"'It's funny, isn't, it, how you can only ever see the surface of a person? I feel like most of the time, beneath my surface, I'm drowning. And no one can see it.' Her eyebrows furrowed together, thoughtful. 'That's it,' she agreed. 'That's it exactly.'"

Tara Sim's Timekeeper series is one of my all-time favorites, so when I found the signed, special edition of this book for $5 at a local bookstore, it was an automatic buy.
Scavenge the Stars is the beginning of a adventure-filled duology based on The Count of Monte Cristo. While I haven't read the inspiration for the book itself (I tried to read the Sparknotes article but got too confused), Scavenge the Stars reminded me a lot of Amanda Foody's Ace of Shades.
While I didn't find the worldbuilding or the plot to be particularly unique, I did enjoy the characters and the plot twists. Cayo reminded me of a Jesper who was rich to start with and Amaya was your typical swashbuckling, fiery protagonist. Sebastien was my favorite at first, and he still might be but I'm not sure because I can see myself favoring Roach in the sequel. I liked most of the plot twists, too, and I only managed to call one of them. I'm hoping book two has a bit more action and angst, but I'm scared to admit it (because I said the same thing about Timekeeper and then ate my words...I'm still scarred from that).
If you're in the mood for a short fantasy filled with gambling, corruption, hidden identities, and sort-of pirates, Scavenge the Stars is the book for you.
3.75/5