Chloe is the youngest. Hers are the fingers that choose the wool, that shape the thread, that begin it. The sun smiles upon her. Men love her without knowing who she is. She has lived forever and will live forever more. She and her sisters have been on their isolated Greek island for centuries, longer than any mortal can remember. They spin, measure, and slice the countless golden threads of human life. They are the three Fates, and they have stayed separate for good reason: it is dangerous for them to become involved with the humans whose lives they shape.
So when a beautiful girl named Aglaia shows up on their doorstep, Chloe tries to make sure her sisters don’t become attached. But in seeking to protect them, Chloe discovers the dark power of Aglaia’s destiny. As her path unwinds, the three Fates find themselves pulled inextricably along—toward mortal pain, and mortal love, and a fate that could unravel the world.
The Shadow Behind the Stars was one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. It was written in a way that mythology books need to be - lyrical, gorgeous and enthralling. The storyline itself was also all of those things, and I am a sucker for books that dare to be different - this was one of them.
The book follows Chloe, one of the three fates and her sisters in their journey to save the world in a way... it isn't their story though, it's Aglaia's - our narrator is actually just an observer. I really dn't know how to describe it, but it worked. The reason it works so well is because we come to care for Aglaia as Chloe does, so this makes everything feel more authentic.
The book is simple and does feel slow paced, but it feels like it worked. There are some moments when the pace picks up and I will admit that for a lot of the last 20% of the book, I didn't always know what was going on. That being said, Chloe doesn't, so it also sort of works.
I think there are some readers that will struggle with the tone and pacing of The Shadow Behind the Stars and that's understandable - if you want things to happen this isn't the book for you. if you're looking for lyrical prose and something that feels like something special, give this book a go. I don't think it's for everyone, but it definitely worked for me.
The book follows Chloe, one of the three fates and her sisters in their journey to save the world in a way... it isn't their story though, it's Aglaia's - our narrator is actually just an observer. I really dn't know how to describe it, but it worked. The reason it works so well is because we come to care for Aglaia as Chloe does, so this makes everything feel more authentic.
The book is simple and does feel slow paced, but it feels like it worked. There are some moments when the pace picks up and I will admit that for a lot of the last 20% of the book, I didn't always know what was going on. That being said, Chloe doesn't, so it also sort of works.
I think there are some readers that will struggle with the tone and pacing of The Shadow Behind the Stars and that's understandable - if you want things to happen this isn't the book for you. if you're looking for lyrical prose and something that feels like something special, give this book a go. I don't think it's for everyone, but it definitely worked for me.
Book released September 1st by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Book received from the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review
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