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4.42 AVERAGE
4.42 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
✨ Multiple POV
✨ Generational Magic
✨ Found Family
✨ Other Worldly Beings
The world in Secrets and Startdust is full of mythology, magic and powerful entities. During a brutal attack on her village, Iyana calls out to the stars she’s been warned about her entire life. As a star falls, she locks eyes with a man across the battle who, unbeknownst to her, will be tied to her through generational magic. Through a love triangle, betrayals and sacrifices, Iyana and Emmeric learn how to use their powers in tandem and fight for the good of Arinem.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The further I read, the more engrossed I became in the world and its mythology. Counts does a fabulous job of world building and explaining things in a way that doesn’t feel forced. The characters are all interesting in their own way and the relationships formed throughout are next level!
That ending! It was devastating and had my jaw on the floor. I absolutely cannot wait for the second book of this duology!
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book absolutely delivered! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The characters are absolutely engaging and I found myself absolutely loving characters that seem unlovable at first sight. The lover triangle is thoroughly entertaining. There were twists and heartbreaks at the end that I did not see coming at all. I cannot wait to read the next book.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Beautiful, unique, adventurous, unexpected, heartbreaking, and completely entrancing this story is. Loved it wholeheartedly! My heart was split in two for Iyana between the other two male main characters. I was thoroughly, pleasantly, shocked by the ending and all the was revealed! Can’t wait for book 2 to be released. :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Torture
Moderate: Death of parent
I am so glad I stumbled across this book. At first it felt a little weird and stilted but I ended up really loving it. The characters all seem to catch feelings extremely fast and the pacing is also very face, everything happening all at once. But the ending was crazy and really got me. I was reacting out loud bro. I’ve also been team Emmeric this entire time just so we’re all aware.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Just wow... This was one of the easiest 5 star review I have given for a book - it is right up there with the entire Throne of Glass series. The pace, the plot, the romance, the characters, the betrayal - I loved it all. Iyana, the FMC, was such a great character and i loved her from the beginning; she was a badass from the very beginning and I cannot wait to see what will happen in book 2 (like, I need to know right now!).
Emmeric was by far my favorite character in the book - Jeannin Counts did a fantastic job making me hate him yet falling in love with him, all at the same time. God, he will be added to the never ending list of book boyfriends. But, what I also loved was the banter among the characters - they developed such a weird, and quirky friend group that left me laughing and wishing I was a part of the group.
Jeannin Counts... we need book 2 ASAP!
Emmeric was by far my favorite character in the book - Jeannin Counts did a fantastic job making me hate him yet falling in love with him, all at the same time. God, he will be added to the never ending list of book boyfriends. But, what I also loved was the banter among the characters - they developed such a weird, and quirky friend group that left me laughing and wishing I was a part of the group.
Jeannin Counts... we need book 2 ASAP!
Okay, okay, don't get me wrong, it did start out like I was going to have to struggle to get through this, but I am so glad I did because WOW. I enjoyed this book so much. It is full of banter that makes you enjoy the characters. I am not sure if it is a love triangle or a mini sort of RH.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
You know how sometimes you read a book and you’re so surprised this is an author's first book? This was one of those books! Secrets and Stardust by Jeannin Counts was really good! It has a possessive star-daddy- Altair- instead of shadow-daddy) and he wants his woman. Iyana- our FMC- is a healer who has to quickly learn about her magic and her destiny. Then there’s Emmeric- the enemy turned friend, soldier who wants to be more. Talon- the comedic relief who is also good with a sword. Zane- the enemy prince turned friend that gives Zuko vibes. Kaz- a female shapeshifter who gives cool girl vibes.
They all form an unlikely found family group that will go to the ends of the earth for each other. The magic is very cool and comes from the gods. It has consequences too which I liked. I really liked the high stakes and got to take down the bad guy. I’m personally hoping for a certain pairing but we shall see!
They all form an unlikely found family group that will go to the ends of the earth for each other. The magic is very cool and comes from the gods. It has consequences too which I liked. I really liked the high stakes and got to take down the bad guy. I’m personally hoping for a certain pairing but we shall see!
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wow. This book will ruin you repeatedly but in all the best ways. A story of a conflicted heart, coming into magic, and needing to save the world - nothing major. I cannot recommend this book enough and will leave you crying for the next one.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
The story was interesting but I found the characters harder to get into, particularly Iyana. She was stubborn about odd things (e.g., shoes) and didn’t seem to have any critical thinking skills (she just blindly trusts the star, and isn’t weirded out at all about his possessiveness). This made it hard to root for her, but hopefully that changes in the next book. Her relationship with the two main male characters isn’t really built on any similar interests, it’s solely attraction based , which takes away from the realistic ness. Didn’t love but willing to try the next one out to see if it gets better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture