A Dark and Hollow Star

I am sometimes a bit sniffy about YA, but this one I thoroughly enjoyed. This one uses an Urban Fantasy/Fae setting but the stakes and the fantasy are really well constructed. The title refers to two of the main characters the ‘Dark Star', a fallen immortal who has a tendency to create mischief, and the ‘Hollow Star', a half-fae half-human who has been chosen by Luck as their champion and removed from the whims of Fate. The mythology and world building is one of the strong points of this story. Ashley Shuttleworth has created a very well realised Fae world within the real world. Various Fae courts representing the different seasons have built their secret lives into some of the major cities.

The main plot involves a sinister plot by some disgruntled Alchemist (a forbidden science in this world) that affects both the Fae and the human world. Our protagonists are drawn into this plot as the King of the Fae Courts refuses to get involved. There is a good sense of peril throughout as the various creations of this alchemist are let loose on the world. The interactions and motivations for the main characters are also interestingly portrayed. Even the love interest (which is usually the weakest part of any YA) is done in a way which is sympathetic and not too teenage angsty.

One criticism - this book could easily have mass appeal, but the cover art is not the most enticing to people outside of the usual Fae fantasy market.