Having these other, more active characters did help balance the story a little more. With Sheetal rather passive, she faded from sight a bit because the characters around her were so interesting, particularly her best friend (who I wish had more page time). She seemed more active in the first act, before she arrived in the celestial court, so I’d have liked to see a bit more of that. and I think she could have done more to pull the reader in and elevate the stakes if it were her actions driving it. The first half of the finale is her observing other people. She largely floats by listening or watching other people’s dramas. The main character, Sheetal, is very passive when she arrives in the celestial court. Also, the library with colour coded books is such a dream. I imaged it as full of colour and LOTS of gold. It was so vividly described, with some lovely turns of phrases that make the world pop. The consequences of fame were interesting, as what people were willing to do for it. I like the idea of being inspired, but it also seems to take away from the hard work. The entwining of mythology and the real world’s arts industry was certainly an interesting angle.

The main plot ideas are about belonging and sabotage as the candidates squabble and the stars use them for power. In fact, the magic is very low-key in this book. It’s such a nice change from magic battles. There was such a mix of writers, painters, and musicians (etc), which meant the competition wasn’t a battle where physical strength would win, but one where skill was key. I loved the celestial court, which was bursting with magic and the arts. This is a shimmering debut (as my friend said, I am basically obliged to get the puns in). Sheetal’s quest to save her father will take her to a celestial court of shining wonders and dark shadows, where she must take the stage as her family’s champion in a competition to decide the next ruling house of the heavens–and win, or risk never returning to Earth at all. A star like her mother, who returned to the sky long ago.

Pretending to be “normal.” But when an accidental flare of her starfire puts her human father in the hospital, Sheetal needs a full star’s help to heal him. The daughter of a star and a mortal, Sheetal is used to keeping secrets.

Star daughter shveta thakrar