This book had me at 'gender-swapped retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo' (which is one of my all-time favourite books!) and only momentarily lost me at the end. Having gone into the story thinking this is a standalone novel, I was a bit let down by the ending, but my disappointment was short-lived, and I was pleased to discover it's a series.

From the very start, The Count of Monte Cristo vibes are strong, but much like the original story, not everything is as it seems. As Amaya digs deeper and deeper into the past, the facts get more muddled up and her motivations reshape. Our protagonist starts off as incredibly salty and stabby, which I absolutely love, and she's so inept and awkward as the Countess, which is great comic relief.

If you like neatly tied narratives with consistent characterisation and a satisfying resolution, this story might miss the mark. But if you're here for a wild YA fantasy ride across the fictional seas and all over an unidentified island populated with a mix of truly horrible people and lovable gays, hop on board.

Read full review: https://pollyan8.wixsite.com/already-booked/post/scavenge-the-stars-and-the-countess-of-gender-bending