I’ve always been enchanted and enthralled by Catherine Fisher’s worlds, but none like this. The fog shrouded, starlit town of Starspill seeped into my thoughts whenever I put the book down. The writing can be so wonderfully evocative and sensory, and it’s gloriously atmospheric – as magical as it is mysterious, from setting to characters. It feels like there’s something around every corner just waiting to reveal itself. Possibility is tantalisingly tangible. 

It feels like a storybook world at times. Stars used as sources of light. The gathering of townsfolk to listen to a history that feels more myth than real. But Starspill doesn’t shy from thrilling with threat either. The spectre of the Wolf lives on in more than just the perpetual darkness of the world and there’s the ever-present slither of the knowing fog. The cats are both adorable and scheming. They’re both excellent facets of the book and work so well together to bring it to life and give it depth. 

Zac is a great protagonist, considerate and dreamful and brave. But the entire cast is fantastic. His friendship with Alys feels lived in and she makes for a great compliment to him with her astuteness and ability to charge ahead. Aurelian’s wisdom and Jinx’s ambitious round the group out perfectly. And I love Jinx. What a sweet wee schemer. 

I did begin to worry once the second Ember came into play and I noticed how many pages were left. But I should have had more faith in Fisher. It comes together wonderfully and Zac’s moment of consideration made me quite emotional. My one criticism is that while threats that are so terribly powerful makes for great tension and thrills but it forces certain constraints on the way the end plays out. I wish it hadn’t been taken quite so out of hand. 

To end on a more positive note, I love the little sub-headings under each chapter. They build anticipation so well and add to that sense of magic that I love so dearly.