Today’s review is about THE CITY OF STARDUST by Georgia Summers. It’s a standalone fantasy novel in which Violet, abandoned by her mother, fights to end the family curse. Along the way she encounters doors to other worlds and that myth comes from fact.

Author: Georgia Summers
Series: None
Age Category: New Adult/Adult
Publisher: Redhook
Publish Date: January 30, 2024
Print Length: 352

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The City of Stardust Synopsis

A #1 International Bestseller – An Amazon Best Book of February 2024 – An IndieNext Pick

A curse can be many things. For the Everlys, it begins with stardust.

For centuries, the Everlys have seen their best and brightest disappear, taken as punishment for a crime no one remembers, for a purpose no one understands. Their tormentor, a woman named Penelope, never ages, never grows sick – and never forgives a debt.

Violet Everly was a child when her mother, Marianne, left on a stormy night, determined to break the curse. When Marianne never returns, Penelope issues an ultimatum: Violet has ten years to find her mother, or she will take Marianne’s place.

Her hunt leads her into a seductive magical underworld of power-hungry scholars, fickle gods and monsters bent on revenge. And into the path of Penelope’s quiet assistant, Aleksander, who Violet knows cannot be trusted – and yet to whom she finds herself undeniably drawn.

With her time running out, Violet will travel the edges of the world to find Marianne and the key to the city of stardust, where the Everly story began.

Slip into a lush world of magic, stardust, and monsters in this spellbinding standalone fantasy from debut author Georgia Summers.

The City of Stardust Review

I received a free, digital, advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. I also purchased my own copy through a book box subscription and this is the version I read. My review is my own and reflects my honest opinion about this book.

THE CITY OF STARDUST forges an ethereal story that rivals western fairytales of old. All Violet Everly knows are the grounds and interior of her family’s aged home. Her mother disappeared years ago to avoid the family curse, so her uncles are all she has for company. Sequestered from the world, Violet turns to the comfort of academia and her imagination. But when Penelope comes calling with her assistant, Aleksander, to satisfy the Everly debt, she gives Violet ten years to find her mother. If she fails, Violet must take her place. As the clock ticks down, Violet sets off on her own and discovers a secret world of scholars, gods, and portals.

The writing in THE CITY OF STARDUST is absolutely perfect for the type of story told here. It has a dreamlike quality that doesn’t sacrifice detail nor is it full of flowery prose. It tells things as they are yet withholds just enough to let the mystery of the story gently unfold. Despite the ever-present threat of time running out, Summers doesn’t let that overpower the pacing or lore development. The progression of the plot and characterization are just right for the fairytale feeling Summers invokes.

THE CITY OF STARDUST is not the type of book that gives the reader privy to every thought and emotion experienced by the characters. Rather, it keeps its distance in a way the reminded me of reading a classic western fairytale. The reader generally understands what the character is going through, but there is a mysterious quality to it. It gives the sense that while you think you know what’s going on, there’s something just out of sight that you can’t quite grasp. Typically this might frustrate me, but here it works perfectly.

Without knowing the author’s intent, it really felt like her goal was to create a brand new fairytale. Personally, I think it worked. I didn’t mind at all that reading about Violet’s life felt like watching through a snow globe, clear yet simultaneously intangible and magical. I think this story quality also bleeds into the amount of detail provided about the world and lore.

While THE CITY OF STARDUST’s celestial folklore whet my appetite, I still found myself hungry for more. I wanted to know more about the gods and the world beyond the portal. I wanted a clearer and more comprehensive ending. However, I think Summers held back on this to, again, keep in vogue with the fairytale vibe. It speaks to the uncertainty surrounding old stories where over time fact becomes legend which turns to myth so the details don’t matter so much in the end. What matters instead is facing a hard thing even if the problem didn’t originate with you.

Aside from the myth building, I loved flitting in and out of Violet’s adventures around the world. The dark academia setting of the scholars’ parties are so atmospheric. A few times I wondered how Violet knew how to do all this traveling, considering she grew up so isolated. But such is the nature of fairytales: the reader must accept things as they are. The low hum of the pull between Violet and Aleksander is ever present, but in no way overbearing. However, most of the story focuses on Violet trying to find her mother or a way to break the curse. But a dash of pining amidst an important mission is always welcome. I would have loved to know more about Aleksander’s history with Penelope, though.

While I have some wish list items for the author, I still loved this story. THE CITY OF STARDUST is perfect for those who treasure that bedtime story, but this time for adults. It pits cruel divinity against earthly determination and forgiveness. Most of all, it’s about the search for family history and fighting for what you have.

Rating: 4.25
Content warnings: blood, torture, death, death of a child (off page), sexual content
Reading format: Hardback

For additional thoughts about THE CITY OF STARDUST, check out reviews by Blogging With Dragons, Becky’s Book Blog, and Biblio Nerd Reflections. And if you liked this book, you might enjoy SPEAR by Nicola Griffith or A SPINDLE SPLINTERED by Alix E. Harrow.