Matt McAvoy Book Review

This epic, lengthy space opera is an ancient story set in a future with themes more resonant with contemporary society.  The story itself is rather more a sweeping general narrative than anything particularly convoluted, which is usually better, in my opinion, though combined with the word count does make for a long, drawn-out read.  It is not so much a fictional excursion as an immersive experience for the reader, and if you aren’t prepared to invest your time and attention in getting to know the characters, and sharing their overall emotive and cerebral experience, then you may struggle to keep with it.  Lily Starling’s first outing is not a book for your average recreational reader, but rather a serious entry into the immersive sci-fi fantasy genre.  The writing is exceptional, it has to be said, with an articulation that sets its author Christian Hurst apart, and is worth a read even if just to get to know him.  I won’t spoil anything, but suffice to say that while this particular story wraps up quite well, there is an open aspect, setting up the sequel quite nicely, and just to tantalize the tastebuds, ends with an opening extract from it.

The proof and presentation of this book are in excellent shape, and you can see that the author has spared no expense or labour ensuring the best quality product, emerging as a proper contender in the genre.  It wasn’t entirely for me, though, I will admit.  Whilst I appreciate the tremendous pedigree of this book, I do tend to battle to engage with slow-burning fantasy, and this can certainly be called that.  Some will love it, of course – of that you’re assured.  For my tastes it was rather minutely detailed in the interactions and cognitive processes of the characters, particularly Lily, who is very satisfyingly layered and well developed, but did lose my engagement on occasion.  It also feels rather like a metaphor for modern times, thickly applied, with its themes of difference, diversity, acceptance, hate and tolerance of otherness; this is fine, of course, and absolutely topical in today’s fiction, but does ground the reader a little in contemporary morality, when readers of this genre tend to favour escapism, pure and simple.  That said, I criticize no aspect of this; it is Christian’s project and of course his prerogative to focus its objective however he feels will strike a chord with his readership[. 

Overall, a very good book, but a long one, which will require dedication from the outset; fail to engage early on and you might find yourself playing catchup for the remainder – and that would be a real labour of love.  My suggestion is for true fans to lock themselves away and read how they do best.  It will be worth it, I suspect; Christian is an immensely dedicated, hardworking author, and Lily Starling promises to be a very interesting space saga for the modern generation.