The Starlight Heir was one of my most anticipated books of 2025 and I really wanted to love it. It was off to a great start and somewhere at 30% it flopped. It begins as The Selection meets The Hunger Games in a persian and indian inspired fantasy setting, but to my great disappointment, the "competition" is already over after the first trial; then there's a lot of capturing and escaping on repeat and then the book is over. It reads like YA for the most part, but there's some spice in it and I guess that's why it was marketed as adult romantasy.

The FMC is lusting over the MMC constantly for about 40% of the book, even when she's trying to escape dangerous situations. I get that it's romantasy, but it was too much for me. Also the FMC's internal monologue using words like "sex-on-a-stick" to describe the MMC really put me off.

The mythology and the magic system were really good and honestly this is what saved the book for me. I wanted more of that, but unfortunately it was more like an introduction to book 2. It was also pretty repetitive and there weren't any twists and turns that I didn't see coming.

Overall, I think that the story has a lot of potential and I will definitely read the sequel, hoping that it's going to be better than this one.

I would recommend The Starlight Heir to fans of romantasy who enjoy fast-paced reads with some drama and spice.

So for Amalie’s debut fantasy romance/ romantasy— I enjoyed this! Amalie’s humor and wit strike again in her latest book. I will say if you’re a romance reader dipping your toes into fantasy this would be a good introduction versus a fantasy reading looking for a little romance. Personally I would rate this book a 3.8/5 and let’s get into why:

Spoilers ahead so if you want to avoid that do not read any further.

What I liked:
-The mythology- it was intriguing to have a different and diverse mythology focus than I am used to (don’t want to tell you too much about this as that will take the fun out of it no?)
- The FMC - I love a sassy FMC — She does use a lot of modern language so I know for some that can feel jarring / throw you out of the world when it’s not an urban fantasy but this didn’t bother me too much
-The MMC - Charming and his way with words had me happy for the FMC— I feel like we got good development for the FMC & MMC
-I am a trials and stakes girlie so I loved “the invitation” concept

What I think could be improved but I’m giving grace on with it being the debut romantasy:
-I want more world building. I like the way Amalie described people, food, and action scenes— but I wanted more from this. I wanted to learn more about the mythology and more about the world they were in. At times I felt like we were “jumping” from scene to scene and this threw me off more than the modern language.
-The spice— I wanted a bit more from this— the first introduction scene was fleshed out well but the later scenes felt too rushed. Also, I think because the characters used more modern language but then the spice/smut scenes used more “historical” language to describe bits threw me off in these scenes. However, in fantasy books open or closed door romance really doesn’t make or break the book for me.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and glad I had the opportunity to arc read it thanks to Netgalley.

The Starlight Heir had so much potential. I liked its Persian and Indian influences, which isn't commonly seen in the Romantasy genre. But sadly, it didn’t quite land for me. I had a really hard time connecting with the FMC, Suraya, as she constantly made frustrating choices, and I just couldn't get invested in her journey. There is modern slang in the book, which broke the immersion for me.

The story did have some intriguing moments, but it did get a little repetitive. The romance between Suraya and Roshan felt rushed, with Suraya instantly lusting over the MMC. That said, I did enjoy the unique mythology and magic system, which gave the story a lot of potential.

I think this could be a hit for fans of Romantasy who like fun, fast-paced reads with drama and spice.

Thank you so much to Avon & Harper Audio for providing me with a review copy. 💖

3.5 stars! The Starlight Heir is the fantasy romance debut from Amalie Howard. I’ve read Amalie for years with her historical romances and was intrigued to see she was putting out a fantasy, so of course I had to check it out.

This one was entertaining, I flew through the story and was just along for the ride to see what would happen next with the characters and world. I liked that this was a more diverse fantasy, it has influences from Indian and Middle Eastern mythology, astrology, and chiromancy/palmistry. I liked parts of the story for sure and was intrigued with characters and things we learn a bit about. I enjoyed this probably more so than other fantasy romances I’ve read recently, but at the same time I was left wanting more. Which I’m sure more will come and be explained as the series goes on.

If you want a more diverse fantasy, then definitely check this one out. The cover is stunning and delivers on a prophecy, ancient cursed shadow gods, family secrets, soul fated vibes.

I received an ARC, all thoughts in this review are my own.

3.5 stars

We meet Suraya as she is finishing a blade in her forge and finds a letter. She opens it and it's a summons from King Zarek inviting her, among others, to the palace in an attempt for the king to find a wife for his son Prince Javed.

Suraya lives in Conan, a poor city within the kingdom. She works as a blacksmith and forges blades using a magical material called Jadu which is the last source of magic in the realm. Sometimes she dreams of a faceless figure who comforts her when she feels overwhelmed or is scared.

As she arrives at the palace, she meets a man who she assumes is a worker, and they banter back and forth a bit. Imagine her shock when she sees him at dinner seated at the royal table and realizes that he's Prince Rosham, the king's illegitimate son and brother to Prince Javed.

While all the other females compete for the attention of Prince Javed, Suraya is only there for the experience and to see where her mother, who died when she was a child, came from. She has no desire to be married off, especially to the cruel prince.

When the real reason why everyone was invited to the palace is revealed, Suraya and Rosham find themselves fighting to stay alive and joining the enemy rebellion (Dahaka) to stay safe because everyone is keeping secrets and as they are revealed, Suraya realizes that she just might be the fabled starkeeper that the Queen and Prince Javid have been searching for. With no control of her new power, she attracts more attention than she wants, especially from a dark god, so Rosham and Suarya need to fight not only for their lives but also the simmering attraction between them.

The world building was done effortlessly within the story so it flowed easily and there was no lull to explain things or dump info to the reader. You jump right in and the story just takes off! All the fantasy elements were easy enough to follow and you didn't feel like you had to go back and take notes or feel that you were missing something. I typically have a hard time following fantasy plots but I got the gist of this book right away.
It did slow down a bit when she was trying to control and learn her new power but once the attraction between the two main characters took off, so did the remainder of the story! The descriptions were stunning. I felt like I was actually in these places and I could close my eyes and see the vivid clothing the characters were wearing or the landscapes of where they were at.

An overall enjoyable book that was set in a stunning world and had good characters.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sharing this book’s digital advanced review copy with me in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I had a lot of expectations that were not met as I read The Starlight Heir. The plot meandered so much that I felt like I was being dragged along. I didn’t love our FMC either and found her to be a very unlikable narrator. The use of modern slang constantly took me out of the story as well. The whole book felt like it was just set up for book 2, which is a bummer because I don’t plan on reading it.

A swing and a miss for me with this one, unfortunately.

Received an ARC and ALC from netgalley for my honest review.

This was a very 3 star rating.

The synopsis is basically the whole book. Without listing a few surprises, which weren't very surprising.

The first 30% of this book was a very different vibe compared to the other 70%. The language in the beginning was modern. For instance "resting hitch face" and "goals". With how the story setting is, such language does not fit in. If you disregard the odd language I very much enjoyed the first part of the book (first 30%). I even dropped my jaw at a certain point, and was full on ready to give a 4 or 5 star review. However this changed after a certain event, that had the book going in a different direction.

The remain 70% was just ok. While I did have a visceral reaction to a very descriptive part, honest to god loved that it gave me that reaction, the rest of the book was just ok. I didn't feel the connection with Ros and Sura. Not one bit made me feel a romantic connection.

Book was slightly repetitive.

Sura was a horney girl for a good portion of the book, Ros gave the vibes of IDGAF, random character came back at the end out of nowhere (forgot where I even saw his name).The ending was ok, no tears shed no nada.

when I read the synopsis for this book, I was IMMEDIATELY intrigued. A chosen one with star magic?? a handsome bastard prince?? an immortal shadow god? SIGN ME UP. and let me tell you it DID NOT DISAPPOINT.

I DEVOURED this book. it grabbed and held my attention the entire way through. It was fast paced so I never felt bored, but the pace is also one of my only critiques because I wish there’d been more time for the characters and plot to develop. even still, the main characters were quick-witted, funny, and had amazing banter and chemistry (though I will say, some of the dialogue felt a bit cringe - a very minor issue but part of why this is only 4 stars for me).

the world building was effective, the magic and mythology felt unique and refreshing, and I simply NEED the next book because the POVs from a *certain someone* have left me with a million questions

I love a well-written romantic fantasy novel and this one reads like a fever dream. The created world is one you fall right into and is described beautifully. I loved the idea of a starkeeper and the way the magic system worked. The romance had me under it's spell and I loved the banter and special moments. I listened to the audiobook narrated perfectly by Anais Inara Chase and Ramiz Monsef and had a delightful time spent with this magical book.

I like to start a book without reading much of the description, this is a new author to me and I was intrigued by the cover.
Overall this book was a good fantasy, this is my first book reading much about Indian culture in a fantasy world. The story line was interesting. I enjoyed the characters and the world building. I do wish the change in POV had more information. Those chapters were a little confusing. The way the main character acted in certain things was a bit immature, she seemed so confused and wouldn't take a second to sit back and think about things. She very much was a flight response to stress. The different sectors of secret groups was interesting and the way the twists kept twisting felt like a movie with constant interruptions and pivots to the plot. It was enjoyable but each had scene I was waiting for the pivot!
My rating is due to some of the confusion and difficulties I had following in places.

Thank you NetGalley, the author and Avon Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025! 5 ⭐️ read for sure! Spice was 1.5-2 🌶️. I really enjoyed the banter and the laugh out loud humor. I got sucked into the story immediately and couldn’t put it down! The characters were very relatable and had amazing chemistry. There was a predictable twist in the story that I did expect and see coming but there was one that I didn’t see coming and my jaw was on the floor. I can’t wait for book 2! This is an immediate “purchase all versions” book for me and I can’t wait to see who does special editions of this one because I will be purchasing all of them!

This was so dang good! I loved every single part of this and am intrigued but that epilogue! The author crafted an amazing adventure that had me hooked with wonder, biting my nails with the danger elements and pulling my hair out with the slow burn! I would have wanted more of her powers developed especially with that ending, and I’m really excited to see how they will grow in the sequel.

I love Amalie's writing and this story is well written. However, I could tell this was the author's first romantasy because there were a lot of pacing issues. It felt like the author has a destination she wants the story to go, but book 1 was just about getting to book 2 and not a sufficient story on its own. There wasn't a goal for the characters. They just kept escaping danger, getting captured, escape, captured again, escape, captured again, etc. etc. After the third capture, I was so fed up.

Will I read the second book though? 100%. I am very intrigued by where this story is going.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

When the gold-dusted court invitation arrives at Suraya Saab’s forge, she believes it’s a joke. Nobles might seek her skills as a bladesmith—one of few who can imbue her work with precious jadu, the last source of magic in the realm—but she has no qualifications as a potential bride for the crown prince. Still, the invitation is the chance at adventure, and the means to finally visit the capital city her late mother loved.
But what awaits her in Kaldari is nothing she could have imagined—and fraught with danger. It’s not the crown prince, but his impossibly handsome, illegitimate half-brother, Roshan, who draws her interest…and her ire. The invitation isn’t a quest to find a suitable bride, but a veiled hunt for the starkeeper—a girl rumored to hold the magic of the stars in her blood. And across the city, unrest is brewing between the noble houses and the rebel militia.
When the rebels carry out a brutal strike, Suraya and Roshan find themselves on the run, trying to deny their simmering attraction and the knowledge that Suraya herself might be the starkeeper. But Roshan is hiding secrets of his own. And with no control of the power that seems to be stirring within her, Suraya has drawn the attention of the old gods themselves…and the interest of one dark god in particular might be the biggest threat of all.

By the time I hit 42% of the book, I still wasn’t sure if I actually liked it—which, let’s be honest, isn’t a great sign. There are some intriguing elements, like the mythology and the magic system, both of which show potential. But here’s the kicker: the FMC is starting to seriously grate on my nerves.

Sure, the banter between the FMC and MMC has its moments—it’s decent, but it doesn’t wow me. I’ve come across much sharper, more memorable dialogue in other books. And as for the spicy scenes... yikes. Let’s just say they land closer to cringe than chemistry, which is a real letdown.

At 100% I'm still not sure how I feel about this book. It didn't get better for me, but it didn't get worse either. Overall I think I would say that this book might be good for someone who is just getting into fantasy, or romantasy, but I don't think it was as engaging as it could be. There was a lot of promise in the set up of the story, but the pacing and execution just weren't there for me.

The Starlight Heir was such a ride! I've enjoyed Amalie Howard's historicals so I knew I was in for a treat with this book I was not wrong. Suraya (the lead of this story) is everything I love in a fantasy MC - scrappy, sassy, loyal and determined to survive any obstacle. The banter was probably my favorite part of the book. The snappy dialogue had me laughing at many points. I really appreciated how the worldbuilding had Persian and Indian influences. I'm always looking for fantasy stories that have non-European influences. I also loved how the story couldn't quite be categorized by one trope. The closest description I can find is if you loved Bash's storyline in Reign then this will probably be the story for you. The story took many twists and turns (some I suspected and some that took me by surprise) and I am so excited to see what will happen next. This was such a strong start to an intriguing new fantasy romance series and I can't wait for everyone else to read it cause I want to hear all of your theories about what is coming in book 2 👀

I read a physical arc of this. 3.75

A Romantic Fantasy with Intriguing Twists

In this captivating fantasy romance, Suraya and Roshan's chemistry ignites as they navigate the dangers of being on the run. Roshan's devotion to Suraya is admirable, and their romance, while not a fast-burn, is sweet and enjoyable.

Suraya shines as a strong and complex protagonist, driven by a mix of love and hate, and grappling with inner turmoil. In contrast, Roshan's character feels somewhat underdeveloped, but this may be due to Suraya's dominant presence.

The story takes an intriguing turn with the introduction of a mysterious character, whose role is gradually revealed throughout the book. The final pages set the stage for a thrilling sequel, and I'm eager to see how this new character will impact Suraya and Roshan's journey.

Overall, I highly recommend this fantasy romance to fans of the genre. Thank you to Avon & Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing an advance review copy. I'm eagerly anticipating book two!t

"The Starlight Heir" by Amalie Howard is a captivating fantasy romance that swept me away.

Suraya, a skilled bladesmith with a touch of magic, is a truly compelling protagonist. Her strength, independence, and fiery spirit make her incredibly relatable. And Roshan, the enigmatic prince, is the perfect foil for her. Their chemistry is off the charts, and their forbidden romance adds a thrilling layer of tension.

I loved how this book drew inspiration from Indian and Persian mythology. It added a unique and refreshing layer to the world-building.

The world-building itself is exquisite. Howard has created a richly imagined realm with unique magic systems and intriguing political intrigue. The plot is fast-paced and full of twists and turns, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout.

"The Starlight Heir" is a must-read for fans of fantasy romance. It's a scorching hot blend of adventure, passion, and danger that will leave you breathless.

I can't wait for the second book!

So I am genuinely unsure if this book is bad, or if it is just not for me. I did force myself to read through it, partly because I wanted to give it a chance and partly to complete my year reading goals.

The cover art is gorgeous. I love the idea of a Persian/Indian inspired fantasy and do believe we need more non-western, non-medieval fantasy stories. Just so many things in this book did not work for me.

The writing style is way too modern for the type of story it is supposed to be. We have references to Disney princesses and too many current, modern colloquialisms that don't make sense in the context of the world building as we are presented it. The writing for the sex scenes is so awkward, its almost funny - watch out for a man's "tool of sensual destruction". I'm sorry, what?

The romance and sex scenes have all the chemistry of wet noodles and are incredibly cringe. Our main character Suraya is a virgin to start, but also has weird sex dreams about a magic stranger and is also constantly thirsty for the love interest - like they are in the middle of running for their lives and she'll be thinking about how hot he is. The romance feels very insta-lust and even the twist is not that twisty but something we've seen a thousand times and is not even that well set up within the story. The writing of the sex scenes (and the main characters constant cursing) give the impression of a teenage trying to sound adult and sexy, without really knowing what they are saying. I understand that Howard is a successful historical romance writer (though I have not read anything by her before), so it almost feels like maybe she was trying too hard to make these scenes different in the fantasy world?

The story arc feels rushed and so many pieces feel left completely unfinished (while I get this is the first in a series, we stil need to tie up at least a few loose ends in the first story!). We get these awkward dream sex sequences, but they never come into play AT ALL (like not even a mention, or a quick info dump on why she is dreaming about a stranger) - it makes these scenes feel like a weird fan service to just add more spice. Parts of the story feel unnecessary (the main characters supposed rivalry with some of the other women, the whole bride competition, escape, capture, rinse repeat). I would have liked more time with Laylah and more actual character interactions that weren't just "oh he's hot".

Anyway, if romantasy is your passion, this might be worth checking out. In the meantime, I will continue my search for romantasy that I like (or maybe give up, we'll see).

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for an eARC of this story.

This book wasn't bad, but it wasn't really what I wanted it to be. I guess I just kind of expected more? I so badly wanted to like it.

I thought that the characters were cute and the story was told well, if not at a bit of a slower pace than I would have liked. I found myself getting bored often while reading, stopping to doom scroll or watch tv instead. The characters weren't enough to keep my interest and I had to force myself to keep reading.

I loved the deadly trials and search for a bride that we got, but it was just lackluster. I thought it was going to be more of a challenge, more trials that our FMC would have to go through, instead there was only one trial with deadly consequences, a random riddle and a ball before it was over. It just felt like I was promised one thing and delivered another. This part of the story was so rushed, but once it ended the story did seem to balance out in pacing.

The author couldn't seem to decide if she wanted this book to be YA or NA. The characters are in their 20s and there are some explicit scenes between them, but the dialogue and actions of our characters was firmly in the YA category and even some of the internal monologues read like angsty teen yearning.

The world building, left something to be desired. The rushed pacing at the beginning of the book robbed us of development, not only within our characters, family dynamics and the world, but also with the magic system. It felt like we got the cliff notes version of development, and while I loved the mythology and Indian /Persian style of the world, It felt like it just deserved more.

Overall, the story was decent. I liked it but didn't love it.

Not bad, but not my favorite book, honestly. I wanted to like it more than I did. The characters were fun, and the story was well told - the myth/fantasy elements were woven in well. The two things I didn't care for - the way the story felt a little YA with spice, and the weird modern anachronisms in fantasy. Some of it didn't bother me, but reading "goals" in a fantasy novel was a little jarring.