I want to start off by saying that I read All the Chaos of Constellations before this book, so my thoughts might be a little different than someone who has only read this book. That being said, you don’t necessarily need to read AtCoC before you read this one.

I adored this book. Whereas AtCoC felt like a rivals to lovers story with heartbreak and conflicting feelings and whatnot, this one is very enemies to lovers coded. The conflicting attitudes and thoughts of Creslyn and Drake bring about some really fun drama and conflict that adds to the story.

I absolutely loved seeing more of our characters, especially Drake. I always love having the opportunity to have a character as a side character in one book become a main character in another with their own POV.

The alternating POV in this book really gave us some amazing insights into the characters minds, which helped the story’s pacing.

The plot was not necessarily the most original, but I absolutely adored every second of it.

Thank you very much to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for an ARC of this book.

Note: This review was also posted on Goodreads and Instagram

Reviewed the book on Goodreads. Once the book publishes and I am more than happy to review on Amazon as well. I did shelf on the NetGalley shelf as well as mentioned it in the review to help others discover the title.
Review:
I loved the first installment of this series and was thrilled to get this one (the second) an eARC on NetGalley. I do want to point out that I closed out that review with the quote “Do not compare her to sunshine and rainbows when she is so clearly moonlight and stardust”, which is actually a perfect lead in to this book with Creslyn and Drake.
Creslyn does have sunshine and rainbow magic but that isn't all she is - I loved her character development and the banter! I'm completely sucked into the Starstorm world. Highlights: Romantasy-Bridgeton vibes and I’m honestly obsessed. Dragons, shadows, evil kings, witches, elemental magic, and so many other small details that just make this book amazing - oh and Drake un-alives people for her.
I’m so happy I got an ARC! Thank you! As always Hillary's writing sucks you in from the beginning of the book and leaves you anticipating the next.

Thanks go to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of “All the Sacrifice of Shadows (Starstorm #2)” by Hillary Raymer, in exchange for review.

Creslyn, destined for anything but love as the oft-overlooked youngest sister in her family, marries the cold and ruthless Drake, a mysterious and powerful ShadowAssassin cursed from birth. Despite his terrifying facade, Creslyn is drawn to the darkness within him, and she defies fate by claiming him as her mate. As Drake's obsession with her grows, the violent world he inhabits endangers her life, and war looms over their realm. With a deadly prophecy threatening their bond, Creslyn seeks to break his curse, while embracing her own inner darkness, but love may not be enough to save them both from the sacrifices to come.

By far better than the first book in the series (perhaps because I adore a morally gray bad boy), this book was fantastic. Spicy, well-written romance, a feisty leading lady that can hold her own, a tortured leading male that comes to understand that love can be a strength. It has everything that makes romance novels intriguing for me.

Honestly, this book is what "_Shadow and Bone_" by Leigh Bardugo *should* have unfolded into, where "like calls to like" and the Light Summoner and the Shadow Summoner *should* have gotten together, to stun the world as they explored each other and their bonded magical capabilities.

Raymer's choice of switching points of view work wonderfully here, and I've always enjoyed the secret thoughts of men supposedly too stoic to show emotion, privately unraveled by the object of their desire (and then not-so-privately unraveled as the story progresses). Drake's thoughts made me squeal with naughty delight.

Creslyn's knowledge of who she is, unwilling to change that for anyone, but open enough to grow, makes her endearing and strong enough to stand up to Drake's demands.

Their clash of wills is hot, lusty, and everything a love story should be.

Although this could be read as a stand-alone, I definitely suggest starting with the book that comes before it, as there's back story that enriches the events written here.