Written in Starlight

October 30, 2020

GR 8 UP-Picking up where Woven in Moonlight left off, Catalina Quiroga has been abandoned in the jungle to face certain death. After refusing to accept Tamaya, sister of the leader of the Llacsans, as Queen of Inkasisa-and after being seemingly betrayed by her friend Ximena-Catalina finds herself completely alone. A chance encounter with a jaguar reunites her with Manuel, her dear childhood friend and love interest, who has been living in the jungle and attempting to befriend the Illari people. Aware that the Illari were driven to the jungle by the Llacsans, Catalina believes their support would guarantee her restoration to the throne, which she feels rightfully belongs to the Illustrians. This leads Catalina and Manuel on a journey through the dangerous jungle as they attempt to reach Paititi, the mysterious city of gold belonging to the Illari. As Catalina and Manuel brave the dangers of the jungle they must deal with their own inner conflicts-as well as their feelings for one another. When they finally meet the Illari, Catalina finds they too are dealing with their own troubles, and begins to realize that the Illustrians are not as blameless as she had previously thought. Told from Catalina's point of view, this second novel further explores the relationships among the Illustrians, Llacsans, and Illari in a South American world that is also sprinkled with magic. Iba�ez's gift for storytelling shines through in this novel which pulls readers in right from the start, seemingly written with strands of stardust. Filled with action, adventure, romance, and a complex plot that explores issues of colonization, justice, and doing what is right, this novel takes off from the start and never slows down. VERDICT A unique, fast-paced fantasy adventure perfect for fans of Tehlor Kay Mejia's We Set the Dark on Fire and Am�lie Wen Zhao's Blood Heir.-Selenia Paz, Harris County P.L., Houston

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2020
A deposed condesa must find her true purpose in life. After her best friend, Ximena, betrayed her and installed the Llacsan princesa as ruler of Inkasisa, Catalina was exiled to the jungle. As an Illustrian, she feels not just entitled to rule, but, as the only seer capable of reading the stars for clues from Luna, views herself as a chosen one. In the jungle, Catalina runs into her former guard (and secret childhood sweetheart), Manuel, and they decide to seek Paititi, a legendary city inhabited by the Illari, another deposed people who are rumored to be monstrous. Maybe there Catalina can summon an army to retake Inkasisa. The jungle is full of dangers, and when they finally meet the Illari people, more tests await. They demonstrate their good intentions by helping the Illari figure out why the jungle is dying, leaving it increasingly open to opportunistic gold seekers. Iba�ez's exquisitely constructed fantasy version of Bolivia has a complex history: Illustrians appear to parallel the Spanish while the Illari and Llacsans seem to represent Indigenous peoples. At times Catalina's behavior toward the Illari is uncomfortably similar to ways Indigenous people are exoticized by Westerners, and her intent to use them for her own benefit goes worryingly unchecked. The story is portrayed as a journey in getting to know people she never viewed as her equals, but her ultimate humility may not be deep or redemptive enough for some readers. Beautifully written, but colonial themes require unpacking. (Fantasy. 14-adult)

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