What do you think?
Rate this book
The Blazing Star #2
The Falling Star
Seventeen-year-old Alexandria White only wants to go home, a wish that would be easier to pull off if home weren't thousands of years in the future and halfway across the world. Since her twin sister, Portia, touched an artifact during their history class, she's been stuck in ancient Egypt surrounded by the knife-wielding priestesses, soul-consuming Scorpions, and a destiny so terrifying she fled Egypt's capital city. Alex has been hiding in plain sight and putting her academic skills to use as a royal tutor in the Nile Delta, an area on the brink of war. When tensions rise between clashing monarchies, everything Alex left behind—the magic that is her birthright, the danger of the Scorpions—is arriving at her door, as well as a major secret. She'll have to decide if she will flee again or take a stand and face her future in the past.
365 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2020
1 person is currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Imani Josey
5 books65 followersImani Josey is a writer from Chicago, Illinois. In her previous life, she was a cheerleader for the Chicago Bulls and won the titles of Miss Chicago and Miss Cook County for the Miss America Organization, as well as Miss Black Illinois USA.
Her one-act play, Grace, was produced by Pegasus Players Theatre Chicago after winning the 19th Annual Young Playwrights Festival. In recent years, she has turned her sights to long-form fiction.
The Blazing Star was her debut novel; it is followed by its sequel The Falling Star.
Her one-act play, Grace, was produced by Pegasus Players Theatre Chicago after winning the 19th Annual Young Playwrights Festival. In recent years, she has turned her sights to long-form fiction.
The Blazing Star was her debut novel; it is followed by its sequel The Falling Star.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 28, 2021
Short review:
I seriously loved this book. Seriously. I loved the first one when it came out a few years ago and did a re-read right before The Falling Star for the full effect and it was delightful.
Longer review to follow when I am less overwhelmed with things I have to do~
I seriously loved this book. Seriously. I loved the first one when it came out a few years ago and did a re-read right before The Falling Star for the full effect and it was delightful.
Longer review to follow when I am less overwhelmed with things I have to do~
May 17, 2021
I received this book for free from Author, MTMC Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. You can also find this review at The Reader and the Chef.
I started reading The Falling Star right after finishing The Blazing Star and let me say that binge reading both books was the best decision ever! The Blazing Star series is AMAZING, I seriously enjoyed every moment of it!
Now in this sequel, our MC is Alexandria, Portia’s incredibly smart twin. She wakes up disoriented and slightly sick after her disagreement with her twin and she doesn’t recognize where she is. After she gets taken cared of by a family, they decide to take her to a nearby Egyptian temple and seek for help. But on their way they get intercepted by a Hyksos sergeant and his soldiers and that’s how Alex suddenly finds herself in her way to a palace where she becomes a tutor to royal children.
Aah, I couldn’t get enough of this book! Alex is such a kind soul, I was always rooting for her. She was constantly fighting for her desperate desire to find Portia and Selene so they could go back home, but at the same time doing her best to fight the evil lurking around. Not to mention that she was also getting to experience her new heka (magic) abilities and learning to control them was not an easy task.
Along the way, we meet several new characters that I really liked. First we have Itet, who is one of the royal kids and she is the sweetest of them all and carries around her pet crocodile! Then there is Suhad who happens to be one of the few friends Alex has on the palace. And last but not least, is general Raia, who I didn’t know what to think of at first but ended up really liking him.
The Falling Star is action-packed, fast-paced and I loved that among the chaos there was also time for sibling reconciliation and friendship bonds. One of my favorite aspects of this book was that even though Alex is a soft and gentle character, you can see her grow and become the fierce heroine she was all along and I found that inspiring! I cannot wait to continue reading this series and see what comes next in Portia’s, Alexandria’s and Selene’s story!!
I started reading The Falling Star right after finishing The Blazing Star and let me say that binge reading both books was the best decision ever! The Blazing Star series is AMAZING, I seriously enjoyed every moment of it!
Now in this sequel, our MC is Alexandria, Portia’s incredibly smart twin. She wakes up disoriented and slightly sick after her disagreement with her twin and she doesn’t recognize where she is. After she gets taken cared of by a family, they decide to take her to a nearby Egyptian temple and seek for help. But on their way they get intercepted by a Hyksos sergeant and his soldiers and that’s how Alex suddenly finds herself in her way to a palace where she becomes a tutor to royal children.
Aah, I couldn’t get enough of this book! Alex is such a kind soul, I was always rooting for her. She was constantly fighting for her desperate desire to find Portia and Selene so they could go back home, but at the same time doing her best to fight the evil lurking around. Not to mention that she was also getting to experience her new heka (magic) abilities and learning to control them was not an easy task.
Along the way, we meet several new characters that I really liked. First we have Itet, who is one of the royal kids and she is the sweetest of them all and carries around her pet crocodile! Then there is Suhad who happens to be one of the few friends Alex has on the palace. And last but not least, is general Raia, who I didn’t know what to think of at first but ended up really liking him.
The Falling Star is action-packed, fast-paced and I loved that among the chaos there was also time for sibling reconciliation and friendship bonds. One of my favorite aspects of this book was that even though Alex is a soft and gentle character, you can see her grow and become the fierce heroine she was all along and I found that inspiring! I cannot wait to continue reading this series and see what comes next in Portia’s, Alexandria’s and Selene’s story!!
February 10, 2021
The Falling Star, book two in Imani Josey’s YA Fantasy series The Blazing Star, is a thrilling follow up to book one. The series’ action centers around an intertwined journey of self-discovery for seventeen-year-old twin sisters Portia and Alexandria White who possess “birthright” magical powers.
Book one is told in Portia’s voice. (In book one, Portia touches an artifact in history class. She time travels from contemporary Chicago to ancient Egypt. By novel’s end, she remains trapped within a monarchial society.) Book two, however, anchors on Alexandria’s point of view wherein she’s also transported to ancient Egypt in pursuit of rescuing her sister.
Author Josey adeptly challenges Alexandria, who serves as an undercover tutor in royal society, with a vast backdrop of emotionally potent, action-packed conflicts. Fantasy elements matched with a clever narrative design of time travel elements make for a cinematic read; the impeccably vivid, visceral action, and settings of ancient, monarchial Egypt are riveting.
Heartfelt, too, are the relationship dynamics between the sisters; a realistic window into the process of growing pains from young adulthood into adulthood—and as twins! As well, layers of parental influences that impact the sister’s lives are endearing, particularly the weaving in of memories of their deceased mother.
Ultimately, Alexandria struggles to safely navigate the dangers of clashing monarchies, whether or not she can flee with her sister, and what it means to deal with her future in the past.
An emotionally fulfilling read with a jaw-dropping ending that perfectly sets the stage for book three in the series. Brava!
Book one is told in Portia’s voice. (In book one, Portia touches an artifact in history class. She time travels from contemporary Chicago to ancient Egypt. By novel’s end, she remains trapped within a monarchial society.) Book two, however, anchors on Alexandria’s point of view wherein she’s also transported to ancient Egypt in pursuit of rescuing her sister.
Author Josey adeptly challenges Alexandria, who serves as an undercover tutor in royal society, with a vast backdrop of emotionally potent, action-packed conflicts. Fantasy elements matched with a clever narrative design of time travel elements make for a cinematic read; the impeccably vivid, visceral action, and settings of ancient, monarchial Egypt are riveting.
Heartfelt, too, are the relationship dynamics between the sisters; a realistic window into the process of growing pains from young adulthood into adulthood—and as twins! As well, layers of parental influences that impact the sister’s lives are endearing, particularly the weaving in of memories of their deceased mother.
Ultimately, Alexandria struggles to safely navigate the dangers of clashing monarchies, whether or not she can flee with her sister, and what it means to deal with her future in the past.
An emotionally fulfilling read with a jaw-dropping ending that perfectly sets the stage for book three in the series. Brava!
January 13, 2021
I´ve been waiting for ages for this book, and it was worth every second of the wait. The Blazing Star, the first book in this series, was one of the first ebooks I´ve ever read and it was the distraction I needed to help me through a difficult time in my life. I´ve always loved ancient Egypt, enough to study Egyptology, so a book dealing with time travel and the chosen one and all other tropes I love, written by a black author was something I couldn´t pass up.
The two books in this series each have their own POV, with Portia, one of the twin sisters narrating the firs, and Alex, the other one, the second. It´s a very interesting choice, and one I really appreciate, because this gives both girls the time to shine they need, and it highlights their relationship, and the different views they have of their situation. Because at the heart, this is the story of two sisters finding their way back to each other.
Portia has always been in her brilliant sisters shadow, and she has started to resent that, especially since Alex planned out both their lives. So when they time travel to ancient Egypt, and she finally finds her place, something she is good at, Portia takes to that like a fish to water. She finds love, people she cares about, a new destiny she can make her own.
And for Alex, it´s the exact opposite. She misses the life she but in Chicago, her father, her boyfriend, she wants to go back and nothing to do with all that, and the sisters clash over that. I would argue it´s a necessary clash, because things get aired which have built up over years. They need to clash to find each other again.
And when Alex gets separated from her sister and is forced to make her way alone in the Hyksos capital of Avaris, she has to deal with all that. Her wish to go back, the promise she made her mother on her deathbed, the fact that her life might now be in the past, that she and her sister were born in this time, that they have a fate to fulfil. She struggles and she fights against that, and watching her make her own way, learning to accept her new life and carving out her place there is amazing. She´s a very headstrong character, who makes mistakes and falters and can get stuck in her ways and plans, but is also willing to fight for those she loves and to correct the mistakes she makes.
The relationship between the two sisters is one big plus for the book, but I have to talk about the other things which drew my attention, and this is the world building. This book is amazingly well researched, taking place in a period of time which does not get a lot of attention when it comes to ancient Egypt, the time shortly after the end of the Hyksos rule and the aftermath. Of course the author takes some liberties; this is a novel after all, a fantasy one too, but there is so much care taken in how to depict the world and the people, and as an Egyptologist I can only prise the research taken.
The plot was engaging and I loved that it takes time to focus on building the world and the characters inhabiting it, and I loved watching Alex learn more of her powers and the conflict between the gods slowly coming to a head. The one thing I could criticises is just a pet peeve of mine, but *sighs* If someone, anyone writes an Egyptian fantasy, and there´s a bad guy needed, in 99% it´s one god everyone turns to. I´m not going to mention this god’s name, because it’s kind of a spoiler, but really you know whom I mean. It´s always the same one and I´d honestly kill for a story which doesn´t turn them into a purely bad guy and deals with the nuances and the conflict which arises from the fact that this god is just as much good as they are evil. Still, it´s well handled in here, that´s just me wanting more for my favourite Egyptian god.
All in all, The Falling Star is a relaxing, engaging read, and if you like ancient Egypt, do yourself a favour and pick up this series. You won´t regret it! And for me, I´m now settling in to wait for the next book.
The two books in this series each have their own POV, with Portia, one of the twin sisters narrating the firs, and Alex, the other one, the second. It´s a very interesting choice, and one I really appreciate, because this gives both girls the time to shine they need, and it highlights their relationship, and the different views they have of their situation. Because at the heart, this is the story of two sisters finding their way back to each other.
Portia has always been in her brilliant sisters shadow, and she has started to resent that, especially since Alex planned out both their lives. So when they time travel to ancient Egypt, and she finally finds her place, something she is good at, Portia takes to that like a fish to water. She finds love, people she cares about, a new destiny she can make her own.
And for Alex, it´s the exact opposite. She misses the life she but in Chicago, her father, her boyfriend, she wants to go back and nothing to do with all that, and the sisters clash over that. I would argue it´s a necessary clash, because things get aired which have built up over years. They need to clash to find each other again.
And when Alex gets separated from her sister and is forced to make her way alone in the Hyksos capital of Avaris, she has to deal with all that. Her wish to go back, the promise she made her mother on her deathbed, the fact that her life might now be in the past, that she and her sister were born in this time, that they have a fate to fulfil. She struggles and she fights against that, and watching her make her own way, learning to accept her new life and carving out her place there is amazing. She´s a very headstrong character, who makes mistakes and falters and can get stuck in her ways and plans, but is also willing to fight for those she loves and to correct the mistakes she makes.
The relationship between the two sisters is one big plus for the book, but I have to talk about the other things which drew my attention, and this is the world building. This book is amazingly well researched, taking place in a period of time which does not get a lot of attention when it comes to ancient Egypt, the time shortly after the end of the Hyksos rule and the aftermath. Of course the author takes some liberties; this is a novel after all, a fantasy one too, but there is so much care taken in how to depict the world and the people, and as an Egyptologist I can only prise the research taken.
The plot was engaging and I loved that it takes time to focus on building the world and the characters inhabiting it, and I loved watching Alex learn more of her powers and the conflict between the gods slowly coming to a head. The one thing I could criticises is just a pet peeve of mine, but *sighs* If someone, anyone writes an Egyptian fantasy, and there´s a bad guy needed, in 99% it´s one god everyone turns to. I´m not going to mention this god’s name, because it’s kind of a spoiler, but really you know whom I mean. It´s always the same one and I´d honestly kill for a story which doesn´t turn them into a purely bad guy and deals with the nuances and the conflict which arises from the fact that this god is just as much good as they are evil. Still, it´s well handled in here, that´s just me wanting more for my favourite Egyptian god.
All in all, The Falling Star is a relaxing, engaging read, and if you like ancient Egypt, do yourself a favour and pick up this series. You won´t regret it! And for me, I´m now settling in to wait for the next book.
May 21, 2021
Note: This is the second book in a series that should be read in order. If you are new to the series, you can check out my review of book one HERE
The Falling Star is the second book in the Blazing Star series, which is a young adult time travel fantasy by Imani Josey. I really enjoyed the first book in the series, where we joined sisters Alex and Portia on a journey back to ancient Egypt. If you are a fan of books featuring sisters, then I think you will really enjoy this magical tale that Imani Josey crafted. It is perfect for younger readers of young adult fiction as well as older readers. I loved that Imani Josey decides to switch up the narration point of view in this installment. The first book was mainly told through Portia's point of view, who is sick of being stuck in her smart and accomplished sister's shadow. She really came into her own in Ancient Egypt. Her superstar sister, Alex however; was a different story.
The Falling Star is told through Alex's point of view. I loved that Imani Josey did this because it really gave us readers the chance to get to know her and learn about some of her challenges. She is so different than her sister Portia, but when she is in Ancient Egypt we really start to see her struggle and feel out of place for maybe the first time in her life. She misses her her life back home. In it is in this book that we really get to know Alex on a much better level. I enjoyed a deeper dive into who Alex is and watching her learn more about her powers.
The conflict in The Falling Star also starts to ramp up, and we see more discord with the Gods. I really enjoyed seeing Alex in her role as a tutor. Based on the prior book, I had always felt that Alex had it all together, but watching her struggle with her magical abilities and struggle to stand up for herself made me able to relate to her a lot more. It also was super satisfying to see her grow throughout the story. I was cheering her on while at the same time hoping for Alex and Portia find a way grow closer as sisters. I think this series is perfect for readers who enjoy time travel adventures and who can appreciate a well done sibling relationship. Watching the sisters come back together and understand how it feels to be in the others shoes was really wonderful. I am also super interested to see how the sisters are going to fulfill their destiny and make it back home. Overall, I really enjoyed this story. This book was a lot of fun and I can't wait to continue on with the series. It does feel a little on the younger side of YA with the writing and content level, which makes it great for readers just looking to venture into the young adult fantasy world.
The Falling Star is the second book in the Blazing Star series, which is a young adult time travel fantasy by Imani Josey. I really enjoyed the first book in the series, where we joined sisters Alex and Portia on a journey back to ancient Egypt. If you are a fan of books featuring sisters, then I think you will really enjoy this magical tale that Imani Josey crafted. It is perfect for younger readers of young adult fiction as well as older readers. I loved that Imani Josey decides to switch up the narration point of view in this installment. The first book was mainly told through Portia's point of view, who is sick of being stuck in her smart and accomplished sister's shadow. She really came into her own in Ancient Egypt. Her superstar sister, Alex however; was a different story.
The Falling Star is told through Alex's point of view. I loved that Imani Josey did this because it really gave us readers the chance to get to know her and learn about some of her challenges. She is so different than her sister Portia, but when she is in Ancient Egypt we really start to see her struggle and feel out of place for maybe the first time in her life. She misses her her life back home. In it is in this book that we really get to know Alex on a much better level. I enjoyed a deeper dive into who Alex is and watching her learn more about her powers.
The conflict in The Falling Star also starts to ramp up, and we see more discord with the Gods. I really enjoyed seeing Alex in her role as a tutor. Based on the prior book, I had always felt that Alex had it all together, but watching her struggle with her magical abilities and struggle to stand up for herself made me able to relate to her a lot more. It also was super satisfying to see her grow throughout the story. I was cheering her on while at the same time hoping for Alex and Portia find a way grow closer as sisters. I think this series is perfect for readers who enjoy time travel adventures and who can appreciate a well done sibling relationship. Watching the sisters come back together and understand how it feels to be in the others shoes was really wonderful. I am also super interested to see how the sisters are going to fulfill their destiny and make it back home. Overall, I really enjoyed this story. This book was a lot of fun and I can't wait to continue on with the series. It does feel a little on the younger side of YA with the writing and content level, which makes it great for readers just looking to venture into the young adult fantasy world.
December 6, 2020
Disclaimer: I was gifted the early release of this book in exchange for a honest review.
WOW!! That's my first reaction.
For me, this book is movie ready, it has all the scenes set, atmospheric descriptions, the cross between old word and new world, different regions. it is awesome!
Now, I have to say that on first attempt, I was not gripped, two chapters in and I initially thought "what have I agreed to" however I am glad I gave it a second go because it is a really good story though it was out of my initial comfort zone/my usual genre of go-to-books.
As Imani Josey has only just released the book I shan't spoil it for you but the characters and the nuances, the cross between 2 worlds, the intwined stories with the sisters- Portia & Alexandria's lives with the Egyptian world. The heartbreak of their mother, the friendships forged along the way however temporary. The Guard(ian) (I really like - always seems to pop up when required).
Who would have thought that being presented with a gift could catapult you into a whole new place and time where sickness takes hold alongside the stirring of something more powerful- one where you can speak another language, feel and instinctively know magic.
I've picked a line to sum it up without me ruining it for you:
"After Portia touched the scarab in Mr. Pomey's class and fainted, it had all grown steadily stranger."
Josey has managed to capture the feel of ancient Egypt whilst also staying in this time. If you like adventure, fantasy, sisters- protectors, celestial beings and fantasy battles then this is 100% the book for you.
Mini spoiler:
I found it hilarious that the reason Portia stopped talking to Alexandria amongst the backdrop of the whole story, was over a boy and she only really confesses to this towards the end. Ha haaa!
A really great read!
Imani Josey
The Falling Star
The Falling Star
WOW!! That's my first reaction.
For me, this book is movie ready, it has all the scenes set, atmospheric descriptions, the cross between old word and new world, different regions. it is awesome!
Now, I have to say that on first attempt, I was not gripped, two chapters in and I initially thought "what have I agreed to" however I am glad I gave it a second go because it is a really good story though it was out of my initial comfort zone/my usual genre of go-to-books.
As Imani Josey has only just released the book I shan't spoil it for you but the characters and the nuances, the cross between 2 worlds, the intwined stories with the sisters- Portia & Alexandria's lives with the Egyptian world. The heartbreak of their mother, the friendships forged along the way however temporary. The Guard(ian) (I really like - always seems to pop up when required).
Who would have thought that being presented with a gift could catapult you into a whole new place and time where sickness takes hold alongside the stirring of something more powerful- one where you can speak another language, feel and instinctively know magic.
I've picked a line to sum it up without me ruining it for you:
"After Portia touched the scarab in Mr. Pomey's class and fainted, it had all grown steadily stranger."
Josey has managed to capture the feel of ancient Egypt whilst also staying in this time. If you like adventure, fantasy, sisters- protectors, celestial beings and fantasy battles then this is 100% the book for you.
Mini spoiler:
I found it hilarious that the reason Portia stopped talking to Alexandria amongst the backdrop of the whole story, was over a boy and she only really confesses to this towards the end. Ha haaa!
A really great read!
Imani Josey
The Falling Star
The Falling Star
May 20, 2021
THE BLAZING STAR saw Portia, Alex, and Selene magically transported to ancient Egypt where they were separated and trying to find their way back to one another. THE FALLING STAR sees them finally reunited, but still very much stuck in the past. Where Alex is a take-charge, brilliant, very successful young woman in current times, we got to see a very different side of her this time around. She’s facing challenges and situations that she’s certainly not used to, and combine that with how much she misses her life in the present day she’s not adapting as well as Portia did. Present day is where Alex shines like the sun, but it’s Portia who takes the spotlight in the past and I loved seeing their role reversal. THE FALLING STAR is Alex’s book, and I appreciated seeing everything from her POV. Her journey and her experience in Egypt is much different than Portia’s, but the end goal is the same — get back to twinning so they can make their way home.
Much like the first book, this one is just as atmospheric and rich and I loved being transported back to ancient Egypt. The world building in this series is absolutely incredible, and Josey seamlessly blends fantasy with plenty of Egyptian history and really makes you feel like you’re right on the riverbanks with Portia or in Hyksos alongside Alex. I also liked that this book gives a more in-depth look at fate and fulfilling destiny and how that all ties in to the twins getting “stuck” in Egypt, and it’ll be really interesting seeing how that aspect is resolved.
The dynamics between the sisters remains my favorite part of this series. They have their ups and downs as plenty of siblings do, but it’s their position as twins that makes it so unique. They’re opposites, they have different hopes and dreams, and I like watching them sort of navigate this tricky position of wanting individuality while still wanting to twin and remain close with their sister. More so on the part of Portia, though Alex is slowly understanding why Portia needs this so much.
Bottom line — THE FALLING STAR is a fantastic second entry in Imani Josey’s The Blazing Star series. A fast-paced magical adventure, and I can’t wait to see what the next book brings.
*Many thanks to MTMC Book Tours and the author for providing a copy for review.
Much like the first book, this one is just as atmospheric and rich and I loved being transported back to ancient Egypt. The world building in this series is absolutely incredible, and Josey seamlessly blends fantasy with plenty of Egyptian history and really makes you feel like you’re right on the riverbanks with Portia or in Hyksos alongside Alex. I also liked that this book gives a more in-depth look at fate and fulfilling destiny and how that all ties in to the twins getting “stuck” in Egypt, and it’ll be really interesting seeing how that aspect is resolved.
The dynamics between the sisters remains my favorite part of this series. They have their ups and downs as plenty of siblings do, but it’s their position as twins that makes it so unique. They’re opposites, they have different hopes and dreams, and I like watching them sort of navigate this tricky position of wanting individuality while still wanting to twin and remain close with their sister. More so on the part of Portia, though Alex is slowly understanding why Portia needs this so much.
Bottom line — THE FALLING STAR is a fantastic second entry in Imani Josey’s The Blazing Star series. A fast-paced magical adventure, and I can’t wait to see what the next book brings.
*Many thanks to MTMC Book Tours and the author for providing a copy for review.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews