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The Star Shard

by Frederic S. Durbin (Goodreads Author)

4.27 of 5 stars 4.27 · rating details · 74 ratings · 26 reviews

This beautifully written fantasy tackles the issues of slavery and freedom. Twelve-year-old Cymbril is a slave on Thunder Rake, a gigantic wagon city that rolls from town to town carrying goods to be sold by its resident merchants. The Rake’s master purchases a new slave, a mysterious boy named Loric who is one of the magical Fey. Because he can see in the dark, Loric’s du...more

Hardcover, 320 pages

Published February 28th 2012 by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (first published February 27th 2012)

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Sep 03, 2012 The other John rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, fantasy

Ah, what can I say about The Star Shard? Shall I tell about Cymbril, the enslaved chanteuse? Or perhaps the exotic sidhe child, Loric? The wise and mighty Urrmsh? The loquacious Byrni? The dark Eye Women? No, I guess if I'm going to hold forth on The Star Shard I must begin with the Thunder Rake. Ah, the Rake. The setting for this tale of captivity. Think of a traditional marketplace, with all its sights, sounds and colors. Pack it all up on a large ship, put the ship on wheels, supply the ship...more

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Jun 04, 2012 Kat Heckenbach rated it 5 of 5 stars

I admit that I didn't get into the book right off. I read the first couple of chapters and wasn't sure I wanted to continue.But I could not leave the book sitting. Something pulled me back over to it, and I picked it up again. So glad I did!

This book is...unique. The Rake is a traveling city, moved forward by the rowing power of giant creatures. With levels and trees...it is hard to imagine, but the author pulls it off. There is magic and mystery, and a touch of young romance. And dark. There we...more

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Jan 18, 2012 Gabe Dybing rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is pure magic. Durbin has not only re-enchanted my natural world but, through his "moonpine" and "torchmoss" subcreations, introduced me to new possibilities. Durbin has also crafted perfectly faceted name-gems for his characters, roadways, and cities. The very sounds of these people and places enchant. Older readers may predict and yet be satisfied with some of the tale’s many turns, twists, and revelations; younger readers are sure to be delightfully awed. My favorite elements of thi...more

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Jun 29, 2011 Andrea rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-fantasy-scifi, read-young-adult

Reading this book reminded me of the magic and excitement I felt when I first discovered the fantasy genre after reading Jackaroo and On Fortune's Wheel by Cynthia Voight. While the premise is nothing alike - in fact I think the Star Shard is much more inventive - the magic to fall in love with a specific book genre is wrapped up in this book!

The premise of the world of The Star Shard is amazing. The main character is a slave on a merchant vessel. However, it is not an ordinary wagon but a city...more

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Jan 02, 2012 Chris rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-own

From a high level, The Star Shard could be summed up as a fairly typical adventure book set in a medieval fantasy world. However, it differentiates itself in many unique and intriguing ways.

First of all, the setting is unique. Rather than dealing with our standard rolling hills, plains, mountains and forests, most of this book is set in the moving wagon city of Thunder Rake. The Rake is essentially a HUGE wagon that literally contains an entire city upon its back. The exact dimmensions aren't gi...more From a high level, The Star Shard could be summed up as a fairly typical adventure book set in a medieval fantasy world. However, it differentiates itself in many unique and intriguing ways.

First of all, the setting is unique. Rather than dealing with our standard rolling hills, plains, mountains and forests, most of this book is set in the moving wagon city of Thunder Rake. The Rake is essentially a HUGE wagon that literally contains an entire city upon its back. The exact dimmensions aren't given but as our characters navigate the city, you quickly realize the enormity of this place. And yet, there is a large sense of claustrophobia as everything is built close together and vertically in order to optimize every bit of available space for homes, workshops, businesses, operational areas and the other main aspects of any city. Around the edges of the wagon, huge walls run up the sides to keep inhabitants (and buildings, possessions, etc) from falling off.

Not only do the walls serve to keep things from falling off the wagon, but they act as prison walls for some of the inhabitants. Our main character in the story is twelve year old Cymbril...and she is a slave on the Rake. She doesn't know much about her past other than that she was sold to the master of the Rake and it is her lot to spend her days at the beck and call of the master. When the Rake is traveling, this means mundane chores. When the Rake arrives at its destination and opens its doors for market days, that means she is to sing and entertain the people coming to shop.

Cymbril is a fun character. She has some of the stereotypical qualities of a character in a fantasy adventure: no parents, no memory/knowledge of her past, a couple of mementos from her parents (which have intrinsic and monumental value), more comfortable with the "outsiders" or animals than with the main class of folks. She is also extremely curious and adventurous. In the times when she's not working, she spends hours exploring the Rake and investigating the forgotten areas or the smaller areas that have been obscured as newer buildings have been built. She's very impulsive and makes many mistakes by leaping before she looks.

Shortly after being introduced to Cymbril and the world of the Rake, we're introduced to the catalyst for the story...a boy named Loric...a magical Fey creature who is brought to the Rake and sold into slavery. Cymbril's heart goes out to him as she relates to the injustice of his enslavement. She also finds herself drawn to him out of pure curiousity.

You can likely guess some of the paths the plot takes as Cymbril gets to know more about Loric. They scheme and plot. He tells her about her mementos and what he knows of her past. He sheds light on some of the other inhabitants of the Rake and opens her eyes to the world of magic and things going on right under her nose.

As to my reaction to the book, mostly I really enjoyed it. I had a little nagging sensation in my head that, for some reason, didn't resonate with the tone/voice/style of the writing...which seems odd because the writing is generally very simple and fluid, so I'm honestly not sure what it is that bothers me about it...maybe a re-read will help clear the cobwebs for me. :)

I did enjoy this book. The plot was fun and fresh. I am impressed with the overlapping and intersecting elements throughout the book and the way the author reveals them over time. I also thought it was very fun that the author worked with a musician to include sheet music and Lyrics for two of the songs that Cymbril sings through the book. I'm not enough of a musician to try and actually play the pieces, but I may have to seek out someone with adequate talent to play them for me. It was also refreshing to have a strong (yet young and naive) girl character as the lead in this adventure. Add to that the intriguing and fresh setting and this provided a fun read.

****
3.5 out of 5 stars(less)

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Mar 24, 2012 Sharon Tyler rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Star Shard by Frederic S. Durbin is a wonderful fantasy novel for children around eleven to fourteen. However, older and younger children, and adults, can enjoy this book as well. It is due to be released on February 28 2012. The story follows twelve year old Cymbril, a singing slave on board a traveling city called the Thunder Rake. The city is essentially a traveling market on a giant wagon city, hiding more floors and rooms than even its residents know. When another slave is brought on bo...more

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Sep 10, 2011 Cinnamon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, voya, own, 2011, faeries, fantasy, children, 4-delightfully-scrumptious, magicians, reviewed

This review may also be found on A Thousand Little Pages.

I am not much of a Middle Grade reader. You could say that I sort of skipped a step in my reading repertoire while growing up, jumping directly from children’s books like Magic Tree House to YA like The Hunger Games. Maybe I should go back and fill in that gaping MG hole now, because The Star Shard exceeded expectations.

I was waiting for simplicity and frankly, not much depth. This is a MG faerie fantasy after all. Plus, I admit that my op...more

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Nov 08, 2012 Nicholas Ozment rated it 5 of 5 stars

As a long-time traveler in the wonderfully imagined worlds of Frederic S. Durbin, I grabbed hold of this book with relish. It is geared toward younger readers than are most of his other works (although he has been a contributing author to CRICKET Magazine for many years, where an early version of this story initially took shape), yet it does offer many pleasures for an adult reader of fantasy.

In tone and "reading level," I suppose it should be shelved alongside the Narnia chronicles, L'Engle's...more As a long-time traveler in the wonderfully imagined worlds of Frederic S. Durbin, I grabbed hold of this book with relish. It is geared toward younger readers than are most of his other works (although he has been a contributing author to CRICKET Magazine for many years, where an early version of this story initially took shape), yet it does offer many pleasures for an adult reader of fantasy.

In tone and "reading level," I suppose it should be shelved alongside the Narnia chronicles, L'Engle's Wrinkle in Time series, the early Harry Potter books, the Oz books, etc. (works that can reward readers of nearly all ages). It is not strictly analogous to any one of the aforementioned series, however. The books I just rattled off all involve some cross-over from our world into a fantastic world, perhaps the most common conceit of young readers' works of fantasy. THE STAR SHARD, however, is entirely set in a secondary world.

The world is, on the whole, richly realized and evocative, though its backdrop is not explored with the breadth of an adult work like LORD OF THE RINGS, and necessarily so--there is a certain fairy-tale quality to the tale. We know that there are cultures and political rivalries going on behind the adventures of our young protagonist Cymbril, but there is no place in her quickly-paced adventure to meander into lots of exposition about that world. Durbin gives us the telling detail, just enough to let us know that there is much depth beneath--that he knows more about this world than he needs to tell us for the purpose of his tale.

The work introduces compelling new creatures and races and places, but central to the book is the amazing and provocative vehicle the Rake, a construction so large it is like "a gigantic wagon city that rolls from town to town carrying goods to be sold by its resident merchants" (from the book's official description). One early review of the book criticized both the mechanics and logistics of this vehicle, notably the environmental impact the Rake would leave in its wake and whether land-owners would really stand for this. I put some of these questions to Durbin personally, and he answered them to my satisfaction (if there is a sequel, some of these questions may be further addressed therein). Again, this is a case of the author having worked out such details without having to bore younger readers with all of it.

I earlier characterized the story as "quickly-paced," but I do wish to clarify this with an additional note: Durbin is often at his best when he pauses to share some enchanting detail, like the mysterious image painted on a long-disused door of the Rake, or certain perfect little scenes observed at the secret merchants' fair, the Night Market (this particular chapter put me in mind of Neil Gaiman's STARDUST or the much earlier "Goblin Market" by Christina Rossetti). And the talking skull--hands-down my favorite single detail of the book. If Durbin writes a sequel, I hope that crazy skull is back and plays more of a role.

Although I listed many popular works of children's fantasy literature earlier, I must say what this work most reminds me of, is perhaps most akin to, is the work of Japanese anime auteur Hayao Miyazaki. I don't know if Durbin would cite Miyazaki as a direct influence, but it is interesting that Durbin lived in Japan for many years, including during the composition of this work. Miyazaki is one of my favorite filmmakers--one of my favorite storytellers, period--so the comparison is high praise indeed.(less)

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Apr 25, 2012 Shanshad Whelan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: childrens, fantasy, mg

Cymbrel has been a slave aboard the great moving merchant-city of Rake almost her entire life. In possession of a spectacular voice, her merchant master makes good use of her to entertain people and and pull in crowds to buy and sell goods. But Cymbrel is unhappy in her slavery and yearns for freedom. When a strange Fey child is brought aboard the Rake, a slave much like Cymbrel, she finds a possible ally and a way to at last escape her chains.

I think I liked this book more than I expected to....more

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Mar 12, 2012 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, middle-grade, netgalley, read-2012, young-adult

Posted on Book Chelle.

I don't read many middle grade books, but this one caught my attention. On occasion, I keep a look out for books geared towards the middle age group. I have many relatives and friends who have young ones, and it's always nice to give them a heads up.

Frederic S. Durbin's The Star Shard is a fairy tale among fairy tales. The world is full of fantasy and wonder, perfectly fitting for this fairy tale. I was surprised at the amount of detail that went into Durbin's world. He wen...more

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Jun 20, 2012 Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, net-galley, received-to-review, tween, fantasy

Cymbril is twelve and a slave. She sings for the travelling market that she calls home. Audiences are captivated by her wonderful voice, but she longs to be free to walk down the street and go where she would wish.

A mysterious boy is brought to the master of the large barge-like market full of merchants. He is to help navigate in the dark, for he can see in the dark. He is of the fay, a magical thirteen year old boy named Loric.

Cymbril and Loric become friends and find they have things in common...more

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Feb 18, 2012 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 19, 2013 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Such a good book. I felt like there were some open ends (view spoiler) and would love it if there was a sequel. But it's a great read by itself.

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Mar 04, 2012 fooloveratook rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, book-review, young-adult, need-to-purchase, birthday-wishlist

Rating: Special Shelf
Source: NetGalley

my thoughts in a few sentences: I've found myself with another spectacular read, you guys. In the same week! An engrossing, fascinating tale that is as imaginative and reminiscent of Hayao Miyazaki's beautiful stories, including Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle, The Star Shard is a wondrous fantasy read that reminded me why I adore the genre so much and granted me characters I was surprised, but thrilled, to love.

Full Review on My Blog »

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May 02, 2011 Anila marked it as to-read

OMFG I HAVE TOTALLY READ THIS.

It was serialized in Cricket Magazine a few years ago, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't 300 pages long... it was, however, very good. WANT NOVEL.

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Jan 26, 2012 Irisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: children, books-to-read-aloud

This is a enchanting book that will take you far away to a land where darkness and magic run rampant, and wisdom is found in the strangest places. Crybril is a slave on the Rake, a giant city that drags itself across the world like colossal flea on the hide of the earth. Cymbril could be happy, she is treated better then most slaves because of her beautiful singing voice, but she does not have the one thing that every caged songbird longs for. She does not have freedom.

I highly recommend this b...more

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Feb 28, 2012 Michelle (Clover Hill Book Reviews) rated it 3 of 5 stars

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Jun 09, 2011 Marian rated it 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this YA novel read an early advance, Thought it was good.

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Jan 13, 2013 Misty Tedibea rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-read

Thoughts:
Needs a Sequel. Too many unanswered questions!

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Nov 20, 2012 Mink Tedibea rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2012-2013

Note to Self:
Needs a Sequel. Just a thought though~

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Mar 14, 2012 Rebecca Lea rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fairies, kids, comfort-heartbreak, kindle

Loved it! And oh how I hope there will be a sequel!!

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Mar 03, 2013 Katherine rated it 4 of 5 stars

more girl oriented lord of the rings.

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Mar 30, 2013 Jacqui rated it 4 of 5 stars

I absolutely adored this book--I just wish it was longer! It felt like the first few chapters to a much longer book to me. Nevertheless, beautifully written and told :)

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Jul 25, 2012 Brandy Painter rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, middle-grade

The Star Shard is a book with faeries, magic, and a large moving market town known as the Rake. Good stuff. The beginning is a little slow on the action front which may turn off some young readers, but there is plenty of action and excitement in the last half of the book. I enjoyed reading this one and would certainly recommend it to lovers of faerie lore and stories of orphaned children with magic.

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Jan 01, 2013 Becky rated it 4 of 5 stars

The words "adorable" and "imaginative" come to mind when thinking of this book. It was refreshingly different from any other fantasy book I've read. The main characters are so likable and the author paints a beautiful picture of this world where magic and myth are real.

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Jun 20, 2012 Tricia rated it 5 of 5 stars

THE STAR SHARD IS IN STORES TODAY!!! This wonderful story began as a serial in Cricket Magazine and is now at last a novel. I have been waiting a LONG time for this to become a book. It is one of the best books I have read. Let me know what you think when you read it too.

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Apr 13, 2012 Beth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Very Cliche but very cute, definitely for younger readers.

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Jun 11, 2013 Rosie Littleford rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jun 06, 2013 Victoria Kelley marked it as to-read

Jun 05, 2013 Malakalima marked it as to-read

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