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monetp 's review for:
Scavenge the Stars
by Tara Sim
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy both classic fiction and YA fantasy. It's a niche reader that enjoys these two separate genres but I happen to be one of them. Since this is a gender-swapped rendering of [b:The Count of Monte Cristo|7126|The Count of Monte Cristo|Alexandre Dumas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309203605l/7126._SY75_.jpg|391568], it helps to have read the original classic story. It's not necessary to do so, but it added to my appreciation of the story. It's fascinating to go through and see where [a:Tara Sim|14118411|Tara Sim|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1436027655p2/14118411.jpg] references the original work. Like the count, Amaya is determined to get justice for her forced servitude. Amaya is a complex character that not only wants revenge for herself, but for her family. She is just as complicated a character as the count from the original story, especially where their motivations are concerned.
This story reminded me strongly of two other young adult books, [b:Sea Witch|36502054|Sea Witch (Sea Witch, #1)|Sarah Henning|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1523871348l/36502054._SY75_.jpg|47793479] and [b:To Kill a Kingdom|34499221|To Kill a Kingdom|Alexandra Christo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1524322945l/34499221._SY75_.jpg|47852101]. Amaya's character is similar to Lira, someone who is also drawn to the sea. In both books, everything goes back to the sea. Even in "Scavenge the Stars," some characters are referred to as landless, similar to how characters in "To Kill a Kingdom" either reside on land or in the sea. However, there's one line of the text that made the similarities between Amaya and Lira apparent: "The feeling of Cayo Mercado's heart under her hand. If only she had reached in and squeezed it to pulp." Just as Lira wants to crush the heart of her prince, the one she can't help but love, so does Amaya want to crush her love's heart.
In "Sea Witch," there's also ill-timed romance and a marvelous cast of characters. Half the story takes place under the sea, which reminded me of the scene in "Scavenge the Stars" when Amaya goes underwater with Boon.
If a reader is searching for a fantasy adventure story with excellent pacing and astonishing, cerebral imagery, then this book should be next on their to be read list, Not only does it give off exciting Pirates of the Caribbean vibes, but there's just enough reality to it that it makes the reader question magic itself. What's equally impressive is the inclusion of lgbt characters in the book. It's just another way the story feels realistic and true to itself.
This story reminded me strongly of two other young adult books, [b:Sea Witch|36502054|Sea Witch (Sea Witch, #1)|Sarah Henning|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1523871348l/36502054._SY75_.jpg|47793479] and [b:To Kill a Kingdom|34499221|To Kill a Kingdom|Alexandra Christo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1524322945l/34499221._SY75_.jpg|47852101]. Amaya's character is similar to Lira, someone who is also drawn to the sea. In both books, everything goes back to the sea. Even in "Scavenge the Stars," some characters are referred to as landless, similar to how characters in "To Kill a Kingdom" either reside on land or in the sea. However, there's one line of the text that made the similarities between Amaya and Lira apparent: "The feeling of Cayo Mercado's heart under her hand. If only she had reached in and squeezed it to pulp." Just as Lira wants to crush the heart of her prince, the one she can't help but love, so does Amaya want to crush her love's heart.
In "Sea Witch," there's also ill-timed romance and a marvelous cast of characters. Half the story takes place under the sea, which reminded me of the scene in "Scavenge the Stars" when Amaya goes underwater with Boon.
If a reader is searching for a fantasy adventure story with excellent pacing and astonishing, cerebral imagery, then this book should be next on their to be read list, Not only does it give off exciting Pirates of the Caribbean vibes, but there's just enough reality to it that it makes the reader question magic itself. What's equally impressive is the inclusion of lgbt characters in the book. It's just another way the story feels realistic and true to itself.