DNF 46%

Okay I really struggled with this one because the pace is quite slow. There's a mystery elements that takes a while to unfold and while that was unfolding I was very confused about what was going on. The stakes are technically high but they don’t feel like they're really affecting the characters that much so I wasn't as invested. For people who love a slow burn story I'm sure this will be a hit. Unfortunately for me, it didn't quite land. I loved the performances of the narrators individually but I found the duet narration style only added to my confusion because the male narrator narrated all the male characters. If he had narrated only the love interest it might have caused less confusion for me.

2.5⭐️
🎧
*ARC Review*
I wanted to like this book and I had high hopes for it going into it but it just didn't work for me. On the good side, I liked the narrators' voices and I do think they made this book more enjoyable for me. They did a really good job at giving the characters life and feeling. The spice was also good and the characters had good tension. I liked some of the side characters and certain little details and quotes were interesting and captivating.
However on the other side of things... I didn't love how the plot of this book was simultaneously predictable and a big giant question mark. Like I understood everything that happened even when the author had long info-dumping paragraphs but the overall point of this book felt a little flat. Maybe this book is meant to be like this because it's setting up a bigger story but this just felt short. The whole trials aspect of this book was also boring especially considering in the grand scheme of things I don't think it mattered that much. I wished we had focused more on the veil and the other aspects of this book rather than facing all these games.
The romance promised me longing and sacrifice from the very beginning but as things progressed Aestrea's back and forth was a bit annoying and again it felt short for me. I wished we had gotten to see glimpses of their love story in the past or that the author hadn't insisted on keeping the details so vague of their past lives so because it just left me unsatisfied instead of intrigued.
I might read the second book, maybe in the future and it might make this one make more sense or I might just leave it here.

This is a dark romantasy with vampires! A perfect read for this fall/halloween!

I really enjoyed both of these MCs and the world that Chole C. Penaranda has built for this trilogy.

I was SO lucky to get an early copy of The Night Is Defying, so I will be jumping right into book 2!

When I pick up a book, it's as an escape, to be entertained. I don't think I should have to work unnecessarily hard to understand the story. With this book, I felt like I had wandered up to this chick at a party telling a story, and no matter how intently I listened, I couldn't see to understand a word she was saying. I also found the FMC really annoying. I had such high hopes for this book. It's got such a gorgeous cover, but in the end, it definitely wasn't for me.

I loved loved loved the dual narration on this audiobook. Both narrators did such a great job showing the emotion and pain the two main characters were feeling. While I feel like this book was confusing at times and overall left me with more questions than answers, I still am excited to pick up the next book to see where the characters will go next. This is a High fantasy novel that deals with real trauma in the main characters back stories. It is not a light book, so if you are looking for a fun easy read, this would not be my recommendation; however, I think the author did a great job with building out a world that I am curious about and I am excited to see where the story will go from here.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an advanced listener copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest feedback.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for

The Stars Are Dying by Chloe C. Penaranda Is a Romantasy-style story that reminded me of Acotar with bits of dystopian themes thrown in. The world-building at the beginning was a little difficult for me to follow but I stuck to it and ended up enjoying it. I loved the political and magic systems The main male and female characters' chemistry and back-and-forth banter was the most enjoyable part of the novel. I had to take breaks due to some of the context that was a little triggering but it's not too bad to where I felt the need to DNF. Overall, it's not bad but do check the trigger warnings before reading, that goes for any book though. I do feel the need to say that the male narrator sounded congested at times so it took me out of the story but other than that the audiobook was good.

I ended up (soft) DNFing the Stars Are Dying by Chloe C. Peñaranda for a couple of reasons. 1. was I just couldn't get hooked into the content of the book. It felt like a very complex set up that I was having trouble understanding. There were so many characters that were hard to keep track of. The plot also felt a little ridiculous. I also felt like both narrators had jarring voices for their parts. Everytime a new chapter started, it would take me out of the audiobook a bit.

I say *soft* dnf, because I was interested enough and could see myself going back in and finishing the book in a different format.

Wow, I really, really loved this audiobook! I’ve read and loved this author before, and true to her style, this was a captivating fantasy you will not be able to put down!

I love this one! I am on pins and needles waiting for the next book. It was such a beautiful world and I am obsessed with the characters. Night is everything and I can’t stop thinking about what is coming next.

I am so disappointed! I very nearly had to respectfully DNF this one. This book is long, slow, and filled with telling instead of showing.
Let's start with the good, the why I picked up this book: the cover and title are chef's kiss great. I was immediately sucked in based on that alone. I'm a romantasy girlie, so the presence of a Shadow Daddy is another big plus for me. The language the author uses to convey her story is interesting. I liked the names of characters, and they were distinct enough that I didn't get any of the handsome men around confused.
The reasons for the nearly DNF: the pacing is terribly slow. I really struggled with the repetition of ideas and dialogue that I think a better editor would have cut down. There was also a lot of telling and very questionable decisions on the part of the FMC (why even go back to the house you needed to sneak out of in the first place when you plan to leave again almost immediately?) The Shadow Daddy was not more than a voice in the FMC's mind for so much of this, and without an established relationship it just felt like a cheap connection and a little unhinged with her even questioning whether he was real over and over again. This book feels like I've read this story before. The magic system might be unique, but it was hard to tell with how little is explained except for infodump chapters toward the end.
Why I did finish: I was up all night sick, and it helped distract me from how I was feeling. To that end, I was ultimately not upset with how long it is.
If you loved A Court of Thorns and Roses (specifically the first book in the series), you will definitely enjoy this one.
The audiobook narrators were fine, though Corvin King was difficult to understand at times, especially in the beginning. Most of the book is first person pov, with Jacci Prior reading the majority of the text, and King reads the first chapter and all male dialogue. I found the gravelly nature of his voice pleasant but not always clear enough.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC.

I had so much fun with this one. I love Chloe’s writing and I adore a spin off series. I am so glad she is getting the recognition she deserves and this is a brilliant story to be traditionally published.

Great concept.. good story line! I like the characters, but felt disconnected from them, I think when the premise is that the main character has no memory it is difficult for writers to draw readers in-- it all feels a little stumbly bumbly, but the world building is very intriguing.

C.C. Peñaranda's The Stars Are Dying is a captivating fantasy novel that introduces readers to a world where the stars are fading and the fate of humanity hangs in the balance. The story follows Astraea, a young woman who discovers she has a mysterious connection to the celestial bodies.

What I Loved:

Intriguing Premise: The concept of a world where the stars are dying is both unique and thought-provoking.
Compelling Characters: Astraea is a relatable and strong protagonist, and her relationship with Nyte, the enigmatic figure she encounters, is both intriguing and romantic.
Fast-Paced Plot: The story moves at a brisk pace, filled with action, adventure, and unexpected twists.
Well-Developed World: Peñaranda has created a richly detailed world with its own mythology, magic system, and political intrigue.
What Could Have Been Better:

Character Development: While Astraea is well-developed, some of the supporting characters could have benefited from more depth.
Pacing: In some parts, the pacing could have been a bit slower to allow for more character development and world-building.

Overall, The Stars Are Dying is a captivating fantasy adventure that will leave readers wanting more. Peñaranda's writing is vivid and engaging, and the world she has created is both fascinating and immersive. If you enjoy dark fantasy with a touch of romance, this book is definitely worth checking out.

The audio narration on this is fantastic.

Really enjoyed the story telling and am beyond excited for book two.

💫 Book Review 💫

The Stars Are Dying by Chloe C. Peñaranda
💫
This book took a minute for me to get into, because Astraea, who is the main character and the narrator, lost her memories and doesn’t know anything about herself, the world she lives in, or any of the people she finds herself surrounded by. However, once I figured out what was going on, I was totally sucked into the storyline, the world, and most importantly, Nyte. He’s a Shadow Daddy, who’s dark and broody, mysterious and secretive, and has major ”who did this to you” energy. This book had an intriguing mix of trials and puzzles that Astraea has to solve, a little bit of political drama, and a really excellent tension-filled slow burn romance. The dual narration was incredible. Jacci Prior does a great job with the female characters, and Corvin King’s voice for Nyte is absolutely delicious. This is a great start to the series, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us!
💫
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
💫
Read if you like:
▫️vampires, fae, and celestials
▫️competition with trials and puzzles
▫️villain gets the girl
▫️star crossed lovers
▫️slow burn
💫
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and Chloe C. Peñaranda for the ALC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC in return for an honest review.

You must read this book for the plot.

The plot: The male narrator's voice 🔥🔥

The audio production did an amazing job on this book. I would like to have had a better distinction between the male character voices but I was distracted a lot by the smokey, sexy voice. The dueting was wonderful.

As for the story, it wasn't for me. I think there was a lot going on and a lot of characters for what I thought it would be. It has a lot of potential and I did enjoy it at times. But the characters fell flat at times and I struggled to understand what was actually going on. I also think this book could have been two different books. The FMC was so sheltered at times it was annoying but the ending explained a bit why but by that point it was hard to have empathy.

Thanks to MacMillan Audio for access to an ALC on NetGalley.

Sadly I must say I did not enjoy this book.; I felt distant from all of the characters and the plot did nothing to pull me into the story. Usually when I struggle to get into a book the audiobook is a great help. That was not the case here. Though we have 2 narrator's the audio does not follow the normal convention of rotating POV's with a chapter. Rather the main female character would narrate until one of the male characters had something to say and the male narrator would voice a male character's response- it was weird because there was little differentiation as to the voices of the male characters. I think the mood of the audiobook wanted to invoke a surreal vibe, but to me it simply sounded like all of the characters were whispering. All this did was put me to sleep. In short, not the best story to begin with and the weird production of the audio only added more frustrations.

I had to DNF this book at 5% because the female leads meets her male lead in first chapter and alreadys shivering and quaking from his touch. Meanwhile, he is pulling out "who hurt you?" in chapter one. In the very next chapter, she is having biblical knowledge with her current boyfriend and lays back and thinks of england as her he f*cks her, while she was thinking of the mysterious dark haired man who she just met at a party. I was weeping tears of blood. I can withstand a lot in fiction, but I couldn't abide by these choices.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC copy of this book, in exchange for this honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook!

I had high hopes going into this one and was not disappointed at all. I can be incredibly picky on my books so a new author for me is always a gamble on whether or not I will like it, but to be honest I cannot wait to read the second book in this series!
The ending had me like “what the heck!?” So abrupt! And now I am seriously curious where he got that scar.

The romance left a tiny bit to be desired, there was chemistry for sure just not as much as I was expecting. That’s why I gave this one four stars.

Also I feel like anyone who has read this can collectively agree that Drystan and Hektor are the worst characters in the book. Drystan just because he’s a horrible individual, Hektor for essentially drugging Astraea and lying to her, holding her hostage and not allowing her any freedom.
Even though betrayal was a HUGE thing in this book, I do have hope for Nyte and A.

Loved this one so much, thank you!

This was an enjoyable book. Some was predictable, but there was plenty of twists to keep you on your toes. The FMC does not believe she is as strong as she is and the MMC helps her to find herself. The end is wonderful cliffhanger making you want to beg for the next book to find out what happens next. You have your traditional Fae and Vampires as characters along with a human world, but the addition of "celestials" gives this book a refreshing change that sets it apart from other books. The path the FMC takes is tragic, adventurous, and character developing. Overall, the writing is enjoyable, the reading of the narrators is pleasant and wonderfully interactive.