A Dark and Hollow Star

Nausicaä was once a Fury, an immortal who was exiled to the mortal realm and made to live out her remaining years as an outcast. Arlo is ironborn—a Fae born of magical and human parents—magical, a relative of the High King, and she is at odds with the High Council which would prefer to erase her memory and have her live out her life among the humans. Vehan is a prince of the Seelie Court of Summer who, along with his friend and retainer Aurelian, is on a mission to seek out the Dark Star, a mysterious and possibly made-up evil force believed to be behind a series of ironborn murders that defy explanation. When all Arlo, Nausicaä, Vehan, and Aurelian team up to find the real culprit behind the terrifying murders, they come up against evil forces none of them could have imagined.

To make matters even more awkward, Vehan and Aurelian are experiencing some complex and precarious feelings for one another—including some unrequited love—and Arlo and Nausicaä are falling for each other, which is less than convenient considering everything else going on. The narrative is populated with queer and transgender characters, making the novel a positive and welcoming space for LGBTQ+ readers and reflecting diversity in our world. The combination of European folklore, Greek myth, and all manner of magical creatures and abilities against the backdrop of modern-day Toronto makes for a delightful urban fantasy narrative.

Where the novel falls somewhat flat is in the portrayal of villainous individuals throughout the narrative, many of whom are one-dimensional and stereotypically evil. Additionally, the vast majority of characters are also stereotypically and “traditionally” beautiful—thin, tall, light-skinned, and muscular. And there is also significant reliance on metaphor and simile, which works at times, but in some situations feels excessive. But while these descriptions are perhaps over-utilized, the unique setting, intriguing systems of magic, and intertwining of various mythologies and folklores will certainly capture the imaginations of teen fantasy lovers.

Shuttleworth packs a lot into A Dark and Hollow Star, from trauma to depression to suicidal ideation, and yet they do so with impressive gentleness and compassion and a touch of humor. Shuttleworth makes a note at the beginning of the book, pointing out content warnings that include the topics noted above, as well as toxic relationships and manipulation, death of a child, human trafficking, stalking, racism, and gun violence—important aspects to keep in mind when recommending the book to some readers.

Overall, A Dark and Hollow Star is an impressive urban fantasy debut that will likely be a hit with fans of Holly Black, Leigh Bardugo, and Cassandra Clare.