actually getting married to her horrible step-sister because his family is broke and he needs money. Okay, I can get behind that. Hazel is heartbroken, understandably, but is offered a vast amount of money from a mysterious old man if she goes into the mythical Bazaar and gets him some magical water. And then commences the adventure.

All of this I can get behind, and actually found quite amusing. Unfortunately, as soon as Hazel goes into the Bazaar things start to go downhill. Hazel was suddenly a naive, simple girl who seemingly forgets about her fiancé (who she is doing all of this for) and makes a lot of choices that had me genuinely bored and annoyed. We have the usual tropes of "the chosen one," "the ugly girl with brown eyes but also she's actually beautiful according to the Tall Dark and Handsome Magic Man," and, of course, the "all-consuming love that happens within the span of 3 days." Everything is very black and white, we have the good people and the bad people, the people we are supposed to be supporting and the ones we are supposed to hate. I didn't buy it and found it extra disappointing after how good the first 15% was.

This book obviously was not for me, but that does not mean it isn't for you. I genuinely think that the younger crowd (teenagers mayhaps?) would enjoy this book. As long as you are not looking for something too complex, give it a go. As for me, I will not be reading the second book.

1. I was hooked in by the bazaar and it’s magic and characters.
2. The main character was too naïve and trusting for me at times.
3. World building was good a brilliant world and lots of great places to explore but the lore was a bit tricky to understand, some more context and understanding would have be good.
4. People say about Caraval feels but tbh it’s only the first part of the book, by the second 1/2 it defiantly takes its own unique angle and ends up a totally different story, more akin to mythology and legends.
5. The beginning of this story, the despair, embarrassment and sadness is written brilliantly, 5 stars for the opening chapters! There is a slight marathon in the middle but I honestly never really wanted to put this book down!
Back to fill in the gaps asap ✌️

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read These Wicked Stars by Catelyn Wilson before publishing.
All thoughts spoken are my own.

GR rating: 4 ⭐'s
My rating: 4 ⭐'s

Hazel Blackthorn is the bastard daughter off a nameless sailor and her disgraced mother. In order to leave this life behind, she wants nothing more than to marry her secret finance Linus who is from a well known family. Her dream of is shattered when he announces the marriage to her cousin in order to save his family's now crumbling name. Absolutely heartbroken, Hazel recieves an offer from a gentle old man that is too good to refuse. Enter the magical bazaar whose gates open for one week every thirty years and retrieve medicine for his ailing wife, and in return she will have more riches than she'd no what to do with. But the bazaar is not a safe place for anyone, especially a human. As Hazel pushes to succeed, she slowly begins to unravel the many mysteries of the bazaar, and it's King, are hiding.
She must decide what to fight for. The love she yearned for, or her freedom.

Initially, I found I struggled with the beginning. It seemed a bit too wordy for me, but I pushed through and I am so glad I did as eventually I was hooked and couldn't put it down.

I enjoyed the romance, but found it to move a bit fast to be believable (with the entire story taking place over one week).
To me, it reads on the younger side of YA.

The bazaar itself is such an intriguing idea, and I did love learning about it throughout. The magic, the old gods, etc.

The characters were compelling, but again, I found Hazel to read a bit young for my liking and did struggle a bit connecting with her. The side characters were very interesting though, and I loved learning about them.

Overall I did enjoy the read, and will be keeping an eye out for news of the sequel!

Releasing October 31st 2022

*review posted to Goodreads. Will also be posted to my instagram upon release day.

These Wicked Stars is a YA fantasy that follows Hazel, an unwanted bastard child who has been punished for her mothers adultery from birth. After loosing her fiancé, she Embarks on a quest to the Bazaar, a magical land filled with temptations and your hearts greatest desires, for a price.
I’m going to start by saying this was a quick read for me (I finished it in a few hours). I enjoyed the basis of the plot and Wilson’s writing definitely books you in at the beginning. That being said I definitely think that this book was on the younger side of ya and so not for me. The plot was easy to read through which made the plot twists easy to spot. I will say all in all this was a nice pallet cleanser between heavy fantasy series (for now - I know this is going to be a continuing series in the future).

Clean read
This was not a predictable story line. So refreshing to read something with tropes I love without being a clone of ever other book out there.
Great for teens and young adults.
It’s a bit longer of a book then I normally prefer but it was so worth staying up and reading.
I normally am not a fan of stories with gods in it, but the author did such a great job keeping it entertaining.
The book does end with a bit of an over all cliffhanger.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This has a great plot. Mightve been a bit slow at times with explanations but give it a try.

I really enjoyed the story, it was well written and kept my attention the whole time.
I relate to Hazel in terms of her being an outcast thinking no one loves her. I love that she is kind and thinks of others despite of her wishes of being seen as someone worthy of love. She is worthy because of her kindness.
I also relate to the conclusions Hazel continuously comes back to, that she is nothing, because of the mental and emotional conditioning.

I really like Cassian. You can see where he starts to care what happens to Hazel after he has been sent to keep an eye on her in the mortal world. You see the beginning of the change in him.

I have had a feeling since we met Nicklaus that “he” had something to do with the plot in the Bazarre. Let’s hope he doesn’t succeed.

Reviewed for NetGalley:

I was really intrigued at first, wondering what would become of Hazel, after being tossed aside by her fiancé and thrown out on the street, but was completely not interested in the Bazaar storyline.

Just didn't work for me.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

This was an engaging and interesting story that I couldn't put down

These Wicked Stars by Catelyn Wilson

I was lucky enough to read this as an eARC! thank you so much @catelyn_writes

Book review

4/5

Every 30 years a passage to a magical bazaar opens for those looking to find what they desire. When Hazel’s engagement is threatened, she’ll do whatever it takes to save her engagement and live her life free of her family shame. Even when it means entering the Bazaar and facing creatures that would like nothing more than to claim her soul.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters are compelling, and any romance with a little forced proximity and enemies to lovers is always a plus. It’s a mythological inspired fantasy with a female protagonist who is more than she may seem.

Our main character Hazel is fantastic, she has a strong moral compass, despite her troubled past and as she discovers things about herself and the world she’s entered, she faces these challenges head on. The villain of the story, a lethal king with a masked interest in our protagonist and a hidden rage will entice readers like myself, who love to see villains with a personal preoccupation with the main character. While the morally grey love interest with a certain devotion to the main character will endear everybody.

I find that some books struggle with characters and motivations when creating a world such as this with specific rules and this book did a great job of creating fully developed characters while also including twists you may not see coming. I did find that the pacing ebbed and flowed in terms of intrigue, but I’m still really excited to see where this story goes.

The book comes out October 31st and is available for pre-order on amazon

-Big sis

#bookstagram #bookreview #thesewickedstars

Posted to instagram

A video will be posted as a reel to instagram and a TikTok to TikTok as well

This was a great book, the beginning was so good, the heartbreak and longing to be accepted was so well written, you really feel for the character and her situation and there is such a sense of dread and sadness that I was completely hooked from the first chapter.

The Bazaar is well put together and explored with various creatures, characters, places, sounds and smells but I did find the lore a little under developed. I could really have done with more reasoning and justification behind why people and places were accessible via the bazaar and a better understanding of the whole magic and god system, there is a reveal in this storyline that takes too long to expose and.due to underdeveloped lore is hard to believe or understand.

The romance does develop form hate to love quiet quickly and unlike other enemies to lovers romances, there is a genuine reason these are enemies so if you over think it, you may ask yourself wondering how its even possible for them to fall in love, but I actually love that! I enjoyed some of the betrayal in the storyline and that there are some true villainous acts but I did find the main character to be quite naive at times, too trusting and self deprecating, however as a YA read I do feel it fits the audience, there is a lot of emotion to the characters motives and thoughts.

This is a great read for anyone who loves to really feel some heartbreak and emotion, perhaps the chosen one tropes and wants a mythological, fairytale and magical setting with something to hook you into book two.
I was couldn't put it down for all the best reasons and I cant wait for the next in the series.

Thank you for providing me with a copy for review.

These Wicked Stars by Catelyn Wilson.

The book centres on Hazel Blackthorn, a young girl who is outcast from her family and society on the most dangerous night of the year - the alignment of the 7 planets when the mysterious bazaar is said to open. Hazel finds herself at an inn, where a stranger asks her to venture into the bazaar to find some medicine to save his wife’s life. In return, he will give her all the money she could wish for to help Hazel win back her fiancé Linus, by paying off his family’s debt. As she enters the dangerous bazaar, Hazel realises that the task isn’t as easy as it seems and there are lots of obstacles in her way, including the cunning king of the bazaar Zaire, who wants to keep Hazel in the bazaar for his own reasons.

The plot of this book was really interesting and nothing I have ever read before. At the start, I got vibes that it could be a re-telling of Cinderella but that was soon quashed after the first few chapters. When Hazel first enters the bazaar, the story was tense and exciting but I did feel like the story went downhill from there… the middle of the book was very slow and I felt like nothing of note happened. In contrast, the last quarter of the book felt rushed.

Hazel was a naive character and for me, an insufferable one. She annoyed me throughout the whole book. She trusted everyone she met without thinking, despite her keep telling herself not to trust anyone! Highly annoying.

Cassian was a likeable character. I thought he was the highlight of the book. He did everything he could to help Hazel, despite being controlled by Zaire. Although, I struggled to picture anyone other than Cassian from ACOTAR!! I also liked Saskia - she was helpful to Hazel when no one else was and came across as a really strong female character.

There was plenty of action throughout the book and it was pretty descriptive at times so if gore is for you then you’ll like this one.

The bazaar setting is magical and intriguing. The world-building is written really well.

I am not a big lover of instant romances. I feel like the romance side of this book could’ve been explored a little more and made into more of a slow burn enemies to lovers.

All in all, an ok read. Despite its shortcomings, I would still recommend this book to any fantasy fan. It has all the aspects you would want in a fantasy book - action, romance, magic. I feel that it would be a really good book with a few tweaks.

I will also be posting this review to Goodreads and my Instagram blog - @mykindlebooksta.

3.5 stars

A magical bazaar run by the old gods appears every 30 years. It usually attracts the wayward and the misfit. Within, a person may acquire their hearts desire for a price.
After her fiance is forced into an arranged engagement, Hazel makes a bargain with a stranger to get him back. Now she must brave the bazaar to aquire something in exchange for a life with the man she loves.

When I began the book I got extremely excited. It contained very specific things I love about fantasy - bargains, a quest, and forbidden fruit/wine. Then a little ways in I thought I came to a love triangle similar, if not identical to that of ACOTAR, which I hate. Then halfway in, I realized I was mistaken and I was feeling like I was getting a more sinister Caraval vibe. But really really I was wrong. All of the prejudices and past reading experience we're being assumed before I really gave it a chance. The second half showed how much of its own story it really was.

The almost-but-not-quite insta romance could have been drawn out a touch more in the beginning for the more slow burn, the middle was a bit shaky, and I totally guessed who the stranger was at the get-go so it was a belabored plot point that wasn't a surprise at all. However, I enjoyed this book despite my early judgements. I don't think it was the pinnacle of my reading experience by any stretch, but it was a fun read. I look forward to the sequel!

These Wicked Stars by Catelyn Wilson is a young adult fantasy book about an outcast, Hazel, and her journey in the mysterious bazaar.

Hazel was a weak character. She was naive. When she was in the bazaar, she constantly reminded herself not to believe anybody but ended up believing any random person she met. Hazel’s growth in the book was very slow. Sometimes she was very frustrating. She loved her fiancé Linus blindly, even after everything was laid out right before her eyes, she was not ready to believe anything, making a fool of herself.

Saskia and Cassian were likeable characters. They tried to help Hazel in a difficult situation and escape from the bazaar. Zaire at first looked like a calm character, but later revealed that he is greedy for power and can do anything.

I loved the mysterious bazaar, and the magical elements in the bazaar were fascinating.

There was a lot of violence in the book. I liked the plot twist.

The world-building was confusing; it could have been better. There were lots of things happening in the book. The plot was fast-paced but not gripping enough. I liked the writing.

I felt like maybe I wasn't the target audience for this book. It felt a little to young and I can't stand a instalove story. I can do enemies to lovers, but the characters need to have some redeeming qualities. These ones did not.

The story was good and the plot was interesting and I did read it in one sitting. but it felt to young for me personally.

These Wicked Stars is the first book in a new series by Catelyn Wilson that follows Hazel Blackthorn, an illegitimate child who is outcast from society, as she finds herself on a quest for a mysterious old gentleman in a mythical Bazaar that only appears once every 30 years.

Overall, this books showed a lot of promise. The Bazaar is an impossible labyrinth of secrets and the action is non-stop from beginning to end. There is action, unrequited and forbidden love, a mystery, gods, and a lead whose origins need to be unraveled. That being said, everything about this book felt rushed.

Why was Hazel so enamored with Linus? Her absolute devotion to that man as more and more was revealed about that relationship seemed unearned or at least made her look like a bit of a fool.
Why was her entire family so cruel and yet her sister so devoted? Where did their bond stem from?
What actually happened to her mother following her birth?
Other than the purported villain of this story, what did Hazel do that led to others in the book to be so enamored with her?

While her ability to not succumb to the sins of the Bazaar was established as intriguing to many, there were characters in this book that expressed an interest in our heroine well before she ever entered the Bazaar and yet all that occurs in the first few chapters is Hazel acting like a love-sick puppy, getting thrown out of her home after being misused by the few people who supposedly cared for her. The "love at first sight" storyline simply wasn't earned. A lot of the characters in this book are one dimensional and act predictably.

That being said, I give this book a 3 star review. It's an easy, intriguing read. It feels like a combination of Caraval meets Kingdom of the Wicked and From Blood and Ash. Readers of any of the titles listed will likely enjoy this book for what it is. It's a whirlwind and fun ride that can be completed in the morning or evening before or after work. It's an enjoyable read for a new author who is releasing it independently.

I think this author will really shine as her career progresses. With a good editor and publisher, this book has extreme potential, and I would still recommend it despite its flaws so that the author has an opportunity to get this series where it deserves to be.

Thank you to NetGalley and Catelyn Wilson for an advanced readers copy of this book. This review will be posted to Goodreads and my blog The Millennial Fantasy Reader in the coming days.