This book has everything you can think of. It has a strong fmc, chosen one, hidden power, a deadly bachelor-like contest to be the bride of the prince, different kinds of classes people can belong to (think Divergent) and some spice. The story is very fast paced and keeps your attention at all times. I can’t wait for the sequel!!

Spicy rating: 🌶️🌶️/5

Thank you Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC. ❤️

**3.5 STARS**

Content Warning: death, violence, war, profanity

I was stunned by this book cover and had to request it. Here are my thoughts:

This book was a wild ride. I like the world-building and the mythology about stars and the gods. I think there is more to explore in this world but in this book there is magic, runes, prophecy, and chiromancy. I really enjoyed all the aspects of the world-building.

Suraya is invited with a bunch of girls to the palace in Kaldari because Prince Javen is looking for a wife. So this reminded a bit of the story The Selection, but then the story takes a turn for something different. I found Sura to be a fiesty, headstrong, but funny character. Her relationship with her best-friend Laleh is sweet and funny. And when she meets Roshan, their friendship grows as well, but into something way more.

The romance is spicy and their chemistry is fun but I feel like book two will be taken into a new direction. Suraya and Roshan’s romance is really sweet, not much conflict and they make a good couple except for some trust issues.

This story is filled with politics and Suraya gets caught in the middle of it because the powers that have manifested inside of her. She has to learn to control her powers and figure out what her role is with everything going on around her. There is a lot of action and it especially gets wild at the end!

I did have some issues with the story. I don’t mind profanity, but there were times the characters had modern speech and that threw me off a little. Also, there is a character, who is very mystery and we only get a few scenes of him. I know he will probably appear more in book two, but it was kind of maddening not knowing who he is and how he ties into everything. Also, I felt like Suraya’s talent as a blacksmith wasn’t really a focus of the story and I’d have liked to see her use that talent more. At times I felt like the story was all over the place.

Final Thoughts:
I had some issues with this story and thought at some moments too much was going on, but overall I was entertained. I enjoyed the romance, the spice, the world-building and am looking forward to see what will happen in the next book.

This is a book that I think will stay with me for a long time. The story is absolutely amazing. At the beginning, I thought it was going one way but it took an entirely different turn! I struggled at the beginning with the world building since it went over my head but that was on me since I did not read the glossary. While it took me a while to invest in this book, it was so worth it and I am glad I took my time reading it.

The reason it did not get a 5 stars is I would have loved for there to have been more time and development of the side characters to make us get even more attached, as well as more time to sit in the twists since they felt like they came out of nowhere. With an extra 100 pages of building this, I definitely would give 5 stars. Absolutely beautiful!

Book:The Starlight Heir
Author: Amalie Howard
Publisher: Avon
Length: 368 Pages
Release Date: 01/07/2025
Overall Rating: 5 Stars

When Suraya Saab first gets an invitation at her forge from King Zarek she does not believe it is real and thinks someone is placing a practical joke or prank on her. Now she believes they may need her skills as a black smith but she is very much mistaken. She does not believe she has the qualification to be a future Queen or anyone’s royal wife that was for certain but soon finds out the real reason she was invited.

Of course she really does want to attend at least to see Kaldari, the capital city her deceased mother always admired. Now she thinks this is because the Prince needs a wife and is going to offer a marriage proposal to someone but she is in for a rude awakening when she discovers it is all about her magic. It is not the Prince, but his step brother Roshan that captures Suraya’s heart. Although the attraction is fierce, he also annoys her at the same time. It is also discovered this is a hunt for a Starkeeper. It is rumored this female has magic of the stars running through her veins and blood. Furthermore there is trouble between the royal nobles and the rebel soldiers/armed forces.

The Rebels ambush her and Roshan as they try to escape with every inch of their lives! This is when Suraya discovers that she might be the starkeeper herself which definitely surprises her! On top of that she and Roshen’s attraction starts to grow stronger everyday. However Roshen has knowledge he does not share that could damage their growing relationship which could destroy their trust where hearts might break. Suddenly Suraya's power is being monitored by a dark immortal god that just might be her biggest threat. Does she and Roshan even have a chance at a future with secrets between them and bad people chasing them including immortal gods? Read and discover their fate.

Amalie Howard writes a brilliant fantasy novel that I absolutely love the world building is an absolute masterpiece, a marvelous magic system, the banter is so much fun and the dialogue is brilliant and the main characters you cant help but love. This is my first fantasy novel I have ever read by Amalie. Even though I have read many of her historical romance books as she is a truly gifted storyteller that I always enjoy! Yes there is a cliffhanger but I was expecting it, as I find that very common in the fantasy genre so I was not surprised. I definitely loved this fantasy novel, a book I highly recommend and I can't wait for the next book in this exceptional series!

Disclaimer: I received an advance reader’s copy from Avon Publishing. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!

I really enjoyed this romantasy/mythology inspired novel! What a lush and interesting world Amalie Howard has given us. Cannot wait to read more and see how these characters and their relationships develop.

I don't care what people are saying. but The Starlight Heir was so freaking good. I literally love this book so much. Like I want to read it again, especially with that cliffhanger at the end. I can't believe that Amalie Howard did that to us. Like, how? I now need the next book because I need to know what's going to happen. You can't leave me hanging like that.

Beside my rant regarding the cliffhanger, let's talk about why The Starlight Heir is going to become your next romantic obsession. First, The Starlight Heir is a romantic read that will leave you in suspension while blushing constantly in-between. Second, the chemistry between Suraya and Roshan is off the chart. Literally, the banter between them leaves me wanting more and waiting for them to be together. Third, the deadly challenge of Suraya being discovered leaves us on the edge. It's the constant cat and mouse chase. Fourth, the unexpected why choose trope was an ever bit unexpected but yet the most satisfying to discover. I hate reading love triangles, especially when all three of the characters being together makes more sense than choosing. And I can't wait to read more about it.

I seriously cannot believe I have to wait for a book 2!! i thoroughly enjoyed reading this and found the characters so lovable.

The Starlight Heir follows 25 year old Suraya who is summoned to the palace to compete to be the crowned prince’s bride.

This book is full of beautiful imagery with Persian and Indian influences. I really enjoyed the mythology, magic, and world. It was very fast paced and kept me entertained the entire book. I do like a slower burn romance, so this was a little too fast for me. You can tell Amalie Howard typically writes standalone romance but I am very curious to see what she does with the romance in book 2. Suraya was a little naive but I’m excited to see how she grows going forward in the series. I’m excited to continue the series but hoping for a little more depth over all and expansion on the mythology in book 2.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. The world building and character development were amazing and the story sucked me in from the beginning and when I finished, I was a little sad it was over. I’m definitely wanting another book and I feel like it’s a possibility, especially given the epilogue. So fingers crossed we get another book and if we do I will definitely be reading it.

This was my first Amalie Howard book and while this was a romantasy it’s made me really want to dive into her historical romance books. So if you’ll excuse me I’m going to download her entire backlist now.

A solid start to a new romantasy series! This was spicier and more brutal than I expected which was a pleasant surprise, and there’s even a bit of a Hunger Games-esque tournament in the beginning. The world building and mythology were a lot to keep up with at times - it wasn’t too difficult but there were a lot of different groups and terms to remember. Suraya’s magic was really interesting but there’s still a lot more I want to know about her powers and their purpose.

I wouldn’t say I felt a super deep connection to the romance but I did like the MMC. There’s also a POV for some sort of dark God/shadow daddy that only appears a few times throughout the book which was really intriguing but also super confusing. I definitely finished this book with more questions than answers but it seems like that was intentional and would convince me to read the next one.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard is a romantasy with intricate world building and unique mythology. Thank you so much to Avon & Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

I will admit that I struggled a bit keeping track of the Gods/Houses and the political aspect of the book - sometimes I would lose focus and feel lost — however, I think that this is a great read and I did enjoy myself throughout the story and was captivated as the story went on.

This story follows 25-year-old blacksmith, Suraya who has been invited to participate as 1 of 100 women in a contest for the Prince’s Hand in Marriage — however, this competition is not what it seems and Suraya finds romance with the Prince’s illegitimate half brother instead. The two face some peril and tough decisions as they learn more abut Suraya’s powers and what’s been written in the stars.

I would recommend this book to romantasy lovers & I’d enjoy reading more from this author in the future.

“His Imperial Majesty, King Zarek requests your presence as his esteemed guest.”

A new and stunning fantasy romance with a deliciously beautiful cover. This follows a bladesmith Suraya as she receives an invitation. Will she be a potential bride or is she something more?

4.5🌟
This book hooked me from the very beginning. Even though the invitation for women to get together for the hand of the king is a bit used, I thought it was so original how the twist happened later and it directed the story in a whole new way.
I thought Sura was a very solid female lead. Not only is she just going to the event to get to know the world, she is also a very realistic thinker. I appreciated that side of her. I also thought Ro was a solid character but I could tell he was hiding more than what he was sharing. It was obvious they had that chemistry.
It was impressive how action-packed this book was. We saw all the facets of this world with the rebels and the addicts and finally with the evil crown. The backstory of the old gods was also a nice addition, you can tell there’s more to it without spoiling the whole plot. And I can tell there will be more in future books. The main question mark and intriguing part of the book was the extra scene about a god of night. He is an invisible, side character but when you see Sura’s dreams, you know he is the real intrigue. Sadly, we only get hints but it looks extra promising and it will make you pick up that second book for sure.

Unassuming Suraya Saab receives a once in a lifetime chance to visit the capital city that has intrigued her since she was young when she receives an invitation to attend court and be considered as a potential bride for the crown prince. Her intrigue and awe soon turn into horror and fear when she is forced to participate in a deadly trial that claims the lives of many of her fellow participants. Suraya comes to realize that the crown prince isn't looking for a wife.., he is searching for the starbringer, who could be Suraya herself as she grapples with an unknown source of power, to resurrect one of the old gods. But Suraya isn't alone; Roshan, the illegitimate brother of the crown prince, saves her in a nick of time. Together, they are thrust into a chaotic mix of fleeing from a murderous crown prince, surviving a dangerous rebel group, and preventing the resurrect of the god of death and destruction.

This...was just okay. I was drawn to the promise of a Persian and Indian mythology inspired romantasy and the absolutely beautiful cover. However, I was left feeling extremely disappointed and honestly a little confused by the actual contents of the book.

The characters were fine. Suraya was a fun and feral protagonist if not incredibly gullible and unaware. Roshan was a good romantasy love interest if just a little bit boring. Honestly, my favorite character was probably Laleh cause she was unapologetically sex-positive and bisexual, and we don't even get to see her much in the story.

I really enjoyed the mythology that was present in the book: the mytholgical creatures, the stories of the old gods, and the star charts. But I just feel like there wasn't enough of it to justify marketing it as mythology inspired.. The world building was incredibly lacking as well, and I couldn't really get a grasp of if this was a more modern setting or an ancient setting. The dialogue was pretty stiff and clanky. It wasn't subtle and felt incredibly forced. Modern words were used throughout that were jarring and took me out of reading.

The pacing felt really off. I know that plot is supposed to be high stakes with all the death and hostages but with Suraya lusting over Roshan for over 30% of the book, I just couldn't take it seriously. Were the spicy scenes good? Sure, but I wish there was more plot. The romance was instant lust and instant love and I was sorely disappointed. I don't even know how to feel about the weird shadow play chapters....They just felt so random but I guess it's to prep for the next book?

It's an okay book; I didn't love it but I also didn't hate it. I think it would be a perfect read for those who enjoy stories that have more romance and spice than plot. I'm not sure if I'll pick up the next book, but I am curious about the "shadow daddy" that was promised during marketing... so maybe.

4.5⭐️
2.5🌶️

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an e-arc of this book!

Suraya is just a girl from a poorer town in one of the houses in Oryndhr. She spends her days in her forge, doing what she loves the most, when an invitation arrives requesting her to join in the trials to win the hand of the Crown Prince. Shocked at her invitation, she begrudgingly attends if not just for the chance to visit the glorious palace in Kaldari. Right as she arrives though, she begins to sense that all is not what it seems outside of her small world back home. Immensely drawn to a man who turns out to be the half brother of the Crown Prince, she not only has to fend off her heart, but also this growing power inside her that threatens not only her own life, but those she loves as well. As secrets come to rise and betrayals become known, it’s up to Suraya to find her own truth and save those she loves.

I was very intrigued and taken in by this story. I was a little hesitant when I read the blurb about it being inspired by Persian and middle eastern heritage, but only because I’m not familiar with it and was afraid I’d be lost in it. Honestly though, the writer did so well, that I was able to go through the story and never felt lost. I think she weaved the heritage into the story well without it feeling like it was being shoved down your face.

I like this FMC. I feel recently that a lot of authors have drifted in the direction that in order for an FMC to be strong, they almost get annoying to a point. I didn’t feel this at all with Suraya. She has faults but doesn’t let them become her whole personality.

The connection between her and Roshan is instant. I loved their banter. I would consider this more of a medium burn than a slow burn but I actually liked that. I hate when romance gets drawn out just to be drawn out. The spicy scenes too….whew….worth it!

The story doesn’t end on a direct cliffhanger per say, but the epilogue has me VERY intrigued for the next book because I have some questions!

This one just wasn't for me. It pulls me put of a fantasy when modern language and references are used. This had a lot of that. DNF @30%

The mythology and world building instantly drew me in. I was very intrigued by Oryndhr and the inhabitants within (and the hints of those without). I really liked the hints of the magic system and hope the next book delves a little deeper into this aspect.

It was a little confusing at first to keep track of the houses or gods, but I do expect that when being introduced to a brand new world and series. The only thing I truly struggled with was probably a lot of turns of phrase Suraya used. It was just far too modern for the setting and instantly had me double taking while reading.

Suraya is a pretty interesting main character and I do like her. I love that she is a blacksmith and is a bit headstrong. I do think she is a bit oblivious and easily sidetracked by her current love interest (which is kinda understandable, Roshan is pretty charming).

Roshan is a love interest that I waffled on. I did really like him from the beginning, but I was also very suspicious about him. The relationship between him and Suraya was a little quick, but the hints of what is in store for these two in the future has me very intrigued.

The small snippets of the God of Night pov plus all the theories and thoughts I have about Roshan just from the last couple of chapters definitely has me hooked. I really wish I could read the next book now. Excellent start to a promising new series, I am looking forward to reading where Amalie Howard is going with Suraya's story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for the e-ARC.

4/5!

Interesting world building and I definitely had some good laughs along the way. It was a little confusing in the beginning because so much happened! I really thought I was further in because authors usually fluff up the plot a bit before a major event occurs. I liked how this book went straight to the point and didn't drag. I would say Suraya is pretty independent and strong. She doesn't overly rely on those around her. And she's honest with her desires *chefs kiss* (SPOILER ALERT?:

when she tried to kiss Roshan and he was so clueless LOLL). Another part I really enjoyed was when Roshan was coaching her on self-defense. Then the reveal at around 85% really reminded me of the Empyrean series. I was like oh damn of course. If you want the spicy chaps, I noted 17 and 20 ;)

The Starlight Heir was not my cup of tea. HOWEVER, someone who liked A Promise of Fire and/or Daughter of the Drowned Empire will probably like this. Neither of those were for me either, and this hits the same spot. Those are both pretty popular fantasy romance series from what I can tell, so there is definitely an audience who will eat this book up.

I had a couple of issues with this book, the biggest of which is that the first ~30% of the book is completely unnecessary and feels disjointed from the remainder. This first chunk features FMC Suraya being summoned to the palace to compete to be the bride of the heir to the kingdom (which she does not want to do). In this pursuit, which is vaguely Throne of Glass-like (not a compliment; even huge SJM fans tend to admit that ToG is extremely weak) Suraya acts more like a TikTok #girlboss than anything else, saying something is "goals," that she prefers "book boyfriends," and "don't prince-splain me." Another character declares someone has "resting bitch face." Need I point out that this is NOT set in a world where this type of vocabulary makes sense? Suraya also wears what amounts to a sexy Princess Jasmine costume to a ball that could have come straight out of Bridgerton, despite the "Persian and Indian" influences this book description touts. And why include any of this? The ENTIRE bride competition is rendered moot when it turns out at the end of the book that the royal family knew who Suraya was ALL ALONG, so the entire bride competition was unnecessary in the first place.

When you hit the 30% mark, Suraya is suddenly on the run with a group of rebels. The weird vocabulary largely vanishes (though she does say something is "toxic masculinity" at one point and references Sleeping Beauty BY NAME; still, it's a large improvement from the first chunk) and it becomes a more typical adult fantasy romance. This part of the book is largely better than the first part, but Howard's weakness here appears to be that she doesn't know how to "sit" in anything--not a moment, not a setting, not a character arc. It is runrunrun and so while a decent amount happens, nothing really feels developed and it lacks emotional depth. Several characters die and we are obviously supposed to mourn them, but honestly I felt nothing because there had been so little development of their characters or relationships. It looks like Howard has written a TON of historical romance before this, which tends to have a much smaller scope, so I wonder if the difference between that and trying to write a "big" plot is behind this and it will improve in the second book.

The Starlight Heir has many of my favorite fantasy elements with a fresh take on the genre!

We are introduced to our main character, Suraya, as she receives an invitation to travel to the palace as a candidate in the prince’s search for a bride. It’s not long before she realizes something is off and has old magic awakened in her. The myth of the starbringer, a person with the magic of stars, seems too good to be true to Suraya, but the prince has been searching for her to take her magic for his use. With the help of the prince’s brother, Roshan, Suraya has to escape and learn to use her new magical abilities.

The romance has good pacing, and I adore the banter between Suraya and Roshan. I also appreciate how they both have their strengths and work well together as they go through enemy territory. Suraya is not a damsel in distress at all!

The mythology system is well thought out and keeps the story fascinating, with new twists revealed in each chapter. The mysterious crone who speaks riddled truths to Suraya is intriguing, and I look forward to seeing what happens next. I would also like to see more of each noble house, and I find the concept so interesting!

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.