The chaos of stars by Kiersten White

Isadora is your average teenager - average except for the fact that her mother is Isis and her father is Osiris, as in the Egyptian god and goddess.  For the past few years she has rebelled against her mother and avoided learning about her role in her family, because although her parents are both gods Isadora is 100% mortal.  When she learns that her mother is pregnant with her next baby (about three years ahead of schedule) and that there is a dark force moving against her family Isadora is only too happy to be shipped off to stay with her big brother Sirus - but then again what 17 year old wouldn't want to move out of home (and the country) to get away from the grief at home.

It seemed like a good idea at the time, but Isadora soon discovers that she hasn't left her troubles behind her after all, because she keeps having bad dreams and weird things happen at her brothers house and the museum where she will help set up an exhibition of artefacts from her family.  It is enough to drive anyone crazy, and then she has the added complication of her friendship with Ry, because Ry doesn't seem to want to leave things at "just friends".

The chaos of stars is one of those books that almost feels a little too clever for its own good and I have to confess that I almost gave up after the first few pages, but I have loved Kiersten White's other books and gave the Isadora and her story the benefit of the doubt - and I am glad I did because it is a well crafted story that pulls together family drama, teen angst, a mystery, and an extra large dose of mythology on the side.  What initially felt like the author being too clever quickly settled into a grounding in the background of the story and a refresher of Egyptian mythology.  I loved Isadora as a character - who wouldn't love someone who bucks the system because they can, but also has a fierce loyalty to their family and mythology? 

The chaos of stars will not be to everyone's taste, even some of White's fans will have trouble settling into the story, but it is well crafted and leaves a tantalising feel that there may be more stories in this vein if not with the exact same characters.  It takes a talented author to take real world and blend it together with the fantastical and White is very good at doing that, and she is very very good at creating believable and absorbing mythologies.  Another gem from Kiersten White.

If you like this book then try:

• Mind games (Sister assassin) by Kiersten White
• Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
• Born at midnight by C.C Hunter
• Antigoddess by Kendare Blake
• The girl of fire and thorns by Rae Carson
• Daughter of smoke and bone by Laini Taylor
• Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
• Sweet venom by Tera Lynn Childs
• Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst

Reviewed by Brilla