This was a good book. I honestly liked the fantasy side of it more than the romance. The characters, to me, lacked chemistry. I am super curious to see if the author does a second book. I would love to read it.

❣️This was top tier for me!
Chosen One trope, unique magic system, political intrigue, betrayal, this book has it all.

I loved the FMC! And her character development was fantastic. The spice scenes were great.

Fast paced and gripping from the first chapter. You won’t be able to put this down!!!!

❗️Disclaimed: This review isn’t to tell the author that their work is bad or not. This review is simply based on my own personal opinion of the book. I do suggest you give it a chance before you form an opinions about it and decide whether you like it or not.❗️

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Audio for the ALC and ARC of this book.


This was a though book for me to rate. The start of the book I would say is a 1 maybe 2 stars. I would say because the book reads like a YA even though it isn’t, so the spice scenes surprised me and gave me whiplash even though I knew it had spice. I also found myself quite bored at the start and didn’t care for any of the characters or the story, making me almost dnf at 30%, I found myself zoning out and forgetting stuff because I wasn’t interested in the story but I powered through and don’t regret it. Towards the middle of the book it becomes a 3 star because I can ignore the fact it reads like YA and we are also slowly leaving it behind in my opinion.The story gets interesting there and I found myself actually liking the characters more. I also zone out less and actually start to like the story. Then comes the end of the book which is the best part in my opinion and why I will probably continue this series. I loved seeing more of the magic and the action scenes where really well described. I liked the romance even though I’m rooting for another romance (if you know you know 👀). I do think the romance was very insta lust and a bit rushed for my liking but it didn’t ruin the story for me. In the end I do think I like this story and I will probably continue this series because the ending left me intrigued. I also think we can only go up from here and that this series could become a 4 star maybe 5 star series. If you are like me and find the start difficult to get into I would suggest you power through because it goes up from there.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! All opinions in this review are my own.

RATING AND OVERALL THOUGHTS:

2 stars barely. DNF’d at 41%/147 pages. This was a book that based on the synopsis was full of promise but the execution was without substance that fell flat with modern colloquialisms in a very whitewashed feeling Persian fantasy setting and characters that read like they were 15. I did try to push through as long as I could with the book but I literally couldn’t care anymore about the story or the characters to continue.

SOME SPOILERS AHEAD

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“It’s called breath play..” “I know what it’s called, you ass. Don’t prince-splain me.”

WHAT I LOVED:

- The narrators are fantastic and the reading experience was definitely heightened because of them, although mainly it was just the female narrator. The male narrator hardly had any chapters and not sure what the purpose was to have a dual style narration for that. The single narrator would’ve been fine for the 2-3 pages needed for those or at that point, make it better and do a duet narration. The female narrator did do a great job making every voice sound different regardless of gender.
- The cover is absolutely beautiful!
- The worldbuilding and lore was interesting though I wish we had gotten more from it. I was interested in the House faction system as well.
- The book had me at the first 15% of the novel despite its quirks.

WHAT I DISLIKED:

- This has been beaten like a dead horse already in the reviews but I am going to say it, the modern language and the constant swearing. Completely out of place and it took me out so many times. It was like if you got dropped in a fantasy world like GoT and the first thing someone says to you is, “Yo dawg, what’s up?” It was slightly jarring the first time but you could overlook it but then it continued and it became cringy.
- It felt like a “here is what to write in a romantasy” checklist type of book and so, it wasn’t well written. There was no *substance* with anything. It was barebones and was just chugging along from one checkpoint to the next.
- The dialogue between the 15% and the 35% I was wanna say took a steep nose dive. I think part of that is my first point about the modern language but even outside of that, it needed a few more passes.
- The characters. Firstly the FMC couldn’t decide on a personality from one section to the next and then she and the MMC literally read like they were 15, not the 25 and late 20’s they were per the text. Everyone else was so one note dimensional they could’ve been written out and nothing would’ve changed.
- The synopsis at all gave me nothing about a sudden trials for the bride for the prince, in fact I was expecting more of a cat and mouse political intrigue so I was left disappointed but open minded until the trials actually started, which then gave me nothing, and then was over just as quickly.

WHAT I AM NOT SURE ABOUT/WANTED MORE OF:

- I wanted more of the culture and mythology that this is based in. It really felt like the publisher said “na that sounds too brown, make it more white sounding”. Like other than a *very* few descriptions of some Persian elements, the rest felt like any other generic European fantasy. I also wasn’t sure what any of the characters look like, I recall one instance of “ashy skin” being mentioned but either I was checking out of the story earlier than I realized, or it wasn’t there. I know this is a BIPOC story by a BIPOC author but it felt nothing like it. I know sometimes BIPOC authors either are forced to straddle the line between making it as “palatable” as possible to as many readers as possible (read: white) or staying as true to their own heritage/culture/etc as they can knowing that some readers won’t “connect” as much. In this case it felt like the former. Take all of this with a grain of salt however since I am whiter than generic store bought bread, its just what I noticed.
- What was the point of the God of Death chapters? They seemed pointless? It didn’t really give me anything. Also the sex dreams felt oddly placed, like it was just there to make the book seem more spicy.

The Starlight Heir was a thrilling, action-packed ride from start to finish! It whisked me away on a magical adventure that was nothing short of mesmerizing. The story was so immersive, I felt as though I was right there, living each moment alongside the characters. The dual narration—one male, one female—was brilliantly executed, with both voices perfectly capturing the essence of their characters. Each narrator brought their unique perspective to the story, making the characters feel incredibly real and relatable. The twist and turns were gripping. This book was truly an unforgettable journey!

Suraya Saab is the daughter of a tavern owner and works a blacksmith dabbling in illegal runes in a quiet town. However, her life changes suddenly when she receives an invitation to the Royal palace where the crown prince will choose his bride from the invitees. While Suraya is not particularly taken with the idea, she longs to see the capital city and embarks on a journey that will take her further than she ever realized,

The Starlight Heir is a romantasy that takes place in a desert kingdom - I enjoyed that we were not in a european mythology system as that really dominates the genre. There were also fun touches like the characters saying "Sands!" as a point of emphasis. We get a literal shadow daddy, an illegitimate prince with mystery, rebels, an evil queen and more.

That being said, I had trouble with this one - I don’t know if it was the pacing or the world building or maybe a combination of both, but the stakes and twists and turns just did not hit for me. I do not mind having tropes and was able to predict many of the twists, but it felt as if some folks just popped out of nowhere to save the day. The characters emotional reactions to things just didn't sink in for me. I enjoyed how the book started, but I felt like after the rebel attack we were being whisked off around to a bunch of people and places without having a better understanding of the world.

I did listen to this as an audiobook and felt the main narrator underacted a bit - it was tough to get at the emotions of the characters, which may have been part of why I felt a disconnect there. Additionally, I had trouble with the narrator's tone changes and had a harder time realizing when different characters were speaking.

Overall, it just didn't quite work for me - but with amazing praise from so many other folks, I'm sure it will find its audience. Thank you to NetGalley and to HarperAudio for the advanced copy.

Thank you for the chance to listen and review this book. I think fans of Powerless and Once Upon A Broken Heart will like this. It's very fast paced and easy to read. The audio version is great.
However, while being fast paced I felt like it could have been longer and better paced. Maybe some additional world building or more character development of the MMC. I appreciate that it's a stand alone but it felt like a blur of events that typically would be a duology. Still a fun read and easy read.

Thank you for the ARC! I enjoyed this! However, I do wish the author would have left out the modern one-liners. It truly kept me from being fully immersed in the story. The pacing was great, and I loved how it kept my interest the entire time. The audiobook narrator was great!

Overall was very impressed with the story and I’m excited to continue the series! Perfect for Sarah J Maas and Jennifer L Armentrout fans. The story was compelling with very lovable characters and fun banter. It was a similar plot to other books I’ve read but still kept me interested and ended up surprising me. I wish we got a bit more from the beginning trials and didn’t move around as much but overall it was a great read.

Definitely the next book obsession to rival Fourth Wing. Such an outstanding, exceptional and unique read! I was entranced from start to finish! Could not put it down! Fantastic world and character building. Epic magic system. This book has everything romantasy lovers crave. Swoon worthy prince, fmc with hidden magic, villains you love to hate, magical creatures, found family, spice. I will be looking forward to more from this series!!! The narrators did an exceptional job bringing the story and characters to life.

This was okay. I did see all the twists coming. If you’ve read a decent amount of fantasy and/or romantasy there is nothing really new happening here. It felt very similar to a lot of other stories. That’s not to say it wasn’t its own but I felt like I’d read this “story” before. It also isn’t labeled as a series but it absolutely is. While we get some conclusion there is a lot left open and the epilogue confirms the continuation.

The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard reminded me of A Fate Inked in Blood—if you loved that book, this one will be right up your alley. I loved the romance and witty banter between the two main characters though I wish it was more of a slow burn.
The world-building is straightforward, which makes this a quick and accessible read. However, fans of high-fantasy might find this simplicity a bit of a drawback. The story moves at a fast pace, but it slows down around the 40% mark. I would have loved to see the FMC spend more time at the castle, engaging in the games and trials, as there was only one major trial before the plot shifted to a new location.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a fantastic job. Her delivery brought the FMC and MMC to life, with excellent pacing and inflection.
Overall, this is a fantastic pick for fans of romantic fantasy looking for a lighter read.
Thank you to HarperAudio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest opinions.
#Netgalley #thestarlightheir

“Darkness can never thrive where light burns.”
Ahhh I listened to this in one sitting, it was so engaging and the world was so intriguing. I did stumble with some of the world building but I still think it was well crafted.

The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard is a fun romantasy. If you love Romantasy but want it all in a stand-alone book, check this one out!

There were some great moments that made me love this book. The magic was interesting and the world expansive to explore. I wasn't really suprised with the outcome of the book, but that didn't diminish my enjoyment of it. I'm definitely going to be reading more books by this author!

The audiobook was also enjoyable and well-done!

Thank you Harper Audio for the ALC!

Book review: a decent debut Romantasy, fast paced, with great mythology and a fun romance. It does include modern dialogue which isn't typically for me in a fantasy of this sort, and the overall story could have benefitted from something else to make it stand out.

Audio review: the narrator for the majority of the book, Anais Inara Chase was really pleasant to listen to! I definitely enjoyed this on audio probably more than I would have just reading it. Great production quality and audiobook overall.

3.5 rounded up

A bladesmith blessed by the stars, a prince with a dangerous secret and a god bound in shadows.
I’m a reader, who bases about 75% of what I read on the covers, is in awe of this gorgeous books cover. Through in its being Romantasy and promising danger and i was sold on jumping into this book.
We meet Suraya, one of the few who can imbue her work with precious Jabu, the last source of magic in the realm. When she is invited to be in the presence of his Imperial Majesty King Zarek but she has no qualifications as a potential for the crown prince.
But the promise of an adventure draws her to grab this opportunity and visit the city her late mother loved.
Little does she know she’s being into a dangerous dance that could change the face of her world forever.

Before I began my review I’d like to remind everyone that this is MY opinion. Feel free to disregard it cause it isn’t the best review of this book. If you are interested in reading this book, I highly recommend you read it and come to your own conclusions. Let’s get into it.
I honesty really wanted to like this book and was for sure interested in this book based on the synopsis and the gorgeous cover.
The narrator was pretty solid on bringing some life to this book
But for me it just wasn’t connecting. I was zoning out more than half the time while listening to this book. It just reminded me of my reading of “ The Stars are Dying” where it wasn’t necessarily a bad book but it didn’t do much to stand out in the Romantasy genre. The main character Suraya was pretty flat and uninteresting. Her powers were probably the only highlight of her character. Her romance was just meh. I didn’t care for him and the spice just had me skipping parts of the audio.
Overall I wasn’t really impressed with this book and won’t be continuing the series.
Would I recommend it? I would tell people to give it a shot if it’s something you’re interested in. You could have a completely different opinion than me.
2⭐️



I’d like to thank the amazing folks at NetGalley and Harper Audio for the opportunity to listen to the ARC of this book. I will forever be thankful.

3.75/5

It was a good beginning to a series. I am intrigued to see where the story goes from here.

Anais Inara Chase did a fantastic job narrating most of the book. Ramiz Monsef makes me very interested in learning more about his character.

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.
As for the narrators go, the male did a good job on his small parts that we heard from him. However, the female was not my favorite. There was not a lot of inflection in her voice and you couldn’t tell dialogue based on her character voices because there werent any distinct voices. I had a hard time following who was speaking and if anyone was speaking at all.
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.

4 Stars! Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for the ALC of The Starlight Heir. All opinions are my own.

This was such a fun read for my first book of 2025. This book had all the comforting tropes (trials, forbidden attraction, badass powers, and prophecies) while providing a unique experience!

I greatly enjoyed the magic system that pulled from Persian and Indian mythology, something that isn't seen much and I would love to see more of. I was quickly pulled into the world due to Amalie Howard's excellent world building. The FMC is a powerhouse and takes on a lot both emotionally and physically and I found myself caring deeply about her. I was also intrigued by the mysterious POV that was shared throughout the book.

While Roshan, our MMC, was definitely great, I found myself wanting more depth in his and Suraya's relationship. I found this to be less of a slow-burn and more of "slow to make a move" but both characters were clearly into each other while not really knowing one another. I did like where their relationship ended up in the end of the book and if there is another book(s) (I would not hesitate to read more books if this is a series) I would love to see how their relationship progresses.

If you're looking for a fast-paced read and enjoyed books like Lightlark and A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows, odds are you'll find yourself not wanting to put this book down (and then wrecked by that epilogue).

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 Harper Audio for the ALC!