Series: Scavenge the Stars #1
on January 7, 2020
Genres: Fantasy, Literary Retelling, Young Adult
Pages: 336
Format: ARC, eBook
Source: Publisher
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Loosely based on Alexandre Dumas’s The Count of Monte Cristo, Scavenge the Stars is the start to a YA duology that asks how far an individual is willing to go to enact revenge on the ones she holds responsible for her family’s ruin.
After years of labor on a debtor ship, Amaya jeopardizes her hard-earned freedom when she rescues a drowning man. Instead, the man offers her riches and a new identity that will allow her to enact vengeance on the ones who wronged her, for Amaya believes that she was sent to the debtor ship on false charges. Meanwhile, recovering gambler Cayo tries to recover his father’s good graces, but circumstances turn him back to his sordid past in the hopes of forging a new future for his family. As Amaya and Cayo’s worlds collide, they will uncover family secrets that cause them to question who they are and what they’re willing to do to make things right.
Told through the alternating perspectives of Amaya and Cayo, Scavenge the Stars is a fast-paced read that explores the impact of family, secrets, and betrayal on the individual. It takes readers from high society to the dark slums of Moray—both of which are portrayed in sparse prose—in the protagonists’ pursuit of answers. A loving brother and prodigal son, Cayo serves as a soft foil to Amaya, whose blind drive for revenge can be potentially alienating. (Though her soft spot for fellow children forced to work on debtor ships gives her a redeeming quality.) Over the course of the novel, the two learn that there is more at stake than their personal vendettas, and they must ask themselves what they’re willing to sacrifice to do the right thing even as they confront their growing attraction to each other.
Fans of classic retellings and novels with driven heroines who will do (almost) anything it takes to achieve their ends may enjoy this one.
Comparable Reads
- The Bird and the Blade by Megan Bannen: A classical retelling that takes place in a fictional world without magic and could therefore very easily take place in our world.
- The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang: Rin and Amaya are driven young women who seek to prove themselves; both are influenced largely by emotions.
Rating PG-13
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Bias Notes
As an asian writer who wants to support other asian writers, I wanted to like this book.
ShootingStarsMag says
I like when authors do a re-telling of a book that’s not often focused on. Thanks for sharing!
-Lauren
Crystal says
I agree! I hadn’t read a Count of Monte Cristo retelling before. I enjoyed seeing how Tara Sim adapted this one.
charlotte Taylor says
I love the Timekeeper series, and am looking forward to this one lots, despite not being a Count of Monte Cristo fan per se (I think I read it in high school, but who knows….)!
Crystal says
That’s great to hear, Charlotte. I hope you enjoy this one. You don’t need to have read Count of Monte Cristo to read Scavenge the Stars 🙂
Dani @ Perspective of a Writer says
I’ve heard lots of good things about Scavenge the Stars, I read Count of Monte Cristo in high school and remember enjoying it despite it being a classic. I love gender flips too,they can be a lot of fun,
Crystal says
I agree. Gender flips can be a lot of fun!
Sophia Rose says
It has been eons since I read the Count of Monte Cristo, but I think it’s cool that this is a retelling/variation on it. She does sound pretty fierce so its nice that her companion is a good counter-balance to that.
Crystal says
It is neat to have a YA retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo. I hope it gets readers who haven’t read the book, or at least watched the film, interested in checking out the book. Yes, it helped to have Cayo’s POV to counterbalance Amaya’s POV!
Lindsi says
I used to own The Count of Monte Cristo (the movie), and watched it a lot in High School. I honestly haven’t thought about it in forever! I’ve seen this book around, even added it to my TBR, but had no idea it was loosely based on the story/book. I’m even more intrigued! It sounds like the characters are redeemable despite their rough exteriors and personal vendettas, and I cannot wait to read this one for myself!
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬
Crystal says
I had to read The Count of Monte Cristo for class, and we watched the movie too. I wouldn’t have guessed it was based on The Count of Monte Cristo based off the synopsis either. Yes, the characters have redeemable traits. I hope you enjoy this one, Lindsi. I’m looking forward to your thoughts on it!
Ethan says
I love the idea of setting the story amongst a classic that we all already know!
Crystal says
I agree. It’s fun to see how writers reimagine a classic and then retell it!