Rich writing, heartbreakingly beautiful redemptive themes, vivid characterization, and what a world-builder! Each progressive novel reveals more of this world she’s created for us. Starflower surprisingly takes us hundreds of years into the past to reveal more back story and to fully examine characters who previously played only supporting roles in previous novels.

Uncovering Eanrn and Imraldera’s journeys made me ache to read back through the entire series to read their parts in a new light. In all honest – each and every one of Stengl’s novels makes me want to do the same thing! New parts of the world, its history, and workings are continually unfolded, creating an ever deepening understanding and unity between the novels. Too bad the rest of my books are still in boxes after our move!

That being said, newcomers could jump in here, but I certainly wouldn’t want anyone to miss the rest of this beautiful series. Since the first book – Heartless (my favorite) – is generally available as a free download, that is also a wonderful place to start!

I did find the story a bit more slow-moving than previous novels in the series and it took me a few more sittings to finish it than one of Stengl’s works normally does, but that could be the newborn in the house too.

I unreservedly recommend reading Starflower and the rest of the series, and – as alwas – I am eagerly anticipating the next release. In fact, I think I could keep reading character-based explorations like this one for as long as Stengl will keep writing them!

Reviewed at quiverfullfamily.com