This is a story set in a Kingdom which comprises of different islands and the people of each island can practice only one type of magic because of an ancient curse which has rendered the art of practicing multiple magic by individuals extremely dangerous. The main character is the princess, who has the ability to perform something called soul magic, which is the most dangerous of all the existing magic, and to secure her position as the heir to the throne, she has to put up a performance in front of an audience and prove that her magic is safe to use. However, things go horribly wrong at her performance and she is forced to flee her home. The story moves from there on as the princess, Amora along with her two companions, Bastian and Ferrick embarks on a journey which is filled with action, adventure and numerous dangers.

The writing and the world-building are easy to follow, and the magic system is advanced in a way that isn't too confusing. The plot, however, lacked charisma to the point of being bland at times. There is a fair amount of action, adventure, conflict and even romance in the story, but for some reason I just didn't feel connected to the story. A lot of things were predictable, and I truly think that the action sequences were rushed and badly written. As in there were lot of telling going on in the story instead of showing. The relationship development between characters felt flat and I didn't like the romance, it was too easy and there was hardly any back and forth. But that's just a personal preference.

As for the characters, I really liked Ferrick and Vataea, I thought they did well with what they were given and would definitely love to see them grow and develop more in the next book. Bastian and Amora felt just okay to me. They definitely showed a lot of agency and were dedicated to their cause of uniting the kingdom, but I truly think that their character growth suffered because the plot wasn't interesting enough.

Overall, this was a pretty standard YA fantasy. And despite all of my negative feelings, I knew what I was getting into when I decided to pick this book up so I can't really complain.

I was immediately attracted to this book based on the cover, and the description only made me more interested. But neither of those do the content of the book justice. Full of magic, adventure, and unforgettable characters, this novel navigates a world in trouble from the perspective of a girl who has been shut out from her own future kingdom for too long. Determined to make up for not only her mistakes, but those of her father, she conquers her fear and mistrust of others to push forward, doing what the kingdom needs her to do.

It's a hugely enticing read, with chapters that are the perfect length, knowing just how to lay out the story. It is evident how well thought through the whole storyline has been, and the amount of work the author has put in to developing this tale. The use of language is superb and draws you in closely, something that comes form pure skill verses experience.

I will be highly recommending this book both personally and on my blog.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book to review.
I wasn’t sure about this book when I went into it. The overall story in this book was okay, it is similar to other YA books which I’ve read recently which made me mark the book down slightly but that’s because I seem to have read a lot of YA Fantasy recently. This is a book with magic, pirates, treachery and more. Although I thought the book was lacking intensity as I never felt pulled into the story.
The characters in this book are good and well written. I enjoyed the crew interaction. I couldn’t fully connect with the main character and I don’t like how she treated her fiancé at the beginning. I almost didn't finish this book because I didn’t enjoy the beginning but it did pick up for me.
I wasn’t really a fan of the romance but I am super picky about romance in general. There is a twist at the end which is probably setting up the next book so watch out for that. I’m not sure I’ll read the next book in the series.
Overall this is a okay YA Fantasy that has things I love like pirates but I didn’t get drawn into the book which left me feeling a little disappointed.

All The Stars & Teeth is a fantastic, clever fantasy novel that I wasn’t expecting to love as much as I did. I went into this with no expectations, I’d heard it talked about a lot and when it came up on Netgalley I wanted to give it a shot and I’m so glad I did!

The way the author writes is absolutely stunning. Everything is so lyrical and vivid, as I was reading, I could see everything that was happening and loved it. Also, I’m not a massive fan of first person novels but I really loved being in Amora’s head and thought it worked so well here. Adalyn Grace is just fantastic and I can’t wait to read more of her work in the future, this was just an absolutely stunning debut.

Another thing I loved was the magic system. I thought it was truly unique and different to other magic systems in YA fantasy novels. I was truly fascinated by it and was surprised at all of the twists and turns when it came to the history of it and really want to know even more about how all of it works.

The story just truly had me hooked from the first few pages, I wanted to know what was happening with Amora and the people around her. It was slightly tropey in some places but I like tropes if they weren’t good, they wouldn’t be popular and everything in this story worked so fantastically well again, I think the author is incredible at what she does and it really shines through in this novel. And, I was slightly worried that it was all going to wrap up in the end even though there’s a sequel coming but the final plot twist had me shook!!!

Bastion was a character I loved straight away, I love pirates and he was so sweet and yet mysterious and I can’t wait to find out more about him. Amora is a true queen, such a strong female character and I would die for her. Ferrick is a character I wasn’t sure I would like at the start and wasn’t truly warmed to him until the middle of the book but he’s truly so caring and wonderful and if anything happens to him I’ll DIE. Vataea by far my favourite, shes strong, shes a badass and she truly deserves everything good in the world. I honestly do ship her and Ferrick but also ship her with Amora so😂

Overall, this novel is just fantastic, it’s like a mix between Mad Max and Pirates of the Caribbean and I was here for it from start to end. I’m so excited for the sequel already, come on 2021!!!

After many burning disappointments in the department of new YA releases, I’ve finally found a great fantasy story that I couldn’t put down! This story is the type of book that makes you snarl at whoever interrupts your reading time.

The land of Visidia is composed of many islands. Every island population has their own magic, different from each other. They can control only one type of magic and it’s forbidden to have more than one. Visidia’s ruling family of Montara is the only family who can control soul magic. Amora Montara prepares herself to demonstrate to her people she can control her soul magic and become the rightful heir to the throne of Visidia. However, the ritual doesn’t go as planned and Amora ends up having no other choice but to abandon her home and runs away. She finds out that things are not so perfect outside her reign. She has to also find a way to come back and prove that she deserves the title of queen.

So her adventure begins, and the reader is in for a real treat. I would say this novel probably contains all the usual YA tropes. Nevertheless, the plot is suspenseful and gripping. The magic system and the world building are perfectly melded together. I was in awe with both the geographic description and the marvellous clothes and fashion details for each island and their population. I liked the main character — she is smart and resourceful. I loved the “period scene” because the writer makes Amora seem more down to earth. Even the other side characters are well developed, with their own stories and personalities. And prepare yourself to fall for Bastien!

You would totally have this title in your Summer TBR, with a great magic system, romance, mermaids, sea adventures, and badass characters. I saw this story described as a “pirate story”, but I think that’s not the right label for it, and it sets wrong expectations for other readers. Amora’s monologues were a bit repetitive and the ending was slightly chaotic and rushed, but I have great expectations for book two, which I can’t wait to read.

Thank you, Netgalley and Titan Books for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

All The Stars And Teeth is the first book in the series All The Stars And Teeth. This book is the debut fantasy novel from the author Adalyn Grace. The story is about a young Princess to the Island Kingdom Of Visidia. The Kingdom is divided into different islands with each island having its magical power. Amora has been practicing Soul magic her whole life in preparation for her ceremony to become the protector of their Kingdom and to be the next to the throne. On the day to perform and prove her control of magic she fails and disappoints her people. Awaiting a trial can be dangerous to her Kingdom and she flees with plans to restore the Kingdom and get rid of the issues that have arisen. On her journey to freedom and protecting her Kingdom, she learns dark secrets kept hidden, fight magical and legendary creatures, and comes face to face with dark powers. The story was engaging and fun. I loved how the story was executed adding the necessary amount of action and conflict to keep the story entertaining. The vivid imagery and descriptions of the world made it easy to imagine and get lost in the world. I loved the history of the world and the stories that were nestled in the main storyline. One of the best parts of this book is the world-building and how effectively the author weaves information into the story without boring us. The world was fascinating and the magic system set in place was defined from the get-go. The characters and the side characters were all fantastic. I felt they were fleshed out and had so much room to become more. I loved how the author handled the relationships and brought forward some interesting choices by the characters that made it feel more natural. The protagonist was level headed and had a mature way of seeing everything. The pacing was good and the book was very engaging. I highly recommend checking this book out. A great YA fantasy debut with a strong protagonist, wonderful cast, and vivid imagery of the world. I think if you love the ocean, adventures, sea creatures and interesting magic, definitely pick this book up. I gave the book 4.5 stars leaning towards 5 stars. If you loved The Raven And The Dove, you will love this one as well and vice versa.

- 4.5 stars -

I was approved to review a digital review copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This review will be cross-posted nearer to the book's publication on Goodreads and my book blog, Bookmarked, at the following link: https://angiesbookmarks.wordpress.com/2020/07/14/all-the-stars-and-teeth-arc-book-review

THE BOOK REVIEW

Thank you SO MUCH, Netgalley and Titan Books, for gracing me with an ARC of this wonderful debut. All the Stars and Teeth was already on my radar (I mentioned it the first time in this post). What drew me in was the promise of a new epic fantasy featuring ships, seafaring and mermaids. If you've followed me for a while or have read my bio, you will know that I am obsessed with anything related to ships and the sea. So when I saw this title appear on NetGalley, I immediately requested it. It was probably one of the best decisions I made this year!

Trigger Warnings: some body horror, abusive relationship, self-harm

WHAT I LIKED

Visidia is a treasure trove of inventive world-building and an exploration of the power of oral storytelling (and lies) in shaping a nation's culture. The magic system is well-balanced, with no single magic feeling overpowered compared to the others. The whole cursed soul magic business was a bit nebulous, but I think that's accounted for, as the characters are just as confused about it. And while it is true that the book contains some YA tropes and clichés, I think these are presented in a fresh light that makes them fit well within the overarching story.

I loved how the world was based on precious stones! I'm partial about that because my own fantasy world is based on similar logic. I'm not sure if there is a reason why jewels are used, but if there is, I would have liked to know a little bit more about it. Anyway, this is just a nitpick, really.

The action and the pace of this novel are absurd. And those TWISTS! I'm hooked. The story kept going at a sustained pace, constantly introducing new elements to keep the action going and interest levels high. The seafaring element also worked well without being unnecessary or cheesy - although I feel that the travel times are slightly under-estimated (only two weeks from the beginning to the end, including four or five different boat journeys?).

Kudos go to the absolutely wonderful and gorgeous Vataea, whom I can't wait to read more about, and to that cover design! I love when covers feature small details from the book that make sense only after reading. 

WHAT I LIKED A LITTLE LESS

Although the world of Visidia, with all its different islands and magic styles, is fascinating to explore, I feel like the story could have used a bit more "tightening up" at the beginning. There are pockets of exposition and world-building which, in my humble opinion, made it a little overwhelming. I feel that details about the other islands naturally arise through world exploration and didn't necessarily need such a hefty introduction right at the beginning of the novel. (Re)Discovering the world with Amora would have felt much more organic, in a way. This is also true for the (I think) extensive clothes descriptions that crowd the beginning of the book but ebb off by midpoint. However, it didn't deter me from reading on, I should specify.

The other bit that kept me from giving it a full five shining stars (and some teeth) was the romance element. While I WAS indeed rooting for them (trying to keep it spoiler-free), I felt like they didn't have much time to really get to know each other properly. They both hold secrets, burdens and a shared vision, but I would have liked to see them have some more meaningful interaction and bonding beyond secret-sharing. That said, I'm very excited to see where this relationship will go in the sequel (especially after THAT twist) and if another ship (get it?) I've been hoping for will actually set sail.

 
I'm really excited to see this fantasy debut hit the UK shelves! Excellent work; I can't wait for the second instalment in the series!

All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace is the first in a fantasy duology featuring Amora Montara. Amora is the princess of an island kingdom and one of two potential heirs to the throne. In order to claim the throne she must become High Animancer, a magician with mastery over soul magic, a discipline that is reserved for royalty since the foundation of the kingdom. The use of magic is rigidly controlled so when Amora fails in the demonstration that was designed to show her mastery, by allowing the magic to overwhelm her, she believes her only option is to flee. Desperate for an ally to help her escape, she strikes a deal with Bastian, a pirate who is determined to recover his stolen magical powers. As the pair travel between the kindom's islands they learn that a dark new magic is on the rise, and they will have to work together if they are to protect the kingdom from doom.
While a seasoned fantasy reader may find the story a little predictable, the characters are so vivid and so much fun that they keep your attention engaged. As the pair sail the high seas they encounter monsters and mermaids and take the reader on an action packed adventure that makes up for the slightly slower start to the book. The author is not afraid to go dark, the practice of soul magic requires some pretty gruesome rituals and has some gory consequences. As a fantasy debut this was very impressive and I look forward to reading the next book.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book. Yes it is fairly predictable, but it's also full of adventure and a really fun read. A great writing style that meant although predictable, I still couldn't put it down

This book was amazing. A sea adventure with a roguish captain: sign me up! I absolutely loved the world-building and writing style in this book, and they were big pluses for me. The reason why I am giving it four stars, is because it was a little dull at times, and my thoughts strayed during those scenes, which was a shame.

Really enjoyed this YA fantasy debut, for the first few chapters I wasn't sure how I felt about Amora but as soon as she lost herself at her soul magic ceremony, I was intrigued to see what was coming. Amora faces a very real conflict about her own magic, she's uncomfortable with it but forces herself to use it for the greater good. She's determined that she's the right person to save and care for her country, and that determination drives everything that she does.

I really liked that Amora was badass AF even without using her magic, taking on mythical sea creatures and generally fighting like a super cool pirate all over the place. I appreciated that her magic wasn't allowed to define her as a character, rather it was there to build her inner conflict and her relationship with her family and country.

I also really enjoyed her supporting cast of characters, including a truly excellent mermaid, a pirate with hidden depths and her adorable fiancé who I personally am very much here for.

There's a sense of adventure and love of the sea that runs through this book that makes you want to stand on the prow of a ship with the sea breeze in your hair and the taste of salt on your tongue. I can't wait to see what comes next for Amora and her crew.

This was an unexpected delight. The world is lush and well described, with an ocean vibe that could have been cheesy but I really enjoyed. There were a few tropes that I thought would be typical and predictable, but they actually got turned in their head in this story and felt new.

Gripping right from the start, All The Stars and Teeth is a brilliant new fantasy set it a beautifully crafted world. I couldn't put it down!

The plot was totally engaging and had enough surprises to keep me on my toes! I loved Amora, and really rooted for her throughout. The world building is fantastic, especially the magic system which is unlike anything I've ever read before. I'm so excited for the sequel!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This review has been posted to Goodreads and will be submitted to Amazon after release.