Star Mother: A Novel - Book 1 of the Star Mother Series

ImKarma: I loved the personality of the sun, moon, and stars in this novel. It made me smile and cry. At times, it felt like she ripped my heart out and stomped on it. Charlie Holmberg weaves words like an intricate tapestry. I have never started one of her novels that I could easily put down and walk away from. I love that she doesn't feel the need to lace her books with profanity. If you read these reviews, thank you, Ms. Holmberg for your eloquent prose and sharing the gift God gave you!

United States on Oct 18, 2023

SweetRead: I am a huge fan of Charlie N. Holmberg. I love her writing and her imagination. And this one really hit the mark. The emotions in this book were a lot and by the end I was fully invested that Ceris had me close to tears. This really had me looking at my relationships and what I offer in each one.

United States on Oct 17, 2023

A reader: I had a profound experience this week while reading this book. I’d like to tell you about it if it might have value for you as well.

As background, let me tell you that I am a reader. You can see that from my profile name. Although the name is one Amazon gave me countless years ago, I identify with it. Reading has been the glue that has held my life together and given me wings as well as the courage to use them.

At some point in life, I came to enjoy listening to books read aloud. I have an Apple Watch in part so I can listen to books on Audible while doing ranch work outdoors and have been inspired in this way as well.

Star Mother is the fourth book written by Charlie N. Holmberg I’ve read this year. I’ve enjoyed them immensely as being both magical and grounded—matching the way I see life.

I’m not an Audible member but occasionally I buy a Kindle book and purchase the Audible version too. I can’t always tell at the time of purchase whether this will be a book I’ll read or one I’ll primarily listen to, so I’m giving myself both options, is how I think about it. This was one of those times. I purchased the Audible version of at least...

United States on Oct 09, 2023

Squidgster: What a beautiful story. I loved the 3 main characters ,Ceris, Saiyon and Ristriel and their love story. I can't wait to read the next book to find out how things turn out for the Sun God. I've read several books by this author and really impressed by how different they are - 10/10 again

United Kingdom on Oct 08, 2023

Melissa Snyder: I loved this book, the story, the characters, the setting, the mythology, all of it. A thoroughly beautiful read. You really know you have a great book when you can't stop reading it but you don't want it to end. I loved it!

United Kingdom on Sep 18, 2023

C Reviewed: I will be the first to admit that I didn’t think I was going to like this book. I picked it up awhile ago I think as a Kindle First Read, and it just sat in my library. I got it because I enjoy other series written by Charlie N. Holmberg. Once I started reading it though I was absolutely fascinated by this novel.

The celestial mythology/lore gives this novel, what I consider a beautiful and unique element. This book is deeply emotional, it has been a long time since a novel has made me cry for multiple chapters but the last 2-3 chapters were intense. They speak deeply to what it means to love, to lose loved ones, to sacrifice for those you love and what it means to experience true loneliness. I know some reviewers felt the book wasn’t dramatic enough , but it honestly if you have not felt these emotions intensely for yourself you may miss these nuances.

In the end, for a novel I did not think I was going to like, I think it may now currently be one of my favorite novels.

United States on Sep 05, 2023

Amazon Customer: This is an unusual story of gods and mortals. Of stars and adventure.
It tells the story of Cerys Wenden a spirited girl who makes her own path and finds herself on a journey to the realm of the sun god where she forges an unique path of discovery and love as she meets her soul mate and joins him on the run from his tragic fate.
As a fantasy fan I Loved this book’s original take on an alternative earth and its celestial setting which created an engaging adventure that swept me along to its satisfying conclusion.

United Kingdom on Aug 27, 2023

Miss S. V. Jessup: Wow this book quite simply blew me away. It truly took a hold of me and wouldn't let me go until I'd consumed all of her. I was in floods of tears at the end, pure happiness and exultation that the story had ended so justfully and beyond anything I could have imagined. Charlie is a literary genius and I am so greatful that during those dark moments she found her light in star mother. Trios inspirational and a story I shall never forget. Thank you 😊

United Kingdom on Aug 27, 2023

little bookworm: When a star dies, a new one must be born, and to be a star-mother is considered the greatest of honour. To be a star-mother also requires a great sacrifice, for no mortal woman can survive the labour. Ceris Wenden is fully aware of this when she offers herself to become a star-mother, giving up all she knows to journey to the realm of the Sun-God. Yet, somehow Ceris survives the birth of her star, and requests the Sun to return her back to her village so she can be reunited with her family. He does so, however, when Ceris returns to the village of Endwever it is to find that seven hundred years have passed by. Determined to seek out her descendants, she sets off on her own. However it is a dangerous journey for a woman travelling alone, and when Ceris crosses paths with a mysterious Godling, Ristriel, she strikes a deal with him, where he will be her guide. As they travel together, Ceris slowly discovers the answers to questions she has about herself and the celestial world.

My first book from Holmberg, I was intrigued by the blurb to this book and also by the glowing reviews. The book gets off to a fairly promising start, the story quick to get going. I liked Ceris' sense...

United Kingdom on Feb 06, 2022

Katie: *No Spoilers* I first came across Charlie N. Holmberg's books by reading the first in the Paper Magician series. I enjoyed the first, but was disappointed in the second. As her books continued, they all seemed to fall so short of the quality. Honestly, it just seemed like she was pumping out as many books as possible- with the stories kinda meh, the plot lines being pretty boring and terrible, and the characters flat. It was so strange to love the first book you read from a new author, and then really not like the rest. I kept giving her a second chance due to her first book, but then realized if you like one of five books, then it is time to stop. I have Kindle Unlimited and needed a new free book for the month. I came across Star Mother, but then noticed the author. I hesitated. However, it was free. Based upon that, I decided it was worth the risk, and would just stop a quarter in if I did not like it (I try to do at least 50 pages to give the author a fair shot). I am so glad I did! I really enjoyed the book. I loved the main character- a nice change up from past novels where I found her heroins often annoying (I know people argue that Ceony "grew" and became dimensional, but...

United States on Oct 15, 2021