The Valley of Stars by Yona Katz

An outstanding first installment of The Rise of Penumbra series, The Valley of Stars by Yona Katz is an original work of fantasy with the symbolic weight of a fable. The novel tells the story of Asha, a young Star who gets thrown out of the sky and lands on Adama, where it is the duty of the stars to brighten the desolate lives of the Adamians, but how can a Star survive in a place so different from home? Both adventurous and emotionally complex, Katz’s storytelling is refreshingly inventive, establishing an elaborate mythical world, which also explores themes of friendship, family, duty, and acceptance. While this first installment begins somewhat slowly, as it has a lot to set up for the series, it is an enchanting and imaginative read that stands apart in a crowded genre.