Thanks to NetGalley & Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the copy in exchange for an honest review. Sadly, I DNF'ed at 40% of the way through.

I was enjoying the book and its snark until 40% when it slowed down and got overly complicated and confusing. It's definitely a story that focuses on the magical adventure rather than the characters themselves.

I wish this had another round of editing to include more scenes between Reed, Ale, and their metaphorical Obi-Wan whose name I just forgot. I couldn't stand Hikaru and he really dragged the book down for me and made me quit--such an irredeemable jerk! Maybe he got better later on but I wasn't having it.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

Are there any fantasy books you’re excited to read this summer?

Today I’m featuring Keepers of the Stones and Stars, a new queer YA fantasy novel by Michael Barakiva as a part of @turnthepagetours’ tour! I am especially excited to start reading this one, as it has a gem-based magical system that reminds me of Steven Universe!

Here’s a synopsis of Keepers of the Stones and Stars:
Save the world.

Get the guy.

Keepers of the Stones and Stars is a witty, young adult contemporary epic fantasy about a cheeky quintet of teens chosen by magical gems to save the world.

Reed is leading his best he’s just kissed the boy of his dreams, his band is starting to get actual paying gigs, and he’s a shoo-in to getting elected as next year’s Student Council president. But he’s ready to give it all up when his suspiciously aristocratic guidance counselor tells him he has been chosen to go on the adventure of a lifetime.

Because Reed is the first of five Stone Bearers who have been chosen by magical gems and granted super powers. All he has to do is unite all five and lead them to seal a portal that will release an onslaught of uncontrollable chaotic magical energies, and destroy the world as we know it. It’s up to the Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, Emerald, and Amethyst Bearers to save the world, fulfilling their roles in a centuries-old cycle that dates back to the 17th century Mughal court and the first Bearers of the Stones.

I am so excited to start reading!

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Keepers of the Stones and Stars" by Michael Barakiva is as very unique book with an intriguing plot and lots of LGBTQ+ representation. The book reminds me of both “Steven Universe” as well as shounen anime with the magical stones granting characters powers and transforming their lives forever. I have never read a YA book with this kind of premise before, and I absolutely lobed it.

The unique concept and engaging premise, coupled with the fast-paced nature of the story, keeps you invested in the fate of the characters. Even though this book was pretty long (500+ pages) I finished it pretty quickly due to the fast and engaging pace, especially in the first half of the book. The unique structure of the book also kept me engaged as the book is essentially structured into seven interconnected novellas, offering a refreshing approach to storytelling that adds depth to the plot. I also really enjoyed the representation among the main characters, like having a queer protagonist. Reed’s character definitely felt realistic with his inner monologue and with some of his actions, though he was sometimes naïve and hardheaded at times, but that’s what made him feel like an authentic teenager. Having Reed as the main character allowed for a refreshing perspective on traditional fantasy troupes.

The fast-paced action sequences definitely helped when some of the character writing as well as the storyline was a bit weak. I felt like there was some rushed storytelling, as if the writer was trying to include as much as possible in the storyline, like including an almost excessive amount of social issues being explored in the 2nd half of the book. Considering this book was already over 500 pages long, I almost feel like this book could have been split into two to make sure the storytelling had room to grow.

Overall, "Keepers of the Stones and Stars" is a book with admirable aspirations with its engaging premise and diverse representation. I would recommend this book for those seeking a fast-paced YA fantasy with a unique twist.

Keepers of the Stones and Stars is a witty, young adult contemporary epic fantasy about a cheeky quintet of teens chosen by magical gems to save the world.

This felt very Sailor Moon/magical girl-inspired and I really loved it. It was fast and fun and a helluva ride.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 3/5 stars.

I don't think I remember the last book I've read where it's gone from a "oh my goodness I love this, this is a vibe, amazing, etc." to quite literally not wanting to finish the book.

First 1/3 of the book? Amazing. Had me hooked. Rest of the book? Rushed, poor writing, and I think it fell victim to the "shove every social issue you can think of into the YA novel instead of actually writing plot." The characters, each with their own backstory, are written decently...but it really just fell apart after the first 1/3 of the book?

There aren't really any explanations for things either, like Jo's ability, Xochi/Ale's time away, why there's a Price for the gem, the portal in the first place, etc.

The humor was great in the beginning, but it also just was meh by the end.

I loved the concept of this. The cover is amazing...but like I said...I don't remember the last book I read where I was seriously considering DNFing it after initially gushing about how much I liked it. I mean, it's good it's just not polished.

I'm sad that I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would. The story is great and engaging, and I will always be here for gay Sailor Moon inspired shenanigans, but unfortunately the characters kinda sunk this one for me.

The biggest offender was the main character, Reed. Something about the way he was written just didn't click with me, and I ultimately found him annoying in a way that made the book less enjoyable for me. The dialogue in the book verged way too close to "Hello, fellow teens!" and Reed was the primary vehicle of that almost immediately.

The cover is beautiful, and the story itself is fun, but to me the book unfortunately fell flat due to the sum of all its parts.

I think a big, BIG part of why I didn’t click with this is that it is not the kind of YA with crossover appeal to Adult readers.

Will actual teenagers like it? Yes, I think so! Some of them! But it is not meant for us, fellow adults of the internet.

And that is okay! It’s great when a YA book also works for adults, but they don’t have to. They’re not meant to. And I’m not going to call this a bad book because it’s written for its intended audience.

Is it a book I’d hand to my teenage siblings? Probably not – while it sounds great from the blurb, I thought the execution was…lacking. The prose is pretty basic, the premise a lot simpler than I was expecting, and the infodumping constant. But also inconsistent: when a magical (potential) villain appears in the early chapters, no one explains who she is, and the main character doesn’t even ask! Even when she keeps being mentioned, referred to, it’s like no one is curious or feels like explaining who (and what) she is!

Reed, aforementioned main character and the magically chosen/destined Leader of the stone bearers, is very annoying – I really disliked how he believed everything he was told without question, and never asked for proof – even of the existence of magic! Come on. But Reed is a delight compared to the Wise Mentor figure, Mr Shaw, who is pompous, patronising, and has pretty alarming attitudes re colonialism and also being friendly with dictators.

I read the first 20%, and I thought there was a possibility that Mr Shaw, and the whole lineage of mentors, might be corrupt, and the story was not as simple as it seemed. But I wasn’t nearly invested enough to stick around to find out.

Queer kids saving the world is awesome, but even judging it as objectively as possible, I wish this had been done better. I think it’s probably an okay, maybe even a fun, read for the right teen, but it doesn’t live up to its potential. Although again, it’s possible the book twists and becomes something less predictable after the 20% point. I just…wouldn’t hold my breath on it turning into something properly impressive.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book was rough. I loved the synopsis but it fell very flat for me. I did not connect to the characters until half way, and then I couldn’t stop myself from thinking how annoying they were. The whole fight with Reed and Ale was so stupid. I didn’t see why she was so mad at him. And they kept bringing it up over and over. Just made it more annoying. Every time a moment was supposed to be emotional I felt nothing. I skimmed half of the ending because I just didn’t vibe with it. I was too dedicated to DNF. I liked the magic and the characters were interesting, but I wish there was more done with them. I was so confused through most of the book. I’d love to read more books like this in the future, however. Thank you again for the ARC.

Thank you Macmillan and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. A fun read. Reed always felt he was destined for an adventure and when he finds a ruby gem on the beach he gets one. Turns out the gem will give him powers and lead him to another hero. Together all the heroes will save the world! But can they? And will Reed find the nerve to discuss his feelings for his best friend and crush Arno? The story is full of action and diverse characters! It’s fun getting to read about a queer boy gaining powers! There’s also some interesting mythology and lore added in! Definitely worth the read!

DRC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Barakiva's jump into fantasy was a home-run. It had everything it needed: great characters, intriguing plot and magic, and flowing writing.

I have to admit, I’m not much of a fantasy reader, but sometimes, just sometimes, a blurb starts tugging at me, and then …
 
I fell in love with the cover of this book and felt this want in my chest, an ache, a need to read this story. The cover shines, and it’s so incredibly vibrant and colorful that I wanted more, more, more. Like a spectator watching a painter with his pallet and waiting impatiently for a miracle to appear on the canvas. I felt a little nervous when I started reading because what if it wasn’t that miracle and I didn’t like the story as much as I loved the cover?
 
But I didn’t have to worry. The story is equally vibrant. Even though the writing is different, it reminded me of F.T. Lukens’ books. But also of Naz Kutub’s The Loophole and Lev. A.C. Rosen’s Lion’s Legacy. Keepers of the Stones and Stars delivers a fantastic, diverse cast, is full of mythology, and, yes, it’s fantasy, but at the same time incredibly easy readable for those of us who actually prefer contemporary more.
 
So, even though I’m not much of a fantasy reader, smiles danced on my face while reading, and I closed my e-reader with a sigh after finishing. Highly recommended!

Thank you for the digital ARC!

This was such a fun, queer book! From the cover to the plot and characters, the book is colorful and exciting. I was worried the premise was generic YA fantasy, but the author puts a fresh twist on a familiar trope with a diverse cast of characters and some really fun development arcs. Looking forward to more from this writer!

This is an ambitious book which works in some ways and not in others, for me. The action of the story makes it hard to put down (a good thing!). I appreciated the diversity in the cast of characters: religious, ethnic, LGBTQIA+, and body image differences all had a place in this story. I also found the forays into Armenian religious traditions, Mughal history, and Aztec mythology to be very interesting, although not as well integrated into the arc of the story as I feel they could have been. That is my main problem with the book as a whole: it could have been more tightly woven with fewer digressions and more emphasis on developing the main characters (which by the end of the book, I still didn't feel very connected to).

I would recommend this to fantasy readers.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.