Chicago Shadows and Wishes

Kricket Hollowell, a fiercely independent seventeen-year-old, survives the foster system and dodges social services in Chicago. She dreams of a better life, wishing for a home and a future at Northwestern University. Her unusual violet eyes and platinum hair mark her as different, and she keeps her head down, working menial jobs and relying on her street smarts. Her only real connections are her friend Enrique and her roommate Bridget, both of whom offer her glimpses of family and belonging. But Kricket's world is upended when mysterious, tattooed strangers begin to follow her, and her wish for home sets in motion a chain of events that will change her life forever.

Abduction on the El

Kricket's instincts scream danger when three men—Trey, Jax, and Wayra—corner her on the El train. They claim to know her true identity and heritage, insisting she is not from Earth but from a world called Ethar. Despite her resistance and quick thinking, including a pepper spray escape, Kricket is eventually overpowered and abducted. She learns that she is the daughter of a Rafe father and an Alameeda priestess mother, making her a target for powerful factions from another world. Her unique abilities, including an uncanny sense for truth and lies, are revealed as she is forcibly taken from the only life she's ever known.

Between Worlds

Kricket's captors take her to a hidden "thin spot" between worlds, a wormhole that connects Earth to Ethar. Forced to trust her abductors, she survives a harrowing journey through an underground pool and emerges under alien stars. The new world is both beautiful and perilous, filled with unfamiliar dangers and wonders. Kricket's sense of displacement is profound, but her determination to survive remains unbroken. She learns that her very existence is a political lightning rod, and that both the Rafe and Alameeda clans have plans for her.

Under Etharian Stars

As Kricket travels with Trey, Jax, and Wayra through Ethar's wilds, she is forced to rely on her wits and rapidly adapt to a world with different gravity, dangerous wildlife, and complex social customs. Her captors are both protectors and jailers, and she forms uneasy bonds with them, especially Trey, whose sense of duty is matched by a growing, forbidden attraction. Kricket's abilities as a "priestess"—her truth-sensing and potential for more—make her both valuable and vulnerable. She learns about the five Etharian clans, the history of a devastating plague, and the fragile peace that her presence threatens to shatter.

The Rafe and Alameeda

Kricket's heritage as the daughter of a Rafe soldier and an Alameeda priestess places her at the center of a political storm. The Rafe want her as a citizen and symbol, while the Alameeda, led by the dangerous Kyon, see her as a powerful asset and potential consort. Both sides are willing to use force, manipulation, and even war to claim her. Kricket's struggle to assert her own agency intensifies as she learns more about her parents' forbidden love and the gifts she may have inherited. The tension between her captors and pursuers escalates, and Kricket must navigate shifting alliances and deadly threats.

Survival in the Wild

Kricket and her protectors face relentless pursuit by Kyon and his Alameeda soldiers, as well as the perils of Ethar's untamed lands—giant predators, poisonous plants, and treacherous terrain. Through these trials, Kricket's resilience and resourcefulness shine, earning her the respect of her companions. She learns to trust, to fight, and to question the motives of those around her. The bond between Kricket and Trey deepens, complicated by duty, desire, and the looming threat of separation.

Truths and Lies

Kricket's ability to sense lies becomes both a weapon and a curse. She is used as a living lie detector in political negotiations and personal confrontations, exposing secrets and shifting the balance of power. Her gift draws the attention of the Regent, the ruler of Rafe, who sees her as a valuable advisor—and more. Kricket's struggle to maintain her autonomy intensifies as she is pulled deeper into Ethar's political machinations, forced to choose between honesty and survival.

The Priestess Revealed

As Kricket's priestess abilities begin to manifest, she becomes the focus of prophecy and fear. The Alameeda believe she is the fulfillment of an ancient prediction: a priestess born of two houses who will bring about the fall of one. Both sides seek to control her, and Kricket is forced to confront the reality that her choices may determine the fate of Ethar itself. Her visions of possible futures, including war and destruction, haunt her, and she must decide whether to embrace or reject her destiny.

Dangerous Alliances

Kricket is thrust into the heart of Ethar's elite, attending swanks (lavish parties) and navigating the treacherous waters of courtship, politics, and power. The Regent seeks to make her his consort, while Kyon's obsession grows ever more dangerous. Trey, torn between duty and love, risks everything to protect her. Kricket's relationships become weapons in the hands of those who would use her, and she must learn to play the game or be destroyed by it.

The Palace and the Regent

Kricket is made a ward of the Regent, who both protects and imprisons her. She is given luxury and status, but her freedom is an illusion. The Regent's desire for her becomes possessive, and he threatens to destroy Trey and his family if she refuses him. Kricket's attempts to warn of impending danger are dismissed, and she is forced to witness the consequences of her powerlessness. The palace becomes a gilded cage, and Kricket must find a way to escape before it is too late.

Kyon's Pursuit

Kyon, undeterred by imprisonment or injury, orchestrates a violent assault on the palace to claim Kricket. His belief in the prophecy and his own entitlement drive him to ever greater extremes. The attack is brutal and devastating, confirming Kricket's visions and forcing her to confront the reality of war. In the chaos, Kricket's courage and quick thinking save lives, but the cost is high. Kyon escapes, vowing to return, and Kricket is left to pick up the pieces.

War on the Horizon

The attack on the palace marks the beginning of open hostilities between the Rafe and Alameeda clans, with Peney and other houses choosing sides. Kricket's role as a symbol and weapon becomes central to the conflict, and she is drafted into Skye, the military branch of Rafe. Her relationship with Trey, now a high-ranking officer, is both a source of strength and a liability. As Ethar teeters on the brink of war, Kricket must decide where her loyalties lie and what she is willing to sacrifice.

Betrayal and Prophecy

Kricket's precognitive abilities intensify, allowing her to see possible futures and avert disaster—but not without pain and risk. Her warnings are often ignored or dismissed, leading to tragedy. The prophecy that surrounds her becomes a self-fulfilling nightmare, as those who seek to control her only hasten the destruction they fear. Kricket's struggle to assert her own will in the face of destiny, manipulation, and betrayal reaches a breaking point.

The Swank and the Siege

At a grand swank meant to celebrate Kricket's engagement to the Regent, Kyon launches a full-scale assault, slaughtering guests and staff in a bid to claim her. Kricket's foresight and bravery save some, but the carnage is immense. In the aftermath, the true nature of her powers and the depth of the threat she poses—to both sides—are revealed. The siege marks a turning point, forcing Kricket to accept her role as both a pawn and a player in Ethar's fate.

Aftermath and Awakening

In the wake of the siege, Kricket is rescued by Trey and his loyal Cavars, but the cost is high. The palace is in ruins, the Regent is gravely wounded, and the war has begun in earnest. Kricket and Trey finally confess their love, but their happiness is fragile, threatened by the demands of duty and the dangers that surround them. Kricket's emancipation and recruitment into Skye offer a new path, but also new challenges and responsibilities.

Choosing Sides

Kricket is faced with impossible choices: loyalty to Rafe, the temptation of escape, and the burden of her powers. She must decide whether to fight for a world that has used and betrayed her, or to forge her own destiny. Her relationship with Trey, her friendships, and her sense of self are all tested as she navigates the shifting landscape of war and prophecy. In the end, Kricket chooses to stand with those she loves, determined to shape her own fate.

Skye's New Recruit

Kricket, now a member of Skye and a symbol of hope and danger, prepares to face the coming storm. Her powers, her love for Trey, and her hard-won sense of agency will be tested as Ethar descends into war. The future is uncertain, but Kricket is no longer a pawn—she is a player, ready to fight for her place under different stars.

Characters

Kricket Hollowell

Kricket is a seventeen-year-old runaway from Chicago, marked by her striking violet eyes and platinum hair. Scarred by years in the foster system, she is resourceful, skeptical, and determined to control her own fate. Her journey from streetwise orphan to pivotal figure in an interplanetary conflict is marked by resilience, wit, and a deep longing for belonging. Kricket's priestess abilities—truth-sensing and precognition—make her both a target and a weapon. Her relationships with Trey, Kyon, and the Regent force her to confront issues of trust, agency, and love. Over the course of the story, Kricket evolves from a pawn to a player, determined to shape her own destiny.

Trey Allairis

Trey is a high-ranking Rafe soldier, tasked with retrieving Kricket and delivering her to his superiors. Marked by his military tattoos and sense of honor, Trey is both a captor and a protector. His growing love for Kricket conflicts with his duty, leading him to defy orders and risk everything for her. Trey's internal struggle between loyalty to his clan and his feelings for Kricket is central to his character arc. He is both a source of strength and vulnerability for Kricket, and their relationship is a rare space of honesty and mutual respect in a world of manipulation.

Kyon

Kyon is a powerful Alameeda leader, driven by prophecy, entitlement, and a dangerous obsession with Kricket. He is both charming and ruthless, willing to use any means—violence, manipulation, seduction—to achieve his goals. Kyon's belief in the prophecy and his own superiority make him a formidable adversary. His fixation on Kricket is both personal and political, and he is willing to destroy anyone who stands in his way. Kyon's complexity lies in his capacity for both cruelty and genuine, if twisted, affection.

Jax

Jax is Trey's right-hand man, a medic and soldier with a big heart and a quick wit. He provides much-needed levity and support for Kricket, helping her adapt to Ethar and navigate its dangers. Jax's loyalty to Trey and Kricket is unwavering, and his medical skills are crucial in their survival. He is also a bridge between Kricket and the alien world, explaining customs and offering friendship without ulterior motives.

Wayra

Wayra is another member of Trey's team, a skilled soldier with a pragmatic outlook. He is fiercely protective of Kricket, often acting as her bodyguard and confidant. Wayra's straightforwardness and dry humor balance the group dynamic. He is quick to adapt and unafraid to challenge authority when necessary, making him a valuable ally in the chaos of Ethar.

The Regent (Manus)

The Regent is the powerful and enigmatic leader of Rafe, both protector and jailer to Kricket. His interest in her is both political and personal, and he is willing to use threats, coercion, and even violence to possess her. The Regent embodies the seductive danger of power—offering Kricket luxury and status while stripping her of agency. His actions force Kricket to confront the cost of survival and the meaning of freedom.

Victus Allairis

Victus is Trey's brother, a member of the Rafe nobility and a skilled political player. Initially suspicious of Kricket, he becomes an unexpected ally, using his influence to help her navigate the treacherous world of Ethar's elite. Victus's relationship with Trey is complex, marked by rivalry, loyalty, and shared burdens. He represents the pressures of family and tradition in a world on the brink of war.

Aella

Aella is Kricket's palace liaison, a young woman who provides friendship, support, and a touch of normalcy amid the chaos. She helps Kricket adapt to Etharian customs and offers a glimpse of what life could be outside of politics and war. Aella's loyalty and kindness are a lifeline for Kricket, reminding her of the value of small acts of care.

Ustus

Ustus is a representative of the Regent's will, tasked with enforcing Kricket's captivity and ensuring her compliance. He is both a bureaucrat and a threat, embodying the impersonal machinery of power that seeks to control Kricket's fate. Ustus's actions highlight the dangers of obedience without empathy.

Kyon's Alameeda Soldiers (Forester, Lecto)

Forester and Lecto are Kyon's loyal enforcers, embodying the relentless pursuit and violence of the Alameeda. They are both faceless threats and reminders of the inescapability of Kricket's past and the dangers of her future.

Plot Devices

Dual Worlds and Thin Spots

The narrative hinges on the existence of "thin spots"—wormholes connecting Earth and Ethar. This device allows for a literal and metaphorical crossing of worlds, propelling Kricket from the familiar struggles of Chicago to the alien dangers of Ethar. The transition is both a physical journey and a rite of passage, forcing Kricket to confront her identity, heritage, and destiny.

Prophecy and Priestess Powers

Kricket's status as the daughter of a Rafe soldier and an Alameeda priestess fulfills an ancient prophecy, making her the focal point of political and supernatural intrigue. Her abilities—truth-sensing and precognition—are both gifts and burdens, shaping the actions of those around her and raising questions about fate, agency, and self-determination. The prophecy serves as both a motivator for the antagonists and a source of internal conflict for Kricket.

Love Triangle and Forbidden Romance

The evolving relationships between Kricket, Trey, and Kyon create a classic love triangle, complicated by issues of power, consent, and agency. The forbidden romance between Kricket and Trey is both a source of hope and a liability, while Kyon's obsession adds danger and urgency. The romantic subplot is deeply entwined with the larger political narrative, making personal choices matter on a grand scale.

Political Intrigue and Courtly Power Plays

Ethar's society is a web of rival clans, shifting alliances, and hidden agendas. Kricket is used as a pawn in these games, her value determined by her bloodline and abilities. The palace, the Regent, and the swanks serve as stages for negotiation, betrayal, and revelation. The narrative structure mirrors a chess game, with Kricket moving from pawn to queen as she learns to play.

Visions and Foreshadowing

Kricket's visions of possible futures provide both suspense and thematic depth. They allow for foreshadowing of key events (the palace siege, betrayals, deaths) and raise questions about free will versus destiny. The use of visions blurs the line between prophecy and self-fulfilling outcomes, challenging characters and readers to consider the power of choice.

Analysis

Under Different Stars is a genre-blending tale of survival, agency, and identity, set against the backdrop of interplanetary intrigue and war. At its core, the novel is about a young woman's fight to define herself in a world determined to use, possess, or destroy her. Kricket's journey from runaway to reluctant heroine is marked by resilience, wit, and a refusal to be anyone's pawn. The book interrogates themes of power, consent, and the cost of truth, using science fiction and fantasy tropes to explore real-world issues of trauma, autonomy, and belonging. The love story between Kricket and Trey is both a source of hope and a commentary on the dangers of power imbalances, while Kyon's obsession and the Regent's possessiveness highlight the perils of objectification. Ultimately, the novel argues for the necessity of agency, the courage to choose one's own path, and the possibility of forging family and home under different stars. In a modern context, it resonates as a story of empowerment, warning against the seductive dangers of both tyranny and prophecy, and celebrating the messy, painful, and beautiful struggle to become oneself.

Last updated: May 19, 2025