As Shizuka, Katrina and Lan’s lives become entangled the struggles they each have becomes defined. This is a difficult book to review, it is epic in scope, it has magic, cursed violins, demonic deals and found family worth fighting for. Lan’s kindness enchants Shikuka and although she has a mission to break her curse she is drawn to the gentle Lan. Shizuka meets Lan Tran, a starship captain with four children, escaping an interstellar war disguising her portal to the stars as a doughnut shop. Shizuka Satomi, world famous violin teacher, has delivered six violin prodigies to the devil who had willingly traded their souls for success, she has one more to find when Katrina, a trans runaway with a untapped talent crosses her path. And maybe something as small as a warm donut is powerful enough to break a curse as vast as the California coastline.Īs the lives of these three women become entangled by chance and fate, a story of magic, identity, curses, and hope begins, and a family worth crossing the universe for is found.Ī Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books. Shizuka doesn't have time for crushes or coffee dates, what with her very soul on the line, but Lan's kind smile and eyes like stars might just redefine a soul's worth. She's found her final candidate.īut in a donut shop off a bustling highway in the San Gabriel Valley, Shizuka meets Lan Tran, retired starship captain, interstellar refugee, and mother of four. When Katrina Nguyen, a young transgender runaway, catches Shizuka's ear with her wild talent, Shizuka can almost feel the curse lifting.

Shizuka Satomi made a deal with the devil: To escape damnation, she must entice seven other violin prodigies to trade their souls for success.

Good Omens meets The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet in Ryka Aoki's Light from Uncommon Stars, a defiantly joyful adventure set in California's San Gabriel Valley, with cursed violins, Faustian bargains, and queer alien courtship over fresh-made donuts.

Light from uncommon stars review