2.5 stars rounded up. The modern terms threw me a bit, but overall this was a good story! I love mythology and this was right up my alley, I just had a hard time sticking with it with the modern slang and terminology used throughout the book. I both read and listened to the book, and I think I prefer the audio. I loved the forbidden romance and enemies to lovers in this book. With so much happening towards the end of the book, I wish it could have been stretched into a duology rather than a standalone.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read this ARC, opinions are my own and given freely!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this audio ARC.

Tropes:
- Deadly Trials
- Slow Burn
- Forced Proximity
- Chosen One
- Hidden Magic
- Multiple POVs
- Touch Her and Die
- Hidden Identities

Suraya forges blades imbued with jadu, the last trace of magic left in the world. She’s content keeping her head down and her family close—until the palace comes calling. Invited to a high-stakes tournament to win the crown prince’s hand, she quickly learns it’s not about romance. It’s a cover for something far more dangerous: finding the Starkeeper, a girl with star-born power hidden in her blood—and Suraya may be closer to her than anyone thinks.

This book if perfect for fans of Throne of Glass and Artefacts of Ouranos! It was my first book written by Amalie Howard, and I enjoyed it. Although this book is marketed at Adult, I did feel like this has more YA vibes. I always love a good book with deadly trials and a badass FMC, and this book delivers just that.

One thing that felt a bit out of place was the use of modern day phrases. It doesn't change how I felt about the book, though.

While I appreciate being chosen to be an ARC reader for this book, I had a difficult time staying engaged. I can completely see how this story would appeal to others, but it's just not for me.
I am not going to post a review outside of NetGalley, as I feel this would be unfair to the author.

Thanks so much to Net Galley for giving me an advanced reader copy. This book took me like 5 months to finish. It was kind of interesting. KIND OF good. nothing about it put me on the edge of my seat. im not one to say that every new book needs to reinvent the wheel. having every trope in the book is JUST FINE TO ME. but this book didnt do anything unique or well. if something is unique, as long as it is spectacularly written or very eloquent. that's all I need- this has nothing to set it apart all thr generic books just like it. it had potential. but stopped at that Maybe if they went through like 5 more rounds of editing for at least a whole nother year- it might have been spectacular.

I really struggled through the first half of this one. It’s not that the narration was bad by any means. I just could not get into the story. If this wasn’t an audiobook I would have dnfed. The premise was there but that was about it. The language didn’t match the world and to me that is the most off putting thing in the world. I could see how that may not others and they may enjoy it?

This story was so good! I love the plot and star magic aspect. I found that to be unique to what I have ever read before. Suraya was such a lovely character and not not as annoyingly stubborn like some of the romantasy characters have been lately. Roshan was the best. I loved his wit and charm. There are some spicey scenes but they were fabulously written. I cannot wait to see where this story is going to go next.

Earlier I gave the book 3.5 stars! There were moments in the book that were a little slow, but I loved the storyline and learning more about the characters. As long as you push through the ending really picked up the pace!

The Starlight Heir is a dazzling fantasy full of royal secrets, reluctant power, and slow-burn magic. Perfect for fans of court intrigue and star-crossed destinies.

I struggled and struggles with the beginning of this boom. I had to out it down about 20% in due to cringy dialogue. I don't enjoy modern slang used in a fantastical setting. The main female character was not one that I could relate to in anyway, which is why I am not going to put myself through 10 more hours of the book. Sorry!

This book was a full delightful journey that I can't wait to rejoin when the sequel comes out. We shared this in an episode about fantasies and got a lot of great feedback!

I think I am meant to read fantasy as a physical book than an audiobook because I get confused by the names more when they're spoken instead of written so I didn't get very far.

The Starlight Heir was a really neat, interesting new take on fantasy romances. The characters were great and watching the main character grow, and her inner battle between what she should do and what she wanted was very well portrayed. I also thoroughly enjoyed the ending, even if all the questions were not answered and we may get more from this story. The narrator was also excellent in keeping to the story's feelings and making everything fantastic to listen to.

The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard is a significant work of fantasy, with a compelling premise and world. The audiobook, with its readable pace and voice, brings the book to life, so that one gets the feeling that the listeners are experiencing this vibrant world.

One of the highlights of the book is the world-building. Howard has constructed a rich, vibrant world with magic, politics, and intricate systems that high fantasy fans will devour. It's clear that much time and effort went into constructing the world, and it works well for the story as the characters navigate it.

The characters themselves were interesting but occasionally slightly too predictable, a few of them having their arcs following by run-of-the-mill tropes. Still, even they were experiencing moments of character growth and development that were interesting. The pacing is uniformly well-balanced, though spots where it somehow lagged prior to accelerating again.

The storytelling is smooth and captivating, and the voice reader succeeds in bringing out the typical voices of the various characters, which contributed significantly to the overall entertainment worth of the audiobook listening experience. Not groundbreaking by any means, The Starlight Heir is an enjoyable and fine listen for fantasy readers seeking a quality story.

I absolutely loved this book. The world building, the romance, the characters, everything. It was fast-paced, fun and had one of the best sex scenes I've ever read. There was one part where I absolutely cried. I think Howard has an excellent set up for a sequel and I cannot wait to read it. Until then, I will read all of Howard's backlist. Narrator Anais Inara Chase is one of my new favorites. Thank you to the publisher and net galley for copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

I really enjoyed this audiobook! The summary sounds like a really basic fantasy romance book, but the plot went in so many directions that I didn't expect. The modern language/sayings that were used threw me a bit, and didn't work for me personally.

I enjoyed the romance, even though I feel like it could have been better developed. I really enjoyed the chapters where they were stuck in the prison and Suraya was the one to basically save them all. The narrators did an amazing job, and the only thing that could have improved the audiobook experience would having it be a full duet narration.

I enjoyed the audiobook! I’m interested in where the story is going. This one has a lot of popular tropes.

I couldn't get through this audiobook. I think I need to read it and not listen. The audio was not for me.

Suraya, a bladesmith recieves an invitation summoning her to the palace. But it’s the princes brother who grabs her attention.

I enjoyed the twists of this one, but honestly I went in with such high expectations and it just didn’t hit the way I was hoping. I liked the world building, the magical creatures, and the deadly trials.

The audio was so well done, the narrator really helped transport me to this magical atmosphere!

Read if you love:
* Forced proximity
* Slow burn
* Hidden identities
* Deadly trials

I really enjoyed this one—it had me hooked from start to finish! I loved following Suraya on her journey as she slowly discovers the star magic hidden within her. I'm a sucker for anything celestial, so the magic system tied to the stars was such a unique and captivating twist. The worldbuilding felt rich, with a blend of court politics, rebellion, and ancient powers, and I was totally invested in the tension between Suraya and Roshan. Their chemistry, the slow-burning secrets, and the looming threat of a dark god kept the stakes high. A magical, fast-paced romantasy that definitely left me wanting more!

I had the pleasure of reading the arc for The Starlight Heir (which comes out early January 2025) and LOVED IT!

To start before I get into my full review…I am very much a mood reader who leans fantasy in reading preference. If you mix high fantasy style writing/words with today’s language, doesn’t bother me in the slightest, if anything it helps me feel more at home with the book because I’m not having to check the glossary every 5 minutes.

All that to be said, the actual book:

You have our main female character Suraya, who is unexpectedly called to the capital to take part in a bachelor style contest to win the heart of the king. Suraya, who has always dreamed of going to the capital is excited to get out of her city and explore the place her mother spoke to her about growing up…the prince…zero interest. Her plan is to lay low and just enjoy her time there. Very quickly she is noticed, thrown into trials to win the princes heart and the book really starts rolling.

This book is about Suraya’s growth, learning about her potential powers and being on the run from people that want to use her for bad intentions. I thoroughly enjoyed learning the unique magic system, meeting all the side characters and her exploring a world she didn’t know existed. There are plot twists, a slow-ish burn with an unlikely character & the ending leaves you wanting more as you finally figure out everything you just learned wasn’t what it seems. I enjoyed diving into this world & look forward to seeing what Amalie gives us in book 2!

Thanks NetGalley and HarperCollins for the early copy!