TESTAMENT OF THE STARS

In Beaumont’s fantasy novel, war erupts over control of the Stars.

The author skillfully explores the philosophical implications of power in her created world, the Star-Riven Settlements, in which each region uses their given Stars—asteroid-like objects that fell from the sky—differently. The two Stars of Gemynd enable its rulers to subjugate an adjoining region, Rask. Rask accepts its lesser status until dire circumstances compel its people to revolt, refusing to provide labor and goods to Gemynd any longer. Parlenta considers itself superior because it mines its Stars and sells the resulting product, Astamitra (a drink that fosters communion with the Stars), to the Gemyndians. In contrast to the rest, Aisren’s Stars are available to all in the form of energy. The story’s two principal characters come from opposite socio-economic backgrounds. Einya, from wealthy Gemynd, is newly trained as an Astrologer, one of an elite group with access to the cave housing the sacred Stars. Einya hopes to elevate her Raskian lover, Tollska, by wedding her, but Tollska has different plans, sacrificing herself to a loveless but expedient union with Einya’s cousin, Pearth, the leader of the Constellan Guard. While Einya and Tollska try to work from within to prevent a civil war, Einya’s brother travels to Parlenta, seeking an alliance with that region against Gemynd. A startling discovery by Einya furthers the ongoing crisis: Communicating directly with the Stars, she finds that, contrary to long-standing mythology, Gemynd isn’t the favored land at all. The Stars are neutral, caring only about “memory and truth,” desiring merely to be “historians.” But rulers such as Pearth shun that revelation, rounding up and executing Raskians under the guise of keeping the peace. Beaumont’s narrative mostly moves at a gallop. The characters, often hurtling through dangerous situations, are compelling and multidimensional; for example, Tollska, though in love with Einya, feels unexpectedly attracted to the unlikable Pearth. The story could have reached a smoother finish; it ends abruptly on a jarring note (Beaumont has a next installment planned).

Fast-paced, with nuanced characters and believable parallels to our own world.