All the Stars and Teeth (All the Stars and Teeth #1) Review

Set in a kingdom where danger lurks beneath the sea, mermaids seek vengeance with song, and magic is a choice.

She will reign.

As princess of the island kingdom Visidia, Amora Montara has spent her entire life training to be High Animancer — the master of souls. The rest of the realm can choose their magic, but for Amora, it’s never been a choice. To secure her place as heir to the throne, she must prove her mastery of the monarchy’s dangerous soul magic.

When her demonstration goes awry, Amora is forced to flee. She strikes a deal with Bastian, a mysterious pirate: he’ll help her prove she’s fit to rule, if she’ll help him reclaim his stolen magic.

But sailing the kingdom holds more wonder — and more peril — than Amora anticipated. A destructive new magic is on the rise, and if Amora is to conquer it, she’ll need to face legendary monsters, cross paths with vengeful mermaids, and deal with a stow-away she never expected… or risk the fate of Visidia and lose the crown forever.

I am the right choice. The only choice. And I will protect my kingdom.

Mixed with adventure, dangers, confident pirates, and spiteful mermaids this book is swash-buckling glory! (Excuse my pirate language, I'm a little rusty since it's been a while, ignore the fact that I don't know much anyway). We have our amazing, ambitious, confident female lead Amora who is EXACTLY the kind of princess I want to be reading stories about, she's so strong and so confident and filled with a need to do right by her kingdom and that is so much better than the whole 'princess-who-isn't-good-at-princess-ing' trope.

Bastian who is our local smug, sassy pirate hiding secrets and revelations, determined to get back to his island and help his people.  Ferrick is a powerful healer engaged to Amora who insisted on accompanying Bastian and Amora to save the kingdom. (I totally didn't find him annoying in the beginning)

The plot was predictable, yes but the adventure is what kept me hooked all the way, it's fun and fresh and exciting, written beautifully with strong motives, fantastic characters, and so many different entertaining places. There were small victories placed throughout and I like how there were many people who were taking advantage of the situation (much like what happens in real life, especially considering the pandemic going on).

Sure it's not the best pirate book I've ever read (that honor goes to 'To Kill a Kingdom') and it's no Pirates of the Caribbean but the way everything happens, the pacing, the whole ride and a little dash of slow-burn romance made really love this book.

 

The book isn't heavy on romance and I don't mind at all, it focuses more on bonding between all the characters (even a spectacular girls support girls relationship). The worldbuilding is really amazing, we have the kingdom of Aridia which has many different islands where many different magics are performed, it is a little confusing in the beginning but you do get it.

And the villains, gods, I don't know if one person would be counted as one exactly but he did make a whole lot of um... mistakes so maybe. Other than that the main villain, I can't say I like them but I do understand their motives which makes them a good villain.

MORMOR

Epic battles with some creatures (*cough* spoiler *cough*) and intense scenes, lots of chemistry ( *wink wink* ) making this book a fantastic debut novel and considering 2020 a great book too. This is a book you can read anytime if you had a reading slump and want to get back in, if you're entering the fantasy genre, literally anything and I promise you will be entertained throughout.

You people have to read this book
➡ 4 stars

"The gods do not listen to the pleas of the wicked,” I hear myself say. “And neither do I.”

"You said you wanted a chance to help your kingdom, so here it is. Will you take it?”

I am Amora Montara, Princess of Visidia, and I will be the future High Animancer.

I am the right choice. The only choice. And I will protect my kingdom.

The world doesn’t work with only your eyes, Princess. There’s truth in more than what you can see

But even our idols—even those we want to love and trust more than anything—can let us down. It’s time we accept it and face the reality they left us with.

Perhaps a monster is exactly what this kingdom needs.