All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace is set in a kingdom where danger lurks beneath the sea, mermaids seek vengeance with song, and magic is a choice.
She will reign.
As princess of the island kingdom Visidia, Amora Montara has spent her entire life training to be High Animancer—the master of souls. The rest of the realm can choose their magic, but for Amora, it’s never been a choice. To secure her place as heir to the throne, she must prove her mastery of the monarchy’s dangerous soul magic.
When her demonstration goes awry, Amora is forced to flee. She strikes a deal with Bastian, a mysterious pirate: he’ll help her prove she’s fit to rule, if she’ll help him reclaim his stolen magic.
But sailing the kingdom holds more wonder—and more peril—than Amora anticipated. A destructive new magic is on the rise, and if Amora is to conquer it, she’ll need to face legendary monsters, cross paths with vengeful mermaids, and deal with a stow-away she never expected… or risk the fate of Visidia and lose the crown forever.
I am the right choice. The only choice. And I will protect my kingdom.
All the Stars and Teeth Review
This is Adalyn Grace’s debut book and what a debut it is!
She has put pirates, mermaids, adventure, curses and a unique magic system in a single book with wonderful characters and an interesting plot.
What else can you ask for?
It’s a fast-paced story with love tension since the beginning that keeps you asking for more.
I ended up loving All the Stars and Teeth and became a huge fan of Adalyn Grace.
Characters
Amora Montara, princess of Visidia, has trained to be High Animancer and heir to the throne until, on her demonstration day, she gets distracted and fails her test. As a result, her people need to decide if they let her live, even though her soul magic is dangerous, or kill her. Not waiting for a choice to be made, Amora goes on an adventure with Bastian who claims her kingdom is in danger and needs her help to save it.
“I am Amora Montara, Princess of Visidia, and I will be the future High Animancer. I am the right choice. The only choice. And I will protect my kingdom.”
Ferrick is from Suntosu, the island of Restoration magic, one of the best healers of the whole kingdom and engaged to Amora because their magic is compatible. He could always provide limbs to use the bones for Amora’s magic. Unfortunately Amora wants nothing to do with him. Most importantly, she has no regrets of saying it to his face even though he’s such a sweetheart.
“I know neither of us asked for this, but you’ve known how I feel about you for years, Amora. I know I’ve never been more than a passing thought for you, but I truly believe you’re the right heir for Visidia, and I’ll help make that a reality in whatever way I can.”
Bastian is a snarky pirate and owner of Keel Haul, his ship. I can’t say more about him without spoiling.
“Are you flirting with me?” he teases. “It’s a bit hard to tell, considering how terrifying you are.”
Vataea… what can I say? She’s a mermaid, she can’t be more amazing. Wait, she can, she has a rose gold tail! After a week of leaving the sea to find adventure, she’s captured and for almost two years kept imprisoned until Amora, Bastian and Ferrick release Vataea of her captives and ask for her help on their journey.
“I’ve a collection of men who I intend to repay for how generous they were to me. Dismemberment for anyone who ever tried to touch me. The tongue flayed from those with wicked mouths. And the hearts eaten from any man who’s ever told me to smile.”
World
The kingdom of Visidia is formed by seven islands:
- Arida: island of soul magic.
- Valuka: island of elemental magic.
- Mornute: island of enchantment magic.
- Curmana: island of mind magic.
- Kerost: island of time magic.
- Suntosu: island of restoration magic.
- Zudoh: island of curse magic.
In short, each island has their own type of magic because no one is allowed to control more than one, if someone practices more than one, a cursed monster will resurface and destroy the kingdom.
Thoughts
The magic system and world are very interesting. I can’t recall any book with similar magic. Visidia reminded me a bit of Avatar – The Last Airbender, because each island has their own magic and only they can wield it, which makes sense, since Adalyn had an internship in storytelling at Nickelodeon on the show “The Legend of Korra”.
A lot of readers say there’s a love triangle in All The Stars and Teeth but there really isn’t. Amora hates being engaged to Ferrick and has been truthful on how she feels about him. Meanwhile with Bastian she feels attracted to him since the beginning.
All The Stars and Teeth is full of adventure, magic and wonderful characters. I was expecting a bit more romance but that doesn’t affect the storyline because it demonstrates how Amora is: determined to give her life for her kingdom and not distracted by boys.
If you’re looking for a YA fantasy book with nautical adventure and dangerous magic, All The Stars and Teeth is for you.
I can’t wait for the second book “All The Tides of Fate” that’s being released in February 2021. The cover is gorgeous just like the first book, you can check it out here.
Looking for more great books?
Check out my review of The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller.