Scavenge the Stars (Scavenge the Stars, #1)

by Tara Sim

[Quirky Cat]

Scavenge the Stars is the first novel in a new series of the same name, written by Tara Sim. It’s been described as a gender-bent retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, and being a massive fan of that novel, I just knew I had to give this one a try.
In a world where debts are an unfortunate reality, certain (and wealthier) members of society have found a solution. A way of getting their money back. They’re called debtors ships. These ships take on people – adults and children alike – and force them into work until they’ve paid off their (or their family’s) debt.
For the last seven years, that has been Amaya’s life. Not that she was allowed even her name, while onboard the ship. Instead, she was merely Silverfish. But she is a girl with a long memory, and she will have her revenge, once she is free.
Cayo is the son of a merchant, but not a wealthy one. No, those funds went away with Cayo’s gambling habit. But that is far from the end to Cayo’s story, for the city he lives in is as complex as the day is long.

“Women with knives are sharper than any mind.”

Warnings: Scavenge the Stars is a novel full of intense emotion and heavier subjects. These elements include abuse, drug use, maiming (specifically involving eyes), child slavery, and gambling. There’s also a sickness described, one that is affecting (and killing) many. All of these subjects are handled carefully.

Scavenge the Stars was a brilliant and fascinating novel. I was lucky enough to get one of the special editions from Owlcrate, and I couldn’t be happier with it. The fact that I enjoyed the contents as much as the cover was perfection.
As I mentioned above, I’m a huge fan of the Count of Monte Cristo. So right off the bat, this book had a lot to live up to. But I’ll say, I was pleasantly surprised by what I found here. This was an intricate and compelling plot, one that well-earned the comparisons made.
I was immediately caught up in this story, from the first moment I saw the depth of Silverfish’s (Amaya) plight. It’s hard not to forge an emotional connection when reading something such as that. From there I was sold, following her story from one page to the next.
Scavenge the Stars was an amazingly complex story. There were several moving pieces in this story, as each character seemed to have their own motivation and focus on revenge. It made for a fascinating tale, one that I just can’t get out of my head.
I very much enjoyed following the multiple threads of this story, trying to piece it all together as it went. Not everything was so clearly laid out, but the evidence was there to be found, if you knew where to look. I loved that balance. It really enhanced the story, watching the characters solve the concerns on their own.
In short, I really enjoyed Scavenge the Stars. I’m thrilled with how it turned out, and am shocked to say that the novel did justice to the comparison (in my opinion). I haven’t read anything else by Tara Sim, but clearly I’m going to have to change that.

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