[4.25/5] THE CITY OF STARDUST forges an ethereal story that rivals western fairytales of old. All Violet Everly knows is the grounds and interior of her family's aged home. Her mother disappeared years ago to avoid the family curse, so her uncles are all she has for company. Sequestered from the world, Violet turns to the comfort of academia and her imagination. But when Penelope comes calling with her assistant, Aleksander, to satisfy the Everly debt, she gives Violet ten years to find her mother. If she fails, Violet must take her place. As the clock ticks down, Violet sets off on her own and discovers a secret world of scholars, gods, and portals.

The writing in THE CITY OF STARDUST is absolutely perfect for the type of story told here. It has a dreamlike quality that doesn't sacrifice detail nor is it full of flowery prose. It tells things as they are yet witholds just enough to let the mystery of the story gently unfold. Despite the everpresent threat of time running out, Summers doesn't let that overpower the pacing or lore development. The progression of the plot and characterization are just right for the fairytale feeling Summers invokes.

THE CITY OF STARDUST is not the type of book that gives the reader privy to every thought and emotion experienced by the characters. Rather, it keeps its distance in a way the reminded me of reading a classic western fairytale. The reader generally understands what the character is going through, but there is a mysterious quality to it. It gives the sense that while you think you know what's going on, there's something just out of sight that you can't quite grasp. Typically this might frustrate me, but here it works perfectly.

Without knowing the author's intent, it really felt like her goal was to create a brand new fairytale. Personally, I think it worked. I didn't mind at all that reading about Violet's life felt like watching through a snow globe, clear yet simultaneously intangible and magical. I think this story quality also bleeds into the amount of detail provided about the world and lore.

While THE CITY OF STARDUST's celestial folklore whet my appetite, I still found myself hungry for more. I wanted to know more about the gods and the world beyond the portal. I wanted a clearer and more comprehensive ending. However, I think Summers held back on this to, again, keep in vogue with the fairytale vibe. It speaks to the uncertainty surrounding old stories where over time fact becomes legend which turns to myth so the details don't matter so much in the end. What matters instead is facing a hard thing even if the problem didn't originate with you.

Aside from the myth building, I loved flitting in and out of Violet's adventures around the world. The dark academia setting of the scholars' parties are so atmospheric. A few times I wondered how Violet knew how to do all this traveling, considering she grew up so isolated. But such is the nature of fairytales: the reader must accept things as they are. The low hum of the pull between Violet and Aleksander is everpresent, but in no way overbearing. However, most of the story focuses on Violet trying to find her mother or a way to break the curse. But a dash of pining amidst an important mission is always welcome. I would have loved to know more about Aleksander's history with Penelope, though.

While I have some wish list items for the author, I still loved this story. THE CITY OF STARDUST is perfect for those who treasure that bedtime story, but this time for adults. It pits cruel divinity against earthly determination and forgiveness. Most of all, it's about the search for family history and fighting for what you have.

The atmosphere and writing are amazing! The City of Stardust did remind me of The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern, but that's a big plus from me. My biggest issue was that it was hard to keep invested in the plot throughout the book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to review this book. All opinions are my own.

Ugh i love freaky, weird fantasy books!! Inject this into my veins!! It’s not even all that weird, but the vibes were very immersive and just unique. It reminds me of Neil Gaiman books where you can kinda just lose yourself in the world. This is the first book I’ve read by this author so it’s a cool entry into their work!

I do a lot of reader's advisory for fantasy books and people are always looking for a great fantasy romance. I enjoyed this and will be recommending.

The City of Stardust is a very well written atmospheric fantasy adventure and the first book in a series by Georgia Summers. Released 30th Jan 2024 by Hachette on their Redhook imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.Paperback format due out in 1st quarter 2025 from the same publisher.

Told in alternating 3rd person PoV, the prose is the high point of the read. The main female protagonist is by turns extremely (annoyingly) naive and perpetually innocent which wears on the reader after a while. The book is light on world building as well, and it's not always clear when scenes/characters have shifted, yanking readers out of the story. There is also surprisingly little character depth or development, honestly.

It -reads- like a book of twice the page length, surprisingly, and the pacing is uneven, but the prose is elegantly wrought throughout. It's also bleak, bloody, and violent in places. Not a cozy read.

It's not derivative (at all), but fans of Laini Taylor and Leigh Bardugo will likely enjoy this one as well.

Three and a half stars (mostly for the odd/draggy pacing and superficial world building).

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The City of Stardust is an intriguing premise. It has all the elements needed to be absolutely fantastic, but drowns itself in pacing issues and and an almost complete lack of character development.

The atmospheric and gorgeous writing drew me in to this story! I enjoyed the storyline and part mystery that was present here. Violet was a great well-rounded character. I enjoyed this book!

This book had so much potential and while I did love parts of it, it fell a bit flat for me. The world building is stunning, the plot is engaging, the main FMC showed promise but I wish I had seen a but more growth in her. I may give it another go when my mood suits it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Selling Pitch:
What if we victim blamed Maleficent and pretended to ask ourselves if that was deep? What if we took 300 pages for a man to realize he has no personality?

On my do not read list.

Pre-reading:
Lol I fully expect to hate this, but it’s a book box pick, so once more unto the breach!

Thick of it:
Immediately getting Ink Sister, 10000 Doors, Addie LaRue, Middlegame, and June Farrow. (Never didn’t get those books, and they are not my flavor of literature.)

I am never in the mood for an artsy fartsy fuck off mom book, so tread carefully. (I love going in blind to books, but it does really set me up for failure sometimes.)

Detritus sin

I'm bored.

God, I don't give a shit. I hate these kinds of books.

I gave it 5 chapters, 10%, would DNF.

I’m just picturing the yellow dog from the children’s book.

You had me til manbun.

Of course, the quirky girl drives a bug.

Do you know how hard it is to write summaries for books that purposely leave the audience in the dark?

I hate these magical generation books that are like mom promised to never have more kids but whoopsies, she had me. Take your fucking birth control. Tell your husband to wrap it. Get an abortion. Knock it off.

Here’s the thing, if you like this genre, you might be into this book. It’s not poorly written. The plot is moving. But I hate this genre.

There’s a special place in hell for people who hit kids.

I’m assuming girlypop wants to destroy the city and go home to the stars so they don’t have to have mortal bodies anymore. (Basically.)

Is this a Rapunzel retelling because she’s giving mother Gothel? (It’s more Sleeping Beauty.)

I better get an explanation for why they broke up. I will not accept maybe it was this or maybe it was that. We don’t really know, teehee. I want concrete fact, thank you. (SIGH. I feel like this exemplifies my problem with the genre. The authors are always like it’s open to interpretation! And Sam’s like I don’t want to interpret shit. Am I right or not?)

I guess phone calls and sending emails were out of the question. (You always have to suspend your disbelief in these novels about the use of technology.)

There’s a lot of plot happening off page and it’s annoying me.

If you tell me about something from the villain’s POV and then force me to hear about it again a few chapters later so that the protagonist can also know about it, I hate you.

Bitch, this is Monsters Inc. (Door/portal magic is inherently cool and yet we do nothing with it.)

Detritus sin again

Literally no point to that chapter. “I know shit. I'm not gonna tell you.” Repeat ad infinitum. I. Hate. This. Genre.

Okay, but there was nothing for him to even tell Penelope because you don’t know shit about fuck.

If she's not gonna fuck the demon, what’s even the point? (Samantha, horny jail.)

pauldron

Bitch, that’s Santa.

That gestational math is barely mathing.

I don’t like this romance. I don’t like them. I don’t like anyone in this book except maybe Caspian, and I don’t trust him.

It’s a YA so it’s a masquerade cliche.

Don’t know what’s going on. Don’t care to figure it out. (None of her globe-trotting plot even matters. It’s all filler to delay the inevitable.)

This book is really pretending that its shoestring plot is even somewhat coherent while refusing to speak plainly about anything.

There’s something vaguely Anastasia about this, but like it’s so bad.

It doesn’t exist…yet? Like does she have to make it? (I mean kinda?)

I don’t understand. This is not a romance. This man is textbook family annihilator.

Another fucking detritus sin

I feel like this book is going to ask me to reward this man for not being a villain. (Oh it most definitely is.)
Like Bestie, that’s bare minimum. Don’t be an asshole.
Or, if you’re gonna be an asshole, be a sexy asshole.

OK, but this fight already doesn’t make sense. We know she can stop time. Why doesn’t she just stop time and slit all their throats? Why has she let them live this long anyway?

This man is useless.

Is the author asking me to feel bad for this man because I hate him. He sucks. (Oh she is. Girlypop was like look male abuse rep! He’s a victim. Isn’t he soft and smooshy? We can fix him!)

I'm Gabe.

Time and place for horny!

Oh, I’m supposed to forgive him everything because he’s been abused? Bitch, please.

I probably should’ve mentioned this earlier, but I just keep getting Velaris vibes from the city, even though Fidelis I keep reading as fidelity.

Except I don’t care about any of these dead people so this gore means nothing to me. Do you know how easy it would’ve been to give him a side character bestie that made me actually give a shit about the scholars?

Everyone in this book needs a fucking tetanus shot.

Listen, it’s really just sounding like all of this was caused by a man because it’s not all men, but it is always a man.

Also, were we not supposed to know that the story was obviously about her ancestor and Penelope? Like were we supposed to be that stupid? I thought we knew that from the get-go.

Oh look, more vitally important plot happening off-page.

Bitch, we already knew!

What in the baptism was that?

Cool story, bro, throw the fucking sword anyway.

I’m sorry do you think you’re the only one with trauma?

I hate a whiny sad boy whose only redeeming quality is his girlfriend! Women are not therapists for broken men!

Time and place for horny, children. You don’t have condoms.

It just reads like you’re an abusive husband who won’t let his wife get a divorce.
And fuck the kids as long as you get to maintain your lifestyle.

It’s not that I don’t think there’s a book here, It’s just that it’s been mangled into this unreadable, incoherent garbage fire.

It’s very what if we victim blamed Maleficent?

I’m too much of a Capricorn. I’m like you made a deal, now you have to pay the price.
Oh cool, why not always be owned by a man when all you want is to escape from him?

But Sam, she murders babies! She’s a god. Your god drops houses on his worshipers, and y’all are still gung ho for his shit.

That’s it? They just die?

What if we victim blamed Maleficent and pretended it was deep?

300 goddamn pages for a man to learn he has no personality.

What do you mean ramshackle house? They literally have a trust fund.
They have fuck you, travel the world money.
Let’s not pretend they’re impoverished.

This wouldn’t be a book if men could just keep it in their pants.
No, you can’t fuck a literal star.
No, when she said she didn’t wanna have kids, she wasn’t kidding.

That sounds like a nod to Emily Wilde.

They don’t even find her fucking mom. Are you kidding?

After every helpful thing that man did for you, you’re still not gonna call Cassie your friend?

Oh, I’ve never been so relieved to be done.

Post-reading:
Here’s the thing, do I think this book has an audience? Absolutely. Am I that audience? Good fucking god, no.

I truly think this is the genre that I loathe the most. I think it is way too good at excusing people’s wrongdoings. I’m a Capricorn. I love accountability. It was set up to fail for me.

But I kinda dig the book’s premise. Here’s a smattering of warped fairytales. Which one is true, and does it even matter if both characters have become villains anyway? That’s juicy. There’s a book there.

But not this book. It’s incredible to me that you take that dramatic of an idea and choose to focus on the two most milquetoast characters in the world. Aleksander’s entire character arc is literally discovering that he doesn’t have a personality!

I think he’s a fundamental failure for this book. You can argue that it’s male domestic abuse rep, but honey, this is a fantasy. Everyone and their mama has trauma. He’s a shitty person. That makes him a shitty love interest. I never liked him. I never wanted him on page. Violet’s boring. I never understand these magical realism heroines who are content with taking I’m not gonna tell you as a stonewalled answer. Get on Google, go to a library, fucking try anything else! My curiosity is too rabid to ever relate to them. But she’s designed for the audience to project onto. You’re supposed to unravel the magical mystery alongside her.

Except we don’t because the book fails again in that department. It gets mind-numbingly repetitive slogging through the beginning because you’ll read something from the villain’s point of view and make your assumptions only to be forced to read about it again a few chapters later so that the main character can catch up to what the audience already knows. It’s so frustrating to read. Write it well enough for your audience to catch it and trust your audience to then catch it the first time around. So much vital plot happens off-page, and then the characters are forced to catch the audience up in one line of dialogue. But that’s the action that we actually wanted to see!

The side characters are so one-note they might as well not exist. Penelope’s compelling but lacks that charismatic zhush to carry a novel where everything else is lacking. She seems heavily inspired by Maleficent, but the novel’s solution comes off pretty victim blamingy-some man screwed you over but now you’re the villain for advocating yourself and gradually escalating in violence so that you’re heard, and the only way for you to win is to take another woman down. But psych, you’re actually permanently linked to your ex, and if he can’t have you, no one can. But like it’s fine because now our heroine can maybe go on a coffee date with her sniveling boyfriend that she’s forgiven for betraying her because he has mommy issues so he gets to escape culpability. Like it’s just…icky.

It's pretty plotholey too. We establish early on that Penelope can stop time to murder people but she conveniently forgets about these powers when fighting Violet. Violet knows how to swordfight despite being…Violet. We drop Yury’s plotline like a hot potato. We never find out who Violet’s father is.

And this book should be sexier! I know, I know, it’s a YA. Put down your pitchforks. But it’s literally about gods of the stars in a forbidden romance. It’s about a deal with a devil. If you’re not going the horror route, you have to make it sexy to provide that tension. You’re already including a sex scene and heavy petting. But because the romance is so lackluster, those scenes are jarring and alienating. They never feel earned. They’re just kind of shoehorned in to advance the romantic subplot that really doesn’t belong in this book, or at least not with the characters involved.

At the end of the day, you’ve got to give me a solid plot, snappy dialogue, or furiously likable characters to get me invested in a book. This story doesn’t have any of that.

And yet, I can see why other people would like it. It is very similar in flavor to other magical realism books that have done very well with the greater Goodreads audience that I cannot fucking stand. If you like Addie LaRue, or June Farrow, or Middlegame there’s a good chance that you’ll like this book. If you’ve read the 10,000 Doors of January, you’ve already read a better version of this book. But if you’re like me and fervently hate this genre, you are going to have the worst time with this. I can’t wait to find the book that changes my mind about this genre, but it won’t be this one.

Who should read this:
People who love the mom mysteriously abandons the family trope
Magical realism girlies
Addie LaRue girlies
Adrienne Young girlies

Do I want to reread this:
No.

Similar books:
* The 10,000 Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow-this is the same book but more lyrically written, magical realism, family drama
* The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young-this is the same book but with time travel, magical realism, family drama
* The Wilderwomen by Ruth Emmie Lang-this is the same book but there's no doors, magical realism, family drama
* Middlegame by Seanan McGuire-this is the same book but it’s superpowers instead of magic, magical realism, family drama
* The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab-historical, magical realism, deal with a demon
* The Book of Love by Kelly Link-magical realism, family drama, ensemble cast, deal with a demon
* Starling House by Alix E. Harrow-this is the same book but now it’s a YA gothic romance, Alice retelling
* Vita Nostra by Marina Dyachenko-if this book was punishing to read dark academia, magical realism
* Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Torzs-magical realism, ensemble cast, family drama

The cover is super pretty and the premise of the book sounds really good but unfortunately this book just wasn't for me.

A great fantasy that keeps the reader engaged throughout.

You are meeting Violet at a young age, and hearing about the Everly curse early on. This book is about the different worlds that surround us, and the different people you can choose to be if needed. All the places you can visit with just a bit of this magical ore called Revuirite and a scholar's key are infinite.

Alexander is a lost child who is taken by an elder Scholar named Penelope. She raises him as her apprentice or assistant for majority of his life, and convinces him to befriend Violet Everly, in hopes of either capturing her or her mother Marianne, who has been missing since Violet was extremely young.

This book crosses rivers and an ocean, doors to new worlds and old, to find yourself within and to discover what it actually takes being the person you're meant to become.
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The City of Stardust was a beautifully whimsical fairytale of generational curses, vengeful monsters, and a strong-willed heroine taking control of her fate. The world building and magic system was unique; however, it lacked the emotional depth needed for me to connect with the characters.
The jump between POVs was hard to follow and added to my detachment from the storyline. While I wasn’t crazy was about the story itself, I was captivated by Summers’ writing style/ prose and I look forward to reading any future releases (fingers crossed for a prequel to go more in depth with this world).

I wholeheartedly agree with recommendation to fans of Laini Taylor, VE Schwab (specifically The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue), and The Night Circus.

This book was about a mysterious family curse and other worlds accessible by special key. Its mysterious air was nice at first, but there weren't enough other details or plot to keep me interested in reading. I made it 36% in before deciding to set it down. I need a bit more excitement to keep me reading a book. You may like this book if you like family mysteries, curses, and secret societies.

Thanks so very much to Netgalley and the publisher for kindly providing me this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I do reviews on my main social media platforms and will be providing my full review there as I get through my TBR blacklist. Thanks again!

I think this is now one of my favorite books (and audiobooks) of all time.

I love the world, the magic, the characters, the villain, and the lyrical writing. This book was stunning from start to finish. I can’t wait to read this again.

This is a good book, I like the idea of the story and I like the writing. However, this book really isn't grabbing my attention or holding my interest. I may give it another try later.

A beautiful book but wasn’t my favorite. It felt a little too YA for my taste but it might be the perfect book for someone else!

I found this storyline to be extremely promising. The delivery of the story did impress. I liked how we received several narrators.
The way plots were explained and the time they were said were not my favorite. i found the first 66% of the book to be a loop of circles and the ending being wrapped up within 10 pages was lack luster.

An enchanting story of love and love lost - I particularly enjoyed the underworld and all of the characters. Will be watching this author!

I absolutely loved this book! The plot was amazing and it kept me turning the pages unti well into the night.