A great companion novel in my opinion! Glad that Lexi Ryan wrote this. I cannot wait to find out what's next!

I often struggle coming back to a world after the story is finished, but this book was a refreshing exception. This spin off series follows Jasalyn and Felicity as they switch places. Jasalyn travels with Hale to search for a sword to use to kill the seven. Felicity goes to live with Misha the wild fae king. Both MCs are struggling in different ways, but I really loved both of their journeys. Jasalyn is recovering from being tortured in the prior duology. I like how we do see her struggle, but I think her being given a new purpose and mission and getting her out of palace allowed her character to heal without the reader just being stuck in her depression with her. Felicity is on her own search for a portal while trying not to fall in love with misha. Overall I enjoyed this more than the original and I’ll absolutely be picking up the next one.

I didn't realize that Beneath These Cursed Stars connected to These Hollow Vows and These Twisted Bonds until I was a couple chapters in. It had been long enough since I read the original duology that I'd forgotten the characters' names and even the major plot points. But bits and pieces started coming back once I figured out who was who again, and I enjoyed learning more about Jas and her character this time. Interconnected fantasies are hard to summarize but here goes nothing.

Jasalyn, a princess and descendant of Mab, is destined to turn fae on her eighteenth birthday, but she has a secret--she bargained away her immortal life for an enchanted ring, which gives her the kiss of death, and she's been sneaking out and killing her enemies. Felicity is a shapeshifter, who has been running away from a fatal prophecy. Jasalyn wants to help hunt down the evil king, if indeed he has returned as his followers believe, so Felicity steps in and takes her place. Felicity, as Jasalyn, falls for the Wild Fae King, and Jasalyn grows closer to Kendrick, handsome and charming and "chosen.' But both romances are doomed from the start because lies have a way of coming to light.

This series will resonate with readers who enjoy The Cruel Prince series and other YA fantasy novels. I'm definitely curious enough that I'll read the next one when it comes out, to see what happens to our intrepid heroines.

I guess sometimes spin offs just shouldn’t happen. I absolutely loved the duology that this book stems from. However this book fell so flat for me and the execution just wasn’t there.

This was a really superb companion novel to These Hollow Vows. Lexi Ryan is proving to be a force in writing fantasy and is doing an excellent job establishing herself as a voice in Upper YA as well. While I absolutely loved this novel and the characters, as well as the twists, and the emotional depth behind their decisions and inner monologes(for those with POVs), it was a bit confusing for me as times to discern between Jas and Felicity. Most of the time, their seperate motivations and emotions were clear and they were easily distinguishable, but Felicity's ability to glean information by essentially "downloading memories" while in Jas' form, made it confusing when the reader would learn important information Jas was hiding from chapters in Felicity's POV. I am however eagerly awaiting the sequel because after that jawdropping cliffhanger, I AM GOING THROUGH IT.

I would give my soul to know what happens next! Lexi absolutely killed it with this book. I loved the way trauma responses were handled and overall just how different this tale was from the previous duology. She doesn’t want to be a hero, she just wants to find peace for herself and perhaps some revenge. The dual POVs on their separate journeys was so fun to read. I loved that we got to see more of the world and more of the magic along the way.

I cannot wait to find out what happens in the next book!

Beneath These Cursed Stars is a companion story to Lexi Ryan’s These Hollow Vows Duology. I never got around to reading These Hollow Vows, so this is a review from someone who didn’t get the full first story. However, I didn’t not feel confused while reading this book and I look forward to reading the next one in the series.

On that note, let’s get into it! There were many parts of this book that I greatly enjoyed. The storyline was well written and the world building was good for an already built-up world. However, sometimes the characters bothered me a bit. The FMC was not my most favorite in the story. Her choices and her feelings towards certain groups in this book really pissed me off, honestly. I could do without the “it’s okay though because she was hurt” - type of conversation. Just be honest, she’s wrong for acting a certain way. I’m just hoping in the next one her attitude changes a lot more.

I enjoyed the multiple POV’s in the book, and if I wasn’t feeling one storyline at that moment, I knew that I would be getting another one soon. I like that they all link up to one storyline.

I’m now interested in reading These Hollow Vows because of the writing and world building I’ve seen in this book, so if you’ve already read that, you’ll probably really enjoy this one!

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.75 ⭐️’s

This made me remember that I didn’t like this authors other works. I am not a fan of her writing and her characters but if you enjoyed her previous books I think you’ll like this

This book was a great spin off from a series I loved, while also being able to stand on it’s own. The characters felt fully fleshed out and fun. The tension was high and so were the stakes.

What a story and what a world. I love Lexi’s storytelling as it stays classic to the series fans fell in love with but also creates its own legacy to stand on. I love the duel storylines happening in this book. I love Lexi’s ability to write character that we root for but maybe can’t fully trust all the way.
This story is a great continuation where we are now following Brie’s sister Jasalyn as she finds and struggles her way through this world she doesn’t want any part of. I found the trauma and depth the Jas’s story heartbreaking and tough. I liked see this side of the timeline as you grow to approaches Jasalyn as a character. Her and Kendrick’s relationship was great BUT the real showstoppers were Misha and Felicity. I NEED MOORREEE. I’m so utterly obsessed with them I’m pacing my room. The aspect of the “hidden identity” was fabulously done. I cannot wait for the next book!

I tried reading this on two different questions and this just didn't deliver. This was my first from Lexi Ryan as it was marketed as a standalone, but it felt like I needed to read her other works as there zero world building in this. Also this is a YA book. Why in the world does a 21 year old like a 17 year old. What was wrong with making her 18? I feel like there was so much potential here as the premise and blurb were really good. The only person I liked was Misha, but the rest fell flat. Ohh and the trauma is dropped right away, but never explained.

Loved the first two books so was really excited to be back in this world!

I will say it took a bit to get into and a bit confusing with the character POVs (one who is pretending to be the other). But overall once it picked up, it was full of twists and turns. Only other down side was not realizing this wasn't the last book in the series and now having a cliffhanger I need answered immediately!

It was great to get back into the world we shared with Brie and Finn. I enjoyed the book and cannot wait to see what happens next in book 2.

A fantastic start to the spin off! I can't wait to read more! I loved the nods to the original series and it was great to revisit some beloved characters!

Beneath These Cursed Stars by Lexi Ryan is a Spellbinding Journey of Love, Secrets, and Redemption.
Beneath These Cursed Stars is a captivating, enchanting read that will leave readers longing for more. Lexi Ryan has created a story that is not only impossible to put down, but one that will stay with you long after the final page. If you're a fan of immersive fantasy with an emotional core, this is a must-read.

I loved when someone is fighting a prophecy. I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't stop reading. I loved it.

So I didn’t read book 1 or 2, I thought I could read it as a stand alone and I just couldn’t get into the story.

It was so much fun diving back into this world. It felt like visiting old friends. New characters are introduced, and the plot really had me wanting to know how things would play out! That ending is criminally unfair, but that's life, and I am eager to see how things continue in the next book!

"Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this title*

I was completely captivated by this book. The story pulled me in from the very start with its mix of magic, adventure, and romance. The characters are complex and easy to root for, and the world-building is incredible—it really feels like you’re in a whole new realm. If you love fantasy with a touch of romance and mystery, this book is a must-read!

This book took me a little longer to complete than the other two in this series. I loved Jas and Kendrick and rooted for them throughout the story. Felicity is also brave and determined, doing whatever is necessary to help in defeating Mordeus. What Lexi Ryan does so well is she makes the magic truly mesmerizing and obvious. She never makes the reader guess; she creates awe and wonder in her readers with the intensity of the magic her characters possess. I am patiently waiting on the next book in this series because the story simply cannot be over yet.