“As Many Souls as Stars” is the latest historical romance fantasy by Natasha Siegel. As a fan of her previous works, “Solomon’s Crown” and “The Phoenix Bride,” I was eagerly anticipating this new release.

Like her earlier novels, Siegel continues to explore romantic queer fiction set in historical contexts. This latest story also features a pair of star-crossed lovers who must navigate times and places that truly test the boundaries of their love. Additionally, this novel includes a fantasy element and spans several centuries.

It is different in that the characters are more morally gray than in the past. Fans of Amal el-Mohtar and Max Gladstone’s “This Is How You Lose the Time War” and Kiran Millwood Hargrave’s “The Mercies” might appreciate this suspenseful witchy, cat-and-mouse tale of love, hate, life, and death. Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the advance reader copy (ARC).

4.5 Stars

"I love you," she said, "and I hate you, more than I have ever hated anyone. I see it now: you must love someone to truly hate them. They must give you something before they can take it away."

This is a beautifully written gothic lesbian historical fantasy romance with a vivid, imaginative magic system. I agree with other reviewers who have said that this novel would be great for dark romance fans. There's nothing traditional or healthy about the relationship between Ritcher and Harding, but it was still beautiful and painful. The characters were all vivid and interesting, even the male side characters who didn't appear for very long. Natasha Siegel has a beautiful way with words and has written a poetic romance that feels timeless despite being a romance between two women. I would say that this novel qualifies as literary fiction. The sex scenes are also written poetically.

As Many Souls as Stars is a dark sapphic fantasy romance that follows two magical beings over the course of 3 lives. While I do not typically read dark romance, this one has such strong characters. Specifically, the main human/witch character (Cybil, then Esther, then Rosamund), is enthralling, intelligent, and captivating. I was entranced in her story and was invested in her success from the very beginning. For readers of dark romance, the romance of this book might appeal more, however, for readers looking for a strong female main character who does not give up on herself and fights for her own fate, As Many Souls A Stars is perfect. The writing of this story is amazing, as well, and as someone who loves history, it was a nice touch to see the writing style and vocabulary change with the centuries and times!

Natasha Siegel is a genius and As Many Souls as Stars is a masterpiece. The story's about Cybil and Miriam, a witch with an exceptionally bright soul and a demon keen on consuming that soul - even if she has to chase that light through the ages to make it her own. There's something so bittersweet about their relationship that yearns so badly to grow into something great but it is endlessly stunted by the malevolent foundation upon which it has been sewn. This story has the reader put through the absolute ringer of emotions; from the depths of a cursed witch's despair, to the fiery rage that guilt inspires, and further into the savage hope that you can't help but to feel while wanting for a happy ending.
This novel is perfect for the fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue if they might have fancied a deeper and more substantial cat-and-mouse chase between Luc and Addie but with a whole new brand of feminine rage and a sapphic twist. While Cybil/Esther/Rosamund and Miriam were excellently thought out, perfectly flawed characters, I also very much enjoyed the levity of Isaac, Walt, and the briefly mentioned Caviar. The ending is so perfectly and tragically bittersweet but I think that any other kind of ending wouldn't have felt so deserved and right.

This was an easy 5 star read.
It had all the elements that I enjoy: morally gray characters, strong female protagonists, a “villain” that is somewhat sympathetic, and a tangled love story that spans centuries. Aside from lyrical prose (which I love) and a strong narrative, the characters were well defined and relatable and the book makes the reader examine deep themes of good and evil, love, hate and obsession and women in a male dominated society.

This book explores the theme of good versus evil in the framework of a sapphic love affair between a being in search of a soul to consume and a cursed witch in search of a way to break free. It spans several centuries and lifetimes as the two main characters struggle against their own natures and society to achieve their goals.

But it’s more than just a romance. Or a fantasy (romantacy?). This novel is also about feminine rage and oppression. And it centers on several moral dilemmas.

It begs the question is something truly evil just because man deems it so?

Why do men label powerful women as evil?

“A woman with magic. It is too dangerous to leave unchecked. “

Why are women forced throughout history to struggle for agency and prove their strength and worth?

Does naming something evil make it evil? If something follows its own nature and does what it is made to do is it natural or is it demonic?

“They had made her what she was, and she had killed them for it. “

It makes the reader reexamine beliefs about evil and paints what we as society commonly describe as evil as neither good nor bad.

“Light chases shadows”
“Light creates shadows. . . No absence without presence.”

Can an inhuman entity feel human emotions?

“Love, hatred…Both were simply hunger. “


“Magic is belief. You must believe in something deeply. And for generations we have believed… that the first daughter is a monster perhaps that is why you are the way you are”

“I didn’t choose to be this way. I didn’t choose to be cursed.
It does not matter what you are the way you are. It only matters what you have done. “

“Is it truly her fault? Is it truly mine? “

A truly thought provoking read. Entertaining and quite satisfying.

Enemies to lovers? Passé. Enemies AND lovers? Poetic cinema. I loved the dynamic between the two main characters. The author never tried to sugar coat just how toxic and parasitic the relationship was, and still managed to create beautiful moments. It balanced on a knife’s edge in a way that was so engaging. And the prose! Vivid and wry and satisfying.

If given multiple chances at life to destroy a curse that plagues you by bargaining with the unknown would you?
A soul for a wish is whats asked of those whom meet Miriam, a demon that craves what it doesnt have, a soul.

"That light was an absence in the shadow’s own self that, once apparent, felt impossible to ignore. She felt the darkness within her as an emptiness, a hunger. And as she saw this stranger’s soul, she knew that all she wanted— all she needed—was to take it for her own".

A beautiful unexpected love story that travels centuries.


First person pov
Gothic fantasy
Family curse
Magic
Demon
FF- slow burn

Blending historical fiction that spans over three centuries with a fantasy about witchcraft, family curses, and Faustian bargains then stirring in a taste of unlikely romance, As Many Souls as Stars is a character driven story whose two (or maybe four) main characters create a love-hate relationship for the ages. Though, like most tales of such bargains, the concentration of the story is on Cybil Harding and her incarnations, we get interesting glimpses at Miriam Richter, the demon who holds the contract to Cybil's soul. Their attraction plays counterpoint to the collection on the contract itself. In her three incarnations, from Cybil to Esther, and finally to Rosamund there is an interesting progression of coping with the circumstances that the character finds herself in and an even more interesting progression in the relationship to Miriam. The story flows beautifully right up to its splendid ending. This is a great read for those who enjoy a darker romance as well as those who wonder if they could do better if they got another chance at life.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher,William Morrow) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Wow!! This is the kind of book that lingers.

As Many Souls as Stars is a dark, sapphic fantasy romance that follows two magical beings—one a cursed witch, the other a soul-hungry demon—across centuries and lifetimes. At its heart, it’s a story about obsession, fate, and the blurry line between love and destruction.

The writing is absolutely gorgeous— using poetic prose set against a hauntingly gothic backdrop. Natasha Siegel knows how to build a world that feels both intimate and otherworldly. The tone is dark, but never heavy in a way that drags—it’s the kind of darkness that pulls you in like a secret.

Cybil and Miriam are compelling opposites…. Cybil, a demon who is drawn to the brightness of Miriam’s soul, chasing her across lifetimes in a pursuit that borders on devotion… and Miriam…. a cursed witch, desperate to break free from the fate that binds them. Their connection is charged with tension and longing…. a tragic kind of love that feels both inevitable and impossible.

What really makes this book stand out is how it explores the concept of good versus evil—not in black and white terms, but in all its messy, gray complexity. It’s about choice, power, and the question of whether we’re defined by our nature or our will to change.

If you’re into moody, romantic, morally complex stories with sweeping timelines and spellbinding writing, this one’s for you.

Thank you to NetGalley & William Morrow.

“Hatred is a gift, Miriam. It gives you the strength you need to survive.” This just covers the tip of the iceberg on the Love/Hate… torment of this book.

I’m completely in love with Miriam—I’d gladly offer her my soul without hesitation. I’d dive into that deal with both feet. This romance was unlike anything I’ve read before: intense, raw, and brutally beautiful. It wasn’t about sweetness or butterflies and rainbows; it was harsh, passionate, and utterly consuming—perfect in its imperfection. The story drags you through the full spectrum of emotion: desire, fury, longing, and love. The historical setting added incredible depth, making the entire experience even more compelling. It was an unforgettable read

I am now a die hard fan of this Author and will be reading everything she writes.

Tropes:
❤️ Enemies to Lovers (still enemies?)
❤️‍🔥LBQTQ+
❤️ Power Hunger
💕Empowerment

Spice Level: 🌶️

Harding and Richter's story is absolutely breathtaking.

The author's devastatingly gorgeous prose envelops you in a haunting, gothic world of magic, feminine rage, social politics and power, and a truly epic, dark love story that tears its way across three lifetimes. Harding is the blinding light to Richter's endless darkness—a witch taught to curse her power and commit herself to a life of social ostracism in a world that demands women make themselves small and weak, and swiftly crushes those who do not. Miriam Richter is a morally grey, enigmatic shadow demon resigned to wandering the world forever alone until she develops an insatiable hunger to unravel the conundrum that is Cybil Harding and witness the entirety of her being, hidden deep beneath a lifetime of fear and cold indifference.

In addition to the unique setting and characters, the emotional complexity of this book does their relationship justice, as we get to witness these two become enemies, friends, and lovers—often simultaneously—many times over throughout their journey. They are one another's destruction and salvation. Their love, hate, desire, anger, and fear are as inextricably linked as their existence is to each other. Miriam's moments of raw, sometimes violent, yearning while she tries to decide whether she wants to consume, worship, or ruin Harding were among my favorite parts of this book.

This was everything I needed, and more, in a dark, fantasy romance. The plot was unique, the emotions were complex and beautifully written, the banter was amazing, and Miriam Richter's mouth had me absolutely sat. It should definitely be on your TBR this year!

Thank you to the author, William Morrow Publishing, and Net Galley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow publishing for giving me an ARC of this book. Now I just LOVE LOVE LOVE a dark gothic romance, and here we have toxic lesbians who are just obsessed with each other, that effortlessly morphs into a dark romance across three lifetimes, well, one of them is immortal. The writing is beautiful, poetic, creative and draws you in - I loved the style and it is very obvious this book was a labor of love for the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow publishing for the chance to read this in advance in exchange for my honest opinion.

As many souls as stars is overwhelmingly melancholic. I cannot think of a better way to describe this book. Every page is poetry, and will continue to live within my thoughts for a long time after reading this.

Cybil, the unloved and cursed daughter is full of so much rage that it is almost— almost bursting at the seams. Much like the boughs of the trees she breaks, her spirit is initially broken.

Miriam, our other “almost” female main character is the opposite. Overwhelmed with driving, vicious hunger, she is insatiable.

Both of these women are born into a legacy that craves destruction. Finding each other in every reincarnation becomes a game with an incredible prize. A way to break the curse attached to a first born daughter.

This was an incredible read and I find myself so very sad (in the best kind of way) after finishing it. You won’t regret picking this up.

I want to thank NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishing for the ARC I received.

A demon/witch romance with gothic vibes, the definition of enemies to lovers till the end, "touch her and I eat your soul", and LGBTQ?
What could go wrong? The answer is nothing, absolutely nothing.

"Have you ever had a dream so beautiful that when you woke up, you wept?"
"Do I feel like a dream?"
"You feel like the moment I wake up."

Cybil Harding. Esther Harding. Rosamund Harding. My love. My Harding. My favorite. I just wanted to put her soul in my pocket.
She won my heart from the beginning. I related to Cybil's loneliness more than I want to admit. I related to her want for more out of life. I related to her hatred towards herself, towards her family. But I also related to Harding's growth over the centuries. Each rebirth, she evolved. Each rebirth, she found her strength and power. Each rebirth, she got more out of life. It made me realize that each day is a rebirth and an opportunity to get more out of life, find my strength, and find my power.

Miriam Richter. My demon. My RICHTER.
She's so toxic, possessive, hot, and damaged, with never-ending love and hatred to give. My glasses must not be strong enough, because I would run right into all of her red flags.
I've never wanted a demon to eat my soul more. Miriam could have me. Like I would gladly hand over my soul without a single thought, just like Cybil. Miriam's growth throughout the story was beautiful and unexpected because I believed she was just a heartless demon filled with anger. Nope, not the case by the end of the book. I love her. I love her. I love her.

Richter's and Harding's love story was life-changing for me. It was breathtaking. It had me angry, crying, happy beyond belief, and then angry again. It was a rollercoaster. By the end, I wanted MORE. MORE. MORE. This book concludes perfectly as a standalone, and it does give room for the author to potentially add a book 2 if she wants. Everyone needs to read this book when it comes out. I will be screaming the moment I get my hands on it and can add it to my bookshelf.

first of all i'm going to thank netgalley and the publisher and author for allowing me to read the book as arc.

i loved this book. it took me a little while to get into it because i couldn't understand where we were going, but then i embraced the not knowing and i got sucked in by harding and richter's game and i breezed through it. the obsession, the mind games, the love and hatred becoming so intertwined that you couldn't tell them apart, harding's own growth and richter's too, everything in this story was wonderful.
the ending was very satisfying, although i was almost sure we'd end up with a mcd moment i'm very glad we didn't!

CW: Parental Neglect, Gore (Wounds), Unhealthy Relationships, Obsession, Stress & Emotional Breakdown

For the sex repulsed, there are two semi-graphic sex scenes, pretty well telegraphed.

This book was a mixture of toxic and sweet that I loved. The premise of the book is simple enough: a demon named Miriam Richter makes a pact with a witch named Cybil for her soul if, in her second life, Cybil cannot break her family curse before she turns 23. Reincarnation occurs, a dark, obsessive love forms, and both parties struggle for ownership of said soul.

However, it’s the smart writing details that make this book. The magic system is not tediously described, but wonderfully fluid in how it can be manipulated and shaped based on belief and expectation, as well as the categorical truth that light and dark must both exist, even if they shift amount and focus. It allowed for some great character building and plotting.

Similarly, the risk with a book that features reincarnation and multiple versions of the “same” person in different time periods is that readers may favor one version of a character or particular time period. I think Siegel navigates this tricky area very well through having shared memories (acquired late in second life, early in third life) and the ever present figure of Miriam Richter. We get to see how both characters progress in different ways, based on their interactions with each other and the worlds around them.

I think some readers may struggle with two elements of this book. First, regardless of which life experienced, Cybil always comes from a white, privileged background. Cybil herself (in her third life) recognizes that fact, but it might affect some people’s ability to relate or enjoy the narrative. Second, because there are three lives to go through and seduction (in both the platonic and sexual sense) is a key element, sometimes the back-and-forth may feel repetitive or readers may wish to get to the conclusion sooner. I think that’s just unavoidable in a book structured like this one; I found the balance of tensions and shifts in dynamic between Cybil and Miriam well done, so I didn’t feel it dragged. Individual tastes may vary.

This story was unlike anything I've ever read and I didn't want it to end; Natasha Siegel is truly an incredible writer. As Many Souls as Stars is a poetic, breathtakingly beautiful and devastating story about a love, and a hatred, that spans centuries, an intriguing cat and mouse chase that gripped me from the first page and didn't let go. Harding is absolutely one of my favorite FMCs of all time and her perseverance in each lifetime was admirable. Her conflicting feelings for Miriam and her wit were captivating. And whether Miriam's love was truly that, or obsession, I found myself rooting for her as much as I was Harding. I doubt I'd be able to resist a deal with her myself. The side characters were all well crafted and interesting bringing with them feelings of hope, hatred, sympathy and grief. The historical atmosphere was enchanting and clearly well-researched to give the reader the ability to envision in each time period so clearly.
What you can expect:
- gothic, historical atmosphere
- enemies AND lovers
- sapphic romance
- feminine rage
- unique magic
- monster romance (demon)
I wish I could read this book for the first time again, because I enjoyed the experience that much. This will definitely be a story I return to again in the future. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

This book was a wild ride as Cybil experiences multiple lifetimes and Miriam finds her to claim her soul on each and every one. They're like star crossed lovers and Cybil also has some magical abilities that she struggles with in her first two lifetimes. Each lifetime was similar from one another but also different at the same time. Her family life was vastly different with each and every lifetime but unfortunately she was alone each time until her last one. I felt so conflicted with Miriam because I did feel ultimately there was a love there but at the end of the day there's too much darkness. I really enjoyed this book.

I love and hated “As Many Souls as Stars.” At first, the brutality of Miriam (the antagonist) who is totally amoral and lacking any humanity was terrifying. Following the main character’s reincarnations (Cybil, Esther, Rosamund) with both growth and stagnation was enthralling.. The action leading to the finale was riveting. So many mixed emotions work together to make this a thrilling novel. Well worth the read! Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶

"As Many Souls as Stars"

Where do I even start?! This is the best written, poetic, beautifully tragic book I have ever had the pleasure of reading. This fantastic book is officially my favorite book out of the all of the books that I have ever read.

You meet Cybil, Esther, Rosamund, and the enigmatic Miriam. You will follow them across a span of 500 years and three lifetimes.

The love in this story is brutal and all teeth. The love between the main characters leaves scars of affection and blends pain and pleasure. It is a story of a sharp hunger, obsession, and pure feminine rage.

The ending wrapped things up in the perfect way and had me laughing and crying at the same time. I am trying not to give to much about this gem away. If you want Hannibal meets Killing Eve meets Monsters and Witchcraft, then you should check this book out. Thank you for allowing me to read this in advance!