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4.42 AVERAGE
4.42 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
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:
Yes
Secrets and Stardust by Jeannin Counts is the story of Iyana, who always wants to look upon the stars, but her grandmother forbade this. When her village gets attacked, she shouts at the stars and her cry gets answered in a way she never thought would be possible.
This is such a great fantasy book! I loved reading it; I loved the magic system and the mythology about the stars. It is a setting and plot I have not come across in any book I have read. The worldbuilding is so well described and the story about the Gods, the Stars and humans I just adored.
The writing is fast paced and flowing and you get thrown into the action right from the very first. The multiple POVs, always a favourite writing style, also made that I could not stop reading. There is a lot going on, there is a great mystery and of course there is someone who knows more than he is letting on. Iyana is a great character and she learns she has this destiny, a destiny an enemy has to help her with.
Secrets and Stardust is a great fantasy novel, with a great writing style, fantastic characters, mystery, mythology, danger, romance, and with fantastic world-building, a story I loved reading. I can’t wait to read the sequel!
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I loved this book, the found family of it all, the magic system, it truly pulled me in and wouldn’t release me. There was good spice in it as well, and while I’m not a huge fan of the love triangle trope, this one was one that I found myself interested in more than I’d expected to be, which was a nice surprise. I am absolutely ready for book 2!
Secrets and Stardust is such a strong debut novel. I was absolutely hooked from the beginning. The magic system in this book is unique, and I absolutely loved the hints of lore we got for the stars. I’m excited to learn more about them in the sequel, especially after that ending.
I liked the characters a lot. I was initially a little iffy on Emmeric, but he honestly grew on me so much. Zane is a sweet cinnamon roll, and I’d die for him. Kaz brought some much needed levity to the group with her humor and fun personality. The found family trope was just really well done in Secrets and Stardust.
Overall, I would highly recommend Secrets and Stardust to any Romantasy lover!
I’m honestly looking forward to the sequel so much. The ending has me on the edge of my seat and I just need to know what happens next. Thank you so much Jeannin Counts for the ARC of Secrets and Stardust. All opinions are my own.
Slight spoilers ahead ❗️
This god damn book. Honestly my jaw is still on the floor next to a pile of tissues after finishing this book. I can’t believe it…
If you love a fun, banter-filled, love triangle, adventurous romantasy book about a literal star coming to Earth and a rag tag team attempting to save it… then this is for you. Actually, even if that isn’t your thing I think you should give this book a chance… ITS THAT FUCKING GOOD!
Every character was so well written, I was enamoured with them all. I am completely and utterly evicerated though, and I think it’s going to take me a while to get over this plot twist. I had a hunch something was coming, but then I second guessed it, then it came and literally punched me in the gut, face and soul. No one could see that coming.
Fuck, Jeannin, you wrote such an incredible book and I can’t wait for the second! I can’t feel the book hangover hanging. EVERYBODY NEEDS TO GET THEIR HANDS ON THIS MASTERPIECE!! ❗️
This god damn book. Honestly my jaw is still on the floor next to a pile of tissues after finishing this book. I can’t believe it…
If you love a fun, banter-filled, love triangle, adventurous romantasy book about a literal star coming to Earth and a rag tag team attempting to save it… then this is for you. Actually, even if that isn’t your thing I think you should give this book a chance… ITS THAT FUCKING GOOD!
Every character was so well written, I was enamoured with them all. I am completely and utterly evicerated though, and I think it’s going to take me a while to get over this plot twist. I had a hunch something was coming, but then I second guessed it, then it came and literally punched me in the gut, face and soul. No one could see that coming.
Fuck, Jeannin, you wrote such an incredible book and I can’t wait for the second! I can’t feel the book hangover hanging. EVERYBODY NEEDS TO GET THEIR HANDS ON THIS MASTERPIECE!! ❗️
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This is a debut novel?! Are you kidding me?? From now on when asked what books I recommend and what my favorites are, this will be one of them.
I do have a soft spot for all things celestial, so I may be biased, but this book delivered. The pacing, plot, characters, spice, action, everything was exactly what I'm looking for in a romantasy.
I found the magic system to be unique and the characters to be irresistible. The levity and humor in this book were top notch in my opinion! Often in fantasy romance books, I find myself asking, why so serious? The banter in this book was so entertaining and hilarious, I never found myself getting too bogged down by the seriousness of what was happening. That's not to say that the stakes weren't high, because they most certainly were! The balance between gravity and levity was right where it needed to be.
This was my first love triangle and I greatly enjoyed it! Other tropes you'll find here are found family (one of my favorites) and forced proximity. It has excellent LGBTQIA+ representation, and it's multiple POV, which I also love. I cannot wait for book 2!
I do have a soft spot for all things celestial, so I may be biased, but this book delivered. The pacing, plot, characters, spice, action, everything was exactly what I'm looking for in a romantasy.
I found the magic system to be unique and the characters to be irresistible. The levity and humor in this book were top notch in my opinion! Often in fantasy romance books, I find myself asking, why so serious? The banter in this book was so entertaining and hilarious, I never found myself getting too bogged down by the seriousness of what was happening. That's not to say that the stakes weren't high, because they most certainly were! The balance between gravity and levity was right where it needed to be.
This was my first love triangle and I greatly enjoyed it! Other tropes you'll find here are found family (one of my favorites) and forced proximity. It has excellent LGBTQIA+ representation, and it's multiple POV, which I also love. I cannot wait for book 2!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
Star Daddy is the new obsession!!
Read this book and you’ll understand.
Read this book and you’ll understand.
I have finished Secrets and Stardust, under the pop and bang of fireworks.
The way my heart is pumping right now…the way I fell head first into loving EVERY. SINGLE. CHARACTER.
My heart has been ripped out of my chest and stomped on. I have been eviscerated. I thought I was being paranoid…and thought then maybe I wasn’t…all to say I’m still so incredibly broken and hurt and now I’m CONFUSED about my feelings…because the things I read and highlighted throughout the book are true? But they’re not? TO WHAT END?!
Anyway. This book was incredible. I was hooked from the very beginning, and the way this world was built? Perfection. I am usually not a fan of every character, but in the case of this book? I fell head over heels for each one. The evil emperor was written so well, and the multi-faceted characters made them so relatable.
Jeannin Counts managed to create a world so immersive and addictive that I’m not quite sure how I’ll be able to survive before the next book comes out.
There was not a single slow part of the book, it was an adventure from moment to moment, not knowing what would come next. Tempers were flaring, danger was always lurking, and the initially unwilling, but honorable and good heroes created a deep bond with one another.
I commend the author for the way the love story was written, it kept me guessing, and I was never quite sure which way it was going to go. And then when I thought I knew, I was surprised once again.
The fact that we didn’t only have one romance throughout the book made it so much deeper. I loved that the love story was multi faceted, and gave so many different underlying feelings and actions when it comes to building love. Characters were showing tenderness, understanding, protectiveness, possessiveness, vulnerability, joy, and fear. I loved the way their love stories were written and weren’t based solely on attraction, although all of the main characters being attractive was definitely great in my mind.
Highly recommend this book and this author. The writing was top notch and the story holds on and doesn’t let go. I cannot wait until the next one!!
⭐️Spice level 4/5
⭐️Slow burn
The way my heart is pumping right now…the way I fell head first into loving EVERY. SINGLE. CHARACTER.
My heart has been ripped out of my chest and stomped on. I have been eviscerated. I thought I was being paranoid…and thought then maybe I wasn’t…all to say I’m still so incredibly broken and hurt and now I’m CONFUSED about my feelings…because the things I read and highlighted throughout the book are true? But they’re not? TO WHAT END?!
Anyway. This book was incredible. I was hooked from the very beginning, and the way this world was built? Perfection. I am usually not a fan of every character, but in the case of this book? I fell head over heels for each one. The evil emperor was written so well, and the multi-faceted characters made them so relatable.
Jeannin Counts managed to create a world so immersive and addictive that I’m not quite sure how I’ll be able to survive before the next book comes out.
There was not a single slow part of the book, it was an adventure from moment to moment, not knowing what would come next. Tempers were flaring, danger was always lurking, and the initially unwilling, but honorable and good heroes created a deep bond with one another.
I commend the author for the way the love story was written, it kept me guessing, and I was never quite sure which way it was going to go. And then when I thought I knew, I was surprised once again.
The fact that we didn’t only have one romance throughout the book made it so much deeper. I loved that the love story was multi faceted, and gave so many different underlying feelings and actions when it comes to building love. Characters were showing tenderness, understanding, protectiveness, possessiveness, vulnerability, joy, and fear. I loved the way their love stories were written and weren’t based solely on attraction, although all of the main characters being attractive was definitely great in my mind.
Highly recommend this book and this author. The writing was top notch and the story holds on and doesn’t let go. I cannot wait until the next one!!
⭐️Spice level 4/5
⭐️Slow burn
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Oh my goodness!!! This book took me by total surprise. I am having a hard time even gathering my thoughts about it because wow wow wow. The ending was magnificent and I need the next book asap.
This one has a lovely cast of diverse characters that formed into a found family as time went on. I absolutely loved the idea of a chosen one really being a chosen pair and one is an amplifier to the others magic. Top notch.
The author did an amazing job at writing a fun fantasy book with plenty of heartfelt, tense, and lighthearted moments. It didn’t feel forced. It read so easily that it was like watching a move in my head. If you like fantasy and romance read this book.
This one has a lovely cast of diverse characters that formed into a found family as time went on. I absolutely loved the idea of a chosen one really being a chosen pair and one is an amplifier to the others magic. Top notch.
The author did an amazing job at writing a fun fantasy book with plenty of heartfelt, tense, and lighthearted moments. It didn’t feel forced. It read so easily that it was like watching a move in my head. If you like fantasy and romance read this book.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh boy do I have things to say about this book...
1. I KNEW IT
2. HOW COULD YOU?!?!
3. You have broken my heart
4. I don't think we can be friends anymore. You know what you did.
Seriously though, from the very first sentence I was consumed by this book. It was like I was transported right into the world and was a part of Iyana's little found family.
I wish you would give my boys a break though (and not literally. No more breaking my boys).
It was so easy for me to fall head over heels in love with the characters. Kaz is also a whole damn mood and I'm keeping her forever (you hear me, Jeannine? FOREVER. DO NOT TEST ME).
This book gave me every emotion under the sun...then it reached into my chest, grabbed my heart, ripped it out of my chest, and served it to me on a silver platter.
I sincerely hope you're working on/are almost finished with book two because I need some retribution and some bloodshed.
Read the book, y'all.
1. I KNEW IT
2. HOW COULD YOU?!?!
3. You have broken my heart
4. I don't think we can be friends anymore. You know what you did.
Seriously though, from the very first sentence I was consumed by this book. It was like I was transported right into the world and was a part of Iyana's little found family.
I wish you would give my boys a break though (and not literally. No more breaking my boys).
It was so easy for me to fall head over heels in love with the characters. Kaz is also a whole damn mood and I'm keeping her forever (you hear me, Jeannine? FOREVER. DO NOT TEST ME).
This book gave me every emotion under the sun...then it reached into my chest, grabbed my heart, ripped it out of my chest, and served it to me on a silver platter.
I sincerely hope you're working on/are almost finished with book two because I need some retribution and some bloodshed.
Read the book, y'all.