I Can’t Wait For…Keepers of the Stones and Stars by Michael Barakiva
Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted over at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about but haven’t yet read. Most of the time they’re books that have yet to be released, but not always. It’s based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme, which was originally hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.
This week my Can’t-Wait-For Book is Keepers of the Stones and Stars by Michael Barakiva!
Keepers of the Stones and Stars by Michael Barakiva Genres: Fantasy, Contemporary or Urban Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Queer MCs
Published on: 21st May 2024
Goodreads
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Save the world. Get the guy.
Keepers of the Stones and Stars is a witty, young adult contemporary epic fantasy about a cheeky quintet of teens chosen by magical gems to save the world.
Reed is leading his best life: he’s just kissed the boy of his dreams, his band is starting to get actual paying gigs, and he’s a shoo-in to getting elected as next year’s Student Council president. But he’s ready to give it all up when his suspiciously aristocratic guidance counselor tells him he has been chosen to go on the adventure of a lifetime.
Because Reed is the first of five Stone Bearers who have been chosen by magical gems and granted super powers. All he has to do is unite all five and lead them to seal a portal that will release an onslaught of uncontrollable chaotic magical energies, and destroy the world as we know it. It’s up to the Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, Emerald, and Amethyst Bearers to save the world, fulfilling their roles in a centuries-old cycle that dates back to the 17th century Mughal court and the first Bearers of the Stones.
I haven’t seen anyone talking about this book, and that seems like a shame. As for my obsessed little self, I’ve been keeping track of it since the pub deal was announced – waaaaaaaaaaay back when it had another title entirely! Can you blame me? This promises to tick so many of my boxes – not just queer teens saving the world, but with magical jewels!!! Do you have any idea how much of a magpie I am??? I LOVE sparkly enchanted objects, okay? Gemstones, tiaras, necklaces, rings, whatever – and my absolute favourite is definitely jewels that aren’t enchanted but are inherently magical themselves, as I suspect these Stones must be!
And I was really happy when I found out that this is set to be a chonky book – 500+ pages in ebook form! Aside from the fact that I just like big books, I’m hopeful that a higher pagecount means there’s space for all five of the Bearers to shine, and that there’s room for all the history and mythology supposedly in here. The blurb mentions a history going back to the 17th century Mughal court – which is very specific, clearly I need to research that time period and see what was going on then that might have inspired Barakiva! – and early reviewers have mentioned Aztec mythology being present too!
How those two fit together, I have no idea, but I’m massively excited to find out. It sounds like Barakiva’s done his worldbuilding, which, we all know I go heart-eyes for worldbuilding. I already really want to know where the Stones came from – not to mention what they can do: do the different Stones have unique powers? And while we’re at it, what makes someone a Bearer?
Plus, you know, there’s the mystery of that title. Because we know the ‘keepers’ of the Stones will be Reed and the four others – but where and how do the stars come into it???
Only about a month and a half left until we find out!
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