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Review: The Stars Never Rise

by Rachel Vincent

the stars never rise

 pamsarcpamsfourThank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review!
Publish Date : 18th June 2015

 ‘”My dad always said the Church does its best work covering up its own crimes…” Loc 2505

Title: The Stars Never Rise
Author: Rachel Vincent 
Published by: Harlequin (UK) Limited
Book:  1 of Untitled Series
Genre: YA/ Urban Fantasy / Dystopian
Found: Netgalley
Rating: 4 Voodoos

Sixteen-year-old Nina Kane should be worrying about her immortal soul, but she’s too busy trying to actually survive. Her town’s population has been decimated by soul-consuming demons, and souls are in short supply. Watching over her younger sister, Mellie, and scraping together food and money are all that matters. The two of them are a family. They gave up on their deadbeat mom a long time ago.When Nina discovers that Mellie is keeping a secret that threatens their very existence, she’ll do anything to protect her. Because in New Temperance, sins are prosecuted as crimes by the brutal Church and its army of black-robed exorcists. And Mellie’s sin has put her in serious trouble.To keep them both alive, Nina will need to trust Finn, a fugitive with deep green eyes who has already saved her life once and who might just be an exorcist. But what kind of exorcist wears a hoodie?Wanted by the Church and hunted by dark forces, Nina knows she can’t survive on her own. She needs Finn and his group of rogue friends just as much as they need her.

-Netgalley

Paein has also reviewed this and her review can be found HERE

The Stars Never Rise was an entertaining, fast paced, dystopian/urban fantasy. It plays on old fears and beliefs. Good-vs-Evil, Heaven-and-Hell, Right-vs-Wrong but it does it in an interesting way. The world has become overrun by demons, who possess and consume human souls. The Unified Church have taken control from the government, promising to shelter and protect the human race from this new enemy. All civilisation has to do is follow the Churches rule, commit no sin, and in return they will exorcise these Demons, sending them back to Hell. Nina and her sister Melanie have lived within the walls of the Church for their whole life. Demon’s aren’t really a priority to them because normal life is hard enough.

Nina was a great main character. She was fierce, loyal and determined. I love a kick-arse main character and Nina definitely falls into that category. Melanie her sister however irritated me slightly. She didn’t seem to have the same need for self-preservation that Nina had, and yet she was supposed to be the smart one? I felt she put Nina in more difficult situations than she should have considering how much Nina did for her. I did love their bound though, it was obviously really strong considering the fact that Nina considered (more than once) giving her whole future up for Melanie. That is a true sisterly love.

I thought Finn was a really interesting character. I kind of guessed the Finn-Maddock story-line straight away but I’m glad it was more complex than I imagined. I found the dynamics of the Anathema group really well-balanced, we had the quiet and thoughtful Grayson, the large, strong and kind Reese, the leader Maddocks, the grumpy, feisty girl, Devi and Finn :)

The things I would have liked to see more of, that I hope will be more prominent in book two, are The Church… (what an awesome wolf in sheeps clothing, or really shepherds clothing, but what will they do next???) Kastor, (who the hell is he?!! and is he really to be feared?) and just more of this interesting and destroyed world. I presume book 2 will be in the Badlands? (I imagine the Badlands to be like the opening scenes of I Am Legend, with sand and trees flowing out of derelict buildings, and danger hiding round ever corner).

The plot may have been a little predictable at times but enjoyable non the less. What a strong and gripping start to a thrilling new series. I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

pamsms4tune

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2 comments on “Review: The Stars Never Rise

  1. Suzi Q., The Book Dames

    I will definitely be reading this. I have consistently read about different things that need to be worked out, but at the same time I have seen consistent high ratings. I look forward to reading it. Great review.

  2. Ms4Tune

    Hi Suzi, thank you. I would definitely recommend it as it was quite enjoyable. :) Can’t wait to see what you think.

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