Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early. Because this was one of my most anticipated releases, and because I have a special edition on the way, I took a few notes while I was reading.

Unfortunately, the pacing for this book is kind of all over the place. The beginning just dumps you right in, and as a result, I found that I didn't care about the main character or her best friend, her family, or the town they lived in. Because I spent so little time getting to know them before they rushed off to compete in the trials, I found that to me they just felt so flat and generic. By the twenty percent mark, "The Bachelor" like competition is nearly complete, we've met the main character and traveled to the palace, met the love interest in which there is entirely too strong of a reaction, and completed two trials.

Speaking of the trials, calling these trials is a downright lie. They are started and finished within minutes. There are almost zero stakes. So if that was one of the driving factors making you want to pick up this book, just know that they are complete by around the twenty-five percent point.

Now for my biggest complaint, which is unfortunate because it is at the forefront of this story: the romance. As I previously mentioned, she is incredibly attracted to him by the second time she meets him, which is her first day in the castle. And I'm sorry, but maybe some SPOILERS here, I have a really hard time believing that she is in love with this guy, when she's having shadow sex in her dreams with another man. Which conveniently stops the second she loses her virginity. Even if I were to get past how insta-love this was, the way Roshan attacks her because he wants to see her power because he thinks she owes him after he taught her to fight? Disgusting. It's just a giant no from me.

Thank you to Avon Books for my digital ARC of Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard which released this week on 1/7/25. Calling all #romantasybooks lovers, this new series opener absolutely needs to be added to your shelf and TBR!

-A smart, sassy, and confident FMC
-Deadly trials (to win the hand of the Prince)
-Forbidden romance (the half-brother of the
-Prince just had to be so darn charming!)
-Slowburn, forced proximity (on the run), and so much tension
-Ancient prophecies, hidden powers, and plenty of secrets
-Political intrigue and rebellion
-Persian and Indian mythology

Our girl, Suraya Saab, is summoned to the royal city as a potential bride for the Prince, if she can survive the deadly trials. When tested, Suraya unleashes secret powers (even unbeknownst to herself) that Heir. Forced on the run which the Prince's super h er new powers, navigate the Gods' wills, and try to save her family. Action-packed, a perfect blend of humor and heat, and with a great plot setting up the start of a really fun series, I flew through this book!

*Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I'm so conflicted about this book. On one hand, the writing itself was great. But the fantasy elements all felt rushed so that we could get to the romance.. and I didn't love those scenes either. I still don't understand how the magic system works or what the "aside" PoVs were for. Most things ended too quickly for there to be any form of tension. I'm really just disappointed because I wanted to love this book, but I don't think it was for me.

This is how you start a series! Featuring very accessible world-building, layer upon layer (upon layer) of secrets and intrigue, characters that are so much more than they seem, and a healthy dose of spice from the loaded chemistry between main characters. I loved the setting, and the shades of mythology running through the narrative have me curious about "the originals" now. The writing itself has some of the most beautiful lines - I don't think I've highlighted as many passages in a book in a long time.

My only real quibble is Suraya's reaction to A Big Reveal toward the end of the book. Her response felt like a dramatic over-reaction (which did help move a significant plot point into place), especially since I'd figured out what The Secret was much, much earlier on in the book. But as it did help move events along, it wasn't the end of the world - I just rolled my eyes at her a little, haha.

All in all an excellent start to the year's reading, and I look forward to the next installment.

Tropes:
🚫Forbidden romance
❤️‍🔥Hate to love
🏰Court intrigue
🔒Forced proximity
🏜️Arabian nights
🤺Training together
🗾Unique world building
👑Bride competition

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC, and this doesn’t influence my review. The book had wonderful writing style, and I loved the dynamic between the two MCs. This was a wonderful read, however the second half of the book was harder to read through. The ending was worth it though.

The Starlight Heir is the tortured prince shadow daddy romantasy of my DREAMSSSSS
IT WAS a deeply romantic and addictive masterpiece that starts off with a contest for a bride that quickly turns deadly
there’s mistaken identities, hidden magic and prophecies, and so many secrets that will keep you guessing and unable to put the book down
It truly had one of the most unique magic systems rooted in Persian and Indian mythology with stunning world building
Also talk about sizzling tension, delicious banter, and steaming moments that had me fanning myself. all while bursting with adventure and magic !!!
The ending had my jaw completely on the floor I am desperately longing for more, trust me you’re gonna need to read this one

The Starlight Heir follows a bladesmith named Suraya Saab who can infuse her work with magic. She is summoned for a bride competition for the crown prince, Javed, where she also meets his illegitimate half-brother, Roshan. When she is in Kaldari she discovers the competition is really a search for the illusive Starkeeper, which leads to Suraya and Roshan on the run. The novel is presented as a standalone, but it reads very similarly to the first novel in a series. The main plot is wrapped up, but there were some loose ends that felt like a second book would be added in the future.
Since the intro and trials read as a section and the running seemed like another section, the two parts had trouble melding together. The dialogue can also be a little jarring as it was more contemporary compared to my expectations. I can see this also affecting other readers that had the same expectations. While the characters are in their twenties, they read a lot younger in many moments of the story. In these moments, they read as if they were in their teens. I think if the story was broken apart into a duology, I think it would have been a little easier to connect with it. Overall, I think there is a lot of potential with this novel, but it did not quite the execution that I was hoping for.

I really wanted to like this one, especially because it is a Fairyloot pick but almost everything about it felt flat and overall not that compelling. The characters, the chemistry, the plot - i felt bored the entire time and had to keep convincing myself to push through it.

One thing i hate in a fantasy novel ( NOT EVEN URBAN FANTASY) is using terms like "thick thighs save lives" or "goals" and other similar millennial terms during a time period ( while obviously fictional ) it makes 0 sense to belong in. As others have stated, it made me feel entirely disconnected and i couldn't relate at all.

Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this arc!

I just finished The Starlight Heir, and of course, I'm writing this review. But honestly, my head is spinning, and my thoughts are all over the place because WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?!

While this book features intricately woven secrets and a fully fleshed-out plot, it feels like just the tip of the iceberg. It’s almost like "the battle has been won, but the war is yet to come."

Our FMC Suraya is an unassuming bladesmith, living a life that’s content but marked by tragedy. Everything changes when she receives an unexpected invitation from the King, not only to attend court but also to compete for the Prince’s hand in marriage. Suraya has no idea why she was chosen, despite her many admirable qualities, and soon realizes that the invitation comes with far more danger and intrigue than she could have ever imagined.

Roshan, the brother of the crown prince, captures Suraya’s interest when it should be his brother. Roshan is handsome, intriguing, witty, and has the allure of fun and temptation. The problem? Roshan is just as interested in her. The bigger problem? Neither of them is exactly who they claim to be.

The Starlight Heir is an action-packed, Persian-culture-infused romantic fantasy filled with suspense, romantic tension, betrayal, and intrigue. The plot is layered and keeps you guessing at every turn.

The characters face both external challenges and deep, internal struggles—forced to navigate real-life obstacles while also dealing with the need for personal discovery and growth. The romantic tension between Suraya and Roshan is steamy and intense, leaving me personally yearning for more.

I laughed. I cried. The world-building is rich and immersive, the magic fascinating, and the uniqueness of it all pulled me deep into a fantasy world where I felt truly connected to the characters. The witty banter and modern language kept things light and had me laughing even in the midst of all the drama.

From shocking evil to selfless sacrifices, this book has it all. And just when you think the dust has settled, the ending leaves you realizing that this story is far from over.

Thank you so much to Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC of The Starlight Heir.

I'll start off by saying my emotions around this book are so mixed. I loved parts of it, I cringed at others and I found myself wanting more of the fantasy world over the romance. I will definitely give the author props because the romance aspect is written very well and you can tell she has writing romance in her background. I fear too many romantasy books have authors juggling romance and fantasy during their debut and that's hard. She made me fall in love with Roshan and made me care for him in ways other books (with flat, boring MMCs) couldn't.

There were a few lines in the book that felt entirely too modern and they ripped me straight from the story every time I read one. I have the ARC and haven't been able to confirm if those sentences and phrases made it into the published version so I won't give examples here, but it was my biggest issue with this book.

A few bits of my chaotic notes that I jotted down while I was reading:

- I want to make knives.
- Laleh is hilarious.
- PORTALS!
- another FMC with a "this is too hard!" moment 😒
- The last 25% flew by??
- drugsssss
- She is constantly changing clothes what is happening

I love the authors writing style in general, it was very easy to get into, so I think I'll be checking out her previous works in other genres instead.
Overall, this was a beautiful premise for a book. I loved the overall plot and some of the characters, but it fell flat for me in other areas.

3.5 stars.

Suraya is a Blade Smith capable of imbuing Jadu(magic) into weapons. She receives an invitation (or summons) to come to the Capital and compete for the chance win the hand of the Crown Prince.

The challenges are dangerous, and both the Crown Prince are brutal and cruel. She wants nothing to do with winning the hand of the Prince.

But an attack on the Capital by rebels forces Suraya to have to rely on the help of the Bastard Prince and a new found power she didn’t know she had.

Now she doesn’t know what is real or what might be her destiny. She just knows she cannot allow the Crown Prince to have access to her powers.
✨
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️
I enjoyed this story a lot. It has a little feel of Red Queen with a rebellion, a crazy King, and a forced marriage. It also had a little feel of Shadow and Bone with someone trying to control her powers.

It has elements of celestial birth charts and palm reading, gods in slumber, Magic using special crystals, and an unhinged Queen.
✨
I’m giving it 4 stars because there is 1 random POV that shows up a few times throughout the story that just doesn’t make sense and it is not resolved by the end of the story - you have no clue who this POV is.

Also, the lore and prophecy is very confusing.

Otherwise it was an easy read and I enjoyed it.
I had a hard time putting it down so it kept my interest throughout the story and I look forward to the next book.

“When this is over and you’re safe, I promise to drop to my knees for as long as you like.”

Um excuse me I had so much fun reading this book. I had the audio and the kindle version so I loved switching between the two. Suraya and Roshan were just perfect.

While the mythology aspect was really cool, the atmosphere was broken by the introduction of modern language. The use of language was so jarring that I had a hard time immersing myself in this book, thus making for a not great reading experience.

My goal for 2025 is to read more romantasy, and I figured this would be a great one to start with. I was wrong though, and this was a pretty quick DNF for me.

From the prologue, I could already tell the writing was not going to work for me. It didn't pull me in at all and I found it very confusing. Now, I'm willing to work a little harder to understand a book when the story warrants it. But I quickly read cliché after cliché, right from the start of this book, without anything that felt new or refreshing or original. After a few chapters, I just didn't feel like this book was going to bring me any enjoyment, so I decided to DNF.

I absolutely devoured The Starlight Heir, this story had me engaged from the very first chapter. Great story, bladesmith Suraya goes to meet Crown Prince who is looking for a bride and finds her self in more of a game to survive than a meet and greet. All hell breaks loose from there and I loved all of it! Spice is good but not overwhelming. Also, the ending??? Amalie who is this Shadow Daddy we are seeing in the last possible moment!?! I cannot wait for more!

The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard is a captivating romantasy!
I was enthralled with the beginning of this novel, and the ending was really well done.
I loved the world-building and the intriguing magic. This story is fast-paced and filled with secrets that unravel.

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

The Starlight Heir was a complete departure from Amalie’s previous historical romances, but I loved it! This immersive romantasy felt a little like ACOTAR mixed with Prince of Persia, with a dash of The Selection series and the Hunger Games.

Suraya, a talented bladesmith, is summoned to the palace along with dozens of other young women as a potential bride for the Crown Prince Javed. But it’s his handsome illegitimate half-brother, Roshan, who catches Suraya’s eye. But nothing in Kaldari is as it seems. Secrets abound, magic is simmering just under the surface, and the fate of the world hangs in the balance. (Side note: I kept picturing Roshan as a more muscled, hairier version of the animated Aladdin. Odd, maybe, but I rolled with it.)

I couldn’t stop reading. The settings, the characters, the steam? The arid desert, the ornate palace, the hidden caves. The portal magic and runes of power and gods and guardians. All absolute perfection. I can’t wait for the second book—and hopefully we’ll learn more about Suraya’s mysterious shadow daddy, a dark god who has been visiting her in her dreams. *insert eyebrow waggle here*

This is a captivating read for fans of epic fantasy romance, adventure, and self-discovery, who will be swept away by a tale of forbidden love, ancient magic, and the struggle for power in a world where the lines between truth and deception are blurred.

I enjoyed a lot of this book. The romance was really good, there were some good twists, and I liked how much we got to know about the characters. I thought the magic system was a little nebulous, and there were a few times that the modern phrases the characters used kind of took me out it. It just didn't feel like those belonged in a high fantasy book.

It was an interesting take but confusing execution. This book to me is trying to hard to check all the boxes for a "romantasy". The modern slang is very odd putting to the story line and the chooses used are very questionable. The intimate scenes are could be better and her trying to make the main character be "relatable" is to on the nose for most romantasy readers it just makes it bad. I missed something in the story for the side story with the gods or it's suppose to be there for the mystery. The romance is a little to insta love for my taste. The plot was pretty decent and I kind of want to read book 2 to figure out the god plot side.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the opportunity to read this ARC.