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Merissa (14110 KP) rated Awakening of the Starborne (The Game of Endings and Beginnings #1) in Books

Nov 5, 2025

AWAKENING OF THE STARBORNE is the first book in The Game of Endings and Beginnings. It is an epic fantasy, so expect a large page count, but trust me when I say it is worth it! There are trigger warnings for this book, so take note!

We begin with Savaé as a child, and what a childhood she had. However, Sully, a quiet blacksmith, takes her in and becomes her adoptive father. Sully is a great character for the time he is in the book, and I would love to know more of his past, but that's another story. Back to Savaé. She wants to become an Ellian Knight, one of the protectors of the realm. To do so, she needs to pass three trials, so Sully trains her. She has a lot to overcome and has her own coping mechanisms. Are they healthy? Well, I'll let you decide that! At her first trial, she meets Sølas, not knowing that things are about to change her life.

Sølas is such an outstanding character. There is so much I could say about him, but I don't want to give anything away. He is gorgeous, protective (think Touch-Her-And-D!e), and will not do anything to hurt Savaé. In fact, I don't think he physically can! He is her support system when she doesn't even think she needs one.

I was completely hooked on this book! The story is dark and full of action, with a fascinating group of characters that both help and hinder. Told mostly from Savaé's perspective, you get an inside seat on what she is thinking and feeling. As I said, this is epic, so it includes lots of descriptions (that are fantastic) plus betrayals, action, and more plot twists than you can shake a stick at. The ending just about killed me, but it has left me with a longing for the next book. I can already see this is a series I will buy as a hardcopy and re-read many times.

As a debut book, this was outstanding in pretty much every way. However, some of the segues and transitions from one scene to the next were either jarring or not entirely clear. And that is me being exceedingly picky! I loved this book and HIGHLY RECOMMEND it to any fantasy lovers out there.

** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 5, 2025

Kudos

BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Saltburn (2023) in Movies

Dec 29, 2023

Saltburn (2023)

2023 | Drama, Thriller

6.7

(3 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Interesting...Intriguing...and Dark

Actress/Writer/Director Emerald Fennell is turning into an artistic voice that bears noticing and with SALTBURN - her follow-up to PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN (the film that won her the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay) - Fennell’s artistic voice is in full bloom.

Starring Barry Keoghan (Oscar nominated for THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN), SALTBURN tells the story of an Oxford student who befriends the rich, cool kid (Jacob Elordi, EUPHORIA) who invites him back to his family compound, SALTBURN, for the summer with his eccentric (to say the least) family.

As written and directed by Fennell, SALTBURN is a satire on the elite rich, showing them in their extravagant, quirky isolation in their compound, looking down on the common folk from their piles of money (or…in some cases…oblivious of the common folk because of their money) while peeling back the layers to show the unhappiness and manipulation underneath.

Fennell layers this story richly, slowly folding back facades and layers to show the ugliness of inherently unhappy people who cover their unhappiness up with wealth, money and parties.

Into this world comes Oliver Quick (Keoghan) who is the audiences’ conduit into this level of living - and who has secrets of his own.

Keoghan is interesting to watch (as always) and the family…Elordi, Sadie Soverall (his sister) and Archie Madekwe (another outsider who is jealous of Oliver’s appearance) all are good looking, good enough performers who live the hedonistic lifestyle and deny the consequences and responsibilities thereof.

When a film needs an “ice queen” as the matriarch of a family, Rosamund Pike is, inevitably, brought in and she brings the goods to Saltburn. She is perfectly cast as the mother of the family who says what she thinks, does not show what she is feeling and doesn’t give a darn about anyone else. She is suitably balanced by the off-balanced, quirky performance of the always good Richard E. Grant as the patriarch of the family who is (usually) lost in his own little world of whatever fantasy he is currently involved in.

But if this was just a film about a quirky family, it would be a fun, interesting romp. But…in Fennell’s hands, it becomes something much more sinister - and much more interesting - to watch.

Saltburn is a film that one must sit with after watching to digest what was just witnessed, but…ultimately…is one that is very interesting….and intriguing…and dark.

Letter Grade: B+

7 1/2 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)