Beneath These Cursed Stars is the start of a new These Hollow Vows spin-off series. As someone who did not read the original duology, I thought that Ryan reminded the reader of enough world-building to understand what was going on, but it wasn’t very fleshed out.

The story itself is dual POV between Jasalyn and Felicity. They both undergo missions that risk their lives as well as their hearts (that’s right, we get two romances!). The romances themselves were fun. The book is focused on the romances, making it dialogue heavy and slow-paced. The heaps of secrets in this book really slowed down the plot as well. Only the reader has all the details at once, as no one wanted to truly work together and share information. I personally prefer a bit more external motivation and action sequences, but folks who like character-driven narratives will like this one.
Of the two POV’s, I really appreciated Jasalyn’s emotional journey in this book. She starts off riddled with anxiety and depression and trades her life for a magical ring that grants her emotional stability and death’s kiss. Over the course of the novel, she questions her fear, anger, and prejudice and realizes that maybe she traded away her future too quickly. Healing from trauma is a major theme, which I enjoyed.

I think if you’re a romance fan and love slow burns that you’ll love this book, but I personally wished it was a bit faster paced.

I had previously read and enjoyed the These Hollow Vows duology and was very excited to come back to this world and continue on a new adventure.

This book did not disappoint! I had sooo much fun with this and the plot. It gave me all the vibes that I was wanting from a YA fantasy. At times it even gave me Harry Potter vibes haha. I know I should’ve expected it but gahhh why did it have to leave on such a cliffhanger!? Also really enjoyed all the twists and turns.

I was thoroughly entertained and can’t wait to read the second part… when it is coming out!!!??

Beneath These Cursed Stars is an exciting and magical story full of curses, revenge, and romance.

Several years after the events in These Hollow Vows/These Twisted Bonds, Princess Jasalyn has been struggling. Not feeling like she fully belongs in Faerie, but also not feeling like she can go home to the human world, she is avoiding everyone and stays in her room. But what her sister doesn't know is that with the help of a magic ring, she is sneaking out at night and killing those who harmed her when she was locked in Mordeus's dungeons. Rumours abound that Mordeus has been resurrected, and Jasalyn is on a deadline to seek her revenge before her 18th birthday. When an old friend, Kendrick, seeks her out requesting her help, Jasalyn agrees, and a shapeshifter Felicity takes her place at the palace. Felicity, impersonating as Jasalyn, is staying with Mischa, the king of the Wild Fae. When both girls start to fall for the handsome and charming yet forbidden men, they begin to wonder if the stars have cursed them after all.

This was a fun YA fantasy read. While it is a standalone, there are elements that are easier to understand if you have read the earlier duology. I enjoyed the previous books, so revisiting this world was exciting, and I enjoyed the new characters and challenges. It was a little confusing to follow at times, because of the hidden/switched identities, but I enjoyed both Jasalyn's and Felicity's storylines. The romances were sweet and picked up more in the second half of the book. There were some exciting twists and reveals as the story progresses. As a YA book, the characters are young and are still learning about who they are and how they fit into this world. Beneath These Cursed Stars does end on quite the cliffhanger, so I am super excited to see what happens in the next book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Beneath These Cursed Stars by Lexi Ryan was a phenomenal YA fantasy!
The spellbinding characters and clever storylines made for an absolute stellar story!
The banter, wonderful characters and forbidden romance was so well done.
I was literally hanging onto every word.

Thank You NetGalley and HarperTeen for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I was so happy to be back in this world and with these characters! I really enjoyed Jaslyn’s and Felicity’s POV and I’m intrigued what is to come in the next book with the cliffhangers at the end. Would recommend!

I was super excited to not only get this ARC, but that this book was even written. I loved the These Hollow Vows and was sad it was only a duplogy. This book goes back to that world and works to uncover more secrets with tons of twists. There was also an ending I did not see coming. The book releases this Tuesday.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Beneath These Cursed Stars is a spin off story from These Hollow Vows. Loved being back in this world.

If you love
>YA fantasy
>Multiple POV
>Secret identities
>Magic & prophecies
>Found family
>Who did this to you?
>Forced proximity
>Bonded companions (a little goblin you can call on for portal travel & wisdom)

I was so excited that Lexi Ryan was taking us back to the world of Faerie. I'm excited to read the next book. Jas and Brie are different, but also similar in the fact that they tend to run toward danger. I like that instead of redoing the love triangle, she instead has two female leads with their own love interest. It was nice to see Finn and Brie as well and some of the other characters we love.

*Thank you to NetGalley and HarperTeen for providing me with an e-arc of this novel*

4.5 stars - As someone who adored “These Hollow Vows” and “These Twisted Bonds” I was beyond excited when I saw this book was coming out and I wasn’t disappointed. Initially I was a bit concerned about how the dual pov was going to work but the storylines connected perfectly and kept me extremely entertained. In case you don’t believe me, I read 65% of this book in one sitting. It was so interesting to see Jas’s story and hear her pov from the events that occurred in the other two books and how they’ve led her to be who she is now. As for Felicity’s pov, I was initially nervous that I would be bored but who can be bored when Misha is around? In all seriousness, I really enjoyed both povs from this book. I won’t spoil anything but just know that the tropes in here are perfect (and not just the romance tropes). Also, the ending?!? I truly can’t wait for the next book!

Thanks again to NetGalley and HarperTeen for providing me with an e-arc of this novel!

When I received the ARC of "Beneath These Cursed Stars," I was already a devoted fan of Lexi Ryan's work, but I had no idea what an incredible journey I was about to embark on. If you're familiar with Ryan’s previous duology, "These Hollow Vows," you'll be thrilled to know that this book is a riveting spin-off that seamlessly extends the magic and intrigue of that beloved series.

The story picks up three years after the events of "These Hollow Vows," focusing on Jasalyn, Abriella’s sister. After a harrowing captivity by the malevolent King Mordeus, Jasalyn’s trauma has morphed into a powerful, vengeful force. Armed with a magical ring that grants her siren-like abilities, she seeks retribution in a way that is both haunting and exhilarating. Her night-time escapades and her use of the ring’s dark powers create a suspenseful backdrop for her character's arc.

Kendrick, a key figure from Jasalyn’s past, reappears with a crucial mission. His realm is in peril, and the Oracle has foretold that Jasalyn is essential to their salvation. With a complex blend of prophecy, secrets, and a touch of romance, Kendrick and Jasalyn’s journey unfolds, filled with plot twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. The dynamic between them is electric, and their evolving relationship is beautifully portrayed amidst the chaos.

In a clever twist, Jasalyn’s absence from her sister Abriella is masked by Felicity, Kendrick’s shapeshifting adopted sister. Felicity's role as a stand-in leads to unexpected romantic developments of her own in the Wild Fae Kingdom, where she finds herself entangled with Misha. This subplot adds an additional layer of complexity and emotion to the narrative.

Lexi Ryan masterfully blends fantasy, romance, and suspense, creating a world that is both immersive and enthralling. Her signature cliffhanger ending leaves you eagerly anticipating the next installment. If you were enchanted by "These Hollow Vows," "Beneath These Cursed Stars" will captivate you with its depth, surprises, and unforgettable characters. Ryan’s skillful storytelling ensures that this spin-off is not only a worthy successor but a must-read for fans of the series.

Beneath These Cursed Stars is considered a stand alone novel. However, I do feel like reading These Hollow Vows prior to this book makes it a little easier to understand. This book gave me Throne of Glass vibes from the minute I picked it up (in a good way). I loved the dual POV and slow burn romance. The concept was really interesting and the plot/ character development was good. However, did find my self skimming at times due to some repetition and some of what I felt were unnecessary conversations.

This book contained tropes and themes like:

✅ Slow Burn
✅ Dual POV
✅ Secrets and Betrayal
✅ Trauma and Revenge
✅ Forbidden love



…

Thank you to NetGalley and all involved in allowing me to read this book before release day.

Link to my Goodreads review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6708435410

beneath these cursed stars is a spin off series from the these hollow vows duology. i was unaware of this before i requested it so for the past MONTH i forced myself to read that prior to this and i would just like my TIME and MONEY back. that duology was mid to begin with and this was honestly so extremely boring. if this wasn't an arc i would've dnf'd it 15% in. i did not like jasalyn then and i do not like her now.

i do not recommend this unless you loved these hollow vows and im so confused as to why this is marketed as its own series when its clearly obvious you need to read the duology first and its apart of the same universe. the math isn't mathing. anyways what a waste of time and do not recommend.

thank you the netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

After reading and loving These Hollow Vows & These Twisted Bonds I was excited to be in this world again. For readers who haven't read those yet, I would highly encourage it. I know this is marketed as a spin off but I feel like it is really needed to grasp what is going on with our characters and to understand the world they live in and all the trials they have already endured. I loved how unique this story was in that we are following two main characters with hidden identities. In each P.O.V. we are getting a story complete with its own love interest. Both of our main characters are in a race with the clock to reach certain goals so that keeps the tension high. Another compelling aspect is that both leading ladies have hidden identities making their growing attraction for the men in their lives even more complicated. So many questions need to be answered and that is what kept me turning pages.

This story picks up several years after These Hollow Vows & These Twisted Bonds. We are following Princess Jasalyn who was a human prisoner of Mordeus in the dungeons where he did unspeakable things to her. This has scarred her in many ways and has led her to be withdrawn even from those she loves. In her desperation to curb her fear and regain some of her power she felt she lost at the hands of Mordeus she obtains a magical ring. The magic ring offers deaths kiss but with it comes a great cost. Once rumors arise that Mordeus has been resurrected she decides she can no longer live in fear and sets out to end him once and for all. At the same time we meet a shapeshifter Felicity who has been running from her destiny. She agrees to take Jasalyn's place and pretend to be the princess who is being sent to another kingdom. With Felicity taking the form of the princess so she can hunt Mordeus, Jasalyn teams up with Kendrick a boy from her past who she feels helped save her during her time in the dungeon. Felicity has her own task in getting closer to the Wild Fae king, Misha. Both ladies are on a timetable that is only further complicated by their hearts longing for men they shouldn't want.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I will can't wait to find out what happens with Jasalyn & Felicity. The cliffhanger has me anxious to continue with their story.

Wow! This book!
I would like to start by saying that even though this could technically be read as a standalone and even Lexi herself said it could, I personally think you would get so much more out of this if you read the previous duology first. Even I, who have read the duology, felt behind in parts because I didn’t do a reread before diving into this.
However, this book is oh so worth it. I KNOW the early reviews aren’t great, and I did go in with lower expectations because of them, but this book was fun, end of story. I know it’s not as good as the original, but I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this and cannot wait to reread the original duology and then reread this when it comes out in hardcover.
The characters were well fleshed out and I felt attached to all of them. I love the found family aspect that this has and can’t wait to see it explored more. I also think that the multiple povs and 2 romances was a bold choice, but one that paid off greatly. As somebody who loves a good fantasy romance, having 2 in one book was spoiling me. And I ate up every moment of it!

The bad thing is that the sequel isn’t even announced yet and I am desperate to get my grubby little hands on it

Wow wow wow!! They way I was sitting on the edge of my seat the entirety of this book! The pace was amazing with twists and turns throughout. I fell in love with Kendrick immediately and I loved seeing Jas grow in strength and confidence. I need to know what happens next immediately!!

I loved being back in this world! I especially loved that it was a multiple POV with dual romances. Can’t wait to read the next one! Would recommend!

4.5 ⭐️ (E-ARC)

💫YA romantasy (still had great tension)
💫Forbidden romance
💫Found family
💫First person POV (along with multiple POVs, but all stories were compelling)
💫Secrets, secrets, secrets!

I loved Lexi Ryan’s These Hollow Vows duology and was so excited to learn she had another book coming out. I adored this book and was happy to be back in this amazing world that the author created. Sometimes in books with multiple POVs there can be a clear favorite while the other gets lost, but in this book I loved both Jasalyn and Felicity’s stories equally. I will say that I do think you may need to read the other series first to get have a better idea of the world. There were a few times, especially in the beginning, where I was bit confused and I even read the previous series. Also in the beginning it did feel a bit choppy at times, but once I figured out where the story was going I was hooked. The one critique I have was I found it confusing that Hale Kendrick was called Hale by his friends but Jasalyn called him Kendrick. It would have been easier to follow if they stuck with one name. Not sure if the author did this on purpose for a reason or not. I typically am an enemies to lovers girl but lately have been loving the forbidden love trope and this definitely hit the mark!

A special thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for sharing this with me in exchange of my honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for an eARC. I loved These Hollow Vows and was so excited to read this spin off series. I didn’t realize when starting it was about Jas who is Brie’s sister. I loved the style of this book being told through two different characters. We have the story of Jasalyn who is after revenge for all the trauma she received from Mordeus. She is with Kendrick and his followers who are trying to take down the Seven from her old land of Elora. She is along for the ride so she can kill all who hurt her. Felicity’s story is the other chapters. She has magic that lets her take on the look of Jas so she can find a portal to take them back to Elora to defeat the seven. She as Jas goes to the Wild Kingdom and starts to fall for Misha. The beginning was a little slow but then I was pulled in and couldn’t stop reading. I had to find out what was going on and then the cliff hanger and now I’m dying for the next book. I loved the characters and their strength. Loved the new romances and also loved seeing glimpses of characters from the first series. Can’t wait for the sequel!

No rating because I DNF’d. I enjoyed the first two books this spin off is written from, but I just couldn’t get into this one. I am grateful for an ARC nonetheless.

I loved this story, and that it continues where These Twisted Bonds leaves off. Jasalyn's story is complex. She has dealt with so much and is dealing with the aftermath of being tortured and used as a pawn. She wants to take revenge on all who hurt her, and becomes a part of a scheme which leaves someone taking her place. We meet Felicity who is an echo, able mimic a person and even see their memories. Felicity is takes Jasalyns place with the Wild Fae and had a mission of her own. Both want to change their destiny and save the ones they love, but it all has a cost.