The top-notch cover art and enticing book blurb gave me high hopes of a great read. It started out with a good hook but the overall plot execution made me lower my rating. While the narrator did an exceptional job, when I reluctantly finished the audiobook. You can tell this work was a labor of love for the author but it just lacked the final polish to make the story shine!
*I received an arc of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

I need to start by saying, we LOVE to see some Persian mythology representation!!! This year, I'm making more of an effort to read outside the conventional Greek, Roman, Celtic mythology.

The first 25% of this book is like if The Selection was adult fantasy, but the competition was deadly, and the prince they were all fighting to marry is a psycho with a sexy, mysterious half-brother. *cue the sound, "oh gosh, look at the time. I've gotta get home to sleep with your brother". The spice is spicing.

This book is extremely fast paced. Most books in a series would have stopped book one at this 25% mark. That is what made this book feel like such a gift. Even though it is the first book in this series, it felt like reading 3 books in one. The problem with this though, is that I had a harder time connecting to the characters. I felt as if they were not fleshed out enough, and their relationship dynamics were not not fleshed out enough. I do think the author could've turned the pace down a notch and the book would still be excellent. (Note to author and publisher: Please, please, please don't let the next book be a bunch of filler. And bring back limiting the fantasy series to 2-3 books. Seriously, dragging shit out RUINS a series. I'm totally not salty about another romatasy released recently... don't make the same mistake).

There is modern vernacular, but that doesn't bother me in fantasy books. It's fantasy! The author can make it whatever she wants it to be. I know some people say it "pulls them out" of the story... I personally prefer modern vernacular because I understand it better, and can read it faster, than old-timey languages.

The plot is predictable, but again this doesn't bother me. I prefer it actually, because it brings me comfort knowing what is going to happen next. This is a cozy romantasy, with all of the classic tropes we know and love. This book brought back the feeling of reading my favorite YA's as a kid, but with adult spice. AND just look at that cover! It's GORGEOUS! I enjoyed the hell out of this and I can't wait to see what's in store!

Tropes: Persian Mythology, Deadly Bridal Competition, Forbidden Romance, Shadow Daddy, Prophecy/ Written in the Stars, Epic Quest, Political Rebellion

Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

This book was very promising and was definitely an entertaining read. Unfortunately, this story had a lot of elements that can be found in Trial of the Sun Queen, Red Queen, and others. I was really hoping that the plot would veer off in a very different direction or stand out in a significant way. The contemporary dialogue and colloquialisms were a bit off-putting.

Regarding the audiobook: The narrators made this story more interesting and enjoyable for me. I liked the FMC’s accent, in particular. It really made her origins from a different region believable.

Overall,iIf you’re looking for a fun and fast-paced story, this will definitely do the trick, it just might not be particularly memorable. Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC of this book, in exchange for my honest review.

(3.5/5) Unfortunately, to be honest, I don’t know if I would’ve finished this one if I hadn’t gotten it from NetGalley.

What I liked:
- Persian & Indian-inspired mythology
- The book starts off like The Selection with a Hunger Games twist.
- While there’s obviously a book 2 planned, this book has a satisfying end that feels like a complete arc

What I didn’t like:
- Honestly, the main characters just fell flat for me. I felt like their personalities & the chemistry between them didn’t quite pop, and the spice/lustiness felt like it didn’t quite fit somehow — almost like it was added just so it could fit under the romantasy label.

- The Selection/Hunger Games set-up resolves surprisingly quickly (maybe at like the 25% mark) and from there, although l liked the idea of some of the developments, in general, it just felt like the plot dragged. (However that could’ve been because I was connecting to the characters)

All that to say, while this book wasn’t really for me, if you’re a romantasy fan who loves a strong side of mythology, it might be for you!

I loved the premise of The Starlight Heir, but for once I think the pacing was actually too fast for me. This is one of those stories that I really feel could have benefited from more thorough world building and more moderate pacing. While I know there is a fine line between “can’t stop reading” plot lines and book slump info dumps, the entire time I was reading I just felt like I was in the middle of a whirlwind. It was great for my reading stamina and I definitely didn’t want to put it down, but I still felt partially unfulfilled when I finished the last page. That being said, I really enjoyed the main characters, even if Soraya and Roshan did seem a little too instalove for my liking. The insight into their personalities was well done and the development of their characters was enjoyable, if predictable. I didn’t quite understand what was going through Sorayas head after piecing together what was going on behind the scenes, but the way that the plot played out definitely kept me entertained until the very end. The audiobook narrators were also fantastic and definitely contributed to my inability to stop reading. I felt that the dual narration was especially effective and both narrators did a tremendous job of conveying the emotion in the story. Im definitely looking forward to revisiting this world and these characters!

This novel has Indian inspired themes and characters and I am here for it! I loved the story but when books use slang we see in our own time/world, it really throws me off. I noticed this is Fourth Wing and it was also distracting. I m a big vibes reader and this hit the spot for me but it was not the best written book I have read in recent memory by far. I am excited to see what else Amalie comes up with in the future.

+ Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ALC +
3.5 stars
- This felt like two different books. I didn't much care for the fist half (not really a fan of modern language in what sounds like Victorian era fantasies), but I really enjoyed the second half. I also feel like the author tried to throw everything but the kitchen sink in here.
There were just so many elements-and the weird male parts kinda threw me off, the shadow man wet dreams were...someting.
The Indian mythology elements were pretty cool, but I didn't even realize that's what it was until I looked further into reviews- and they sounded British?

I was excited when I read the blurb, but the story was just ok. Somewhat predictable and I did not like the modern language in the fantasy historical world. The female narrator did a great job. I think she should have done all the chapters.

Narration was great - it was engaging and really welcomed the reader into the story.

Story - I like to think of The Starlight Heir as a prequel. It really left me wanting more of everything - more about Suraya's starlight powers, more about her skills as a bladesmith, and more about the dark shadow figure haunting her dreams. I imagine the story, worldbuilding, and romance is only going to get more interesting in book two.

Overall rating: 3.75⭐️ // rounded up to 4 because Goodreads 😒
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️


I really enjoyed the plot and the characters of this book, and the FMC reminded me a lot of Saeris from Quicksilver. I enjoyed the Indian and Asian vibes and culture inspirations, as well as a different magical creature than the usual fare.

This would have been a true 4 star read for me if not for the completely unnecessary and truly mood-ruining instances of modern slang phrases inserted throughout the book. I would be settling into the vibes of this FANTASY NOVEL and then be hit with a “beast mode”, a “thick thighs save lives”, or a “goals” and I would be ripped from the pages and back to icky reality where an 🍊 is ruining the world. I don’t like highlighting negatives, but it has to be done. This would have been a truly amazing book if those had been removed.


Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for the opportunity to listen and review this book in exchange for my honest opinion!

his book had me pleasantly surprised! i’m going to be honest, the first 10% of this book I was thinking to myself that this was going to read like everyyyyy otheeerrrrr romantasy book, come on, y’all know what i’m taking about… but i was WRONG! 



this book was GOOD. like, really good. 



I found myself laughing along at the banter between the fmc and mmc, i found myself in shock at some of the twists and turns that even *i* didnt see coming, i found myself content with the ending while also having so many more questions that i can’t wait to have answered! (i want more on the magic system!! please!!)



only issue? i didnt know this was a series before starting it! thats on me, totally my fault! but what was really cool about this book is that while this is only the first book in a new series it felt complete enough for me to be content stopping here for now. will I read the rest when theyre released? 100%! but i felt like this was a good stopping point for this book that sets up the rest for a near infinite number of storylines! 

another thing that i loved about this book was its descriptors. personally, i find that sometimes romantasy books can be over zealous with their use of descriptors and that can turn things into a redundant adjective filled mess. this book managed to describe things in a way that was enough to paint a vivid picture without crossing the line of describing every minute detail. 

and the audio! i have been a biiiiggggg audiobook girl this year, and i LOVED the narrator for this book! i really felt immersed in this story and the dual narration for our mystery mans pov was just perfection!

my only issue? I didnt really love the quick lust grab at the end! he wakes up from a magical coma and wants to feast on her? not really my vibe but okay!

I picked this up hoping for a fun romantasy. I honestly didn't expect to be blown away based on the synopsis. I was disappointed. This might be a fun read as a print book, but as an audiobook it was a slog. It is an adequately written, paint by numbers, checks a lot of trope-y boxes romantasy. Again, this is fine in a print book. But in an audiobook I can't skim, I can't skip boring parts, and I can't listen as fast as I can read with my eyes. There were also some glaring continuity errors in fairly significant scenes which completely threw me out of the story, which also would have been easier to skim over and forgive in a print book. The end result was just painfully boring to try to make myself get to. I ended up DNFing at the one-third mark. I'm giving it a second star only because I do think it would be enjoyable to read in print.

I absolutely adored this book, I was INVESTED from the jump! I am so lucky I get to meet Amalie in a few weeks so I can have her sign my copy of this book!

3.5/5 ⭐️ for the audiobook and
4/5 ⭐️ for the actual book
3/5 🌶️

Interesting setting and magic system with a solid story and twisty ending that brings all the pieces together, even the ones you didn't know you were missing. Was this book probably overhyped being on so many upcoming books for 2025 lists? Probably. It did have some very strong elements that still prop it up as a decent start for the year. Suraya is a "secret" blacksmith and part-time wench in her family's inn who gets invited to a bridal ball from hell. She falls for the bastard 2nd in line prince instead of her suitor. The bastard prince is chivalrous, and they bond over past trauma and steamy, gentle spicy times. The mythology and setting inspirations create a vivid fantasy world not often seen in romantasy and it's like a breath of fresh air..

"His fingers tangle into my loosened plait and for a breathless moment I wonder what it would feel like for him to hold me like this. Firm in his grasp, my braid captive while he thrusts into my welcoming flesh, from behind."

I am left wondering if there will be a sequel as the end left us hanging and thinking it could go either way. I would read it if there was another novel set in this world in a heartbeat. This book is for anyone who enjoys
+Hidden Powers
+Gentle Male Lovers
+Unique Low Magic Systems
+Unredeemable Villans

Anais Inara Chase really tried but personally was just not a fan of her narration. Her reading lacked some emotional depth and at the start I really struggled to enjoy her voice. If I were purely rating it as the audiobook it would probably only be 3/5 stars. Although his parts were brief, she was heavily overshadowed by Ramiz Monsef and the presence his voice brought. The narration also severely struggled with the inclusion of random modern meme phrases thrown here and there in the story. It almost seemed like a weird breaking of the 4th wall. While this is more a problem of the writing I think it stood out even more in narration then it would in text.

Thank you to HarperAudio Adult via NetGalley for an ALC. All opinions are my own.

This was super fun. Been a while since I’ve read anything categorized as romantasy, and the combo of fantasy, adventure and romance here worked wonderfully. Did I have almost no idea what was going on for half the book? Absolutely. Did it all come together in a way that made sense? Mostly! The beginning plays out as if the ball in Cinderella turned into the Hunger Games and I’m wildly here for it, but things continue to go off the rails after that.

Suraya is a compelling protagonist and her romance with Roshan plays out gorgeously, my one quibble being that I saw most of the “twists” about him coming from a mile away and honestly it was almost silly for her to be surprised.

The audio of this is wonderfully done, Anais Inara Chase is a compelling narrator who I’ll look out for in the future. Her male voices aren’t my favorite, but didn’t take away from the experience in any way. Ramiz Monsef comes in to briefly growl out his interludes, but it works.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for the ALC of this book to review!

I was really digging this book until close to the end. The characters were fun and the magic world was well crafted! I loved the dual narrators (mysterious second narrator kept getting more and more intriguing) and found Suraya quite entertaining and charming. Her relationships with Lolly (I listened to it, so apologies if that's spelled wrong), Clem, her aunt, and father were all very genuine and equal ground loving despite differences. Roshan (the bastard prince) was charming from the first moment we meet him and I was totally with her on the feelings that developed.

Negatives: There were some uses of modern phrasing that felt out of place at the start, but after a bit it just felt like that was part of the world. It was weird to hear "thick thighs save lives" in a fantasy book, but I wasn't mad about it. Haha. I could see this taking folks out though.

Toward the end something about Roshan is revealed and Suraya, who has been incredibly level headed and logical this whole time, is suddenly a whole other person, freaking out about this so much she causes a ton of issues and was just completely frustrating to me.

At the beginning of the book it really caught my attention. But then as the book when on it lost my attention. It was really difficult for me to finish it. I like the concept of the plot but it just wasn’t for me. Also thank you for the for the NetGalley audiobook.

This book is a mix of fantasy, action and romance. I really enjoyed Suraya's story,I had a hard time putting it down. Going to the royal palace, meeting the prince, finding out who she really is, trying to escape the danger she was in. There were some spicy scenes. I would definitely recommend this book.

While I thought this was an overall good read I felt that it was a little too slow moving to keep my undivided attention. I thought that it was off to a really strong start with the trial going on I just had a hard keeping with it due to it slowing down in the middle. It did eventually pick back up a bit towards the end.
I did actually really enjoy the characters especially the FMC Suraya and the MMC Rohan however I did feel slightly lost in the background of this book due to not getting too much world building during this. For example I knew that the Suraya was the Starkeeper however I didn’t really know much of the significance in that other than it made her very powerful.
Overall I did quite enjoy this book and was glad got through it all but I guess I was just expecting a bit more with all of the endorsements from the other big authors praise.

I really enjoyed this book! It is only book one so of course I am left a little confused and wanting answers, but in a good way. Hopefully book two explains more points of the story in depth and I cannot wait to continue the series. This is a romantasy book but it doesn't have a ton of spicy scenes or graphic scenes, but it is not fade to black either.

The only issue I really had was that the author uses a lot of current phrasing and wording, which throws you out of the fantasy aspect a bit. A little here and there is fine, or if you say it is set in the current time, like Cresent City, but I guess I am a tad confused about time period or if it is supposed to not be super high fantasy.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for the arc in exchange for an honest review! I will be counting down the days until book two comes out. I hope the cover is just as stunning as the first.