A deceptively easy, open read, the prologue of A Twist of Starlight places the reader in a sixteenth-century landscape, which, when placed next to the modern day in the subsequent narrative, sets the scene for many surprises and unexpected twists. This fosters a sympathetic camaraderie between reader and narrator, carrying us along in the protagonist’s discoveries about his heritage and the world around him.
The simplicity of its language belies the depths and complexities of plot and characters, tying the familiar to the unfamiliar and back again, woven into an immersive world of magic realism.
Ms Valentine does not shy away from exploring male psyches and interpersonal relationships, neither from the often abrupt self re-evaluations nor the violence which is sadly a part of conflict.
A satisfying conclusion, with the promise of more to come in this saga makes for an insightful and thought-provoking read.