review; among the nameless stars

Among The Nameless Stars
by Diana Peterfreund

Before Kai joined the Cloud Fleet, he wandered… AMONG THE NAMELESS STARS.

Four years before the events of FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS, the servant Kai left the North Estate, the only home he’d ever known, and Elliot North, the only girl he ever loved, in search of a better life. But the journey was not an easy one.

Featuring narrow escapes, thrilling boat races and at least one deadly volcanic wasteland.

Review:

Oh, what wonderful world building. I am already fascinated by Kai. At fourteen, he’s so determined and intelligent, but also learning and growing as a person. His relationship with Elliot, as seen through his eyes, has all the shades of a first and naive love that has been lost.

I was originally trying to finish up The Forgotten Sister by Jennifer Paynter, but I could not get through it. I dropped it for this series, and I finished the first novella in just barely an hour or so.

It was that good. Kai’s determination to find a better life for himself is marred by circumstances being stacked against him, but he strives. And he is a decent person, helping out the people who try to help him. Yes, he has envious moments, but it balances out with his desire to be a better person than the people he has been around.

I cannot wait to start the first book proper now. It’s going to be fantastic to see Kai and Elliot’s story play out.