Starlight Jewel is such a unique story!! The characters and worldbuilding are so original and interesting, it absolutely hooked me from start to finish! And I always love romance in the books I read 🤩..honestly I adored this book and am looking forward to more releases from the author E.L Lyons in the future 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This one was kind of clunky to start but once I really got into the writing and the story I was all in! I loved the characters and the story and I could not put it down. I enjoyed every page. And need the next one now.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book. Let’s dive into the review!

The characters were a highlight for me. Axly is so complex yet you eventually do understand why she makes the choices that she does. The other characters all felt distinct and the different dynamics that emerge were a pleasure to see unfold. Distrust, found family, friendships, mentors love, loss,… this book has it all.

the world building and magic system may have felt overwhelming at first but you get an good sense of all of it by the end of the book!

The second half of the book was definitely the part that I found strongest. There were several moments of high tension, action and plot twists I did not see coming with enormous consequences.

While I can appreciate that this is the first in a series and thus it makes sense that there is still some plot left unresolved, I would have liked there to be just a little more wrapping up for this particular story.

Overall I really enjoyed my experience of reading this book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

Actual review 3.5 stars. The world and character building was good but I had a hard time connecting to this one. In some parts it was hard to put down while in others it was a struggle to get through them.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book!

Unfortunately, I'm DNF-ing it around 40%...I tried really hard to get into this book, but the pacing felt all over the place and to be honest, the book was taking me too long to read. While it normally takes me about an hour to read 100 pages it was taking me double that with this book because I was struggling to enjoy it. That being said I don't feel comfortable rating this book on Goodreads so I will only be posting my review there. I've seen quite a few positive reviews for it so I feel this could be a me problem and not the book.

ddicting main character , side character & romance.
Phenomenal world building & and a plot that will pull you in from the start ! I highly recommend this book .

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc 💗

Do you enjoy worlds with unique lore, stories featuring strong women, and perhaps a side of a romance? If so, I would recommend picking up Starlight Jewel by E.L Lyons.

This book follows Axly, a hybrid woman, who is loyal, strong, and yet also vulnerable. What is a hybrid, you might ask, a hybrid is a half human and half sprygan person. Hybrids have a divisive history in the world in which they live where they have been both revered and despised. This results in them banding together to form a company of con artists, thieves, and assassins. The story mainly follows Axly as she works to protect what is most important to her.

The lore and world-building are fantastic. I found the sprygan lore and magic to be interesting and unique. Hybrids and sprygans can have many gifts which initially felt a little intimidating to remember, but the way it is woven into the story allows readers to easily gain understanding. There is also a helpful illustration and glossary at the beginning.

My favorite part of this book was the characters. They had depth and flaws. I know a character is interesting and well written when I start changing my mind about a character I thought I really disliked by the end of the story. There is also an excellent romantic subplot that was heartbreakingly good. If you do enjoy fantasy with dark elements set in a beautiful world with a strong overarching plot and a story that includes some romance, this book could definitely be for you.

Thank. you to NetGalley and the author for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. all expressed options are my own.

"Stars Bless Your Steps"

A world of assassins, thieves, pirates, Sprygrans, and hybrids.

Beautiful Axly, the Starlight Jewel, is a cunning thief and even deadlier assassin. A ball at the Starlight Palace. Forced back into the world of thieving and killing, even though she had to kill those she loved most just to get away.

"Love is fierce and chaotic, as is hate."

Auras that name you guilty or innocent. Humans and Sprygrans. The world I'm learning is fascinating. Tarley the Austringer, with an iron fist around her very life. Possessive, controlling.

Starlings. Hawks. Grim and Cladeus. A broken wrist. Sweets. Ballrooms. Graves. Weapons. The constellation of the Phoenix.

Little Greg, Grim as an older brother. A bleeding Bird brought back to her only true family. Fallen stars. Roots. Soil. Secrets. Stolen kisses.

A binding & an abduction. Fierce loyalty urging them on, memories once more forgotten. A thrilling adventure, to be sure.

A good start for a new author. I am very excited to read more books written by E.L. Lyons. 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Stars!

“Don’t feed a fire that will burn you.”

“Starlight Jewel,” by E. L. Lyons

In the city of Minalay, humans come from all over to be romanced and robbed by the half-human people who live under the city. Axly, is one of the half-human people that was raised to be an escort and thief. But she has secrets and someone she must hide when she finds a human with the aura perfect to help her.

I loved this book so much. The world was so unique and interesting throughout the entire book. The half-human people are like tree people with unique magic of memory manipulation, and they allure humans in. The entire escort thing was written so it wasn’t weird at all which I loved. The MC is so tough and cool, and her perspective was so interesting. This is a book I’m going to end up re-reading again. 5 out of 5 stars, so good.

-Enemies To Lovers
-Escort
-Thieves
-Tree People
-Magic
-Forbidden Romance

Thank you to Net Galley and the author for a copy of this book.

The world building was on. point. I love when you can tell a fantasy story has been so well thought out. I loved the richness of the world and the characters and was immediately immersed. However, I really dislike when books time jump and any story or developments happen off page. This coupled with some pacing issues brought my rating down a bit.

In a realm where opulence and intrigue converge, E.L. Lyons takes readers on a captivating journey of deceit and forbidden desires in her novel, "Starlight Jewel." Set in the lavish city of Minalav, the story revolves around the enigmatic Starlight Palace, renowned for its grand balls that attract wealthy nobles from distant lands, bearing treasures to be romanced—and robbed—by the half-human hybrids dwelling beneath the city's surface. Within these opulent halls, an intricate web of deception unfolds, where nobles surrender their wealth and memories of their enchanting evenings, returning season after season for the unforgettable experiences offered by the half-human seductresses. Yet, behind the alluring façade of Minalav lies a dark underbelly of secrets and lies that threatens to unravel the delicate balance of the realm. At the heart of this tumultuous narrative is Axly, a hybrid assassin and seductress-thief, driven by an unwavering determination to protect her human half-brother. She embarks on a perilous path, carving a trail of blood and chaos that disrupts the intricate equilibrium of Minalav and the world beyond. Lyons skillfully weaves together a tapestry of deception and forbidden desires, delving into the complexities of human nature. Her characters are intricately drawn, each harboring their own motivations and secrets, propelling the narrative forward with an urgency that keeps readers enthralled. The world-building is equally captivating, with vivid descriptions of the Starlight Palace and its secretive underbelly, transporting readers to an opulent and perilous realm where danger lurks beneath the surface of beauty. As the story progresses, Axly's quest for justice and protection intertwines with the destinies of other characters, leading to alliances, betrayals, and unexpected revelations. Lyons deftly explores the moral ambiguities and consequences of Axly's actions, blurring the lines between right and wrong, love and hate. "Starlight Jewel" is a compelling read that blends fantasy, romance, and mystery in a unique and captivating way. Lyons's writing is evocative and immersive, drawing readers into the heart of a world where nothing is as it seems, and the boundaries of morality are constantly tested. With its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and thought-provoking themes, "Starlight Jewel" is a must-read for fans of fantasy and intrigue.

Realistically, this is 3.5 stars.

Starlight Jewel presents a really unique and captivating story that had me completely engrossed. A vibrant, fully realized world that I definitely enjoyed being in. The characters felt complex and compelling. While I had a great time reading it, the pacing was not for me. There is something to be said about a book that throws you around. And while being flung about then dragged through the mud can have its merits, it felt ill-placed in this book. The pacing felt like it interrupted the narrative, and shoved the plot in random directions when we slowed down.

Not my taste in fantasy, but still an engaging read.

"It was the sort of kiss that gives you faith in the Stars and makes you realize they despise you."

Starlight Jewel reminded me of the Cruel Prince series but with less royalty and more romance. There were parts of it that I really liked and parts of it that I didn't enjoy as much, but I can attribute some of my struggles getting into the book to this being the first week of a new semester. The world-building was interesting; there are sprygans (which are basically tree fae) and then hybrids (half-human, half-sprygan), and they have certain abilities like good hearing and sight among other things. My favorite ability was heartfire, which enables a character to keep another alive through love.
The pacing was probably my biggest issue with the book. Parts of it were super fast-paced which was good, but I also got bored at times because the pacing slowed drastically. I can't really describe the plot because it almost felt like a bunch of side-quests...every time I thought I knew where the story was going, it changed direction. There was action, yes, but there was also a lot of scheming and just existing in certain places.
Of the characters, Hyde/Greg was my favorite just because he seems to have an intriguing backstory that I really wanted to get details too but never did. Axly wasn't bad as far as protagonists go. I liked her character and her strength. Grim wasn't my favorite but I didn't mind him (although he named his dog Cleatus and I can't get over that). Of the rest of the characters, I liked most of them but there were a lot to remember and I got them mixed up occasionally. I can't say my other favorite without spoiling anything, but he shows up halfway through and I don't really have a reason for liking him.
If the Cruel Prince series gave you a book hangover or you're just in the mood for ruthless fae-like creatures, E. L. Lyons's Starlight Jewel is a great story filled with action, adventure, and romance.
3.75/5

This was an excellent read, and so different to read about spryggans. The worldbuilding was excellent, as was the plot. There was a lot going on in this with lots of sub-plots.

The characters were interesting, especially Grim. I really liked him. It was also interesting to see some younger characters taking a prominent role throughout parts of the book.

I honestly can't wait to read the next one.

I saw Starlight Jewel on NetGalley and something promted me to request it. All I can say it turned out to be one of my best decisions regarding finding new authors. E. L. Lyons has written a masterpiece, and that is a fact.
Starlight Jewel is book you need to read, and not just read, you need to experience it. The worldbuilding, the characters, the depth of the story - 5 stars isn't fair, Starlight Jewel deserves all the stars in the world ✨
Why, might you ask? First and foremost, the magic system and the world it exists in. It is completely new and different, and good different, not different for the sake of being "not like the others". The intricacies of the world where sprygans, humans and hybrids coexist and how they achieve it - the author has an entire lore for us ready to embrace it. And in the midst of it all, there is Axly, our morally grey, imperfect FMC that you have to love and understand. Grim, the MMC, a seemingly perfect and proper human, yet with so much more under the surface. And he has a dog 🤍 The side characters are all so well-thought and executed - you understand them and their actions, whether they are good or bad. The love story is so beautiful and tragic at the same time, and your heart aches.
Starlight Jewel will entrap you, enchant you and keep you glued to the pages. And all you feel is the need for the second book so we can continue our experience in the world of E. L. Lyons 🤍

Overall, I enjoyed this book. The writing is very good, easy to follow and the author does an excellent job of world building without the text feeling too dense. I love the female main character. She is an absolute badass and unfailingly, unapologetically herself. But she isn't stagnant so she grows at the story proceeds, while still maintaining her own unique code of ethics. I enjoyed the rest of the characters as well, who were all well developed and fit within the world so well. There were aspects of the story I did not enjoy, such as the random time jump 1/4 of the way through the book, some out of character actions and choices by the female main character, and it felt like the book really dragged about 3/4 of the way through with a long description of a journey the characters went on. But overall, a really incredible first book and I look forward to reading more from this author. I'm glad Netgalley gave me the chance to read it.

A morally gray main fmc is so rare but Lyons writes Axly so well. Different fairytales are retold and woven into the plot. The multiple POVS really kept the story fresh and easy to read.

super unique, with great worldbuilding and the society of treants was utterly gorgeously done. thanks so much for the ARC

First off, this books gets 5 stars based on the world building alone. This book was a roller coaster of action and adventure. I enjoyed this book very much and became completely immersed in it. I really hope this gets the recognition it deserves.

This book was amazing! The romance was perfect and I absolutely loved the setting. I would recommend this book!