The Star of Whatever (The Western Lands and All That Really Matters #2) - 5 Stars

 

Andrew Einspruch’s The Star of Whatever (The Western Lands and All That Really Matters #2) picks up where book 1 in the series left off. I delighted in book one, The Purple Haze, and so it surprised me that I enjoyed book two even more.

The story picks up in the Half Kingdom where Princess Eloise Hydra Gumball III’s quest to rescue her twin sister, accompanied by her champion chipmunk, Jerome, her loyal guard, Lorch, and two royal horses. The deadly Purple Haze edges the Half Kingdom, and fogging has become the mode of execution of criminals. Once someone enters, they never come out, except for Princess Eloise and her twin. They not only don’t come right back out but feel called to delve deeper into the fog. Within the Haze a secondary quest develops. It leads them to a surprising find and a challenge for their lives.

Outside the Haze, Eloise’s friends Jerome and Lorch rot away in the royal dungeon while the horses try to figure out what they can do to get them out. The plot makes twists, turns, and a few herky-jerky maneuvers that surprise, like when the Purple Haze starts to spread. (I put it this way only to avoid spoilers.)

I highly recommend this book to people who enjoy coming of ages stories with strong female protagonists set in fantastical worlds where animals can talk and magic, even weak magic, is real. Think Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. Einspruch’s pacing in The Star of Whatever is perfect. He does a great job with the ebb and flow of conflict and resolution with doses of subtle humor, suspense, and an emotionally engaging plot. I give this one a solid five stars. I’m thankful for the review copies I’ve received of this series, and I look forward to reading book three in the series, The Light Bearer.

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Stella Maris by Jeffrey Matucha – 4 stars

 

Stella Maris, by Jeffrey Matucha, is not in my genre wheelhouse, and it took me by surprise. It follows the life Skye Wright, a crust punker facing her 30th birthday while still navigating the world of Punk/Metal/New Wave/My-God-what-did-we-do-last-night? and all that goes with it. Matucha does an excellent job of painting a vivid picture of this world while making you care about Skye even when she’s making bad choices. The plot includes fallout from her wild past, the struggles of the present, including the emotional toll of losing people, her addictions, her closest friend has gone missing, and, in general, wondering what life is all about.

 Matucha does a great job of creating a deeply layered female protagonist. She loves cats, is friends with the older lady in the apartment next door, but is also a former gang member of the Crusties who still flies into a hot-headed rage. Her drinking doesn’t help anything. This book offers a look into the world of addiction and the heartbreak it brings as it follows Skye into biker bars, raves, and hanging out with people traveling the same path to nowhere. The plot feels like a mindless (but not boring) wandering through life consistent with those living with addictions, but Matucha fits the pieces together to form a complete picture by the end of the book.

The one thing I didn’t love about the book is the language, but it fits the culture. Many of the characters can’t formulate a sentence without using the F-bomb. On the plus side, while sex is often talked about and even put into practice, it takes place “off-camera.” Overall, I give the book a solid 4-stars and think anyone who has someone they care about living with addiction or those who have come out of that trap would probably enjoy reading this character-driven story of love, loss, struggle, and hope.

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The Purple Haze by Andrew Einspruch - Solid 5 Stars

 

The story of The Purple Haze by Andrew Einspruch is set in a fantastical realm constructed of subtle lighthearted puns, vivid imagery, animals that talk and function alongside humans, and a suspense-filled plot. Its fairytale-like tone lured me in not knowing what to expect. I was more than pleasantly surprised. I couldn’t put the book down and now am a fan who plans to read the rest of the series.

 The story centers on the Royal family of Brouge and, in particular, the twin princesses Eloise and Joanna. Eloise is the heir to the throne, and a rivalry exists between the two. Following the Thorning Ceremony, a root of bitterness sets in and Joanna makes it clear she is unhappy. She leaves with her uncle to visit his kingdom and no one thinks anything of it until a seer brings about a dire prediction regarding Princess Joanna’s wellbeing. Princess Eloise is the logical choice to navigate protocols, find her sister, and bring her home. The quest quickly turns into a rescue mission filled with unlikely allies, dangers, and of course complications.

The only thing I didn’t love about the book is that it ended too soon. I want to know what happens next. I give this book a solid 5-star rating and plan to read the next book in the series, The Star of Whatever, in the near future. It offers strong female protagonists, plenty of humor woven into the plot and dialog, and a plot that keeps the pages turning. It’s a perfect choice for fantasy readers looking for a captivating page-turner that’s also light and funny. If you enjoy stories like The Princess Bride, this is a book for you.

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