Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.52 AVERAGE
4.52 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 Stars!
Stars Above the Never Sea by Evelyn Flood completely sucked me in with its beautiful writing. It also had a found family that feels so real and heartwarming! 💖 The slow-burn romance between Selene and Callan is pure🔥🔥🔥 — full of yearning, tension, and emotional depth that had me rooting for them every step of the way. Their struggles made their connection feel so authentic and satisfying.
The world-building is rich and complex, with rules and backstory that sometimes made me pause to catch up, but honestly, that only made it feel that much more immersive and intriguing. 🌌 I won’t lie, the start was a bit slow for me and it took a while to get the lingo down, but once it took off, it was an absolute ride—with twists and turns that kept me hooked until the very end! 😱
The ending left me shook, and I’m beyond thankful that book two is coming out this year because I cannot wait to jump back into this amazing world! 📚✨ Stars Above the Never Sea was a surprise gem that I’m so glad I found. One of the best I've read so far this year!
Huge thanks to Evelyn Flood and NetGalley for the advanced eBook! 🙌💫
Stars Above the Never Sea by Evelyn Flood completely sucked me in with its beautiful writing. It also had a found family that feels so real and heartwarming! 💖 The slow-burn romance between Selene and Callan is pure🔥🔥🔥 — full of yearning, tension, and emotional depth that had me rooting for them every step of the way. Their struggles made their connection feel so authentic and satisfying.
The world-building is rich and complex, with rules and backstory that sometimes made me pause to catch up, but honestly, that only made it feel that much more immersive and intriguing. 🌌 I won’t lie, the start was a bit slow for me and it took a while to get the lingo down, but once it took off, it was an absolute ride—with twists and turns that kept me hooked until the very end! 😱
The ending left me shook, and I’m beyond thankful that book two is coming out this year because I cannot wait to jump back into this amazing world! 📚✨ Stars Above the Never Sea was a surprise gem that I’m so glad I found. One of the best I've read so far this year!
Huge thanks to Evelyn Flood and NetGalley for the advanced eBook! 🙌💫
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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:
Yes
You did an absolutely phenomenal job with this book! I could not put it down. Basically I was a goner while reading this. I was in my own little world hooked on this story! I absolutely loved the story line. I liked the concept of the never sea and how it is made of starlight. I like how the background and history slowly was introduced as the story went on instead of getting all of it at the beginning. It honestly made me so much more interested as it all came out. You absolutely know how to do an ending that I am going to be thinking about for days. I loved Selene and Callan's characters and the slow burn between them. Callans friends I could not get enough of! I highly recommend this book if you want an amazing Romantasy read!! Thank you so much @evelynfloodauthor and @netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of the ARC Team!
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
No
I am dead. This book has taken me. Oh my. What do I even say! I cannot believe what I just read. It was so good. I will not be okay again until I read book two.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Give me an FMC who is sharp and deemed unlikeable, along with impeccable found family vibes; add in amazing world building and an absolutely brutal cliffhanger and I am hooked!
I love female characters that others deem unlikable and watch as they grow through the story into someone that readers can admire- and Selene is exactly that. Guarded because she refuses to let herself feel anything, healing from a past that has hardened her heart, but you watch as she slowly allows herself to experience love, kindness, compassion, and a future. As I said before, the found family trope in this book was delivered perfectly!
While this does involve darker themes, I did not find it overwhelming. The pace and story kept me intrigued and anxiously turning the page to find out what happened next. That cliffhanger though? THAT WAS BRUTAL!
I love female characters that others deem unlikable and watch as they grow through the story into someone that readers can admire- and Selene is exactly that. Guarded because she refuses to let herself feel anything, healing from a past that has hardened her heart, but you watch as she slowly allows herself to experience love, kindness, compassion, and a future. As I said before, the found family trope in this book was delivered perfectly!
While this does involve darker themes, I did not find it overwhelming. The pace and story kept me intrigued and anxiously turning the page to find out what happened next. That cliffhanger though? THAT WAS BRUTAL!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
Off to an incredible start, indeed!
Selene Aramis begins with a very charmed and beautiful life, awaiting one of the greatest moments of her existence, which only results in death and darkness, when The Shift occurs. Surviving such a terrifying event, she is thrust into a world of terror and abuse at the hands of men in a land where she finds respite. But then, she escapes, finding her way into Callan's ship, and sailing back to her home in Asteria, where she will face her past and broken promises of what should have been a bright future. Along the way, however, she gets closer to Callan and his crew, learning more about the circumstances tying her to her fate--and more about herself and what she feels for Callan.
Highly imaginative story that had me feeling EVERYTHING: horror, love, sadness, joy, and everything else in between. I loved the slowly building romance between Callan and Selene, even through the sickening trauma Selene faced in her past life. Powerful story about love finding its way even in a dark and horrible world in a dark and horrible society resulting from the corruption and greed of those in power. This story makes me think about fate and all the choices we make that brings us to that moment, as well as the very nature of humanity in general and how we destroy beautiful and fragile things, such as the innocence of youth. The ending had me spiraling into a terrifying cliff as secrets are revealed, and I hope I get more answers in the sequel.
Selene Aramis begins with a very charmed and beautiful life, awaiting one of the greatest moments of her existence, which only results in death and darkness, when The Shift occurs. Surviving such a terrifying event, she is thrust into a world of terror and abuse at the hands of men in a land where she finds respite. But then, she escapes, finding her way into Callan's ship, and sailing back to her home in Asteria, where she will face her past and broken promises of what should have been a bright future. Along the way, however, she gets closer to Callan and his crew, learning more about the circumstances tying her to her fate--and more about herself and what she feels for Callan.
Highly imaginative story that had me feeling EVERYTHING: horror, love, sadness, joy, and everything else in between. I loved the slowly building romance between Callan and Selene, even through the sickening trauma Selene faced in her past life. Powerful story about love finding its way even in a dark and horrible world in a dark and horrible society resulting from the corruption and greed of those in power. This story makes me think about fate and all the choices we make that brings us to that moment, as well as the very nature of humanity in general and how we destroy beautiful and fragile things, such as the innocence of youth. The ending had me spiraling into a terrifying cliff as secrets are revealed, and I hope I get more answers in the sequel.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to the author, Evelyn Flood, for providing an ARC. This was a truly unique magical world. I was gripped and heartbroken from the very first chapter.
Loved
Loved
- The found family aspect of the story. The relationships between Callan, Merrick, Leo, Esme, Solomon, and Matthias felt so real and like a warm hug. And the way they each embraced Selene and gave her love for the first time since her childhood was truly heartwarming
- Callan and Selene’s relationship and the slow burn romance between them
- The magic system developed in the world
- The feelings I felt when Selene came home for the first time in ten years
- I cried when
we discovered that Merrick was Selene’s father. Even though I expected it to a certain extent, I thought she would actually have time with him, not find out at his death - The bombshell that
Nyx and Celeste were alive! And the emotional destruction of realizing that they knew this was their fate
Frustrations
- I was going crazy because Selene and Callan just seemed SO DAMN CALM. Meanwhile I was panicking because I knew something awful was happening behind the scenes while they were just in their little love bubble. I mean come on!
- I would have loved to know more about the world and the magic system
As one final note, this book handled a lot of heavy themes and the content warnings really are important. If you are someone who struggles with genocide, abuse, and rape, this may not be the book for you. Personally I think all topics were handled so well and I can’t wait for the next in the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Self harm, War
Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
WOW! What an absolutely superb read, and a fantastic start to what I believe is going to be an epic fantasy series.
The relationships are written so well that you can really feel the connections between them all. Selene and Callan are fantastic together.
The world building was done beautifully, I could picture It all really well in my head, and even the bad guys are done so well you have to love to hate them.
I eagerly await the next installment in December 2025.
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
The relationships are written so well that you can really feel the connections between them all. Selene and Callan are fantastic together.
The world building was done beautifully, I could picture It all really well in my head, and even the bad guys are done so well you have to love to hate them.
I eagerly await the next installment in December 2025.
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Evelyn Flood for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy this at first, early chapters felt familiar and the pacing dragged. There were moments where the writing became confusing, especially when a lot was happening at once. But around the 35-40% mark, it really found its rhythm and I couldn’t stop reading.
What truly won me over was the found family dynamic. Merrick, Sol, Matthias, Esme, Rio, and Leo are all unforgettable, they are funny, fiercely loyal, and protective of those they love. The ragtag crew vibe worked beautifully and seeing the aftermath of “that day” ten years ago through each of their perspectives gave the story real emotional depth.
The magic system involving maegis, with its levels, abilities, and the cost of power was an interesting concept. I would’ve liked a deeper dive into its workings, but it added complexity and tension where it mattered.
Selene stood out as a survivor above all else. Her resilience and quiet strength anchored the story, even through its slower patches. Callan’s mission to save his people and reclaim an island that was never truly theirs added layers to his character and moral conflict.
The slow burn romance between Selene and Callan was nicely tied to the myth of Caelen and Hala. That said, the romantic development felt uneven, more like proximity-driven attraction at the begginning than something genuinely felt. Callan, in particular, seemed to fall for an idea of who Selene might be, which made it harder to fully buy into the relationship early on. This did change as the story went on and I truly grew to love the romance in this book.
The book opens strong, dips for a while, then gains momentum again. It leans heavily on character development, which fortunately is a strength here. While the writing style took some time to adjust to especially during fast-paced or crowded scenes, it became easier to follow as the story progressed.
Though the romance didn’t entirely work for me at the beginning and some pacing issues dulled the early chapters, the strong character work, inventive magic system, and heartwarming found family themes made this a solid read. There’s something quietly powerful about stories that center hope and belonging, and this one does it with charm.
I cant wait to read the next book especially after that cliffhanger of an ending!
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
Honestly, when I started this book I didn't expect to love it as much as I did at the end. The beginning for me took a bit to get into as I felt as if I was just thrust into this new world with not as much world building as I normally get from a lot of books. But you do get all the information needed to understand what's going in due time.
What I loved; the main characters are honestly so loveable and everyone around them too, i.e. the crew of The Volatus. The twists, some of them I saw coming, some of them I wouldn't have guessed and it really was a surprise. There were also moments that you knew were coming and when it happened it was just so rough (be ready to cry). The character development was great too and not just from the mains, you could really see how everyone grew and changed.
From the authors Instagram this book dynamic was described as almost a Captain Hook and Tinkerbelle, and that is pretty accurate. Except Callan isn't really a bad guy like Hook. Everything that was promised was delivered and I think Callan might become a favorite book boyfriend for many.
What I didn't like as much was that it did take me a bit to get into the book, but once I did I loved it and couldn't get enough. I do wish there was a bit more information provided in the beginning, but like I said earlier everything does get explained fairly quickly.
The ending broke me. That cliffhanger was probably one of the worst I've ever read (in terms of I NEED to know what happens next NOW). The funny part was the next page after the ending was an apology from the author, you known exactly what you did.
Would I recommend this book ? 100% yes to anyone who loves romantasy/fantasy, a touch her and die, he falls first, enemies to lovers, etc. But beware that ending is rough. Also, please look at the trigger warning before reading as it does get very dark, but there is a good mix between the dark and happy more lighthearted parts.
What I loved; the main characters are honestly so loveable and everyone around them too, i.e. the crew of The Volatus. The twists, some of them I saw coming, some of them I wouldn't have guessed and it really was a surprise. There were also moments that you knew were coming and when it happened it was just so rough (be ready to cry). The character development was great too and not just from the mains, you could really see how everyone grew and changed.
From the authors Instagram this book dynamic was described as almost a Captain Hook and Tinkerbelle, and that is pretty accurate. Except Callan isn't really a bad guy like Hook. Everything that was promised was delivered and I think Callan might become a favorite book boyfriend for many.
What I didn't like as much was that it did take me a bit to get into the book, but once I did I loved it and couldn't get enough. I do wish there was a bit more information provided in the beginning, but like I said earlier everything does get explained fairly quickly.
The ending broke me. That cliffhanger was probably one of the worst I've ever read (in terms of I NEED to know what happens next NOW). The funny part was the next page after the ending was an apology from the author, you known exactly what you did.
Would I recommend this book ? 100% yes to anyone who loves romantasy/fantasy, a touch her and die, he falls first, enemies to lovers, etc. But beware that ending is rough. Also, please look at the trigger warning before reading as it does get very dark, but there is a good mix between the dark and happy more lighthearted parts.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Sexual assault, Trafficking
Moderate: Death, Self harm, Sexual content
Minor: Rape, Torture