The magic in this story is also a bit different, although still fitting into the previously built world. Every chapter of Starry River of the Sky has a unique header illustration, including this one on page 163, starting off chapter 24. His backstory is pried loose from him in miserly pieces, but the subtle transformation of his character is worth watching. He’s learned to disdain unexciting, impoverished places like this small town, but when stuck there, begrudgingly learns the meaning of love and life.
Rendi is a boy who has seen rather more of the world than he cares to. The cast of characters is noticeably smaller (although used to full effect) and the setting limited – most scenes take place in one small town and its bizarre surroundings. In contrast, this book is remarkably stable.
Both the exciting physical journey that Min-li went on, and to a lesser degree, the emotional journey that her parents take as they are left at home without her. The previous book was all about journeys. One of the fascinating aspects of this series is that so far each book focuses on a different character and has an independent plot, although set in the same world. I was very uncertain about how this read would go ( the first book in this series was a 2017 favorite) but Grace Lin has delivered another superb MG fantasy. Runaway Rendi seems to be the only one who noticed that the moon is missing above the village of Clear Sky! He’s aching for someone to visit this remote village so he can stow away and leave again, but while he’s stuck here, can he unravel the peculiarities of this very odd village? Little, Brown, and Company, Hachette Book Group, New York, 2014.
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