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For Darkness Shows the Stars #1.5
The First Star to Fall
In this short story, discover how it all began...
New Pacifica was designed to be a tropical paradise, a refuge for humanity filled with natural wonders and technological marvels. A place of perfect peace where "war" was only a world out of history... or so the privileged teen Persis Blake was always taught.
But then comes the revolution and the death of a queen, and suddenly it's no longer enough for Persis to trust the words of her parents, the lessons of her teachers, and the decrees of the men in power.
One terrible night, Persis witnesses the there are those who will stop at nothing to destroy her world... but is there anyone who can save it?
THE FIRST STAR TO FALL -- a prequel short story to ACROSS A STAR-SWEPT SEA.
New Pacifica was designed to be a tropical paradise, a refuge for humanity filled with natural wonders and technological marvels. A place of perfect peace where "war" was only a world out of history... or so the privileged teen Persis Blake was always taught.
But then comes the revolution and the death of a queen, and suddenly it's no longer enough for Persis to trust the words of her parents, the lessons of her teachers, and the decrees of the men in power.
One terrible night, Persis witnesses the there are those who will stop at nothing to destroy her world... but is there anyone who can save it?
THE FIRST STAR TO FALL -- a prequel short story to ACROSS A STAR-SWEPT SEA.
34 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 29, 2013
11 people are currently reading
2,072 people want to read
About the author
Diana Peterfreund
49 books2,051 followersDiana Peterfreund has been a costume designer, a cover model, and a food critic. Her travels have taken her from the cloud forests of Costa Rica to the underground caverns of New Zealand (and as far as she’s concerned, she’s just getting started). Diana graduated from Yale University in 2001 with dual degrees in Literature and Geology, which her family claimed would only come in handy if she wrote books about rocks. Now, this Florida girl lives with her husband and their puppy in Washington D.C., and writes books that rock
Her first novel, Secret Society Girl (2006), was described as “witty and endearing” by The New York Observer and was placed on the New York Public LIbrary’s 2007 Books for the Teen Age list. The follow-up, Under the Rose (2007) was deemed “impossible to put down” by Publisher’s Weekly, and Booklist called the third book, Rites of Spring (Break) (2008), “an ideal summer read.” The final book in the series, Tap & Gown, will be released in 2009. All titles are available from Bantam Dell.
She also contributed to the non-fiction anthologies, Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume, edited by Jennifer O’Connell (Pocket Books, 2007), The World of the Golden Compass, edited by Scott Westerfeld (BenBella Books, 2007), and Through the Wardrobe, edited by Herbie Brennan (BenBella Books, 2008).
Her first young adult novel, Rampant, an adventure fantasy about killer unicorns and the virgin descendents of Alexander the Great who hunt them, will be released by Harper Collins in 2009. When she’s not writing, Diana volunteers at the National Zoo, adds movies she has no intention of watching to her Netflix queue, and plays with her puppy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever named Rio.
Her first novel, Secret Society Girl (2006), was described as “witty and endearing” by The New York Observer and was placed on the New York Public LIbrary’s 2007 Books for the Teen Age list. The follow-up, Under the Rose (2007) was deemed “impossible to put down” by Publisher’s Weekly, and Booklist called the third book, Rites of Spring (Break) (2008), “an ideal summer read.” The final book in the series, Tap & Gown, will be released in 2009. All titles are available from Bantam Dell.
She also contributed to the non-fiction anthologies, Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume, edited by Jennifer O’Connell (Pocket Books, 2007), The World of the Golden Compass, edited by Scott Westerfeld (BenBella Books, 2007), and Through the Wardrobe, edited by Herbie Brennan (BenBella Books, 2008).
Her first young adult novel, Rampant, an adventure fantasy about killer unicorns and the virgin descendents of Alexander the Great who hunt them, will be released by Harper Collins in 2009. When she’s not writing, Diana volunteers at the National Zoo, adds movies she has no intention of watching to her Netflix queue, and plays with her puppy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever named Rio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
August 21, 2013
This is one of my fave short story/companion stories ever. Read it, then tell me you don't want to read Across A Star-Swept Sea. I am SO excited now!
October 28, 2013
I loved For Darkness Shows the Stars, so when I learned there would be a sequel I was terribly excited. Likewise, I'd enjoyed the first novella Diana Peterfreund had written in this series and might have flipped out a bit when I learned there was a new one. This time I read the prequel novella before the book and it's just made me that much more excited to read Across a Star-Swept Sea!
This novella is absolutely perfect to get you back into the swing of the world Peterfreund created in FDStS or to introduce it to you! Not only do you get a bit of background on the world itself, you also learn a lot about Persis, her friends, beliefs, and lifestyle. I can already tell she's a girl I'm going to like. We also get to see her first actions as the Wild Poppy!
Whether you read this before or after the book, I definitely recommend it! It's a very short read (30 minutes, maybe?) and will immerse you in the world THAT quickly. Now I'm about to combust with my need for Across a Star-Swept Sea!
You can find this review and many more fun things on my blog: Paper Cuts.
This novella is absolutely perfect to get you back into the swing of the world Peterfreund created in FDStS or to introduce it to you! Not only do you get a bit of background on the world itself, you also learn a lot about Persis, her friends, beliefs, and lifestyle. I can already tell she's a girl I'm going to like. We also get to see her first actions as the Wild Poppy!
Whether you read this before or after the book, I definitely recommend it! It's a very short read (30 minutes, maybe?) and will immerse you in the world THAT quickly. Now I'm about to combust with my need for Across a Star-Swept Sea!
You can find this review and many more fun things on my blog: Paper Cuts.
October 24, 2015
It appears as though Book 2 is told from the completely different perspectives of completely different characters.
No. Bueno.
However, I will cross my fingers and hope for the best.
No. Bueno.
However, I will cross my fingers and hope for the best.
November 12, 2014
The beginning of it all..
Tonight, the world they’d always known had ended, and the girls they’d been were lost forever. Tonight, they’d watched a war unfold.
Tonight, the world they’d always known had ended, and the girls they’d been were lost forever. Tonight, they’d watched a war unfold.
October 28, 2013
This is a short prequel to Diana Peterfreund's 'Across a Star Swept Sea' & introduces us to main character Persis Blake. It also continues the story of The Reduction & this time it's being done to people on purpose. This is a good set up for more social commentary & I hope, more scientific explanation of The Reduction. I'd recommend this one for those who are into the series already & are ready to forge on to the next full length novel in the series.
June 10, 2016
I've already read Across a Star-Swept Sea, so I read The First Star to Fall for another glimpse into Persis Blake's life. I was not disappointed. I loved getting to see Persis discover her passion to save the helpless and create her alter ego. There were a lot of seeds planted that came to flower in Across the Star-Swept Sea. A definite must-read for any series fans.
June 7, 2020
Meh. I think this came out before Across a Star Swept Sea, but I read it after. It didn't really seem to add anything new and felt very introspective of ideas explored in the full novel.
If you read this between the two novels, it might be worth it. If you've already read both novels, I would pass on this.
If you read this between the two novels, it might be worth it. If you've already read both novels, I would pass on this.
November 8, 2016
After being riveted to the earlier stories in this series, I was glad to pick up this companion and set up novella for the second book in the series that is a post-apocalyptic retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernel.
While this one begins a whole new setting and set of characters though set in the same world as For Darkness Shows the Stars, I would not recommend getting them out of order, but it looks like it would be alright in a pinch.
The First Star to Fall introduces Persis Blake, a young aristo girl who is friends with her island's new ruler and with the Regs friends she goes to school with though their parents are workers for hers. At a friend's graduation party, she is having sober thoughts about the situation going on across the sea in their sister kingdom. A revolution has taken place. Not only was the queen deposed, but the revolutionaries did the horrific further step of forcibly Reducing her. The Reduced are a sad place in her people's history- a result of genetic manipulation with drastic results leaving generations of people nearly mindless and simple. Somehow this new revolution group have a way to inject a drug that steals away intelligence and they used it on the queen instead of merely imprisoning or execution.
Persis and a friend sneak across to the other island of Galatea and observe the troublesome revolution first hand. While she understands the Regs need to break through the yoke of the upperclasses she is terrified of the angry mob rule and cruelties that this revolutionary group is inacting. She will not just stand by and watch it happen or let it spread to her own island. Change is needed, but not in this way. The Wild Lily is born...
I loved how the author set up this dark and dangerous situation inside the For Darkness Sees the Stars post-apocalyptic world. A new land and new characters and a new deadly class uprising. I could already see hints of the connection with The Scarlet Pimpernel. This short story left me eager to press on for the main event in Across the Star-Swept Sea.
While this one begins a whole new setting and set of characters though set in the same world as For Darkness Shows the Stars, I would not recommend getting them out of order, but it looks like it would be alright in a pinch.
The First Star to Fall introduces Persis Blake, a young aristo girl who is friends with her island's new ruler and with the Regs friends she goes to school with though their parents are workers for hers. At a friend's graduation party, she is having sober thoughts about the situation going on across the sea in their sister kingdom. A revolution has taken place. Not only was the queen deposed, but the revolutionaries did the horrific further step of forcibly Reducing her. The Reduced are a sad place in her people's history- a result of genetic manipulation with drastic results leaving generations of people nearly mindless and simple. Somehow this new revolution group have a way to inject a drug that steals away intelligence and they used it on the queen instead of merely imprisoning or execution.
Persis and a friend sneak across to the other island of Galatea and observe the troublesome revolution first hand. While she understands the Regs need to break through the yoke of the upperclasses she is terrified of the angry mob rule and cruelties that this revolutionary group is inacting. She will not just stand by and watch it happen or let it spread to her own island. Change is needed, but not in this way. The Wild Lily is born...
I loved how the author set up this dark and dangerous situation inside the For Darkness Sees the Stars post-apocalyptic world. A new land and new characters and a new deadly class uprising. I could already see hints of the connection with The Scarlet Pimpernel. This short story left me eager to press on for the main event in Across the Star-Swept Sea.
February 20, 2014
Diana Peterfreund is definitely an author I will be adding to my favourites list. Her writing is so lyrical and gorgeous. Don't believe me? Here's an example from the very first pages of this novella:
“It was a fine night, with a cool sea breeze swirling across the earth-warmed sand, and the scent of grilled tilaprawn and manguava in the air.”
Utterly breathtaking. Even in this prequel, Peterfreund managed to provide sufficient character building and immerse us once again into the elusive, post-apocalyptic world of intrigue that I personally adored in For Darkness Shows the Stars.
Persis is well fleshed out, despite this novella only being a short amount of pages and I can tell that she will be a complex character in Across a Star Swept Sea that I will hopefully love. However, because it's so short I've only rated it 4 stars instead of 5.
There's enough going on to thrill the reader and make you want more and blimey do I want more. This has raised my hopes for the next book and increased my excitement ten-fold. I don't know why I waited so long to get into this series, I've seriously been missing out!
“It was a fine night, with a cool sea breeze swirling across the earth-warmed sand, and the scent of grilled tilaprawn and manguava in the air.”
Utterly breathtaking. Even in this prequel, Peterfreund managed to provide sufficient character building and immerse us once again into the elusive, post-apocalyptic world of intrigue that I personally adored in For Darkness Shows the Stars.
Persis is well fleshed out, despite this novella only being a short amount of pages and I can tell that she will be a complex character in Across a Star Swept Sea that I will hopefully love. However, because it's so short I've only rated it 4 stars instead of 5.
There's enough going on to thrill the reader and make you want more and blimey do I want more. This has raised my hopes for the next book and increased my excitement ten-fold. I don't know why I waited so long to get into this series, I've seriously been missing out!
October 26, 2019
Second Read: 26 October 2019
First read: 28 July 2017
The first book in the series is a modern retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion, but set in a very steam-punkish/futuristic world. Although it is probably not every-one's cup of tea, I fell in love with it.
The second book in this series, Across a Star-Swept Sea, is set in the same world but this time is a retelling of the Scarlet Pimpernel. This is a short story (read in less than an hour) prequel to the second book that sets up the two countries across a sea (aka England and France under different names) and the revolution and death of the Queen of Galatea (not by beheading this time, but by being reduced (linked to the back story in the first book).
I read the Scarlet Pimpernel for the first time recently in anticipation of being able to continue with this series and this didn't disappoint with the clever parallels linking the two versions of this story. I love that the Pimpernel character in this series is female.
On to book 2....if I can find a copy. Not on Kindle :-(
First read: 28 July 2017
The first book in the series is a modern retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion, but set in a very steam-punkish/futuristic world. Although it is probably not every-one's cup of tea, I fell in love with it.
The second book in this series, Across a Star-Swept Sea, is set in the same world but this time is a retelling of the Scarlet Pimpernel. This is a short story (read in less than an hour) prequel to the second book that sets up the two countries across a sea (aka England and France under different names) and the revolution and death of the Queen of Galatea (not by beheading this time, but by being reduced (linked to the back story in the first book).
I read the Scarlet Pimpernel for the first time recently in anticipation of being able to continue with this series and this didn't disappoint with the clever parallels linking the two versions of this story. I love that the Pimpernel character in this series is female.
On to book 2....if I can find a copy. Not on Kindle :-(
June 14, 2017
A great short story about Persis as the revolution begins and she starts her adventures. It's just a little snippet showing the political unrest and how Persis and her friends react to the events that began the revolution, and how they determine to help everyone they can.
I love the dynamic between Persis and Princess Isla! Those two friends are such a great addition to the story. Persis is such an intelligent and caring person, and with her bravery and resourcefulness, she makes an exciting main character.
I love the dynamic between Persis and Princess Isla! Those two friends are such a great addition to the story. Persis is such an intelligent and caring person, and with her bravery and resourcefulness, she makes an exciting main character.
May 19, 2014
This novella was incredible! I kept wishing it wouldn't end and when it did it left my fangirl emotions all over the place, in a good way, of course!
Diana Peterfreud's writting is so incredibly beautifull! And her characters really get under your skin.
Diana Peterfreud's writting is so incredibly beautifull! And her characters really get under your skin.
September 21, 2020
OH. ok this was so good. Much more disturbing than the earlier books were, but so good.
September 22, 2018
Une suite à une austenerie qui n'a plus aucun rapport avec Jane Austen, cependant, j'ai beaucoup aimé ce tome qui nous campe des héroïnes et nous plonge au beau milieu d'une révolution aux conséquences douloureuses pour les victimes. On comprend rapidement que la réduction est terrible (mais on le savait déjà dans La constance de l'étoile polaire) et j'apprécie les 3 personnages féminins, amies dans ce tome mais on sent bien qu'elles vont avoir des difficultés à maintenir cette amitié...
Ce que j'aime : les personnages, leur amitiés
Ce que j'aime moins : plus aucun rapport avec Austen
En bref : Une vignette intéressante qui campe de nouveaux personnages
Ma note
6/10
February 12, 2019
This short novella is a prequel to Across a Star-Swept Sea. It shows a little of the revolution in Galatea and, more importantly, shows the creation of the Wild Poppy. It is a fast coming-of-age story, showing the defining moment of Persistence Blake's life. This was a very quick and enjoyable read. I just wish it had been developed into a full novel.
November 25, 2019
This was a nice short story set in this world, but confusing on the timeline and location in relevance to the first book in the series. These characters didn't draw me in like the last either. Hopefully the second book in the series will tie it all together.
November 20, 2018
Oh, this was a fantastic novella, loved meeting these characters! Can't wait to read more!
April 20, 2020
Good enough intro for the book, not much to say about it
Read
October 4, 20201/18/20- 1/20/20
December 28, 2021
Interesting, horrifying back story. Not completely necessary, yet insightful into the relationships delved into the main book.
Read
August 17, 2022cw: poverty, oppression, violence
So I don’t actually remember this…
So I don’t actually remember this…
November 24, 2013
Genre: new beginnings, revolutionaries and revolution
Summary: 6 months before the events of Across a Star Swept Sea , Persis is at a luau with her friends, when the news of the regicide of Queen Gala ruins the party. Persis and her friend decide to check it out, but when they arrive in Galatea, they find a revolution starting and all enemies of the new regime are at risk, not just the aristocrats. Instead of running away, Persis decides to take a stand and invents an alternate ego, The Wild Poppy, to help her make a difference.
Response: This was just a short little e-book, before Across a Star Swept Sea . It was good to see where Persis was coming from, before she had to play the dual roles of the flake and the hero. I kind of wished it showed a little bit of Justen, but I wasn't too heartbroken.
Summary: 6 months before the events of Across a Star Swept Sea , Persis is at a luau with her friends, when the news of the regicide of Queen Gala ruins the party. Persis and her friend decide to check it out, but when they arrive in Galatea, they find a revolution starting and all enemies of the new regime are at risk, not just the aristocrats. Instead of running away, Persis decides to take a stand and invents an alternate ego, The Wild Poppy, to help her make a difference.
Response: This was just a short little e-book, before Across a Star Swept Sea . It was good to see where Persis was coming from, before she had to play the dual roles of the flake and the hero. I kind of wished it showed a little bit of Justen, but I wasn't too heartbroken.
December 12, 2014
They were very proud of the fact that they hadn't killed the queen. At least, that's the impression one got from the propaganda that made its way north across the sea to Albion. The revolutionaries down in Galatea believed they were gentle - merciful, even. In ancient times, overthrown monarchs were beheaded in public squares, or tied to stakes and lit on fire, or rounded up with all of their family members and shot to death in snowy courtyards.
But there was no such thing as snow anymore, and people had become far more civilized.
Now THAT is how you start a story! Blam! and I'm hooked!!
This was a fantastic teaser for the next book in the series, Across a Star-Swept Sea. It was intriguing, engaging, exciting, and well-written. I love retellings of classic tales, so that makes me even more excited. I'm definitely reading the next book soon!
January 1, 2015
Good introduction to the next book. The characters, their motivations, and the history of the two kingdoms are set up quite nicely, and I thought it was a good prequel in its own right.
However, if you've read "For Darkness Shows the Stars", it is a bit confusing, given that it uses completely different terms for the same thing (Luddites and Posts are now aristos and regs, for example). And I can't figure out when it is set in comparison to book 1. It seems like two completely different worlds and I can't work out how (or if?) they're connected. Given that book 1 ended with Elliot and Kai leaving to explore their world, I was hoping to see where their adventures took them. Instead, the story now seems to be focusing on completely new characters. But we'll see.
However, if you've read "For Darkness Shows the Stars", it is a bit confusing, given that it uses completely different terms for the same thing (Luddites and Posts are now aristos and regs, for example). And I can't figure out when it is set in comparison to book 1. It seems like two completely different worlds and I can't work out how (or if?) they're connected. Given that book 1 ended with Elliot and Kai leaving to explore their world, I was hoping to see where their adventures took them. Instead, the story now seems to be focusing on completely new characters. But we'll see.
October 9, 2016
This is the second novella in the 'The Darkness Shows The Stars' series. We get to see the events that led Persis Blake to become the famous spy, the Wild Poppy. While I love Persis as a character and enjoyed reading this novella, I think it would be better to read about what happened after 'Across A Star-Swept Sea' and tie the loose ends left at the end of that book.
During the novel we get to understand why Persis decided to become the Poppy and while we don't get to read the actual events and her first mission, we do get a little glimpse of it. I don't think it was necessary to give more to that story. Even Justen's POV of the event is present in the main novel, so there was no need to write it in a novella.
Still, we get more Percy, so that's always good.
During the novel we get to understand why Persis decided to become the Poppy and while we don't get to read the actual events and her first mission, we do get a little glimpse of it. I don't think it was necessary to give more to that story. Even Justen's POV of the event is present in the main novel, so there was no need to write it in a novella.
Still, we get more Percy, so that's always good.
June 25, 2020
New Pacifica was designed to be a tropical paradise, a refuge for humanity filled with natural wonders and technological marvels. A place of perfect peace where "war" was only a world out of history... or so the privileged teen Persis Blake was always taught. But then comes the revolution and the death of a queen, and suddenly it's no longer enough for Persis to trust the words of her parents, the lessons of her teachers, and the decrees of the men in power. One terrible night, Persis witnesses the truth: there are those who will stop at nothing to destroy her world... but is there anyone who can save it?
September 6, 2023
A short prequel setting up a post-apocalyptic retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernel.
Persis Blake grew up in New Pacifica, the only surviving human colony after the wars. She lives in the Kingdom of Albion, while it has it's problems it seems like nothing compared to the Kingdom of Galatea across the sea. The "regs" or commoners have killed their Queen and seem to be bent on taking down every "aristo" in New Pacifica.
A really good beginning, cannot wait to dive into the rest of the story.
Persis Blake grew up in New Pacifica, the only surviving human colony after the wars. She lives in the Kingdom of Albion, while it has it's problems it seems like nothing compared to the Kingdom of Galatea across the sea. The "regs" or commoners have killed their Queen and seem to be bent on taking down every "aristo" in New Pacifica.
A really good beginning, cannot wait to dive into the rest of the story.
August 27, 2013
Mmmmmmmm. I'm so, so, so, so looking forward to where this goes and having a brand new, utterly reimagined Pimpernel. I love the governments, classes, and characters we've laid out so far. I love how the foreshadowing of the main country is put right up the glass of the violent revolution in the other, both on tv at a party and up close in the second half.
I love who we are discovering our characters are. I love the choices made right at the end of the novel. I, seriously, can not wait to have this show up ready to be bought so I can dive into this series, too.
I love who we are discovering our characters are. I love the choices made right at the end of the novel. I, seriously, can not wait to have this show up ready to be bought so I can dive into this series, too.
October 19, 2014
I should read synopsis or pay more attention to the cover... Thought it was some sort of continuation or epilogue to For Darkness Shows the Stars but it turns out it's the prequel to the next book that has nothing to do with Elliot or Kai. It's set in the same world and that's it.
But it was interesting. I might pick up the book even if inspired by a book I've never read.
But it was interesting. I might pick up the book even if inspired by a book I've never read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews