Even the Darkest Stars (Even the Darkest Stars, #1)

by Heather Fawcett

The first in a sweeping and action-packed debut fantasy duology loosely inspired by the early climbers of Mt. Everest-perfect for fans of Cindy Pon and Alison Goodman. Kamzin has always dreamed of becoming one of the Emperor's royal explorers, the elite climbers tasked with mapping the wintry, mountainous Empire and spying on its enemies. She knows she could be the best in the world, if only someone would give her a chance. But everything changes when the mysterious and eccentric River Shara, the greatest explorer ever known, arrives in her village and demands to hire Kamzin-not her older sister Lusha, as everyone had expected-for his next expedition. This is Kamzin's chance to prove herself-even though River's mission to retrieve a rare talisman for the emperor means climbing Raksha, the tallest and deadliest mountain in the Aryas. Then Lusha sets off on her own mission to Raksha with a rival explorer who is determined to best River, and Kamzin must decide what's most important to her: protecting her sister from the countless perils of the climb or beating her to the summit.
The challenges of climbing Raksha are unlike anything Kamzin expected-or prepared for-with avalanches, ice chasms, ghosts, and even worse at every turn. And as dark secrets are revealed, Kamzin must unravel the truth of their mission and of her companions-while surviving the deadliest climb she has ever faced.

• ISBN10: 0062463381
• ISBN13: 9780062463388
• Publish Date: 19 October 2017 (first published 5 September 2017)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 15 October 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc
• Imprint: Balzer and Bray
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 432
• Language: English

Reviews

[bookishzelda]

Even the Darkest Stars takes a challenge like climbing Mount Everest and combines it with magic and mystery. I really enjoyed the story and loved the difference of the characters.

I really liked Kamzin because she is not a perfect person. She has always had to live in others shadows, forced into training for something she isn’t even good at. She is in a way resentful that she isn’t allowed to do what she dreams of doing and feels like she needs to prove herself. When her sister is chosen for the great explorer River Shara’s expedition to the hardly charted Raksha Mountain. Kamzin is angry and is determined to change his mind. She can at times seems selfish and self-centered. Arrogant in her belief of her own ability at times. Kamzin though is also caring and bright. Her love of Tem is one of her shining qualities.

River is a mystery. He seems to be there one minute and a ghost the next. You can never truly grasp him and I feel like Kamzin feels the same way. Yet he challenges her and that attracts her to him. She is stifled her village where River gives her the world. Just even in simple ways. It was interesting to see him develop in the influence of Kamzin.

Tem is her loyal friend. Not quite brother/sister not quite lovers. They live in between. This journey also allows Tem to really shine. He’s so thoughtful and caring. He is also smart and observant. He looks beyond where Kamzin can’t always see. She focuses on the now without consequences. Tem sees the whole picture.

The other three characters that embark on the journey with them are interesting but I didn’t feel myself invested in them. Not to say other people won’t. I just didn’t.

Of course there is also Lusha. I think we spend our most time with her as a ghost of Kamzin’s memories. Although Lusha is present, I think most our perspective comes from Kamzin.

I loved the journey our travelers embark upon. With all it’s twist and turns, mysteries and horrors. I also really liked the ending, even though I felt it left me a little broken and bruised. I can not wait to read the next book. It was one of those mixes of those cliff-hangers not cliffhanger. It might have wrapped up things with this adventure but it leaves you wondering what will come next and how will Kamzin handle it.

I continue to ponder this book. Even though it’s been a week since I’ve read it. I really liked how it has me continuing thinking about the ending and the possibilities. I’m so excited for the next book.

[shannonmiz]

You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight

2.5*

Ah, my poor, conflicted thoughts on this book. This was a much anticipated one for me, so I am a bit bummed that I didn't love it more. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't quite what I had hoped for either. Some things worked really well, while a few others didn't so much. So, as always, let's begin with the good!

The Stuff I Liked:

• The atmosphere was on point, just as I had hoped. Since this book was set in a mountain kingdom, I was all set for perils and unsavory conditions, and the book certainly delivered on that front. The author did a fabulous job of making the mountain seem like the treacherous terrain that would heighten the stakes for our characters.


• River is kiiiind of my fave. He was funny, and it made the journey a bit lighter. I also loved how he and Kamzin bantered, and how much they challenged each other. And yes, I shipped them too.


• There is a really big focus on family and friendships. Kamzin has a lot of moral dilemmas involving her family and her people along the way, and I appreciated the thought she gave to each of them. She considered her family all the time, even when she wasn't physically near them, and that felt incredibly authentic.

The Stuff I Didn't Like So Much:

• Bird People. Look, I didn't deduct stars for this or anything because I know it's my hangup, but I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you how sad I was to see bird people. You guys know how I feel about bird people, right? Do not like.
  
• It was kind of really slow moving. I just wanted a little more adventure, a little less description. I just didn't need as many smaller details, frankly. I got a wee bit bored for parts of it, and that was a little sad.


• I was also able to predict most of what was going to happen, which didn't exactly help in the boredom arena. A lot of the twists I did see coming, which made the pace seem even slower most of the time.

Bottom Line: While I liked the characters and the plot, the story itself sometimes left me wanting more. I may continue the story, but with slightly lower expectations.

*Copy provided for review

[nightingalereads]

Oh my gosh I'm so glad I read this book. I'd been on the fence for a while, but the story and characters were so incredibly rich and compelling. I love River and Kamzin, and the plot itself was absolutely stellar. The pacing, the immersiveness of the wintery mountain setting, the shocking reveals - everything was a solid A+. And that ending?! Honestly, those were probably the most epic last few chapters I've ever read. I absolutely cannot wait for All the Wandering Light.