This is the sequel to Castles in Their Bones. It probably won't make much sense unless you read that first. Having lost their oldest sister, Princesses Daphne and Beatriz are trying to make sure that the nations of Friv and Cellaria remain free from the Empress's rule. And to add even more doom and gloom on top of that, an ominous prophecy has begun to shine through the constellations: the blood of stars and majesty spilled. Usurped by conniving cousins Nico and Gigi, Beatriz fears for her life, while in icy Friv, Daphne continues her shaky alliance with the rebels even as she struggles to stay a step ahead of them. But when an unlikely ally offers Beatriz a deal, she finds herself back in her mother's sights.
With enemies around every corner and the stars whispering of betrayal, Daphne and Beatriz can't trust anyone--least of all each other. If they've learned anything, though, it's that the Empress's game is constantly changing. And the arrival of surprise visitors from Temarin just might tip the scales in the princesses' favor . . . if they manage to avoid meeting their sister's fate before they can make their next move.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for this e-arc.*

The sequel to Castle in their Bones releases in February, and it will not disappoint. Sebastian does a great job at developing her main characters even more. So much so that the reader becomes invested. The story is very well written.

The only thing I didn’t like is the cliffhanger ending that I will have to wait a year to find out what happens.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

I’m giving this one 3.5 stars. The characters are intriguing however I felt this one lacked some of the excitement the first book had. I just didn’t feel this one moved as quickly so it was a little harder to get through but the lead up to the third book does make me excited. I’m hopeful the next one will have a little more action and adventure.

Laura Sebastian's Castle in Their Bones series continues and I am still loving it. There is not a lot happening in the YA world right now to be excited about. This series while being a little tropey is likeable in all the best ways. I enjoyed watching the characters grow in this book. It's hard to write a good YA series that is simultaneously readable and relatable while being trendy.

If you read the first book and liked it. You will enjoy this one. It really nails it.

#netgalley

“ I love you all the way to the stars. “

POLITICAL INTRIGUE GALORE. I will never understand why more people aren’t talking about this series. And this second book?! It had so much character growth, like all of the main characters truly start finding theirselves and growing into who they’re meant to be and I just adored it. There’s some tender moments and some sitting on the edge of my seat moments and I can’t believe we have to wait until next year for the third one 😫.

Daphne, my least favorite character, became very intriguing to me in Stardust. What with whatever is going on with her magic and what it could mean for the plot, I feel like something grander then even the Empress is a-brewing but I’m not exactly sure what yet.

I really don’t want to say much else about Stardust because a lot could give away what happened in Castles BUT if you love any of the following, this series 100% is for you. I do have one complaint to say though, WHY CHANGE THE COVERS?! I 100% will be ordering a UK copy since they kept the cover the same 😅. Oh also, this is more of a slow burn book, FYI.

Read if you like:
- Multiple POV’s
- Political intrigue
- Diabolical plots
- Slower angsty romance brewing but not quite there yet
- Rebellions galore
- REVENGE
- Very unpredictable (to me at least lol)
- Idk, so much more 😂

Stardust in Their Veins is the sequel to 2022's Castles in Their Bones. This second novel follows Beatriz and Daphne, as well as a new perspective, Violie, as they continue to try and navigate their mother's political machinations, as well as employing a few plots of their own.

I greatly enjoyed Castles in Their Bones last year, so I was so excited when I received this new novel. Yet after a string of lackluster YA novels, I was a little nervous to dive into it. Fortunately, I'm happy to say, that this was just as good as the first!

I love a book with good plotting and political intrigue. Book 1 had it in spades and I was so happy that book 2 continued the trend. There were points that had me on the edge of my seat and other points that had me wanting to reach into the pages and shake a character (largely Daphne).

I also enjoy how bold these books are. There were some events that really moved the plot along and that I just did not see coming, just like in book 1. The author is not afraid to make big moves and write the unexpected. It makes it really fun to read (and tense) because you realize nothing and no one is safe. It's unique and makes things feel more high-stakes than many other YA novels, which often seem to follow the same tired formula.

I also loved the cliffhanger at the end. I think I know where she's going to end up and I hope I'm right because I desperately need more that ship in the next book. That may be my sole complaint for this one is that I needed more Nico.

I also really enjoyed the characters. Their development is great and realistic. Even though I wanted to shake Daphne in this book and the last, I could see the journey she was on and the steps she was taking along her arc. It was so satisfying when her reality was finally checked!

Overall, a great follow up novel. I'm so excited to read the final novel and can't wait for it's release!

I recommend this to fans of YA fantasy and those looking for great political intrigue in a YA book!

Thank you Netgalley and Delacorte Press for allowing me to read and review this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"They haven't seen the last of us. And soon enough, they'll wish they'd killed us when they had a chance."

Stardust in Their Veins is the second installment of the, very underrated, Castles in Their Bones trilogy. After the horrific events and terrible cliffhanger of book one, I was prepared for the onslaught of grief.

We follow along Violie, Daphne, and Beatriz point of views as they start off separated and come together for another explosive ending.

"I love you all the way to the stars."

While I really liked this book, I did have difficulties reading Daphne's point of view at first. She is not my favorite of the three sisters and her denial about their mother bothered me. Toward the middle to end of the story I started to like her development.

I do love big books but Stardust in Their Veins is pretty long. There is quite a bit of build up and important character development but I do feel there were some moments that needed to be edited down a notch. The pacing suffered a little bit from that but I was engaged in the story and the characters.

"I've told you the truth, Bairre, about everything, and there may be a lot that I've done that you might view as unforgivable, but we both know that goes both ways. The only difference is that I've told you my secrets; you're still keeping plenty of yours."

The romance is almost non-existent this time. There are little bits and pieces and one couple I'm rooting for, but it's not the sole-focus of the book. There is a lot of politics, rebellion activity, and many, many secrets being kept from others. I am a lover of romance in stories but I did not feel sad by it's absence. There is quite a bit of tension in a scene or two to tide me over until book three.

"It takes bravery to open one's eyes and refuse to close them again, even when it would be so much easier to."

Stardust in Their Veins focuses on the sister's grief, revenge, and revelations. I do love the development of Beatriz and her star-magic, Daphne is slowly becoming a favorite of mine even with the chapters in the beginning, and I feel so bad for Violie at the end.

Laura Sebastian is a favorite author of mine and I do love the way she writes her characters. If you loved Castles in Their Bones, I believe you will enjoy this intensely written sequel. I don't think any one of us is going to be ready for the amount of hurt that's going to come in book three.

4.5 stars

This was a very enjoyable second installation in what I consider to be an underrated fantasy series. The story is full of drama, intrigue, suspense, romance, and revenge. The writing is well done and will grasp you in as a reader with its intensity and high stakes. I did feel, however, that this book was a little long, at over 500 pages. Don't get me wrong--A LOT happens and it is very interesting, but some of the slower parts I wish could have been progressed quicker. I'm eager to see what happens in the next book!

I received a copy through NetGalley for review.

So I had enjoyed Castles in Their Bones, so it was nice to see this second book, hold in that same manner and it did not disappoint.

Remaining sisters Daphne and Beatriz have to decide if they are going to continue with their mother's plan for them, to marry and destroy the countries they were sent into or realize they are their mother's pawns and escape the same fate of their sister Sophronia told them was awaiting them, just before she lost her head.

Empress Maragaraux is playing the long game and if it goes as she has planned, she will be the last one standing, with 3 other countries snapped up under her rule, not her daughters.
Beatriz and her husband are deposed and under arrest- Beatriz accused of star magic, and her husband's rule- overthrown by his cousin's and their rebel parties- betrayed. Daphne and her prince are still unmarried, their wedding beseeched both time by rebels. Both countries set upon by their own inner unrest they'll never see the Empress coming, and her daughters are worth more to her dead than alive, but only if they die in the right way, place and moment for her to sweep in for the broken pieces.

Beatriz and Daphne have to decide if they believe the words their sister Sophronia sent them, just before her execution. Or if they'll be dutiful and carry out their mother's wishes, the mission they were trained 16 years for.

But perhaps the Empress trained her daughters too well, if they can switch tactics and gain allies in the places they were sent, use their skills, perhaps they can turn the tide before they loose their lives in their mother's game. It's not too late.

Curious to see who makes it out alive in the beginning of the third book.

This sequel just did not work for me. I wanted to love this and was excited for it, but quickly I remembered why I liked, but didn't love, the first one. There's so many characters, most of whom are indistinguishable from each other. The main leads are flat and I found myself not really caring about most of the characters. It was clunky and weirdly-paced, and without strong characters I loved, I couldn't overlook these other areas. Unfortunately, this series is just a miss for me.

This is not a groundbreaking fantasy series but it does what it sets out to do incredibly well. In Stardust in Their Veins, the stakes are raised and the pace picks up as the surviving sisters cope with Sophie's death in vastly different ways -- ways which have grave consequences throughout the kingdoms. We also get to learn much more about Violet and others in the sisters' orbit, all of whom are more complicated than they may initially seem. And once again, Sebastian ends the novel and a hell of a cliffhanger. I can't wait to see where this series goes next.

First off, I think this book series is very under rated and I don't hear a lot of people talk about it. If you love political fantasy with rebellion with found family, this is the perfect series for you. I loved the first book and I think the second book is even better. I am sad I have to wait at least another year to figure out what is going to happen. Laura Sebastian is not afraid to go there and I was shocked at the ending of this book as well as the first. I don't want to say too much as to spoil the first book but this second book is great. I did not feel as though it had middle book syndrome at all and the world building and the political depth in this book is amazing. Highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA fantasy. 5 out of 5 stars.

**Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy. All thoughts are my own.**

I loved the Ash Princess series, and I'm loving this series too! The characters are brilliant and you never know what each of them are going to do next! A real page turner of a fantasy.

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

STARDUST IN THEIR VEINS is the sequel to CASTLES IN THEIR BONES, which ended on somewhat of a cliffhanger. Sophronia's death is fresh on the minds of Beatriz and Daphne. As years of planning begin to play out, the remaining sisters begin to see what their mother has in store, whether or not they want to believe it.

I think my favorite aspect of STARDUST IN THEIR VEINS is watching Beatriz and Daphne learn to trust themselves more. The triplets were born and raised to take down kingdoms. But they couldn't imagine in their wildest dreams that Empress Margarauz would kill her own daughters to achieve penultimate reign. Now Beatriz and Daphne face a crisis in faith about their mother and they must decide to honor Sophronia's death or appease the empress. Sophronia's death was a sobering moment and a hard lesson they can now either heed or ignore.

This book is heavier on the plotting and thwarting than its prequel and, as a result, I thought the pace was slower. I think every moment is important to the story and sets the stage, though, for the final book. So rest assured there is a purpose. But I did find myself skimming some passages. I like to try and guess what each person is up to in these types of books. There were enough moving pieces, though, that I gave up (in a good way) and went with the flow.

Like CASTLES IN THEIR BONES, the romance is minimal, which, lately, I tend to prefer when I read Young Adult fantasy books. I also think this lack of romance fits the story, so to speak, as there is plenty of suspicion and distrust to go around. However, I am rooting for one potential avenue of romance, but who knows what the author has up her sleeve!

There is a little more worldbuilding in this installment as Sophoronia's death shook up the game. However, the bulk of the story focuses on interactions between the various characters rather than exploring the three kingdoms. The reader becomes privy to a little more of the star magic system introduced in the first book. It's really more of a tease in this sequel, though, so I hope we learn even more in the final book.

Overall, STARDUST IN THEIR VEINS is a solid companion to CASTLES IN THEIR BONES. This YA fantasy is a perfect read for those who prefer a heavy dose of political machinations and subterfuge with a sprinkle of romance, magic, and worldbuilding. I'm looking forward to the grand finale of this trilogy.

[To be posted on www.aliteraryescape.com.]

4.5/5💫
Oh my GOSH I could not put this down!! I think this easily goes in the middle grade for adults section, and it reminded me of reading Gail Carson Levine for the first time 🥰
The cover was improved from the last one, smart move, your reprints will be even better 👍
The STRESS LEVEL of this middle grade book, knowing the sociopathic mother truly does know everything and we are deluding ourselves by pretending she doesn’t is a little painful, but without that high tension this just wouldn’t be the same book.
Every page turn I was expecting another beheading, and I loved it.

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.75 stars
- The premise of the series was what got me to pickup the first one after reading the description for this book. Three sisters raised since birth to go out and take over neighboring kingdoms. These princesses sound like interesting spies. Which for the most part is how the novels work out. The books are told through each sisters perspective as they are sent in separate ways.
- As a sequel novel several things are a little different. First of which would be the characters themselves. This book takes place only five days after the shocking event at the end of the first novel. We will still follow three perspectives in this novel. With the new perspective things are shown in a different light, fresh knowledge/eyes so to speak. As with the first book the last chapter of the book is going to be from the empresses perspective again to throw a rock at half the things we thought we knew.
- The second difference I feel like was the pacing. Sure the first book was not super fast paced either. However in this one I feel like a lot more time was spent analyzing feelings and going over loyalties. To some point in a repetitive nature making me feel like the character has come to the same realization several times. This leads to wondering why they are still having the debate. Otherwise there is still several areas of action and shocking events.
- There is not exactly an ending resolution to this book as it is left on a cliff hanger. Not sure how long the series is intended to go. This book is cut off a bit more abruptly in the final action than the previous one. Though this is a good move to try to keep people engaged to pickup the next book.
- I loved some of the magic and little history we were given of the world. New divisions and factions are showing in areas that before seemed tied together. I would like to see how she makes this play out in the next novel. Hopefully there will be slightly less teen angst over things that have already happened though.

Blame my devout obsession for Taylor Swift, but if the song Anti-Hero were a book character it would be Daphne. Although I am in the minority, she is my favorite character. Though she has been terrible in the past, I couldn’t help but root for her.

I adored the political intrigue and scheming in Castles in Their Bones. Somehow, the sequel was even better. Laura Sebastian sure as hell knows how to write the perfect cliff hanger. She is a master of plot twists. Beatriz once described her mother as always being 5 steps ahead of her. As a reader, I felt like the author was always 5 steps ahead of me. Anytime I got comfortable and thought I knew what was going on, she was already ahead of me with another scheme.

The characters in this series are written so well. I found myself caring for nearly every one of them, with the exception of the empress. Man what a ruthless bitch. She’s such a good villain though. As someone who has a complicated relationship with their mother, I really appreciate that the series explores characters that have a toxic relationship with their mother. It’s not something I come across too often. Though brutally relatable at times, I also found reading the series to be quite cathartic.

I absolutely enjoyed this book, and this series as a whole. It is full of suspense, drama, secrets and hidden layers. There's grief and romance and a hunger for revenge, and all of that together makes for a very exciting read. Like the first book, this one is told in multiple POVs, and I love the contrast between Daphne and Beatriz. The sister's are in very different places from each other when the story starts, and I loved watching their very different but connected journeys unfold. I loved getting to find out more about both of them. Beatriz begins to learn more about her magic while playing a very dangerous game of revenge, and Daphne finds moments of fun and romance while she tries to figure out what's the truth and who to trust. Violie also plays a significant role in this story, and what happens with her at the end was something I definitely was not expecting!

This book definitely has high stakes, which is a big part of what makes it so enjoyable. There are so many characters with a lot to hide and so much at risk if they are discovered. And as we've learned from the first book, no one is safe from these dire consequences. I was on the edge of my seat wondering if this person would be found out, and if that one would be betrayed. I won't say exactly what happens to anyone, but don't be surprised if someone is stabbed or poisoned or thrown into a dungeon. These characters are playing a dangerous game, after all.

There were so many favorites I could talk about for this book. One thing I loved was the way grief was portrayed and woven throughout the story. It felt very genuine, portrayed in different ways for different characters, but very real and honest. Daphne's journey with grief was especially touching to me, because she is a character with a tougher exterior who has a harder time letting herself feel what she needs to. And I especially loved seeing Prince Bairre be a part of that process for her. I loved seeing their romance continue to grow, slowly, but surely.

Overall, I highly recommend this series for fellow YA fantasy fans, especially if you like secret plots, betrayal, murder and more! The only real flaw I have for this one is that it ended in a cliffhanger, and I will probably have to wait an entire year until I can know what happens next.

Last year, I read Castles in Their Bones and was completely blown away. I had never read a book by Laura Sebastian before, but as soon as I finished., I knew I had to read everything she ever wrote. I read four more books by her within the next two weeks, and in every book I loved the author’s writing style and gripping storytelling abilities. So, of course, I leaped at the chance to read an advanced copy of Stardust in the Veins. The ending of Castles in Their Bones was so shocking, and I was eager to see how the sisters’ stories would play out.

Stardust in Their Veins is a fantastic continuation to the series! Suspenseful, layered, and unpredictable, it is a super immersive read and one that I didn’t want to put down. The story picks up where the first book left off, with the characters reeling over the death of their sister and the aftereffects of the coup.

Beatrix begins to plan her revenge against her mother while learning more and more about her gifts, mourning the loss of her sister, and finding allies in the most unlikely of places. She’s such a layered and interesting character, and her development over the course of the story is fantastic. She is no longer the young woman who follows her mother’s dictates without question. She’s stronger and more determined. Beatrix has such a great relationship with Pasquale, and I think this connection is part of the reason she’s changed so much. He’s completely devoted to her and does everything in his power to protect and help her. She, in turn, uses her power to help him, even though she puts herself at risk.

Daphne’s story is also intriguing, though she isn’t as quick to turn against her mother. This isn’t surprising considering she is probably the most similar to the Empress. However, we do see her attitude change as the story progresses. It’s interesting to see how she deals with new and surprising revelations, the grief of losing her sister, and her conflicted feelings toward Bairre.

I love a good romance, and the relationship between Daphne and Bairre is one I’m totally rooting for. They have so much chemistry, and the angst is high with this tortured couple. I love the push and pull and the banter. They’re both so confused and fighting their feelings, but I don’t think it’s working too well for either of them. The tension is palpable, and I’m hoping they can find a way to be together after all the lies, secrets, and betrayals.

Like the first book, this one is told from multiple perspectives. The sisters are so different, and I like that we continue to get both of their perspectives. You really understand what they feel and why they do certain things. And there’s a new perspective in this book, which I found interesting. This wasn’t a character I liked in the previous book, but I like her redemption arc and her growing relationships with some of my faves. I’m seeing the hint of a love story here too. and I like the direction it’s headed!

The world-building and plot are as layered as the characters, and both are fascinating. It’s complex and rich in description and political intrigue, and there are some plot twists that I totally didn’t see coming! And with that cliffhanger ending, I’m dying to read the next book! So much is at stake for the characters, and their battle to defeat the Empress is going to be epic and shocking and probably a little heartbreaking. I have a feeling the next book will emotionally destroy me, and I’ll thank Laura Sebastian for doing it. lol.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

This series has taken me completely by surprise. It’s full of morally grey & interesting characters. The star magic system is so intriguing. And the villain is always ten steps ahead of our character and is the kind of villain that gets under your skin and make you fear for your favorite characters!