Nyx is a blind school girl at the Cloistery. She’s smart and perceptive, but she doesn’t come from a privileged background like her other classmates. Her goal in life is to reach the ninth level of studies at the Cloistery, which is not merely a symbol but an actuality. To reach the highest levels of studies, she must be admitted and climb the steps to the ninth level. The prioress takes a liking to her, sees potential in her. Because of this, she’s bullied, and in one bullying moment, Nyx has to choose between a beating and breaking a school rule so sacred that she’ll be kicked out after the transgression. She chooses to ascend to the top of the school. Only ninth levels are allowed up there, and any of the students who ascend prematurely are kicked out. Nyx chooses that to avoid the beating; however, her bully follows her. He believes that his rich father will be able to pay to keep him at the school. At the top of the Cloistery, no one is there to save her. Except she hears a screech that allows her to see. A Myr bat swoops down and decapitates her bully. It also attacks Nyx leaving her poisoned and on death’s door.

Rhaif is a thief, paying for his crimes by laboring in a mine. He’s also terrified of the dark, which makes a mine even more traumatizing. In this mine, people are worked to death; life is cheap; light is dear. Rhaif has decided to escape. He has to try despite the torturous death that awaits him if he fails. While escaping an earthquake rumbles through the mine, disorienting him. Eventually, the flame in his lantern goes out, and he expects to be buried in darkness forever. But he sees light ahead of him. Faint but there. He discovers the light comes from a copper egg that looks to have been cracked open by the earthquake. Inside the egg, a statue of a bronze woman stands, and Rhaif feels a connection to the statue somehow. When he speaks to her, he thinks he sees her eyes open. But quickly Rhaif must hide because the overseers are coming towards the egg. With them comes a Shrive, a member of a secretive sect of alchymists. The Shrive orders the statue removed and to kill the work crew that moves it. A guard is left behind, and Rhaif sees his chance for freedom. He kills the guard and assumes the guard’s garb. He follows the work crew hoping and looking for an exit. Soon, Rhaif finds his way back to the statue. He sees the Shrive sacrifice a person to bring the statue to life. Rhaif knows he must free the automaton. But can he get it and himself out of the caverns?

Prince Kanthe, also known as the Prince in the Cupboard, has an easy life. Nothing is expected of him, and he’s cultivated a reputation of excess and hedonism. Drinking, drinking more, and drinking the rest are his current goals. His twin is the heir to the kingdom; so, his only responsiblity is to himself. His official role in life is as replacement prince in the event of his brother’s death. But, for now, he is a student, and a poor one at that, of a different Cloistery than Nyx. In fact, Kanthe has an alchymist for a tutor. Frell, his tutor, has made a terrifying discovery. He’s found that the moon is falling towards Urth, bringing with it, the end of the world. Frell wants to notify the King, Kanthe’s father. But the prince, knowing his father warns Frell from doing so. The King is swayed by portents and warnings, not scientific studies. Kanthe believes that the King will not listen to Frell or his words will be twisted against him.

The Starless Crown is a third person point of view novel. The three main characters above are the primary but not only view points in which the story is told. The Starless Crown is a fast moving novel, packed with fantastical elements. The world building is excellent. Rollins can write horrific monsters, and he creates excellent terrain for his characters to traverse.