Author: Elizabeth C. Bunce
Genre: YA fantasy
Rating: 3 out of 5
Digger thrives as a spy and sneak-thief among the feuding religious factions of Gerse, dodging the Greenmen who have banned all magic. But when a routine job goes horribly wrong and her partner and lover Tegen is killed, she has to get out of the city, fast, and hides herself in a merry group of nobles to do so. Accepted as a lady’s maid to shy young Merista Nemair, Digger finds new peace and friendship at the Nemair stronghold–as well as plenty of jewels for the taking. But after the devious Lord Daul catches her in the act of thievery, he blackmails her into becoming his personal spy in the castle, and Digger soon realizes that her noble hosts aren’t as apolitical as she thought… that indeed, she may be at the heart of a magical rebellion.
As of yet, I am not quite sure if I liked Starcrossed or not. I enjoyed most of the book, although I missed romance as being a large part of the plot. And I have to admit that it was very action packed and the plot twisted several times. But I still don't like the fact that it was rather dragging at times, and some of the characters never seemed to develop enough.
I loved the fact that it was so detailed but sometimes it was too detailed. There was so many details that it took away from the story. Since Mrs. Bunce created her own world, (I respect her for that), she had to describe it some how, and I have to admit that she did a decent job making sure the reader knew how and what her world was like.
One of the things I liked best in the book though, was that Digger/Celyn is a good role model. Yes, she starts out as a care-only-for-herself person, but by the end of the book she has been redeemed into a girl who cares more for others then for herself. I find it rare for a YA book to have these character building insights.
The second thing I loved about it was Digger. The normal heroine in a YA fantasy is either a feisty, ax carrying, warrior girl, a sweet tempered damsel in distress, (my personal LEAST favorite), or a brainy genius. In some books that's Ok. But after a while I start to find it dragging and unrealistic. So naturally I would love Digger. The perfect mix between warrior girl and smarts girl. She can fight, although not tremendously well, and she has good brains. She's smart and prefers to use her head then her dagger.
The writing was good, I have to admit that. Although, like I said before, it was a little TOO detailed causing the story to drag.
All in all, it was a good book. Perhaps not the best fantasy book ever, but still a good book. If you're not a fan of deep fantasy than Starcrossed wouldn't appeal to you, but if you like fantasy, historical medieval/Renaissance fiction, or an exiting read, then this would be an ideal book to try out.
