The Star Thief

by Ernst von Herrath

Overview

The constellations come to life in this imaginative fantasy adventure debut.


Honorine's life as a maid at the Vidalia mansion is rather dull, dusting treasures from faraway places and daydreaming in front of maps of the world. But everything changes when she catches two brutish sailors ransacking Lord Vidalia's study, and then follows a mysterious girl with wings out into the night....

Suddenly, Honorine is whisked into the middle of a battle between the crew of a spectacular steamship and a band of mythical constellations. The stars in the sky have come to life to defend themselves against those who want to harness their powers. Much to her surprise, Honorine is the crux of it all, the center of an epic clash between magic and science, the old ways and the new. But can this spirited young girl bring both sides of a larger-than-life fight together before they unleash an evil power even older than the stars?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781478919490
Publisher:	Little, Brown Young Readers
Publication date:	04/28/2017
Edition description:	Unabridged

About the Author

writes middle grade fiction with ghosts, monsters, mythical beasts, and daring children who love adventure and magic. She loves books, movies, and all forms of arts and crafts. is her debut novel.

Editorial Reviews

A Spring 2017 Kids' Indie Next List ChoiceA Winter/Spring 2017 Indies Introduce Choice

"[An] adventure of the galactic variety.... A fun, Rick Riordanesque escapade."—Booklist

"The pace is fast, the characters believable, and the setting original.... Readers enjoying a mix of fantasy, adventure, and a clever heroine will fall for this one."—Kirkus Reviews

"Featuring both cannonballs and magic, the story will appeal to fantasy and adventure readers alike.... but the book is perfect for any young reader."—School Library Connection

"The zippy pace...moves from one epic battle, chase, or discovery to another.... [Honorine is] a smart, daring girl."—The Bulletin

"Readers will find it easy to connect emotionally with Honorine as she tries to navigate a world with no clear answers, while fantasy lovers will appreciate the mythological underpinnings of this imaginative new world. A fine addition to large fantasy collections."—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

Honorine’s life as a maid at the Vidalia mansion is usually boring. She spends her time imagining adventures and tinkering with the bits of metal and glass she finds. But on this particular night, after she has discovered a fire in Lord Visalia’s study, she disturbs sailors when ransacking the study. She then finds herself whisked away by a strange girl with iridescent feathers and Francis, Lord Vidalia’s son. She and Francis had been friends until he was sent away to school. She has little time to wonder why he is here as she finds herself on a huge flying ship, caught up in a major battle over the stars. The inventor Naulilus Olyphant is stealing the constellations, or Mordant, from the sky. Honorine falls from the ship, landing on another which is made of forests. Here she finds the Mapmaker, who is not as innocent as he would like to appear, and Lord Vidalia, long thought deceased. What follows is a monumental battle involving mythological creatures fighting for control of the world. Honorine is caught in the middle of this exciting adventure as she discovers her parents and her power. Reviewer: Shirley Nelson; Ages 10 to 14.

Children's Literature - Shirley Nelson

02/01/2017
Gr 4–7—Honorine's boring life tending fires at Vidalia mansion is disrupted when she discovers strangers invading long-lost Lord Vidalia's study. Before she knows what's happening, she finds herself swept up in the ongoing battle between two powerful men: the Mapmaker and Captain Nautilus. The Mapmaker is the leader of the Mordant, who are physical manifestations of the constellations whose powers help guide humanity. Captain Nautilus leads a crew of scientists who are trying to capture the Mordant and harness their powers—he also happens to be Honorine's father. After Honorine learns she is half-Mordant, she understands that her powers could shift the battle, but it is difficult to tell which side is good and which is bad, especially since her best friend Francis has sided with Nautilus. In the end, saving the world means seeking out one of the last remaining Mordant, Andromeda, who is Honorine's mother. Readers will find it easy to connect emotionally with Honorine as she tries to navigate a world with no clear answers, while fantasy lovers will appreciate the mythological underpinnings of this imaginative new world. VERDICT A fair addition to large fantasy collections.—Eliza Langhans, Hatfield Public Library, MA

School Library Journal

2017-02-01
A debut middle-grade adventure involving constellations that come to life, airships, friendships, revenge, and the fight for survival.In the years just before the turn of the 20th century, Honorine—a white girl with gray eyes and a knack for artifacts and machinery—has lived on the Vidalia Estate for as long as she remembers. For the first years her best friend and playmate was Francis Vidalia, but now he's in school and her days are filled with household chores. When strangers come looking for a book, her world is turned on its head. Honorine is swept up into a world where living constellations—here known as Mordant—are in a fight for their very survival. Before the book is over Honorine will have been on a fantastical flying island that is really a ship; met the scheming white Capt. Nautilus Olyphant and seen the ingenious device with which he has been capturing the Mordant; dealt with the mysterious and somewhat sinister Mapmaker; found out who her parents are; seen monsters emerge from Hades; and made important decisions involving friendship, family, and loyalty. The pace is fast, the characters believable, and the setting original. Though there are some holes in the story, such as exactly what motivates Nautilus, the breakneck pace will not give readers time to ponder such questions. And they probably won't mind a bit. Readers enjoying a mix of fantasy, adventure, and a clever heroine will fall for this one. (Fantasy. 9-12)

Kirkus Reviews