Plot
The Girl of Ink and Stars is a cross between fantasy and mythology, a modern story that reads like an epic passed from generation to generation. Set on the beautiful island of Joya and the little village of Gromera, the story revolves around 12-year-old Isabella Riosse, the adventurous and outspoken daughter of a mapmaker. Isabella loves her father, cartography, and her village. However, there is something wrong in Gromera.
Something adults talk about in hushed tones.
It all started when the songbirds left and the crows came. Now the crows have left too, the animals are acting crazy and a girl has been killed. Isabella blames her friend, Lupe for the girl’s death. If only Cata hadn’t gone to the grove close to the forbidden territories to get Lupe some dragon fruit, then she’d still be alive.
Determined to prove there was more to her than a privileged upbringing and a sweet tooth, Lupe sets out for the forbidden territories to find the killer. Isabella knows she has to make things right by finding her friend. Armed with her knowledge of the stars, cartography tools, and a new identity, Isabella sets out to find her friend and tell the geography of her island on paper. However, there is a darkness brewing many leagues under the earth that she is not prepared for.
Themes
While the book is filled with many exciting themes, much like in Chio Zoe’s Memory of Stone, the themes of friendship and adventure stand tall among the rest. Friendship is a strange road land marked by good times, challenges, and sacrifices.
And Lupe and Isabella’s friendship has all three in spades.
Like every good friendship, the bond between Isabella and Lupe increases, fed fat from their adventures and trials. However, amid all the secrets uncovered in the labyrinth, one burning question remains: Will they survive?
The Girl of Ink and Stars is simply unputdownable. It is one of those books that makes you feel you are not reading. Through piquant metaphors and vivid imagery, Hargrave brings Joya and Gromera to brilliant life and puts the reader at the center of the story. The book leaves many questions unanswered. However, this does not detract from its quality. Rather, it deepened its mystery. If you are a lover of fantasy/young adult fiction, astrology, or cartography, then you will benefit from moving this book up your to-read pile. You can get a copy from Amazon or Adams Pages Bookstore, Abuja.
I need to to thank you for this good read!! I certainly loved every bit of it. I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you postÖ
Thank you for reading. You’re welcome