New Girl, Old Ghosts

Anora Silby arrives at Nacoma Knight Academy, desperate for a fresh start after tragedy and secrets in Chicago. Her mother, tense and protective, hopes this move will help Anora "be normal." But Anora's reality is anything but—she sees the dead, and the first thing she notices at her new school is a dead girl hanging above the entrance, unseen by anyone else. Anora's rules for survival are simple: ignore the dead, avoid boys, and never use her strange power. Yet, the past clings to her, embodied in the coin she wears—a relic of her beloved Poppa, whose death haunts her. As she steps into the school, she's determined to blend in, but the dead and her own secrets refuse to let her go.

Rules, Rivals, and Ravens

Anora's first day is a gauntlet of high school politics and supernatural tension. She meets Lennon, a quirky outsider who becomes her first friend, and Shy Savior, the charming quarterback who seems oddly familiar. Rival Natalie, the headmaster's daughter, marks Anora as an enemy, while rumors swirl on the school's anonymous app, Roundtable. Anora's efforts to follow her own rules—ignore the dead, avoid attention—are tested by both living bullies and persistent spirits. The dead girl, Vera, becomes a menacing presence, and Anora's anxiety grows as she realizes her powers are not so easily contained. The school's history as an asylum and the countywide curfew hint at deeper dangers lurking beneath the surface.

Coin of the Dead

Haunted by Vera, Anora's fear and anger boil over. In a moment of panic, she uses her mysterious thread—an ethereal power that erupts from her palm—to capture Vera's soul, transforming it into a gold coin marked with a raven. This act, meant to protect herself, breaks her own rule: never use her power. The coin, a physical manifestation of her guilt and ability, is quickly lost, setting off a chain of consequences. Anora's secret is now at risk, and she senses that others—both living and dead—are searching for what she's done. The coin becomes a symbol of her struggle to control her gift and the danger of being discovered.

Secrets Behind Smiles

Shy Savior, outwardly the golden boy, is revealed as a Valryn—a raven shapeshifter and Shadow Knight-in-training, sworn to protect the living from supernatural threats. His connection to Anora is more than curiosity; he feels an inexplicable pull toward her, as if their souls are entwined. Meanwhile, Anora's attempts at normalcy are undermined by her growing isolation and the weight of her secret. She navigates tense friendships, a budding attraction to Shy, and the ever-present threat of exposure. The school's social web, the Order's hidden influence, and the supernatural dangers all converge, leaving Anora feeling both hunted and alone.

Shadows in the Halls

The Order, a secretive Valryn council, intensifies its scrutiny of Nacoma Knight. Shy and Natalie are assigned to watch Anora, suspecting her involvement in Vera's disappearance. Anora's every move is monitored, and her lies about her past begin to unravel. The school's curfew, the presence of Hellhounds, and the reappearance of lost souls signal that something ancient and powerful is awakening. The Order's internal politics, especially with the impending rise of Roth DuPont as Luminary, add layers of intrigue and threat. Anora's sense of safety erodes as she realizes she is at the center of a supernatural storm.

Hellhounds and Hidden Powers

Hellhounds—mythical beasts once guardians of the afterlife—begin to appear around Anora's home, signaling her importance and the danger she faces. Shy, torn between duty and feeling, witnesses these omens and suspects Anora is the prophesied Eurydice, a soul capable of ferrying the dead and restoring balance. Meanwhile, a dark force known as Influence manipulates the living, causing violence and chaos. Anora's powers, once a curse, are now a beacon for both protectors and predators. The boundaries between the living and the dead blur, and Anora's role in the coming conflict becomes undeniable.

Queen's Ransom Unleashed

The school's homecoming tradition, Queen's Ransom, becomes a catalyst for disaster. Anora is unwillingly chosen as the "princess," making her a target for rival students and supernatural forces alike. The game, meant to be harmless, spirals out of control when Lily, a friend, is found dead in a manner echoing Vera's fate. The resurrection coin Anora lost is implicated, and suspicion falls on her. The boundaries between game and reality, life and death, are shattered. Anora's guilt and fear intensify as she realizes her actions have deadly consequences, and the true enemy may be closer than she thinks.

The Order's Watchful Eyes

Dragged before the Order, Anora is interrogated about her powers, the missing coin, and the deaths at Nacoma. Roth DuPont, now Luminary, seeks to control her, seeing her as both weapon and threat. The Order is divided—some see Anora as a danger, others as a necessary savior. Shy, Jacobi, and Natalie become her reluctant allies, each with their own motives and secrets. Anora is forced to accept training under Mr. Val, a stern Elite, and to navigate the treacherous politics of Valryn society. The promise of protection comes at the cost of freedom, and Anora must decide whom to trust.

Resurrection and Betrayal

The mystery of Lily's death deepens as Anora, Shy, and their friends investigate. Evidence points to Lennon, Anora's confidante, as the thief of the resurrection coin and the orchestrator of Lily's resurrection and subsequent rampage. Thane, once an ally, is revealed to be under the sway of Influence and complicit in Lennon's schemes. The confrontation with Lennon exposes her as an Abomination—half-Valryn, half-human—harboring a deep grudge against the Order. Betrayal cuts deep as Anora realizes her trust has been misplaced, and the true cost of her powers is revealed in shattered souls and broken friendships.

Influence Unleashed

Influence, the primordial force of chaos, possesses Thane and seeks to claim Anora's soul. In a harrowing sequence, Anora is kidnapped, wounded, and nearly killed in a ritual meant to open the Adamantine Gates. The darkness preys on her grief and guilt, driving her to the brink of self-destruction. Only by clinging to memories of love and light—her Poppa, her friends—does Anora resist. With the help of Shy, Natalie, and Roth, she survives, but not without scars. The battle leaves Lennon imprisoned, Thane dead, and Anora forever changed. The threat of Influence lingers, a reminder that the war is far from over.

The Abomination's Game

Lennon's true nature and motives come to light—her hatred of the Order, her manipulation of Thane, and her willingness to use Anora as a pawn. The confrontation in the Underworld is brutal, with Lennon wielding both death-magic and the loyalty of other Abominations. Shy is gravely wounded, and Anora is forced to choose between vengeance and mercy. The aftermath is bittersweet: Lennon is captured, but the revelation of other Abominations and the Order's history of cruelty leaves Anora questioning her place in this world. The lines between friend and foe, justice and revenge, are blurred.

Truths, Trials, and New Rules

In the wake of chaos, Anora is summoned before the full Order. No longer a passive victim, she demands agency: the right to choose her patrol, her partners, and her training. She sets conditions for the use of her powers, refusing to be a weapon or a prisoner. The Order, recognizing her necessity, reluctantly agrees. Anora's relationships with Shy, Jacobi, and Natalie are tested but ultimately strengthened. She is no longer just the Eurydice or the new girl—she is a force in her own right, determined to shape her destiny and protect those she loves, even as new threats loom.

Stars, Scars, and Second Chances

Anora returns home, scarred but resolute. Her relationship with her mother, once strained by secrets and fear, begins to heal. At school, she faces whispers and stares but stands tall, supported by her chosen friends. Shy, now more than just a protector, becomes her partner in both battle and life, their bond deepened by shared trauma and trust. The Order's world remains dangerous, but Anora is no longer running—she is ready to fight, to learn, and to lead. Under the stars, with scars both visible and hidden, she embraces her second chance, determined to write her own story.

Characters

Anora Silby (Eurydice)

Anora is a teenage girl burdened by the ability to see and interact with the dead. Traumatized by her Poppa's suicide and the subsequent awakening of her powers, she is desperate for normalcy but constantly pulled into the supernatural. Her defining trait is her empathy—she feels the pain of the living and the dead, and her guilt over unintended consequences drives much of her arc. Anora's power, the Thread of Fate, allows her to capture souls and create resurrection coins, making her both a target and a potential savior. Her relationships are fraught: she yearns for her mother's understanding, is drawn to Shy by a mysterious bond, and is betrayed by those she trusts. Over the course of the story, Anora evolves from a frightened outsider to a self-possessed leader, demanding agency and setting her own terms with the Order. Her journey is one of self-acceptance, resilience, and the refusal to be defined by her trauma.

Shy Savior

Shy is the golden boy of Nacoma Knight—athletic, charming, and seemingly perfect. Beneath the surface, he is a Valryn, a raven shapeshifter and Shadow Knight-in-training, tasked with defending the living from supernatural threats. Shy's internal conflict centers on duty versus desire: he is drawn to Anora by a soul-deep connection that transcends lifetimes, yet bound by the Order's rules and his own fear of failure. He is haunted by the deaths of friends and the weight of expectations, especially from his distant, demanding father. Shy's development is marked by his willingness to challenge authority, protect those he loves, and ultimately support Anora's quest for agency. His relationship with Anora is both romantic and spiritual, offering him a sense of purpose and vulnerability he has long denied.

Lennon Ryder

Lennon presents as a quirky, observant friend, but beneath her eccentric exterior lies a complex web of pain and ambition. As an Abomination—half-Valryn, half-human—she is both victim and villain, shaped by the Order's cruelty and her mother's death. Lennon's intelligence and ability to manipulate both people and magic make her a formidable adversary. Her motivations are rooted in a desire for revenge and recognition; she orchestrates much of the story's chaos, including the theft of Anora's coin and the resurrection of Lily. Lennon's relationship with Anora is a study in betrayal—she offers friendship but ultimately uses Anora as a pawn. Her arc is a tragic exploration of what happens when the marginalized fight back, blurring the line between justice and vengeance.

Natalie Rivera

Natalie is the headmaster's daughter, a Shadow Knight-in-training, and Anora's chief rival. Her initial antagonism masks deep insecurities and a desperate need for approval—from her father, the Order, and her peers. Natalie's journey is one of reckoning: she must confront the consequences of blind loyalty, the cost of following rules over compassion, and her own complicity in the Order's failures. Despite her flaws, Natalie proves herself a valuable ally, risking her position to protect Anora and challenge injustice. Her relationship with Shy and Jacobi is marked by both rivalry and camaraderie, and her eventual willingness to question authority signals her growth.

Thane Treadway

Thane is a brooding, enigmatic figure, marked by the loss of his mother and a sense of alienation from both the living and the dead. His ability to see spirits makes him both an asset and a liability, and his grief leaves him vulnerable to Influence, the story's primordial antagonist. Thane's alliance with Lennon and descent into darkness are driven by a longing for connection and a desire to undo his pain. His betrayal of Anora is both personal and symbolic—a warning about the dangers of unchecked grief and the seductive power of revenge. Thane's arc ends in tragedy, a victim of both his own choices and the manipulations of others.

Jacobi Quinn

Jacobi is Shy's best friend and a Shadow Knight-in-training, more comfortable with computers than combat. His hacking skills are crucial in unraveling the mysteries of Roundtable and the resurrection coin. Jacobi's loyalty is unwavering, but he struggles with feelings of inadequacy and the fear of being left behind. His injury in the final battle is a turning point, forcing him to confront his own limitations and the value of teamwork. Jacobi's quiet strength and humor provide balance to the group, and his friendship with Shy and Natalie is a source of stability amid chaos.

Lily Martin

Lily is a kind, sensitive student whose tragic death and resurrection become the story's emotional fulcrum. Her relationship with Anora is brief but meaningful, offering a glimpse of the normalcy Anora craves. Lily's fate—murdered, resurrected, and ultimately shattered—serves as a warning about the dangers of unchecked power and the collateral damage of supernatural conflict. Her memory haunts the survivors, fueling their quest for justice and redemption.

Roth DuPont

Roth is the heir to the Order, a master of political gamesmanship, and a dangerous adversary. His interest in Anora is both personal and strategic—he sees her as a tool to consolidate power and reshape the Valryn world. Roth's charm masks a ruthless ambition; he is willing to exploit anyone, including Shy, to achieve his goals. His theft of Anora's coin and manipulation of the Order's rules make him a constant threat. Roth embodies the dangers of unchecked authority and the seductive allure of control.

Mr. Val (Elite Val)

Mr. Val is Anora's math teacher and, secretly, an Elite of the Order. His demeanor is cold and exacting, but beneath the surface lies a commitment to justice and a recognition of Anora's potential. As her trainer, he is both a gatekeeper and a guide, challenging her to master her powers and navigate the treacherous world of the Valryn. Mr. Val's relationship with Anora is marked by mutual respect and a shared understanding of the burdens of leadership.

Influence

Influence is not a character in the traditional sense but a force—an ancient, malevolent energy that feeds on death, chaos, and despair. It manipulates the living, possesses the vulnerable, and seeks to prevent the passage of souls into Spirit. Influence is the story's true villain, responsible for the tragedies that befall Anora and her friends. Its presence is felt in every act of violence, every moment of grief, and every temptation to give in to darkness. Defeating Influence requires not just power, but hope, love, and the courage to resist despair.

Plot Devices

Dual Narratives and Intertwined Fates

The novel alternates between Anora's and Shy's points of view, allowing readers to experience the story's events from both the hunted and the hunter, the outsider and the insider. This structure creates dramatic irony—readers know more than either protagonist at any given moment—and heightens tension as secrets are revealed and misunderstandings multiply. The soul-deep connection between Anora and Shy, rooted in past lives and the myth of the Eurydice, is both a romantic and metaphysical plot device, driving their actions and the story's emotional arc. The use of resurrection coins, the Thread of Fate, and the Order's rituals provide a mythic framework, while the anonymous app Roundtable and the Queen's Ransom tradition ground the supernatural in the realities of high school life. Foreshadowing is woven throughout—curfew, the history of the asylum, the presence of Hellhounds—building a sense of inevitable confrontation. The climax's convergence of personal betrayal, supernatural battle, and institutional reckoning is achieved through careful layering of secrets, alliances, and escalating stakes.

Analysis

Scarlett St. Clair's When Stars Come Out is a genre-blending exploration of trauma, power, and the search for belonging, set against a backdrop of supernatural intrigue and high school drama. At its core, the novel interrogates what it means to be different in a world that demands conformity—whether that difference is seeing the dead, loving across boundaries, or refusing to be a pawn in someone else's game. Anora's journey from frightened outsider to self-possessed leader is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the necessity of agency. The story's supernatural elements—Valryn, resurrection coins, Influence—serve as metaphors for grief, guilt, and the struggle to define oneself amid chaos. The Order's rules and the threat of Influence mirror real-world systems of control and the dangers of unchecked authority. Ultimately, the novel argues that healing and hope are possible, but only when we confront our scars, claim our power, and choose our own path. In a world where stars come out only after darkness falls, Anora's story is a reminder that even the most haunted among us can find light, love, and a second chance.

Last updated: August 24, 2025