Falling Through Stars

By: Staci Olsen

Narrated by: Pam Tsujioka

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

After crashing her dogsled into the frozen river, Ts'ellbah fears something is wrong, something deeper than the inexplicable new scar over her heart. She feels like a stranger in her own skin and struggles to remember her closest friends and family. At first, her clan is relieved that she survived the accident. But on a night when red spirit lights stain the sky like blood, Ts'ellbah suffers her first violent seizure and sees a vision in which a revered elder encounters a mythical monster and dies.

When her announcement of the elder's death proves correct, many people are convinced something evil possessed her in the dark river. They believe she killed the old man and want to cast her out. Before they do, Ts'ellbah must persuade her people that their ancient enemies have indeed returned, that they are looking for something, and they'll destroy the entire clan to find it.

©2021 Staci Olsen (P)2021 Staci Olsen

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I loved reading this book from start to finish. It was exciting, the kind of book that I didn’t want to put down because I had to see what would happen next! It also reminded me all the little things that I should appreciate in life. Made me cry tears of heartache, tears of joy. Most of all, I was glad to see all was fulfilled at the end.

Such a great story…better the second read through.

I have read this once and listened to it once and it’s such a great story. The first time through I was constantly trying to figure out how it would end and what was happening. I definitely didn’t guess the ending.
The second time through, after knowing the ending, I found so many more amazing details I missed the first time reading.
I loved it. It was such an uplifting story.

Amazing story!

I love this book! I love the Alaska native Fokelore in this story! its an easy listen and has wonderful characters! highly recommend for anyone and everyone!

Mesmerizing tale not to be missed!

Sometimes five stars for a book aren’t sufficient, and Falling through Stars is in that category. Staci Olsen has created an enthralling story, steeped in the folklore and myths of Alaskan tribes. Olsen demonstrates a depth of knowledge and understanding about the potlatch ceremonies, the spiritual songs of prayer, the struggle for survival in harsh weather, and the tight community structure.

This is the story of a young woman, T’s’ellbah, who is forever changed by a devastating dogsled accident. She knows she is different somehow after the accident, becoming both prophet and savior of her people. And despite the dangers and distrust she faces, she finds her first love and like any young woman dreams of her future. This story reaches into the reader to touch all the emotions.

The surprising, shocking, and extraordinary ending left me completely undone and rethinking about what I have read. Rarely does a book provide such an unusual and amazing climax. You will not be disappointed.

I was very fortunate to receive the audiobook and was blown away by the talented narrator, Pam Tsujioka. Her cadence and voices for each character are perfect. She breathes life into the words, the descriptions, and the people. I strongly recommend this book in whatever format.

AMAZING!!!!

This story is so well written, and very captivating. I have a hard time getting into books, but this one kept me engaged the whole time. I felt I was there with each character witnessing what was happening. The author has a true way with words.

Awesome listen. Great story

Great mythos. Great story. Wonderful to hear Na-Dene. Recommend to any and all listeners. Would like some more stories in the same world or the same area

Beautiful story! I’d read/listen to it again.

Okay. This book was an absolute delight to read. I *loved* it!!

After a terrible sledding accident, Ts’ellbah is not quite herself. She doesn’t enjoy the things she once used to, and even her beloved dog seems to be a bit suspicious of her. Worst of all, she’s begun to have seizures and to see visions—and some of these visions are of things that come to pass.

Many people of her village begin to fear her—even her friend stops talking to her—worrying that she might be possessed by a demon…

And there’s this raven that keeps harassing her…

This story is super character driven—that’s something I loved SO MUCH about it. I love character driven stories. And Ts’ellbah is someone you care about right away. You love her, and you love her sweet family who determinedly stand by her as her world kinda falls apart. And you wish the absolute best for her as she meets a fellow outcast and falls for him.

And as a testament to Staci Olsen’s writing skills, you worry about Ts’ellbah SO much as she seems to drift into unreliable-narrator territory… I seriously started to wonder: is Ts’ellbah losing her mind???

I loved it. I loved this adventure. I loved getting to know Ts’ellbah and her world. I loved diving into her culture. I loved learning with her, and discovering through her eyes what makes life beautiful and meaningful.

I bounced back and forth from reading to the book to listening to the audiobook, and I absolutely loved Pam Tsujioka’s narration. It totally matched the character and the author’s soothing storytelling style.

Staci Olsen’s descriptions throughout the story were absolutely gorgeous. I was totally immersed without being overwhelmed.

Overall, I highly recommend giving this book a read! And if you’re bouncing around with a busy schedule, listen to the audiobook! It’s fabulous. This is a story I would happily read/listen to again.