I loved this book!! The narration was perfect. I felt like the plot moved along at a good pace and kept me engaged the entire time. The twists in the plot were done well. Some I saw coming, some I did not. I saw some reviews call this a slow burn romance. I'm not a fan of slow burn and would not consider this book a slow burn. I found the characters very likeable.

My one "complaint" is that I didn't realize this was going to be a series. It seemed like a stand alone story. The ending was done well enough that if I didn't end up reading the next books, I would feel happy and content with the ending. That being said, I enjoyed the story and characters enough that I will definitely want to be reading the next books that come out.

I definitely need to reread this because, by the end, I was left feeling really confused about what happened. I did enjoy the romance though! Roshan is definitely my favorite character throughout the book. Suraya, despite having powers, felt a bit lackluster to me. She mostly just goes along with whatever Roshan does and comes across as quite gullible. I’ll likely reread this when I have more time, as I think it’s a good story—I just need to pay closer attention next time.

ALC Review: The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard
Pub Date: January 7, 2025

I have loved Amalie's historical romances for the most part so was so excited for her foray into romantasy! I didn't know much going into this other than it was based on Persian and Indian mythology and that the FMC was a bladesmith.

I was pretty immediately sucked in! There were pretty high stakes and even though I didn't know exactly where we were going, I was intrigued by the characters and the world. I really liked the magic system even if I didn't fully understand it! I did like the relationship between Roshan and Suraya and thought they had pretty good banter - I'm interested to see where their relationship goes in the next book. And of course, because it's Amalie, the spice definitely delivered even though I would have liked to see another scene or two to really see the progression of their relationship.

I do think this book falls into some of the common pitfalls of popular romantasy - there are betrayals, secret identities, and other typical tropes from the genre. It was pretty predictable in a lot of ways, particularly toward the end. And the world building felt pretty incomplete to me personally. I don't mind being dropped into the world and having to figure some things out but I do think just a little more world building would have been helpful.

I liked the narration by Anais Inara Chase in particular. I'm still a little bit confused at this being called "dual POV". There is narration by Ramiz Monsef but it's just interludes before chapters that last less than a minute in most cases. Perhaps we'll learn more in the next book about this POV but for now I'm still just confused.

This does end on a bit of a cliffhanger - I haven't really decided if I'll read the second book. I'm somewhat intrigued but I also know by the time the next book publishes, I'll have forgotten what happened in this book.

Thank you to Harper Audio for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I don't mind fast pace, but it felt more rushed than fast pace in the beginning, and then the world building was boring or just really lacked imagery. I really need more descriptive imagery in my fantasy reads, so this one's not really for me. And I have complaints about the female main character that I won't go into details on because they're spoilery. I'm bummed this one isn't for me but I did live the narrator.

This is a fantastic novel, and the audiobook is also well done. There are two narrators, but it is not duet narration. The female narrator is predominant with the male narrator only contributing on rare occasions. This did not detract from the story for me. I found it quite enjoyable.

Interesting story of a woman who thought she was normal only to find out she has magic. She also learns the royal family is not what them seem and their sudden interest in her could be deadly. The magic was interesting and the love story was good.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and an alc!

this started off a tad slow for me but picked up and grabbed my attention during the very bloody bridal trials. i found the magical creatures introduced to be some of the most interesting i’ve ever read in a romantasy setting, and the magical systems with gods was interesting as well.

the romance personally fell a little flat for me — i enjoyed the slow burn at the start, but the rest of the book it did not feel very believable in my opinion.

as for the audiobook — i LOVE an audiobook that has dual narrators; both male and female narrators are fantastic

overall, a good start to a new series!

TW: Parental death, classism, violence, gore, imprisonment, drug addiction

3.75 Stars

Suraya, a bladesmith from a small town, is invited to the palace to compete with other women in a competition to win the prince's hand. Her father and aunt are weary of her going but in the end they relent. She quickly finds out the competition is life threatening and that she's beginning to have these strange powers she can't control. With the help of the handsome bastard prince, she escapes near death and they set out to no man's land in search of safety and to check on her family.

Honestly the first half of this book is SO fast. Almost too fast. The competition felt like 5 seconds honestly. I realize that there is a lot to set up in these three hundred or so pages but I felt like I was being hit from every which way with new things happening and new information. But then the middle part ended up dragging. It wasn't until about 75% that I thought things settled in to a normal pace for me. Besides pacing issues, I felt the romance was a bit meh. He is in insta-love with her and she falls for his flattery way too easily. Like have some self preservation girl!

I did enjoy the magic system, it's really unique and interesting and I love the lore of the Simurgh. And I'm also entirely curious about the shadow god that seems to be the same character from Suraya's dreams. I feel that will be the real romance of this series, it's being set up so well...a reluctant soul fated bond...with a shadow god...yes please! So this didn't end up being the banger I wanted from one of my favorite authors but I feel it's all going to be worth it in book 2.

I believe the audiobook was good as well. The main narrator, Anais Inara Chase, did a nice job. I'm not sure how to describe her voice other than I felt that it felt the character of Suraya well. Not too serious, this isn't some high fantasy brick, but a little immature but still entertaining as hell. I really really loved the male narrator, Ramiz Monsef. The few times we got to hear him I was always left wanting more. The dramatic and deep cadence was chef's kiss! I can't wait to hear more from him in the next book!

Thank you so much to Avon for providing me with an eARC and to Harper Audio for an ALC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Entertaining enough while I read it but I don’t think it will have a lasting impression on me. It appears this is a start to a new series due to the cliffhanger we were left with. Some phrases took me out of the reading/listening experience, such as “thick thighs save lives” and “prince-splaining”. Those phrases could have worked in an urban fantasy setting but they stuck out like a sore thumb to me in this setting. I also had a difficult time connecting with the love interest, primarily because the romance felt close to insta-love and I didn't fully trust the love interest's intentions as quickly as the fmc did.

I think if you enjoyed from blood and ash you will like this one.

Tropes
🐉High fantasy
👑New-adult Romantasy (25 y/o fmc)
⚔️Trials
✨Chose-one FMC
❤️‍🔥Open-door romance

*mild spoilers at the end*

A slow starter, this fantasy feels YA with adult content (The spice we love from Amalie!) and has a lot of similar themes to the genre. It's fairly creative in worldbuilding but it's a bit of an info dump. Things start happening quickly about a third of the way in, establishing a romantic interest early on and plenty of danger all around. Interesting magical system and excellent villains, but I just didn't buy into everything fully. I'll still be reading the next book though, and seeing what happens as the rightful king is crowned and the "god of darkness") or night or whatever keeps talking possessively to himself) is made known to us....

Wow this fantastic. Although the male narrator can be jarring, but that is kind of the point. I loved it. It has the smut but that's not the whole point.
Love the narration. Love the story. The ending is wow!

3.5☆/🌶.5

This was a super fast-paced read! It starts off with Suraya, a bladesmith who receives an invitation to the castle to compete for the hand of the crowned prince. But it isn't what it seems, and after a rebel attack, with the help of the crowned princes' half-brother Suraya flees and uncovers secrets about herself, she never knew.

I was able to listen to the audiobook and it was really good. The narrators really brought the characters to life. I loved being able to hear the pronounciation and accents of the words that were nee to me. The second POV was very ominous and mysterious. I'd definitely recommend the audiobook.


I loved the Indian/Middle Eastern mythology and magic system. In the beginning, we did get a lot of descriptions and imagery, and I loved it. As the story went on, the transitions and descriptions felt a little less flushed out and smooth, but the plot had definitely taken over, and there was a lot more going on.

Suraya was so easy to root for. I enjoyed that the FMC is older, 24, and is mature despite being thrust into a world of unknowns. The side characters, especially her best friend, were so funny, and I loved their dynamic.

There were definitely some twists and saw coming but I still have so many questions, especially about a certain epilogue and another POV we get in the book, and I'm so curious how this is going to evolve.

One thing I will mention is that there is some modern/contemporary language that can take some readers out of a fantasy story, especially because this isn't an urban fantasy. I didn't mind it and still really enjoyed the story overall.


-Trials
-Magical creatures
-Banter
-Quest
-Secrets/hidden identities

Overall, it's a great romantasy debut and will be continuing the series.

Suraya considers herself a nobody, and is shocked when she receives an invitation to the capital city as a possible suitor for the prince heir. While most would be intrigued by the romance, Suraya is a bladesmith and hoping to get access to the capital forge!

While she knows there is no chance she’ll be chosen, she won’t turn down an adventure - especially to the city her mother (who has passed) loved. She overhears her caretakers whispering with concern about if her invitation was a coincidence or not, insinuating there’s a secret about her past and connection to the city, but she won’t be deterred.

On her journey there, she runs into Roshan, the prince’s half brother, and the attraction is instant but she didn’t know who he was until she sees him sitting at the royal table.

It turns out that the search is not for a bride, but for the Starkeeper- someone who holds the magic of stars in their blood, according to the prophecy.

In the background, you have a rebel militia threatening the four current noble houses of the land. And you get a perspective of a god who is hiding/ in a slumber. The rebels strike and Roshan and Suraya find themselves on the run together away from the rebels and the prince- who chose Suraya as her bride due to her powers! A story of secrets, gods, chosen on, and betrayal! Such a fun read !! Can’t wait for book two!

Themes:
💕 chosen one
💕 slow burn romance
💕 comprehensible world building
💕 mythical creatures
💕 action
🌶️ few excellent scenes, lots of banter

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio Adult for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. Release date 1/7/25!

The Starlight Heir had so much potential. I liked its Persian and Indian influences, which isn't commonly seen in the Romantasy genre. But sadly, it didn’t quite land for me. I had a really hard time connecting with the FMC, Suraya, as she constantly made frustrating choices, and I just couldn't get invested in her journey. There is modern slang in the book, which broke the immersion for me.

The audiobook narration was decently done and I didn't notice any weird mix or volume issues. The story did have some intriguing moments, but it did get a little repetitive. The romance between Suraya and Roshan felt rushed, with Suraya instantly lusting over the MMC. That said, I did enjoy the unique mythology and magic system, which gave the story a lot of potential.

I think this could be a hit for fans of Romantasy who like fun, fast-paced reads with drama and spice.

The Starlight Heir delivers an exciting enemies-to-lovers fantasy, brimming with twists, secrets, and the weight of cosmic destiny. What sets this tale apart is the idea that characters can either embrace their fate or fight to reshape it—a theme that added depth to the story. I found myself drawn to the intriguing characters and their journeys, but the modern language peppered throughout sometimes pulled me out of the immersive fantasy world. Phrases like "country bumpkin" and references to newspapers felt jarringly out of place. Still, the story's charm and the potential of where it might go have me ready to pick up the next book, even if I’m cautiously curious about the blend of modern and fantastical tones.

I really enjoyed *The Starlight Heir* — it’s definitely in line with the other popular romantic fantasy novels that readers are loving right now. I’m just so obsessed with romantasy — I can’t get enough of these captivating worlds and swoon-worthy relationships!

This novel is packed with intrigue, tension, and plenty of romance, all wrapped up in a story full of twists and turns. The heroine is especially fun, with a sharp wit and a love for banter (a woman after my own heart!).

There’s also the perfect blend of “chosen-one” vibes, betrayal, and mystery that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

All of these elements combine to create a truly engaging read, and I can’t help but highly recommend it to anyone who loves a thrilling, heart-pounding fantasy with a strong, relatable heroine!

I am convinced there is nothing Amalie Howard can't write and I was thoroughly invested from the moment Suraya gets the royal invitation. Howard's take on the "chosen one" was engaging and she understood the assignment with the romance as well.

3.5 stars! The Starlight Heir is the fantasy romance debut from Amalie Howard. I’ve read Amalie for years with her historical romances and was intrigued to see she was putting out a fantasy, so of course I had to check it out.

This one was entertaining, I flew through the story and was just along for the ride to see what would happen next with the characters and world. I liked that this was a more diverse fantasy, it has influences from Indian and Middle Eastern mythology, astrology, and chiromancy/palmistry. I liked parts of the story for sure and was intrigued with characters and things we learn a bit about. I enjoyed this probably more so than other fantasy romances I’ve read recently, but at the same time I was left wanting more. Which I’m sure more will come and be explained as the series goes on.

If you want a more diverse fantasy, then definitely check this one out. The cover is stunning and delivers on a prophecy, ancient cursed shadow gods, family secrets, soul fated vibes.

I received an audio ALC, all thoughts in this review are my own.

I really wanted to like this book, but I struggled. The contemporary slang in the dialogue and thoughts was very distracting.

Final rating is probably a C or about 3 stars. It kind of lost me at times. The world / magic system was kind of confusing but that may have been because I was having a hard time paying attention. The slang wasn’t *as* noticeable as it went on. The “sexy talk” was kind of cringey at times lol I wish it was better but I would say I’ve read worse 😅 the world is so lush and beautiful though.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 3.5/5 (Rounded up)
Overall:
The story itself was interesting and the main characters were easy to root for. The world building was very easy to understand, Amalie Howard going without the random information dumps that are very common in fantasy novels. The infrastructure of the different cultures within the magical world was well-thought out as well. The conflicts made my eyes go wide on several occasions and the stakes were just high enough to keep me engaged through most of the story.
The only reason I believe that last 20% fell flat for me was because of the way all the small details wrap up. I didn’t find it very satisfying and because of that the rest of the book started to feel tedious. I described it as something akin to “blowing on a dandelion to get all the seeds off and one just won’t blow away.”
But, the epilogue does set the next book up nicely.

As for spice, there is very little in the book but many references and innuendos are made. There’s about 1.5 scenes that describe anything in detail and if you prefer, they are easily skipped.

Audiobook specific notes:
* The main narrator, Anais Inara Chase, was incredible. She was acting HARD. She spoke every piece of dialogue in the emotion the author intended for the scene. Not to mention the tone shifts, making it very easy to differentiate each character from one another.
* The switch to a different point of view for a couple pages was a little random to me. We never really get context as to whose POV it is. And frankly it was a little jarring in the audiobook.

Tropes:
* Chosen One
* Slow Burn-ish (There’s instant attraction/tension)
* Strong FMC
* On the run from the royal crown

Thank you Netgalley and Avon for sending me the audiobook to review. All opinions are my own.