StarCrossed by Elizabeth C. Bunce ★

StarCrossed
by Elizabeth C. Bunce
October 2010
Arthur A. Levine Books

Celyn Contrare serves as a lady-in-waiting to shy young Merista Nemair.  Her days are spent dressing in velvet and brocade, attending Lady Merista, navigating court gossip, and charming noblemen over lavish feasts.  And at night she picks locks, steals jewels, forges documents, and collects secrets.

This book was wonderful!  After reading Bunce's debut novel A Curse Dark as Gold a few years ago, I was thrilled to see she had a new book out with a very exciting premise.  As Celyn is running from the king's inquisition she takes refuge as a lady-in-waiting to Lady Merista.  Little does she know, however, that her current position will place her in more danger and dig up more secrets than she ever wanted to find.  This book had all the intrigue, magic and adventure that I craved when I picked it up.  A few things you should know before reading it, however:

1. I was totally lost for the first few chapters.  Things were happening very quickly and in a way that didn't follow traditional storytelling.  This wasn't necessarily a bad thing although it contributed to number two.
2. It takes forever to get into this book!  All the really awesome stuff doesn't start happening until much later.
3. This is going to be a trilogy and even though everything is more or less wrapped up at the end, I WANT MORE NOW!!!  I'm not a very patient person . . .

So you've been warned, but don't let that stop you from enjoying this wonderful young adult fantasy!