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The Starkin Crown #2
The Wildkin's Curse
Three times a babe shall be born,
between star-crowned and iron-bound.
First, the sower of seeds, the soothsayer,
though lame, he must travel far.
Next shall be the king-breaker, the king-maker,
Though broken himself he shall be.
Last, the smallest and the greatest -
in him, the blood of wise and wild,
farseeing ones and starseeing ones.
Though he must be lost before he can find,
Though, before he sees, he must be blind,
If he can find and if he can see,
The true king of all he shall be.
Merry, Zed and Liliana - three children born between those of hearthkin blood and starkin blood - are on a perilous quest to the Palace of Zarissa. Amid the splendour and treachery of court, they watch and planning the rescue of Princess Rosalina, held captive in the dazzling Tower of Stars.
And as their pasts and presents unfold, their destinies become clear.
The engrossing companion to The Starthorn Tree by one of Australia's best fantasy storytellers, Kate Forsyth.
Click here to see video clips of Kate discussing her writing for the Centre for Learning Innovation
between star-crowned and iron-bound.
First, the sower of seeds, the soothsayer,
though lame, he must travel far.
Next shall be the king-breaker, the king-maker,
Though broken himself he shall be.
Last, the smallest and the greatest -
in him, the blood of wise and wild,
farseeing ones and starseeing ones.
Though he must be lost before he can find,
Though, before he sees, he must be blind,
If he can find and if he can see,
The true king of all he shall be.
Merry, Zed and Liliana - three children born between those of hearthkin blood and starkin blood - are on a perilous quest to the Palace of Zarissa. Amid the splendour and treachery of court, they watch and planning the rescue of Princess Rosalina, held captive in the dazzling Tower of Stars.
And as their pasts and presents unfold, their destinies become clear.
The engrossing companion to The Starthorn Tree by one of Australia's best fantasy storytellers, Kate Forsyth.
Click here to see video clips of Kate discussing her writing for the Centre for Learning Innovation
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2010
2 people are currently reading
423 people want to read
About the author
Kate Forsyth
86 books2,573 followersKate Forsyth wrote her first novel at the age of seven, and is now the internationally bestselling author of 40 books for both adults and children.
Her books for adults include 'Beauty in Thorns', the true love story behind a famous painting of 'Sleeping Beauty'; 'The Beast's Garden', a retelling of the Grimm version of 'Beauty & the Beast', set in the German underground resistance to Hitler in WWII; 'The Wild Girl', the love story of Wilhelm Grimm and Dortchen Wild, the young woman who told him many of the world's most famous fairy tales; 'Bitter Greens', a retelling of the Rapunzel fairytale; and the bestselling fantasy series 'Witches of Eileanan' Her books for children include 'The Impossible Quest', 'The Gypsy Crown', 'The Puzzle Ring', and 'The Starkin Crown'
Kate has a doctorate in fairytale studies, a Masters of Creative Writing, a Bachelor of Arts in Literature, and is an accredited master storyteller.
Her books for adults include 'Beauty in Thorns', the true love story behind a famous painting of 'Sleeping Beauty'; 'The Beast's Garden', a retelling of the Grimm version of 'Beauty & the Beast', set in the German underground resistance to Hitler in WWII; 'The Wild Girl', the love story of Wilhelm Grimm and Dortchen Wild, the young woman who told him many of the world's most famous fairy tales; 'Bitter Greens', a retelling of the Rapunzel fairytale; and the bestselling fantasy series 'Witches of Eileanan' Her books for children include 'The Impossible Quest', 'The Gypsy Crown', 'The Puzzle Ring', and 'The Starkin Crown'
Kate has a doctorate in fairytale studies, a Masters of Creative Writing, a Bachelor of Arts in Literature, and is an accredited master storyteller.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 13, 2012
Sixteen years after ‘The Starthorn Tree’ the children of the friendships forged then, now follow their own journey, to fulfill their destiny. We discover Zed and Merry, fast friends, being instructed by The Erlrune, the most magical of women, learning fighting skills, and to rely on their own strengths for the journey ahead. Lili comes to join them, and the trio set off against impossible odds, their only guide is The Prophecy, spoken by Durrik, Merry’s deceased father many years earlier.
This is the second book in the Chronicles of Estelliana trilogy. As in the first book the world Kate has created is tangibly real and the friendships forged real and deep. The reader cannot help but be drawn into the plight of the friends, who become close and special to the readers as their parents did in the earlier volume. As in any ‘fantasy’ book, the world, the prophecy, the characters within, are complex and delightfully detailed. The Phophecy seems to be an unsolvable riddle, and with each perilous turn of events, the meaning of the words becomes clear.
An eloquent speaker, who admits getting nervous before each speaking opportunity, Kate shares her writing craft well. At Somerset Literary Festival this year, she shared her determination to present the very best, thoroughly edited and prepared version to her editor then publisher. Her work ethic and travels for research, intrinsic in her creation of her worlds.
If you wish to start enjoying Chronicles of Estelliana, the first is ‘The Starthorn Tree’, this is the second. Having Kate hand pick these books for me at Somerset Literary Festival, I’m sure she realized that, I would naturally need to purchase the third book in the series ‘The Starkin Crown’, upon completing these. I look forward to that eagerly. You may wish to join me in being thoroughly entranced by her stories.
This is the second book in the Chronicles of Estelliana trilogy. As in the first book the world Kate has created is tangibly real and the friendships forged real and deep. The reader cannot help but be drawn into the plight of the friends, who become close and special to the readers as their parents did in the earlier volume. As in any ‘fantasy’ book, the world, the prophecy, the characters within, are complex and delightfully detailed. The Phophecy seems to be an unsolvable riddle, and with each perilous turn of events, the meaning of the words becomes clear.
An eloquent speaker, who admits getting nervous before each speaking opportunity, Kate shares her writing craft well. At Somerset Literary Festival this year, she shared her determination to present the very best, thoroughly edited and prepared version to her editor then publisher. Her work ethic and travels for research, intrinsic in her creation of her worlds.
If you wish to start enjoying Chronicles of Estelliana, the first is ‘The Starthorn Tree’, this is the second. Having Kate hand pick these books for me at Somerset Literary Festival, I’m sure she realized that, I would naturally need to purchase the third book in the series ‘The Starkin Crown’, upon completing these. I look forward to that eagerly. You may wish to join me in being thoroughly entranced by her stories.
May 18, 2012
Gripping continuation from The Starthorn Tree. Engaging characters, thrilling new developments and another quest. The prophecies work well to add mystery, magic and suspense. Imaginative fantasy creatures add richness to the story; Kate Forsyth's compelling narrative style hooks the reader in and keeps us glued to the page.
One star off for quite a graphic evil scene in the middle of the book - too graphic for many children (and for me). There is sufficient light and shade in the characters and in the plot - this was a little too much.
One star off for quite a graphic evil scene in the middle of the book - too graphic for many children (and for me). There is sufficient light and shade in the characters and in the plot - this was a little too much.
June 30, 2015
It has been some time since I read the predecessor to this book - "The Starthorn Tree" but this did not seem to be a problem. It follows on not directly, but by taking up one generation later with the offspring of those in the earlier book. Forsyth has a wonderful way with words and creates her characters very well - although she does do some rather distressing things to them! All up, a jolly good fantasy read that I would recommend for those 11 plus as there are some darker and more distressing moments.
October 10, 2021
Okay this is good but I definitely think it's more YA than children's because of some of the content there's a fair bit of death and violence, so I would definitely say this is more YA targeted than children's because of some of this graphic content.
August 20, 2025
4 (Low)
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I enjoyed this, as I expected to, given I'm a fan of the author's work. I wasn't quite as taken by it as by some of the others - it followed a similar formula to the first in this set (it's not quite a series as they're each contained stories, but also follow on from each other), and I wasn't as enthralled this time round. Still enjoyable and still worth reading. I think I may wait a bit before reading the third in the series which I suspect will also be similar.
📖
I enjoyed this, as I expected to, given I'm a fan of the author's work. I wasn't quite as taken by it as by some of the others - it followed a similar formula to the first in this set (it's not quite a series as they're each contained stories, but also follow on from each other), and I wasn't as enthralled this time round. Still enjoyable and still worth reading. I think I may wait a bit before reading the third in the series which I suspect will also be similar.
November 13, 2017
This book is probably one of my most favorite. It has the right balance of humor, fantasy and mystery. The way Kate Forsyth tells the story is remarkable and how she came up with all the concept and ideas truly shows her dedication as a n author.
May 22, 2020
Great series
I am enjoying reading this series. I have enjoyed all of Kate’s books that I’ve read, and this one does not disappoint.
I am enjoying reading this series. I have enjoyed all of Kate’s books that I’ve read, and this one does not disappoint.
May 24, 2019
I’ve been in a reading slump recently and I just couldn’t get into this book.
September 16, 2011
I did enjoy this book a lot more than the first on in the series probably more due to the fact that I knew what I was getting myself into (as mentioned in the last review the whole thing about the letter Z and yes it’s still everywhere) though I found it didn't bug me as much as last time. Though I was disappointed my favourite character never married. :( I was also a little disapointed that the author didn't explain how the Erlrune of Evenlinn managed to get her grand-daughter goat and the granmother died.
The characters were very similar this time a Wildkin princess *gasp* is the one acting superior rather than a Starkin one. One of the characters was similar to his best friend's Dad which was a little strange but probably cause his was raised by him ... If you haven't gathered this is a sequel book based on the children of the characters in the previous book (but parents still alive from the first book make an appearance). It was an interesting plot with more twists and turns than the last one and this time my match-making paid off (whoop whoop) unlike last time where I was left a little sad though I almost yelled at the book "no not again I want to be right this time" when my favourite pair broke up :( But then they got back together two pages later :D
Also her writing style hasn't changed which is not a bad thing it suits the book so if you didn't like the style of the first book I wouldn't try this one either. I found the plot seemed to move quicker this time probably because there was so much to do in so little pages. The one thing that would have bothered me (which also happened in the first book come to think of it) but didn't since I knew there was another book was how opened ended it was. For the first one: Do they make Estelliana a better place? Which was actually answered in this book and this one makes you wonder; Does the person who should be king become king? Who’s this blind person in the prophecy they talk about? Does Zed keep his leg? And I would be at the end "Oh come-on!" but like I said there is another book, the final one so if I'm not mistaken all these questions hopefully would be answered then. Guess I'll have to read it to find out.
The characters were very similar this time a Wildkin princess *gasp* is the one acting superior rather than a Starkin one. One of the characters was similar to his best friend's Dad which was a little strange but probably cause his was raised by him ... If you haven't gathered this is a sequel book based on the children of the characters in the previous book (but parents still alive from the first book make an appearance). It was an interesting plot with more twists and turns than the last one and this time my match-making paid off (whoop whoop) unlike last time where I was left a little sad though I almost yelled at the book "no not again I want to be right this time" when my favourite pair broke up :( But then they got back together two pages later :D
Also her writing style hasn't changed which is not a bad thing it suits the book so if you didn't like the style of the first book I wouldn't try this one either. I found the plot seemed to move quicker this time probably because there was so much to do in so little pages. The one thing that would have bothered me (which also happened in the first book come to think of it) but didn't since I knew there was another book was how opened ended it was. For the first one: Do they make Estelliana a better place? Which was actually answered in this book and this one makes you wonder; Does the person who should be king become king? Who’s this blind person in the prophecy they talk about? Does Zed keep his leg? And I would be at the end "Oh come-on!" but like I said there is another book, the final one so if I'm not mistaken all these questions hopefully would be answered then. Guess I'll have to read it to find out.
January 15, 2013
I nice read of the youthful quest variety.
I liked the construction of the world; it clearly worked to it's own rules which appeared consistent to me. The magic was vivid, and different races interesting and the magic creature intriguing. Also the author did not fall into the trap of over explaining everything, which made for a very readable story.
The story was complex without being complicated, the depiction of the court was very good; elements of David Bowie's goblin court meets Alice in Wonderland with a grotesque element thrown in. The twists in the story were all ones you could see coming so there were no real surprises in the ending which may not be to everyone's taste.
The age it is aimed at is a bit ambiguous; definitely young adult, but the main characters are meant to be 16-17 or so and they came across as a lot younger. I read the first few pages and would have expected the boys to be 10-11 from the description and at no point did they ever come across as older so there was a point where it was hard to swallow them falling in love and fighting and so forth. I also found the main female to be very difficult to like - the constant fury without reason, defensiveness to her own detriment... well, I get the explanation but I still found her a bit tedious. Also I don't like the stereotype of the witch-bitch who becomes all soft and gooey as soon as she falls in love.
I will search out the others in this series though, very readable overall.
I liked the construction of the world; it clearly worked to it's own rules which appeared consistent to me. The magic was vivid, and different races interesting and the magic creature intriguing. Also the author did not fall into the trap of over explaining everything, which made for a very readable story.
The story was complex without being complicated, the depiction of the court was very good; elements of David Bowie's goblin court meets Alice in Wonderland with a grotesque element thrown in. The twists in the story were all ones you could see coming so there were no real surprises in the ending which may not be to everyone's taste.
The age it is aimed at is a bit ambiguous; definitely young adult, but the main characters are meant to be 16-17 or so and they came across as a lot younger. I read the first few pages and would have expected the boys to be 10-11 from the description and at no point did they ever come across as older so there was a point where it was hard to swallow them falling in love and fighting and so forth. I also found the main female to be very difficult to like - the constant fury without reason, defensiveness to her own detriment... well, I get the explanation but I still found her a bit tedious. Also I don't like the stereotype of the witch-bitch who becomes all soft and gooey as soon as she falls in love.
I will search out the others in this series though, very readable overall.
January 28, 2016
I rather love fantasy stories involving prophecy, and also those that continue a story with characters that descend from those who appeared in the first book. The Wildkin’s Curse does both of these things, and does both of them well. I love the nature of this quest, I love how the characters meet and come to appreciate one another – also how they balance and temper one another for the quest. This story involves much more political intrigue than the previous book, but it builds beautifully onto the story from the first book, taking us deeper into how the curse came about and why it’s necessary to break it.
Again, Kate Forsyth’s writing draws you into the story deeply and you don’t notice time passing while you’re turning pages. I love that we get a deeper sense of worldbuilding – beyond the kingdom featured in the original book, now seeing something of the greater realm. Again this story is complete and self-contained within the book, though it’s clear it leads on from the first, and that there remains more story left untold for the third book. I picked this up directly after finishing the first book, and similarly couldn’t put it down.
(Review reposted from my blog The Conversationalist).
Again, Kate Forsyth’s writing draws you into the story deeply and you don’t notice time passing while you’re turning pages. I love that we get a deeper sense of worldbuilding – beyond the kingdom featured in the original book, now seeing something of the greater realm. Again this story is complete and self-contained within the book, though it’s clear it leads on from the first, and that there remains more story left untold for the third book. I picked this up directly after finishing the first book, and similarly couldn’t put it down.
(Review reposted from my blog The Conversationalist).
February 3, 2013
This book was so good that it almost surpassed my love for The Starthorn Tree... almost. When I opened the book up I'll admit I got scared and had to leave it for a little while when it told me that one of the main characters from The Starthorn Tree had died. I eventually plucked up my courage and read it, and I'm so flipping glad I did! Both of the romances had me dying inside and I'll admit that Zedrin has a special place in my heart. To see another part of the prophecy being fulfilled is so exciting! And maybe a tear was shed for the returning of original characters from The Starthorn Tree. Basically I just loved this book.
January 6, 2011
Having not read the book's prequel "The Starthorn Tree" - I was a bit lost at the beginning as the characters kept on talking about issues and people from the prequel. Gradually, it started all making sense and I really enjoyed it. It is a fun, fantasy read, filled with magic and adventure. It also draws in on the cruelties of court life and the evils lurking within the castle dungeons. The ending was just like my ideal "fairytale" ending where the male lead saves the princess from her entrapment in the tower. I cannot wait for the book's sequel :)
October 26, 2014
This is one of my favourite books I have read this year. It was just delightful. I hadn't actually read The Starthorne Tree (The first in the series) but that didn't stop me getting into and loving this book. The plot line was always surprising and differed from my guesses every time. Merry was my favourite character by far, sweet, unassuming but willing to give this quest thing his best shot for friendship. If you're a ya fantasy reader, definitely give this a try. You may find yourself immediately buying the first book in the series like I did
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December 31, 2015Katharine is a judge for the Sara Douglass 'Book Series' Award. This entry is the personal opinion of Katharine herself, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinator or the Aurealis Awards management team.
I won't be recording my thoughts (if I choose to) here until after the AA are over.
I won't be recording my thoughts (if I choose to) here until after the AA are over.
April 25, 2011
Disappointing, I'm not sure how Kate Forsyth could write two books in the same setting of such differing quality.
March 28, 2011
It was more exciting toward the end. :) But I really liked it, it was dramatic, unique, and quick-paced. >_< Yay.
April 17, 2011
Fantasy, magic, kings, and love. What more could you want in a book?
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August 5, 2011action-packed, rich and detailed
March 5, 2016
Great series. Wish I could get my hands on the third book! Seems like it's only available in Australia.
March 9, 2013
Great book. Confusing at the start.
October 13, 2013
It was stunning with love and terror and suspense.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews