If you have nothing else to say in your defense, Miss Jarsdel, perhaps the Council may now move on with this hearing?” Councillor Siegel said. A gripping flight into fantasy that is heavy-handed in its presentation of conventional beauty standards. Toronto had become an epicenter of the magical community. Creatures of all walks of life had been drawn into its folds… Be that as it may, this counts for very little where Miss Jarsdel’s power is concerned.” Arlo’s stomach took a dive for the floor. Gaining momentum, Chandra continued, “Her father’s blood dilutes too much. She has magic, yes, but so little of it that she may as well not have it at all. While our deliberation might seem like prejudice to you, Your Highness, you must understand that there is much more for Miss Jarsdel to gain in pursuing her humanity than there is for her in chasing the formidable shadows of her mother’s family.”

A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth | Goodreads A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth | Goodreads

It… it should matter that I’m a Viridian,” Arlo heard herself say, in a voice made small by nausea and nerves. “My magic might not be very strong, I might have much more of my father’s iron blood than you’d like, but I can still alter and conceal my appearance with a glamour just fine, and I possess enough of the Sight to see through the glamours of other folk as well…” Save, of course, that she is fae, and born of one of the Eight Founding Houses,” Celadon replied irritably. If I haven’t convinced you to go out and buy 10 copies of this book by the end of my review, I haven’t done it justice. No one is questioning your bloodline, Miss Jarsdel,” he continued dismissively. “You are Thalo Viridian-Verdell’s daughter; of that there is no dispute. What we question here today is whether or not it matters.”Now is the perfect time to bring this up,” Celadon countered under his breath. “Anything we can use, Arlo. Remember?” It would never be that simple, even if Celadon hadn’t just scolded them all like children. The High King himself could come to Arlo’s aid right now and she doubted it would make a difference. But Celadon reached for her wrist anyway and started pulling her toward the door.

A Dark and Hollow Star to your winter must 3 reasons to add A Dark and Hollow Star to your winter must

Celadon Cornelius Fleur-Viridian—Arlo’s first cousin, once removed, and youngest of her great-uncle the High King’s three children—was brilliance and mischief in equal measures. In many ways, he was also the worst role model a freshly turned eighteen-year-old girl could find, but he was the closest thing Arlo had to a brother, and even though he was a couple of years older than her, the molasses rate that fae aged meant there was little difference in their maturity. Should you choose it, the Council will reconvene this hearing on the day that marks the start of your twenty-sixth year. At that time, you will resubmit for Weighing, and if your fae inheritance has manifested as it should, you will be allowed the full privilege and status of the royal blood that runs within your veins. However, if Maturity has not found you by this time, your choices shall revert to what they are now: human, or common magical citizen.” edit 06/20: I'm very excited for the world to meet Arlo, Nos, Vehan, and Aurelian, my chaotic children who've come to mean so much to me, just like this story, which is very long and very busy (thank you final Fantasy) and at times was very painful to write, but I’m fiercely proud of what it levelled up to become. I hope you’ll enjoy it. Also, I get asked fairly often what sort of queer rep is in this, so for your curiosity:It wasn’t just the changelings that had gathered. They were present, of course—one mere step away. Nausicaä briefly took in the unmistakable pale green tint of his fawn-brown skin and the snaking twists of ivy that grew from the sharp flares of his little shoulders. Thalo and Celadon looked eerily alike, despite the fact they were only first cousins. Her mother looked so much younger than her forty-two years, and with the same twilight-glow complexion, willowy height, russet hair, and lovely features as Celadon, it was a fair assumption to make that they were siblings, when in fact it was the High King and Thalo’s mother—the princess Cyanine—who were brother and sister.