Illusion of Stars: Enmity of Hearts, Book 1
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 | 🔮 Slow-burn with a side of awkward spy energy

Okay but can we talk about how the audiobook just ELEVATED this entire experience?? I read this last year but the audio narration took Isabel's adorable awkwardness to a whole new level!

Sarah Marie Page has officially created one of my favorite heroines of all time. Isabel is this perfectly imperfect royal physician who's just trying to keep her kingdom together while also being the WORST SPY EVER (and I mean that as the highest compliment).

The premise is absolute gold - Isabel infiltrates the enemy kingdom to seduce secrets from Erik Lothgarson, this broody illusion-magic wielding hottie, all while seeking revenge for her murdered bestie. But of course, catching feelings was NOT part of the mission brief! 😩

The vibes we're tracking:
🔥 Steamy tension that tastefully fades to black
🏇 The "one horse" trope (iykyk - forced proximity at its finest!)
🗡️ Court politics with extra spice
🙈 Hilariously bad espionage attempts

Isabel's awkwardness had me CACKLING. She's studying to be this serious court physician but can barely keep the mad king from streaking down the halls (a sentence I never thought I'd write in a review). Yet there's something so endearing about her determination that makes everyone love her despite knowing she's a spy!

The magic system is fresh, the banter is chef's kiss, and the slow-burn romance had me yelling at my headphones. Erik is giving major broody shadow daddy energy and I am HERE FOR IT.

Fair warning: this ends with you immediately wanting book two! Sarah Marie Page better be writing fast because my patience is already paper-thin!

I really love discovering new narrators! They were perfect and made the book even more enthralling. I really love how the world building was simple and easy to follow, i loved the magic system and the pacing was perfect! Hate to love is going to do it for me every single time. Also I love me. A shadow daddy!

Wow, what a ride! I loved this story so much, Isabel's mission to infiltrate the enemy and steal a powerful weapon is packed with suspense and slow-burn romance with Erik. The world-building is so vivid, I felt like I was right there with them. Erik's banter and Isabel's character development are top-notch. The audiobook narrators, Jacci Prior and Rusty Mewha, nailed it and really added a lot to the overall story.

If you love smart heroines and fantasy adventure, definitely add this to your TBR!

Listening to this audio was just as amazing as reading it. Illusion of Stars is such an amazing book. And the narrators was perfect for this story i loved them alot.

I need the next book in the series as soon as possible. I could not stop listening to this audiobook. I had to force myself to put it away for bed and save some for the following day - it’s actually quite rare for me to take only two days for an audiobook.
The story was captivating and the characters endeared themselves to me from page one. The dynamic between Isabel and Erik was 🔥. The tension between the two of them is palpable and there are some kisses, however, any sexual content is fade to black..
The narrator for the audiobook did an excellent job bringing the characters to life.
The message the author intended to deliver in this book - you are good enough - is felt in every page.
I recommend this book to anyone searching for something or themselves, looking for an adventure or even relatable characters, then this book is for you. For any potential triggers (and there are a few), the author outlines them well, so check before reading.
Many thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an early listening copy of this book.
The opinions expressed are honest and my own.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

This book took me a couple, tries to get into which is why I am reviewing this pretty late! I'm glad I ended up re-listening to it because I enjoyed it! I thought the characters were well written and the world building was intriguing. The magic system was unique and I hope we get to see it in action more in book 2! I look forward to seeing what happens in the next book.

I received an arc of this book as part of a book tour with R&R Book tours. I loved it so much that when i saw it here . i needed to listen to it. it was made 3 times better being able to put a voice to the characters. i was able to visualize better what is going on in the book, and i loved every second of it. I think this was a really good audiobook. this was great!

Story: DNF at 65%
Spice: Nothing as of now.
Narration: 4 ⭐ so far

I was really enjoying the narrator for this book and was a little sad that I just couldn't continue...

The reason of the DNF...
I really pushed through to get to 65%. I was hoping something would hold my attention and it end up being an amazing read as some books end up being, but nothing really kept my attention.

I feel like it would be a great read for someone who has not really read fantasy/romantasy and an introduction into this genre but if you are a seasoned veteran, it's just very much meh.

I had higher hopes for this book. I struggled with the cheesy dialogue, the repetition, and the choppy sentence structure. I felt like the author was really trying to make us believe something by repeating it throughout the entire novel, but I just didn’t believe it. I found myself shaking my head throughout listening. This is also closed door romance which I didn’t mind.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Illusion of Stars kicks off with a whirlwind of intrigue, magic, and a very risky mission.

Meet Isabel, our clever and resourceful FMC, who spends her days trying to keep the royal family from imploding. Between managing a queen on the brink of death and trying to prevent the king from doing his best impersonation of a streaker, Isabel’s life is… complicated. But when her best friend is found murdered, things get real.

In her quest for vengeance, Isabel uncovers a stash of letters that reveal the enemy kingdom, Volgaard, possesses a terrifying weapon capable of destroying everything Isabel holds dear. Enter the plan: infiltrate Volgaard, woo the impossibly handsome and mysterious Erik Lothgarson (son of the enemy general), and steal the weapon. Easy, right? Except that Erik? Well, he’s more than just a pretty face—he’s got some serious illusion-magic skills, and the lines between enemies and lovers get blurrier by the minute.

Narration Review: Jacci Prior & Rusty Mewha

Jacci Prior (narrating Isabel’s POV) is just the voice you want for a character like Isabel. She gives her a sense of sharpness and intelligence, but also a vulnerability that makes her journey all the more engaging. You feel Isabel’s emotional struggle between vengeance and attraction, and Jacci’s delivery nails the tension in those moments. There’s also a bit of sass and wit that makes Isabel’s character feel alive, like she’s your clever, determined best friend.

Rusty Mewha (narrating Erik’s POV) gives just the right amount of brooding intensity to Erik. Think dark, mysterious, and a little dangerous—but with just enough vulnerability to make you want to root for him. Rusty brings that balance perfectly, so when the attraction between Erik and Isabel heats up, you feel the chemistry smouldering through his performance. His voice gives Erik depth, and you can sense his inner conflict as much as Isabel’s.

Together, Jacci and Rusty create this dynamic, layered experience that really brings the emotional highs and lows of the story to life.

What I Loved About the Story:

1. Deception and Intrigue – The stakes are high. Isabel is walking a fine line between vengeance and betrayal. The deception in her mission is tantalising, and the suspense builds as she weaves her way into the enemy’s territory. There’s a definite spy thriller vibe, but it’s laced with romance and magic, making it an irresistible cocktail of tension.

2. The Romance! – Now, this is a slow-burn romance, and it is a delicious one. Isabel and Erik’s relationship builds gradually, and it’s so satisfying to watch them struggle between their growing attraction and their conflicting loyalties. There’s definitely tension here, and it’s the kind that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Also, there’s a bit of a "will-they-won’t-they" push and pull that I couldn’t get enough of.

3. World-Building and Magic – Sarah Marie Page creates a fascinating world with political intrigue, mystery, and magical elements that really set this story apart. The concept of illusion magic was super intriguing, especially as Erik uses it in different ways, adding an extra layer of danger and excitement. The setting itself felt alive, from the windswept island where Isabel begins her journey to the enemy kingdom where all the secrets lie.

4. Strong FMC – Isabel is a heroine who doesn’t just sit back and let things happen. She’s resourceful, brave, and not afraid to take risks—even if it means her heart (and life) are on the line. Watching her navigate her emotions while keeping her mission front and center was such a highlight. She’s relatable, flawed, and extremely driven, qualities that make her both endearing and admirable.

What Could Be Better:

1. The Pacing at Times – While the suspense and romance are on point, there were a few moments where I felt like the pacing slowed down a bit. Some of the middle parts had less action and more internal struggle, which was necessary for character development but didn’t keep my heart pounding quite as much as the beginning or end.

2. The Villain(s) – While the story has a clear villain, I wished for a bit more development around the enemy forces. We get glimpses of the threat, but I wanted a little more insight into the motivations of those behind the weapon and their role in the conflict. A little more “evil mastermind” development could have heightened the tension further.

Illusion of Stars is a fantastic mix of high-stakes action, romance, and magic.

The audiobook excels in bringing the characters’ emotional depth to the forefront, you will feel every awkward moment, every pang of desire, every knife-edge decision Isabel has to make. The romance is slow and simmering, but when it finally boils over, it’s worth every second.
If you love stories where the heroine is smart, cunning, and so determined to get the job done (even if that job involves stealing dangerous weapons and falling for the enemy), this is a story you’ll devour.

Illusion of Stars is a must-read (or must-listen) for fans of slow-burn romance, spy thrillers, and magical fantasy.

I made it about 35% into this audiobook before I had to stop listening and decided that it just wasn't for me.

Pros:
The narrator - The narrator was wonderful at delivering the content in an engaging way and was one of the reasons I kept trying to continue the story.
The idea - The idea itself was novel - two kingdoms, one with magic, diplomatic missions, secret messages, enemies(?) to lover vibes
The Intro - The intro idea was intriguing and made me want to know more as it started from her imprisonment and then went into the story about how she got there.

Cons:
Pacing - The pacing was just wonky for me. It felt like it was constantly jumping around. There were time slips. Some scenes happened slowly while others were super fast. There was no middle ground.
The Female Main Character - Not a fan. She was driven and single mindedly focused on the medical assistant stuff, but it was detrimental to her relationships with the other characters. She was whiney, and all over the place. I found it very hard to like her or relate to her. Then she started out on the trip and while I appreciated her poisoning the crew who were messing with her, she was constantly using people to get to her goal.

Overall there were some pros and cons, but this story was not a good fit for me at this time.

DNF @ 48% - I just could not get into this at all! Nothing was gripping me (plot, characters, nothing) and at the halfway point, I just have no clue what's going on because I'm so disengaged. And just no real romance at all up to this point. Such a bummer.

It took me 4% of listening to this audiobook to come to the conclusion its not for me. When I tell you the cover lured me in and I wanted to love this book so bad I meant it, but from the moment the book started I was turned away. The thing about audiobooks is I will realize a lot faster that I am not into a book vs any other format. I think for me that really engrained in my brain that I did not want to continue was the hollaring scene where they are all yelling sensical and non sensical things. My ears had second hand embarassment then the sickness being introduced I just started to get very brain confused like things are mentioned but skated over before moving onto the next.

I think the narrator does a good job in telling the story, but the story also didnt do her any favors with how awkward it felt.
.

Edit: I just finished a re-read (or listen since it was the audiobook)

This is 1000% a book that gets better every time you read it. There was so much foreshadowing and little details that just didn’t register to me the first read - it was like a whole new adventure!

The audiobook is amazing- the narrations are so perfect 😩 if you haven’t read this, you need to and if you HAVE read it (and like audiobooks) this is your sign that it’s time for a reread

——

Good lord, where do I start?
The world building is so good here that I almost forgot that these places weren’t actually real. The bluffs, the trench, the trees!
Erik- Shadow. Daddy. Every inch of the banter he provided was perfection. (Bonus points for the feels in the bonus chapter iykyk)
Isabel is so unique and REAL and her character development was so amazing! There were so many times that I her thoughts either sent me into a fit of giggles or a pit of feels.
I could list side characters and how they made me feel- but we would be here all day because the depth of these people! (But okay, aside from the MC’s, Bo is my favorite… don’t tell Kaspar!)
The POV that this book is written in is so fun and immersive- I’ve read plenty of stories narrated by the MC, but the way this was done was perfect.
By the end of this book my poor emotions had done about 12 laps on a roller coaster before hanging off a cliff. This book 1000% has the power to give you a reading-hangover and I’m going to be stalking- er… following closely and waiting impatiently for the sequel.
Just trust me on this one and add this to the top of your TBR.

It was hard to see the difference between this book and many other fantasy novels. There was just nothing that I hadn't read before and I'm over camping stories. The writing was also a little annoying because the author described all five senses a lot of times but never allowed these observations to build on the atmosphere or story. It was weird because I like world building but it just wasn't done well. I really can't put a finger on why. The narration was good if not a little stilted at times. Sorry but I won't be rushing to read the next/final book in the series

Big thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and Sarah Marie Page for a couple of this audiobook. This is my honest review

This book has a lot of my favorite tropes and fantasy elements, so I really expected to like it, but it really fell flat for me. Maybe it was too long or slow-paced, but I felt so bored. I was half way through and couldn't imagine making it to the end. However, I had no complaints about the narrator. I think she did a great job. I would still recommend this book to those who enjoy a slow paced, adventure fantasy with a mystery element, but it wasn't for me.

A good start, but needs more work. Author used the same phrases or patterns that it was annoying. Example: Not Ian. Ian who smiled. Ian who worked hard. Ian who loved kittens. Ian who is always so selfless and loved by all. That pattern alone was used at least 6 times. Some of the banter was just awkward. *snake in your trouser scene*

For not being in love with the guy she sure did do a lot. I wasn’t attached to any characters and the plot was fairly predictable. Will not be continuing.

This book does have romance. Kissing, sexual reference jokes, and a closed door scene.

Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Thankyou to Netgalley, Dream Scape Media, Sarah Marie Page for the ALC.

I liked the premise of the book but the beginning was such a slow build for me I lost interest initially. But I picked it back up and I'm glad I did. It got more exciting and cute the more I listened. I really like a soft main character which Isabel definitely is, she’s a healer, she’s kind and definitely not cunning or stealthy enough to be a spy but she tried hard. Her slow build banter enemies to lovers relationship with the complex Erik was realistic and swoon-worthy and I can't wait to read more with them. The writing was vividly detailed and beautiful. Ultimately a solid read.
In terms of the audiobook itself, as I said it was a slow build but the narration was beautiful and definitely a one of the things that kept me going with this ALC.

Just finished listening to an advanced copy of a book that was just released on January 21st called, Illusion of Stars. I was lucky enough to receive the arc book of this last year and loved it. And I was so excited to receive an arc of the audiobook now too! This is such a beautiful story about love, friendship, betrayal, growth, adventure, and a little bit of magic. ✨ It's a slow burn, romantasy, enemies-to-lovers book. The main characters start out hating each other but eventually realize that they're not each other's enemies, and then they end up helping each other grow, heal, and learn to love themselves. I love this story and I am so excited for book 2! 🤍📚

Thank you to Sarah Marie Page, NetGalley, and to the publisher for this audio ARC of Illusion of Stars, in exchange for an honest review.