If you’re looking for a fun but deep YA adventure, with some of the most creative writing on my radar to date, look no farther than The Secret of Stardust by Heather L.L. FitzGerald.
It’s the next generation of The Tethered World Chronicles—same world, second verse, a little bit deeper and with story problems a little bit worse. Sadie and Xander’s teenage son, Alex, is battling the embarrassment of an identity without wings, the guilt of a dark past, and now the burden of an arranged marriage. Desperate to make his own way, whether in the world below or the world above, he runs away—straight into dangers too powerful for him to face alone. Meanwhile, back at the castle, his little sister, Ellynn, fights loneliness and an incurable curiosity that lands her in the middle of terrible secrets, secrets that threaten not just her family but all of Calamus.
I devoured this read in a few short days (or should I say, long nights). I was hooked from beginning to end by the gripping conflicts, the relatable main character, the piecemeal revelations of backstory, and the creative writing, to name a few. To name some more, here are what I’ve come to recognize as some favorite elements of storytelling that FitzGerald masterfully employs in The Secret of Stardust:
Mashup of Worlds
If I had to describe this story in one word, that word would be authentic. Like the rest of the Tethered World Chronicles, The Secret of Stardust offers the perfect blend of the reality we all know and love and the fantasy we all want and wish for.
I personally can’t get enough of the real-world-meets-fantasy-world collisions that are beyond fun, creative, and somehow satisfying:
- a teenage boy avoiding the threat of an arranged marriage with a favorite indie band from an old iPod
- said teen’s parents installing a basketball court behind the castle
- a young teen girl changing out her royal gown for jeans and a tie-dye T-shirt
- a gnome using words like “cool” and “dude”
- said gnome wearing Converse and a beanie (from the infant section of the store—I can’t)
FitzGerald writes with sensory details that placed me in the story and kept me there, even when I didn’t have the book open. I was sucked into the story, and the reality was, I didn’t want to come back. I wish this world were real, because I want to live in it—even with the Gargoyles and Trolls and inter-realm politics. Next time someone goes to the Tethered World, can I please come?
The mound of clothes at the foot of Alex’s bed erupted with the wriggling figure of Spock, his Gnome friend from Vituvia. As often as he snuck into Alex’s room, the eighteen-inch twerp still managed to scare the salsa out of Alex on a regular basis. ~Chapter 5
Multiple POVs
I love stories that follow more than one character’s POV (point of view). I credit Brian Jacques for saturating my early reading years with adventures of three or four intertwining storylines, followed by Christopher Paolini, Tolkien, and other favorite authors. While not always epic, a story with multiple POVs offers a broader, more immersive, and more rounded reading experience that I find immensely satisfying.
The Secret of Stardust clearly features Alex as the main character, but we also follow his younger sister, Ellynn, and his mom, Sadie (one of the OG characters from the Tethered World trilogy). But don’t worry, there’s no confusion in this book; each POV gets its own labeled chapter, clearly differentiating the characters’ respective narratives. I was never lost, and I loved seeing all these stories weave together to create one meta-story.
I mentioned this in one of my previous reviews, but I have to say it here, times two: FitzGerald writes the voice of a teenage boy exceptionally well. And I mean exceptionally. Better than Percy Jackson. From emotions to descriptions, from slang to banter, FitzGerald IS Alex as the quintessential teenage boy in all his hilarious, emotional, awkward, and ambitious glory. It doesn’t get any better.
Finn pointed the flattened, gnawed end of his straw at Alex. “Except you’ve got us, you lucky dog. While you’ve been waiting for the palace to snooze, we’ve been problem-solving.” He tapped his auburn hair with the straw. “Using our collective wisdom.” Alex gave a dubious smirk. “So, what, that makes one whole brain cell between the four of you?” ~Chapter 7
Twists and Turns
I don’t mind being wrong in real life, but it’s a hard pill to swallow sometimes. When I read, however, it’s part of the fun to be wrong. (Hello, Megan Whalen Turner.)
In The Secret of Stardust, nothing is at is seems. What starts as a big enough problem in the beginning only continues to deepen and expand into a book-worthy mess that will, literally, take the whole book to resolve. By the time I got to the last quarter of the book, my head was spinning (in the good way) with characters and events that were not what I thought they were. It took a bit for me to sort out all the who’s and what’s and why’s, but in the end it all made sense.
The Continuing Story
Sometimes the only thing better than a story is the continuing story: the next generation, or a few years after the canon ending, or a couple decades later when the canon story is history but not yet legend. There’s something delightful about seeing familiar characters and settings from the eyes of a new narrator (or two). If you loved the Tethered World in the original trilogy, you’ll love returning in this twenty-years-later standalone addition.
Aunt Sophie suddenly grabbed Alex in a bear hug. “Holy guacamole. This is absolutely crazy. Crazy good, of course, but still. I mean, a portal?” She released him and stepped back. “Whenever I think I’ve learned all the bizarre secrets of this place, something else surprises me. That’s why I love it here.” ~Chapter 59
Character Depth
While all these elements are good and enjoyable in a story, what inspires me most as a reader, however, are three-dimensional characters who face deep struggles and go through life-changing journeys.
Each main character in The Secret of Stardust is remarkably well rounded, with Alex of course taking the cake as the character with the deepest character journey. He faces a lot of internal struggles that, though heavy at times, make him relatable to any teen or really any reader who may face similar challenges: guilt of the past, concern for the future, embarrassment over body image, attraction to a friend of the opposite sex, or questions about the Maker and His role in our lives. (Saving the kingdom and escaping evil Nephilim family members may also apply to the select reader.)
While this story includes some serious topics and dark sides of humanity, overall the tone and the setting remain light, a refreshing contrast to many fantasy stories that read heavy to the point of wearisome. Plus, the ending is immensely satisfactory, offering resolution internal and external, with a little sprinkling of the Christian writer’s magic stardust.
“He who created you and named each star in the heavens also created you and knows your name and the pain of your losses here in the belly of the earth. You have not escaped His notice, my son. Quite the opposite.” And here, Enoch gave a quiet chuckle. “He who created and named each star reminds you that He turns broken things into beautiful things, be they stars or people. Nothing is wasted when sifted through the Maker’s hand.” ~Chapter 68
So there you have it: why I love The Tethered World and why you should read it too. I hope you do—you won’t regret it.
Oh, and for the record? This book would make a killer movie.
