I loved this book so much! SciFi is pretty hit or miss for me, but I greatly enjoyed this story! He It can be really hard with stories in this genre to have everything explained well so that things aren't confusing while also still keeping readers intrigued and I think that Prince executed that so well. I also think that there was a really good balance between the story itself and the romance between Keller and Lament. The pacing of the novel is very well done and I just overall had a really great time reading it! There's honestly not much more I can say other than that I loved it!

This book was one of my favorites of the whole year! I absolutely adored Lament, Keller, and their crew. The chemistry between Keller and Lament was everything. Their relationship buildup was perfect, and they definitely bring out the best of each other. The ending had me bawling like a baby and totally heartbroken. I really cared for these characters and what happened to them. I also loved the easy-to-follow world building. The sci-if element to this book was one of my favorite parts. I can’t wait for this book to hit the shelves, I will definitely be purchasing a physical copy!

If All the Stars Go Dark by @sgprince.books is a YA sci-fi romance about Keller Hartman, the newest member of the Legion’s Sixth unit—the galaxy’s most prestigious. The issue is that his new partner already hates him. However, Keller, his new team, and his partner (the gorgeous Lament) will be have to work together to solve a universe wide mystery that threatens everyone.

I really enjoyed this book. Keller and Lament were the perfect grumpy/sunshine pairing—they both grew a lot over the course of the novel. I loved the whole crew and their mix of personalities—I love a found family trope. The overall mystery was really interesting to unravel and I just loved this book.

I started If All the Stars Go Dark thinking it would a fun, heartwarming read. I then had to reset my expectations. Not in a bad way of course. The book is set in 1st POV, I personally am not a fan of it but it I'd say this book has proven to be an exception!

After I got adjusted to the book being in 1st POV I really got drawn into the story. I really like S.G. Prince's writing style, especially the use of brackets. It gets you another level of insight into Keller's mind. And speaking of Keller's mind, I will gladly pay for that boy's therapy.

Keller is desperate to belong to something, anything, and his fear of abandonment is deeper than the Mariana Trench. He can sometimes come off as temperamental, there's a lot of anger in him, but even with his own baggage, Keller has a lot of understanding and empathy for Lament's situation. Even with that, the hurt Keller experiences is palpable. 10/10 will cry whenever I think about it.

There is of course a lot mood lifting moments too, lots of banter and bickering between Keller and Lament, the other Sixers giving chosen family vibes, Avi being Avi. The story is easy to follow and feels balanced out thanks to these moments.

So, anyone who's up for queer space opera and having their heart torn out with a guaranteed happy ending then this book is for you!
I will definitely be buying a physical copy upon release.

Thank you NetGalley and Godwin Books/Macmillan's Children Publishing Group for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I am OBSESSED! The COVER! The WRITING! The ROMANCE! I am telling you, read this and fast. The love story is outstanding.

This book was so much fun to read! Sci-fi, YA, and LGBTQ+ are none of my usual genres, so I was a little bit out of my comfort zone, but I think Prince did a fantastic job of making this pretty accessible to all audiences. The characters are wonderful, and they kept up a witty and poignant dialogue (and internal monologue) that really kept the story engaging and emotional. We really get to understand the pain and grief that Keller and Lament are grappling with as well as the love that is blossoming between them. They are both afraid to be hurt again, but are both occasionally so vulnerable and so compassionate. This is a character-driven story that was a joy to read.

I do think that having 18-, 19-, and even 11-year olds be the best in the entire galaxy at shooting, flying, and *checks notes* pyrotechnics detracted from the story a little bit for me, but that is my ONE NOTE.
Okay, and also, those are not the same pants. Two notes. :)

If All The Stars Go Dark is a sci-fi love story wrapped up in a tale of corruption, fanaticism, grief, autonomy and deception—and I adored it.

The story follows Keller Hartmann, a fresh faced, once in a generation graduate recruited to be the gunner in the Sixth—the Legion's most prestigious unit. His partner is meant to be Lament Bringer, who barely wants to look at him after the mysterious, tragic death of his best friend and former gunner—who Keller is meant to be replacing. The death of Lament's former partner begins to get tied up in a greater threat brewing in the galaxy; a fanatic cult following a man who claims to have come up with a simulation that can predict any tragedy, who only requires loyalty for his protection.

While the love story in this was absolutely superb, I first have to applaud the unique sci-fi world this story was set in. I loved the concept of the Legion, and its imperfections, and would love to see it explored more. The concept of "Determinism" was so intriguing—and realistic, where so many people even at the highest levels of society might have fallen for a man who claims to have knowledge of the future that might keep them safe. I'd love to have learned more about how he dug himself so deeply into this society. It was mentioned here and there that certain characters, like Bast's family and the Sixth's sergeant, had different tie-ins to the cult, and I hope to see this explored more, though I'm not sure if the book is a standalone or a first in a series (though I hope for the latter!). The side characters in the book (particularly the other members of the Sixth) were just as enjoyable and unique as the main duo, and I often found just as invested in them and concerned for their safety as I was for Keller and Lament.

Onto the romance—goodness, I adored these two. Keller and Lament felt like fully fleshed out characters who had their own stories and struggles outside of the affection that built between them. The way they fell together despite Keller's fear of abandonment, and Lament's grief and guilt. I was worried at first that the relationship might burn too quickly with how often Keller discussed Lament's beauty in the first half of the book, but it didn't—the progression felt natural and made sense for both characters. I'd read a dozen more books about them in a heartbeat.

The ending actually had me gasping—without spoiling anything, it enacts my favorite niche trope of all time. So maybe I'm biased—but the whole last 10% did a lot of good for me, and I would've loved to see it stretched out even more.

As a character driven reader, I find it hard to discover sci-fi that really digs in on character work instead of becoming a lore dump of world-building, and this book struck an absolute perfect tone. I can't wait to read it again—and I hope to see more in the universe from this author again someday!

PS: I usually love the part in the book where they say the name of this book, but I was crying when this one happened, so. Thanks for that, S.G. Prince.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

THE CHEMISTRY OF THESE TWO >>>>>>> OMG, IT'S OUT OF THIS WORLD, LITERALLY. I'm afraid when sci-fi books decide to mix in a little romance. I remember watching the movie Passengers and thinking the sci-fi was just a backdrop for a mediocre story. If All the Stars Go Dark doesn't follow that path. This is a sci-fi with romance where all the elements make sense and are just right!
Ugh, I loved it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the eARC

I really, really liked this. I liked the characters, I liked the writing style, and I absolutely ADORED the romantic dynamic between Keller and Lament. Keller is a wonderful MC, I rooted for him the whole time.
    I would say this book is equally romance and sci-fi. The romance centered scenes draw you in so deeply. They would honestly momentarily make me forget about the whole galaxy being the backdrop to this story. But once the plot concerning the politics they're up against came into play, it was just as interesting. Both parts are equally enjoyable. I didn't find myself speed-reading through the descriptions of their missions, and the politics just get to the romantic parts, or vice versa.
    Things to keep in mind - this is a YA novel. Nothing here is overly dark and brooding, and some scenes are a bit campy, but it adds to the charm. Also, there is a lot of push-and-pull between Keller and Lament as their relationship develops, and this goes on a majority of the book. Trust issues (on Lament's end) and attachment issues (on Keller's end) are very prevalent here for a multitude of backstory-related reasons. It goes on for a while, so when they finally got together, I held onto it like a lifeline because my god, was the yearning in this book intense.
    Both characters have their own personal issues to deal with that have a lot of impact on their actions and decisions, but they're aware and explicitly talk about it, which I appreciate it. Ultimately, their loyalty and protectiveness of each other makes their connection very strong. (These losers are obsessed with each other)

    Would I re-read this? Yes! I would honestly even want more stories about Keller and Lament's adventures and relationship. I'd read them in a heartbeat.

This book was cute. A tad predictable, but in a way I didn't even mind. It really reminded me of the books I read and enjoyed when I was closer to a teen, so I really appreciated it for that.

Keller was such a good POV to go through the story with. He was so relatable and easy to read. His hot and cold approach with Lament was infuriating, sometimes (as was Lament's perceived hot and cold with Keller), but it also felt realistic given who these two are and I loved how their relationship developed over the course of the book. Lament was also wonderful and I enjoyed seeing how he grew throughout the story. He's my favorite.

The rest of the Sixers didn't get as much time to breathe as Keller and Lament, obviously, but the author did a good job of making each one distinct. I do wish out of Vera, Jester, and Avi, the others had more screen time, but that was a lot of characters to make work and the fact that they were all distinct and I can picture them all in my head clearly, I think it works out.

Overall, I had a good time reading. It hooked me pretty quickly and today I reached a point I just did not want to put it down.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a sci-fi novel that kept me awake at night reading. This was such a fun and cute book; the characters were delightful, and the main characters had me kicking my feet. I'm grateful for the last glimpse into their lives after the main events. Sometimes, I'm left wishing for more, and the author delivered! I love how the author balanced world-building and the development of the story; the science and inner workings of the universe weren't over-explained or forced upon us. Details were shown and explained as needed, with a natural pace that never felt like a pause or disconnection from the plot. Pick up this book if your favourite tropes are: found family, grumpy-sunshine, angst with a small splash of enemies to lovers???

I was lucky enough to receive this gift of a book in advance of publication for an honest review. I knew this would be good, because it's Prince. I did not know it would top To Poison A King. The author at the top of her writing game condenses her skill to a deft, precise, beautiful and entertaining brush stroke of a space opera with If All the Stars Go Dark. I loved the universe, the humanness of its stark pain, humor, and love in equal measures, and the vulnerability and strength of our leading man, Keller. I took notes and highlighted this book like I was studying for an exam. Joyfully.

5 stars. 10, if I'm being honest. No notes.

~*~*~*~ ARC Review ~*~*~*~
This book is written in first person. I don't like first person written books. I tend to have a harder time getting into them.

That said, I loved this book.

I think this book was wonderful. I enjoyed every moment I spent with the characters. The story starts, and goes. I truly love that you're put into this world and expected to keep up.

Prince has given us a world that is vibrant, fantastical, and full of warmth. While there is intrigue and danger about in this galaxy, it's always tempered by the fact that you're not alone. That your family is who and what you make it. By the end of the story these characters felt as much my friends as they are each other's. You feel their joy, pain, insecurities, wins, failure and grief acutely. Through it all, even in the darkest parts of the books there is an undercurrent of hope.

I would love to be able to revisit this universe again. I hope we get to <3

I was pleasantly surprised by this one! It's so engaging! Even the first few pages drew me in and I knew I was going to love it.

Keller Hartman is the best gunner in the academy...and then he is appointment to a new and cutting edge team. The problem is, he's coming in to fill the position of a gunner who was killed. When he first arrives, his new pilot Lament won't even give him the time of day and certainly won't let him in the plane. As the story unfolds, there are battles, friendships, relationships, and political intrigue.

There is a lot of mystery in this novel and the pacing is great. There were some timely and surprising reveals, and a masterful approach to world building and tension!

I loved the conflicting believe systems of "Determinists" and "Randomists" - very timely considering what has been going on in the world.

If you want to read a great SF, with some real authentic emotions sprinkled in and topped off with "rabid space mist'... then pick this one up.

First, I want to thank Net Galley and the Publisher for letting me be on the ARC for this book! 10/10 would recommend and can't wait to buy the hard copy! When I saw a new book that included SPACE, ROMANCE AND is LGBTQ FRIENDLY....I said SIGN ME UP!! The inclusivity depicting love of ALL kinds is a welcome sight. YA, space and fantasy all summed up into a GREAT book. It's goofy, heartfelt, heart wrenching with found family and Sacrifice.

SPOLIER WARNING!!!!

"Life is the universe's greatest marvel. It should be cherished and respected. If we keep the fireflies inside, they will be beautiful, but won't they be more beautiful against the sky?"

We start off meeting Keller who's POV is which we are reading from. I was ONLY A QUARTER OF THE WAY THROUGH AND I WAS SUCKED IN!!! Keller worked hard to earn his spot in the most prestigious galactic unit of the Legion. While he struggles to prove himself to his pilot who DOESN'T need a new gunner they get stuck on a strange planet while investigating (thanks to Vera) the ominous blue eye Raptors. The same eyes that Laments former gunner had before he died.

How do I even begin to describe how much I loved this book?? I would rate it 100/10 if I could! Let’s start with this: if you enjoyed Winter’s Orbit and Ocean’s Echo and are looking for something with similar vibes, If All the Stars Go Dark is going to knock your socks off!!

If you’re anything like me, this story with have you laughing, crying, and kicking your feet all the way through! Keller and Lament had me squealing with delight and annotating like crazy, I practically highlighted every other page! Their grump/goof dynamic is utter perfection and THE BANTER!! It’s top. tier. I really loved the ragtag found family of the Sixth and storyline had me hooked! The developments kept me guessing as mysteries are unraveled and secrets are brought to light. I tend to favor plot forward books but also crave character driven narratives that make me really invested in what happens next, and I have to say, the author strikes an amazing balance between the two. The pacing was spot on, I was truly on the edge of my seat as I eagerly turned those pages, but the emotional elements also had me DEEP in my feels! I’m utterly obsessed and selfishly hoping for more books in this world - thank you so much NetGalley, Godwin Books, and S.G. Prince for the ARC!! I will be screeching about this baby to anyone who will listen until further notice.

Utterly fantastic read!!! Could not stop reading it! Loved the pace of the book and the characters are so real! Absolutely the best book I've read in a very long time! I hope that there will be a second one!!

Rating: 3.75/5 atars

Wow, I enjoyed this one quite a lot. The writing flowed excellently, making the reading experience nice and easy. The plot had a nice premise to it, even it some of the points expanded beyond the realm of believability, even for a sci-fi book, and the plot was very predictable.

The first half was definitely my favorite. Getting to know the characters, watching the characters getting to know each other, seeing Keller and Lament grow closer in a very sweet way. But then the third quarter of the book it and I struggled quite a bit through that whole quarter for two reasons. The first being the plan™️ that they were going through with melt entirely unreasonable. Like, there was no big enough point for that big of a risk. It felt very unnecessary. And the second being conflict arising between characters after they had already passed major conflicts and were starting to bond. That combination put quite a damper on the reading experience for a good quarter to a third of the book. Which was a bummer, because I was truly enjoying this so much.

My greatest pleasure while reading was definitely the characters. Keller was such a pleasant main character. I adored him. His sense of humor, his insecurities, his kind heart, his love. He was such a good character. Lament, as well. If i had gotten more of his POV throughout the book, I think I could have taken to him even more than I did Keller. He was such a complicated, but eternity caring character. The walls built around him were incredibly thick, and his defenses due to severe trauma could make him rude at times when he felt scared or cornered. But author never made him cruel. He was never a bully or irredeemable in his mistakes. On top of them, the rest of the team was incredibly endearing and a pleasure to read about.

Some stories shine with the precision of language; others slip beneath the skin through character and plot. "If All the Stars Go Dark," a young adult sci-fi novel, manages to do both in quick succession.

The story follows Keller, a young gunman chosen to join the most prestigious space crew in the Legion, an interstellar force tasked with keeping peace across galaxies. But when tragedy, mystery, and horror begin to seep through the fragile boundaries of both ship and mind, Keller’s sense of self slowly unravels. His struggle is deepened by his flying partner, Lament, a striking figure whose painful duality stirs equal parts longing and anguish in Keller’s core.

As might be expected from a novel intended for younger readers, the language often leans on levity and humor. Yet what seems, at first glance, to sit too lightly on the page gradually reveals its necessity: humor here isn’t a distraction but a heartbeat, pacing both thought and dialogue.
It becomes the unlikely vehicle through which relationships are forged, tested, and, at times, strained beyond comfort. Its shadow twin, honesty, is never far behind.

And while the plot is propulsive—brisk with adventure and rich with cosmic intrigue—it’s the interpersonal that takes center stage. Relationships, rendered in startling psychological depth, are the true terrain of this novel. As a result, the characters’ choices emerge not from whim but from believable inner landscapes, each shaped by loss, fear, and fragile hope.

Particularly striking is the relationship between Keller and Lament. Carefully paced and woven through twists, desire, betrayals, and the frayed edges of sanity, it offers an unforced, intimate exploration of tenderness beneath scar tissue. The result is a portrayal of yearning rarely afforded such rawness in young adult fiction: anguished, luminous, and disarmingly real.

Surrounding this emotional core is a vibrant cast of secondary characters and a plot that thrums with life, lending an adventurous lift to the novel’s darker introspections. It’s this tension—the push and pull between outward spectacle and inward unraveling—that makes "If All the Stars Go Dark" not just absorbing but quietly profound. A novel that, beneath its sci-fi shimmer, speaks to the architectures of connection, identity, and the quiet devastations we carry in orbit around one another.

5/5 ⭐️
"I love you more than all the stars in all the universes multiplied a million-fold."
Now this is how you do a space fantasy book! What a wonderful story this was! I enjoyed every single moment and could not put the book down. It was filled with thrilling space adventures, founds family and a romance that I adored.
This book was a nice pace and I never got bored. The style of writing was fantastic and easy to follow and understand. I loved every character. I liked reading the development and growth of everyone in the sixths and how they became true Family.
"Friends are the stars that guide us. And we must always lean on them."
I also really enjoyed Lament and kellers banter, it was perfect. Throughout the story you could really see how they were able to open up and trust each other and how their relationship bloomed.
I also liked the political aspect of the story with the determinist and thought it to be unique.
Thank you for sending me this ARC for an honest review