Update December 12th:
Del Ray, I am extremely proud of you all right now and I fully support the actions you all took to ensure authors are supporting each other and working together to lift each other up!!! I know it wasn't an easy decision to pull this book, as you've already invested time and resources to bring this to market. But I love seeing this response from you all!!!!! Thank you, for championing all voices and for not tolerating this toxic and unprofessional behavior.

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Del Rey Books
@DelReyBooks
We are aware of the ongoing discussion around author Cait Corrain. CROWN OF STARLIGHT is no longer on our 2024 publishing schedule.
2:02 PM · Dec 11, 2023

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November 29th:
It was incredibly exposition heavy, which I don’t personally enjoy. I wasn’t a fan of the voice. I stopped after chapter 1 (4%). Likely three to four stars from the target audience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.

I didn't enjoy what I read, and I'm not going to push through given Corrain's awful actions AND the book being pulled by the publisher. Excuse me while I go focus on the books Corrain review-bombed instead.

DNF, 49%.

While the world building and space-meets-Greek-myth-retelling had attracted me to this book when I first heard of it in May 2022, I unfortunately was met with disappointment and frustration.

The plot, characters, and dialogue felt unpolished, juvenile, and repetitive - not the sizzling space opera I'd been promised. I found myself bored, clicking away to other books and other tasks, even on a vacation when one of my primary goals was digging in to read this book. This was surprising, as the author had previously written fanworks I'd enjoyed greatly.

I might've pushed through, had I not become aware of the social media reviewbombing scandal in early December 2023. The author is alleged to have created multiple sockpuppet accounts to downvote other debuts (primarily BIPOC authors) while upvoting this title, as well as allegedly creating a "friend" to blame. Author Xiran Jay Zhao has a complete breakdown widely published: https://www.tiktok.com/@xiranjayzhao/video/7310312405571996933?_t=8i2yWmS58d0&_r=1, and this story has now been picked up by NBC and other news outlets. Though the author has now publicly apologized, there is no place for this type of behavior in any professional role.

Taking the experience of reading the book together with the author's actions, I will be rating this title 1/5 stars and will not be recommending the author or title to anyone at this time.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.

This was originally a promising debut, but I won't be reviewing it given Corrine's recent behavior with review bombing fellow debut authors, many of whom were BIPOC.

A massive thanks for this ARC, but due to the authors extremely unprofessional behavior and attitude towards others I will not be finishing this novel. I did find it very hard to get into at first, but was trying to hold out with hope for the rest of the novel.

I was approved for this right before finding out about this author’s appalling behavior. I will not be reading this book.

Thank you to Del Rey for the ARC.

Due to the information regarding Cait Corrain's actions that have come to light recently, I don't feel comfortable leaving a review on this book.

I hope to read other ARCs from Del Rey in the future and to continue to support debut authors coming from the imprint as well as upcoming authors for the 2024 year. I also hope to see more cover art from the artist, Diana Dworak, as this cover did really grab me.

The one star rating is due to NetGalley's rules for leaving feedback.

After the review bombing the author took part in I struggle to give this book a positive review. Furthermore, I found the first portion of the book extremely hard to read and planned to come back to it as other reviewers said it got better. After recent events I see no reason to return to try to finish the book.

The author's behavior is unacceptable and I'm so glad to hear that the publisher is taking action and pulling the book from being published. Thank you to netgalley and Del Ray for this eARC and I look forward to another chance in the future to review future titles.

Thank you to netgalley and Del Ray for this eARC. However, due to the unprofessional behavior of this author, I will not be reviewing this book

Thank you Del Rey for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. However, due to the author’s unprofessionalism, I will no longer read and provide a review. In addition, Del Rey has revoked Crown of Starlight from their 2024 publishing roster.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the arc. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book in light of the author's recent actions.

The quickest rise and fall of an author. Cates book was definitely going to be a hit and she sabotaged her own career. I dislike leaving reviews like this but it had to be done

I have never seen a debut author sabotage their entire career like this one has done. Yet I stand corrected and she deserves everything coming her way.

After hearing everything that this author did I cannot in good conscience review or promote this book.

Thank you for the ARC of this novel but I will not be providing feedback as this has been pulled from the release schedule due to the author's review bombing of POC authors. That type of behavior cannot stand. The premise sounds greatly intriguing but I cannot support such behavior.

thank you to the publisher for the arc opportunity, but i will not be reading due to the authors behavior this week. i do not condone racism & knocking down other authors by review bombing them to help your own gain.

DNF: with everything going on surrounding this authors racist and jealous behavior, I do not feel comfortable finishing this novel nor giving it a full review

I will not be reviewing or promoting this book due to the authors recent actions. Especially since the publisher is now removing it from publication.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing this eARC! Unfortunately, due to Cait Corrain's actions, as well as Del Rey removing this from their publishing calendar, I'm unable to recommend this book or provide a review.