I attempted to make it further into the book, but I fear The Stars are Dying suffers from many of the same pitfalls as other romantasy books. It uses schlocky vocabulary, especially around physical features ("irises", "locks" etc), over explains the characters' feelings, and overanticipates later events in the book. The ideas contained in the book have potential, but the writing is poorly executed. I suspect some aspects of this book may be a little too targeted toward BookTok. Some readers may enjoy this, but this fell short of my expectations for Tor publishing.

I liked this book a lot, especially the romance and fantasy aspects. The beginning of the book had me so invested and I liked the uniqueness of this book. I'm still confused about a lot of the worldbuilding aspects but I loved the stars/moon allusions and the writing had some good quotable moments. This book has vampires, fae, and humans and the fmc starts as an escort who's kept hidden by this lord who rescued her. She plans to escape with her best friend and that's when everything hits the fan. In her mind, she hears the voice of the mmc who talks to her and helps her but she doesn't realize that no one sees and communicates with him except her. The main characters have lots of chemistry and the tension is so good I was rooting for them even when secrets are revealed and people are not who we think they are. This is a bit of a slow burn and there is some good spice in it. I'm excited about the next book and can't wait to see what happens.

This book is both intriguing and masterfully constructed, with a vividly depicted world, and a simmering romance! The unexpected turns in the plot kept me fully engrossed, and I am eagerly anticipating delving into the next installment of this series!

“The dark belongs to the stars who can’t shine without out it. It’s where passion burns brightest. It’s peace and it’s company.”
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Astraea has spent the last five years with broken memories, illness, and protection through her captor yet savior Hektor. When Astraea is given the chance to join Cassia on her journey to the King’s Central, she decides to break free from her cage. However, things do not go to plan and Astraea is faced with an unimaginable choice: become a competitor in the Libertatem or run.
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Peñaranda crafted an engaging and complex story with The Stars are Dying. There was a lot going on with the plot which kept the pace moving at a pretty steady pace through most of the story between Astraea’s time with Hektor, reaching Central, competing in the Libertatem, and after. I do wish more time was spent on the trials and riddles. Having to figure out the clues was one of my favorite elements of the entire story. Overall, I do believe some of the plot points became unnecessarily confusing especially some of the scenes early on with Nyte. I was able to figure out what was happening but there were times I had to reread the scene to fully grasp what was happening.
I really enjoyed the cast of supporting characters especially Cassia, Zath, Rose, and Davina. I enjoyed Astraea but wish we saw more development from her. Given the issues with her memories, I’m hoping to see a lot more growth from her in the next book. As far as Nyte, I’m still on the fence how I feel about him. Given that he’s written in the morally grey/villain vein, I don’t think that’s wholly unexpected.
There are several fan favorite bookish tropes features throughout the story:
One horse
Who hurt you
Touch her and die
Memory loss
Magic trials
Star crossed lovers
Overall, I enjoyed the story and plan to continue the series. There was enough political intrigue, mystery surrounding Astraea, betrayals, and twists to keep my interest.

This is a captivating journey into a world steeped in darkness and danger. Astraea, a young woman burdened by a fragmented past, finds herself caught in a web of political intrigue and a forbidden love that threatens to consume her. The novel's premise is instantly engaging. Astraea's quest for her lost memories becomes a thrilling chase against time, as she faces the trials of the Libertatem, a high-stakes competition for survival against the encroaching vampire threat. The world-building is immersive, with vivid descriptions of the human lands and the chilling realities of the vampire world. Peñaranda expertly weaves together elements of fantasy, romance, and political drama. The Libertatem competition provides a captivating framework for action and suspense, while the burgeoning relationship between Astraea and Nyte, the enigmatic vampire, adds a layer of passionate danger. Astraea is a compelling protagonist, her vulnerability and strength intertwined. Her journey of self-discovery, grappling with her past and forging her own path, resonates deeply. Nyte is a complex and alluring character, his seductive charm masking a darker reality. Overall, this is a story of love, loss, and the fight for survival, with a compelling cast of characters and a world that begs to be explored further. If you enjoy fantasy with a touch of romance and a dash of political intrigue, then I would definitely recommend this book!

What a beautiful read. I great enjoyed this book The Starts Are Dying. The fantasy, the world building, and the tension. I can't wait for the next book!

This absolutely blew my brains. So much detail, world building, fantastic characters and that cover is the most gorgeous

A compelling writing style combined with two really interesting main characters. Chloe C. Penaranda weaves an interesting story that holds a lot of interesting foreshadowing of two individuals.

The Stars are Dying by Chloe C Penaranda
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 8 October 2024

Astraea is trapped in the prison of her own mind, with memories slipping away like water through her fingers. Despite this, she knows she must escape the clutches of the tyrannical king who holds her captive and reclaim her lost past. Her journey leads her to the Libertatem, a series of trials hosted by the king where five human lands compete for a period of safety from vampires who hunt, claim souls, and ravage after dark.

Yet, even victory in the Libertatem won't ensure Astraea's safety from the vampires. She has struck a deal with Nyte, a mesmerising and lethal vampire who invades her dreams and shadows her waking hours. He vows to protect her, but she cannot trust his words, even as she finds herself irresistibly drawn to his dangerous allure.

I found Astraea's journey throughout the book to be deeply engaging, particularly witnessing her gradual growth and development. As the story unfolds, Astraea evolves into a more confident version of herself, displaying a remarkable blend of determination and compassion. It's inspiring to see how she navigates challenges while staying true to her morals and kind-hearted nature.

The relationships Astraea forms along her journey, especially those with Zath and Rose, are a highlight of the narrative. Having felt isolated for so long, it's heartening to witness Astraea opening up to new connections and discovering acceptance and camaraderie along the way.

I really liked the premise, but I found the first half difficult to get into. The world-building took time, and it felt slow and hard to follow at times. However, once Astraea reached the Central, everything started to pick up, and I was hooked. I loved how the myths of vampires, fae, and magic were woven into the story. It offered a fresh take, and I can't wait to learn more about this intriguing world.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and the author, Chloe C Penaranda, for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.