This is a slow burn romance that kept me hooked from the start.

I stayed up way too late finishing this book. But who needs sleep anyway.

This book had a bit of everything, action, heartbreak, romance, found families and one hell of a cliffhanger. I really look forward to book 2.

If you are looking for a romantasy book either great characters that will keep you entertained I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Evelyn Flood

#starsabovetheneversea #evelynflood #netgalley #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #reading #romantasy #5starreads

This dual-pov, slowburn, romantasy is beautiful and empowering. The story of Selene and Callan is so nicely and emotionally written. Although it took me a moment to get into the story, I eventually couldn’t stop reading. The world-building and character development is very well-written, and the side characters fit into the story effortlessly and add so much more to the whole book. The magic system was very unique in a positive way.
This story ripped me apart emotionally!
Callan is definitely a potential book boyfriend over here and Selene is trying so hard not to feel anything. This duo had everything you could wish for in a romantasy! The writing made me feel like I was living this book out and was present for everything that happened.
The ending - why… this was wild and I'm hurt. I can’t wait for the second book!

Thank you NetGally and Evelyn Flood for this beautiful ARC

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

This was such a great read. Loved it so much I had to finish it the day I started it. Boy was that ending quite the emotional roller coaster! I appreciate the author acknowledging the suffering caused by that ending lmao.

The world and character building were great. I adored the cast of characters with their found family and all the bantering between the characters. The slow burn and tension between Selene and Callan was well done. It does have some elements that may not be for everyone and does explore grief as Selene comes to terms with what the world is like for her now.

Next bit goes under a spoiler to be safe.
(view spoiler)

Favorite quotes
"You're not responsible for my actions." I frown. "But if it helps."
The look he gives me makes me wonder if I've missed something. "Yes. It helps."

"Say that again, and mean it this time. Explain to me why I cannot seem to breathe unless you're close. Explain why we're here now, when every event that has happened should have made it an impossibility."

"I'm sitting here. Merely existing."
"That," I grit out," is the problem. Exist somewhere else." He is infuriating.

I...I dont know if I can see through the tears. Evelyn...that ending. this was a 4 star read for me until I hit about 80%. I read the last 5 % through tears.

this is the definition of he falls first and harder. Cal was such a gentleman.

Selene...girls got some trauma and I wanted to give her a hug.

This is one of the best found family tropes I have read in a while. I will not spoil anything, but 😭😭😭😭😭.

This book had so many interesting concepts and magic systems. it was very refreshing while trying to figure out what was going on. I truly could have used a pronunciation guide and a glossary.

and you're telling me I have to wait until December for book 2??????

"You burn so brightly with your emotions that it lights up every soul around you.”

✨ Stars Above the Never Sea by Evelyn Flood ✨

This is the first book in The Last Faeyte series by Evelyn Flood. This is a brand new romantasy series filled with magic, found family and a love that defies the gods themselves. 'One Faeyte will tear the heavens apart for a love that was never supposed to exist.'

“I don’t think it’s possible to not think about you.”

I was lucky enough to receive the ARC for this, I literally screamed when I saw it hit my inbox, and of course that meant I quickly finished the book I was on and jumped into this. Just from the prologue I was sucked into this dynamic magical world with heart wrenching plots twists and amazing characters!

“I will kiss you always, then . All of my kisses are yours.”

I loved the world building this, the intricate magical system as well as the divine aspects. This really took the classic Peter Pan stories and turned it on its head. And that ending!! AHH I need more 😍

✨ Found Family
✨ A Love that Defies the Gods
✨ Dual POv
✨ Cliffhanger

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🌶️/5

5 stars ✨ 🌊

Wow…this book truly blew me away, the writing was lyrical and captivating yet so easy to follow, and the characters had so much depth to them, which I really appreciated. The romance builds so perfectly, their chemistry tender yet enchanting, and I love how easily the world building unfolded. I’m so curious to see where the story goes. Honestly I HIGHLY recommend for those who want fantasy, a beautiful atmospheric sea read, and a determined, compelling FMC.

I am dead. This book has taken me. Oh my. What do I even say! I cannot believe what I just read. It was so good. I will not be okay again until I read book two.
Thank you for the note at the end telling me how long I have to be sad for.

WOW! This was such a pleasant surprise! Selene is one of my favorite kinds of FMCs. I loved seeing her growth over the course of her journey. Callan was the perfect balance of grump and endearing. I live for a found family trope so this book gave me exactly what I was looking for. I love a cast of misfits who have one another’s back.

The world that Evelyn Flood has build pulled me in from the start. What I found especially interesting was the system of magic. It was such a unique step away from the fantasy books I’ve read lately. I do wish we would have had a more in depth look into the different magic orders. I wanted to know more about all of them.

All I can say is… the ending?? Really!!! I need more NOW!!!

Give me an FMC who is sharp and deemed unlikeable, along with impeccable found family vibes; add in amazing world building and an absolutely brutal cliffhanger and I am hooked!

I love female characters that others deem unlikable and watch as they grow through the story into someone that readers can admire- and Selene is exactly that. Guarded because she refuses to let herself feel anything, healing from a past that has hardened her heart, but you watch as she slowly allows herself to experience love, kindness, compassion, and a future. As I said before, the found family trope in this book was delivered perfectly!

While this does involve darker themes, I did not find it overwhelming. The pace and story kept me intrigued and anxiously turning the page to find out what happened next. That cliffhanger though? THAT WAS BRUTAL!

I dove into this story and couldn’t put it down. Every page pulled me in deeper—the richly built world, the characters that felt so real, and the kind of immersive writing that sweeps you away before you know it. Evelyn Flood has crafted a romantic fantasy tailor-made for readers who crave adrenaline, emotional tension, and that bittersweet ache that lingers.

The core group of characters radiates that *found family* energy, giving off strong Six of Crows vibes, and I loved every second of it.

If you’ve ever imagined a world where Tinker Bell and Hook fall in love, this is exactly that—a passionate adventure filled with pirates, magic, mythical beings, and a jaw-dropping ending I’m still recovering from.

All of it tied together like the kind of fairytale you never want to end.

🪽 Stars Above The Never Sea 🪽
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Moonlight personified. That's what she
looks like. Softness and steel.”

"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.”

This is an arc review and this book releases July 30th.

This is the first book in a new romantasy series, The Last Faeyte. Selene is a winged Faeyte believed to be the last of her kind, after a brutal massacre. She embarks on a dangerous voyage aboard the Volatus, captained by the sarcastic Callan to reach home. Selene and Callan must navigate the treacherous Never Sea, a mystical ocean woven from starlight, while confronting shadow magic, divine forces, and their own haunted pasts. The two clash at first but their journey forces them into reluctant alliance. As they travel, Selene begins to uncover the truth behind her powers, her past, and the gods’ role in her people’s destruction.

So I really didn’t know what to expect going into this but I enjoyed it so much. This had found family, forced proximity, slow burn romance, shadow magic and pirate vibes and such rich world building. I loved the found family element and the slow burn was filled with tension and actually done properly. The MMC is a delight, he’s a total sunshine golden retriever who is gone for the feminine rage filled FMC and I’m so glad we got dual POV as this always adds to a romance for me. Definitely one I recommend for the romantasy fans wanting something new and different.

Wow. This book was AMAZING! I loved all of the characters, the storyline, and the ending was such a gut punch! I am in awe! The writing was perfect, and I cannot wait for book two! I rate this book on the level I would the Plated Prisoner series by Raven Kennedy! It’s my favorite series I have ever read, and I can definitely see this one joining its ranks! I cannot wait to see where Selene and Cal’s story goes!

WOW! What an absolutely superb read, and a fantastic start to what I believe is going to be an epic fantasy series.
The relationships are written so well that you can really feel the connections between them all. Selene and Callan are fantastic together.

The world building was done beautifully, I could picture It all really well in my head, and even the bad guys are done so well you have to love to hate them.

I eagerly await the next installment in December 2025.

Off to an incredible start, indeed!
Selene Aramis begins with a very charmed and beautiful life, awaiting one of the greatest moments of her existence, which only results in death and darkness, when The Shift occurs. Surviving such a terrifying event, she is thrust into a world of terror and abuse at the hands of men in a land where she finds respite. But then, she escapes, finding her way into Callan's ship, and sailing back to her home in Asteria, where she will face her past and broken promises of what should have been a bright future. Along the way, however, she gets closer to Callan and his crew, learning more about the circumstances tying her to her fate--and more about herself and what she feels for Callan.
Highly imaginative story that had me feeling EVERYTHING: horror, love, sadness, joy, and everything else in between. I loved the slowly building romance between Callan and Selene, even through the sickening trauma Selene faced in her past life. Powerful story about love finding its way even in a dark and horrible world in a dark and horrible society resulting from the corruption and greed of those in power. This story makes me think about fate and all the choices we make that brings us to that moment, as well as the very nature of humanity in general and how we destroy beautiful and fragile things, such as the innocence of youth. The ending had me spiraling into a terrifying cliff as secrets are revealed, and I hope I get more answers in the sequel.

The ending made me want to throw my kindle at the wall. WTH how can you do that to me😫
This book was stunning and I wish I had the second book now bc I think I’ve been ruined

Absolutely stunning book and story. More unique that some of the books I have read recently and such an interesting story line. Love found family and a powerful FMC as well!

Once again, I'm the victim of a brutal cliffhanger. Once again, I regret nothing and need book 2 ASAP.

Selene is the last of the faeyte. Everything and everyone she ever knew was brutally taken from her. In a desperate attempt to flee, she finds no sanctuary just captivity. Now she's once again fleeing, hoping to return home. Instead, she finds herself locked up on a ship.

Callan captain of the ship Selene ends up on is determined to protect his crew and people. He's been searching for a faeyte for years. Selene might be the key to helping fix the wrongs of the past. What happens when slowly but surely he starts to feel more for her?

You guys, I freaking loved this story. It took me a little bit to get into it, but once I was hooked, I couldn't put it down. My heart broke for Selene to start off so young and carefree with so much anticipation of her future, only for it to be filled with horrors. Her sisters 😭. Knowing what was coming and still determined to face it head on to give Selene the chance to flee.

That ending was absolutely brutal. I desperately need to know what happens next.

Thank you to the author, Evelyn Flood, for providing an ARC. This was a truly unique magical world. I was gripped and heartbroken from the very first chapter.

Loved
- The found family aspect of the story. The relationships between Callan, Merrick, Leo, Esme, Solomon, and Matthias felt so real and like a warm hug. And the way they each embraced Selene and gave her love for the first time since her childhood was truly heartwarming
-Callan and Selene’s relationship and the slow burn romance between them
- The magic system developed in the world
The feelings I felt when Selene came home for the first time in ten years
- SPOILER I cried when we discovered that Merrick was Selene’s father. Even though I expected it to a certain extent, I thought she would actually have time with him, not find out at his death
- SPOILER The bombshell that Nyx and Celeste were alive! And the emotional destruction of realizing that they knew this was their fate

Frustrations
- I was going crazy because Selene and Callan just seemed SO DAMN CALM. Meanwhile I was panicking because I knew something awful was happening behind the scenes while they were just in their little love bubble. I mean come on!
- I would have loved to know more about the world and the magic system

As one final note, this book handled a lot of heavy themes and the content warnings really are important. If you are someone who struggles with genocide, abuse, and rape, this may not be the book for you. Personally I think all topics were handled so well and I can’t wait for the next in the series!

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for an arc for an honest review. I wasn’t sure if I was liking this from the start but it definitely picked up and I really enjoyed it. Definitely an interesting magic system and some really great characters. Loved the found family and the romance that wasn’t too heavy. Would definitely recommend.

This is a beautifully written, emotionally intense fantasy full of heartbreak, slow burn romance and found family. Selene’s journey from trauma to healing had me hooked and Callan? Total book boyfriend material. Their connection builds quietly but hits hard when it lands.

The worldbuilding is rich with magic, sorrow and starlit seas and the prose leans toward lyrical without losing momentum. It starts slow, but once it picks up, it does not let go.

Perfect for fans of quiet, character driven fantasy with emotional depth and some romance. I need the sequel immediately.

3.5 Stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Evelyn Flood for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy this at first, early chapters felt familiar and the pacing dragged. There were moments where the writing became confusing, especially when a lot was happening at once. But around the 35-40% mark, it really found its rhythm and I couldn’t stop reading.

What truly won me over was the found family dynamic. Merrick, Sol, Matthias, Esme, Rio, and Leo are all unforgettable, they are funny, fiercely loyal, and protective of those they love. The ragtag crew vibe worked beautifully and seeing the aftermath of “that day” ten years ago through each of their perspectives gave the story real emotional depth.

The magic system involving maegis, with its levels, abilities, and the cost of power was an interesting concept. I would’ve liked a deeper dive into its workings, but it added complexity and tension where it mattered.

Characters & Romance
Selene stood out as a survivor above all else. Her resilience and quiet strength anchored the story, even through its slower patches. Callan’s mission to save his people and reclaim an island that was never truly theirs added layers to his character and moral conflict.

The slow burn romance between Selene and Callan was nicely tied to the myth of Caelen and Hala. That said, the romantic development felt uneven, more like proximity-driven attraction at the beginning than something genuinely felt. Callan, in particular, seemed to fall for an idea of who Selene might be, which made it harder to fully buy into the relationship early on. This did change as the story went on and I truly grew to love the romance in this book.

The book opens strong, dips for a while, then gains momentum again. It leans heavily on character development, which fortunately is a strength here. While the writing style took some time to adjust to especially during fast-paced or crowded scenes, it became easier to follow as the story progressed.

Though the romance didn’t entirely work for me at the beginning and some pacing issues dulled the early chapters, the strong character work, inventive magic system, and heartwarming found family themes made this a solid read. There’s something quietly powerful about stories that center hope and belonging, and this one does it with charm.

I cant wait to read the next book especially after that cliffhanger of an ending!