Where to start….I can see in other reviews that many were bothered by some of the language used in the book. I’m not really bothered by modern language or swearing in fantasy books. I sometimes find it easier to step into a character dropping f-bombs even in a fantasy setting because I imagine I would be responding the same exact way in some of the situations. It’s more relatable to me even in a made up setting. That said, there were some phases in this particular book that were a bit much in a book that also uses very formal language and speaks of Gods, prophecies, magic and swordplay. “Thick thighs save lives”, talk of “spicy romance books” and “book boyfriends”, for example. Also a direct reference to Sleeping Beauty? Definitely felt out of place here even for me.

I think I’d rate it as follows —

World building: 4/5. Intriguing and not overwhelming.

Characters: 3/5. Suraya is honestly a bit annoying and her constant fawning over Roshan and her attraction to him is over to top at times. Feels very teenage-obsession.

Story: 3.5/5. I am intrigued enough to pick up book 2, but am hoping for some improvements on the next installment. I was pretty confused with the whole Lord of Night POV.

Narration: 4.5/5. I listen to a lot of audiobooks and definitely think that had it not been for the narrators, I probably would have considered either DNF’ing in the middle or at least skimming some of this book. However, because the narrators were so good, I was able to stay intrigued enough to finish. Hoping the same narrators are used in the next book!

My rating for the book as a whole would be 3.5, but rounding up to 4 because of the narration.

I went into this book with high hopes but the modern, casual dialogue often felt totally out of place in the fantasy setting, like the characters were chatting in a teen rom-com rather than a mythical palace. Phrases like “princesplaining” and “resting bitch face” pulled me right out of the story, which was frustrating because the mythology had so much potential.

The romance didn’t really hit for me either. The leads were both nice, but they lacked real chemistry, and the spicy scenes felt underwhelming compared to Howard’s other work. The character arcs also felt rushed and not fully earned, making it harder to connect emotionally. I wish there had been more focus on the trials and raising the stakes, which could’ve given the story more depth.

Overall, it was an easy, fun read with some cool world-building, but it didn’t quite come together for me. I’m curious to see where the next book goes and hope the story and characters get stronger.

Really well done audio. I would listen to this narrator again for sure. The story is captivating and sexy. I met the author at a convention last year and she was really cool too!

This book has all the elements to make a great Romantasy! A chosen one FMC, a beautifully bastard prince, and an evil heir to the throne who will do anything for power. The world building was massive, with a whole intricate magic system with prophecies, forbidden runic magic, gods, fates, and magic creatures. There were trials and fleeing the palace to find safety in the desert with rebels. I would say the one biggest flaw of this book was possibly trying to fit in too many elements and not being able to go into enough detail for any of them. The romance had longing and passion. I really enjoyed the banter between the FMC and MMC, and felt their relationship was very organic. Overall I really enjoyed this story and look forward to book 2!

Really engaging audiobook. What intrigued me was the cover at first which is beautiful. But the story itself is also beautiful and I find myself falling into the story with ease.

Loved this one!! Went in blind and was pleasantly surprised. This was my first time reading anything by this author, but I’m excited to see more! Thank you for the ALC.

I felt like this book had such potential and was interested in the bride trials aspect of the novel. However that is a very small portion of the novel and it becomes quite boring afterwards. It completely lost me around 50%. The narration was quite good thiugh

Good premise, somewhat forgettable.
As I am writing this review I realize that I remember next to none of the actual story. It blends in with several others I've read recently.

I love Amalie Howard's histroms, but I didn't love this. It felt confusing and not very fulfilling. I wish I'd realized it wasn't a standalone because I might have waited and picked this up later. Instead, I'm not sure I'll finish this series.

This was not one that we loved. The prose didn’t end up working for us. While we like a mythology system. It was a little too youthful for our tastes

🪶Book Release🪶

✨️This stunning book was released today. A huge thank you to @avonbooks for the advance copy and the finished copy(shiiinnnyyyy)! You guys are definitely not going to want to miss this one. Also, *Chapter 13*, you’ll thank me later✨️

📖 The Starlight Heir
👩 @amaliehoward

🧡SYNOPSIS🧡

A bladesmith blessed by the stars. A prince with a dangerous secret. A god bound in shadows. From USA Today bestselling author Amalie Howard comes a scorching new romantasy that will leave you spellbound.

“His Imperial Majesty King Zarek requests your presence as his esteemed guest.”

When the gold-dusted court invitation arrives at Suraya Saab’s forge, she believes it’s a joke. Nobles might seek her skills as a bladesmith—one of few who can imbue her work with precious jadu, the last source of magic in the realm—but she has no qualifications as a potential bride for the crown prince. Still, the invitation is the chance at adventure, and the means to finally visit the capital city her late mother loved.

But what awaits her in Kaldari is nothing she could have imagined—and fraught with danger. It’s not the crown prince, but his impossibly handsome, illegitimate half-brother, Roshan, who captures her interest…and her ire. The invitation isn’t a quest to find a suitable bride, but a veiled hunt for the Starkeeper—a girl rumored to hold the magic of the stars in her blood. And across the city, unrest is brewing between the noble houses and the rebel militia.

When the rebels attack, Suraya and Roshan find themselves on the run, trying to deny their simmering attraction and the knowledge that Suraya herself might be the Starkeeper. But Roshan is guarding secrets of his own. And with no control over the power stirring within her, Suraya has drawn the attention of a dark god, an immortal whose interest might be the biggest threat of all.

I am not going to lie, I think that maybe this book just was not for me. I was really thrown off by a lot of the modern language in the book, and just found it took me out of the setting. It was jarring, however I know for a lot of readers that isn't something that would bother them at all. So I think a large part of my feelings towards this book was my own feelings.

I did like the trails though, they were brutal, and the creatures!!!!

The cover…. absolutely stunning, the premise… immediately grabbed my attention…. going into this book I wanted to love it, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite deliver for me.
I found myself conflicted when it came to rating the audiobook. I was often distracted by the clash between the traditional world the story was set in and the more modern, liberated conversations around sexuality and desire. It felt like the author was trying to blend two very different tones. And instead of these two aspects of the story complementing each other, they seemed to conflict, making the story of these star crossed lovers feel disjointed rather than seamless and smooth.
That said, the narration by Anais Inara Chase and Ramiz Monsef was a definite highlight. They did a fantastic job bringing life into the characters, capturing their emotions in a way that made them feel authentic and real.

*Thank you to Amalie Howard, HarperAudio and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

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!