Of Myths & Magic: A Wilderness of Stars Review

Author

Kacy Bleeker
June 16, 2023

The review

A Wilderness of Stars by Shea Ernshaw is a captivating tale of a young girl named Vega, who has lived her entire life in a secluded valley, protected by her mother from the unknown threats of the world beyond. The story is set in a far-off future where our current technologies are considered ancient myths. Upon her mother's death and the sighting of twin stars in the sky, which are considered an omen, Vega finds herself compelled to venture beyond the protective boundaries of the valley, thus setting the stage for an epic adventure. Vega's journey leads her to meet the Architect, a mysterious figure who she believes can guide her to the sea.

❝

The sky is a map, Mom would say, sweeping her hands above our heads to make a point. It can tell you where you’re going, and how to get back. She would spin me in circles, my eyes pinched closed, dizzying blur of black, then tell me to locate the pole star, the one that marks true south. From there, she would explain, I could navigate my way anywhere.

As she makes her way from one town to the next, she is joined by a girl named Cricket and a boy, Noah, whom she later comes to find out is the Architect. Noah is introduced as a mysterious boy with even more mysterious tattoos. He's determined to help Vega succeed in her quest. The relationship between Vega and Noah is guided by a sense of urgency and mystery, fueled by ancient stories, the guiding light of the stars, and the ticking clock of the twin stars' orbital path. Their relationship is characterized by distrust early-on, based on the isolated and plagued nature of most of their world and the obscure and dark organizations who have spent most of their life in search of the Last Astronomer and the Architect. However, their relationship quickly becomes intense and close as they share their secrets with one another. While discussing the ending in any capacity would be too much of a spoiler – I promise it’s worth the read to see where Vega’s journey finally leads her.

❝

I swing my gaze upward, force my eyelids back, and look up at the altered sky. If our lives are stories written in the stars… then I will find him again. Just like before. The Astronomer and the Architect, fated like Perseus and Andromeda.

Personal thoughts

A Wilderness of Stars is a unique blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and romance that creates a world that feels simultaneously familiar and alien. The novel is atmospheric and employs intentional ambiguity, slowly revealing secrets and unraveling mysteries. The plot twists within the story are quite unexpected, but unique, making it unlike most stories within the sci-fi and fantasy genre cross-over. While the narrative can be dense, it is rewarding for readers who appreciate the focus on romance, particularly the detailed depiction of the love story between Vega and Noah. If you enjoy soft science fiction, measured reveals, and star-crossed romances, this book will be a delightful read.

Book details

Author: Shea Ernshaw

Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Length: 400 pages

Series: Stand-alone

Tropes: Slow-burn, dystopian

Rating: 💡💡💡💡

Spice rating: 🔥

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