Carey upholds her reputation for world-building, and though Starless has less intrigue than Carey’s previous works, it will more than satisfy fans of twisty high fantasy.
Carey has put to page one of the best pairs of protagonists in the last few years. Her lush, vibrant world just serves as the perfect backdrop for a relationship worthy of the prophecies it fulfills.
In what may well be the epic fantasy of the year, Carey builds a rich and varied world... Carey is at the peak of her luminous storytelling powers in a tale that will appeal to readers of Brandon Sanderson and Patrick Rothfuss, while its thought-provoking look at gender, love, and sexual preference bring to mind Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness.
an epic fantasy story told in a single volume. A single relatively compact volume, in epic fantasy terms... Carey’s characters feel real and alive, and her world is lush and well-realised. This is an excellent novel. I recommend it.
On ample display here are Carey’s impressive worldbuilding skills and deft articulation of all the moving parts. Along the way she detonates one massive bombshell of a revelation and provokes frequent raised eyebrows. A hardworking middle-of-the-roader with limited appeal beyond existing Carey addicts.
