Shadows and Prophecies

The story opens with Kricket, a genetically gifted young woman, at the center of a cosmic prophecy. Her father, Pan, once thought dead, is revealed to be alive and leading a rebel group, the Order of the Tempest, whose mission is to protect the prophesied Empress of Ethar—Kricket herself. The world of Ethar is fractured into five Houses, each vying for power, and the ancient plague Black Math, engineered by Excelsior Ensin, still casts a shadow. Kricket's unique abilities—soothsaying, astral projection, and rapid healing—make her both a prize and a threat. As the prophecy unfolds, Kricket is traded to Kyon Ensin, a powerful and dangerous leader of the Alameeda Brotherhood, setting the stage for a battle not just for survival, but for the fate of Ethar itself.

Captive on the Island

Kricket is taken to a remote island by Kyon, who claims her as his consort. Their relationship is fraught with violence, manipulation, and a twisted intimacy. Kyon oscillates between cruelty and tenderness, determined to break Kricket's will and make her submit. The island is both a paradise and a prison, filled with advanced technology and deadly defenses. Kricket's attempts to resist and escape are met with both physical and psychological warfare. Yet, beneath the surface, a complex bond forms between captor and captive, blurring the lines between hate and desire.

Astral Bonds and Betrayals

Kricket's ability to project her consciousness allows her to witness the machinations of her friends and foes. She visits Trey, her former lover, and learns of the betrayals that led to her capture. Her sister Astrid, once thought lost, is alive and part of the rebel cause. Giffen, a telekinetic protector, urges Kricket to use her position with Kyon to spy on the Alameeda. Kricket is torn between loyalty to her old allies and the necessity of surviving in Kyon's world. The astral journeys expose the deep fractures in the resistance and the personal costs of war.

The Enemy Within

Excelsior Ensin, Kyon's father and the architect of Ethar's current turmoil, demands Kricket's return. He reveals his plan to harvest Kricket's genetic material to create a new generation of priestesses, viewing her as property rather than a person. The Brotherhood's internal politics are ruthless, and Kricket realizes she is expendable to all sides. Kyon's refusal to surrender her sets off a deadly standoff, with assassination attempts and psychological warfare escalating. Kricket's only hope lies in outsmarting both her enemies and her so-called protectors.

Lessons in Survival

On the island, Kyon forces Kricket to learn survival skills—swimming, piloting, and self-defense—under the guise of preparing her for the dangers ahead. Their relationship deepens, marked by moments of genuine connection and mutual respect, even as the threat of violence lingers. Kricket's resilience grows, but so does her dependence on Kyon. The lessons are as much about power dynamics as they are about survival, and Kricket must navigate the treacherous waters of trust, autonomy, and manipulation.

The Brotherhood's Game

Kricket is introduced to the inner workings of the Alameeda Brotherhood and the priestess hierarchy. She faces hostility from other priestesses and the ruling Brothers, who see her as a threat to their power. Kyon's claim on her is both a shield and a shackle, isolating her from potential allies. The Brotherhood's rituals, tests, and mind games are designed to break her spirit, but Kricket's defiance only grows. She forms a fragile alliance with Phlix, a shadow-walking priestess, and begins to plot her escape.

The Empress and the Savage

Kyon stages a public claiming ceremony, binding Kricket to him in the eyes of the Brotherhood. The event is both a political maneuver and a personal declaration, forcing Kricket into the role of the prophesied Empress. The ceremony is met with resistance and violence, as rivals attempt to undermine her legitimacy. Kricket's savage reputation becomes both her armor and her curse, as she is forced to fight—literally and figuratively—for her place in this new world.

Future's Price

Kricket's precognitive abilities show her glimpses of Ethar's possible futures—cities destroyed, loved ones lost, and her own death. The burden of foresight is crushing, as every choice seems to lead to tragedy. She realizes that her survival may come at the expense of others, and that the prophecy is as much a trap as it is a promise. The lines between friend and foe blur, and Kricket must decide what she is willing to sacrifice to change the future.

Crowns and Coronations

As the Brotherhood's grip tightens, Kricket and Kyon devise a plan to assassinate Excelsior during a coronation ceremony. They design crowns laced with deadly turbine worms, turning the symbol of power into a weapon. The plan is risky and requires the complicity of unlikely allies, including Dobrey, a reluctant technician. The coronation becomes a stage for revolution, with the fate of Ethar hanging in the balance.

The World Ender

The coronation unfolds in a spectacle of violence and betrayal. Excelsior dons the deadly crown and is gruesomely killed, his death broadcast to the world. The Brotherhood is decimated, and the old order collapses. Kyon is gravely wounded, and Kricket must fight to save him. The aftermath is chaos, as rival factions scramble for control and Kricket becomes the most wanted person in Ethar.

Love, Lies, and Loyalties

Kricket's relationships with Trey, Kyon, and her allies are tested to the breaking point. Betrayals are revealed, and the true cost of loyalty becomes clear. Kricket is forced to confront her feelings for Kyon, the man who was both her captor and her savior, and for Trey, the love she lost. The lines between love and survival blur, and Kricket must choose between her heart and her freedom.

The Trial of Truth

Captured by the remnants of the Brotherhood, Kricket is put on trial in a secret chamber. Drugged and restrained, she is forced to confront her enemies and her own past. The trial is a sham, designed to justify her execution, but Kricket turns the tables by exposing the Brotherhood's crimes. The proceedings are secretly broadcast, igniting public outrage and sealing the fate of the old regime.

The Fall of the Brotherhood

With Excelsior dead and the Brotherhood in ruins, Ethar erupts into revolution. Kricket's actions inspire both fear and hope, and she becomes a symbol of change. Kyon, saved by Kricket's intervention, is taken to safety, but the world they knew is gone. New factions rise, and the struggle for power continues, with Kricket caught in the crossfire.

Escape Under Different Stars

Knowing she will never be safe in Ethar, Kricket plans her escape with Phlix. They gather supplies, evade pursuers, and use their gifts to survive the wilderness. The journey is perilous, marked by close calls and sacrifices. Kricket's determination to live on her own terms drives her forward, even as the past threatens to catch up with her.

Sister of Two Worlds

Kricket's relationship with her sister Astrid is fraught with pain and longing. The prophecy that once defined her is revealed to be a tool of manipulation, and Kricket realizes she was always meant to be a distraction, not the true Empress. Astrid, raised to rule, becomes the new hope for Ethar, while Kricket is left to forge her own path.

The Hollow and the Well

As Kricket leaves Ethar behind, she reflects on the losses she has endured—family, love, and a place in the world. The journey is as much about healing as it is about escape. Kricket comes to terms with her role as the hollow, the one left behind, while others become the well, the source of new beginnings. The pain of exile is tempered by the promise of freedom.

The Last Goodbye

Kricket writes a final letter to Astrid, relinquishing her claim to Ethar and wishing her sister well. She acknowledges the love and pain that shaped her, and the choices that led her to this moment. The goodbye is bittersweet, filled with regret and hope. Kricket's journey is not just an escape, but an act of self-definition—a refusal to be owned by anyone.

Under Earth's Darker Skies

Kricket and Phlix arrive on Earth, battered but alive. The world is unfamiliar, but it offers the possibility of a future unbound by prophecy or power. Kricket embraces her new identity, determined to live on her own terms. The story ends with the promise of new adventures, under different stars, and the hope that even the darkest journeys can lead to light.

Characters

Kricket Hollowell

Kricket is a young woman genetically engineered for extraordinary abilities—soothsaying, astral projection, and rapid healing. Orphaned and raised on Earth, she is thrust into the center of a prophecy that marks her as the future Empress of Ethar. Kricket is fiercely independent, resourceful, and defiant, yet deeply scarred by abandonment and betrayal. Her relationships are complex: she is torn between Trey, her first love and protector, and Kyon, her captor-turned-ally. Kricket's journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns to wield her power, navigate political intrigue, and ultimately choose her own destiny, even if it means walking away from everything she once wanted.

Kyon Ensin

Kyon is the enigmatic and dangerous head of the Alameeda Brotherhood, and the son of Excelsior. He is both Kricket's greatest threat and her most devoted protector. Kyon is a study in contradictions—brutal yet tender, controlling yet vulnerable. His obsession with Kricket is rooted in both prophecy and genuine connection. Over the course of the story, Kyon evolves from a sadistic captor to a partner willing to sacrifice everything for Kricket. His own genetic gifts and traumatic past make him both a weapon and a wounded soul, seeking redemption through love and vengeance.

Trey Allairis

Trey is a Cavar, an elite soldier of Rafe, and Kricket's first protector and lover. He is honorable, steadfast, and deeply committed to Kricket's safety, even as circumstances force them apart. Trey's struggle is one of loyalty versus survival—he must choose between saving his people and saving Kricket. His heartbreak and sense of betrayal shape his actions, and his inability to let go of Kricket haunts both of them. Trey represents the life Kricket might have had, and his presence is a constant reminder of what is lost in war.

Astrid Hollowell

Astrid is Kricket's long-lost sister, raised in secrecy and groomed to fulfill the prophecy. She is intelligent, ambitious, and burdened by the expectations placed upon her. Astrid's relationship with Kricket is complicated—marked by love, jealousy, and the weight of destiny. As the story unfolds, Astrid emerges as the true Empress of Ethar, while Kricket becomes the hollow, the one left behind. Their bond is both a source of strength and a catalyst for conflict.

Giffen

Giffen is a member of the Order of the Tempest, tasked with watching over Kricket. His telekinetic abilities make him a formidable ally and a dangerous adversary. Giffen is pragmatic, often placing the needs of the many above personal loyalty. He pushes Kricket to use her position for the greater good, even at the cost of her own happiness. His actions are driven by a sense of duty, but his methods are often ruthless.

Phlix

Phlix is a priestess with the ability to create shadow lands, rendering herself and others invisible. She becomes Kricket's closest friend and partner in escape. Phlix's journey mirrors Kricket's—she seeks freedom from a life of control and manipulation. Her loyalty, resourcefulness, and courage make her an indispensable ally. Together, they embody the possibility of forging new paths, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

Excelsior Ensin

Excelsior is the Supreme Chancellor of the Alameeda Brotherhood and Kyon's father. He is a master manipulator, responsible for the Black Math plague and the genetic engineering of priestesses. Excelsior views people as tools, and his pursuit of power is relentless. He is both the ultimate antagonist and a symbol of the old order—ruthless, unyielding, and ultimately doomed by his own hubris.

Pan Hollowell

Pan is Kricket's father, long thought dead but revealed to be the leader of the Order of the Tempest. His actions are driven by a desire to protect his daughters and reshape Ethar's future. Pan's choices are often utilitarian, sacrificing personal relationships for the greater good. His relationship with Kricket is marked by regret, distance, and the burden of prophecy.

Wayra and Jax

Wayra and Jax are Cavars, part of Trey's inner circle. They provide support, comic relief, and moments of humanity amid the chaos. Their loyalty to Kricket and Trey is unwavering, and their presence underscores the importance of found family in a world defined by betrayal.

Fulton

Fulton is Kyon's mentor and a stabilizing force in the chaos. Wise, compassionate, and pragmatic, he helps guide Kricket through the labyrinth of Ethar's politics and power struggles. Fulton's role is that of a surrogate parent, offering counsel and support when Kricket needs it most.

Plot Devices

Prophecy and Genetic Destiny

The narrative is driven by the prophecy of the Empress of Ethar, a genetically engineered savior who will unite or destroy the world. This device creates tension, as characters struggle to fulfill, subvert, or escape their fates. The prophecy is revealed to be a tool of manipulation, used by those in power to control others. Kricket's journey is a deconstruction of destiny, as she ultimately rejects the role assigned to her.

Astral Projection and Precognition

Kricket's ability to project her consciousness and see possible futures is central to the plot. These visions provide foreshadowing, reveal hidden truths, and drive the narrative forward. However, the burden of foresight is heavy, and the knowledge of possible outcomes often paralyzes Kricket with fear and guilt. The device underscores the theme that knowledge alone is not enough to change fate—action and choice are required.

Captivity and Power Dynamics

The story explores the psychological effects of captivity, both physical and emotional. Kricket's relationship with Kyon is a study in Stockholm syndrome, as power shifts between captor and captive. The device is used to examine themes of autonomy, consent, and the complexity of human connection in extreme circumstances.

Political Intrigue and Betrayal

The fractured world of Ethar is rife with political machinations, secret societies, and hidden agendas. Betrayal is a constant threat, and trust is a rare commodity. The device is used to keep the reader off-balance, as characters' true motives are often concealed until the last moment.

Symbolism of Crowns and Coronations

The coronation and the deadly crowns serve as both literal and symbolic turning points. The act of crowning is transformed from a moment of triumph to one of destruction, highlighting the dangers of unchecked ambition and the cyclical nature of power.

Analysis

Darken the Stars is a high-stakes, emotionally charged conclusion to the Kricket trilogy, blending science fiction, fantasy, and romance into a meditation on power, destiny, and survival. At its core, the novel interrogates the meaning of agency in a world where every choice seems predetermined by genetics, prophecy, or political necessity. Kricket's journey is one of reclamation—of her body, her future, and her identity. The story refuses easy answers: love is complicated, loyalty is fraught, and freedom comes at a steep price. Bartol's narrative is unflinching in its portrayal of trauma and resilience, offering no guarantees of happy endings, but instead the hard-won possibility of hope. The ultimate lesson is that the future is not written in the stars, but forged in the choices we make—even when the world conspires to darken them.

Last updated: May 19, 2025