Pitched as a gender-swapped retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, Scavenge the Stars is an action-packed and gripping fantasy full of not just revenge and retaliation, but also a mission of finding one’s true self. While I’m not aware of the classic tale (and did a little research to find out more about it), there’s no denying that a retelling of such a timeless trope will always have a charm in it.
The story begins with Silverfish, or later on we know as Amaya, a girl who worked on a debtor ship led by Captain Zharo, working her way to pay the debts of her parents. With her father dead, Amaya was missing her mother with each day passing by. She’s very close to fulfilling the debt and only has a couple of days left on the boat, leaving her all excited to see her mother again on her birthday next week. Everything was going well until she rescued a young man that almost drowned named Boon. Her freedom which was right in front of her eyes was immediately delayed for a month. While they weren’t instantly friends, the two started to develop an unlikely friendship, until they decided to join forces in order to help each other seek revenge.
In another place, we got a peek of Cayo, a retired gambler who tried his best to get back from his dark past by trying to earn his father’s trust by working on the harbour and taking care of logistics. With a younger sister that’s ready to get married, everything seems to be right on track until she collapses during a dinner with a potential husband and his family. They soon discovered that she was suffering from a spreading fever disease, which will cost them a grand of money to buy the medicine and taking care of her. Cayo’s world soon turned upside down when he realised that his gambling habit has brought bankruptcy to their family wealth, leaving them nothing to even heal his sister. When his father receives word that a rich countess has entered their city, he orders Cayo to get closer to her. It might be too late for Cayo to realise that the step will tear his family apart.
What I liked about Sim’s upcoming fantasy is the characters and each of the journeys that they went through. Everyone was onto something and the thrill from experiencing their rage as my rage was intoxicating. Amaya’s anger was very much real and her mission to get back to Zharo was thrilling. She was also in the middle of searching for her true self. After working endlessly on Zharo’s boat for the last seven years, who she truly is? Is she still Amaya, the cheerful and kind girl that loved to walked around the village with her mother to picked up fresh fruits for their breakfast? Is she Silverfish now, the fierce and tough girl who’s ready to do everything to save her life, basically to survive? Is she none of that or is she both?
On the other hand, Cayo’s journey as a retired gambler was also enticing to be followed. His regret for his ugly behavior in the past was clearly shown through Sim’s eloquent wordings, making his redemption arc even more appealing than before. His mission to becoming better, not just for himself but also for his sister, was also another plus point from his character.
Although these two main characters and their journeys were magnificent, one thing that bothered me quite a lot was the narrative when it comes to worldbuilding. Sim was obviously an expert when it comes to crafting a fantasy universe with every little detail that will leave you craving for more. Unfortunately, I was struggling to keep up with this intricate universe that Sim delivered. It was obvious that she had all of this grand world in her mind, but sadly, it didn’t seem to communicate properly on the paper. It was narrated as if the readers were supposed to know about it already, when in fact, this is the first of the series and no one knows about this story, let alone the historical rivalry between two nations, which is implied in Scavenge the Stars.
In conclusion, Scavenge the Stars was a marvellous gender-swapped fantasy that brings a lot in the table. Apart from the obvious revenge trope, it also has great additions of an authentic self-finding calling and a remarkable redemption mission. It was a solid first instalment with great potential to be developed in the sequel.
Scavenge The Stars is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good retailers as of January 7th 2020.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
When Amaya rescues a mysterious stranger from drowning, she fears her rash actions have earned her a longer sentence on the debtor ship where she’s been held captive for years. Instead, the man she saved offers her unimaginable riches and a new identity, setting Amaya on a perilous course through the coastal city-state of Moray, where old-world opulence and desperate gamblers collide.
Amaya wants one thing: revenge against the man who ruined her family and stole the life she once had. But the more entangled she becomes in this game of deception—and as her path intertwines with the son of the man she’s plotting to bring down—the more she uncovers about the truth of her past. And the more she realizes she must trust no one…
Packed with high-stakes adventure, romance, and dueling identities, this gender-swapped retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo is the first novel in an epic YA fantasy duology, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Sabaa Tahir, and Leigh Bardugo.
