Author: Tara Sim
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Release Date: January 7th 2020
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings
~Book Blurb~
When Amaya rescues a mysterious stranger from drowning, she fears her rash actions have earned her a longer sentence on the debtor ship where she’s been held captive for years. Instead, the man she saved offers her unimaginable riches and a new identity, setting Amaya on a perilous course through the coastal city-state of Moray, where old-world opulence and desperate gamblers collide. Amaya wants one thing: revenge against the man who ruined her family and stole the life she once had. But the more entangled she becomes in this game of deception—and as her path intertwines with the son of the man she’s plotting to bring down—the more she uncovers about the truth of her past. And the more she realizes she must trust no one…
Packed with high-stakes adventure, romance, and dueling identities, this gender-swapped retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo is the first novel in an epic YA fantasy duology, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Sabaa Tahir, and Leigh Bardugo.
~My Thoughts~
Scavenge the Stars is a genre-bending tale of revenge and redemption. Tara Sims manages the near impossible, making a retelling feel mostly original.
I often find myself thinking there should be a sub-genre of YA called, “Tragedy befalls girl who must reluctantly save the world.” I used to be a huge fan of this genre, but lately find myself growing tired of the self-conscious heroine who is forced to be something she doesn’t want to be. For me, Amaya is a breath of fresh air.
No one forced her to begin her campaign. She is motivated by revenge and hatred. With its roots in The Count of Monte Cristo, we of course have sympathy for Amaya, because she is betrayed and abandoned, so her thirst for justice is understandable.
I am so happy to read about a girl who is empowered and confident in herself and her skills. She’s pretty badass through most of the book and is the instigator throughout. I mean, she put a knife to a man’s eyeball and threatened to pop it out. I have a feeling she was going to do even worse things had she let her alter ego, Silverfish, run the show.
I also really loved her take on the hero. I really did not like him for most of the book. In fact, in the first 50%, I wasn’t sure I even liked the sections told from his point of view. He is an extremely flawed character that is attempting to save his sister, which is his largest redeeming factor. I loved that the main guy in this story wasn’t a prince charming, heart of gold, supermodel. He has a past, its consequences follow him through the book, and fuel his story. Just like any real person, his mistakes are only a part of the whole, and make for an interesting journey.
Scavenge the Stars is gripping, disturbing, and romantic, perfect for any YA reader out there looking for a new take on a classic.
~About the Author~
Tara Sim is the author of SCAVENGE THE STARS (Disney-Hyperion) and the TIMEKEEPER trilogy (Sky Pony Press) and writer of all things magic. She can often be found in the wilds of the Bay Area, California.
When she’s not writing about mischievous boys in clock towers, Tara spends her time drinking tea, wrangling cats, and occasionally singing opera. Despite her bio-luminescent skin, she is half-Indian and eats way too many samosas.
Tara is represented by Victoria Marini at Irene Goodman Literary Agency.
Name pronunciation: “tar-ah” (not “terr-ah”).
~Giveaway~
a Rafflecopter giveaway Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d9681b86438/?AUTHOR LINKS
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14118411.Tara_Sim
Website: http://www.tarasim.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/eachstaraworld
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaraSimAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarasimauthor/
Tumblr: https://tarasimauthor.tumblr.com/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.es/tssim53/
Tour Schedule
Leave a Reply