3.75 stars. Thank you to Avon for the complimentary ARC.

I'm a big fan of Amalie Howard's historical romances and was excited to read her romantasy debut.

A significant amount of fantasy books are based on the myth and legend of Western Europe so a story with roots in Indian and Persian mythology was incredibly refreshing! The inclusion of astrology and chiromancy added additional depth to the world building.

When humble blade smith Suraya is invited to the palace as a potential bride for the Prince she goes to see the capital city and assumes she'll be a wallflower. Little does she know she'll be fighting for her life and battling to save humanity. 

I loved the desert setting and the way all of the cities were created to fit into the culture and landscape. There is also a part where Suraya gets captured by some unsavory characters and it felt very sci-fi fantasy which endeared me to the story even more.

There are a few things that may bother readers though so I want to mention them:

One, there is modern language (including pop culture vernacular) in the monologues and dialogue. It was noticeable to me but didn't pull me out of the story. However, I know this is a petpeeve to some. 

Two, the characters are supposed to be in their 20s but some of their behavior and decisions read like upper YA or NA. Think early Throne of Glass or Fourth Wing vibes.

Three, there was a phrase repeated several times throughout the book. I am not sure if this is because I read the ARC. The finished copy may have been cleaned up.

Personally, I think all three of these things could've been resolved with a better edit from the publisher. I was very invested in the story and the world but felt the book needed more polish.

As a reader I loved the unique premise and I'm excited to continue the series! If the things I mentioned above don't bother you then I definitely recommend the book. Amalie Howard is a great storyteller!

Supporting diverse characters and stories in the romantasy genre is important, especially since it's currently dominated by high profile white authors. If you're intrigued by the book you should give it a go.

3.5 stars!

This book was odd for me because I think the premise was super interesting, but then the actual book fell a bit short of my expectations. The biggest issue was definitely with the writing. Sometimes I don't mind more casual speak in books, but the characters all read very very young and that along with "princesplaining" and "thick thighs save lives" made me cringe more than once.

I also really disliked the romance and it felt instantly lusty to me for almost no reason. I didn't really think the male love interest was giving much, and I felt like a lot of plot points were extremely obvious. Also, I wanted the bride competition to last longer, and I felt like we really sped through that whole portion.

That being said, I really liked the world and the diverse influences. I enjoyed how there were different guilds of people, and I wanted to spend more time focused on that and how we got into this situation, instead of endless internal monologue about how hot the main character was.

That being said, I will be reading the next book in the series because there are other plot points (and maybe love interests?) that I am more interested in, and I do again think the world and mythology are very interesting.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars!

This book was odd for me because I think the premise was super interesting, but then the actual book fell a bit short of my expectations. The biggest issue was definitely with the writing. Sometimes I don't mind more casual speak in books, but the characters all read very very young and that along with "princesplaining" and "thick thighs save lives" made me cringe more than once.

I also really disliked the romance and it felt instantly lusty to me for almost no reason. I didn't really think the male love interest was giving much, and I felt like a lot of plot points were extremely obvious. Also, I wanted the bride competition to last longer, and I felt like we really sped through that whole portion.

That being said, I really liked the world and the diverse influences. I enjoyed how there were different guilds of people, and I wanted to spend more time focused on that and how we got into this situation, instead of endless internal monologue about how hot the main character was.

That being said, I will be reading the next book in the series because there are other plot points (and maybe love interests?) that I am more interested in, and I do again think the world and mythology are very interesting.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Starlight Heir is a thrilling blend of intense competition and romantic intrigue, combining the high-stakes action of The Hunger Games with the opulent, societal drama of The Selection. What makes this book particularly compelling is its fast-paced narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The stakes are high, the challenges daunting, and the twists and turns unpredictable, making it difficult to put the book down once you've started. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging, fast-paced read with elements of romance, adventure, and suspense.

3.5/3.75 ⭐️’s I REALLY wanted to love this. And actually at the beginning it was really good but I really felt like the story went downhill the longer it dragged on and although there was a well thought out world, interesting plot, pretty good banter (at first- then it got stale) it just still felt like it dragged and fell flat for me. I think the biggest issue for me was the female lead, her character arc went nowhere. She just kind of went in circles and became more insufferable as the book went on. I actually kept being surprised when I was reminded the FMC was 25, I’ve read YA books with a more mature 17 year old main character. It just felt juvenile all around and not in an intentional way. I’ll admit the FMC started great, I really liked her at first but then it got worse as the plot developed. And the “plot twist” was frustrating because everyone EXCEPT the FMC could see this coming from like a mile away. By the time the truth bomb dropped it had lost all impact because it was just like “omg finally”. I hate that I didn’t love this, it really had so much potential and there were some fantastic moments but overall it just felt unoriginal and by the end of the book, the big climatic ending, I didn’t even care I was just ready for it to be over.
Thank you to NetGalley for my eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you so so much to Netgalley and Avon, Harper Voyager, and Harper Audio for allowing me to read the ARC and listen to the ALC of The Starlight Heir. ✨

<img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/66bcc5edb221bb9a2e2e19a06c4fab50/1481cb14644dc44e-fe/s400x600/2770ef18e50e2936297eff20c15e0abc6b6b96cc.gifv" height="250" />

<blockquote><i>"Much of history was both recorded and erased by those in power, so it's especially important to bolster your thinking with a wide variety of books."</blockquote></i>

I finished this arc over a week ago and I'm going to do my best to put in to words how much I enjoyed it but please know it still won't be enough to convey how much I loved this book.

This is my first Amalie Howard book but I can tell won't be my last. I loved that we had Indian and Persian influence in this book and I want to continue to diversify my reading with more because I was just enamored in my imagination with her colorful descriptions. The magic and world building is easy to follow, interesting, and a little unique as well as the political background of the royals and houses. Aside from maybe 2 plot points, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, and I had NO idea how this book was going to progress or end. Seriously, I love being surprised, and this book did it for me.

The audiobook was also fantastic. I've added the narrators to my list of favs. I loved the FMC voice, she had a great way of adding a dash of sarcasm and really conveying the characters inflection to make certain lines punchy or mysterious or intriguing. I was able to do an immersive read thanks to having both and can't recommend that enough. This was my first time trying it and I think it really helped for certain lines to stick to my memory.

I can't wait for the next book. Not only was I reeling but I buddy read this with another friend who also had the ARC and we were channeling Pepe Silvia vibes because there was so much left unanswered and so much that we only realized in the end that was connected but still not clear how. I again, can't wait for the next book and shamelessly hope I get another ARC. I'm absolutely going to be looking to reread this book again this year, if not before the next book.

Me 1 week later still trying to link all the magic and creatures and gods to Sura or Ro or the God of Night or the Royal Stars:
<img src="https://media.tenor.com/04KdcsfRodUAAAAM/conspiracy-charlie-day.gif" height="200"/>

I have recommended this to all my friends and bookclub buddies who likes romantasy and I'm thrilled to know a couple of folks have read it and enjoyed it. Seriously, it's a good one, add it to your TBR.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes
• Arranged/Forced Betrothing
• Slow Burn
• Hidden Magic
• Chosen One

This was not my style of book, but it was still an entertaining read! Amalie has written a fun world with charismatic characters which made this read a great one during my winter break.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The Starlight Heir. This book had all the elements that I would normally love and fawn over, but I had a hard time finishing this one. I started reading it and then found myself having to re-read the same page multiple times, so I switched to the audiobook. The beginning was a little slow because of the world building and then the rest of the book seemed so rushed. Suraya quickly mastered her magic with little training and quickly fell in love with Roshan. I found myself a little thrown off with the God of Night chapters and wasn’t quite sure why they were even included until the end. I enjoyed the witty banter and Suraya’s personality, but it won’t be something that I re-read.

Unfortunately this one just wasn't for me sadly. I really wanted to like this one but it just fell short and I felt like I was missing something.

I loved this book! It had a great plot and kept me engaged the whole time. I need the next book now!

I appreciated the fact that the story was not a typical romantasy, and that there was an actual plot that was somewhat new. I enjoyed the Indian aspects of the story and that the magic was an interesting type. The relationship between the main characters was good and I was routing for them! I am dying to know how the shadow daddy God plays into the larger story. When does the next book come.out?!

A fast-paced fantasy, I couldn't put down.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

For Fans of:
✨️Deadly Bride Trials
✨️Forced Proximity
✨️Persian & Indian Mythology
✨️Touch Her and 💀
✨️Soul-fated mates
✨️Epic Quest
✨️Fierce FMC

The Starlight Heir was such a beautifully written, fast-paced romantasy that I highly recommend. The magical and famtasy element of this book is refreshingly unique, but still so easy to understand. I loved how fast-paced it was. There was a lot going on, but not so much that it was overwhelming. It was not what I expected at all, and I find that very refreshing. I love when I am completely surprised by a book, and this did not disappoint in surprising me. I absolutely can not wait to see where this story goes from here!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for a copy of this book.

I was originally drawn to this book by the cover drawing and colors, unique if I've ever seen an animal and I have a particular fondness for wolves. I believe I'm getting this book from Fairyloot this month and I am eager to see how they alter it!

We are introduced to Suraya in the desert city of Coban as she works at the forge crafting metal. Suraya is an interesting main character from the start and though I had a bit of a slow start I'm nearly certain this was a me problem and not an issue with the book. I was eager to follow Suraya to Kaldari and learn more about this universe and their magic system. I thought it was especially interesting that magic wasn't 'all around you' like in some books but that there were still people with the power to create portals that people traveled through. The thought of portals definitely captures my imagination.

The story had a good pace and maintained my interest throughout. I found the characters interesting and was especially impressed with the diversity of characters and the fact that this wouldn't be another story with an all white cast. In the acknowledgements the author says that she drew inspiration from her Indian, Middle Eastern, and Caribbean roots and I found this very compelling as she created the world for us on page.

My one critique would be that there were times when the language used felt a little too casual or 21st century. I would be happily reading along then come across a character referencing Sleeping Beauty and my mind would go down the rabbit hole wondering to what extent the story of Sleeping Beauty existed in this world. Other times the main character would say, 'What the actual f*ck!' a phrase that I might say often but I didn't necessarily expect in this context.

I found the ending very intriguing and will definitely be reading the next story.

Thank you NetGalley for this e ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted review copy. My opinions are my own.

A fantasy written by one of my favorite historical romance authors?
With middle eastern myth roots?
And magic?
Absolutely yes please!!

Spunky bladesmith with a penchant for working with magical stone illegally, receives an invitation to compete to become a bride of the crown prince, she only accepts to see the capital city, she wants nothing to do with the royal family. I was blown away with the world building, the story and the magic. The e-book book sucked me in and I finished it in two reading sessions I loved Suraya and identified with her romance book love, but also with her curiosity and love of family. I was intrigued with Roshan and what is actually going on with him.

I am eagerly awaiting news of the next book because I want to know what on earth is going on with the the Darrius character since all we have are the few short chapters from his perspective.

Overall, highly recommend!

A bladesmith blessed by the stars. A prince with a dangerous secret. A god bound by shadows...I felt like the world building was just enough to keep my interest and no go fully overboard. I loved Suraya and felt like she gave off such strong female character vibes. I enjoyed the romance but thought progression was a bit off. The book itself feels very YA but the romance itself was not so it felt disjointed somehow. I will definitely check out more from this author in the future!

Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley, Avon and Amalie Howard for allowing me to be an early reader. All thoughts are my own.

Read if you like:
- romantasy
- strong female characters
- fates / gods / “other”
- open door spice

I enjoyed this book a lot the pacing was great, and the sprinkle of betrayal, loss, and hidden identity were a nice touch. But I did feel like Suraya may have been a little to op in the face of bad guys because even though there were threats she easily was able to pull through them without much of a struggle due to her magic other then that I would read this book again, and am definitely excited to see where it goes and I would definitely recommend it to other readers.

This was a highly anticipated read for me and I can happily report I was blown away. First things first, the cover is absolutely beautiful. The story is well written with writing that is descriptive but not suffocating, and the characters are well developed. I enjoyed the twists and turns and couldn’t wait to see where our characters ended up. Highly recommend!

I really liked this one. I think it's a solid example of a developed romantasy. It does have some elements that I think needed more foreshadowing which is why it didn't make it to 5 stars. The characters had a lot of life and I enjoyed the growth of the romance. I really.cannot wait to see where this story is going to go.

thank you NetGalley for the eARC, this is my honest review! sorry, I meant to read/review this before it was published but I’ve been in a slump and then had surgery/complications recovering lol.
I was really looking forward to this book (mainly for the Indian and Persian mythology aspects!), but unfortunately it wasn’t quite what I’d hoped. despite my disappointment in some aspects of this book, the mythology/world/magic was definitely the best part. I think this story and world could make for a great book if it was written a bit differently😅
for one, the language. I won’t get into it since more than half the reviews mention it, but it’s very modern/cringe and YA (this is advertised as adult and the main characters are late twenties talking/acting like teenagers). the fmc is also just very… dumb?😭Idk how else to say it but she was making decisions like she knew nothing and her inner monologue was so frustrating to read at times.
pacing was also off to me, like rushed but slow at the same time. I guess the story kinda dragged but the scenes were very fast if that makes sense?
the plot was highly predictable, at least to me, and it was kind of hard to stay engaged since I could see where everything was going. however, it seems like the thing SJM does where the first book makes everything seem one way but things are going to change completely in the next book. it’s really hard to explain without spoilers, but I think I know where this is going, and I think the rest of the series might be better (like how for me, the start of acotar was similar to how I felt ab this book, but the series improves almost because of that slow start?) idk but I’ll probably check out the next books!☺️
I’d still give this book a shot if you’re interested in the premise, and it’s quite possible some of my issues have been addressed in the final print, as I did read an advance copy.

Bladesmith Suraya gets an unexpected invitation to the palace to be introduced to Prince Zarek as a potential bride. Suraya has no interest in becoming royalty or in Prince Zarek either. But an encounter with his illegitimate half-brother Roshan leaves her enthralled. When a fight breaks out and a sinister plot is discovered Suraya and Roshan flee the castle to escape Prince Zarek and his evil mother. As she discovers power of the stars she never knew she had, Suray’s role takes on even more significance. Will she and Roshan be able to defeat the dark forces of the prince and queen?

As a new member to the Romantasy genre, this was a great book to start with! And Amalie Howard remains one of my all time favorite authors.

This romantasy had me hooked! Anais Inara Chase and Ramiz Monsef absolutely shine in their narration, making the story even more engaging. Suraya Saab, a badass bladesmith, gets swept into a royal contest that’s more about magic and danger than romance. The mix of Middle Eastern and Indian mythology, thrilling trials, and a slow-burn romance kept me on the edge of my seat. Suraya’s journey of self-discovery, her fiery banter with Roshan, and the rebel attacks made this such a fun listen. The narrators really nailed the characters and brought the world to life. If you love action, magic, and a bit of romantic tension, you’ll enjoy this one. It’s the kind of audiobook that keeps you glued till the very last second. Can’t wait for the next book!