A Maroon Star & A Silver Thread

by Caroline Sophia Hamel, I O Scheffer (Editor), mihaellustrates (Illustrator)

In beds of luscious dreams and wretched nightmares lies a girl locked away …

Veiria wakes in a strange world with no memories. Fallen into this unfamiliar place, she’s granted some of her deepest held longings at the kindness of strangers. United with a charming boy named Eu, the two venture into this world Veiria is both enthralled by and fearful of as she’s revealed frightening visions of an ominous maroon star and the knowledge that she’s a goddess in this world.

Veiria’s temporary bliss is thrown into chaos as two people come into Veiria’s life—Meren and Telvin, claiming to be her dear friends and offering her salvation from her own destruction. Between their offer, the deity Noctine’s ominous threat of imprisonment, and the deadly shards of Neihdria that seem drawn to Veiria’s possession, Veiria ventures into starry seas with Eu, Meren, and Telvin by her side.

Through half-truthes, blissfully surreal dreams, and haunting nightmares, Veiria longs for something in these endless skies, whether or not she’s brave enough to claim it.

And as this world ticks to a close, some things that should have never been locked away long for freedom …

Genres: Fantasy, Adult, Queer, LGBT, Bisexual, Transgender

362 pages, Paperback

Published March 31, 2025

About the author

Hello! My name is Caroline Sophia Hamel (she/her)! I'm a trans author writing hopeful, queer stories. My books include To Hold a Flower, The Essence of Longing (Book 2 of To Hold a Flower), A Maroon Star & A Silver Thread, and Sweet Girls & Bluebirds.

To Hold a Flower is a sweet story with a light, cottagecore feel, focused mainly on two sisters and their changing relationship. It's sequel, The Essence of Longing is a bittersweet and emotional exploration of self-descovery, vulnerable love, depression, and a sweet, intimate lesbian romance. A Maroon Star & A Silver Thread follows a young trans woman learning to accept herself in a magical dream world. And Sweet Girls & Bluebirds is a cute, fun romance.

Through my writing, I hope I can help some of you heal and find value within and love for yourself. I also hope that you can see yourself represented in my writing. I value LGBTQ+ representation and tend to feature queer characters in my writing. My writing is hopeful, somewhat whimsical, and hopefully emotional.

I'm a lover of bittersweet, personal stories. I love anything that can make me feel, empathize, and become a better person.

I enjoy reading fantasy series and queer books. I also really love anime and orchestral music. My favorite composer is Yuki Kajiura and I love absolutely anything she's composed! A few book recs from me: I'd highly recommend the Fearghus Academy series by I.O. Scheffer and If Tomorrow Doesn't Come by Jen St. Jude.

- Caroline Sophia Hamel (she/her)

Instagram: @to_hold_a_flower

Note: My best book is A Maroon Star & A Silver Thread and my second best book is The Essence of Longing (which is a sequel to To Hold a Flower). I'm most proud of Myllia's arc in The Essence of Longing and Veiria's arc in A Maroon Star & A Silver Thread. Sweet Girls & Bluebirds has been unpublished, as I'm unsatisfied with it. I'm currently reworking it and will republish it at a later date.

Reviews

[Caroline Sophia Hamel]

Hi. I'm Caroline (she/her), the author of A Maroon Star & A Silver Thread (shortened as 'Star' hereafter). This is my fourth release and I feel like that's a major accomplishment. To be honest I wasn't quite sure I would end up publishing this book. I felt that way until writing the final four chapters. That was when I decided it was worth it.

Star is quite different from everything else I've released up to this point. It's magical and surreal and my most creative, imaginative, fantastical project. It's heavily inspired by my love of dream worlds in various media. It's also my first standalone release. I hope it's something people enjoy.

At it's heart, Star is Valerie's journey of accepting her trans identity and overcoming her internalized transphobia. Her desires and fears are explored more abstractly and creatively in this shifting dream world. In the end, she let's go of her fear and welcomes who she is. The third to last chapter of this book, more than anything else I've ever written, captures the indescribable joy and euphoria I felt accepting my name, Caroline, which felt like it came to me as a gift, rather than something I chose--like pure love. It was the happiest moment of my life and I hope I captured that. I hope Valerie's journey is meaningful and important to you, like it was to me. <3 This book is basically a trans coming out disguised as a surreal fantasy.

Veiria is one of my messier protagonists. I know some people will probably find her annoying or unlikeable or immature, but while I sometimes do too (I don't know how much of that is other peoples' opinions influencing me), she was generally fun to write and I hold her close to my heart. Though, my personal favorite character in this book is Meren, because she reminds me of my sister to some degree. I can't wait for people to meet Meren; she's one of the coolest characters I've ever written! Meren and Telvin are my two favorites.

And to be honest, I do think Star has the best ending I've ever written. I struggled a lot with the first half of the book, but I'm extremely happy with how the last 200 pages turned out. I love the Acellia chapters and generally everything after to the finale and find the sequence of events in the latter half some of the most satisfying chapters I've ever written.

Anyway, I won't lie: This isn't my favorite book I've published (far from it). There were points where I just really didn't like it. But I think Veiria's arc is special and worth it. This book was worth it. Anyway, thank you for reading and I hope you like Veiria, Eu, Meren, Telvin, Noctine, and this dream world. Below, I have some more information on the book, including trigger warnings, more info on what this book actually contains, and queer rep.

With love,
Caroline Sophia Hamel (she/her) <3

Also, a very big thank you to both my editor, I.O. Scheffer and my cover artist, mihaellustrates (Chii) and her gorgeous, magical cover art. <3 Chii really outdid herself on this cover and I think it's her best cover that she's illustrated thus far. It captures the dream aesthetic perfectly, it's so magical and gorgeous and perfect, and Valerie looks like a doll. <3

More info, queer rep list, and trigger warnings below.

Edit: I've changed my marketing up a few times, but here's my most recent info list:
A Maroon Star & A Silver Thread follows a young trans woman searching for her happiness in an abstract dream world of her creation. What you'll find:
- A young trans woman MC who's silly, depressed, & boy-crazy
- An abstract dream world ever-shifting with Veiria’s emotional state
- Charming characters & hopeful messaging
- Poetic, lyrical writing
- Self-acceptance and overcoming internalized transphobia & biphobia / homophobia
- Character-driven, cozy, & touching
- A surrealist dream-space functioning similar to the witch's labyrinths in Madoka Magica (specifically like how Homura's labyrinth mirrors her emotions in Rebellion)
- Reminiscent of the whimsy & charm of Alice in Wonderland
- Bi MC & Deuteragonist

Older Marketing More Info List:
- Trans Woman MC Who's Silly, Depressed, & Boy-Crazy
- Surreal & Creative Setting
- Magical & Alluring Dream World
- Mysterious, long-lost friends acting as guides with cool powers
- A trans & bi story of self-acceptance
- Group of four friends
- Overcoming internalized transphobia & homophobia / biphobia
- Gay side romance
- Dream sequences of desires & nightmare scenes
- Nonbinary """antagonist""" with shadow magic (they're not exactly an antagonist)
- Emotionally unstable trans teen summons apocalypse: the novel
- Bi MC & deuteragonist
- Awkward love triangle

Queer Rep:
Veiria (she/her) - Trans Woman & Bi
Eu (he/him) - Cis Man & Bi
Meren (she/her) - Cis Woman & Undefined
Telvin (he/him) - Cis Man & Gay
Noctine (they/them) - Nonbinary (Transmasc) & Undefined

The canon couple in this book is Eu x Telvin. Veiria x Eu is a sunken ship. There's a sort of awkward love triangle.

Trigger Warnings:
Transphobia, Internalized Transphobia, Deadnaming, Misgendering, Gender Dysphoria, Violence, Serious Injuries, Blood Loss, Stabbing, Three Fake Out Deaths (No Characters Permanently Die, I Promise) including Decapitation (Illusionary) & Burning to “Death” (+ the suicidal imagery, if you count that), Light Horror, Some Disturbing or Unsettling Scenes & Imagery, Suicidal Ideation, Suicide, Self-Harm Imagery, Depression, Mental & Physical Torture (in Nightmare Scenes, Mostly Related to Gender Dysphoria), Three Kisses without Consent and / or with Unclear Consent (there are five kisses in total), Brief Scenes with Sexual & Erotic Content (within the Confines of Upper YA), Internalized Homophobia, CisHeteronormativity (Internalized & External)

[Crescent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not the most articulate with book reviews, but this book struck me enough I ran straight to give a review the moment I finished it. The book was deeply healing to read. Less of a book I'd reccomend for the action or world, and that's its strength. To me, the world is a dream, and it is structured to be so, feeling strange and whimsical and ever-changing and colorful, striking, guiding me through emotions with imagery. I'd compare the book to Madoka Magica- wildly abstract, emotional, caught in labyrinths, but with this book is the added part of it being layers of the self.

The first half of the book is cutesy. I found myself enjoying the whimsy- and half way through, the author flips the story in a way I find myself squealing about in excitement at how brilliant the writing was.

I was surprised to see low reviews. This book to me is a 5/5 for what it INTENDS to be. It's not supposed to be a mature protagnist in a Lord of the Rings fantasy. Of course our MC is imperfect- I enjoyed her 'immaturity'- she's coming of age, deconstructing ideas. The book would not have striked me as it did if the MC was not exactly how she was. She's young. She's supposed to be immature and have a cracking internal world and be a little emotionally intense! That's what I adored about her and this tipsy internal world of hers.


As a personal anectdote, I could definitely relate, as well, in an opposite way- as a trans man, thinking I had to be ultra masculine to be a man, be chivalrous, strong, handsome and twirl a pretty girl around. Now I'm a drag queen and feminine and a man. The book for me was like looking at an inverse of myself, and it reflected femininity to me, and for me created a fun house mirror of my own queerness. Additionally, the beauty, confronting internal hardships, mental health, being loved- all of it experienced through the MC healed me too. I also particularly loved Noctine- not evil, in fact, quite loving, forcing the confrontation of hard truths. Confronting the shadow, in a way.

Overall, I loved this book. It's the first one I have read of this author and I'm so happy the cover caught my eye and I bought it at a random farmer's market. It's beautiful, and for what it is, is one of the top books I have personally read. Reading it is like immersing myself into a beautiful, surrealist animation.

[Martina Weiß · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd like to thank Netgalley & especially Caroline Sophia Hamel for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!


CW: Transphobia, Internalized Transphobia, Internalized Biohobia, Suicidal Thoughts, Suggestive Content

4 / 5 Stars

I hope the few people who read my reviews are ready for a wall of text, because I've got a lot to say. So buckle up—let's begin.

Our Main Character

It’s rare for the protagonist to be my favorite character in a book. Usually, I find myself drawn to the side characters—they tend to be cooler, quirkier, or have more interesting arcs. But not this time. As much as I enjoyed the supporting cast (except for one, who’ll get their own section), it was Veiria who stole my heart completely.

When we first meet Veiria, she’s a sad girl with no memory—adrift, empty, and utterly lost. Fascinatingly, while her past is gone, wiped clean, her depression has stubbornly remained. It clings to her like a second skin, creeping back into her life with slow, inevitable persistence, like a rash that never quite heals. She doesn’t know what she enjoys, doesn’t know what brings her joy—not entirely because she forgot, but because what she has begun to remember only adds to her sorrow. She floats through her days, aimless, struggling to find meaning, direction, anything that feels like purpose.

But then there's Eu. And when she’s with him, everything feels a little less broken. She can pretend. Pretend she’s okay. Pretend her life is something whole and beautiful. Pretend she’s happy.

Her dreams revolve around him—being his wife, raising his children, building a life that is entirely, completely about him. Her imagined future is all he, he, he, and there’s no her in it at all. It’s not about what she wants. It’s not about who she is. Eu becomes her lifeline, her reason for being, the balm for all her unhealed wounds. He is supposed to be the cure. The psalm for her pain.

When she’s alone, the silence is unbearable. She grows restless, watching the clock, counting the seconds until he returns—until she can once again hand him the impossible task of being her purpose, her joy, her everything. She has put all those hopes onto him, projected all her happyness onto him, because she isn't sure how she could possibly even be happy with only herself. Learning to overcome that codepandancy and self hate is a huge part of her arc and it's done very well.

Veiria’s journey is one of deep self-hate, quiet despair, and both internal and external abuse—but more than anything, it’s a story of self-love and independence. It's about clawing her way out of a pit she didn’t dig, about unlearning the lies she was fed about who she’s allowed to be. Yes, being liked is nice. Validation feels good. But in the end, the only person whose opinion truly matters is your own. The only person who needs to love you—really love you—is you.

She learns, painfully and slowly, that she can’t rely on someone else to be her reason for existing. That kind of weight will crush anyone eventually. You have to be the catalyst for your own happiness. You have to learn how to breathe on your own, even when it hurts. Because if your joy depends entirely on someone else, you’ll never be free. You’ll only keep burning yourself out trying to keep a light going that was never yours to carry in the first place.
I was so tempted to quote the last pages—but I won’t. You should go and read it for yourself. <3

Trans & Bi Stuff

The book also delves into internalized transphobia and internalized biphobia. The latter surfaces in both Veiria and Eu, at least in theory. Personally, I read Eu more as a closeted gay boy grappling with queer thoughts he’s terrified to acknowledge… but that’s probably a conversation for another day.

Veiria, though—her self-hate runs deep. It’s heartbreaking to watch her struggle not only with her identity, but with the way she’s been conditioned to see parts of herself as incompatible. As if she has to choose one identity over the other. As if wanting to love more than one gender means no one will ever take her seriously. The book captures this conflict so well—especially in the moments where she finds herself attracted to a girl and spirals into panic. Because she can’t, right? She can’t. She has to like Eu. That’s the only way she believes she’s allowed to be happy.

But of course, that belief isn’t coming from her—it’s coming from everyone else. From the voices, the norms, the expectations she’s internalized. It’s another part of her life that she’s surrendered to others, another part of herself she’s let people define for her. And it’s crushing. Her happiness becomes conditional—dependent on fitting in, appearing “normal,” being easy to categorize. But the truth is, no matter how much she tries to mold herself into something palatable, there will always be people who hate her for senseless reasons. And by living for their approval, by letting their ignorance shape her sense of self, she’s giving them exactly what they want: control over her joy, her freedom, her individuality.

The other characters

While I'm sure I'd be able to hit the word limit just by talking about Veiria alone, I should probably at least try to talk about someone else. Like Eu for example. He's the second most important character and he has a very intersting arc. I prefer Veirias, but not because he is less intersting or anything, but rather, because I think a few small changes would have enhanced the way his story concludes way more. Mostly, he's also on a journey to find his own happyness and personhood. While it's very clear that Veiria comes from an abusive background, it's not as clear if - and to what extant - that applies to Eu as well. I would never advocate for someone to put themselves in danger. The closet is a safe space. And people should never be shamed for staying in it for as long as they need. That being said, he too, has allowed the world to tell him who he can and can't be. So watching him slowly defy the his parents, his expectations and the literal world, was very satisfying.

Most of the other characters were also really great. Meren especially loved to come in with words of support and wisdom that made me smile. Her relationship with Veiria was amazing and definitifly what she needed.

Our Antagonist

So, like I said, everyone was great, except for Noctine. I know how they were supposed to come of, can see what the author was going for, it's just that Noctine does not hit. They don't have enough page time to sell that their good intentions are truly good. And their presense at the climax of the story was so unimportant, they might as well not have been there. I would love to talk about all that I hate about them, but parts are spoilers , so I can't. It's not even that they are the main villain. That's someone else. So they aren't needed. But if they wanted to work, they would have required more pressense, clearer motive and probably more interactions with our squad.


The second half

This is where the story reaches its emotional and narrative peak, with the fate of the world (and Veiria’s soul, honestly) hanging in the balance. There’s trauma, transformation, catharsis—and a lot of pain. And while I loved the resolution to Veiria’s arc, I wish there had been just one more step. One more beat between the middle and the conclusion. It’s hard to buy that someone so deeply hurting could recover that quickly, even with all the magic and metaphor at play.

Also... there’s one very suggestive chapter that was... there. I’m not quite sure it did what it wanted to do, but I’ll leave it at that to avoid spoilers.

Final Thoughts
I don’t know if this is my favorite book by Caroline Sophia Hamel, but... it very well could be. It’s a gorgeous, character-driven story full of pain, love, identity, and growth. I got emotional more than once, and that ending will stay with me for a long time.

Would definitely recommend.

[Elena_19_02]

Thank you NetGalley for the ebook in exchange for an honest review. Reviews on my Goodreads are all in Italian, my mother language ;)🇮🇹



Che cute super soft questo libro🥹 pieno di pensieri intrusivi di questi poveretti okay CHSHSHSH ma alla fine adorabile. Direi che è un libro di realismo magico in cui il worldbuilding è più che altro quest’immaginazione legata alle stelle, mi sembrava di viaggiare su una nuvola di glitter e nuvole adorabili. Sono una metafora per il percorso di accettazione di Valerie, che capisce pian piano di desiderare ardentemente di essere una donna e capisce anche di essere attratta da più di un genere, rispetto a tutte le pressioni per la scelta della persona perfetta. Una rappresentazione trans e bisessuale è rarissima a vedersi, e soprattutto una che esplori contemporaneamente il dramma della disforia e della cis-eteronormatività internalizzata ma anche la gioia di vivere nella sua identità

Soprattutto, e questo è specificato anche dall’autrice nella nota finale, non si batte costantemente sulla retorica del “nato nel corpo sbagliato”, che potrà essere vera per qualcuno ma è in realtà una perifrasi fatta da persone cisgender con un pietismo verso le persone trans: il corpo può essere una cosa ma la percezione un’altra, e Valerie impara ad accettarsi semplicemente per come si identifica e per i significati che vuole esprimere.
Così come un altro bel percorso è stato quello del partner iniziale Eu, che da ragazzo che credeva in un’unica vita prescritta capisce di essere bisessuale anche lui. Davvero la casualità con cui c’erano queste illuminazioni è ammirevole CHDJSJS di solito si tratta sempre di un unico genere quindi apprezzato molto 🥰🩷💙💜



La trama è molto astratta, e tendenzialmente questo non sarebbe il libro per me perché preferisco confronti più diretti tra i personaggi— la stessa scrittura è volutamente frammentata come se fossero estratti di pensiero, un’immersione totale in quest’universo che, infatti, quando l’autrice nella nota ha citato Alice nel paese delle Meraviglie come ispirazione, mi ha fatto collegare ahahah. È un’opera adorabile e forse meno stramba in quel senso, e sicuramente senza lo stesso tipo di ostacoli, perché alla villain si poteva dare più spazio mentre invece sono più le insicurezze della protagonista che la bloccano. Ma è una bella metafora e tutto sommato, come libro breve, è stato caruccio da leggere :)🏳️‍⚧️⚧️🌟🌎

[Ezras Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The story was a bit hard for me to follow in the beginning but after some time, it does make sense that this is a dream world and Veiria is experiencing her “ideal” life.

Veiria really is boy-crazy. Maybe a bit too much sometimes. I felt like it sometimes took away from the plot. Especially since it’s clear that Eu doesn’t really see her that way. At least I had that feeling even when Eu wasn’t sure. This takes up a good part of the book which I didn’t much enjoy, but seeing as this is YA I’m not surprised.

I do think that this book captures dysphoria in a very interesting way. You get the sense multiple times that Veiria doesn’t recognize her own reflection, which often leads to emotional outbursts - usually for the positive - which I felt speaks close to what gender euphoria feels like. I really liked these scenes.

The last few chapters were very touching and I did tear up when reading those because I relate to the feelings.

The writing is good and the descriptions feel ethereal a lot of the time. I could see myself reading the authors' other books.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for letting me read this arc

[Chyn Chyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was my last book of last year and the first of this year! I enjoyed this book a lot, i think it found me at the perfect time and i related a lot to the main character’s conflicts. I enjoyed Veiria’s journey throughout the book. She’s not meant to be the perfect protagonist and the last chapters of this book were so good and personal I felt so proud of her and def teared up a bit. Aside from the last chapters, i also really like the chapters where Veiria, Eu and Meren interacted. I wish we had more scenes of their dynamic it’s so fun to read <3

[Sandra Blasco · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't read anything like this book before, and I'm really impressed—especially by how immersive the settings were and how beautiful the writing is.

At first, it’s all a bit confusing, but that’s kind of the point of the story. It’s mostly character-driven but even so, the plot keeps you hooked into the story as there's a touch of mystery due to the protagonist's amnesia.

Great character development of Veiria, even though she’s a bit silly throughout the whole book—but that’s part of her charm. I really like how Caroline writes the side characters.

Finally, this book offers a beautiful reflection on womanhood, specifically the experience of trans women.

[Pagesofscarlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Lyrical, If Sometimes Disorienting, Dreamscape

​I received a NetGalley ARC of this book.
​Caroline Sophia Hamel’s A Maroon Star & A Silver Thread is a truly unique fantasy experience. It’s a book that doesn't just tell a story but envelops you in a dreamlike state.

The prose is beautiful and at times mesmerizing, creating a world that feels both fantastical and deeply personal.

From the moment the protagonist, Veiria, wakes with no memory, the reader is drawn into a surreal journey of discovery. The exploration of identity, longing, and the surreal nature of memory is handled with a poetic grace that is genuinely impressive.

​The emotional core of the book is undeniably strong. The bond between Veiria and Eu is a quiet anchor in a chaotic world, and the introduction of Meren and Telvin adds a welcome layer of complexity and tension.

The central metaphors—the maroon star, the shards of Neihdria, and the very nature of Veiria’s goddess-like existence—are thought-provoking and add a beautiful weight to the narrative. The book's reflection on self-acceptance, particularly the exploration of a trans character's journey, is handled with a delicate touch that is both powerful and resonant.

​However, the book's greatest strength can also be its greatest challenge. The lyrical, slow-paced approach, while beautiful, occasionally causes the narrative to feel a bit muddled. The intentional confusion of the plot, mirroring Veiria's own amnesia, can sometimes feel more disorienting than intriguing.

Readers who prefer a faster-paced, high-action fantasy might find themselves waiting for a more concrete plot to emerge. Additionally, while Veiria's character arc is ultimately very rewarding, her initial naivete and reliance on others can feel a bit frustrating at times.

​In the end, this is a book that will linger with you long after you've finished it. It's a testament to Hamel's talent for creating a rich emotional landscape.

While the pacing and plot may not be for everyone, for those who appreciate literary fantasy, character-driven narratives, and a story that feels like a piece of art, this book is well worth the journey.

[kearstin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted so badly to love this book. The synopsis and message is so alluring. And that cover? Gorgeous!

However, A Maroon Star & A Silver Thread, in my opinion, felt rushed and confusing at times, and left me wanting more.

** Spoiler Warning **

So much of the story felt rushed, and I would’ve loved to see the author slow down so we could get a better feel of our characters. I wanted to see more of a build up between Veiria and Eu’s relationship, I wanted to see why she was so enamored with him. I wanted to see more of Eu’s struggle with his sexuality, what we got felt sudden—especially with how quickly him and Telvan moved along. I would’ve loved to see more scenes of Veiria’s real like and see the build up of why we got to where we were. It’s still a little unclear to me what actually happened and why she ended up in this world.
It was hard to picture the world they were in with the rushed descriptions. Some moments felt fantastical, but filled with modern life items it was hard to completely tell what this world was really supposed to look like.
The last few chapters were beautiful and strong, and the moment Veiria—Valerie—discovers what her name is was breathtaking. I wish there were more moments like that throughout the book.

** End of Spoiler Warning **

It’s hard for me to rate this book so low because I can tell how much love went into writing each word. Caroline Sofia Hamel is clearly a very, very talented author, I have a lot of respect for her and what she has created. I hope I can read more of her work in the future
There were some very beautiful moments throughout the book, but with how rushed the character development and world building was, I have to give it a two star rating.

Thank you NetGalley and to the Author, Caroline Sophia Hamel, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Lily | The Bi Library]

This was a beautiful story of trans and bi acceptance told in a fantastical manner.

The protagonists Veiria wakes up in a dream world, all her deepest desires at the tip of her fingers. It's blissful.

But something else lies beneath, she can only ignore it for long till she is forced to face her fears.

Will she be able to overcome her fears, get out and embrace her true self?


The story in the beginning felt slow. It took me long to get past the slow pace of the story but it got better in teh second half.

Veiria's journey tugged at my heart. Her struggles, her desperately seeking validation from others, hinging her sense of self on a man was saddening. But I understand why she would be made to think that and act in that manner. I really wanted to hug her. It was immensely pleasant to see her embrace her true self and make attempts at trying to find happiness in the end.

Veiria is a bisexual trans woman, and I love that. Though I really wish her bisexual identity was talked about more? Not that I wished to see her fall for a woman or get together with one in the end. I totally understand that the focus of this book was her trans identity, I only wish she had called herself bisexual.

That said, this was a beautiful story of growth. Veiria deserves all the happiness.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the copy.

[Alecia Hefner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to #Netgalley for an eArc of #AMaroonStar&ASilverThread by #CarolineSophiaHamel.

After reading so many fast paced books it can be a struggle for me to all of the sudden find myself in a book that slows way down. This book explores many different topics. Transgender, Bi sexual, Gender Fluidity. All in all its a very decent book just slower than what I prefer.

[Madyson]

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for giving me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The title drew me in and I really enjoyed the chapter titles! Unfortunately, this book isn't for me. I understood the kind of journey that the characters were going on, but it didn't draw me in and I didn't know where I was half the time in the book. The pacing felt really slow and the dialogue didn't help pick it up. The amount of ellipsis and em dashes also kept taking me out of the novel.

[Haley Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

thank you netgalley for the ARC and to the author!

Now before I say anything I'd like to say the book was not bad in any way, it just wasn't my cup of tea. Meaning some others might appreciate and love it more than me. With that said I loved the character and the world!!

[Isabella Arsenault · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows Veiria, a woman who’s suddenly thrown into what seems to be her dream world, an escape from the harshness of her real life. At its core, the story explores accepting one’s trans and bisexual identities and letting go of cis-heteronormativity.
Veiria wakes up in an alternate reality where she appears as her ideal self: a beautiful young woman. She meets Eu, a boy immediately drawn to her. But in this world, she has no memory of who she was before that moment, and those missing pieces haunt her. Throughout the book, fragmented memories of darker realities surface, guiding her through this dreamscape as she tries to understand herself.
Honestly, the first half of the book was confusing. The settings jump rapidly between idealized scenes and distant memories, and sometimes we end up somewhere without any sense of how we got there. It was hard to follow, and I wish the narrative had slowed down enough to explain the journey more clearly. There was simply too much happening with not enough grounding. However, around the 67% mark, everything finally started to click, and I began to understand the story’s heart. By the end, I believe the chaotic early chapters were intentionally mirroring Veiria’s own disorientation and frustration within her dream.

***Spoilers Ahead***
A dive into character dynamics

Veiria and Eu
Veiria loves Eu but also relies on him to validate her womanhood, while Eu cares for her without fully understanding how. Both struggle with cis-heteronormativity and internalized biases. Their growth is beautiful, but their early dynamic frustrated me. Their choice to part romantically and stay friends was my favorite moment between them.

Veiria and Meren
Meren is the perfect sister figure, she’s blunt, loving, and grounding. She reminds Veiria she doesn’t need a man to define her womanhood and gently pushes her toward full self-acceptance. She was easily my favorite character.

Meren and Telvin
Their sibling bond is warm and affirming. Meren’s protective nature and Telvin’s thoughtful calm balance each other, and I loved how her view of Eu shifted once she learned Telvin liked him.

Eu and Telvin
Though I was glad to see Eu embrace his bisexuality, his sudden shift toward Telvin made their relationship hard for me to enjoy, especially knowing how it affected Veiria.

The ending was honestly top tear tying their fight of a journey to acceptance together beautifully. Huge thank you to Caroline Sophia Hamel and Net Galley for providing me with the privilege of reading an advanced copy of this book!

[Valerie Aethra · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up

A literary slow paced fantasy — exploring the nuances of accepting ones trans identity, gender euphoria and bisexuality in a dream world where magic is real, and everything you wish for is at your fingertips. I am probably in the majority that found Veiria, the MC, too annoying and too focused on the approval of the opposite gender, however the last few chapters make everything make sense.

If high action fast paced fantasy is more your thing, this might not be the book for you, however if you'd enjoy a slow paced metaphorical character-driven fantasy with a messy main character and her story of accepting her trans identity, this will be your jam.

I'm also quite bummed that Eu x Telvin's dynamic didn't show up earlier in the book, I actually quite like them together and would enjoy reading more of them.

(Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy)