I went in to the book with absolutely no expectations, I don’t even think I fully read the synopsis, but it was more than I could ever imagine. I’ve never been so invested in a novel as gothic or darkly romantic as this one, but it was wildly good.

Siegel’s writing was exquisitely perfect for the concept of this book, and the topic its self was amazing; love vs hate with a parallel of balance, all woven beautifully throughout different time periods. The backstory and “magic system” were intriguing and the characters were very bold, making me love and hate them at once. Motivations were clear but pretty unrelatable as a reader, though how could I relate to a witch or demon? The relationship between Miriam and Cybil/Esther/Rosamund was dynamic and inconsistent, something else I loved and hated at the same time.

And maybe that’s what blew me away with this book, that not only did it excessively talk about the concepts of love and hatred, but it also showed me what it felt like to love and hate something simultaneously. This book was certainly a journey, one that came to an unexpected but surprisingly satisfying end.

I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did, and I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is even slightly interested at its concept. I give it an 8.6/10.

I am so conflicted! I loved this story and I hated it. It was beautiful, terrifying, and exquisite. The writing is beautiful and immersive. It transported me through time and space. The author has such an immense talent for evoking the scenes in which her story takes place. I am conflicted because I felt like parts of the story were so brief that I wanted to last longer. The other characters in the book are so ephemeral I wanted to know them better. The ending….I hate the ending. I just hate it. I get it, but I hate it. Worth the read….you may feel differently. It was otherwise a fantastic book.

This semi spicy sapphic historical fantasy starts in England during the Elizabethan era. Cybil Harding is a first born daughter in a family of witches that believe that any first born daughter will bring a curse down upon them all. Only by the hubris of her father does Cybil live past infancy, but after displaying no aptitude toward magic she is quickly forgotten by her family. Cybil gains the attention of a soul eating demon and what follows is a love story spanning hundreds of years.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read and review this book which I am giving 4⭐️.
I have enjoyed every single one of this authors books and really enjoyed the way she has included fantasy elements into this book. This is absolutely a book that I will buy for my home library and look forward to posting about this book on my social media (TikTok and YouTube) closer to its release date.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for my first ARC.

What a stunning novel. I usually like to highlight particularly moving phrases but I fear doing do in this novel would leave me with a fully highlighted text.

Beyond the gorgeous language, Siegel has delivered a hauntingly beautiful story as much about humanity as it is about the delicate balance of love and its darkness. I will be thinking about these characters and their journey for years to come.

Tragic and beautiful. The author deftly explores the lines between love and hunger with elegant and haunting prose. Great for lovers of gothic classics like Frankenstein and modern monster tales like Someone You Can Build a Nest In.

As Many Souls as Stars by Natasha Siegel is a haunting, beautifully written gothic fantasy about a cursed woman and the immortal demon bound to her across centuries. Lyrical, romantic, and devastating in the best way—I couldn’t put it down.

Thanks to Natasha Siegel and NetGalley for the ARC! 💙

This was decadent! LUSH lyrical prose that sweeps you into the authors world, gothic, haunting and deeply atmospheric and emotional, a fantastic read!

This started out SO strong for me. The claustrophobic, lonely gothic vibes and setting; two leads that felt compelling and had a dynamic (apologies for the reference) like that of Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter from the NBC Hannibal series, particularly that of season 1... Unfortunately, that first part of a three part book didn't carry on to the other portions of the novel.

The summary of the book makes it seem like there were going to be a lot more stakes as well as a lot more different time periods. And while there were some stakes (sort of?), there were only 3 timelines followed and the latter two really dragged, particularly the middle (and I think longest) portion. Based on the premise of the bargain (which I understand, narratively, but ultimately didn't like the execution of), this had the unfortunate effect of being very repetitive. The author seemed to want to focus on things that didn't feel as crucial to the plot or even as interesting as background noise and Miriam and Cybil's relationship (other than the first part) didn't feel as both toxic or compelling as I think the author wanted it to be. Calling this book a "cat and mouse chase" feels a little like miss-marketing when Miriam doesn't appear as much as I think she could have to cause chaos, at least not until the latter half of the second part.

Also the ending was a little confusing, the way it was written, and also not... quite deserved given that Miriam and Cybil's various incarnations didn't interact on-page as much as would warrant that ending. At least, not in my mind.

I don't know. I think the author's writing was very strong, just the pacing and plotting ended up dragging and, based on how the book was marketed, felt less exciting than I was expecting. I'm not giving up on this author's works, but I DO think this was a pretty big miss.

The authors prose is lush and lyrical, the world building rich with gothic atmosphere in each new century, and the plot unfolds like a spell: intricate and complex while also coupling together fiery passion with melancholy introspection. I will be fast to admit that it took me a while to get into the book as it's first set in the 16th century and this kind of romantic fiction is a departure from what I normally read. However, the speed at which I devoured this book had everything to do with the absolutely addicting dysfunctional dance of our two main characters.

At its core, this a story of two women, one mortal witch and one demon, who get themselves caught up in an endless game of cat and mouse bound in a soul bargain that blurs the lines between love and possession. The slow burn tension and fierce character personalities made this such a compelling read especially if you're someone who loves morally gray characters, enemies-to-lovers trope, and memory loss reincarnation stories.

Last thoughts: reading this book was like being invited into a dance where you don't know the steps or your partners but you simply keep spinning because the level of emotional obsession you reach you'll never want to end

A deliciously witty read! I love the base concept and the talk of souls. Does every living thing have a soul? Can one barter with it? A perfect mix of romance, adventure, and magic!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

As soon as I saw that this was for fans of Addie Larue I had to read it!!! I get a very similar vibe and it definitely kept me reading.

I did find that the pacing was a little uneven and some parts felt so fast while others seem to drag a bit. But all in all a solid read

If you like sapphic romance and Addie Larue, definitely pick this up!

A dark and immersive journey following a pact made between a witch and a demon that spans hundreds of years. Miriam, a demon with a hunger for souls and a serious lack of empathy, is captivated by Cybil, a witch whose soul seems especially dazzling. Cybil's status as a first-born daughter is viewed as a curse by her family, especially by her father, and by her male cousin who would have inherited the family magic had Cybil been killed in infancy. In an attempt to break the curse, Cybil agrees to turn over her soul to Miriam if she is unable to break the magical misery that has been her lifelong companion. Though the prose is atmospheric, taking the reader through several centuries as Cybil repeatedly dies and reincarnates, the romance between Cybil and Miriam felt somewhat underdeveloped, or at least underexplained. Overall, an engaging gothic read, perfect for fall.

I love this book so much. I truly don't know what to say or what to compare it to because it is so unlike anything else I've ever read. "As Many Souls As Stars" takes inspiration from Aesop's Fables and it is so much like a modern fairytale. It is a story of loneliness, a story of coming into your own power, and a story of poetic justice. It is a love letter to the human affliction of passion and redefines passion as what it truly is; hunger. I don't know that the love that is shown is truly healthy, but this is the most powerful romance I have ever read. I cannot think of a more fitting end.

If you want to read a story about love and hate (simultaneously, in fact) and have it not feel forced, this is the one for you. Similarly, if you like stories about hope and taking your own fate into your hands, I'd recommend "As Many Souls As Stars." If all prior information is not compelling enough, consider reading this because it has a sapphic villain who literally worships the ground her love walks on. It's a needed addition to any bookshelf, trust me.

Thank you to both NetGalley and William Morrow for allowing me to read such a spectacular work in exchange for an honest review. Extra thanks to Natasha Siegel for creating it in the first place. I will be purchasing a physical copy as soon as it releases. Absolutely 5 stars.

This was pitched for fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue which is my favorite book of all time so of course I had to request it. I’m a sucker for books that follow different characters and are set over centuries so I couldn’t wait to dive into this one.

This book is a slow burn that definitely delivers on the gothic atmosphere. Definitely recommend if you like a darker, more toxic sapphic relationship.

This book reignited my desire to read again! It's a sapphic delight of a story, with it's Faustian deals and exploration of the desires for freedom, rebellion, revenge and love driving the plot. The main characters are enticing and exciting, and their entanglement through the centuries is enticing and consuming.

As many souls as stars takes us through the short lives of three witches, and their struggle against a darkness looking to consume their souls during each lifetime.

A Faustian bargain is made by a desperate young girl - to return to another life in exchange for her soul. This bargain plays out over time and generations, with Miriam (a dark spirit/ soul consumer) and three witches whose souls are the brightest Miriam has ever come across.

Miriam’s magic survives and thrives on the souls she consumes. Her existence is dependent upon the souls she garners through exchanges and deals with humans.
“Miriam measured her existence in deals instead. She was always hungry, and her greatest pleasure remained the fullness consuming a soul gave her: the brighter it burned, the more intense the satisfaction. And there were always exchanges to be made … She needed them as much as they needed her, after all. All magic was give and take, light for dark. With no light of her own, Miriam needed to take it from others.”

Enter Cybil, whose light may be the strongest Miriam has ever encountered. And she wants it. What follows, is an odd relationship of off and on, hate/ obsession - love? between them.

Miriam is desperate for Cybil’s soul.
“… her extraordinary soul, which… glowed so brightly and so intensely, it pressed a bruise into Miriam’s vision. When she glanced away, Miriam could still see the burn of it: the shifting blue-black stain of a self so furious, so powerful, that it could feed her for decades.”

Miriam’s desperation for this particular soul is woven throughout time in the book, and into two later characters, Esther and Rosamund.

There is a building of power in Esther’s story and it is critical to the introduction of the final soul, Rosamund. Esther struggles with the creeping memories of Cybil and her feelings for Miriam. Lies and betrayal during the first soul incarnation in Cybil clouds Esther’s relationship with Miriam (if you can call it a relationship?). It’s a very intense back and forth that exists between them - feelings of hatred, desire, love and obsession.

The ultimate showdown occurs during Rosamund’s lifetime. She essentially carries both Cybil and Esther in her, and she’s determined to free herself from Miriam forever. Again, we see a back and forth struggle of emotions from Rosamund when it comes to Miriam. But Rosamund is full of memories and power of the ones who have lived before her.

The ending to this is fantastic. I loved the last few chapters and if there’s some lingering questions (yes!) I’m ok with that.

So grateful for an early read of this. I was desperate to read it the second I read the synopsis. Thank you netgalley!

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC!
I was very intrigued by the description of these characters, sapphic storyline, and a wonderful premise. The writing is brilliant and the language as well. I wish I could get attached to these characters more, but I was very confused by hate sex in general as a concept, which is probably a me issue. I was also struggling with the different time periods and keeping it all straight in my head, I practically had to write a note to myself of what was going on.

5/5

Drawing together Faustian bargains, gothic splendor, and reincarnation across three distinct periods of English history, As Many Souls as Stars is a historical novel for the ages and Natasha Siegel’s masterpiece. A witch desperate for survival bargains away her soul, a demon endlessly hungering for souls discovers the brightest, and both will be ruined in their association by journeys end. The Faustian bargain is not a new concept, not in the slightest, so to stake claim on such a tale is to promise something inventive and unique in the telling. In As Many Souls as Stars, Natasha Siegel ingeniously twists the Faustian bargain into a lesbian game of cat and mouse spanning multiple centuries and incarnations as an immortal and a witch engage in a toxic romance tinged with obsession. Cybil Harding and Miriam Richter, witch and demoness, hunger both—for love, for souls, and for the continuance of their survival. Drawn into a demonic bargain to suit their purposes, neither intends to lose the parts of themselves they believed intrinsic, nor ill-fated love taking flight. Questioning fate and personhood, Natasha Siegel’s As Many Souls as Stars is a tangled dance of violence, hunger, and destructive romance, in everlasting opposition as misguided bargains can ever be.

I think an apt description of As Many Souls As Stars would be Addie LaRue but make it sapphic, and I loved it.

As Many Souls As Stars was such an interesting and original story! The relationship between Miriam and Rosamund had all the tension I look for. The story is told with time jumps and this allows for more development, especially for Miriam.