4/5 ⭐️

This book took me a little bit to get into. There were a lot of characters that I was trying to place and I wasn't expecting this many new ones. I took this book as a third of the series but it is actually a spin off from a duology.

With that being said, I enjoyed this book a lot. The romance felt minimal, but following the thoughts of Felicity and Jas were so good.

I listened to the audio book and while I enjoyed the narration, it was difficult to figure out what was happening.. whose dreams were being described and through who's eyes.

This was not my cup of tea. I ended up DNF. The characters and the plot themselves are interesting but the chemistry and romance between the characters did not do it for me. Very difficult to get through if you have not read the other duology. I would recommend not marketing it as the "first book in a new series". I imagine those who enjoyed These Hollow Vows will very much like this continuation of the series from these new perspectives.

Soft DNF @29%. I really wanted to love this, but found my mind wandering and I wasn’t really invested. I could feel myself falling into a reading slump. I’ll probably pick this back up in the fall when I’m craving more fantasy.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my digital copy!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced review copy of “Beneath These Cursed Stars” by Lexi Ryan. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’ve read the first two books but this beginning was very confusing for me let alone for someone who hasn’t read the other books. I didn’t get why it wasn’t Felicity’s PoV first.

The male love interest is Hale or Kendrick? Why does he switch names so much? Also he and Jas were prisoners together but Jas was 14 so he “didn’t look at her that way” but he’s the love interest which is giving me age gap ick right off the bat?

I didn’t like Jas’s POV. The age gap romance is off putting. The girl hate with Skyler was grating.

The conflict is similar vibes to somehow Palpatine has returned. I thought this was supposed to be a new series so why not have a different big bad instead of one who was defeated already? We already did this in the first two books.

This book was weirdly focused on age gaps in both couples Jas and whatever his name was and between disguised Felicity and Misha. Felicity keeps calling Misha old. Both romances have weird age gaps which is especially off putting in what’s supposed to be a YA book.

The amount of torture flashbacks for Jas quickly loses its emotional impact and I was just skimming to get past them.

My biggest annoyance was didn’t we already know the faceless plague was Jas? Why was this treated like a big reveal?

I will not continue in this story. The first two books were fun but this is not worth my time and energy.

2/5 stars

I don't know what it is about this particular series of books…. I can't claim that they're particularly new or exciting and they're definitely not complex but I honestly think that those things are part of the draw for me. Sometimes | just want an easy fantasy that is heavy on the romance and these absolutely fit the bill. I've had the best time with each of them!

This series brings back a few characters that we know and love from the original duology and introduces a few new ones. This being a dual romance was particularly enjoyable and I really loved both story lines and the new characters. Ryan writes romantic tension and angst in a way that I can't get enough of. If you loved that aspect of the original duology I think you will love it here too.

I would suggest reading the original duology before this spin-off simply for an introduction to the characters and a basic layout of the world - not much is reintroduced or explained here.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.

Rating: Loved it (4.5 stars)
Genre: NA fantasy
Romantic content: one vague open door
Other content: memories of torture, kidnapping

Not my favorite but it was fun. The pacing was a little bit all over the place and it took me a bit of time to get into it but by the end I don't really loved it.

i absolutely loved this book and was so pulled into it from the beginning. jas’ story was such a great read and the twists and turns throughout the book were unexpected and i didn’t want it to end. the ending was insane and i cannot wait for book two! highly recommend this series!

I was completely unaware that this series was going to be continued. I loved these hollow vows and the sequel. I was so pumped that the world the author built is going to continue. It more than delivered the hype. The world building is just spectacular. The plot is fast paced and truly you don’t know which way the story is going to go while you’re reading it. You get the perfect fae romance that gives acotar and tog vibes. I truly love this series and can’t wait for the next installment

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

I actually had no idea that this was the third novel in the series (don't ask me how), that being said it was still easy to follow and a super fun read! I really do love how creative Lexi Ryan is and will FOR SURE be reading the rest of the series, along with anything else she releases.

I thought this was actually the beginning of a new series from this author! So upon receiving I quickly realized this was the third book in her series. Which is fantastic but I definitely would love to start a new series from this author soon though!

Ryan's writing is engaging, and the chemistry between the protagonists is palpable, which makes the romantic elements of the plot stand out. The world-building is solid, and there’s a clear sense of history and magic that shapes the story. However, at times, the pacing can feel a bit rushed, particularly in the middle, as the plot moves quickly through key moments without always taking the time to fully develop some of the secondary characters or subplots.

A fitting spinoff to the cursed stars duology. I enjoyed it, but it did feel very easy to solve the problem.

Misha was by FAR my favorite part of the second book in the These Hollow Vows duology so when I found out he was getting his own book I *screamed.* Ok I know its overstating things a bit to call this HIS book since it largely centers on Princess Jasalyn and Felicity (who provide our two POVs) I was still thrilled to get more time with him and more time in this world (I didn't mind the minimal world building since I've already read the two books that come before this). It's fast paced, packed with twists and turns that'll keep you on your toes -- can't wait for the sequel!

I adored These Hollow Vows duology, so I was excited to revisit this world with Brie’s little sister, Jas. I knew not to expect complex world-building or an intricate plot, which honestly doesn’t bother me. Sometimes I just want a book that’s a fun, light read. Unfortunately, I think this one missed the mark on the fun.

The book follows two separate storylines. One centers on Princess Jas as she embarks on a journey to hunt down Mordeus, accompanied by Kendrick, a man who had once kept her company while she was imprisoned and tortured in Mordeus’ dungeon. The other storyline focuses on Felicity, a shifter who’s pretending to be the princess in order to get closer to the Wild Fae King, Misha.

Both storylines hinge on insta-love. Neither relationship felt earned because there was no real buildup or tension.

I’m not sure if the world-building and plot were better explained in the THV duology (which I might have forgotten, since it’s been a while since I read it), but I found the world-building here lacking. The book basically told me I know all about The Seven and I said “who? 👁️👄👁️”

Maybe my expectations were too high, given my love for the original duology, but both the main characters, their romance, and the plot progression fell flat for me.

I’m giving it 3 stars because it was still interesting enough and easy to read—I finished it in just over a day. Plus, the ending piqued my curiosity enough that I want to pick up the next book. Half a star more because I love Misha.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the arc. Let’s pretend the year is 2024 and I’m not extremely late, thanks 🫶

I’ve loved this series so far. Suspense, drama, and romance—yes, please. This book’s cliffhanger has me chomping at the bit for the 4th book! I’m anxious to see how this is all going to play out. Lexi Ryan has created a magical world, and I am here for it. Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the early copy! All opinions are my own.

As much as I wanted to enjoy this, I struggled through the entire novel. That being said, I do think I am not the target audience for this book. I really enjoyed the two predecessors, but this one missed the mark for me.
While the world building was solid and you do feel empathy towards your two main characters, I struggled with the emotional immaturity of the FMC.
I did enjoy how well the author bridged the time gaps between the first two novels. The writing was solid and fast paced, I just don’t think I was the target audience for this part of the series! And that is at not fault to the author!
It’s a solid YA novel and I would recommend it to ages 16+.

Beneath These Cursed Stars by Lexi Ryan is a thrilling and emotionally charged space opera that combines romance, mystery, and high-stakes adventure. The story follows a young woman caught between a dangerous interstellar conspiracy and her own desires for freedom and revenge. Ryan’s world-building is rich and immersive, creating a vivid universe full of complex political intrigue, powerful relationships, and deep emotional conflicts. The chemistry between the protagonist and her love interest is palpable, and the plot is filled with unexpected twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Beneath These Cursed Stars is a must-read for fans of space adventures with strong characters, intense romance, and captivating world-building.

oh my stars! This companion novel is set after the These Hollow Vows duology and a some time after. Lexi Ryan still takes your breath away with a beautiful setting and enchanting characters. I enjoyed the story line, the cover is stunning, the side characters are some from the other duology which makes it full circle ad amazing. No spoilers but this is the core of a YA fantasy. Thank you so much to the publishers, Netgalley, and Lexi Ryan!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

This was a great introduction for this new to me author. I love a good ya fantasy story and she delivered on all fronts - compelling characters, interesting world, and well paced. I would definitely read more from this author.

I told myself that I believed I needed a break from YA fantasy since all of them were beginning to blur into one, but thankfully I read this and it saved me! Princess Jasalyn has a magic ring that allows her to appear as a dark lady with a kiss that kills. Every one of the men who held her captive will fall from her kiss, if it's the last thing she does. Felicity is a shape shifter who wants to avoid fulfilling a prophecy that shows her killing someone close to her, so she allows Jas to escape her palace life by taking on her appearance. Felicity, as Jas, then moves in with King Misha in order to stay safe from anyone wanting to hurt the princess. Jas takes off with Felicity's friends and finds Kendrick, the one fae who she trusts more than anyone. Both begin the journey to finding what they each need, but end up coming up against forces that they cannot escape.

I have not read the first two in the series, and even though I didn't need to, I will definitely read them now. Ryan does a fantastic job of filling in the gaps from the two previous books so I never felt like I was lost. The characters are so well developed and, much like another famous fantasy series beloved by all, I found myself growing to detest some of them and absolutely loving others. There is a ton of action that has already happened so this may seem like a bridge novel in a series, but the dual POVs kept me engaged and I found myself drawn to each storyline. Both girls were strong characters with fierce loyalties to their goals and loved ones. And their attachment to the men in their lives made this even more fun to read. Ryan is very successful building this world and I can't wait to read the next one.