Review: Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer

Another review within a few weeks! Shocking, I tell you, shocking. I myself am quite surprised. Today I am reviewing Forging Silver into Stars, Brigid Kemmerer’s most recently published book. I haven’t read one of her books in a while, so I was looking forward to reading a story by her.

Title: Forging Silver into Stars
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Genre: YA Fantasy Romance
Series: Forging Silver into Stars #1
Page Count: 542 (hardcover)

When ancient magic tests a newfound love, a dark fate beckons…

Magic has been banished in the land of Syhl Shallow for as long as best friends Jax and Callyn can remember. They once loved the stories of the powerful magesmiths and mythical scravers who could conjure fire or control ice, but now they’ve learned that magic only leads to danger: magic is what killed Callyn’s parents, leaving her alone to raise her younger sister. Magic never helped Jax, whose leg was crushed in an accident that his father has been punishing him for ever since. Magic won’t save either of them when the tax collector comes calling, threatening to take their homes if they can’t pay what they owe.

Meanwhile, Jax and Callyn are astonished to learn magic has returned to Syhl Shallow — in the form of a magesmith who’s now married to their queen. Now, the people of Syhl Shallow are expected to allow dangerous magic in their midst, and no one is happy about it.

When a stranger rides into town offering Jax and Callyn silver in exchange for holding secret messages for an anti-magic faction, the choice is obvious — even if it means they may be aiding in a plot to destroy their new king. It’s a risk they’re both willing to take. That is, until another visitor arrives: handsome Lord Tycho, the King’s Courier, the man who’s been tasked with discovering who’s conspiring against the throne.

Suddenly, Jax and Callyn find themselves embroiled in a world of shifting alliances, dangerous flirtations, and ancient magic… where even the deepest loyalties will be tested.

Content Warnings

death (human and animal) – miscarriage – violence – ableism – child abuse – alcoholism

There are no spoilers in this review.

Forging Silver into Stars is a companion novel to the Cursebreakers series. You don’t have to have a read the Cursebreakers before reading this, but some of the references to the past books will make more sense if you do.

I was very excited, but a little nervous, to return to the world of Emberfall and Syhl Shallow. I have mixed feelings about the Cursebreakers series, so I was a bit hesitant to start this. But Brigid Kemmerer knows how to begin a series. The characters were relatable, the politics made sense (I’m normally very confused about politics in books), and though it was a bit long, nothing was ever boring.

FSIS picks up a few years after the events up of A Vow so Bold and Deadly occur, the third/final book of the Cursebreakers. In this book, we get the perspectives of two new characters: Callyn and Jax, a baker and blacksmith, respectively; and a familiar character: Tycho, who is now 19 and the King’s Courier.

“You’re not distracted. You’re not reckless. If your heart tells you someone deserves your attention, listen to it.”

I loved getting all three perspectives. Their character voices were distinct and the page time allowed for each character was well portioned. There were some points where the same perspective went on for a few chapters in a row, but it never felt like they were overshadowing the other two.

We have two romances blooming during the course of the book and I was reminded how well Kemmerer writes them. I love how she develops the relationship between the characters before forming a deeper connection between the two.

It was so much fun to read about the characters from the Cursebreakers, like Grey, Rhen, Harper, and Lia Mara. Grey has developed a lot since AVSBAD. He’s not a completely softhearted person anymore. Rhen, of course, is stoic as always.

“Grey might be good with a sword, and he might have the magic, but when it comes to words and strategy, no one beats Rhen.”

The only thing that I wasn’t in love with was the miscommunication that occurred between Jax and Callyn. I don’t like the trope because it’s such a simple thing that could be avoided. Refusing to let the other one explain themselves, especially since they know each other so well, is annoying.

There were some loose ends that weren’t tied up, foreshadowing the next book. I’m happy to say I enjoyed FSIS and am looking forward to the next book in the series. Whenever it comes out.

My Rating: 4/5 dragons

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Have you read Forging Silver into Stars? Is it on your TBR?
What are some fantasy romances you recommend?