What a journey this was. From start to finish I was hooked. The world building and characters were fab. Also that ending!!!! So much that can happen going forward and I am excited to read it!

R E V I E W

Heavenly Bodies by Imani Erriu

☆☆☆☆.5

Advanced Reader Copy graciously provided by Penguin General UK via Netgalley.

After seeing a lot of praise for this book, which is about to be traditionally published in the UK, I was keen to dive in and see if it lived up to the hype. In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed Heavenly Bodies, a star-crossed enemies-to-lovers story festooned with a whole host of other popular tropes.

From a very young age, Princess Elara Bellereve was kept hidden away in the kingdom of Asteria, away from the eyes of her court with little to no explanation as to why. When an illicit outing reveals Elara's involvement in a hidden prophecy, one that foretells her own future entwined with the love and death of the King of Stars, Elara finally understands why she has been sequestered away all this time. But when that very Star learns of the fabled prophecy, Elara suddenly finds herself alone in the foreign enemy kingdom of Helios after the death of her family. Commited to taking down the all-powerful stars, the King of Helios is determined to transform Elara into his own personal weapon, shaped and trained by his son to bring down the King of Stars.

This was a well-written captivating read with an interesting story arc as Elara and Enzo, the prince of Helios, put aside their differences in order to battle the stars. The development of their relationship from enemies to friends and then more felt natural, although in light of their initial sharp-tongued meeting, their enmity didn't last as long as I would have liked. The side characters were interwoven seamlessly into the plot, adding a found family element to the narrative and the run-ins with the different Stars made for an intriguing concept, with each star seemingly having their own agenda.

This book felt quite long, as though it could have been fleshed out and split into 3 separate installments; nevertheless, I found myself rushing towards the conclusion, hoping to find some resolution to the problem of the dreaded prophecy and Elara and Enzo's contradictory but clear love. The last portion of the book held a lot of revelations, some that could have been laid out with more care. However, despite this, I eagerly await the next book in the series.

I was really intrigued to read this book now that it has been traditionally published. I felt engaged with Elara and I thought her character had depth, however the relationship between her and Enzo fell a little flat for me. Both characters were strongly written yet the dynamic between them felt rushed and a little too tropey for me. I know the book promotes itself with its use of tropes however, I think there can be a time when they came one after another and it fell flat.
On a positive note, the side character were wonderful and really added to the story. Perfectly done. I loved the magic and the ideas about the Gods in each location. Beautiful environmental descriptions and magic.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

Elara has been bound by a prophecy from birth. She is destined to fall in love with a Star, a ruthless god-like creature, which will lead them both to their deaths. When the Star finds out, he attempts to kill Elara and everyone she loves, so she is forced to flee. She ends up in enemy hands, hidden from the Stars, and trained by the prince to awaken her dark and shadow magic to become a weapon to defeat the Star.

Imani weaves such a beautifully magical story of star crossed lovers with elemental and celestial magic bound by a cruel fate, and I really love the concept of a celestial fantasy world.

The plot twists throughout the second half will have you reeling and overall this is a stunning debut fantasy romance and excellent start to what promises to be an epic series.

Some of my favourite tropes included in this book!
- enemies to lovers
- slow burn
- political plotting
- fated mates
- plot twists

This story is a very intriguing blend of mythology and astrology, mainly following the trope of enemies to lovers. I was hooked from the start and just couldn't put it down!

Elara has been bound by a prophecy from birth. She is destined to fall in love with a Star, a ruthless god-like creature, which will lead them both to their deaths. When the Star finds out, he attempts to kill Elara and everyone she loves, so she is forced to flee. She ends up in enemy hands, hidden from the Stars, and trained by the prince to awaken her dark and shadow magic to become a weapon to defeat the Star.

I really love the concept of a celestial fantasy world! The vibe reminded me a little of the "Daughter of a Moon Goddess" series - which I also really recommend. However, I would have loved some more world-building. I feel like there was space for more depth about this universe. I also thought that the ending was a bit rushed. It was full of twists - which were very interesting - but also slightly difficult to follow at times. I wish there was less going on, or that it took on a slower pace at the end, as I did get slightly confused.

Overall, this was still a very enjoyable read with great character dynamics. I'm excited to dive into the next book and see where the events take us next.

4⭐

Thank you Erriu and Netgalley and Pengiun for the Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Ever since i joined Booktok, I have seen this floating around, so when ibsae it was on Netgalley and it was going to be traditionally published I JUMPED on the chance to read this.

I am so happy to say this was my 5 star book of november. I wasn't disappointed. Though it did feel like this could have been 2 books, but I still enjoyed myself.

To begin with, this has a slow start, but after 30% it was starting to pick up and i didn't want to out it down.

It's books like these that remind why i love fantasy romance.

✨️enemies to lovers
✨️slow burn
✨️political plotting
✨️fated mates
✨️plot twists EVERYWHERE

Elara was such a badass fmc. She knew when she could be vulnerable, she knew when she needed her strength.

Enzo... loved him. To see his nightmare and a child. He childhood flashback, that was tough to read. But to see him take control .. wow.🥵 I just hope he's okay.

I would have enjoyed Leo scenes and see more of his story. And see if there's any chemistry between him and Merissa.

3🌶️ 4⭐️
* Enemies to lovers
* Fated Mates
* Slowww burn
* Touch-her-and-💀

When Princess Elara is kidnapped into an enemy kingdom she is forced to ally with her former foe, Prince Lorenzo, to plot the destruction of the Stars, the Gods and Goddesses who rule mercilessly over the kingdoms and their subjects.

Elara and Lorenzo are both more than what they seem, born enemies they both have powers and secrets buried deep. As they grow closer, their destinies become entwined in unexpected ways as they prepare to battle celestial war, prophesy and their own predetermined fates…

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the Arc in exchange for an honest review!

I admittedly did a whole 180 on this book. I felt it started slow, I didn’t immediately warm to the characters and magic system. BUT, when it got going I really began to enjoy it! The 🌶️ was moderate but well done and the slow burn was 👌🏻. As a fantasy, I would maybe rate it lower, I felt it lacked some world building, but reading through a romance lens it was so good so all in all rounds off as a really solid Romantasy!

I’m looking forward to the continuation of Elara and Enzo’s story in Fallen Stars ✨.

4.5/5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin UK and Viking UK for letting me review this ARC.

The story follows Elara and Lorenzo who are royalty from enemy kingdoms. This book had everything I could want in a fantasy book: a prophecy, scheming characters, a cool magic system and amazing side characters. The banter between our two main characters made me blush at some points and kick my feet giggling at other points.

The last 30% of this book were a wild ride with so many twists and turns that kept me on my toes, I literally couldn’t put it down. You know it’s a great book when you stay up late to finish it! I just can’t believe that we’ll have to wait a year for the next one!

I will say that the pacing felt a bit off in the middle of the book, and there were some parts that probably could’ve been removed/made shorter. However, they all added to Enzo and Elara’s characters and their relationship, so I still really enjoyed them.

If you’re looking for your next Romantasy book with strong female characters, an intriguing magic system and plot twists that make you gasp out loud this book is for you.

3/5 stars! The concept of this book was really strong and I enjoyed the narrative energy of it. I struggled more with trying to figure out what this book wanted to be. Was it trying to be a YA fantasy story? Did it aspire to be romantasy? It felt like it was stuck between genres, which in turn made it a confusing read. I think it wanted to be dark fantasy but didn't know how to deliver. Because of this, I couldn't figure out how to judge it. I think it was squarely average. There were parts I really enjoyed and other points that felt super young (again if trying to be YA then cool). But there were sections of romance that sparked and sizzled and others that had no energy (if not trying to be romantasy, confusing). There was an edge of depth and risk that lended itself to dark fantasy, but then nothing ever backed that up. It was all over the place, so I have to leave it squarely at a 3 star read until the author decides what their books are supposed to be and cements the storytelling to match their chosen genre.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

Summary

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

Spicy rating: 🌶️🌶️ 2/5

I’m going to preface this review and say that the indie version of this book will forever be my favourite book. Hence the rating. However, I do think some of the new traditional edits I was a little sad to see some of my favourite scenes cut and I do think that ended having direct impact on some of the character’s portrayals. The new additions to the book have been great but I really do wish they’d kept everything else in as it added so much to the story.

That being said. Imani weaves such a beautifully magical story of star crossed lovers with elemental and celestial magic bound by a cruel fate. I love both Elara and Enzo and feel they have really well fleshed out characters. Elara is as dark and sarcastic as she is brutal and Enzo is as powerful and charming as he is the protective hero.

I love the world of Celestia and it really feels like home when you read the book because the world building and magic systems are so well done. But honestly the thing I love most about this story is the brutally honest and accurate depreciation of grief and despair. When people view depression as sadness that’s not always the case, sometimes it’s the absolute black hole and void of any emotion at all and feels so much worse. So to have that represented in a book hit really deep.

The plot twists throughout the second half will have you reeling and overall this is a stunning debut fantasy romance and excellent start to what promises to be an epic series.

The cutting of scenes between Merissa, Isra and Elara (in particular scenes like the developing of female friendship whilst teaching Elara how to dance) have left the supporting characters lacking in substance and personality. Their friendship is so much less believable and that make me so sad especially with how important that is to the story of the next book.
It also makes Elara's whole personality very Enzo focused which is disappointing as that's not how she presents in the original version.

The wash over of Isra's sexual orientation was also disappointing. Again from that same scene referenced above it added depth to her character and made her more personable and was great representation for others like myself in the LGBTQ community so it's truly sad to lose that.

I really hope when editing the second book the publisher puts it to more alpha/ beta readers and preferably ones who have read the original indie version.

Wow, wow, wow! Honestly, why have I not read this book sooner? It deserves a solid 6 stars! From start to finish, this book kept me guessing and hooked. I couldn't put it down!

I can't wait to read the second book. I'll spend the next month thinking about so many different points in this book, it's unreal.

If you like any of the below, you will absolutely adore this book:
- Shadow Mama
- Light Daddy
- Prophecy
- Gods, celestial beings, stars, angels, flying lions
- Kickass fight scenes
- Seers
- The exploration of past traumas for both the male and female main characters
- Fated Mates

And so much more! Honestly, if I could recommend only one book this year, I have to say it's this one. IT'S AMAZING! 👏🙌👌❤️

Thank you to the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and ARC of this fabulous story.

Now I need all the special edition in existence 🤣 pray for my wallet 🙏 😩

I will be posting my review on release day on instagram, goodreads, amazon

Easily one of the best books I have read this year.

I adore everything about this book. The tension between Elara and Enzo oozes from the page. I am a sucker for a good side character and this book gave us 3 of the best.

It's been a good while since I had a book that had me falling in love with it before the halfway point but there were so many moments that I couldn't breathe, I was grinning like a fool or I was texting my friends gushing about these characters and this world.

I need more.

I really enjoyed this one. There was a bit of a lag in the middle that i thought was dragged out but overall definitely one of the better romantasy books that have come out.
There were some moments that felt too easy, lacked real danger and Elara and Enzo’s time “training” felt a little weak but i was invested in them as characters and really liked their personalities so it didnt matter too much what they got up to. I liked the build up to their relationship although how Elara could deny her feelings for so long was beyond me cause Enzo was super cute and funny the whole time. I liked the smut/romance in this and largely thankful that it was a tad more adult with its language than some other outings ive read. Its very isolated in that it feels like its just back and forth between the main characters but when we did get exposure to the secondary characters, i didnt enjoy them as well. Excited enough about it to read the sequel and i ordered the special editions cause i would like to have this on my shelf for keepsies. A fun outing!

Really strong storyline and I loved the magic system. I felt like each of the cities that worshipped different gods were unique and fun to explore. I do wish we got to see more of them and go a bit more into the magic that differs. I loved the characters, especially the side characters. I liked how involved they were and weren't just props for the plot.

However, I found that the romance was too fast-paced and was a means to an end with ticking off tropes. The attraction was instant and hardly enemies to lovers. Still enjoyable, but the tension wasn't carried through for long enough for the big moment to feel like WOW FINALLY.

I went into this book with zero expectations and wow I was pleasantly surprised! I really like original world-building, mixing Zodiac with Olympian mythology was a move that I wasn’t expecting to like but it was beautifully done. I liked the slow-burning romance and enemies to lovers theme. Some of the plot twists held me in suspense until the very end! Can’t wait for next book if there’s any in the works!

This book was my whole world until I finished it! Absolutely beautifully written, it’s in third person which at first I was unsure about but it’s perfect!!
It literally has you in a grip and on the edge of your seat!! I don’t even know where to go from here.. I absolutely loved it! Even though this is an arc read I am still awaiting my preorder physical book for my shelf.
I can’t wait for book 2 and continue elara’s and enzos story.
I’m normally a slowish reader and the fact I finished the book in 3 days shows how I simply couldn’t put it down, when I had too, I couldn’t stop thinking about it!
It’s a massive 5 star must read!!!!!

4.5 Stars rounded up!

'You know the most dangerous kind of villain?' she whispered. 'A woman with nothing left to lose'.

wow I really didn't know what to expect going into this book as I've seen a lot of mixed reviews but I really loved it! The world and magic system is really unique. I loved the story, I loved the characters and loved the romance between the FMC and MMC.

Cruel stars rule over the world and our FMC Elara has been cursed by a prophecy that states 'she will fall in love with a star, and it will kill them both' . When the star learns of this prophecy he descends to wreck havoc killing Elara's parents and forcing her to flee into the neighbouring kingdom who houses her enemy. When the King learns Elara could not be killed by the star he forces her to train with his son Enzo (the prince) .

The tension and banter between Enzo and Elara was *chefs kiss* I loved them together and the will they won't they was so good. My only negative was I felt that the romance was a tad fast past at the start I would have preferred abit more build up so it seems it all of a sudden happened if that make sense? Despite this I loved their story. The way Enzo looked after Elara after she was kidnapped and the way he worshipped her and literally who burn the world from her was everything.

I also absolutely love Merissa and Isra both are such strong female characters in their own right and I love the trio. I'm really intrigued to see what happened's in the next book with the 3 of them.

Also that ending? The star disappearing? Enzo left in the dreamscape? Us not knowing if he's dead or alive really? NEXT BOOK NOW PLZ

Enemies to lovers is always a win for me!

I struggled to get into it to begin with, but it was definitely worth persevering.

Clever world building where not everything is what you expect.

So happy to have this book on pre-order. I can't wait to read books 2 and 3!

I really enjoyed the first half of this book and really thought I was heading towards a high rating. Unfortunately then it seemed to go downhill. There were so many scenes that felt rushed and were very anticlimactic. At 55% we had a scene that I would have thought would have been the dramatic ending. Everytime we got into a tricky situation it was solved within 2 chapters or so, I just wanted a bit more from those parts, more anticipation, more tension. I did really enjoy Elara as a character and definitely swooned at Enzo a lot 😍 overall it wasn’t a bad book but definitely parts that could have improved to make it great!

This is a great book for someone who is looking to dive into fantasy but doesn’t know where to start. Especially for those who primarily read romance, the romance focused plot allows the reader to acclimate to the world building without being completely overwhelmed.

What I didn’t like: it felt like the pacing was overwhelming and out of sorts, I found myself going back and rereading pages, because I felt a little lost. It also seemed as though the book was centred around adding as many tropes as possible to the plot, which made the story feel a little disingenuous.

Overall I enjoyed the relationship between Enzo and Elara, it was electric and filled with banter and absolutely so enjoyable to read, and I am absolutely looking forward to reading the next book