Name: ash's review of Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer
Item: Forging Silver into Stars
Rating: 5
Author: ash

Brigid Kemmerer

New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer expands the Cursebreaker world in an electrifying new series.

When ancient magic tests a newfound love, a dark fate beckons . . .

Magic has been banished in the land of Syhl Shallow for as long as best friends Jax and Callyn can remember. They once loved the stories of the powerful magesmiths and mythical scravers who could conjure fire or control ice, but now they've learned that magic only leads to danger: magic is what killed Callyn's parents, leaving her alone to raise her younger sister. Magic never helped Jax, whose leg was crushed in an accident that his father has been punishing him for ever since. Magic won't save either of them when the tax collector comes calling, threatening to take their homes if they can't pay what they owe.

Meanwhile, Jax and Callyn are astonished to learn magic has already returned to Syhl Shallow--in the form of a magesmith who's now married to their queen. Now, the people of Syhl Shallow are expected to allow dangerous magic in their midst, and no one is happy about it.

When a stranger rides into town offering Jax and Callyn silver in exchange for holding secret messages for an anti-magic faction, the choice is obvious--even if it means they may be aiding in a plot to destroy their new king. It's a risk they're both willing to take. That is, until another visitor arrives: handsome Lord Tycho, the King's Courier, the man who's been tasked with discovering who's conspiring against the throne.

Suddenly, Jax and Callyn find themselves embroiled in a world of shifting alliances, dangerous flirtations, and ancient magic . . . where even the deepest loyalties will be tested.

Forging Silver into Stars #1

Forging Silver into Stars

"You should cry all you want. Big sisters rarely get the chance."

“Children are sacred. We do not harm them.” 

I should be responsible here, should call for a slower pace, because if the king’s brother goes flying headlong into a tree, I’m pretty sure there’d be no forgiveness.

“Threaten you!” Rhen laughs. “No. I am attempting to 

“We can only play the cards that fate deals.”

“Please don’t take action at your expense.”

“At my expense? I am the brother to the king. Acting regent in Grey’s stead. If Lord Alek chooses to attack a member of this court, then the expense will be his own.”

I’m staring at him, half in shock, half in wonder.

Harper smiles, then laughs a little wickedly. “Grey might be good with a sword, and he might have the magic, but when it comes to words and strategy, no one beats Rhen.” She rises on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.

He smiles, then traces a finger under her chin. “Certainly not that one. He’s playing a game I perfected ages ago.”

My cheeks warm at their casual affection. I take a step back, intending to excuse myself, to leave them to their own meal, their privacy, their time together.

Brigid Kemmerer has perfected the art of writing banter

“I’m sure you’ll cross my mind at least once.”

“What would you do, if the king were to show up on your doorstep?”

Bookish girl 🤝 boyfriend who's willing to try out cute book scenes

He looks back at the book. “Perhaps I’m reading about all the other things we could do together.” He flicks another page.

Clouds above. I know what kind of book he’s reading now. 

This is a different kind of magic, one that no one can take away from me.

Remembering Grey's "Fear not. No one will touch you again."

I catch his hand and hold it there, then lean in. “I wouldn’t let anyone put a hand on you.”

I know consent is a basic human right, but it is ✨✨ when they're so considerate of each other

“Is that what you want?” I finally say.

“No,” he says. “But I’m not taking anything you don’t want to give.”

The words hit me harder than I’m ready for. Not just in a romantic way. In any way. No one’s ever said anything like that to me. Not even Grey. It’s not just the words, it’s the heavy truth behind it. I have to close my eyes and take a breath.

“A sword isn’t a weapon of warning,” he says. He steps closer, changing the angle of the blade so it remains at my neck. “If you aren’t willing to use it, you may as well put it down.”

I keep my breathing very shallow. "And you’re willing to use it?” I whisper.

“Always.” He’s moved very close, until I can feel the warmth of his body. The blade is a narrow barrier between us.

“Is this going to be our standard greeting?” he says. “Should I always arrive armed?”

I shiver, then change the grip on the sword until the blade points down.

I hold it out to him. “You don’t have to leave.” I pause. “I shouldn’t have pointed this at you.”

“On the contrary. I’m rather fond of your greetings.” 

BRIGID GOT US THINKING SOMETHING ELSE WHEN SHE SPOILED THIS 😭

His gaze centers on my neck, and he makes a tsk sound. His thumb brushes against the wound.

“Forgive me,” he says. “I shouldn’t have been so rough.”

“It’s just a scratch.” His fingers are still there, tracing along my hairline, and my pulse jumps. “And I was trying to kill you.”

“Hold.” Lia Mara’s voice is clear and sharp over the sudden murmur that echoes through the throne room. “I will not abide bloodshed in my court.”

“The old queen would not have minded a bit of sport.”

“I am not my mother,” Lia Mara snaps, “and you would do well to remember that, Lord Alek. Now put up your weapons.”

We all need a t̶h̶e̶r̶a̶p̶i̶s̶t̶ Noah

When I’m wary and uncertain, I often seek out the infirmary. It’s usually where I find Noah. Grey may have taught me how to defend myself—how to save myself—but when I was younger and terrified of what fate might have in store, Noah always gave me a safe space to heal. He’s always steadfast and unflinching, no matter what he sees—or what I tell him.

“Go. Rest with your family. I’ll stand guard. Sinna won’t get past me.” I hold his gaze. “Neither will anyone else.”

“I swore to you,” he says softly. “Yes?”

“I keep my word.” He pauses, drawing back to look at me. “In truth,” he says, “you’re the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. And I’m not confined to the forge.”

I want to tell him everything. But now it’s too late. He’s leaving. Again.

Living vicariously through queer romances

Tycho notices immediately, because he rises up, taking my hands, pressing them between his. “It will not be weeks or months or never, Jax. I swear to you.”

. I don’t think anyone has ever sworn anything to me. My chest is tight all the same. I know his role, how his schedule is at the mercy of the king.

He lifts a hand to brush a thumb across my cheek. “A week,” he whispers. “At most.”

I knew this part would hurt. And he’s not even leaving yet.

I look into Tycho’s brown eyes, so much darker than eyes native to Syhl Shallow. 

Probably my favourite out-of-context quote because this Tycho is ✨ the standard ✨

He kisses me lightly, then withdraws to sit back on his heels. His cheeks are a bit flushed, his hair a bit wild. “As I said, far too little practice with courtship.”

“Tycho.” I pull my hands down and stare at him in wonder. “You saved my life and served me dinner and kissed me senseless—and now you’re kneeling on the ground at my feet. Somehow you believe you have too little practice with courtship?”

He pulls back just enough to whisper against my lips. “Stop?”

... I have to swallow. He truly is the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen. I’m afraid to touch him now, as if he’ll vanish. But he’s so close that I can’t 

Maybe that’s what gives me the courage to shift a little closer so I can whisper along his jaw. “Stop?”

I shouldn’t do this.... I shouldn’t be thinking about his lips or his hands or imagining the taste of his breath.

, and once I have the thought, there’s no room for anything else. I tangle my hand in his hair, then slip out of my chair to press my mouth to his.

Please stop leaving me with memories that will only hurt later.

I turn the words around in my head and examine them from all angles, until I see them from the clearest one: the first three words. 

He gives me a rueful look. “You’re going to make this memory hurt more than the others.”

I draw back, but he catches my hand, his thumb gentle against my palm. “I don’t think I’ll mind the pain of this one.”

Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

I fell in love with this world and these characters and my heart is so happy to know I have more to look forward to.

Amazing book!! First 100 pages were full of character introductions and world building. Everything after that was amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed this and wish I hadn’t put it off for so long!

Lexi 

Originally 4.5 stars, but it's Brigid Kemmerer and I missed the Cursebreaker series characters, so 5/5.

(Do not trust my highlights. I am torn between pasting the whole scene here and dropping super out-of-context lines.)

Originally 4.5 stars, but it's Brigid Kemmerer and I missed the Cursebreaker series characters, so 5/5.

(Do not trust my highlights. I am torn between pasting the whole scene here and dropping super out-of-context lines.)

Catching up on some long overdue reviews to say… Brigid has done it again!! The pacing! The romance! The tension!!! There’s just enough worldbuilding that never feels info-dumpy. Both the new & familiar characters are charming, delightful, and sinister in turn. I am CRAVING the sequel, as I always do for Brigid’s fantasy books.

Content notes: parental abuse, past PTSD, past parental death, fantasy violence 

Liz Griffin

Catching up on some long overdue reviews to say… Brigid has done it again!! The pacing! The romance! The tension!!! There’s just enough worldbuilding that never feels info-dumpy. Both the new & familiar characters are charming, delightful, and sinister in turn. I am CRAVING the sequel, as I always do for Brigid’s fantasy books.

Content notes: parental abuse, past PTSD, past parental death, fantasy violence 

Kacy Rulison

Liked the writing style...kept me on my toes which is not usually easy to do. Enjoyed the different POVs. Will definitely be reading the next one and probably the other books for the world.

Julie Janis

Oh it was so fun returning to this world and revisiting characters I love! This whole story was such a delight to read!

I fell in love with the characters really quickly! Callyn and Jax were great and I really felt for them and their struggles. I got so excited to find out Tycho was a main POV! I really liked him from the Cursebreakers trilogy. I really enjoyed following them in this book and seeing their growth and interactions with each other. I didn't really care for the romances. In fact, I wish they didn't happen, but I understand that it added more tension.

I loved the political intrigue so much too! This was a slower paced book for that reason and the main action didn't happen until the end, but I didn't mind it. I'm really excited to see what will happen in the sequel!

I give this a HIGH 4 star rating. Highly recommend!

l.h.

more like 3.5 rounded up to 4—first real fantasy book i've read in a while and the characters definitely served :)

Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &
Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer

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Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer

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Join the club

Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &
Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer