Set in the shadows of tall, snowy mountains, the village of Reverie would be stuck in perpetual darkness if not for the Starmaker, a legendary figure who uses magic to redirect sunlight onto the town. Aurora loves the fantastic stories of magic in her village, though after a difficult childhood she’s ready to settle into a safe, comfortable marriage with Farren, her friend and fiancé. But then a chance encounter with the Starmaker himself reveals Aurora to be the next one chosen by the sun—the Starmaker Rising, who possesses powers that will consume her unless she dedicates herself to this new role. Now, Aurora must choose: an early death at the hands of her own sun magic, or an immortal life of duty and isolation?
The Sun and the Starmaker drops young adult readers straight into a fairytale. The world is laced with magic, from the striking sunlight that keeps Reverie together to the shifting forest of wild animals to the Starmaker’s grand, imposing ice castle. Magic is life in Reverie, but it has a darker side too: A Frost that threatens to kill those who are unable to receive the light and heat of the sun.
Part of this novel’s charm is watching how its complex and flawed characters deal with the burdens of magic, and of love. Aurora is obsessed with the romance of her village’s folktales, but struggles to embrace the unknown. The Starmaker is brusque and standoffish, but his entire existence is dedicated to keeping the people of Reverie alive. Even minor characters have their nuances. Aurora’s mother loses herself in grief over her husband’s death, and Farren prioritizes his relationship with Aurora above all else, perhaps to the point of cruelty. These characters present different worldviews, each proposing answers to the question the novel is ultimately exploring: Is love always worth it?
Heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once, The Sun and the Starmaker treasures the triumph of romance as much as the journey it takes to get there. A slow burn between clashing personalities, it rewards readers with sweetness. Griffin’s mature writing goes beyond happily ever after to show how even in the darkest of times, love can prevail.