I really enjoyed this book! Romantasy books are my favorite and this didn’t disappoint! With enemies to lovers and magic it will keep you hooked until the end!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. 

*Slight spoilers ahead*

I am struggling to articulate just how much I love this book and how much my heart aches at how it ended. 

These characters were so so easy to love. Nyx and Celeste and how much love they held for their dearest sister. Caring Esme and loyal Rio, kind Merrick and sweet Leo. Stubborn Sol and lively Matthias and the love they all share for each other that is so wonderful and never ceased to reduce me to giggles with their relentless teasing of one another. Selene and her care for others despite all she had been through. And Callan with his gentle demeanor and his giant heart. 

This was a rollercoaster of love and grief, more love and even more grief and I ate up every bit of it. 

The love between Callan and Selene was so natural, effortlessly done, and beautifully written. All these little moments that led them to loving each other so fiercely it was as if I could feel it through the pages. 

I was heartbroken to find her sisters were still alive all these years later and how little time she had to get to know her father, Merrick, before he was so violently taken from her minutes after she discovered the truth.

From her sisters to her found family, the world building and the magic, to finding the impossibility of an epic love after years of darkness and belief she wasn't capable of it - there is absolutely nothing about this book I would change and I am desperate to get my hands on the next part of their journey.

Dark and beautiful and captivating!
Absolutely loved Stars Above the Never Sea!
You get thrown into it right away and starts with what should be the best day of her life turns into the worst day of the FMC’s life.
Selene is a phenomenal FMC. She is so well written and developed.
Callan is a fantastic MMC and I absolutely adore their relationship development!
I live retellings and this one definitely gives me all the feels and ticks all the boxes!

This book was so beautifully written and yet so equally dark as well. You are immediately thrown into the story on the day that everything changed for the FMC, Selene. It might be a little overwhelming at first but once you get an understanding of the world building and everything that happened I immediately had a huge soft spot for Selene.

On a day that is supposed to be to be monumental and a day full of happiness to her people, turns into the worst day of her life. Everything she has known has come crashing down around her. Leaving her completely alone and the last Faetye. Her story is so heartbreaking and breathtaking in the worst possible way. She endured so much yet remains so incredibly strong through it all. When her and Callan come across one another, it is immediately shown that Selene wants nothing to do with Callan and hates everything he is and what he stands for. She is taken onto his ship and returns home after a long 10 years. Together they try to save her home that she has not seen in so long, with so much that has changed as well it is an uphill battle for the both of them.

This story was so captivating, beautiful and magical and yet so dark. This is an amazing take on such a classic tale of Neverland and Captain Hook. I cannot wait for the next installment of the series because it ends on a MASSIVE cliffhanger. If you are going to dive into this one I highly suggest you have your tissues close.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the author Evelyn Flood for the ARC!*

What a journey this book was... I’ve never not taken notes while reading an ARC, but Stars Above the Never Sea felt like a dream where I was floating over the pages. Needless to say, I loved Selene and her journey of finding her power, taking back that power, falling in love, finding friends in enemies, and finding family. Every point of happiness came with a bittersweet taste, and for that, it was even more appreciated.
My reading experience was… interesting, as I happened to be on a ferry while the Volatus was floating through the Never Sea. Funny enough, it made me feel safer. I guess maegis can do that to you, and so can the magical words of Evelyn Flood.
I felt for every character, cried and laughed with them. The world engulfed me completely. Stars Above the Never Sea really makes you think about how much damage cruelty and selfishness can cause. How much love can save.

I can’t wait to be back on Asteria, because Evelyn, what you did to us was not fair! :)

Immense appreciation and thanks to Evelyn Flood and NetGalley for this ARC!

This was a beautifully atmospheric read that blended whimsy with a touch of darkness. The writing style carried a dreamy, lyrical quality that fit the seafaring setting perfectly, and I loved how the author balanced magic, adventure, and emotion. The characters felt genuine, each with their own struggles and desires, and the story held a bittersweet charm that lingered after finishing.

Pros: Lyrical prose; strong sense of atmosphere; engaging blend of magic and adventure; characters with real emotional depth.

Cons: The pacing meandered at times; certain plot threads could have been tightened for a sharper impact.

Overall, this was a captivating and heartfelt story that fantasy readers will enjoy drifting into. A solid 4 stars!

I finished this book a few moments ago, and I come to you with a tear stained face pleading for you to read this book. I devoured this story within two days.

The world building and magic system are intricate and unique, with an air of mystery and some unanswered questions.

The FMC, Selene has been through such tremendous loss and suffering, but the world does not seem to care as they believe her kind cannot experience pain or love. Her story is heartbreaking, but her strength and perseverance are inspiring. The relationship that unfurls between her and the MMC, who should rightfully be her greatest enemy, is so full of yearning and slow building chemistry.

But this love story is not quite over. The ending of Stars Above the Never Sea was somehow predictable and completely shocking. I knew that a change in fate was likely coming, but I did not all expect the cliff-hanger that left me reeling.

This book is full of adventure, loyalty, grief, glimpses of joy and so much more. I cannot wait for Book 2, coming in December 2025.


WHAT TO EXPECT:
Romantasy inspired by Captain Hook & Tink with some steam punk vibes
Slow burn
Found Family
Grief
Hidden Magic

Stars Above the Never Sea is a dark and emotional romantasy full of magic, found family, and slow-burn tension. Selene’s journey as a scarred but resilient FMC was compelling, and I appreciated how her guarded nature slowly gave way to trust. Callan was a standout—steady, patient, and the perfect balance to her sharp edges. The worldbuilding and lore were fascinating, though the pacing slowed in the second half and the romance felt a bit rushed at times. Still, the cliffhanger was jaw-dropping, and I’ll definitely be picking up the sequel!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review :)

I LOVED this and cannot wait to continue this series. The characters were well developed and I enjoyed their journeys. I loved the magic system - it was a bit clunky in a few spots, but I think it got worked out smoothly over all. I will absolutely recommend this one at my job.

3.5 stars
1 chili pepper

Tropes:
-Found family
-He falls first
-Forced proximity
-The chosen one

Selene Amaris is the last faeyte to be born in Asteria. On the night of her coming-of-age ceremony, boats arrive with soldiers ordered to slaughter everyone on the island. Her sisters, gifted with the ability to read destinies, help her escape, sacrificing themselves in the process.

Ten years later, Selene is a slave in another land. She finally manages to break free and boards a ship determined to return home, only to find that “home” isn’t what it once was.

Without giving too much away, *Stars Above the Never Sea* treads into some dark territory, especially early on (and in that ending!), so definitely check the trigger warnings first.

Considering that, I had a really good time reading this. The lore is one of the strongest aspects: a creation myth, gods, divine punishments, and fate, all woven into the narrative in a way that feels relevant and immersive.

At the center is Selene Amaris, our FMC—tough, scarred, and a survivor. Her emotional arc was deeply satisfying: from emotionally guarded (for good reason) to slowly opening up and caring for those around her. Then there’s Callan Edgeborn. His patience, quiet understanding, and steady love? Green flags everywhere.

And while the first half of the book was amazing—great pacing, strong character introductions, action, and lore—the second half dipped in quality. I adore Selene, I adore Callan, and I adore them together… but the way their romance unfolded felt rushed, and honestly a little icky at first given the circumstances.

The worldbuilding also grew vague, and the plot meandered in places. It wasn’t bad, but it lost the tightness and momentum that made the beginning so compelling.

That said, I’d still recommend this book if you’re looking for a dark fantasy with strong characters, plenty of intrigue, and an ending that goes completely off the rails (in the best way) with a wild cliffhanger.

4.5 Stars

I really enjoyed this! I thought that the magic system and the world was really unique and definitely kept things interesting.
The story grabbed my attention right away and while the pacing slowed a bit the second half of the book, it kept my interest and I was eager to find out what happened next.
I really enjoyed both the FMC and the MMC and their relationship development! Honestly, no notes with that. I thought Callab was *chefs kiss* and I loved how not only did their relationship develop and go strong, but together, along with their friends (found family) they helped each other individually grow.

This book was released July 30, 2025 and I definitely recommend giving it a chance! I’m excited for the next book to come out in December!

Thank you Evelyn Flood for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Tropes:
- One Bed
- Dual POV
- Cliffhanger
- Found Family
- Forced Proximity
- Shadow Magic
- Slow Burn

Quotes I loved:

“Own your fear. Hold onto it. But do not let it own you. Take hold of it, and embrace it. Remember that darkness is only the absence of light, and you are made of light itself."

“You cannot choose your family. But you can choose the person you want to be."

“A heart that beats as strong as yours is endless with possibility.”

“None of them will touch you."
"Should they try-"
"I would kill them." There's no trace of amusement in his words now.
Only a rage that warms my cold bones, soaking into me. "Slowly, and painfully, and I would leave them in pieces so small that their souls would never reach Ellas. I would make it so they never set eyes on you again, Selene, in this life or the next."

“There you are." Callan's hand cups my face, his thumb stroking my cheek. "Gods, you're beautiful!"

“I want to kneel at her gods-damned bare feet and worship her, and the sensation of free-falling has me stilling, stunned at its strength.”

"I don't think it's possible to not think about you."

“I do not know what fate holds for us.
But I know that when our time comes, whenever that may be, that my soul will seek yours out, and I will spend eternity by your side. Any other outcome is unacceptable to me. I refuse to be separated from you.”

“I will believe in her, each time she doesn't believe in herself.”

“There is only one person I'll crawl for. And it's not you."

This book gave The Ever King vibes in the best way and I loved the ride! I haven’t read many fantasy books set on ships, I’ve been severely missing out. The yearning, the soft love amidst the hardness of the world, the magic system!!! Such a unique story with an ending I will be thinking about for agessss (seriously why would you do that to me).

This story blends two of my favorite things: a romance arc full of love and tension, and a found family arc that tugs at your heart. Selene, fragile yet fierce, is the last Faeyte alive after the Great Shift. Ten years after escaping hell, she returns to find her home unrecognizable and her fate impossible to ignore. With danger looming and an evil king on the throne, she must fight for love, belonging, and the people who still deserve saving.

This book gave me banter, heartbreak, wings, ships, and so much emotion, I couldn’t put it down.

I really enjoyed this book!! It gets off to a slower start and I was confused at first when I started this book. But once I got into it a little more, I couldn't put it down. There is slow burn, tension, found family, banter and an intriguing magic system. The ending was crazy, and I can't wait till the next book comes out!
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for an ARC of this book!

This was an angsty, tense, slow burn. The political system Flood created provided such an element of stress, that contributed to the tension in the book. Having read other books by Flood, this was an unexpected surprise with how expertly she crafted the plot. The balance of adventure in the plot with the emotional aspects of the character development added to the anxiety created in the world building. A classic found family and an easy read -- great for anyone new to romantasy or someone wanting a fun easy read. The cliffhanger at the end will live in my head rent free and I am desperate for the next book. Overall I would call this a dark romance, and triggers should be considered when reading.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

From the very first chapter, I was hooked. Selene’s story starts with her convent-like upbringing and the mystery surrounding her “ascension,” and from there it just kept pulling me in deeper. The writing is sharp, the tension is perfect, and Callan (the MMC) had me swooning right away.

Fucking 5 stars. This book had everything: incredible mains, side characters I actually cared about, solid world building, a twist that wrecked me, and an antagonist I loved to hate. The heartbreak? Brutal in the best way. The tropes? Slow burn, he falls first—done so well.

It ends on a major cliffhanger, but book two is out in December so I’ll be waiting with bated breath. Honestly, I’m wishing this book wasn’t over yet because it’s all I want to read. Like, I don’t even want to pick up anything else.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️

I really liked this book. It was slow and tension was burning, and that frustrated me a bit. But I feel that was the intention. I felt all the feels with this one and enjoyed the reading!

4.5 Stars

This book was a chock full of so much. It started off strong, tapered off a little, but then grew on me again as I read. Its a rich world and there is a lot to the magic system but it feels decently well explained (or enough to follow the what and why's). There's still a lot we don't know, but for a good reason I won't say as its a spoiler. The plot was interesting, and I think you really only get a taste of what I think will be a much deeper and darker plot over the course of the series. I enjoy most of the characters, Callan's crew are a great rag-tag group that sort of give Six of Crows type vibes with the found family. I love Callan so much! Fantastic book boyfriend, 5 stars for him, no notes. Selene's character feels a bit inconsistent, but that's probably due to the sheer amount of trauma she's been through. Check your trigger warnings on this! While the worst of it is more mentions of her past and not fully on-page, its still dark. Leo is a ball of sunshine and I adore him. I think the plot is well done, there are threads that were hinted at in this book that need to be resolved and I'm sure will come out as some massive betrayal in the next book. I did guess at the one plot twist, but that didn't make it any easier to read. My emotions!! I absolutely could have NEVER guessed that ending though! I needed to take a week to fully process that cliff=-hanger ending. I haven't read an ending that left me feeling like this since the ending of Iron Flame. OMG! The villain (or villains I guess) of this book is quickly becoming one of the most horrifyingly despicable, evil characters I've read in a looong time. I need book 2 right now! December is too long of a wait! I absolutely will be continuing on with this series.

Thank you NetGalley and Evelyn Flood for the ARC copy of this book.

Fab world building with a great magic system! Filled to the brim with every emotion you could ever need & so beautifully written throughout!
The MMC & his golden retriever energy was EVERYTHING!
THAT ENDING, mind blown.