Book Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5 / 5 stars)
Lucy’s life was normal, her life dominated by the mundane of school and her friends. Most of her time is devoted between her family and her best friend, Valerie. But one day, when a falling star knocks her out, her entire life changes. Suddenly, her past unravels. She learns that she is the reincarnated Starlight Princess…and she holds the key to protect the world from impending shadoews. Meanwhile, her friend Valerie, her supposed sister in a past life, has been kidnapped. Can Lucy, as well as Jason and a cohort of angels, save the world and find Valerie in the process? Or will she cause darkness to fall?
I was drawn to Lanterns in the Sky after reading Starlight a little over a year ago. While Starlight takes place in a more “high fantasy” type of world though, Lanterns in the Sky takes place today. But I’m so glad I read Starlight first – it gave a better perspective on Lucy, Valerie, Jason, and the angels. Rather than diving headfirst into the conflict, I could see the starting points. I think without it, I would have ended up confused and unsure of what was happening.
Ultimately, the story itself is fast paced, focusing on one thing not explored too often in writing: friendship between two women. Lucy and Valerie do everything for each other. While Jason tries to infiltrate it with his own agenda, it’s their friendship (and ultimately sisterhood) that shines. They’ll do anything for each other, as well as work together to save the world.
And I hope that will continue…despite the twist at the end!
Yet, the fast-paced nature of this story is what hurts it as well. The story could easily have two novels in it: the first half when they rescue Valerie, and the second half as they confront the shadoews while the Starlight Barrier falls. This would have allowed for more worldbuilding and cleared some things up for readers who hadn’t read the Starlight novella.
I did enjoy the overall story though and can’t wait to read what happens next. So many questions hang in the air: Jason’s loyalties and feelings, what Lucy will do late, and Valerie’s destiny! I am sure the next book will throw us in for another rollercoaster adventure with this crew!
What’s it about?
Everything was normal for Lucy Maisfer until the day a star fell from the sky and knocked her out. Upon waking, she comes face-to-face with Jason Woods, who also happens to be the mysterious new guy in her best friend, Valarie’s, life.
Then the strange dreams begin, and she learns about the Starlight Princess— who must not under any circumstance be reawakened. Driven to uncover the meaning of it, she finds herself caught up in a strange twist of events that eventually lead to bigger danger than she ever anticipated. Before long, Lucy is forced to make a choice between saving the world, or saving her best friend; only to discover that Valarie cannot be saved… that she has an even darker secret, and that her supposed star-crossed romance with Jason might not be so destined after all…
E.S. Barrison 