Krystle's Reviews > The Native Star

Here’s something I haven’t had for a while: A GOOD BOOK! Amazing, huh? I just had this burning need to read this after glancing over at so many positive reviews and with my current reads not ending up so great, the urge built up more.

This book rocked my socks. I love how feisty the main character, Emily, is. She totally doesn’t sit back like a weak, passive protagonist. She speaks up and quite plainly too. Emily might panic but she keeps her head together and is always trying to find a solution for things or a way out of things that don’t seem so good. Not to mention she is rather impulsive, the love spell gone wrong is a big indicator of that. I love how she’s prejudice against Indians (Native-Americans). Not that I think this is right but people aren’t so broad-minded as we like to think they are, and it’s refreshing to see this flaw in her. Not that she actually does anything about it other than dismissing their advice and looking lowly upon their practices.

Dreadnaught is a hoot. How can you not with a name like his? He’s prickly, conceited, and has got a massive superiority complex. He may not be the most cordial of gentlemen but he never treats Emily with anything less than respect. In fact, the things Emily gets all riled up over are simple matter of the fact statements that are honest and truthful, something she doesn’t like hearing. Or maybe it’s just because he said it in an overbearing and haughty way. But he’s got his own backstory that make his character shine.

The world building is awesome. It’s got tinges of magic versus science and nature versus man sort of deal going on. Just when you think you’ve got everything figured out, the author delves more into it and brings out another angle you weren’t expecting. And you’ve got a wide range of characters from different backgrounds as well. There’s a bit of something for everyone.

The pacing of this book is awesome. It’s fast paced and has lots of action scenes to kick up the narrative when there’s lull in activity. Especially that rush to the climax. Wow. Totally did not see those plot twists coming and dang, some of it is pretty brutal. You can’t help but cringe a bit at how awful the pain must be at her torture.

The romance of this book must have been my favorite part. If you like those hate x love things that gradually turn into something deep and rememberable, this is just for you. Okay, I’ll be honest. At first I wasn’t quite feeling them because their interactions felt a bit stale but then somehow, at one point in the book, it just clicked and I could not help but LOVE their scenes together. And the ending, oh my god, the ending. (view spoiler)[Props to Emily, man! I love the confession scene and how she takes charge. I mean, how often do you see a girl proposing to the guy in the book? WHEN?! I think I giggled like crazy and then swooned like a madwoman. Fabulous stuff I tell you. (hide spoiler)]

And the best part of all? Emily gets this amazing magical stone but she doesn’t turn into one of those special, super-powered characters. In fact, the special magical ability she does gain (if you can call it that) is quite detrimental to her life and not something you’d want – at all.

If you liked Cold Magic and/or Brightly Woven, you’re just gonna love this. And even if you don’t, you should read this anyway because it’s freaking AWESOME.