It was hard to see the difference between this book and many other fantasy novels. There was just nothing that I hadn't read before and I'm over camping stories. The writing was also a little annoying because the author described all five senses a lot of times but never allowed these observations to build on the atmosphere or story. It was weird because I like world building but it just wasn't done well. I really can't put a finger on why. The narration was good if not a little stilted at times. Sorry but I won't be rushing to read the next/final book in the series

Big thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and Sarah Marie Page for a couple of this audiobook. This is my honest review

This book has a lot of my favorite tropes and fantasy elements, so I really expected to like it, but it really fell flat for me. Maybe it was too long or slow-paced, but I felt so bored. I was half way through and couldn't imagine making it to the end. However, I had no complaints about the narrator. I think she did a great job. I would still recommend this book to those who enjoy a slow paced, adventure fantasy with a mystery element, but it wasn't for me.

A good start, but needs more work. Author used the same phrases or patterns that it was annoying. Example: Not Ian. Ian who smiled. Ian who worked hard. Ian who loved kittens. Ian who is always so selfless and loved by all. That pattern alone was used at least 6 times. Some of the banter was just awkward. *snake in your trouser scene*

For not being in love with the guy she sure did do a lot. I wasn’t attached to any characters and the plot was fairly predictable. Will not be continuing.

This book does have romance. Kissing, sexual reference jokes, and a closed door scene.

Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Thankyou to Netgalley, Dream Scape Media, Sarah Marie Page for the ALC.

I liked the premise of the book but the beginning was such a slow build for me I lost interest initially. But I picked it back up and I'm glad I did. It got more exciting and cute the more I listened. I really like a soft main character which Isabel definitely is, she’s a healer, she’s kind and definitely not cunning or stealthy enough to be a spy but she tried hard. Her slow build banter enemies to lovers relationship with the complex Erik was realistic and swoon-worthy and I can't wait to read more with them. The writing was vividly detailed and beautiful. Ultimately a solid read.
In terms of the audiobook itself, as I said it was a slow build but the narration was beautiful and definitely a one of the things that kept me going with this ALC.

Just finished listening to an advanced copy of a book that was just released on January 21st called, Illusion of Stars. I was lucky enough to receive the arc book of this last year and loved it. And I was so excited to receive an arc of the audiobook now too! This is such a beautiful story about love, friendship, betrayal, growth, adventure, and a little bit of magic. ✨ It's a slow burn, romantasy, enemies-to-lovers book. The main characters start out hating each other but eventually realize that they're not each other's enemies, and then they end up helping each other grow, heal, and learn to love themselves. I love this story and I am so excited for book 2! 🤍📚

Thank you to Sarah Marie Page, NetGalley, and to the publisher for this audio ARC of Illusion of Stars, in exchange for an honest review.

This story was enjoyable enough though there was some heavy Hermione/Draco parallels that would be obvious to anyone who has ever read that series. For me it was a bit much. But I did appreciate the FMC's growth and development in the book. As for the narrators of the book they did an absolutely phenomenal job and helped to keep my interest in the story.

I'm so beyond excited and honored to say that I was picked for an ALC of one of my favorite books! I got to also ARC for @ for Illusion of Stars. This book is absolutely perfect and makes me feel so happy (and sad). I am so excited for Bob (book 2)!!

This audio book is a single narration by @
Do not let this fool you and think aww no sexy Erik voice? She is so beyond talented I was hooked the entire time.
She made you feel the emotions of the characters and I absolutely SOBBED for chapter 7. I thought it was perfectly written but fk it was perfectly read.

Every scene was accurate tones and feelings. I never once felt like i fell out of the book like I sometimes feel when I listen to audiobooks.

My book review itself is on my page (I might do a new one since my review style has changed since I ARC read this one)

Still sad about missing the pink cover but I'm absolutely determined to get the Hardcover version that will be releasing in the future.

If you like sexy tattoos, swooning generals, unique personalities, and pure love and support then this story is absolutely for you!

You NEED to get this audiobook and physical copy. It's so beautiful and makes me so happy. Ive easily read it 10+ times now.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for sending me a copy of this audiobook! All opinions are my own!

I simply cannot decide how I feel about this book. On the one hand, it was a quick, fun read that was engaging and had a nice plot. On the other hand, I'm so tired of men instantly falling in love with the mediocre girl that's gonna save everyone. Why are you suddenly in love with everything she does? You barely know her, sir. You just spent like 3 days with her and she was annoying the entire time. How is she your whole world now?

The part that saved it for me was that he did seem to have this really good connection with her as far as self doubt and self esteem issues. I just wish it had been fleshed out more before they decided they would die for each other.

If you're looking for a quick, entertaining romantasy to cleanse your palate, this might be a good one to try out!

Big thanks to Netgalley and Sarah Marie Page for the audioARC in exchange for a review.

I enjoyed the narrator. I think she did a good job being the voice of the characters.
There was a lot of 'whiny' aspects of the MC. I think she could have been built a little stronger, but its not my story to write. It was a very clean romance, nothing explicit.

I'm giving 3.5 stars

I was so excited for this book. Who doesn’t love a story about a female spy infiltrating the enemy’s camp during a magical war? Immediately sold and ready to go on an espionage adventure. Sadly, that is not what happened here.

I don’t think I have ever spent more time mentally screaming “OMG SHE IS SO DUMB” during a book in my life. Isabel spends most of the book being borderline too stupid to live, naive to the point of being dangerous, and unwilling to admit she is terrible at everything. Her internal monologue was awful and pointless. There is limited world building and the magic system is confusing/isn’t explained well. The twist is predictable.

I should have DNFed this book. I’m honestly not sure why I finished it since I spent a lot of time not enjoying the story or the characters. The one thing I did enjoy was the title reference in the last pages.

Elizabeth is tasked with helping her kingdom by becoming a spy. However she isn't stealthy or subtle, she isn't even a spy, she's an apprentice to the palace physician.

I loved Elizabeth and her journey to discovering what she stood for and fighting for her kingdom. I'm excited for the next book and seeing what happens next.

4.5 ⭐️

Illusion of Stars is a captivating blend of humor, heart, and magic that draws readers in from the start. The character development and relationship dynamics are expertly crafted, with Isabel—a strong yet self-doubting protagonist—navigating her insecurities and the weight of self-harm. Her journey is refreshingly raw, offering insights into her struggles that resonate deeply.

Erik, the soldier with a heart, is equally complex. His initial annoyance with Isabel evolves into a genuine connection as they grapple with their identities and the expectations placed upon them. Their banter is sharp and engaging, making their gradual understanding of one another both humorous and poignant.

Though the beginning felt a bit slow, the meticulous world-building sets the stage for the rich story that unfolds. The revelations and twists are expertly timed, leaving readers shocked yet satisfied as they fit the pieces together.

The writing is beautifully poetic, filled with lines that linger long after reading. Themes of love, self-worth, and the journey toward acceptance shine through, making Isabel’s inner voice resonate with many. The relationship between Isy and Erik is authentic, capturing the awkwardness and depth of their evolving bond.

With a compelling narrative and emotional depth, Illusion of Stars is a magical adventure that leaves you eager for the next installment. Fans will find themselves reflecting on the story’s healing and inspiring moments, particularly the haunting prophecy that promises more to come.

The audiobook was done very well. Good voice changes, intonation etc., I almost dnf at 25% but decided to chug through. Definitely a YA book, the plot could have been good but had so many holes that it felt a bit immature at times. Still it was worth the effort to hang in there to read the last bits of the book which was fairly exciting.

#netgalley #IllusionofStars

I wanted to like this story so much. Unfortunately, the audio was almost unbearable with overexaggerated emotion and pronunciation that the story was lost to it. The plot is a good concept, and maybe reading and not doing audio would've resulted in a better rating from me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC in exchange for my honest review of this audiobook.

DNF @ 30%. I tried really hard to get into this book, but I don't think it's for me. The worldbuilding didn't really work for me and the romance was really slow starting.

I am so, so glad I picked up this gem of a story and was lucky enough to access a copy of the audio as a companion. This was so, so beautiful!

I think this was different from a lot of the Romantasies I’ve read recently, which is saying a lot considering how many I read. Our main character is a healer, and she’s soft, she’s afraid, she’s trying to heal. She is also fiercely strong and complex and I loved everything about her. The writing is beautiful and poignant, and has just the right amount of floweriness without going over the top. It tackles some difficult mental health issues as well as grief with complete grace, and it has an incredibly interesting format from the very first chapter that sucks you in.

Also, while I did really enjoy using the audiobook as a companion and switching back and forth, I think this could have been even MORE impactful if I’d stuck with the ebook all the way through. Not because the production, narration, and quality wasn’t phenomenal at capturing such a beautiful story, but because I think some of the writing hits harder if you really SIT with it. That being said, I’m definitely not knocking anything down for that, because I think it’s a personal preference. I’m interested to see when the next installment will be; maybe I’ll do a reread fully as an ebook!

Thank you SO so much to Dreamscape and NetGalley for this audio copy. I am always so thrilled with my Dreamscape reads, and can’t wait for the next book in this series!

I loved this book! It was so fast paced, and the world was immersive. The author did a great job creating a truly believable relationship and emotional connection between the two main characters. I loved seeing them slowly getting to know each other and slowly transition from untrusting enemies to something more. There were some plot points that were questionable (like Isabel getting made a guide for the Volds?!) and the twist at the end was predictable, but the book was still really enjoyable and bingeable. Will be continuing the series! Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!

This was such a fun romantasy! The magic system is unique, the plot is fast paced, the characters are vibrant and lovable, and the romance is filled with banter and tension. Isy is a great protagonist. She’s studying to be the court physician, and she’s so awkward that it’s actually hilarious. She’s tasked with spying on Erik, the son of the general of the neighboring enemy kingdom, and seducing secrets out of him if possible. She’s a terrible spy, and everyone knows she’s been sent as a spy, but she’s so endearing that they all love and trust her anyway. This book had banter, humor, political conflict, secrets, and a swoony slow burn romance. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait for the next book!
✨
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️
✨
Read if you like:
▫️enemies to lovers
▫️forced proximity
▫️slow burn
▫️illusions and magic
▫️court politics, deception, and spying
▫️broody shadow daddy
✨
Thank you to Dreamscape Media, Sarah Marie Page, and NetGalley for the ALC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I am absolutely enamored with Isabel and Erics story. Sarah Marie Page has pulled on all of my heartstrings and reminded me how terrifying, yet fulfilling it feels to fall in love. This was a book that I didn't know I needed, but somehow managed to completely sweep me off my feet. 
Now to be honest, the storyline in Illusion of Stars did not capture me right away. While I didn't feel like the pacing was particularly slow, the characters just didn't stand out right away and capture my heart. The more I read however, the more they entrenched themselves in my mind. The more the plot progressed, the more engrossed and invested I became in the story. After the halfway point, I completely lost my ability to put this book down. I loved the way that every piece of the story came together so beautifully at the end. The way that the plot unfolded was pure poetry and was easily on of the most satisfying endings I have ever read. The way grief and love are merged together was so beautifully done. The authors attention to detail was on a completely different level and I feel so fortunate to have been able to read her work and will be breathlessly waiting for the sequel.

Illusion of Stars by Sarah Marie Page

I'm going to first start by saying it is rare that I write a somewhat negative review. I met Sarah in person and she is a really nice person and the cover of her book is so gorgeous. I was excited to try this one out because it sounded interesting.

Things I did enjoy:
The characters had great arcs and growth. I liked that Isabel grew so much in how she viewed herself. And I liked the messages the author was conveying.
I enjoyed Sarah's style of writing and use of descriptive language and metaphors and similes. The plot was interesting, with a bit of mystery, political intrigue with secrets and figuring out magic. The magic system is unique and interesting.

Things I didn't enjoy:
I couldn't get invested into the story as a whole enough and found myself zoning out while listening and having to backtrack many times. The cussing was very distracting to me. There wasn't enough world building in the beginning in my opinion as well.
For an enemies-to-lovers story, I was hoping for more banter and chemistry and enmity between the two MCs. Towards the end there was some.
I also didn't care for the foreplay. I don't mind fade-to-black, but prefer it with kissing only.
There was also quite a bit of innuendo.

All in all, I feel this story was not for me. I was sorely tempted several times to DNF it, but I stuck through to the end.  I do think Sarah has a lot of potential for growth in her writing. It is no easy task writing a Romantasy. I think with time, her writing will be more polished. I think if after you have read my content warnings and this review and these things don't bother you, you could enjoy it. It might be a story you would like.
I received a review copy of the audiobook from the publisher on Netgalley. All thoughts are my own.

Favorite Parts:
Enemies to Lovers
“I see you.”
Lover’s box
Unique magic
“You matter”
“How do you put pain on a page?”

Audio review: Most of the time I enjoyed the female narrator. Sometimes her voice annoyed me. I felt like she has more of a voice for a rom-com, so at times I forgot I was listening to a romantasy. I did really like the male narrator at the end they have for Eric.

Content Warnings:
Language: Heavy: multiple infrequent: b----, d---, h---, multiple frequent uses of s---, six uses of the f word
Sexual Content: frontal nudity (not sexual, not descriptive), Lesbian attraction by side character, hickeys multiple times (love mark), biting ear, foreplay/touching, steamy kisses (described with tongue), implied sex twice, nudity after implied sex
Violence/gore: Moderate: infected wounds mildly described, death and killings, dead man gets heart ripped from his chest (somewhat described), self-harm ideation (non-suicidal), on-page self-harm (non-suicidal), mentions of torture, poisoning
Substance Use: wine drinking
 Other: grief, claustrophobia, panic attack (on page), parental infidelity, discussion of parental abandonment, hazing, catcalling, on-page death of parent, friend; brief mention of sibling death, mad king