Thank you NetGalley and publisher for ALC!

Fast paced story with an insta-love. It can be assumed that this love interest won’t be endgame though with the talk of MMCs soul bond and the random chapters from the God of Night. The beginning seemed like a good set up, but when it came time for the world-building and exploration of the magic system it felt rushed. I’m hoping the sequel will delve more into those details. Also, as previously mentioned, not a huge fan of the common day slang being thrown into books lately.

Overall, it’s an enjoyable book for somebody who is looking for more romance and less depth to the plot and world-building.

🌟The Starlight Heir by @amaliehoward 🌟

The Starlight Heir is a breath of fresh air—and it had me gasping and clutching my pearls at every twist and turn.

This is such a good Romantasy standalone. I listened to the audiobook for this and I highly recommend the audiobook edition of this book. The narrator has such a fabulous voice—it is smooth and steady, even through such a wild ride of a story.

The main thing I loved about this book was the pacing. It was perfectly paced, keeping my attention through out the entire story and I was surprised when I reached the end. I didn't want the story to be over!

I expected this book to be spicier, but I actually loved that the book carried me all the way through with such little spice.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶/5

🎧Thank you, @netgalley / @harperaudio, for the ALC of this book! 🎧

This romantasy was full of twists and turns, adventure, magic, and so much more!! Ohh it was so good!!!!
💕💕💕💕💕💕💕
I loved the story line and the mc so much. Suraya was summoned to participate for the chance to be a prince's wife . Not in the sweet ballroom, kind of way either. There was so much happening. I was trying to keep all the mythology and gods all straight, but once I figured it out, it was easy for me to understand.

If you are a fan of:
slow burn romance
Chosen one
Magic/ powers
Forbidden romance
Enemies to lovers
Dangerous trials
Forced proximity

The audio for this book was great. The voice actors did their thing !! And The ending ......... I cannot wait for the next one !!!

Thank you to netgalley for allowing me to arc read (audio version) of this amazing romantasy...

This story follows Suraya, a bladesmith and commoner. She receives an invitation from the royal palace that the future king is looking for a wife and she is to be one of the attendees. At first, she thinks it’s a joke, but soon finds out she was mistaken. She decides to go to the capital city and soon finds out everything is not as she imagined. The King is sickly and dying, the Queen is not who she appears, and the Crown Prince is vile… not to mention the illegitimate prince Roshan. The invitation turns out to be a quest to hunt for the ‘Starkeeper’ who is rumored to hold the magic of the stars in her blood.

The rebels attack the palace and Suraya teams up with Roshan to get away when it comes to light that she may be the Starkeeper. He vows to help her and they escape together and are on the run. Lines begin to blur and their attraction cannot be denied. Suraya’s powers grow and with that so do her enemies.

I really wanted to love this book because romantasy is my favorite genre, but the wording was too rudimentary for me. Some parts of the story felt forced as well, and I did not love that either. With that being said though, I didn’t hate this book, I just thought that it could have been done better. I did enjoy reading it and would still recommend it to anyone who enjoys romantasy and Persian and Indian Mythology.

I want to thank NetGalley, Amalie Howard, and Harper Audio for the chance to read the audio ARC of this book.

"The Starless Heir" by Amalie Howard presents an intriguing fantasy tale with a unique premise. The story follows a protagonist grappling with legacy and identity in a richly crafted world filled with magic and mystery.

Howard's strength lies in her imaginative world-building and vivid descriptions that bring the setting to life. The plot is engaging, though it occasionally leans on familiar fantasy tropes, which may not surprise seasoned readers.

Character development could be more robust, as some arcs feel underexplored. However, the narrative's blend of action and emotional depth keeps it enjoyable. Overall, "The Starless Heir" is a solid read for those who appreciate fantasy adventures, offering a compelling escape despite some predictable elements.

Thank you, Netgalley, harper audio and harper voyager

I give this book 2.5 stars it just honestly wasn’t for me. It wasn’t what I expected at all. I was expecting trials and tribulations and maybe some slow burn but instead I got more of like Insta love

I wasn’t attached to the main character Suraya at all I thought the language in the beginning was very Gen Z, which made me kind of stay interested and thought it was fun!, but then it completely switched up and how it was describing the magic of the world was so quickly, and just came and went, and there was nothing connecting me to any other characters

It felt very contemporary romance and that’s OK. It’s definitely going to be a lot of other people‘s fan favorites. It’s just not mine.

I think overall it was just an OK story that moved so quickly with no explanation and jumped from scene to scene with no backstory and Insta love is just not my favorite

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Narration: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Duration: 12 hrs 10min
Narrated by Anais Inara Chase; Ramiz Monsef

"A bladesmith blessed by the stars. A prince with a dangerous secret. A god bound in shadows."

* Romantasy
* Chosen One
* Shadow Daddy
* Deadly Contest For A Bride
* Strong FMC
* Touch Her And Die
* Magic

“The Starlight Heir” is a romantasy story that is a slow burn. With magic, political intrigue, forbidden romance, betrayal, high stakes battle, and some spice in the mix. The world and character building was done very well. With mythology and her own spins. Filled with nice twists and turns, women without predictability.

Suraya, our FMC, is a bladesmith who is one of the few who are invited to the palace to help find a wife for the crowned prince. She is very witty, independent, strong, skilled and bold. She was incredible! She falls for the charming illegitimate prince, Roshan. Their chemistry is off the charts. Who doesn’t like a forbidden romance..?

I’m really excited to see what happens in the next book. It was set up nicely to transition into it. Excited for more chaos, vibrant storytelling and more world/ character building.

The narration of the audiobook was perfect. They did an amazing job bringing the story to life. The pacing of their voices was perfect.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperAudio for this ALC. I really enjoyed it!

Not for me. The inconsistent writing really spoiled this for me. The frequent tonal shifts and odd vocabulary choices really pulled me out of the fantasy elements.

The characters also lacked development, so it was hard for me to connect with and root for them. A lot of their choices felt unrealistic to me and their dialogue often felt fake. The God of Night elements also felt confusing and random since they never really went anywhere.

Overall, this read a lot more YA than fantasy. The audio narrators were fine but didn’t engage me in the story more deeply. I wouldn’t have finished this if I was reading this on my own - without the ARC.

✨𝒜𝐿𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
🎧: The Starlight Heir
🎙️Narrated by Anais Inara Chase; Ramiz Monsef

“𝘔𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺, 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳”

A bladesmith and daughter of a tavern owner, Suraya Saab, is selected to compete for the prince’s hand in a series of de@dly trials. Suraya must navigate the dangerous court while keeping her own secrets hidden.

Tropes:
💪🏻Fierce FMC
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒Found family
🫥Hidden identities
🫂Forced proximity
💫Magic & prophecies
🚫Touch her & 💀
⚠️De@dly trials
🌶️: open door

Prince Roshan is devastatingly charming and there is so much more to him than his public facade. Suraya channels ferocity and hope and I cannot wait to see how her destiny unfolds.

I adored the narrator’s portrayal of Suraya and other characters. The wicked banter and sizzling chemistry was portrayed so well and I am looking forward to more of the God of Night (voiced by Ramiz Monsef).

This story is perfect if you’re looking for a new fantasy romance steeped with lush world building inspired by Persian and Indian mythology, ancient prophecies and forbidden magic, tantalizing tension, and heart shattering betrayals.

Huge thanks to the author, HarperAudio, and NetGalley for the audio listening copy. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This is my first book by this author and she definitely impressed! This book was fast paced, very entertaining, and kept me hooked throughout. I really enjoyed the initial idea of gathering the women and fighting for the King's attention for who would be his next wife. When it took a darker turn when the King and his mother's true intentions were revealed I was truly locked in. This leads to our FMC realizing she has magic that was passed on from her mother and she has to navigate these shocking revelations while trying to keep herself and her family alive. Suraya, the FMC, is so strong willed and fiercely loyal and I loved it. She's witty and the banter between her and Roshan was so much fun. The narrators for this book truly brought the characters to life and put so much feeling in to the story. I will definitely be checking out more books from this author!

Thank you Netgalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!

The biggest struggle for me was the modern language in this fantasy story but otherwise it was really great! This was my first time listening to/reading this author and I will definitely say that I will read more by them.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio for this ALC listen! Review: This timeless story of a Cinderella-style heroine mastering fate and bravery while learning destiny is so well told. You’ve got a mix of political intrigue/battle of heirs, meddling gods, forbidden love, hidden powers, and realized destiny. There is a love story, though it is not the bulk of the plot, but rather a nice addition. I do feel there will be a sequel where this love story will be more in the forefront, and I’m anxious to see how that plays out, given the turn-of-events surprise at the end. The story flowed well, and while it did move slowly near the middle, it was well worth the push. The audio was well-paced and the narrators did a great job conveying emotion, especially anger on both parts.

Summary: The Gods have faded to long ago tales and centuries have passed, leading mankind to itself. But there is a destiny told of a starlight who will return from the godly heavens when called in their time to bring back peace and balance. When a meek shop keeper’s daughter, honed in the skill of crafting one-of-a-kind blades, receives an invitation to an exclusive celebration to commemorate the prince of Kaldari’s time to choose a bride, her family is nervous. They have kept Suraya sheltered and safe for all these years, knowing she is different. But to deny her invitation would be an insult to the throne, and so they prepare her and send her off with hopes and well wishes. Little does Suraya know, she is walking into deadly bride games from which many will not return. The more peril and danger she is exposed to, the more Suraya realizes that she is not like the rest. Fleeing Kaldari with the surprising aid of a morally grey Roshan, Suraya must learn who she is, who she can trust, and embrace the destiny that may just save them all.

Suraya is a proud bladesmith with the ability to yield jaadu in her blades. When she is summoned by the Royal Palace to compete for the Crown Prince’s hand, her life changes overnight.
Suraya, excited for adventure and positive that her return to her father’s home is eminent, finds herself falling for the Crown Prince’s brother, leading to a cosmic array of events that even stun the Gods. Suraya finds herself chasing tales and visions as friends and mysteries surround her.

The Good: It’s fast paced, predictable, with a splash of banter and lots of romance.
Who it’s for: A tale of love, betrayal, and soul mates, The Starlight Heir is a high fantasy, new adult romantasy for fans of Danielle L Jensen’s A Fate Inked in Blood and Tanaz Bhathena’s Hunted by the Sky.

P.s: Please read the trigger warnings!
I got the audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

Suraya finds herself being summoned to the queen's court to be one of the possible bride to the prince, something she has no interest in. However, a trip to the castle, some good food, and an adventure sounds like something she could enjoy. Soon she finds herself in the prince's sights and he wants more than just her hand.

The whole first half of this book was light and fun. I really enjoyed following Suraya through her adventure at court and meeting the prince's illegitimate brother. Their romance was quick and cute. I'd have loved if the trials were longer, if the romance was more drawn out, and if the twist of her lineage wasn't as abrupt. It felt like the top of the rollercoaster and suddenly we were free falling.

All in all, this was a fun read. I might have to go back and listen to the male narrator again, I feel like I missed some things that may make more sense now that I've finished. 3.75 stars.

Received this audiobook ARC from NetGalley and HarperAudio for an honest Review

Small town bladesmith, Suraya is off to a ball in the capital city of Kaldari. When she gets there she finds a battle royale set up to win the prince's hand in marriage. However, the prince doesn't interest her. Instead his illegitimate half-brother, Roshan has caught her eye. Soon Suraya and Roshan are on the run.

I did enjoy this book. Suraya and Roshan are interesting and well-developed characters. The story kept me captivated. One thing that I didn't like though, was the pacing. The begining is super fast-paced. Then the middle is very very slow, and the end is fast-paced again and almost felt like things were wrapped up too quickly. Despite that, I did enjoy this book, and I would recommend it, especially for romantasy fans.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC. Anais Inara Chase and Ramiz Monsef were great narrators, and they made the book more interesting.

The Starlight Heir was my first novel by Amalie Howard, and I thoroughly enjoyed the story, which draws inspiration from Indian and Persian mythology and astrology. What made this book even more captivating was the futuristic touch the author infused into the narrative, evident in the characters’ dialogue, clothing, and the clever placement of hidden gems throughout the book. It was a refreshing and imaginative take that kept me engaged from start to finish.

If you’re obsessed with stabby FMCs, heart-pounding, fast-paced storylines, jaw-dropping plot twists, and just the right amount of spice, this book will blow you away!

Initially, I thought this book was a standalone, but the epilogue has me wondering if it might be the start of a series or perhaps part of a standalone series. The ending left the door wide open for more!

The narration by Anais Inara Chase (Roshan) and Ramiz Monsef (God of Night) was phenomenal. Anais brought Rohan to life with such vivid emotion, perfectly capturing her strength, determination, and complexity. Ramiz added an air of mystery and intrigue to the enigmatic God of Night, leaving just enough subtlety to keep you hooked. The care, time, and effort they put into the recording elevated the entire experience, making the story even more captivating and immersive.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

This was just alright for me. After reading what was in the book I was really excited about it but this book just missed the mark. I do wonder if I read it va listening to it, if it would have made a difference. The narrator voice was a little annoying, the man’s voice was cringy to listen too. The story line was pretty predictable and the FMC was oblivious more than she should have been. The love story also was not the slow burn that I look for. Overall it was an okay read, not one I would recommend to others.

When an invitation to be a candidate in the prince's marriage competition arrives at Suraya's doorstep, she thinks that there must have been some mistake. She is then pulled into a political plot and the games of gods. Suraya will learn why she possesses strange powers when forging weapons while learning about the royal family's own secrets.

First novels in a fantasy series can be hard. There is often too much complex worldbuilding dumped on you, or you are simply not given enough time with the characters and the world to feel any connection or investment in them. The Starlight Heir does not have any of these problems. The worldbuilding was unique and fun. I also thought the pacing of this book was perfect. I was very invested in the main characters and felt the overall story progressing quickly without an “insta-love” feel to the love story. The narrator was easy to understand at regular speed and sped up. Her voice definitely suited the character. I also love that they got a male narrator to do the small interludes. I will definitely be watching for the next installment and will listen to the audiobooks again!

Bladesmith Suraya's life is turned upside down when she receives an invitation to the palace as a potential bride selection for the crown prince of Kaldari.

Aspects I enjoyed about this book:
- Persian and Indian inspired mythology
- witty banter
-25 yo FMC
- slow burn romance
- fast paced
- roguish prince

While this was fast paced and moved along quickly, I did feel as if the beginning of the story was almost completely unnecessary to the story once it was revealed that it hadn't actually been a search for a bride, but actually deadly trials designed to sift out the starkeeper.

I also kept feeling taken out of the world/story with the modern phrases like "thick thighs save lives" and "prince-splaining"

Overall I did enjoy the story and romance, but wished there had been deeper plot and character development.

Thank you Avon and HarperAudio for providing an ARC Audiobook!

I went into this one blind and I’m so happy when it works out. I really enjoyed this romantasy. It was full of plot twists and I love when characters aren’t all they seem. I also love a story line about self-discovery. This one checks the boxes and I can’t wait for the next one.