stinabooks 's review for:

A Song of Shadow and Starlight by Morgan Gauthier

5.0

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I keep seeing DNF from other reviewers because of Shaye’s character and honestly, I almost did too! But this book actually really surprised me and I’m glad I kept going because it ended up being one of my favorite books of 2023. Shaye does start off a bit annoying and naive but you start to understand why, and her character really strays away from that as the book goes on. Purple eyed shadow daddy… yah that’s a little familiar but Atlas is very much his own character and I loved getting to read about him and his brothers. I think for me, I know there’s overlaps with ACOTAR, but I’m not going to let that keep me from reading a book or constantly compare the books because they still are different stories. If every shadow daddy and brothers book was labeled a spoof of ACOTAR, there would be no books left. So that's my little rant that yes there are similarities but it's not ACOTAR, so please stop treating the story as if it's supposed to be!! Anyways, the side characters are all so great and I love all the personalities there are, but they all work together so well. Shaye definitely gets better as the book goes on and you realize her Stockholm Syndrome is really not that, and her actions and feelings are justified. If you like hidden powers, hidden identity, slow burn, dragons, found family, this book is for you! I was lucky enough to get an ARC of A Ballad of Beasts and Brothers, and PHEWWW the story only gets better. Don't let the first 20% keep you from finishing the book, it's worth it!