Lexi Ryan DID THAT! She wrote us a book following Jas and giving us a glimpse into her many layers after she suffered such devastating torture and turned into a shell of the girl she once was. We also get to see more of Misha and tbh, I would read literally anything about him.

I personally found this book to be very engaging and honestly could not guess where the plot was going. At times, this felt a little confusing and I wondered if I was missing something since I read the previous duology probably 50 books ago, but I don't think that's the case. I think many people are saying that the plot is too choppy/confusing/etc because they don't understand or don't appreciate that we are SUPPOSED to be confused. We don't know everything about the dynamics of faerie or of Elora because they haven't been revealed to us (or Jas, really)! I loved the twists and turns this book took and the introduction of some new, beautiful characters.

It is not often that I truly enjoy a dual POV from two very separated characters but this one was wonderfully done. I was never dreading a new chapter and always wanted to know what was happening next whether that be to Jas or Felicity. I canNOT wait for the next book. <3

Thank you Lexi Ryan & NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. :)

3.8⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I enjoyed the previous forays into the world from These Hollow Vows, and this continued with this further story.

It was a bit slow to start, but the last 150 or so pages sucked me right in and I finished it very quickly from that point. The cliffhanger got me though!

I really enjoyed seeing more of Misha, and I preferred his chapters and Felicity’s chapters over Jasalyn’s chapters (as I found Jas’ character a little bit annoying). It was also nice to have some cameos from other characters in These Hollow Vows.

Overall an enjoyable read and I’m looking forward to the next book!

Princess Jasalyn has been sneaking away from the palace at night with an enchanted ring that allows her to assassinate her enemies with the kiss of death.

Shape-shifter Felicity is fated to kill her father, but she has been doing her best to avoid the prophecy.

As rumors of the evil King Mordeus’s resurrection spread through the shadow court, Jasalyn declares she will defeat him once and for all. Felicity agrees to assume the form of the princess, allowing Jas to hunt Mordeus covertly. Jas teams up with charming and handsome Kendrick and his friends on their mission to discover Mordeus’s hiding place. Felicity finds herself growing closer to the Wild Fae King. As the girl’s missions progress, so do their feelings and soon their hearts and fates are at risk.

Read if you like:
- dual POV
- slow burns
- found family

I have yet to read These Hollow Vows, but that didn’t stop me from picking this up. This can definitely be read aside from the original series, as the author does a great job with storytelling for both the knowledgeable reader, and the newbies like myself.

I loved the dual POV and how the plot lines ran right into the next. I found I liked Felicity’s POV more, especially since we learn so much more about Jasalyn through her dreams. Jasalyn is a multifaceted character, but she is also very emotionally blocked which makes it difficult to connect with her. Felicity on the other hand, is super interesting and we get glimpses of the real her as she pretends to be someone else. I am rooting for her and Misha.

After that cliffhanger of an ending I have one question: when do we get the sequel???

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins / HarperTeen for a free digital copy of this book. This is my honest review. Publication date: July 30, 2024.

Thank you Net galley, Lexi Ryan, and Harper Collins for this ARC.


All I will say is, there better be a second book.

You cannot end a book like this-I need to know now what happens next.

This was a great read!!!!

The characters were amazing.

~Slow-Burn
~Enemies-lovers

I was absolutely enthralled by this book. I loved the dual storylines and romances. I was giddy with anticipation, cringing with dread, and all the way through kept on my toes trying to predict where things would go next. I am devastated at the cliffhanger ending and don’t know how I will be able to wait for the next one.

This series is great for young adults getting into fantasy! I love the world that has been set up and I think this is just a good book for kids too young for other booktok books. It’s sweet, entertaining, fun, and the plot is well developed!

This series is great for young adults getting into fantasy! I love the world that has been set up and I think this is just a good book for kids too young for other booktok books. It’s sweet, entertaining, fun, and the plot is well developed!

Wow that ending ???? Madam how can you be so rough with me ???

Not going to lie the first few hundred pages weren’t appealing to me and kind of scared me but then I became invested in the two plots and the two relationships. Then during the last 200-150 pages it was really a rollercoaster I was so into it I couldn’t stop scheming. The foreshadowing was driving me crazy and dear lord now I’m so excited for the next book!!

Before this I hadn’t read any of Ryan’s books (though I know a few have been popular in the last few years) so I went into this book with no expectations. It follows two girls: Felicity who is trying to infiltrate a fae court to look for the portal she knows is hidden inside and Jasalyn who goes on a mission to destroy the corrupt king that is rumored to have risen from the dead before he has a chance to take back the kingdom.

I really liked the dual POV in this book and how each plot line wove into the next. The magic system was interesting and complex but introduced well. I also really enjoyed that there was a lot of history with each of the characters that we got to learn throughout the book. Jasalyn also suffers from ptsd from the war before the events of this book and I felt like her journey was well thought out.

It’s fast paced, interesting, and thought provoking. I think my favorite part of the book is the discussions on who creates and controls history. It integrated well into the plot and was also just an overall intriguing discussion.

Beneath These Cursed Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you @netgalley and @harpercollins for this ARC!

These Hollow Vows duology was one of my absolute favorites, and I am SO excited to receive this ARC from @writerlexiryan !

This book is set in the same world as These Hollow Vows and follows the sister’s journey! It has a duel POV storyline, lots of adventure, trauma, healing, romance, and a “who did this to you” moment! 😍
THE BETRAYAL had me shook and I can’t even talk about the cliffhanger. I’m ready for the next book and this one isn’t even out yet 😂
I would suggest brushing up on the details from These Hollow Vows/These Twisted Bonds before reading this. I didn’t and I had trouble remembering specific details and found myself stumbling through some of it trying to remember the backstory. I’m so excited for this book to release on July 30, 2024! I will definitely be adding a physical copy to my collection. Have you read any of the books in this series?! 💍⚔️✨

#bookstagram #bookcommunity #bookrecommendations #bookreview #booktok #bookworms #read #readersofinsta #booksofinsta #booksofinstagram #beneaththesecursedstars #beneaththesecursedstarsbylexiryan #arcreview

This was amazing! Was so glad to be back in this world. Definitely need to read the first series to be able to read this. Can’t wait for the next one!

This book was so good! I love the dual
POV and secret identity aspect. Having Felicity’s POV gives us insight into Jas as she’s a more closed off character. This book kept my interest the entire time and I need the second book! I need to know what happens and who’s lying. Will definitely be reading the other series in the meantime.

that ending >>>>

friends i had a lot of fun with this one. slow to start, but i swear if you stick with it you will enjoy it!! i'd recommend reading these hollow vows and twisted bonds first, i had to definitely go back and give myself a refresher.

i enjoyed the plots, even if i guessed some, i enjoyed the romance and deception. prepare for a cliffhanger!!

cant wait for number two. thank you so much for the arc netgalley!!!

This book does not disappoint! I loved the first two from Lexi Ryan and this series, and her sister's story is just as incredible! Thank you for the chance to read. I loved it!!!

While this is separate from 'These Hollow Vows,' I feel like you need to read that prior. The world building in 'Beneath These Cursed Stars' is lacking by itself. I was never really able to get fully into this book because I felt like I was missing crucial info. It was like I came into a series on book 3, with no prior info regarding the first 2 books. THV is on my TBR, I just haven't gotten to it yet. Nowhere does it indicate you need to read THV first, just that it's a standalone. It may say interconnected, but I feel like as it is, it is *not* a standalone. Or it's best if it isn't read as a standalone.

That being said, I enjoyed the writing style. The characters are good, but I think at least one of them is a carryover from THV and would've loved more depth to her.

The plot is good, as best I understand it. This book has 2 parallel storylines, and I was more invested in Felicity's (fae) than Jasalyn's (carryover). I found Jas a bit naive and while I know she was traumatized, she annoyed me at times.

Pacing is probably OK, but to me felt painfully slow. I think that's at least a good bit due to me not being able to connect or fully get into it.

Overall, it was meh for me. Not great, not bad. I'm completely ambivalent about this one, which is disappointing.

If you've read and enjoyed the 'These Hollow Vows' duology, I think you would enjoy this one. If you haven't, I strongly recommend reading it before this one.

Thank you to Netgalley, Lexi Ryan, and Harper Collins for the eARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

Beneath These Cursed Stars is a revelation, one that ironically began with trepidation. I have not read the duology this book is spin-off is from, so I entered this one worried about all those missed beats in story would negatively impact my enjoyment.

Fortunately, those worries were swiftly vanquished.

Yes, if you know the spin off’s predecessor, there is no doubt it will heighten your emotions as you experience this tale, but I did not have any difficulty fully immersing myself in the here and now of this adventure. The narrative provides enough foundation from the prior books to properly build upon in this story, so there is never a feeling of missing out— if anything, there’s now an itch I need to satisfy by diving into that duology. Especially considering how this book ending, with me at the edge of my seat, my breath caught in my throat, my heart beating relentlessly, I could use a detour into These Hollow Vows. Because, wow, this book ends on a bang and I am going to wear down the floors impatiently pacing as we await the sequel. I need to satisfy my impatience somehow!

But I’m getting ahead of myself! Let me take it back to the start, a start that begins with emerging heroines, their swoony love interests, and a lively cast of characters: all scattered across a board of massive intrigue, mystery, allure, and excitement in plot.

Jasalyn and Felicity are fantastic, dynamic leads.

I initially worried Jasalyn would be another stabby, wisecracking, girlboss fantasy heroine, but my fears were unflinchingly squashed.
Jas is a multifaceted protagonist, she is never one thing. She is as heartbreakingly vulnerable as she is inspiringly brave. She is as prickly as she is kind. She possesses a soft heart with sharp walls built around it. She fits the mold of the typical fantasy heroine, whilst also breaking it. I loved her, I admired her, I feared for her, and above all— I rooted like hell for her.
I felt so much of her hurt and pain, and I wanted to eradicate it all. I want so desperately to see her triumph, and I can’t wait to see where her journey leads her too. I’ll be there every step of the way.

Then there’s sweet Felicity. Felicity is such a lovely heroine!
I longed to reach into the pages to protect her from the inevitable hardships facing her upon the discovery of her true self. A true self both she and reader long to meet. She hides behind the face of others, and all I want is to see her claim herself, to claim her agency, to claim her freedom, and to claim her own personal victories. Her story is filled with potential and her arc is the one I most look forward to as the series continues.

Now for the romancing!
I am so on board the direction I hope Felicity’s love story goes, as I am riddled with fear given certain circumstances that unfold throughout the narrative. I will be keeping my fingers crossed!
As for Jas’ romance— I began the story so here for it, but left this one feeling unsure. My heart just hurt so much for her and I hope that hurt is mended. I most certainly will be holding my breath as her love story further develops.

I really enjoyed the cast of characters (although I can’t say I love Skylar, but I think I’ll eventually warm up, haha!), something I appreciated of this cast is how each individual truly stands out; it doesn’t feel like a monotone cluster of supporting cast, it feels like individual characters with endless potential and richness to untap. A cast like that really elevates the narrative to new heights, which I very much love.

All in all—I had a blast reading this one! And now I’m biting my nails impatiently awaiting the next! LFG!

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for this complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.

Beneath These Cursed Stars, started off a little slow and I was questioning myself about wanting to finish the book. I’m glad I finished it! I’m a sucker for slow burns and this book had not one, but two of them. The book switches POV from Jasalyn to Felicity, the two main characters that swap places with each other. Jasalyn is a princess and Felicity is a fae shifter. I very much preferred Felicity’s story over Jasalyn’s. I found Jasalyn to be annoying and too trusting considering what happened to her in the dungeons. I hope there is more Felicity and Misha in the next book. I would love to see their relationship develop into something more with Misha knowing her true self. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy hidden identities, slow burns, dual pov, forced proximity, and cliff hangers.

I went into this book really excited I loved the authors previous works and there were so many tropes I enjoy in it. However I struggled to get into the book. I couldn’t connect with the characters or the story the way I did with these hollow vows. I wouldn’t say it was a bad book but I probably won’t be reading the next book.

This book was great!! I’m always a little hesitant on series spin-offs…usually if I’m taking the time to read them it’s because I’ve already fallen in love with the characters from the original books so there are a lot of expectations there..this book did not disappoint!! I immediately liked Felicity! Jas was a great main character. And I loved her group of “friends”. The character development was great and I loved the dual POV’s. Overall great read and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!!

I really enjoyed this! I have read the prior duology, but this can be read without having done so. However, this book definitely has some spoilers for the other previous series.

The main plot and subplots were all interesting. It was definitely a slow burn romance which I always love. Also, since I have read the prior duology it was great to see the characters from those books that I loved. I’m so glad we are getting to see more of Misha.

The book was pretty fast paced, and it was hard to put down because I needed to know what happens next. There were some interesting reveals towards the end, but a few were somewhat predictable. After that cliffhanger at the end I’m dying to read the next book!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.