This book is just fine in my opinion. There's nothing groundbreaking about it. The actual plot and characters felt just okay to be. I wasn't super invested in the story. It's not that it wasn't entertaining, it felt like a lack of development to really make you care about everything and everyone. I almost wish it was YA instead of adult. The writing and story I think fits better with that genre and the spice didn't add much to the story. I do like the use of Middle Eastern and Indian mythology to set up the world.

It is a fun story for the most part, just didn't connect the way I wish it would have.

This was a fun fantasy, I really loved the world building and the magic system in this one! I’m also a sucker for an really good villain, I think it’s so fun when you just love to hate the antagonist in a book and Amalie Howard did a really good job at making Javed an unlikable character! I will say, it was very predictable and I found myself trying to push through those middle chapters just because it got a little slower. Also, I’m not sure what it is but when fantasy books use modern terms like “thick thighs save lives,” I just think it’s out of place like it’s forced and feels weird. But, overall the story is fun and adventurous, I gave it a 3.5!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC review copy.

I really, really enjoyed The Starlight Heir! It's such a refreshing twist on fantasy elements with Middle Eastern-inspired worldbuilding. It's perfect if you're tired of fae and dragons, but still want some easy-going fantasy with romantic elements.

The pacing was on point. It had plenty of action, without feeling rushed or chaotic. I will say, there were a lot of moments that felt a bit too convenient, as though the author wanted to justify what was going on. The protagonist also felt a bit over-powered in a lot of action sequences, which made sense at first ("I can't control it, and the power has been lying dormant for so long") but near the end just felt like a mismatched, anti-climactic fight.

I'm excited to see where the author goes with the story, and will definitely be continuing the series as its released!

I made it about 30% into this book and tried several times to read it before I could not continue. Maybe I am not in the right place to read it currently. The biggest thing that pulled me out of the story was the use of super modern, casual dialogue. In a fantasy setting (as opposed to urban fantasy), it felt jarring and out of place. I also had a difficult time with the pacing and the character development as well. I will attempt to try again at a later date.

This book was as mid as they come. If you like tropes… Honestly, just a book I read. Amused me enough. Annoyed me some. Glad to be done.

The thing most people will probably struggle with is the dialogue. Nothing to take you out of reading a fantasy book like modern speak (i.e., the MC unironically saying “Goals”). The banter between the FMC and the prince made me laugh, but at them, not with them.

Also, the main character was 25 (which is how old I am), and they read like teenagers.

There was nothing terrible about this book. It was just much of the same as a lot of the romantasy already out, just executed worse (something that could be improved with good editing).

I forgot to do my review for this, so sorry! I loved this book though! I love the Middle Eastern/ Indian inspiration in this tale! If you enjoy forbidden romance, dangerous trials and hidden magic you would enjoy this!

I wanted to like it so, so, so bad. I am always a tad wary of all the famous author recommendations pasted throughout a book's summary, but I wanted to give it a shot. It just wasn't for me, and I'm not sure why; believe me, I have thought hard on it. The book had potential, and the concept is unique enough to be engaging, but it just wasn't. I think the book needed to be fleshed out more; the characters needed more connection (both with the other characters and with the reader), and overall, the tone just didn't reel me in.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a free arc in exchange for an honest review!
i wanted to like this so much, the cover alone is so gorgeous and had me hooked, unfortunately it was just a little too YA for me. the writing wasn't very good and i just couldn't connect to the characters

I love Amalie Howard and I love fantasy books so I really wanted to like this and maybe my expectations were a bit too high. I liked the general premise and it is a solid fantasy book, but maybe it's just me but it felt too YA (which is not a favorite genre of mine) and I couldn't get invested into it. I think this is more a case of for the wrong book for the wrong readers because I think if this had been listed a more New Adult than Romantasy I would have felt more prepared and NA readers are probably a better fit.

Thank you, Netgalley and Avon, for this ARC!

This is definitely not your typical, classic, fantasy story, but I enjoyed it. The modern language woven in was fun - I don't think all fantasy has to be written as if it's a period piece. Suraya is a likable character from the start, but I enjoyed her journey.

I do wish some of the supporting characters, like Clem and Laleh, had more of a presence in the book. They aren't really developed beyond plot devices for Suraya, and they were both intriguing characters!

And I know we are really up to speed with what's going on with the God of Night- it makes me want to read book 2, but I also wanted a little more sbout that backstory in this book. With the miscommunication/deceit in the book, I appreciated it not being dragged out in a way that you know the second book is going to be full of pining. Yay, SurRo!

This book was so hard for me. I wanted to like it and at points I did, but the world building was difficult for me to understand. It was overly complex and presented all at once making it hard for me to digest. I also couldn't get behind the dark god's point of view. I feel like I spent most of the book confused.

Rating: 3/5

Note: thank you netgalley for this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am not quite sure how I feel about this book. Overall, I think it was a good story and I think that
the overall idea and plot of the book was good and I really like the characters and the magic
system. I can’t put an idea as to what exactly I am not fully liking about this book but I think that
it has to do with the second point of view from the dark god. I didn’t really get it and it made me
question if I was missing something or if it was going to be a book 2 sort of deal but I think
because of that I couldn’t really get fully invested in the story.

The Starlight Heir is a cosmic rollercoaster of magic, destiny, and star-powered drama! From the moment the protagonist learns they’re not just a regular teen but the heir to a celestial legacy, I was hooked. The world-building sparkles (literally), the plot twists hit like meteor showers, and the characters? Total stardust icons. If you’re into secret lineages, magical battles, and a dash of romance written in the stars—this one’s for you. 10/10 would pledge allegiance to the stars again.

I so wanted to love this book. It has so much potential. I may reread it to see if I love it the second time around. I really enjoyed the world building in this one!

Suraya, a bladesmith recieves an invitation summoning her to the palace. But it’s the princes brother who grabs her attention.

I enjoyed the twists of this one, but honestly I went in with such high expectations and it just didn’t hit the way I was hoping. I liked the world building, the magical creatures, and the deadly trials.

Read if you love:
* Forced proximity
* Slow burn
* Hidden identities
* Deadly trials

I liked the banter, and the mystery of the god powers, loved the mix of differed mythologies. The twist with the rebellion and who leads them totally threw me. The crowned prince needed a good throat punch lol

I started this book with the best intentions and high interest in the storyline. After reading about 30 pages, I decided that this book was not for me. The writing is very wattpad and that can be a bonus for some, but it is not a reading experience that I enjoy. Thank you for the opportunity to read the arc!

The Starlight Heir is an adventurous romantasy story, with secret princes and secret powers. The overall story was good, with lots of twists and revels throughout. At first I was getting some Red Queen and Selection vibes because I thought this was going to focus on a competition to see who would win the hand of the king. But that part of the story was actually pretty short which was kind of a bummer. The rest of the book was okay and had some good action and spicy scenes. I would probably pick up the next book just to see what happens.

Thanks Avon for the ARC.

Thank you, NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager, for this advanced reading copy. It was indeed a pleasure to read! The imagery and world-building, focusing on Indian/Persian astrology and mythology, was everything!

The book's opening introduces the reader to Saraya and her blacksmith abilities. The author wastes no time when the crown prince invites Suraya and one girl from each province to the royal castle to choose his bride. From there, Suraya begins her journey to the kingdom but is rudely surprised when she has to compete in deadly competitions to win the crown prince's heart. Unexpectedly, a hidden power is unleashed in Suraya that she has never known, catching the crown prince's and his mother's attention. When the rebels attack the kingdom, Suraya and the crown prince's illegitimate brother, Roshan, go on the run, and Suraya is tasked with honing her magic and skills to join the fight. But the reader is in for a surprise when it is revealed that not only the crown prince is hiding secrets but also his illegitimate brother.

I think I am getting into my romantic/fantasy era! I loved the forbidden love interest and the sexual tension between Suraya and Roshan. Besides the whimsical world-building and storytelling, one thing I enjoyed about this book was the hidden agenda unveiled towards the end. We know Javeed and his mother are looking for a bride, but they are looking for so much more in their search! The character development is good as well. Roshan was the most shocking of all! I loved the book's pace and am looking forward to the rest of this series (I'm praying there is another book)!

Suraya Saab is a fiesty heroine - she discovers her star magic or akasha in an encounter with a crone... Each geberation, a starkeeper is born with powerful magic that keeps the god of death, Fero at bay using power from Saru, the god of Light.. Her growth in understanding the magic and the concepts of the gods and star keepers kept me glued to the story. There is spice in the tale, which, for me, detracted from the main tale rather than augment it...
Sura gets invited to the Palace in search for the bride to the new King of Oryndhr - Saved, and falls instead for his roguish brother, Roshan. The politics of the Kingdom with the various houses, the rebels who are unhoused -the Dahaka, and the Scavs, a legion of drug addled mercenaries, serves a major plot line in the story... I felt the houses interplay at court could have been explored more as well..

The book is the first of all series and ends on an almost HEA. The principles of magic stemming from emotions and the discussions of belief and atheism held much promise..