A review by dianathebookish
Restless Stars by Susanne Valenti, Caroline Peckham

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

 
Death couldn’t have me now or ever, because I belonged to her. I would lay in no grave until our life was well-worn and her smile had brightened thousands of glorious days. We were meant to rise with tomorrow’s sun, and I would see that dawn in with my love by my side come what fucking may.

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

It's a bittersweet feeling to let these characters go but at the same time - it's time :)

As much as I enjoyed this crazy series and memorable characters - this book should have been shorter. And I think I'm not alone when I say - we didn't need again unnecessary pov's, like please. It's better than ZA8, but still. I don't care about Mildred for f* sake, or * and * and *... What also threw me off was pacing/plot - good balance, then dragging out without a clear idea what will happen, then amazing chapters, then again something unnecessary, then action scenes and hilarious moments, then rinse & repeat. And how the lame lizard was dealt with - I was waiting for more 🗡️ People who suffered by him deserved their revenge in tenfold!! I also felt that Tori and Darius got way more scenes and povs (I'm not actually counting as I'm lazy lol) than Darcy and Lance. THE AUDACITY! 🥲

That all aside, what saved this book for me was *dun dun duuun - my forever loves Blue Lance + everything/-one around moon theme haha (and epilogue ofc)✨ Ch. 16, 57 and 118 soothed my soul. There were many moments, interactions that I would like to spotlight, but I will re-visit this review sometime in the future, because I wish for you to experience them for yourself.

If you ask me - if ZA series are worth reading? Yes. The characters are worth your time. It will be crazy, hilarious, stupid, painful, dramatic, romantic, and all between, time- but I absolutely don't regret picking this up. As I have already read Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac series next on my list would be Darkmore Penitentiary 😌

The Awakening #1- 4⭐
Ruthless Fae #2- 4⭐
The Reckoning #3- 4.5⭐
Shadow Princess #4- 4⭐
Cursed Fates #5- 4⭐
Fated Throne #6- 5⭐
Heartless Sky #7- 5⭐
Sorrow and Starlight #8- 4⭐
Beyond the Veil #8.5 - 3⭐
Restless Stars #9 - 3.5⭐

The following illustrations are from @jemlin_c for Reading Portal shop (check out their webpage):