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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
Yes
For a book about Stars, it feels only fitting that it is awarded all the stars. This was so heavily romantasy-coded and not one part of me is mad about it. Sometimes tropes are great, especially if they are well-written. Imani Erriu did her homework and executed the tropes well while also creating a world and story that felt unique and a delight to read.
The mortals of Celestria are ruled by the Stars—immortal god-like beings. Each Star rules over a kingdom and has passed down magick to its subjects. But the mortal kingdoms have been torn apart and pitted against each other. In the center of it all is a prophecy: Elara, Princess of Asteria, will fall in love with the king of the Stars and it will be both of their undoing. The King of the Stars sends her on the run, right into the arms of her enemy kingdom where she must find a way to defy her fate.
I’m a big astrology girlie and the zodiac sign-based kingdoms and magic system is what grabbed me from the start. There’s a lot of world building and lore in the beginning half of the book, and yet we barely scratched the surface and visit only a few kingdoms in this book. Being a fantasy fan, this really satisfied my craving for that meaty aspect of fantasy novels.
The romance was fantastic. This is top tier enemies to lovers, where you start the book wondering how these two are ever going to end up together. They HATE each other. Which then turns to some of the most incredible yearning. The prose is poetic and romantic. Enzo just earned himself a spot on my book boyfriends list.
Bottom line: despite the EXTREMELY RUDE cliffhanger at the end, this was a very fun and satisfying read. A great read easily for vibes and content.
“Instead of a Queen, I’ll make you a goddess. Then I can worship you the way I’m supposed to.”
The mortals of Celestria are ruled by the Stars—immortal god-like beings. Each Star rules over a kingdom and has passed down magick to its subjects. But the mortal kingdoms have been torn apart and pitted against each other. In the center of it all is a prophecy: Elara, Princess of Asteria, will fall in love with the king of the Stars and it will be both of their undoing. The King of the Stars sends her on the run, right into the arms of her enemy kingdom where she must find a way to defy her fate.
I’m a big astrology girlie and the zodiac sign-based kingdoms and magic system is what grabbed me from the start. There’s a lot of world building and lore in the beginning half of the book, and yet we barely scratched the surface and visit only a few kingdoms in this book. Being a fantasy fan, this really satisfied my craving for that meaty aspect of fantasy novels.
The romance was fantastic. This is top tier enemies to lovers, where you start the book wondering how these two are ever going to end up together. They HATE each other. Which then turns to some of the most incredible yearning. The prose is poetic and romantic. Enzo just earned himself a spot on my book boyfriends list.
Bottom line: despite the EXTREMELY RUDE cliffhanger at the end, this was a very fun and satisfying read. A great read easily for vibes and content.
“Instead of a Queen, I’ll make you a goddess. Then I can worship you the way I’m supposed to.”
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
This book started off as a light easy read. But nothing was developed - the characters have no personality, or consistent behaviours or values. The FMC at one point spares the life of someone responsible for the death of her family. Later on, the same FMC cheers on the death of the MMCs antagonist. ???
The characters just keep on making dumb decisions without explanation - obvious trap? Yep let’s walk into that with no plan. Got our enemy captive? Yep will just let them go. Got to train for killing the enemy? Nah gonna eat pastries instead then cry about it later.
The magic system isn’t explained or what the characters are actually doing off screen to train to fight the enemy. They then discover org@sm magic which was so dumb it made me actually LOL and despite it being really important for the plot they never do it again.
There are scraps of potential in here somewhere which kept me going but it felt like the author had 1000 ideas and cliches she wanted to cram in here and rush between them without developing the plot.
The characters just keep on making dumb decisions without explanation - obvious trap? Yep let’s walk into that with no plan. Got our enemy captive? Yep will just let them go. Got to train for killing the enemy? Nah gonna eat pastries instead then cry about it later.
The magic system isn’t explained or what the characters are actually doing off screen to train to fight the enemy. They then discover org@sm magic which was so dumb it made me actually LOL and despite it being really important for the plot they never do it again.
There are scraps of potential in here somewhere which kept me going but it felt like the author had 1000 ideas and cliches she wanted to cram in here and rush between them without developing the plot.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Imani Erriu... why were you edging me with this book? The twists. The turns. This was a punch to the gut. Everything I did not know I wanted... or needed for that fact
"You overestimate my compassion, Elara and underestimate how deeply mine you are. I would let the world burn if it kept you warm." * A breathy sigh and swoon later*
The plot and romance had me in an absolute chokehold.I loved the world building and the character building that took place (Ariete can get fucked and Gem is lucky she's dead.). This read is EVERYTHING that a tortured romantic wants. The tension, the yearning, the FIRE. This beautiful celestial world and star-crossed lovers (literally) put me through the ringer and I am utterly obsessed.
"You overestimate my compassion, Elara and underestimate how deeply mine you are. I would let the world burn if it kept you warm." * A breathy sigh and swoon later*
The plot and romance had me in an absolute chokehold.I loved the world building and the character building that took place (Ariete can get fucked and Gem is lucky she's dead.). This read is EVERYTHING that a tortured romantic wants. The tension, the yearning, the FIRE. This beautiful celestial world and star-crossed lovers (literally) put me through the ringer and I am utterly obsessed.