All the Stars and Teeth (All the Stars and Teeth, #1)

by Adalyn Grace

[Quirky Cat]

I received a copy of All the Stars and Teeth through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

All the Stars and Teeth is the first novel in a series of the same name by Adalyn Grace. This is a fantasy series that blends magic and waters, royalty and legend.
Amora was born, bred, and raised to rule the kingdom of Visidia. Even if that meant she would never be able to travel the seas like she so desperately craved, she knew this was the job she was made for.
But on the day of her coronation, something goes amiss. Her magic is not as under control as she believed, and it just cost her everything. Or did it? On the run, Amora learns there’s a lot happening in her kingdom that she never knew about. Facts that will change – or ruin – the kingdom as she knows it.

“The world doesn’t work with only your eyes, Princess. There’s truth in more than what you can see.”

Warnings: All the Stars and Teeth touches upon some intense subjects, including (but not limited to) slavery, ownership, drug abuse, physical abuse, and forced magical bonds.

Wow. All the Stars and Teeth was such a whirlwind of a read! One moment I’m picking this book up, the next I’m finished. It took my brain a moment or two to realize that a few hours had passed in between. That’s how immersive this novel was.
I’ll confess that I actually did have a tiny bit of trouble getting into this book at first – just the first chapter or two. Amora’s confidence in her throne was mildly off-putting to me, for whatever reason. But once I was able to get a glimpse of the depth of this novel? I was sold.
This was a brilliant read, one full of a complex magical system (accompanied by fascinating lore), mythical creatures, love, loyalty, and so much more. It seemed like everywhere I looked there was something fascinating going on, and I just couldn’t get enough of it.
Amora’s character was an interesting one, and I adored watching her grow as a person as the story progressed. This was a girl who thought she was destined for one thing only. But then in the blink of an eye, that whole path was swept away from her. That can change a person, but it was extremely satisfying to watch the changes she chose to make for herself. It was empowering, in a way.
I really did love the magical system here, all the more so because of the way it evolved and changed over the course of this one novel. It makes me curious to see how much it’ll alter in the following books of this series. I honestly can’t wait to find out.
The romantic subplot was sweet, and a nice touch. It softened Amora’s edges, while giving her somebody to care for and fight for. There were times where I felt like this element mattered more than one might expect.
I really enjoyed All the Stars and Teeth, and absolutely hate that I have to wait another year (or more?) for the next novel in the series. But at least it’ll be worth the wait. Until then.