Octavia has only ever had one goal: to follow in the footsteps of her parents and become a prestigious whitecoat, one of the scientists who study the natural wonders of Faloiv. The secrets of the jungle’s exotic plants and animals are protected fiercely in the labs by the Council of N’Terra, so when the rules suddenly change, allowing students inside, Octavia should be overjoyed.
But something isn’t right. The newly elected leader of the Council has some extremist views about the way he believes N’Terra should be run, and he’s influencing others to follow him. When Octavia witnesses one of the Faloii—the indigenous people of Faloiv—attacked in front of her in the dark of night, she knows the Council is hiding something. They are living in separate worlds on a shared planet, and their fragile peace may soon turn into an all-out war.
With the help of Rondo, a quiet boy in class with a skill for hacking, and her inquisitive best friend, Alma, Octavia is set on a collision course to discover the secrets behind the history she’s been taught, the science she’s lived by, and the truth about her family.
The Review
A Conspiracy of Stars takes place on a mysterious planet inhabited by even more enigmatic people and creatures. Humans fled earth and became stranded on Faloiv, a world with fascinating animals. The best part of the entire book was learning about these creatures, even more so than the plot itself. The descriptions are so precise and fascinating and I loved it so much. I'm a huge animal and fantasy lover and I adore the combination. It takes a hell of a lot of work to create your own species and I am just beyond impressed at Cole's craftsmanship.
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The plot is equally as interesting, though slow at times. It really drags at certain points, but I didn't lose interest. There is a definite sense of tension tightening ever so slowly, but I think it could have been sped up without losing anything.
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I enjoyed this book, but the ending kind of ruined it for me. It was predictable and stops kind of awkwardly compared to how much time to process is given in the other plot points. It's still a really good story and I'll stick around for the sequel for sure. 3 out 5 stars.
