I actually ended up reading this book and listening to the audiobook after. I do have to say that listening to the audiobook made it a lot easier to follow along with the story line. Especially when there were inserts from Nyte. I found myself having to reread several passages just to figure out if Nyte was physically there or not. However, the story in itself was captivating, and interesting.

The world building was just enough to give you sense of what it was like without it being too overwhelming. The characters were also interesting and you can begin to see the FMC's growth, the mystery behind the MMC unravel as the story moved along. The side characters were also interesting, and I would like to see more development in them in the next book.

This book seemed like it was written like a movie script. I wouldn't mind if this was made into a movie, but it made it kind of hard to follow along if you're the type to just want to read the book and absorb all the details that way.

This book was great and I would recommend it to fantasy/ romantasy readers. Audiobook was amazing, and for sure opt for that one if you love audiobooks.

This is not my go to genre, but the cover intrigued me. And I'm a cover girl. I think the character was unique- a bit complex- I personally just had a harder time reading this. I'm not sure if it was translated and something got lost in that or if it's just me and the genre. That being said it was actually a great story. I just didn't enjoy it as much as others might because I had to reread several parts to follow along. Again tho, it might just be me and this genre. It did seem to follow along with things that all of my customers look for in this genre, so I think it will actually be a hit with them!

2.5 rating rounded up to 3. I was very excited for this book as it sounded very good. However, it was slow paced and I also felt like not a lot of things happened. I did not connect with the characters which made this read difficult. I’m not sure if the hints were too strong or I just happened to put pieces together, but it was painful waiting for Astraea to figure things out or be revealed. I was also expecting more spice. While that is not a necessity for a good book I feel like I was lead to believe there would be more.

Thank you to Netgally for providing this ARC.

The Stars are Dying is a darkly seductive, beautifully written fantasy that sweeps you into a world of deadly trials, ancient secrets, and irresistible romance. Astraea’s journey is captivating, as she fights for freedom from a tyrannical king and struggles to reclaim her lost memories. Each step brings her closer to the truth but also deeper into a dangerous world where every choice could cost her life. Chloe Penaranda’s blend of mythology and dark romance gives the story a unique, addictive edge that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The Libertatem trials are intense, and the constant threat of vampires adds to the book’s tension and allure. But it’s Astraea’s connection with Nyte, a mysterious and dangerous vampire, that truly takes this story to another level. Nyte is equal parts charming and deadly, a perfect anti-hero who lures Astraea in even as she doubts his intentions. Their relationship is a constant push-and-pull, filled with undeniable chemistry and enough intrigue to leave you craving more.

Penaranda masterfully balances Astraea’s personal stakes with her role in the kingdom’s survival, creating a high-stakes world that feels richly layered and full of danger. The ending, though… just when Astraea begins to understand her powers and her connection to Nyte, a shocking revelation leaves her fate—and the fate of everyone she loves—hanging by a thread.

With secrets left unraveled and her past creeping closer, book two can’t come fast enough. The Stars are Dying is a hauntingly addictive fantasy that promises an even darker journey ahead.

Hhmmm mixed feelings

The book was confusing. Period.

That is the one word I can use to describe it. Overall, I think that may actually stem from the pacing because I felt like I missed things at times. I think the inclusion of time lapses would have been very beneficial to the book as a whole. There's also the stereotypes of the dumb fmc getting used by a dark and broody character. I would love more authors to stops crippling their fmc characters this way. Physically, I get that writing a little 110 lb female as beating up a big guy may be a stretch unless there's a method to it. Buuttt...there are plenty of other ways to make your fmc characters strong and capable besides powers and physical strength like through intelligence, compassion, and emotional control. So it's frustrating to feel like this is yet another book, where the fmc has been denied these qualities.

I did enjoy this book, although I found the writing style was hard to follow at times, and the pacing could have also been a little faster. But overall it was a solid high fantasy novel. I liked the romance between Astraea and Nyte, they had some great chemistry, and the tension between them was written well. I look forward to reading the next book.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the ARC!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. This book was like the hunger games, from blood and ash and acotar had a baby.

The quotes in this book were so beautiful, I highlighted sooo many.

Every line felt kind of like a riddle and I spent most of the book a little confused and just theorizing what could possibly happen next. I just wish Astraea had more of a focus, it felt like at times she didn’t question things as much as she should’ve. It felt like even if she did search for answers she did it half heartedly and I struggled to really figured out her true motivations and the pacing for the story was a little off at times. All in all I’m still excited to see what happens next.


This book has plot twists, star crossed lovers, amnesia, an evil kind with a messed up trial ( very throne of glass honestly ), light vs dark dynamic, a little bit of spice, a very intriguing magic system, as well as fae, vampires, and humans with magic.

The Stars are Dying by Chloe C. Penaranda

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶️

Deadly Trials
Forbidden
Celestial/ gods
Magic
Brothers rival

The Stars are Dying is the first book in the Nytefall series.

Theresa were so many unique characters with a great plot and lots of action. I enjoyed the verity of supernatural beings mentioned and the world building.

I enjoyed the chemistry these two characters had immediately. Astraea had so many barriers to overcome and at times I was confused. But Nyte and his mysterious presence I found that I couldn’t get enough of his dark brooding character and wanted more and more.

It was an overall really enjoyed this book and with the cliffhanger ending I cannot wait for book 2.

I received an ARC of this book and am leaving an honest review.

I honestly was a little disappointed in this book. The plot sounded really good, but the writing just fell off for me. It took me a loooong time to get through the book.

This was such a great high fantasy world that I have been craving since finishing another very popular series over a year ago! I really loved these characters and the flow of the story! This is a perfect recommendation for lovers of ACOTAR and The Serpent and the Wings of Night.

This book was provided to me through NetGalley and TOR Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to both for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

This book is a story of celestials, vampires and fae. The world is slowly deteriorating and the people are trying to protect themselves. They do this through trials to ensure their protection and safety from the vampires.

Overall this book was fun and I did have a good time with it. This book literally has everything one could ever want in a fantasy book. I found at times it added to the story and sometimes it took away from it. I do wish there were a few less reveals and the ending of this book was actually a reveal prior to the end.

The special edition is STUNNING. I will read the second book once it is out. If you love a jam packed story I would recommend you pick it up.

I really wanted to like this. The premise seemed promising! But unfortunately, it just wasn't for me.

I tried so hard and made it to the 70% mark before I had to put it down. You’d think that after reading that much, I’d know what the book was about, right? But no. I still have no idea. The writing was choppy and hard to follow, and the plot jumped around a lot without any clear direction. I also found it difficult to connect with any of the characters. They all sounded very similar to me, which made it hard to invest in their journeys.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was really hoping to love this book. I think it has so much potential. However, the writing style was hard to follow. Parts didn't make sense and I had to try and figure out what the author meant.

Thank you so much to Bramble for an eARC of The Stars Are Dying in exchange for an honest review. I’ve enjoyed other republications of initially indie books from Bramble and was excited to read The Stars Are Dying because it sounded right up my alley!

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get into or stay into this book. I think that the pacing and writing style were slow and distracting. I found myself re-reading pages and starting over a few times. I really wanted to finish this book and gave it several tries, but it ultimately wasn’t for me. I think that the magic system is unique, the book has a lot of tropes that readers will like, including a morally grey and mysterious MMC, and I liked the concept of the book a lot. My review is based on the portion of the book I read (I finished at 25%). I do think that other readers will enjoy The Stars Are Dying, and that maybe the audiobook would help me with some of my confusion. Again, thank you Bramble, for the chance to read this one!

I wanted to love this book so much but unfortunately it fell a little flat. I found it hard to understand just what was at stake and what FMC wanted. I didn't really feel any chemistry between the main characters and the pacing for the whole book was off. It made it really hard to keep picking it up. I also felt like it could have ended way before it actually did. I think the biggest problem is that the author tried to shove way to much into one book and even though it had all the tropes we know and love, it felt like they were there just because they are popular right now. Overall, it just left me wanting and I don't think I will be reading the next book in the series.

3.5
I'd like to thank Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group | Bramble for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

So this was a lot of book! I liked it but I just felt like I wasn't getting through it and it just kept going. I feel like the pacing is off and slow. When Astraea was finding out her power and the secrets about who she is I was confused as much as she was.

I did like the world building. I loved the romance between Astraea and Nyte. So much tension! They had some pretty steamy love scenes. The cover is gorgeous and I love the sprayed edges on the book.

I think the name pronunciation at the end was helpful.... especially Hektor!

I will read book 2 when it comes out because I am curious where this story is going.

I am so sorry about this book because it had SUCH potential. The story was such a cool idea. The writing, though. I taught high school English for a spell, and this reminded me of when a high schooler discovered the thesaurus for the first time. There were so many instances of words not making any sense at all, but if you thought tangentially about how that word may play out in a thesaurus, you could KIND of make sense of it. I just don't know when I have read a book with such terrible writing - I am talking cannot understand what's going on because the writing is so bad. I hope that it went through some serious rounds of editing before publication because the story itself could be really cool if it was written in such a way that the reader could make sense of it.

Coco Chanel famously advised women to look in the mirror and remove one accessory before leaving the house. If there is an editorial equivalent piece of advice for plot elements, this book needs to hear it.

At the outset, the novel is about a young woman named Astraea who has no memory of her past, but has been under the protection of a not-so-nice man named Hektor for the past five or so years. Astraea has secretly befriended Cassia, the daughter of the local lord, and plans to accompany Cassia to the Central for a once-in-a-century competition. Cassia hopes that she will win be able to win the competition and the accompanying protection from vampires that it will win their realm. Meanwhile, Astraea has been gaining some clues to her true identity and has started to have visitations from a mysterious man (possibly vampire) named Nyte, who can also communicate with her telepathically.

All of this feels cohesive, but it takes a good long time for the plot to get moving since there is so much world-building to establish. I think that the competition doesn't get underway until at least the halfway point of the book. At that point, I felt that things began to unravel quickly. Characters were introduced quickly, but not very well established before they were dispensed with. The intrigue kept getting more and more complex until I felt that I honestly had little to no understanding of what was happening in the story.

I skimmed the final few chapters of the book because I found that I was completely disengaged at the point. It was truly a shame. For the first half of the book, this was a solid four star read for me. But it overstayed its welcome until I just lost all interest because I could not track the happenings of the story.

Readers who enjoy this genre may feel differently about this book than I did. I enjoyed the initial fantasy adventure parts that reminded me of The Hunger Games and Immortal Longings. But the concluding chapters that were mainly dialogue about who did what and felt what about whose powers just is not compelling reading for me.

The writing style is not for me. I tried to push through it, but just couldn't connect to the story.
I will try it again at a later date, to see if I am able to connect with it then.

DNF😮‍💨
** If you have read some of the other reviews, you may have mixed feelings. I just want to encourage you dear reader that when you leave a review, it is your honest opinion of the BOOK not the author. There are many authors I love that ever once and awhile I come across a book that I just don't connect with, but that is my opinion and I try to state why.

That being stated I want to thank NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to review this advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest opinion **

I had a really hard time getting into this book and it really bummed me out. For an avid reader who reads up to 6 to 8 books a week, I was stuck on page 79 for over a month. For a book that had such an exquisite cover and a blurb that drew you in like the scent of Thanksgiving dinner - it was all just a beautiful lie.

I found the writing style hard to follow, to immerse myself into the story. The characters, which at first I thought I would find compelling, were more one-dimensional and I was never really able to connect with them. I don't know if it was because I was more annoyed with the writing, strange phrases, and how things weren't making sense. (How does a character getting into a locked room?). They had that potential to be - be more, be explosive, be amazing. Sadly, it just felt like most of the time situations were forced (not in a good way, either) .

I think for this book, there was potential. The plot is interesting, characters that can be fleshed out