She's a bladesmith who has been invited into the palace to be chosen as the crown prince's bride but finds herself falling for the prince's illegitimate half brother, all the while the hunt for a magical girl with powers that could potential raise a god begins... and her own powers might be exactly those. Suraya is a bladesmith who has dreamed about seeing the capital city that her mother loved, so when an invitation comes for her to visit to participate in the chance to be the crown prince's bride she can't resist the opportunity to see the palace forge. Yet when she arrives there nothing is what she expects and worst of all, she's falling for the crown prince's handsome illegitimate brother. Then the crown prince announces a hunt for a girl known as the Starkeeper, someone who has magic of stars in her blood and can be used to raise a god. Suraya's own magic begins to slip up... and she just might be the very person the crown prince is hunting. The only person she can turn two is Roshan, the illegitimate son of the dead king. Roshan is hiding his own secrets, and as they grow closer... his secrets might threaten to destroy the delicate relationship between them. There is also the strange dreams Suraya has been having of a strange god who she seems to have a very physical and loving relationship with... but she can't recall but he haunts her every dream. This is the first book in a series and its a mixture of fantasy, romance, and a bit of politics. It is Amalie's first fantasy novel and I adore her historical romances a lot, but this one just kind of missed the mark for me. It was just felt so young adult and the story just never really hooked me. The romance just didn't feel all that fleshed out or well developed. This book sets up the rest of the series but honestly just doesn't really pace well and I just wish I could like the characters more and feel more invested because it had potential but as the first book it just wasn't as great of a start as I had hoped. I am a bit curious where the second book will go and how they will flesh out the relationship between the three characters. If you like fantasy romances with spice and characters who feel a bit more YA I would say give it a go.

Release Date: January 7, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for seding me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I made it about 60% of the way through, hoping that it would bet better, but the story did not capture me. The character's felt unrealistic and the plot moved too fast for any real character growth to happen. I also am not a big fan of the insta-love trope and this one really leaned into that. I had such high hopes for the setting and the story based on the description, but this book did not deliver on what it was built up to be. I think if the pace was slowed down and more time was spent at the initial deadly trials part of the novel that this book would have been at least 3 stars for me. I tried to push through, but when I got to the first *spicy* scene I cringed and decided it was time to put it down.

Pros: Interesting world and setting
Cons: Pacing too fast; Insta-love; Undeveloped characters; Non-engaging dialogue and narration

This was an amazing fantasy debut by Amalie Howard that had me hooked from the very beginning. I loved the mix of Persian and Indian mythology and thought that the world building and magic system were so well done! Amalie gave us enough information to understand what was going on but not enough to lessen the intrigue. The plot twists were CRAZY and although this is listed as a standalone online… I’m really hoping for a book 2.

Suraya is brought to the palace to fight for the affections of the prince. She finds out rather quickly that they expect her to actually fight. What is the prince actually looking for? There are things that she doesn't know about herself. Who is she? Who can she trust? Can she trust the prince's brother?

It has a pinch of competition, living on the run, romance, and a cool magic system... and holy man, the ending. 👀

A lot of people keep mentioning anachronistic phrases being used throughout. I have a few thoughts on that. Yes, there are some phrases used that you don't typically see in fantasy. BUT it is fantasy, so the world is made up, and it can be whatever it wants to be. If that's something that might bug you, then there you go. If it's not, then you should be fine.

Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.

This book is everything that make Romantasy the best genre! A strong FMC in a deadly selection for a playboy Prince, plus a charming but crownless prince joins the party, and you also get a shadow daddy dream Walker. The writing is BEAUTIFUL and the story is wonderfully unique spin on a typical Romantasy read. The audio for this books is also beautiful! Loved it and read the whole book in one day! I would say it gives some FBAA and Red Queen vibes.

5+⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (spicy, open door, very descriptive)

Amalie Howard's 'The Starlight Heir' is a captivating fantasy novel that weaves a spellbinding tale of magic, rebellion, and forbidden love. With richly drawn characters, a vibrant world, and a plot that twists and turns, this book is a must-read for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo. For this book I did a combination of reading and listening to the audiobook, which is skillfully narrated by Anais Inara Chase and Ramiz Monsef.

'The Starlight Heir,' Suraya, a skilled bladesmith who crafts weapons imbued with magic, is unexpectedly summoned to the royal court to compete for the hand of Prince Javed. This competition, however, is a disguised search for the 'Starkeeper,' a person believed to possess extraordinary magical abilities. As Suraya navigates the court's treacherous politics and dangers, she finds herself drawn to Prince Roshan, Javed's illegitimate half-brother. When a rebel attack disrupts the competition, Suraya and Roshan are forced to flee together, embarking on a perilous journey that tests their courage, their trust, and the burgeoning feelings that develop between them.

Amalie Howard's writing style in "The Starlight Heir" is characterized by lush prose and vivid imagery, immersing readers in a richly imagined world. Her descriptions are evocative, bringing the vibrant court life, the breathtaking landscapes, and the intricate magic system to life with vibrant colors, tantalizing scents, and palpable textures. The narrative moves at a brisk pace, keeping the reader engaged with a well-paced plot filled with twists and turns. Howard skillfully develops her characters, giving them distinct voices and personalities that resonate with readers. Her prose is both elegant and accessible, making "The Starlight Heir" an enjoyable read for fantasy enthusiasts.

I absolutely adored the chemistry between Suraya and Roshan! Their forbidden romance was captivating, and I found myself completely invested in their journey. The world-building was also impressive, with vivid descriptions that truly brought the court and the surrounding lands to life. The God of the Night was a particularly intriguing and enigmatic character and I can not wait to see more of him in future installments of the series. However, I did feel that the overall plot lacked some originality, with certain elements feeling familiar from other fantasy novels. Despite this, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and found it to be a captivating and entertaining read.

The audiobook of 'The Starlight Heir' is a truly immersive experience. Anais Inara Chase and Ramiz Monsef deliver exceptional performances, bringing the characters and world to life with their distinct voices and nuanced interpretations. Chase perfectly captures the strength and vulnerability of Suraya, while Monsef effectively conveys the mystery surrounding the God of the Knight. However, I couldn’t help but wish Monsef had also recorded the dialogue for the male characters, as I would have enjoyed hearing him voice the male characters throughout the story.


Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Overall, 'The Starlight Heir' is a captivating and enjoyable fantasy novel that will appeal to fans of courtly intrigue and forbidden romance. The chemistry between Suraya and Roshan is undeniable, and the world-building is richly imagined. While some aspects of the plot may feel familiar, the strong character development and engaging writing style make this book a worthwhile read. There is some spice, but it is relatively mild compared to other books in the genre. I highly recommend 'The Starlight Heir' to readers seeking a blend of romance, adventure, and magic.

Suraya is a badass character with some amazing abilities. Roshan was perfect from the start with their cute meet cute. Love the differences between the lands and what they are told. Always love royalty that doesn’t always present that way. They are on the run from his brother, the next king, who is a scary dude that just wants Suraya for the power that she has. The power that just started manifesting at the trials. The trials to become the next Queen were pretty intense and brutal.
Ro and Suraya have some steamy moments and get really close. Love how their relationship and trust in each other is evolving. There were lots of secrets and half truths. Love that there is a mix of Persian and Indian mythology in this book.

Definitely check this out if you love:
✨ Deadly contest for a bride
✨ Tortured prince
✨ ACOTAR x Prince of Persia
✨ Epic quest
✨ Ancient shadow daddy
✨ Sentient star magic
✨ Touch her and die

Love the character art!

Loved this book from start to finish. Amalie Howard has truly crafted the most breathtaking story here.

Okay wait… I REALLY enjoyed this!!

Romance is always my number one draw towards any book so when I started seeing some early reviews saying this was more heavy on the romance than fantasy - I picked it up immediately. & I had a blast!! I’m so curious to see where this story goes.

The book i didnt know i needed! I havent loved a FMC the way i loved Suraya! The details that added to the magical elements, wyverns, royal drama.. this book had it all! I am ready for a book two or whatever else Amalie writes next!

Wow, what an adventure! The ending left me needing more of what’s to come! I loved the banter between Rohan and Suraya was so good. Thank you Net Galley, Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC

4.5/5 stars
2/5 spice

Tropes:
Magical system
Prince MMC
Blacksmith FMC
Deadly trials
Hidden magic
Persian & Indian mythology

I've read Amalie Howard before but her debit into the fantasy genre was just amazing. Loved the world building, loved the characters, and I'm very intrigued by the magical system. The MCs are likable characters and I was rooting for them from the start.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily

I had no expectations or background knowledge of storyline going into this book, but I absolutely loved it!!! It was such a cool story and felt like a combinations of stories that all came together in a unique way! Maybe it was just me, but half of the scenic visuals in my head were either Star Wars (desert scenes/towns) or Aladdin 😂

The plot had twists and holds on my emotions - I definitely had some tears while getting through the last 20% of the book, Amalie pulled at the heartstrings for me especially when Sura is figuring out her truth. And the cliffhanger?! COME ON! Wow I can’t wait for book 2! Amalie, please don’t break my heart!

10/10 recommend this steamy novel for all the romantasy lovers!!

Really loved the use of some lesser known Persian and Indian mythology. I loved the use of the chosen one troupe. I found Sura much more levelheaded and less whiny than most characters who are part of the chosen one troupe. Great world building that wasn’t confusing. The author has written fabulous historicals and this was a great debut into romantasy. I can’t wait to see what comes next!

Favorite quotes

“Book boyfriends are simply better,” I say.

“Books can be the best kinds of bridges.”

“Don’t take away my choices because you want to protect me.”

What a great read!! This book was exciting and adventurous, with lots of twists and turns. A sassy and sarcastic FMC matched with an equally sarcastic MMC with some dark secrets.
This fast paced romantasy has medium burn romance, and a great blend of action, adventure, mystery, and spice. This book sets the stage for a great series to come (especially with that foreshadowing at the end 👀). I enjoyed the author's writing and loved the wisdom these characters share. I can’t wait for more of this story!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫|💋💋💋|🌶️🌶️

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review!

This may be on me. I LOVE Amalie Howard's writing and have generally loved all of her historical romances, but this one was not a winner for me.

For me, it was really slow and i couldn't really connect with the characters. One thing I appreciated was the cultural differences that play a prominent role in this book. Right away, you could tell these characters and the world they lived in was different than most other romantasy worlds. I wanted to like the rest of it, but I found the characters a bit boring.

Thank you #NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Starlight Heir

Suraya Saab lives a quiet life with her family and friends. She is a bladesmith who can imbue blades with jade, the last source of magic in the realm. A Royal summons arrives one day from King Zarek inviting her to the capital to be his guest. She goes, believing it harmless and an opportunity to explore the capital city. The trip quickly turns into a game of deadly trials to find a wife for Price Javed. Secrets, lies and prophecies threaten to uproot Surayas life and all she’s believed about who she is.

Suraya is a great FMC. She’s witty, strong willed, and fiercely loyal. There were so many twists, turns and secrets in this book. The world building was great and easy to follow. I’m so intrigued about the dual POV in this story. I can’t wait to find out more and see how it fits into the overall story.

~Persian/Indian inspired
~Magic
~Political intrigue
~Secret identity
~Prophecies
~Forbidden romance
~Slow burn
~Forced proximity

4.5⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for a copy of the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.

This is a romantasy novel about a swordsmith named Suraya who gets conscripted into a competition to become the wife of the crown prince Javed. During the competition, it becomes clear that Javed isn't looking for a wife, but for the starkeeper, and it seems our girl Suraya is it. Or at least, she has definitely got some magic. Along the way she meets Roshan; the two of them flee the capital to regroup and then It Is On (TM).

I'm a little torn on how to rate this one, because on the one hand, it really delivers on the romantasy elements and includes all the greatest hits for romantasy tropes and plot elements. On the other hand, the reading experience is like being sucked up into a tornado. There is so much going on, and I think the story suffers from it all being crammed into a standalone. I wish there had been more world building and that the author had broken the story out into a duology.

I hope the author writes more books in this world, and I really the story and the characters. I just wish there had been more.

The first in a new romantasy series by author @amaliehoward, The Starlight Heir is a delightful and mysterious tale of fate, love, and survival.

Suraya Saab is a lowly bladesmith in a desert community when she is called - like many others across the land - as a potential bride for Prince Jarek of Kaldari. Once she arrives to the city, things are not at all what they seem. She meets Roshan, the prince’s half-brother and they embark on a journey of adventure and love as they attempt to survive the Queen and Prince’s evil plans for the future.

This was a fun one! I truly didn’t know where the story was heading and enjoyed all the twists, turns, and surprises. I enjoyed the Middle Eastern and Indian influences that Howard added, as well. It’s set-up well for book two, where I imagine we will hear a lot more from the “shadow daddy” alluded to in the marketing (he’s there but a much smaller piece of the story.) Suraya and Roshan really their work cut out for them in this book, and I could not put the book down! Spice is mainly one larger scene and innuendo throughout. I received an advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

Did I like it? It was a time I guess

There’s going to be more right? Because clearly this can only be the start of a series with so many un answered questions floating around.
Look, it has been a while since I picked up a romantasy and I’m trying to get back into them. 

I see where this book was going and the plot was there and kept me interested, it was action packed and hooked me on the world building but the Characters, specifically the main FMC just was not my cup of tea, and that made it hard for me to get it read, but I did.

Suya comes from this little Village and get summoned to the palace with a select group of young ladies to compete Bachelor style for the princes hand in marriage. We don’t spend much time in the competition plot. She meets the princes half brother, there’s attraction, politics come into play and Suya discovers she has powers and she has to go on the run.

I don’t know how to continue without it being to spoilery (that’s not a word!) but like I said it was a time and I think some people will enjoy it!