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 enjoyed reading this with my eyes more than with my ears because the narrator's performances didn't quite connect with how I was envisioning the characters. Other people may find that the audio is exactly what they're looking for so I'd definitely take a listen to the sample to see if it might be for you because the accents the narrators did were really fun.

Oh my goodness. Amalie. You're killing me! I started this thinking I was going into this nice, happy, forbidden romance with a hot and a little bit of court intrigue, and then BAM! It's an epic, violent, life and death prophetic masterpiece that has found my very soul.

The storytelling in this book was absolutely vibrant and came to life for me from the beginning. I absolutely love Suraya, she is headstrong, powerful, and understated by herself. Of course she's swept away by Roshan, he's a handsome prince who is beautiful both physically and in spirit. Thanks for setting those book boyfriend standards so high, girl. For real. Swoon!

The magic, the lore, the fantasy of it all was so gripping and real, I could not escape Kaldari if I wanted to. Suraya and Roshan have so much to face, and although they quickly learn that they're better against any foe together, there are forces at work to keep them as far apart as they can. But can the gods, the king, and even fate itself keep them apart, or will they find each other and claim what's theirs?

SO GOOD! I need book 2!

"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!

3.5 ⭐️ The story starts out strong following our MFC Suraya who is a living her life as an expert blacksmith when she gets a surprising invitation from the prince to attend a competition for the princes hand in marriage. But everything isn’t as it seems and soon we find out there is another reason for inviting our MFC to join them at the palace.

I was intrigued by the Indian mythology in the story and the cover art is really fantastic but a lot of the book fell a little flat for me. I just wanted a little more of everything. More of the romance, more of the blacksmith aspect throughout instead of just at the beginning, and I would’ve loved if the book stayed true to the fantasy dialogue instead of randomly including modern vocabulary and phrases that seem so cringy like thick thighs save lives and RBF.

The book has some great bare bones to stand on so I’m hoping as the series progresses improvements will be made and it’ll be well worth the read in the end.

Quick Summary: A mytho-blend romantasy

My Review: The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard is a novel that is scheduled to be released in January 2025. It is classified as a romantic fantasy.

About the Book: "To save the realm from eternal darkness, she’ll have to choose between the truth and the lie—stand and fight or kneel and die."

In My Own Words: A hope and a loss. An ordinary life that is not as it seems. Secrets and betrayals. Hidden agendas. Malicious plots. An unjust competition with a bride contest for the hand of the crown prince. Rebellion, action, and pursuits. Mythology. World building. Attraction and heat. Questions and revelations.

About the Characters: Diverse and colorful are the cast of characters in this novel. The contrast between the dark and the light can be seen, certainly. Who represents the good, the not so good, and the other plays into the story. Also, representation is expressed early on in the story. Another thing that can be said about this book relates to the maturity level of the players. The communication style and the choices that were made revealed much. It will be great to see the direction certain characters go in; the evolution process in the ongoing story has me considering what lies in the future.

About the Audiobook: This novel was narrated by Anais Inara Chase and Ramiz Monsef. This was my first exposure to this team. I think they communicated the story quite effectively. Their rhythm and timing worked. They expressed character emotions and feelings well. I was drawn into the story and was not put off by the delivery. All in all, I was pleased with their efforts.

My Final Say: This should be an interesting series. A foundation of sorts was laid. There were a lot of elements that made this story intriguing. Dangling threads all but guarantee that there is more to come. We shall see what comes next.

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: NA/A
Status/Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Re-read: Yes
Audiobook: Yes
Series: Yes

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (HarperAudio Adult | HarperAudio), and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to an audio ARC of this title. I am most grateful for the opportunity to review this work. I look forward to reading more from this writer.

The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard is a story steeped in deceit, self discovery, and love against all odds. And I devoured every word, this book was spectacular!

Action packed from page one and a fast pace made this book all the more alluring. Suraya, the FMC, is thrust into a new world, very different from her life as a commoner, filled with political intrigue, secrets, and prophesized magical powers. On her path to find the truth she has to dig down deep in her soul and discovery who she really is/wants to be.

The other characters, Prince Roshan, Prince Javed, and Queen Morvarid are all very well fleshed out and add a certain depth to one of the main plot point - good vs. evil - as not everything is as it seems (or is it?)

Overall I highly enjoyed The Starlight Heir and I would recommend it to anyone who loves romantasy, choose one, quests, or banter vibes in their books!


Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for providing the ALC!