Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst

Format/Source: Hardcover/ library
Published: November 2016
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Length: 389 pages
Genre: Young adult fantasy
★★    

Princess Dennaleia has the magical ability to control fire, an ability she struggles to keep secret because she is betrothed to the prince of a neighbouring kingdom that forbids magic. When she arrives in the prince’s kingdom to prepare for their marriage, it is not the prince but his sister Mare who captures Denna’s interest. Mare, an unconventional royal known for her brash attitude and lack of a husband, cares more for horses than for anything else. Denna and Mare, initially at odds with each other, find their relationship growing into a romantic one as they work together to uncover a plot that would throw their nations into war.

Chapter narration alternates between Denna and Mare, offering a more insightful perspective on how their relationship develops than if only one girl narrated. The tension surrounding their relationship stems from Denna being engaged to another, not because theirs is a same sex relationship, as such relationships are accepted in their world. This is indicated via small hints. For example: “Almost immediately, I bumped into a pair of men dancing. They gave us a dirty look but I didn’t care. In spite of myself, I enjoy the feeling of lightness as Lord Kriantz spun me” (24). I would have appreciated if these relationships were more at the forefront, like if someone on the King’s council was in a same sex relationship. The amount of time it takes for Denna and Mare to admit their feelings for each other may test the reader’s patience.

Denna and Mare’s relationship should be considered the main draw of the book. Readers who select Of Fire and Stars because of its fantasy premise will be disappointed. A bland and generic plot consists of predictable tropes that will be familiar to readers of young adult fantasy. Said plot rests on undeveloped magic and religion systems and the ignorance of the ruling adults. Some questions I had were, How did the split between magic and gods happen? Why did the temple ban come into effect? Who enacted it? Dare’s affinity didn’t play much of a role. The story could have benefited from an extra 100 pages to develop the fantasy elements.

Like the fantasy elements, the characters were less developed than I like to read about. I found Mare annoying for most of the story because of her childish anger and my personal preference for no romance. Denna and Mare have simple personalities while the side characters have almost no personality. Deaths have little impact on the plot or on the other characters. The characters don’t really grieve or emote beyond their love for each other. Denna’s mother and sister play an abrupt role in the story. They aren’t given time to develop their backstory and relationship with Denna.

Of Fire and Stars was the third text (the other two being Pantomime and Labyrinth Lost) that my group chose for our book circle on queer young adult fantasy.  My general opinions line up with those of my group. Overall, we felt Of Fire and Stars focused on the queer story to the detriment of the fantasy story, Labyrinth Lost lacked both a strong queer story and fantasy story, while Pantomime just about struck the right balance between queer and fantasy storytelling.

The Bottom Line

Of Fire and Stars value lies in its positive representation of a lesbian relationship in a medieval fantasy world, though neither the relationship nor the fantasy are particularly compelling.

Further Reading

• Author website
• Read Chap. 1 and 2
• Interview @ Wedges of Lemon
• Review by Lili @ Utopia State of Mind
• Review by Danika @ The Lesbrary
• Review by Shay @ Required Reading
• Review @ NPR