CURSE OF STARS
by Donna Compositor
(Diamond Crier #1)
February 19th 2017
YA Fantasy
Sabi Perez is the last Diamond Crier, only she doesn’t know it. Not until a crazed ruler from another world comes to collect her priceless tears and won’t take no for an answer.
Living in New York, Sabi’s seen some nasty things, but the lengths to which her captor will go to keep his crown are things found only in the darkest nightmares. Afraid and alone, Sabi finds solace in her cellmate, Anya, and Cabal, a fellow Crier who also has powers, a rare combination that buys his favor from the ruler. Only it’s a favor he doesn’t want.
In a fit of rage, power erupts out of Sabi, the same power Cabal has, and a spark of hope ignites. Together they may have a chance at escape, something no other Crier has done. Except a ruler hellbent on draining them of every last diamond tear isn’t their only hurdle. If they escape they’ll be hunted to the ends of the earth, if they survive the trek to safety. If they stay the ruler will leech them dry. Sabi would rather die trying than lie down and die, even if that means running away into even more danger.
“. . . vividly imagined and deftly plotted dark fantasy . . .” BookLife Prize in Fiction
Top Ten Things About New York
Donna Compositor
- Vibe – While I don’t miss the rushed atmosphere, it just has so much history pulsing from the very core of its being it’s hard for me to ignore. I feel like I’m walking through layers of time when I go there.
- Architecture – From deco to modern, there’s something for everyone. I’m one of those people that sees beauty even in dilapidated, boarded up buildings. Child’s Restaurant on Coney Island, for instance. I love all the little friezes around the building despite its boards and graffiti. New York is filled with hidden building gems buried amidst all its modernity.
- Transportation – Probably one of the best public transport systems in the world, I love how accessible everything is at any time of day. Whether it’s a subway or a cab, something is always available to get you where you need to go. Or you just walk. Talk about a walkable city.
- Food – Ugh, god. Put it all in my face. Such an eclectic mix of food, I don’t know if you can find so many different types of food from so many different sources concentrated into such a small area anywhere else on the planet. Don’t get me started on the pizza. Man, do I miss that.
- Shopping – And I’m not talking about Times Square or Macy’s. I’m talking about those little hole in the wall shops that pop up out of nowhere that sell the best, most original stuff. Wandering around south of 14th Street is one of the best areas for something like this, in my opinion.
- Views – Some people favor country settings, and don’t get me wrong. My current desert view is nearly always gorgeous. But there’s something about the Manhattan skyline that gets me every time. The way it carves into the sky and how it looks majestic and imposing and screams power yet feels just a little bit like home.
- History – Like I said above, New York is absolutely filled with it. Layer upon layer of history. Literally. When foundations for new builds have been dug, especially in lower Manhattan, treasures have been found hidden in the sediment. The evolution of New York is rich and deadly and expansive for such a small island. I can’t get enough of it.
- Coney Island – I mentioned Coney above, but it really does hold a special place in my heart. Aside from the fact that I’m planning something that has Coney as its center, it has a dirty carnival atmosphere that I can’t help but love. It’s always felt like it’s harbored a dark secret under its rides and its boardwalk and I’ve always wanted to peel it all away to find it.
- Museums – So many museums. So much history and art and information packed into such a small space. I’ve been to many of them, but I still have a ton to get to.
- Bubbles of grass – Like Central Park or Bryant Park. These little bursts of green among so much cement and glass and steel. Little oases of peace amidst the bustle.
And here she is. . .
Donna has been writing since she was in the single digits when she first realized she needed to do something about all the thoughts in her head. After a stint with bad poetry she finally found her way to novels, mainly of the young adult fantasy variety. When she’s not cranking out more stories she works a regular 9 to 5, reads anywhere from 2 to 3 books a week, drinks copious amounts of tea, eats way too much, and makes her own beauty products because her skin turns into a sentient hive if she uses anything else. This is mostly because she lives in the desert where the air siphons water clean out of her. She lives with a man named Steve and several quadrupeds: three cats named Renfield, Sam, and Dean; and a MinPin named Malfoy.
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Thanks for hosting today! :)
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