rachelkava 's review for:

Stars Above the Never Sea by Evelyn Flood

3.5

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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!