I was really looking forward to this book. I love Charlie Holmberg's writing style. However, I had a hard time connecting to the characters and story line in this unfortunately.

3.5 rounded up, because I have loved so many of this author's works. This is definitely a major improvement on the previous book, Star Mother, in that I actually felt like the characters' actions and decisions here made sense and stayed true to who they were portrayed to be from the start. I did find myself struggling to finish toward the end, though I'm not exactly sure why. I think both this book and the first one relied a bit too heavily on descriptions of things beyond description (like "it was a wall but also it wasn't" kind of stuff), and it started to lose me at those points. I have enough of an imagination to handle that sort of description, sure, but after a certain number of those in one story, it starts to feel more like just lazy writing (sorry!). I still liked the story, but it won't be going on my reread pile.

A fantastic book in an amazing duology! This book can be read as a standalone, but events from the first book are mentioned. Plus the first book is so good as well, why not read both?! The characters and storyline are intricate and have such great depth. Excellent writing and an immersive new world to get lost in. A brilliant read that I definitely recommend! I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

Just a few months ago, I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing Star Mother, the first book in the Star Mother duology by Charlie N. Holmberg. Folks that read my review will remember that I was looking forward to the sequel, itching for the conclusion to a story that felt a touch incomplete without a satisfying ending for Saiyon’s character. I was surprised and pleased with how quickly Star Father was released, right on the heels of Star Mother, but unfortunately it was not the sequel I was hoping for. It’s difficult not to compare this book to its predecessor, as they really are meant to be read as a pair, and you’ll see that reflected in this review – it looks at how this book fares as both a continuation, and ultimately the conclusion, of the Star Mother duology.

The aspect of Star Mother that stood out to me was its theming. A personal journey of devotion, self-sacrifice, love, and motherhood formed the backbone of the first installment of this duology. The Romance was not an afterthought, but a carefully woven aspect of the story that served to amplify the themes while never presenting itself as the “main attraction.”

So, when I started Star Father, I was expecting something of the same. I knew that this book would be the conclusion to Saiyon’s story, giving him the HEA he needed for the story in Star Mother to feel complete, but I assumed it would be presented against the backdrop of the same type of deep and meaningful theming that grabbed me in that book. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The Romance is the main focus of Star Father; Aija and Saiyon falling in love followed by Aija’s quest to become immortal so that she can be with Saiyon is the focus of the plot and the characters’ motivations.

Those of you that know me are probably reading this and raising a brow: Does Romance-loving Kat actually think that is a bad thing? Has hell frozen over? Rest assured friends, I’m fine. Allow me to explain…

If you are going to make a book Romance-forward, i.e. the Romance is the plot of the book and there are no other plot elements through which to develop themes, you have to develop your characters deeply and meaningfully such that your themes are tied to the characters’ arcs and the romantic relationship must be transformative. That did not happen here. There was no growth in either Aija or Saiyon – their characters, dare I say it, were quite shallow and their relationship fell largely flat. I had a frisson of hope that Aija’s character would gain depth and grow through her art, especially given the plot point that involved creating a likeness of Moon, but alas that thread turned out to be perfunctory. And Saiyon, who’s struggle as a God beholden to the universe’s laws and for whom this book was ostensibly written, received very little page time and even less exploration into his history, motivations, or desires.

In short, I struggled to find any substantial themes in Star Father beyond Aija and Saiyon falling in love and finding a way to be together. Had the romance been rooted in something deeper, e.g. a personal realization or the resolution of some internal struggle, perhaps this book would have worked for me, but much to my chagrin, it didn’t.

I have the same small quibbles with this book as I did with the previous, finding the writing a touch overwroght at times, using metaphors that weren’t grounded in the story or the characters. Once again, the ending was a bit rushed given the amount of time Aija spent questing for immortality; much like the characters themselves, their HEA needed more attention and depth.

I’m glad I read this book, as I needed the conclusion to Saiyon’s story to feel complete, but I will admit that it wasn’t as satisfying as I had hoped. I will continue to recommend Star Mother, but with the caveat that I wouldn’t recommend Star Father and that it may leave you wanting.

I loved this book! I enjoyed it more than Star Mother, but that's because I enjoyed Saiyon more. The love story gave some major Greek and Roman mythology vibes, which I greatly enjoyed. The prose was so beautiful and it sucked me in and made me want to keep reading.

I can't think of anything about the book that I didn't enjoy, and I wish I could go back and reread it for the first time again.

Star Father is the second book in Star Mother series which does not exactly follow the first story, I think it can be read without having read Star Mother. This is the story of Ai, Aija, a mortal who falls in love with Saiyon, father of stars, the Sun. What will you do for love? How far could you go? How many sacrifices can you take? What a beautiful story, Charlie N. Holmberg has a way of weaving her stories into spellcasting magical journeys.

*Special thanks to 47North and NetGalley for an early copy of this e-arc.*

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review!

I do not tend to like the sequels of books better than the first one in the series, but this was the case! While I did enjoy the first book, I enjoyed this one more in every way. The descriptions were so vivid in my mind. I really found myself drawn to the main character, specifically because of her character development throughout the whole story. This book definitely showcased the main character’s past, personality, and opinions more than the main character in the first book. The plot was beautifully written. It really demonstrated the power of love and the importance of seeing the best in people.

I would love to buy this book when it comes out!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of STAR FATHER by Charlie N. Holmberg. I'm giving both this and the first book, Star Mother, four-star reviews, but this shows the range in my four-star reviews. Star Mother was more of a 3.5, because the ending was lovely enough to pull it up and I like to be generous with my stars so I gave it four. STAR FATHER is a full four, maybe even 4.5. I actually got sucked into this book pretty quickly with the strong romance in the beginning that gave me motivation to be pulled through the rest of it. The world felt a lot more developed and I enjoyed the lovely mythological quest feeling of the story and all the sweet side characters and godlings that came along for the journey. I also enjoyed that the main character was in her mid-thirties and mature and relatable. This was an overall beautiful story that just felt more tied together and compelling than the first one.

I've been a fan of Charlie Holmberg for a while now -- having picked up The Paper Magician one day on Kindle Unlimited years back. So I was excited to see Star Mother as a recent Amazon First pick, and then to see that Star Father was soon to be published, too. One thing I love about Holmberg's writing is that she always creates a world that is believable, yet different...and you get completely sucked in. Definitely read Star Mother first, you won't regret it. Is it fantastical? Mythological? Romance? Action? There's something for everyone. There are the usual tropes of dark vs. light, mortality vs. immortality…. But the world is rich and nuanced. Aija’s love for Saiyon, and her ability to fight for what she believes in, kept me turning the pages until the end. Thanks to Netgalley, 47North and Charlie Holmberg for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

I can't remember the last time that I cried for human characters, but this book made me do just that-- and so much more. Star Father had love-- both romantic and familial, adventure, friendship, and everything in between. All of these elements were executed well, and I found myself genuinely caring for the characters and their respective outcomes. The author dedicated sufficient time to each of these aspects that really allowed for each to flourish. I was invested in their stories the entire way through. I was so happy to see side characters that had also been rounded out well, and I found myself caring about them just as much as I did Aija. Each of her companions felt like a full character, not a shell meant to fill a generic void.

The world that was created, as well as the creations within the world (universe?), were colorful and I was able to vividly picture the landscapes that our characters traversed. Even descriptions of landscapes I can't fathom (literal oblivion) were executed well and I was able to really feel what our protagonist was experiencing.

I haven't read Star Mother yet, but from my understanding prior to going into this story, it reads just fine as a standalone and I agree. And although I'm sure there were callbacks to Star Mother, I don't feel that any information was missing nor that I was kept from fully understanding and appreciating the story that was told. That being said, I fully intend to purchase Star Mother as I need more from the author and this world she so perfectly created.

Reminiscent of classic mythology and fairytales, this epic and enchanting read is perfect for lovers of fast-paced, swooning romantic fantasy with rich world building and compelling characters. Fans of Naomi Novik may enjoy and fans of Holmberg’s previous works won’t be disappointed.

What I loved:

💜 Main character representation:
Rather than a coming-of age story that is often explored in fantasy and adventure, Holmberg presents a fierce heroine rediscovering who she is and rekindling her spark and passion for her art and a chance at epic love. It was so refreshing to read about a heroine in her thirties.

💜Can I say that I loved the story antagonist?
Without giving too much away, the antagonist’s arc was done in tasteful and witty Moana/Hades fashion, creating compelling grey characters and opportunities for sisterhood and redemption.

💜The World-building

I loved Holmberg’s colorful and unique depiction of the gods and other mythological beings within her book. I’d love to see character art that capture what the author described.

💜That last line.

I won’t spoil the ending, but the last line in the book was extremely satisfying. It gave Aija’s character a special identity and agency outside of Saiyon and their love, something that was a tribute to her character in true mythology styled fashion. It was perfect!

Romance Level: 😍 Swoon-worthy

The romance was a sweeping, dramatic Insta-love, well-balanced with slow burn execution. Though the attraction and love developed quickly, the challenges they faced paced the romance well (even though there may be a few eye rolling moments). I’m a sucker for epic HEA, and if you are too, this will give you all the feels.


📌Please note:
- This is the second book of a duology. Though it can be read as a standalone, reading the first book Star Mother, beforehand will enrich your experience with this book (so go ahead and add both books to your cart!)

Thank you NetGalley and 47North Publishing who provided a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own.

4.5 stars

I haven't (yet) read Star Mother, but I don't think it affected my reading of this one.
I loved this story. The journey Aija goes on to try to fight the odds and achieve the unachievable, was crazy and emotional and just captivating to read. I was rooting for her and Saiyon to get their happy ending!
I love this author's writing, it's always so well done and the stories are intriguing, to say the least. Now I need to go read Star Mother!

Aija knows that things are changing. It has been four days since the Sun left the sky and the Earth was plunged into constant darkness. This is when she finds a man by the river. He doesn’t look like anyone she has ever seen and the heat coming off his skin is not normal either. Aija might be a farmhand, but she also is an artist. She longs to draw and sculpt him; then he wakes up. His name is Saiyon and he has enemies; strange enemies that must be godlings. Where will the attraction between Aija and the earthbound Sun God go? What risks are they willing to take to be together?

Star Father is the second book in the Star Mother Fantasy duology. Although it is a second book, readers do not need to have read the first book to fully enjoy this story. Holmberg has expanded this fantastical world and added new characters while also giving us a glimpse into the deeper aspects of old friends and foes. I thoroughly enjoyed all the adventures and quickly turned the pages to see if love would win out or not. A great read, even if Fantasies aren’t your usual genre.

Firstly, I'd like to thank NetGalley and 47North for a copy of Star Father for my honest review.

When I'd first read Star Mother, I was... fascinated. The story of the Star Mothers and of the Sun and the Moon's war, and of Twilight's plight. All of it was beautiful and fascinating and utterly heartbreaking.

Star Father is very much the same, but in an entirely different way.

All of the events take place after those in Star Mother - it's not expressly said how long it's been, but long enough that the story that takes place within it isn't so familiar and pulls only on distant and vague memory.

The sun vanishes from the sky, setting the world into never-ending night. The moon spans the sky at odd times as if searching for Him, as their war is not yet done. Through all of this, there is the story of hard-working women, three generations of them working a farm, too stubborn to give up or give in. Aija is an artist, a sculptor, a painter. And she's very good at what she does. But a mortal war has driven her from the city where she had once helped to build a temple to the Sun, and so she is home when the never ending night strikes.

Love was never something that she was interested in, but when she finds a mysterious man washed ashore by the river... perhaps her hardened heart can be moved after all.

Star Father is a story of longing. It's a story of struggle, and the strength of the bonds of love between two beings who cannot even touch one another. It's a story about a woman who will do anything and everything in order to close that gap, so that she can be with the one she loves. But it's also a story of loneliness and loss.

Overall, I feel as though both Star Mother and Star Father are stories about the human existence. Though the majority of the stories circle around two human women and their interactions with celestial gods and godlings and demigods... the overall experience is profoundly human. Love, longing, loss, desperation... the women in these books go through so much to achieve what they desire, giving up so much in the process, but never giving in.

Aija is strong, both emotionally and physically. She's stubborn, which she gets from her grandmother who refuses to leave her farm or give up working despite her age. But on the other hand, Aija is also still human, and all her struggles to keep her emotions in check, and to stop herself from crying when she's upset... they all are very human things that I resonate with. It's hard to feel weak when you're with others, even with your family. It's difficult when you lose something that you've worked for and you end up right back at your family's place rather than where you thought you'd be in your 30's.

As always, I fell in love with Holmberg's writing and world building, her characters are relatable and interesting and it's always a treat to delve into the worlds she creates. Star Mother, and in turn Star Father are no exception. If you enjoy a good love story, then I would certainly recommend both titles to you - though you need not read Star Mother in order to enjoy Star Father (though some things will certainly make a bit more sense if you do).

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance reader copy of STAR FATHER.

In this book, we peek into the universe and its pantheon of gods, godlings, and demons. I'm not sure how Charlie sleeps at night with all of these lights whirling around in her mind.

The war between Moon and Sun is affecting all the earth with darkness. And Earth Mother sleeps.

Aija finds a man with golden skin like none she's ever seen at the river where she draws water. She takes him home and nurtures him to health, but Saiyon, the man, has secrets that Ai unravels. They are in love, but their love is doomed. And so, Ai goes on a journey of heartbreak trying to save herself and the man she loves.

I loved the creativity, the creatures, godlings, Earth Mother, Moon and so much more. Ai is the epitome of a strong hero, fighting for her heart's desire. But she is also an artist. A widow. And the human lover of Saiyon. Her battle is more of wills than swords, but it is just as dangerous when she could lose herself.

I'm so happy to have a second book to go with Star Mother.
I recommend this book if you're ready to travel to the stars.

5-stars, all the stars!

Here’s the thing, I absolutely adored Star Mother, but Holmberg has outdone herself with Star Father. I always say I don’t have the right words to review her books, and it’s true. But with Star Father, I have all the words and no way to put them in a semblance of order for a cohesive review.

“I felt small beside him, and saw all the things I was not.”

This one is so much more and so vastly different from Star Mother. There are many godlings involved. Aija, who is sometimes incredibly reckless, is so persistent and unfailing in her faith in what she’s trying to do. She has an incredible team with her every step of the way. I love Zyzi, and I want, need, her to have her own book. She is too great a character who has a story that needs to be told. And Tyu? I love her so much! Seriously, all the characters are so incredible. Even the moon nearly broke me.

This is such a special book. I read another review that said Charlie had leveled up with this one, which is accurate because Star Father is an incredible read. The world, Aija’s art and devotion, the characters that helped her on her path, the research into making this such a stunning read all come together beautifully. Thank you, 47North, for sending this along.

Reading a book by Charlie N. Holmberg is the same experience I imagine people feel when reading classic fairy tales for the first time, only you're an adult and you enjoy it on a whole other level. She truly is a genius at storytelling, creating a unique tale every time that keeps me up long into the night. I dream about the worlds she creates, wishing they were real, and anytime I see a new book being released, I know that I'm about to experience something that has never been created before. Her fairy tales are often dark, full of emotions, violence and bittersweet love. They're gritty and real - fairy tales on steroids. The best kind of escapist story for adults who wish to step away from reality for a little while.

The sky had turned dark. The sun was gone, the moon shone without end, and people feared that the gods were at war. Perhaps the Sun God is dead. When Aija volunteers to venture into the darkness to collect water from a nearby river, she is shocked to discover a man she has never seen before passed out in the dirt. He is golden-skinned, clothed in a fabric she has never seen before. Alive but feverish, he needs help, and so she brings him home to her mother and grandmother. Nursing him back to health, Aija's feelings for him begin to stir, and they only become stronger once he awakens. But he remains silent about who he is, giving her only his name - Saiyon. However, things become stranger when he is injured and he bleeds light, not human blood. When his companions arrive, they are not human, and his enemies aren't human either. Soon reality becomes all too clear - Aija has fallen in love with the Sun God. An impossible love, for he lives in the sky and normally burns too hot for any mortal to withstand. He must return to his duties as a god, but Aija can't come with him. Unless she becomes immortal...but that's impossible...or is it?

I just adored everything about this story, from the colorful characters to the worldbuilding to the tragic drama surrounding the romance between Aija and Saiyon. I wasn't expecting it to go in the direction it did, and I was pleasantly surprised to see how their relationship grew. They had a backstory that became clear over time, and even the villain of the story became someone I could empathize with. So many layers, so many connections intertwined, and I never found myself bored. I stayed up late to read it, and then when I slept, I dreamed about it. It's like my mind never wanted it to end. It had a bit of an Eros and Psyche feel to it, in that Aija had to overcome many trials to be with Saiyon once more. Granted, she always saw Saiyon's face, he didn't steal her away, and so it's certainly not a retelling of the classic myth. But it had that vibe, which just pulled me in all the more. I love romance that seems impossible or forbidden, it makes it all the more exciting and passionate. I can't comment too much on the story itself, as I feel it's one that needs to be experienced without too much preconceived notion. Go into it with the expectations of reading an adult fairy tale, and prepare to be amazed.

Once again, unsurprisingly, Charlie N. Holmberg has impressed me so much. It just seems impossible for her to write a bad book, I am convinced.

“Perhaps the Sun is dead.”

“The Sun can’t die. Gods can’t die.”

“Perhaps they can if killed by another god.”

"Star Father" is the second book in "Star Mother" series which does not exactly follow the first story, I think can be read separately.

This is the story of Ai, Aija, a mortal who falls in love with Saiyon, father of stars, the Sun.

What will you do for love? How far could you go? How many sacrifices can you take?!

What a great book, beautifully had built characters and their relationship, Unexpectedly I enjoyed every one of them.
I loved the story, the value of family, friendship, and loyalty, so incredible and fascinating.
Also, it was great to read about the moon, she in mythology always was one of my favorites.

I think it's better don't read the following if don't want much information about this book, or didn't read the first book.

The war between dark and light continues, the darkness won one step, take some light, but not much to be the sun, only to be the Moon.
The Earth mother is sleeping, but they were supposed to stop the fight, with a piece of her heart for the moon in return for peace. The Moon used the heart to create, but she couldn't, only created creatures of the dark.
And now the Sun didn't rise, the whole world lives with only the light of the moon. What if the Sun is dead?

Huge thanks to 47North via NetGalley to give me a chance to read Star Father (Star Mother #2) by Charlie N. Holmberg, I have given my honest review.
Pub Date: 08 Mar 2022
Review on: 13 Feb 2022

Whilst it's predecessor Star Mother was a poignant, slow burn romance this book is an emotional, rollercoaster of a journey as Aija does everything in her limited mortal power to find a way to be with Saigon, or as we know him the Sun ! Having briefly been injured and lost on Mother Earth Saigon has found the love that no other could ever understand but his powers burn and would cripple Aija leaving the couple to travel very different paths. However Aija is perhaps the most stubborn woman to walk the leafy loan that Saigon warms and she embarks on a quest to do whatever it takes to be beside the only male that she has ever loved.
Oh my this story had me gripped not just by the beings Aija meets along the way which truly are varied and imaginative but by the heart rending relationships she forms with others as she doggedly pushes on. This made me smile, it made me want to rage as at times Aija was truly suffering and yet the end just made my heart sing and I can say no higher praises than that !
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

I love how I'm always drawn deeply into Charlie's words. She weaves such magic and her worlds are vibrant. My imagination is filled with images as though I were watching it play before my eyes.
I'm so glad she decided to give us this side of the story.
The toils, the tribulations, the devotion...epic.