“A Star That Burns Through the Darkness”

I’m still reeling from A Game of Fallen Stars—S.E. Berkeley doesn’t just write magic and romance, she breathes it in, and by chapter two I was completely under her spell. This novel is everything I want in a romantasy: cosmic horror, found family, slow‑burn tension, deeply human wounds, and a heroine and hero who aren’t perfect—but whose imperfections make every victory, every confession, every stolen moment all the more earned.

From the first moments, when Ethan retreats to Parkfield hoping for peace and instead finds Star—a being of pure magic, memory lost, longing to be human—the emotional stakes are searing. Star’s longing is vivid; the ache she carries for identity and belonging is almost painful to witness. Ethan, bathed in burnout and regret, steps into this mess of magic and heartache, and you believe in him. Their chemistry crackles, not just in overt romantic moments (though there are some beautifully spicy pancake‑making and flirtatious game‑of‑pool scenes that made me blush and bookmark) but in the quieter moments: when Star learns what it means to live, when Ethan’s care for her layers over his own trauma. I’m obsessed with how Berkeley handles “ordinary kindness” in extraordinary circumstances—it’s often the softest parts that hit hardest.

The stakes are high, grotesque, magical, and terrifying in all the right ways. Cosmic horror creeps in (ancient sea monsters! hunters of magic! secret societies!) to remind us that this love story isn’t insulated. Danger is never far off, and Star is entirely too vulnerable—but also entirely too determined. The pacing, especially in the middle, occasionally dips—parts of the lore and backstory are lush, but sometimes they stretch things just a touch too long. I craved a bit more tightening there, fewer detours, just so that every second of tension remained sharp and unbroken. But even in those moments, my heart was invested, hanging in every sentence.

What truly makes this five stars for me is the emotional truth. The found‑family dynamic is rich: Star, Ethan, their relatives/friends, even secondary characters, all feel like people I want to root for (or yell at when they mess up). The wounds they carry—betrayal, trauma, grief—don’t disappear with a kiss; they shape choices, twist motives, make redemption feel hard‑won. The novel doesn’t shy away from letting them suffer for what they want. And the slow‑burn romance? Michelin‑star level: teasing, lingering, with payoff that made me want to read that moment again.

Still, no book is perfect. A few world‑building details could have been clearer earlier on—some of the mythic elements are gorgeous, but initially vague; I wanted more consistency in how certain magic or monsters operate. Also, while the secondary cast is strong, some of their arcs feel like seeds planted that I hope explode in future installments (I need more Andy! Need more backstory for certain side characters). And though the mix of horror + romance + magical realism is mostly well balanced, there are moments where the tone shifts a bit abruptly (from tender to terrifying, or vice versa) and I caught myself blinking, readjusting. But these are minor irritations in what is otherwise a nearly perfect blend of heart, horror, longing, and magic.

Verdict: A Game of Fallen Stars is a heart‑clawing romantasy gem. If you love slow burn, if you believe in obsession, if you want romance that scares you a little, this is the book. Five stars from me, no hesitation—this is going on the reread shelf, and I can’t wait to see where Berkeley takes us next.

A paranormal romance with some fantasy elements, adventure and some spice.
I liked the writting, and the story and the univers.

This book grabs you right away, excellent representation of that toxic parent and that type of relationship dynamic.
Trauma and healing and one of the cutest sibling relationships. It starts out innocent cozy and peaceful and the it's a wild ride def recommend. Thanks to the publisher, author and Netgalley for the advanced copy.