STUNNING. I adore this series, and I am always so happy to come check in on Tresingale. It’s shaping up that every book is a season, both in weather and of change, and I am obsessed with the slooooow unfurling of so many simultaneous stories. The author is phenomenal at delivering so much authentic detail, powerful emotions, and balancing the happy moments with the devastating blows.

I looooved Remin’s fears and anxieties as a focal point of this book, his worrying and obsession with safety and the fights that come from the single-minded focus rooted in fear. It’s all superb: the emotions! The relationships! The fights! The grief and loss and struggles and reminders that all is not well in the world. AND STILL in book three we CONTINUE get get lush world building, a connection to every character big and small, and are on the edge of our seats with every nugget revealed that has been hiding in plain sight since the beginning. BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE: I can see the beginnings of new romantic pairings which just makes my little heart squeal with joy.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know our ‘enemy’ Bastin the Emperor and am so excited to read book 4 what I assume will be an avalanche of twists and reveals. I am giddy with anticipation.

Loved this so much, worst part about the book is that I am finished and have to wait for the next one...I have so many theories, so many breadcrumps that I try to follow. I cant wait for the next book but already know that not all of my questions will be answered

Ophele and Rem prepare for Starfall, the capital is stiring and anticipates the duke and duchess of Andelin, we learn more about the emperor's past and also about the princess. Ophele and Rem have to overcome more hardships and learn to work together, to trust each other and be more honest. Love Opheles development and cant wait to see how much further she will go, but we also get insights into Rem and his fears. Ends on quite the cliffhanger.

I really think this series fills a niche I have not seen often, its not really sword and scorcery, so far also not really political intrigue (also not not and I imagine it might increase with further boos) and more of a "how do we build a new city, a new society, what does it take, what do we want the hierarchy to look like, what obstacles do we face, who is against us and why" and I absolutely love that. Its not boring at all and there are so many great characters, all with their own agendas, their own struggles and its amazing how Cave manages to put all of that into each POV. Just from the tone of observation you can tell characters apart.

(will post review on october 15)

Melissa J. Cave blew it out of the park once again with this 3rd installment in the Empire of the Stars series.

Beautifully written and continued to give us Remin and Ophele having character growth both separately and together. Their love is genuinely so sweet

Ophele continues to take the cake for my favorite FMC, so strong in her own right, courageous and working her butt off for her people and her growing city.

Already this book was a heavy fantasy romance that felt epic adjacent to me and in this book we got a lot more political intrigue compared to devil fighting and building. We also get a lot more sections following other characters in the story (and some unexpected ones too) which really added a lot more depth.

The whole book is an undercurrent that something bad is on the horizon, gave a little mystery to the plot. So be ready to have your heart ripped out at the end…

as i keep reading books in this series, melissa continues to prove to be a fantastic story teller!

what i like about melissa's books in general are her well developed and complex characters, real and relatable situations, immersive storytelling through her characters and a whole lot of intriguing revelations.

in the first two books, the only complaint i had was the main focus on ophele's character, her fears, insecurities, but remin's character was not much explored. but in this installment, it's remin's character that's shown more— well, his past, frustration, fears, guilt are shown as he opens himself to ophele. other than these two main characters, i enjoyed the other characters as miche, auber, huber, juste and other knights of brede in general. these characters are three dimensional with their own motives and secrets.

with remin's character, the emperor's character and his past was shown, making him a memorable antagonist.

the only complaint i have with this book is the block of letters i stumbled on. i needed spacing between the paragraphs in some instances.

i am looking forward to the next book to be released and new, intriguing characters to be introduced.

p.s. thanks melissa and victory co-op on netgalley for an arc!
review is posted on storygraph & goodreads.

This series is incredibly well written, and this third installment does not disappoint. Remin and Ophele continue to grow in this book, and it’s heartwarming to see them overcome struggles and rely on each other. You really do see how they make it work. As an FMC, Ophele really comes into her own and grows into her role. With respect to Remin — just wow. We got to explore his fears and motivations and at times it made me feel so much anguish for him. I wish he were able to catch a break!

The book gives you insight into the thoughts, feelings and circumstances of other characters you wouldn’t have expected and it is fascinating. I loved learning about them and I even felt sorry for someone I never thought I’d feel sorry for. The author does a great job of making you care about all the characters, not just Remin and Ophele. Never in my life have I been so invested in side characters!

I also really enjoyed reading about the growth in Tressingale and the day by day lives of everyone in it. The world building really is wonderful.

Can’t forget — the plot was also up to par. It’s clear there is some mystery going on that we’re slowly unraveling with respect to why Remin’s family was killed. This book continues to delve more into the politics of court and things and I’m interested to see where it goes next. IMO this book had the perfect blend of romance, world building, politics and intrigue.

I was sorely disappointed to get to the last chapter. It’s going to be a struggle waiting to find out what happens next especially since the book ends with such a shock. In short: this book is fantastic. Don’t sleep on this series if you haven’t read it!!

How on Earth are we supposed to move on? 😮‍💨😶‍🌫️

This series is officially responsible for way too many late nights and an overheating iPad. 👀

Last of His Blood was my very first ARC ever, and honestly, the whole experience was surreal—from the moment I applied for it to the moment I finally opened it on my iPad.

Anyway, let me drop my two cents here...

😮‍💨 If you, like me, were hoping that book 3 would make things easier or resolve some of the tension —nope. It won’t. Let’s just get that out of the way.

Last of His Blood felt like a constant drumroll leading into battle—you can practically hear it building page after page, faster and heavier.

And yes, book 3 is tense. It feels like everyone is on the verge of completely losing it. I’m looking at you, Remin, you poor soul. 🥹😩
I’m just glad Ophele is finally standing her ground at some point and making you see some reason—which, given her past, is no small feat.

The whole process of preparing for the journey to the Empire is described so vividly. This book opens a door to a new world that just invites you to discover it in great great detail.

Did you ever wonder what would it feel like to live in year 800+ during times magic and nature were trying to sack humans? Well...now you know! You also truly understand what it would feel like to live in an old town, what sickness would be like, how you would prepare for harsh times and so on!

It’s during these moments of planning that the characters truly shine and we get bits and pieces of who is who and what makes them interesting.

But what I love even more is that you can’t fully hate any of them—or fully love them either.

Everyone is flawed. Everyone breaks in their own way. At some point, each one shows their weakness. And some characters who once seemed like mere background decorations? Yeah… they might be a lot more important than they appear. 👀

As for Remin—he’s growing more bitter with each passing day, and honestly, it’s so easy to understand why when the narrator spills his thoughts onto the pages like this:

“Couldn’t he have a few months of peace? It was hard enough to keep Ophele safe without her fighting him about it, and come spring he would be forced to take her to the capital like a lamb to slaughter, his lamb, his fucking heart laid out on an altar for the bastard Emperor.”

😳😳😳 We also get a few characters still playing the game, though we have no clue whose side they’re on!

Between the paranoia over the Emperor’s new interest and the delicate matter of... well, making babies 👀, this book definitely turns up the heat. There are some seriously scorching scenes here 😮‍💨.

At first, Remin’s determination to conceive seems purely selfish (since he’s the last of his bloodline). But then:

“He willed it to happen, praying wordlessly that his essence would take root there, so part of him would grow and be with her always.”

🥹🥹🥹

Again, Remin… you poor, poor soul. (Was I crying and screaming at my iPad at this point? Well… maybe? 😭)

But I digress…

I know I can’t pour everything into this review that makes this book a must-read, but I’ll end by pointing out the things that made it a 5-star rating:

🔖 The Game – The strategy, the manipulation, the way everything unfolds and completely completely takes you by surprise…

🕯️ The Breadcrumbs – They’re there. Oh, they’re definitely there. You’ll want to go back and reread the earlier books wondering, how did I miss that?!

💞 Their Love – It’s not perfect. Neither are our main characters. But they were loved as children—truly loved—and I think that foundation is what ultimately saves their relationship.

🙊 Miche. (If you read my other reviews you know what this character means to me...and this book...ah...I just don't know how to say it without giving major spoilers so...I'm gonna stop here.)

As I’ve said before: this series is going to be BIG. I’m writing it here now so I can come back later and say, Ha! Told you so!

At this point, it’s giving Game of Thrones vibes for me—political, surprising, sometimes tedious to get through but very very addictive.

I'm closing this now with a BIG fat THANK YOU to Melissa J. Cave for writing this and to #NetGalley for the ARC. 💀✨

#ARCReview #LastOfHisBlood #FantasyBooks #Bookstagram #BookTok #Romantasy #MoralGreyCharacters #EnemiesToLovers #BookCommunity #MelissaCave

This series has me, heart and soul. I was so excited for the third book to finally come so I had the excuse to re-read the first two instead of the 9 million other books on my TBR. I can't express how much I love this series, the fact that it pulls so many emotions out of me and gets me very attached to the story that I completely forget everything else in the world except for this book...Melissa J Cave is that amazing of an author and I love her for it. Each one has pulled me in and refuses to let go, leaving me in a "staring at the wall" phase after finishing. The best feeling though, and I can't get enough.

Writing this review has been such a struggle – “Last of His Blood” is truly one of the best books I’ve ever read, and I don’t have the words to do it justice. The Empire of the Stars series has completely blown me away, but even that sounds trite in comparison to the experience of reading these books. It is not hyperbole to say that this series has entirely shifted my paradigm of what a “5 star book” looks like. I had very high hopes after “Stardust Child” and Melissa Cave more than delivered – “Last of His Blood” is perfection! I genuinely have not come across any other book that can compare or offer a frame of reference (and I’ve read A LOT).

Be warned that these books are not your average “romantasy” series with cookie-cutter characters playing out the expected plotlines and tired tropes. These books are not a dopamine rush of high-intensity action and manufactured drama with a smattering of “twists” that you can see a million miles away. The real heart of these books is the incredibly detailed, complex world-building and the excellent character development. “Last of His Blood” is a deeply immersive experience, beyond what I’ve seen in any other book. It is impossible to capture the thoroughness of this book – everything from the character backstories, to the mechanics of day-to-day life, to the evolving relationship dynamics, to the exploration of religion and culture…every possible detail is accounted for. It is all so thoughtfully vibrant and layered, so much so that it feels “real.” The book almost has a “slice of life” feel in its thoroughness, yet at the same time, the intrigue continues to deepen in such thoughtful and surprising ways.

In “Last of His Blood,” you get new insights into a broader array of characters, but this often leaves you with more questions than answers. Melissa handles this aspect expertly – these questions aren’t coming from obvious gaps in the storytelling, the questions arise from thought-provoking explorations of human nature. The character growth in “Last of His Blood” feels authentic and real – Melissa doesn’t take the easy way out by using shortcuts. There is no magical overnight “glow up” where the FMC suddenly becomes snarky and all-powerful. This is a very honest and heartfelt depiction of characters evolving after a history of neglect, pain and trauma.

In “Last of His Blood,” you also get glimpses into how the seeds planted in earlier books are now growing and intersecting in unexpected ways – Melissa plays a brilliant long game with the unfolding intrigue, and it is delightful to watch. I’m going to do a reread soon because I know there are a million details from book 1 and 2 that I missed the first time.

For anyone about to read this series, you really need to clear your mind of any expectations that you’ve picked-up from reading other romantasy books – these books are not what you think! Let go of any accumulated expectations and allow yourself to become immersed in this world. If you’re someone who’s read hundreds of romantasy series, like me, you might go into these books thinking you know what’s going to happen because you’ve seen it all before – trust me, this isn’t what you expect! These books really aren’t about solving the monster crisis or understanding the magic system or defeating unseen enemies. These books are about character growth, redemption, and bringing dreams to fruition… the monsters, magic, and enemies are all just backdrop as the characters, relationships, and community evolves. Like I said, it’s impossible to put into words the power and beauty of this series - none of the countless romantasy books on my shelf can compare to “Last of His Blood.”

Melissa – if you ever read this review, I’m so sorry that my words don’t do justice to this incredible book. This series has truly been transformational to me as a reader, and I cannot wait to see what comes next.

I think I just found my new favorite author. This book is intense! I've been reading fantasy for decades and recently started diving into some romantasy. Most are pretty cheesy and the plots are not the greatest. But this series is incredible! I love it and I'm dying that I have to wait until May to see how it ends. I really don't want it to end.

I love the characters. The Knights are everything a woman wants in a man. Spicy scenes. I'll be reading this series repeatedly.

Thank you to the author for not writing in homosexual characters or encounters. That is one of my biggest complaints in novels these days. Only 10% of the population is gay. There are plenty of books out there for them. I don't want to read it.

WHAT????? I refuse to accept that ending. I had to read it 3 times just to comprehend what was happening. The next book can’t come soon enough 😭😭😭

I cannot explain how much I love this series, it’s one of the best fantasy series I’ve ever read in my life. This book continues the story from the previous one, and it does not disappoint.

We have Ophele trying to juggle hundreds of lessons about royal duties while also managing everything happening in the city. My girl has GROWN. She’s a completely different person from the first book. I love how she just keeps getting better and better, and reading about her journey of finding herself as a duchess was incredible. I especially loved seeing her take on leadership roles during tough times, it really showed her strength and resilience.

Remin… oh my poor guy. He’s drowning in anxiety, and I felt so bad for him throughout this book, everything he worries about, everything he carries on his shoulders. And of course, the most important thing to him is Ophele. His dedication to her is unreal.

Mionet is finally opening up, and I’m so excited to see more of her, especially once she gets to the capital. Azelma and Wen were absolute treasures, healing my heart with how deeply they love and care for both Ophele and Remin.

*internal screaming* what was that ending?! What...What happened?! And how am I supposed to wait till May for the next book? 😩
This book was like coming home; I love this series and was thrilled to be back in the world of the Empire of the Stars. The world of The Empire of the Stars deepens! I loved all the new additions, and the deepening of the characters. Davi's story was especially moving.
I really loved the entire blessing of the fields. It was so passionate, raw, and emotional!
Honestly, I could read in this world forever, the characters really come to life and they are so dear to my heart. Melissa is an amazing writer, I'd be thrilled to read anything she wrote!

I loved being back in this world. This book finally introduces the Emperor, we get to see what happened before the start of the book with Remin's family and Ophele's mother. How some of what transpired resulted in the fate of Rem's family.

The stakes of this book felt a lot higher than previous books, and it was the first time I felt nervous for the characters. The combination of the fever and the mystery of who was trying to keep them from leaving the valley. I did however love seeing Ophele come into her own and gain some confidence. I also liked seeing Rem soften up a little. It is adorable that he's only like that when him and Ophele are alone, he has come a long way though. Their romance is so sweet, and I

I still don't understand the motives of Lady Verr. She like she has care or concern for Ophele, but the why is still a mystery. The narrative tells us she has a 'plan', but I don't know what it could be. There are so many reveals, and a lot of fantastic character development. I am excited and nervous in equal measure for the fourth book.

The cliffhanger ending gutted me though.

I’m so happy to be returning to the world of Tresingale in this third installment of Empire of Stars! It’s a smooth continuation from where we last left off in Stardust Daughter and it was stunning. My expectations were blown out of the park again and I remember all over again why I love Melissa J. Cave’s writing and this world she created.

Melissa just has a way of immersing the reader so deeply into her story. I loved following the development of Tresingale and getting to know other characters more. There’s so much history with nuance between them, they feel like real people. I especially enjoyed getting know a bit more about the Emperor and Empress and their dynamic, it opened up a whole new understanding of their motivations and choices and I can’t wait to see where that goes in the next book!

This series as a whole is so unique, it’s not your typical action-packed, fast-paced, defeating a big bad by being otherworldly story that you normally see nowadays, it’s more about the slow building of a grand society from the ground up and still has all of the political intrigue and romance and high stakes of epic fantasy. It feels much more grounded and real and I love it.

Even though Remin and Ophele are happily together now, I liked seeing them work through real couple problems and learning more about Remin and his anxiety. Watching Ophele really taking being a duchess by the reigns and seeing her grow as a person was really rewarding too, that was a gripe I had from the last book but now I can’t wait to see how she does in the capital!

And OH that ending!! I was wondering where the spy situation was going to end up but wow I am SHOCKED and DEVASTATED because what do you mean two plot twists in a row Melissa?! So much was uncovered in this third installment and yet I have so many more questions I need answered!! I eagerly wait for book 4. I am so excited for Selenne and Ophele interactions as well as learning what scandal Lady Verr was involved in. Speaking of Lady Verr, I love that we still can't tell if she's good or bad yet but either way she was bad ass in the end and I respect her.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Melissa J. Cave for the ARC! Can’t wait for A Congress of Roses!!