Thanks to Netgalley and E.L. Lyons for this ARC.

Fun fact, not only did I get an ARC of this book I also got it for free in the annual SFF ebook discount/sale that happens round Christmas.

I discovered that this ARC archived wayyyy sooner than I thought and I had to panic read it to give a proper review. To add to that, I ended up feeling like I was hate reading it but I signed up to review this and boy am I going to review it.

Put simply, Starlight Jewel is a book that has an amazing set up for worldbuilding and plot but fumbled execution hard. None of the characters had any personality outside of "tell everyone everything" and somehow had the insight to determine the deepest secrets upon first meeting. The romance is absolute garbage, relying too much on the amnesia trope but really just led to me feel bored and exhausted because there was never any tension to make me anxious.

In fact, the whole book had no inflection whatsoever and felt like it was told in monotone in attempts to deliver the most information without involving the reader in the process. I could never tell what perspective I was in as the narration itself couldn't make up its mind either which led to me to be extremely confused. I was already perplexed with how often the sentences jumped from one event to another without transitions so overall Starlight Jewel was a very aggravating read. All exposition was dropped via dialogue in the most unnatural way and honestly, this was not an enjoyable experience. I wanted to DNF several times throughout the book and would have if I didn't agree to do a review.

For some people, this style of writing will not bother them whatsoever. For me, the lack of detail and editing made this a story a rambling sequence that appeared to have no end.

A intriguing story full of magic and dark secrets.

We follow Axly, a sprygan halfbreed, as she faces challenges to keep her human brother safe while unrest grows in Minalav.

I really like the world that Lyons created, rich with detail and feels like you could get lost in. The magic system is refreshing, it makes a lot of sense and is explained well. Sprygran history and folklore is revealed throughout the story, so it doesn't feel like a big info dump at the start. The characters are strong and I enjoyed the different dynamics. The romance is very slow burn but keeps you invested. Some of the time jumps were slightly jarring, especially during any travels.

Overall, very enjoyable. I’m excited to read the next part!

“Liking is calm and reasonable. Love is fierce and chaotic, as is hate. If I get a man to hate me—just a little—I’m a breath away from making him love me.”

i actually enjoyed this more than i was expecting! i was a bit put off seeing that it was 100 pages longer in this republishing than the original, and truthfully i think it could've been edited down.

however! it was good! it's a unique magic system of sprygans, tree-like creatures with enhanced abilities to humans and varying gifts of power and their hybrid offspring living in a teetering, liminal status between both worlds.

axly is definitely a flawed fmc, but in a way that makes her engaging and intriguing. she's definitely in the category of "bad ass fmc's" who fight, but her constant reassessment of loyalties and morals keeps you invested. she's funny, she's sassy, she's trying to figure out how to not let the most important people to her die but is also willing to take down whoever she needs to, including her own. thus makes for a great lead.

there were times when the action is going i was completely sucked into the book, then there were times of info dumping and conversational summaries of the plot that made this a little long and drag, but i certainly was also emotionally invested in multiple characters. what IS the prince's intentions? what will happen with grim?

overall i do want to see what happens in the next installment and have high hopes for it. i feel like fans of longer epic fantasy and stories like mask of mirrors will be into this!

It's not that bad for a debut novel. Honestly, I liked the world building and I didn't mind the POV at all. But it wasn't for me.

First, amidst all the romantasy books that are released these days and readers wanting more romance in their books, I admire the author for selling this as fantasy with only some romance. If I understood correctly, she had the cover changed because the previous (but beautiful) one suggested romance. I like fantasy with or without romance, so I didn't care. But I was slightly disappointed that the romance was so present in the whole book. It was mostly kisses and glimpses, but there was a lot of talk about their feelings/relationship. I wouldn't say the romance part wasn't important.

I had a hard time reading this. Dialogues felt unnatural, almost like a script where the characters were talking about how things worked. A lot of telling instead of showing. You know how sometimes, there's too much description and details? Well it wasn't enough for me here.

I spent a good amount of time between the one-year skip and the end of the book looking for a plot. I mean a general plot. I truly didn't know where the story was going and what was the point. I had to force myself to finish the book, not because it was bad, but because I couldn't see the point of continuing.

One thing I did enjoy though is how the FMC remained morally gray and didn't change because of love or whatever usually make MCs change.

I'm not sure whether I'll read the next book, this one didn't really captivate me.

Hey fellow readers, this book is a wild ride and here is a spoiler free guide to it:

E.L. Lyons takes you on a journey with Axly, a young woman who is the Starlight Jewel, property and head Starling of the Starling Company. That makes her the head female hybrid human-sprygan in the company. She is a self admitted thief, seductress, and assassin. Overall I would say this book reminds me of the characters from One Dark Window if they were in Lady of Darkness but written by Stephanie Garber.

Summary of the review: 2.25/5 stars
Story: 4/5
Pacing: 2/5
Characters/Voice: 3/5
Spice: 0/5

The writing overall was across between dramatic and encyclopedic. I thoroughly enjoyed the metaphors and imagery, the driver her FMC has, and Henry. Oh man we need more Henry, and I'm sure book 2 is all about his role.

The story was quite literally all over the place. Hints are dropped in every scene for things to come. However, following the main plot and subplots was a chore at times but you'll likely keep reading. The story hooks in you in that Caraval, OUABH way where you feel compelled to know what nonsense Axly is going to do next. Lyons will take you, and Axly all over the map so many times I really thought, okay she needs a fast travel spot for goodness' sake. Her handling of the Sprygan forest and people was also so much fun. Their way of speach, customs, lore, it was really cool and I wish Axly sent more time with them. Ch 14 rubbed me the wrong way, and I wonder if that was a breadcrumb of things to come in book 2 or just to add tension. Coming from a Latin, Catholic family with zero boundaries I feel the need to add a trigger warning for that chapter and the end of Ch 13. If the tension there was not necessary then let's leave it out, or rework the scene a little.

Pacing on the other hand was more of a traffic jam. The first few chapters were so lovely to read, I was entranced by the wonderfully thought out heist and scheme between Axly and her mark, Grim. But then things slow down, pick up and slow down until the story peaks at a deafening crescendo. Wow. That ending. Okay.

Characters and their voices, okay this is where I think editing came in heavy and sorry but I wish it had been heavier. I was to state for the record that it's not easy to write dialogue or keep track of a character's voice especially on your first book - so, that being said - if the character's dialogue needs a new paragraph I would have liked a gesture or some flavor text in there to demonstrate movement rather than monologuing. I also wish the dialogue had more thoughts interspersed. I also found myself looking back to see who was talking between Axly and Grim, since their voices were so similar. Have him give her a pet name or something. But Henry, oh man Henry is the Jacks of this series. I want a whole like set of books with just him. This is his Caraval! There were a lot of nuanced characters, and really interesting development of some of them.

Okay and now the controversial take: this author is no spice, yes violence. I am not a fan of that stance and by the time I realized it, I had committed myself to reading the whole book. But I think there is a way to edge your reader without spice. For ex: "His maddening scent made sleep difficult and uncomfortable." Please demonstrate it with description. How did she feel in those moments, or what did she feel, what did she miss or what was she thinking about? I would have preferred more visuals to add tension without spice. It's clever and allows the readers to stay engaged without breaking your rule. That led to me really really disliking Ch 22. I felt no sincere tension or genuine crave from either character. And I'm pretty sure that chapter was pivotal to the plot.

Thanks to Netgalley and E.L. Lyons for the arc.

this was soo good! I started off feeling like this would be a romantacy but then it turned out to be more high fantasy, its well written and the mmc is truly morally grey. I wont spoil but I recommend people pick this up!! its absolutely stunning for a debut novel I cannot wait to see what this author writes in the future.

I was pleasantly suprised by this novel. It was well written with a strong plot format. It was exciting and full of the fantasy that it promised. The scenes were written with so much in-depth detail that you could clearly imagine the city of Minalav. The characters were strongly written and fascinating. The story to me was unpredictable, which makes me like it all the more. It's build up was well executed, and it ended just as strongly as it began. I loved the character of Axly the most, with the internal struggle and dynamics. It was a fast paced, great book, and I can't wait for the next one.

Thank you Net Galley ARC

I really liked this. It was nice to read a book that doesn't display the female lead character as a helpless or stubborn child. Plot was exciting and kept my attention well.

A big thanks to NetGalley and E.L. Lyons for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

You know what I appreciate, authors that list out all of their content and trigger warnings. INCLUDING one about the fate a animal character. Thank you, Lyons I appreciate and respect you.

Starlight Jewel by E.L. Lyons is a fantasy novel about Axly who, like all hybrids, is Company property—from the rings on her fingers to her woody bones and the skin that covers them. Her rank as the Starlight Jewel affords her some freedom in the city of Minalav, where the hybrids of the Starlight Company follow a code to keep balance between humans and sprygans. Axly isn’t bound by this code, especially when it conflicts with protecting her human half-brother. She’ll do anything to keep him safe—even if it means damaging company property or destroying Minalav’s balance to do it. General Arthur Grimwalt is only in Minalav to secure a deal to protect his country, not be romanced and robbed by the infamous Starlight Palace’s lavish balls. Securing such a deal has left Grim with more than he bargained for and vague memories as to how it happened. If the Starlight Company won’t let Axly go, then she’ll give the gluttons what they want and more. No one leaves this tale unscathed.

I cannot stop recommending this book to people. The characters are fantastic and dynamic, the plot, though slow at times due to the need for world building, was top notch and kept me guessing at every turn, and the setting *chef's kiss*. I instantly fell in love with this world and especially with *excluded for spoilerly reasons.* I can't wait to get my hands on book two, and perhaps I will be foaming at the mouth until then.