I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I was really excited at the opportunity to read this book since I have read a few historical romance books by Amalie Howard and really enjoyed this one.

I enjoyed this book as well, but it still had some flaws for me. It is important to know this was Amalie Howard’s first fantasy novel and I think the author did a really good job. I think it is a really good book if you want to try fantasy especially high fantasy but feel overwhelmed by some of the more popular recommendations. I also think if you are wanting a fantasy novel that is inspired by something other than western fairy tales or Greek/roman mythology give this one a try.

While reading it I found it very easy to get lost in the story with the world building and main plot. However there were somethings that stood out to me that made got caught up on.

Occasionally there were a few phrases and language used that seemed a little out of places for the genre. It wasn’t through out only occasionally. If this is something you are picky about I think you might not enjoy it as much but I think it is still worth trying. There were also a few times were the MC actions seemed a disjointed from who I had been reading about. Things seemed a bit out of character for them and it got me a few times while reading.

I really enjoyed the world building of the novel. It was well balanced with the novel. It was enough I could easily keep up with what was taking place and not so overwhelming I was left trying to understand its significance to the current story.

I know some will suggest this as a romantasy, but for me I am not entirely sure I would consider it as one. It is fantasy and it does have some romance in it but I don’t feel like it is as well developed as the fantasy portion is. For me I enjoy a much more developed connection between the characters. I didn’t feel as satisfied with that. Yes the characters do have a connection but it was missing something more.

The book does end with the set up for book two but I wouldn’t say it ends on a cliffhanger.

Rating 4 out of 5 stars Spice Level: ODD open door descriptive language and imagery.

Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for providing an ARC for review.

This is a good story, with a rich setting and mythology, that is dampened by lackluster dialogue. The descriptions are excellent, and there were so many moments where I felt enraptured by the story. However, these moments were interrupted by characters saying immersion-breaking things. For instance, during the first couple chapters, characters are talking about book boyfriends and using “for the win” and “goals” in dialogue. The moments where the author tried to have witty banter were filled with phrases like this that felt too modern and completely out of place in this setting. It turned moments, like where Suraya and Roshan first meet, from a deeper, more complex story into something that felt more juvenile.

I almost dnf’ed this multiple times because of the dialogue, and really struggled to engage with the first 25% of the book. It did improve a lot as the story progressed, and I’m really impressed with the quality of the rest of the book. I just wish the dialogue between the characters was stronger.

<B>DNF @ 15%</b>

the writing is just... not for me. i only read a few chapters and i already saw way too many lines that made me physically cringe. it's the modern dialogue that sounds straight from social media and i genuinely cannot stand that in a fantasy that takes place in a past-like setting. i skimmed a bit through to the end to see if there would be anything to change my mind and it looked like the romance would not be for me either (insta-love is a no-go for me😭). it also just read more like YA than adult?? but yeah overall, i just think this isn't for me unfortunately!


<I>Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for sending me an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

Thank you Avon Books and NetGalley for this ARC!

Starlight Heir has the whole chosen one trope and while one might consider that trope played out, Amalie Howard does it so beautifully. I loved the lore that was written into this story. It was pretty fast paced and the author did a great job at the world building in this romantasy book. The main characters were likeable and their banter was spot on. While this book is considered adult, it did at times read more like YA. Which isn’t a bad thing, but if you’re looking for the spicy… this isn’t it. It had two intimate scenes done tastefully, but like 1.5 on the spicy meter.


While I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it, I do have to say the almost third act breakup almost lost me. It felt too forced and in the greater scheme of things, was so small and insignificant that the MC just seemed to fixate on it as a means to get to the whole “falling for the lie that takes you to the dark side” plot line. I get it, but it just wasn’t believable for me. All in all, I’m hoping this book becomes a series and isn’t just a stand alone because I have so many questions and need all of the answers!

2.5 stars
I was incredibly bored throughout this whole book, unable to connect to the characters or the story. I think this authors writing style just isn’t for me because no event that happened made me care about what was going on. I’d love to see more “show, don’t tell” from this author because I believe that’s where the disconnect happened for me, being told every detail like a list. All of the characters felt very surface level and I didn’t actually learn anything about them. If it weren’t an arc I probably would have dnf’ed this book unfortunately.
I will not be sharing my review on goodreads out of respect for the author but I did round up to a 3 star rating for that platform.

I've read and enjoyed several of Amalie Howard's historical romances, and I was so eager to read her first romantasy and see how she transitioned into the genre. The Starlight Heir was entertaining! It pulls you in with its lush world-building, memorable characters, incredible banter, and fabulous romance.

Suraya Saab, a talented bladesmith with magical gifts, is summoned to the palace, as the prince is looking for a bride. Though Suraya is reluctant to go, she doesn't really have a choice, and when there she's pulled into a dangerous web of rebellion, dark magic, and hidden power. Suraya’s journey is intriguing, and she shows so much strength and determination and growth over the course of the story. She's fierce and gifted, and I am so curious to see how her journey continues.

Of course, my favorite part of most stories is the romance, and that's definitely the case here. There's so much simmering tension between Suraya and Roshan, the illegitimate prince whose charm is matched by his secrets. I love them together! They have so much chemistry, and there's a forbidden feeling to the relationship that's fabulous.

Howard skillfully weaves Persian-inspired mythology into the plot and world. It's a fascinating world where the stars themselves influence destiny, and ancient magic shapes the fates of its characters. I liked the secondary characters too - from Suraya's loyal and funny friend to some of the more mysterious and dangerous characters, they are all intriguing and well-developed.

Overall, The Starlight Heir is an engrossing read. The political unrest, the hunt for the Starkeeper, and the brewing rebellion make for a high-stakes story that keeps you hooked until the last page. I'm definitely curious to see where this series goes next! Special thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc! 🫶

Things that made this a solid four star read:
- Great pacing and world building: The pace is quick without losing details
- Solid MFC and MMC: The relationship building between the two is fairly obvious but there's a couple plot twists that actually did catch me off guard.

Why not five stars?
- The romance felt rushed. I was surprised to see that there was another book coming after at the rate that the romance was developed. As much as I am not a fan of a slow burn, this felt like an inferno and I'm curious how this will develop in the next book. (Edit: I realized afterwards this is a standalone!)

Overall, highly recommend this for fans of romantasy with themes of deception, court politics, and really cool magic system.

Oh man this book is what I want with romantasy. There is a lot about this book I like and I'm excited to see where the series goes. I liked Sura as a main character and thought her magic was really interesting. Ro was a fun, and pretty male lead. This was a great first read of 2025.

3/5 stars
2/5 spice

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing me with an eARC of The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard in exchange for an honest review.

No book is truly unique. It is not possible for a novel to not use similar ideas, plots, etc as other works. But nowadays, we seem to be most focused on “tropes”. Many people complain that books are too “Trope-y” or that books are too similar because they utilize the same tropes. I do not personally subscribe to this. I believe that there is essentially a trope for everything, and books are bound to have similar or common tropes used. I do, however, believe that there are of course better uses of tropes and worse use of tropes. When books do not find unique ways to use tropes, or put in effort to be smart with there trope, then books can feel rather lazy. I do not say this to be unkind, but unfortunately, I found that Starlight Heir did not feel as though it was putting effort into the tropes it was using. The tropes seemed to be placed in front of me with no seasoning, no sauce, and it just seemed boring. I needed more from it.

I also felt like the pacing was confusing. The first 40% easily could have been made into its own book if we had taken more time to world-build and flesh some things out. It felt overly rushed and seemed like it had a climax that could’ve been used for the ending. Then the next 60% could have been used for a second book. Though it did get kind of slow around 50%.

It was also frustrating that the MMC kept secrets for seemingly no reason beyond to drive the plot forward. The secrets wouldn’t be a big deal and he didn’t have reasons why he was keeping them a secret, they just were to add convenience and shock value to the plot (which they didn’t really, sorry).

The first half felt very YA to me, with some lust and tension and hints of teenage horniness. But then suddenly they were having graphic sex and it completely felt out of place.

I feel bad because all of these things make it sound like I hated the book, and I really didn’t. It was a solid 3 star read throughout. Not a bad book but also not my favorite. I think it could have done with extra workshopping and fleshing out of the world and the story. And tonally could have been aged up a bit, or cut the spice to make it match. Overall, I think that people will enjoy this book because it hits a lot of the beats that are popular right now, but it may struggle to find its footing in the romantasy crowd.

If you're a fan of Amalie Howard's historical romances, brace yourself for a thrilling departure into the realm of romantasy with "The Starlight Heir." This novel introduces us to Suraya Saab, a gifted bladesmith imbued with star magic, who is reluctantly drawn into the perilous world of palace intrigue. Summoned under the guise of a bride selection for the crown prince, Suraya quickly discovers that the royal court is full of danger, deception, and magic beyond her understanding. Alongside Roshan, the enigmatic and brooding half-brother of the prince, Suraya finds herself entangled in a deadly hunt for the Starkeeper—a mythical figure who may hold the key to the realm’s salvation or destruction.

This world is a vibrant tapestry inspired by Indian and Middle Eastern mythology, with evocative descriptions of magic and culture. I also enjoyed how Suraya is tough yet vulnerable. Her journey to becoming a key player in a brewing rebellion is both gripping and inspiring. And of course Amalie Howard always writes amazing moments of romantic banter and sensual attraction.

If you’re ready to dive into a world of star magic, forbidden love, and dangerous secrets, "The Starlight Heir" is a journey worth embarking on.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I received an advanced copy (and an ALC, which was cool since I got to switch back and forth between formats!) for review. This is my own opinion.

The Starlight Heir fits right into the pantheon of fantasy offerings, and will be a brilliant was to begin the year. Perfect for those new to romantasy and those more familiar with the genre, The Starlight Heir has a little bit of everything: evil royals, magic, fated mates, secrets, and a chosen one.

When Suraya is summoned to the palace for the crown prince's search for a bride, she's reluctant to go, but has no choice. Once there, she's immediately out of her depth and discovers that the prince is...awful.

But he has a hot brother, whom Suraya is instantly attracted to. We get violence and secrets and a bit of smut.

After the ending, I'm very interested to see how the second installment of the series will play out!

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and HarperVoyager for this opportunity for an early release read.

I really enjoyed the synopsis, it’s what originally drew me in to this book. Unfortunately, it didn’t deliver. The world and magic system were interesting and I immensely loved certain aspects of this novel. Some parts were rushed when it should have been slowed down and some parts should have been slowed down that were rushed.

The Starlight Heir is an engaging, fast-paced romantasy that pulls you into a beautifully crafted world inspired by Indian and Middle Eastern mythology.
Suraya Saab, a bladesmith with star magic, finds herself caught between palace intrigue, rebellion, and an undeniable connection with the enigmatic Prince Roshan.
The story’s vivid descriptions bring the magic and fashion to life, immersing readers in its rich setting. The banter between Suraya and Roshan is witty and fun, and their chemistry is undeniable. While the pacing keeps the plot exciting, it occasionally moves too quickly, leaving some character and story elements underdeveloped.
Overall, this is an enjoyable and diverse fantasy with a strong heroine, a charming love interest, and intriguing mythology. It’s perfect for readers who love chosen-one stories, forbidden romance, and action-packed adventures.

Thank you so much Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review!

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4 stars - a fun time in court politics and romance, with a heroine who made her own gorgeous iconic weapon

“Stars, can’t a girl catch a sandsdamned break?”

The Starlight Heir is an entertaining and exciting fantasy romance, which I found easy to read and keep up with. The world was immediately intriguing to me, and I liked the characters. I struggled to feel properly invested in the romance between the main female character and the love interest, but I liked everything else enough that it weighed up for it and so it didn’t bother me.

I would absolutely love to see lots of art inspired by this story, as the fashion and magic are both described in stunning ways! The formal wear especially had me by the throat.

The modern phrasings occasionally took me a little bit out of the story, but once I got further in (and adjusted my expectations accordingly) it was just a fun time. The writing doesn’t take itself too seriously, and it makes for a more relaxing and fun read.

Wow! What an absolute whirlwind of a story! I am obsessed. I finished this in about a day and a half. It was so hard to put down.

This is my first Amalie Howard book, and I seriously need to read everything she writes. The world and character building were incredibly well done. The story did veer from the description, but for me, that was a good thing. I am really tired of "trials," but that ended up being a very small part of the plot. It's just enough to get the story going. Suraya is everything I want in an FMC. Powerful, protective of those she loves, strong and independent, and she was even funny, which I absolutely loved. Roshan again was everything I look for in MMCs. He was funny as well, the banter was fantastic, he was very "touch her and die" and oh so mysterious. I can't wait to learn more about his secrets. It's really exciting

This story had me gasping out loud at all the twists and turns. My heartstrings were pulled so many times, and I had to hold back tears a lot. Book should make you feel everything, and this story certainly had that. I can't wait to see what happened next!

Thank you to Netgalley/HarperCollins for the amazing opportunity for an eARC. Seriously, the best!

This was a pretty typical romantasy, reminding me a bit of Divine Rivals and Powerless. I enjoyed the long journey of the protagonist, both in on her adventure through physical space and her emotional growth. I loved the chapters in the POV of the old gods, the family and friendships, and the love story. I personally don't mind when stories are derivative of others, or when modern language is used in vaguely ancient fantasy worlds - if either of those bother you, then this might not be the book for you. I actually thought the modern banter was pretty hilarious. Overall, this was a decent read that ends perfectly poised for a sequel to pick up and start right off with a bang.

3.5 stars rounded to 4. I think I'm just not the target audience for this one. If you love romantasy like ACOTAR or Fourth Wing (the kind that include "shadow daddies" and young women learning to embrace their power), you'll want to pick this one up. I will say that the intimate scenes worked better for me than most in these specific kinds of books usually do. I also like the reference to Middle Eastern and South Asian mythology.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

I will be honest. I did not finish this book. I found the plot and characters to just be, ok. But nothing was really capturing me and keeping my attention. I picked the book up and put it down a lot and felt myself really forcing myself to continue. I'm not sure what it was, but the story was just, there.

Thank you Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review. DNF 33%. I thought I was enjoying this book but I realized I really wasn’t after reading 100 pages. There is random modern language sprinkled throughout the book that is very out of place. The main character is kind of whiny and acts like a teenager. This is a 24 year old woman 🙈 The crown prince is diabolical and I hate him so much everything he did was horrible. The romance was very thrown together and while they had chemistry I couldn’t tell why they had it? They had almost no interaction and they don’t know anything about each other? Overall just didn’t do it for me.

I was so excited to be given the opportunity to read an e-ARC of The Starlight Heir. This romantasy comes with a unique magic system centered around stars and seems like the ultimate fight between darkness and light. The FMC Suraya is raised in a a small desert town and has become a talented bladesmith who is able to imbue her blades with jadu (the source of magic in the world). Suraya is “requested” to attend the capital as a potential bride for the crown prince, but the real reason has a much more sinister purpose. When Suraya meets Roshan when she enters the city, it becomes clear almost immediately he is someone who will be important to her. Suraya is a strong FMC who has to really dig deep to determine who she wants to be, and what she is willing to sacrifice for those she loves. There are still a lot of questions that need to be answered at the end of this book, so. I will be eagerly awaiting Book 2.