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Starstorm #1
All the Chaos of Constellations
The stars never lie.
Novalise has until the end of Midsummer to marry, but when fate binds her to a male who wants nothing to do with her, she finds herself uncertain of what to do—choose a husband on her own or let her brother decide for her. When a notorious assassin arrives with a tempting solution to her problem, Novalise strikes a bargain in hopes of winning her mate’s heart.
But one stolen kiss will change everything.
Asher wants nothing to do with love or the inevitable pain it brings, so when one fateful kiss reveals his mate, he immediately refuses to accept her. Until the female bound to him announces her engagement to a deadly assassin with a brutal reputation.
When he discovers a plot against the queen that puts Novalise in danger, Asher must decide whether to protect his own heart and walk away forever or challenge her betrothed in a fight he cannot win in hopes of re-claiming what he lost: her heart.
In a world of bargains and magic, betrayal and bonds, not even the stars can promise that love will prevail.
All the Chaos of Constellations is the first in a fantasy romance collection of interconnected stand-alones set in a world where marriage is necessary, but love isn’t always guaranteed. Filled with swoony, Bridgerton vibes, this spicy tale of unrequited love and fake dating brings you a broody fae lord and the darling fae lady determined to win his heart…if she isn’t forced into an arranged marriage first.
Novalise has until the end of Midsummer to marry, but when fate binds her to a male who wants nothing to do with her, she finds herself uncertain of what to do—choose a husband on her own or let her brother decide for her. When a notorious assassin arrives with a tempting solution to her problem, Novalise strikes a bargain in hopes of winning her mate’s heart.
But one stolen kiss will change everything.
Asher wants nothing to do with love or the inevitable pain it brings, so when one fateful kiss reveals his mate, he immediately refuses to accept her. Until the female bound to him announces her engagement to a deadly assassin with a brutal reputation.
When he discovers a plot against the queen that puts Novalise in danger, Asher must decide whether to protect his own heart and walk away forever or challenge her betrothed in a fight he cannot win in hopes of re-claiming what he lost: her heart.
In a world of bargains and magic, betrayal and bonds, not even the stars can promise that love will prevail.
All the Chaos of Constellations is the first in a fantasy romance collection of interconnected stand-alones set in a world where marriage is necessary, but love isn’t always guaranteed. Filled with swoony, Bridgerton vibes, this spicy tale of unrequited love and fake dating brings you a broody fae lord and the darling fae lady determined to win his heart…if she isn’t forced into an arranged marriage first.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 279 reviews
March 3, 2024
Romantasy at its most enchanting, All the Chaos of Constellations boasts a beautifully rendered world with dazzling magic and a romance that will have you both shouting and swooning.
I wanted to jump into these pages for many reasons: the fantastic world, the exciting Bridgerton meets magic vibes, but mostly to shake some sense into sweet Asher, our MMC who vows off love (for reasons) and therefore rejects his incredibly beautiful and strong mate, Novalise.
This story grips you in the very first chapter and doesn't let go until the very end. I can proudly say I finished this book in a single sitting and ignored all my responsibilities until I got ANSWERS and a very satisfying ending to a sizzling hot, thick with tension romance. And that ending ending?? I'm impatiently waiting for the next installment thanks to that little teaser!
Thank you so much, Hillary Raymer, for the opportunity to read this incredible story early!!
I wanted to jump into these pages for many reasons: the fantastic world, the exciting Bridgerton meets magic vibes, but mostly to shake some sense into sweet Asher, our MMC who vows off love (for reasons) and therefore rejects his incredibly beautiful and strong mate, Novalise.
This story grips you in the very first chapter and doesn't let go until the very end. I can proudly say I finished this book in a single sitting and ignored all my responsibilities until I got ANSWERS and a very satisfying ending to a sizzling hot, thick with tension romance. And that ending ending?? I'm impatiently waiting for the next installment thanks to that little teaser!
Thank you so much, Hillary Raymer, for the opportunity to read this incredible story early!!
February 17, 2024
If you like “Bridgerton” except in the fae world with a touch of “Shadow & Bone”, I am pleased to inform you that you might love this as much as I do!
Also, can we just appreciate the fact there is a dragon in this book?? A dragon! They are my absolute favourites. A story with a combination of historical fiction and fantasy? Sign me up, please!
This story is told from the dual POV of Lady Novalise (Nova) Starstorm, eldest daughter of House Celestine, and Lord Asher (Ash) Firebane, only son of House Emberspire – these are, essentially, your Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset but in the fae kingdom of Aeramere also filled with seasonal balls, celebrations and arranged (and oftentimes political) marriages. Asher keeps to himself and prefers reading to the grandeur of social gatherings (same, Ash, same). And Nova is tired of being told what to do and how to be but if she doesn’t have a mate come the end of Midsummer, the stars – or her own family – will choose one. There is also this secret that she possesses starfire magic, an ancient forbidden magic believed to have disappeared from her bloodline a century before, which has the power to bring about destruction.
We begin at the Yuletide Ball where, of course, Asher and Nova meet as they both hide from the festivities. With the aid of an enchanted mistletoe debate, they kiss but unexpectedly form a mating bond which Asher wants nothing to do with and thus rejects Nova. Midsummer begins and The Veil (a protective shield around Aeramere) is lifted, allowing magical beings and mortals from other realms to visit. Enter The Darkling 2.0, dangerous and cruel Prince Drake Kalstrand of Brackroth, the only Shadowblade Assassin left. He wields shadow magic, lingers in the shadow and owns a dragon, Svartos. He strikes a deal with Novalise: he will court her to attract Asher, providing she will help him secure a deal with her family. And the plot thickens, with threats of an impending war.
This was such a good read; I did not want to put it down! It’s fast-paced even from the first chapters (even I was not expecting things that quick), incredibly descriptive that one could imagine the setting and characters, with plenty of parallels you could draw from “Bridgerton” as well as its own unique elements. The Starstorm family has 8 children (same as the Bridgertons) which nicely matches their House’s eight-pointed star crest; Asher does not believe in love and is bitter due to how his father treated his mother, like Simon.
The writing itself is very clever, especially with names: for instance, take the surnames in relation to the houses – they all match the element they control:
House Celestine - stars - Starstorm
House Azurvend - water – Marintide
House Emberspire - fire - Firebane
House Galefell - air - Skyhelm
House Terensel - earth – Everland
Then there are their first names: Drake, for example, means "dragon" in Old English and Old Norse, rather fitting considering he owns one; Asher means "happy, blessed" in Hebrew, an irony of what his life has been like up til this point; Novalise means "bright star, God's promise" in America, perfect for the fact she has starfire magic. These little touches just add a whole other layer to the characters!
The characterisation is also amazing. I absolutely adore Ash and Nova, they have my heart! I like that Novalise grows from being a dutiful delight to someone who stands up for herself and what she believes and ultimately the man she loves, against all odds . Asher is very sweet and dashing, and his own growth is lovely to see especially emotionally – also his nickname for Nova "Starlight" aww! I especially loved the sibling discussions and bonds, all very wholesome. It is nice how supportive Nova’s siblings are of her. My favourites have to be Ash’s sister Cyra, and Nova’s older brother Solarius: they are fun to be around and Cyra’s particular reactions are amusing.
Drake arguably is the best character of them all because while most of the time his sarcasm and emotionless state are on full display, he is shrouded in mystery (as well as literal shadow) and the times he does show emotion what he says or does is rather surprising. Definitely the most unpredictable. Indeed, the Epilogue from his perspective makes me want to read a story about him.
The only negative thing was this book had the tendency to reveal things through the POV, and some of them felt too soon: I prefer being shown rather than told, thus learning along with the POV of the other character. One such example was Asher's deal he made with Drake two years before – let me learn about this with Nova.
None of this detracts from how good this story is. I love everything about it! If this does not become a series of books, I shall be disappointed. I want more Drake, more Solarus – and definitely more dragons!
Favourite quotes:
“If she was the stars, he was her sky. If he was the fire, she was his frost. She captivated him. Completed him”
“He’d always hated that nickname, but when it fell from her lips, it was like a lullaby.”
“Cold power emanated from him, chilling the space. His demeanor projected that of an eerie quiet, like the stillness left behind in the wake of death.”
“His plans had gone out the window. Quite literally.”
“Do not compare her to sunshine and rainbows when she is so clearly moonlight and stardust.”
I am honoured to have been selected as an ARC reader for this book, and I’d like to thank Hillary for the opportunity.
Also, can we just appreciate the fact there is a dragon in this book?? A dragon! They are my absolute favourites. A story with a combination of historical fiction and fantasy? Sign me up, please!
This story is told from the dual POV of Lady Novalise (Nova) Starstorm, eldest daughter of House Celestine, and Lord Asher (Ash) Firebane, only son of House Emberspire – these are, essentially, your Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset but in the fae kingdom of Aeramere also filled with seasonal balls, celebrations and arranged (and oftentimes political) marriages. Asher keeps to himself and prefers reading to the grandeur of social gatherings (same, Ash, same). And Nova is tired of being told what to do and how to be but if she doesn’t have a mate come the end of Midsummer, the stars – or her own family – will choose one. There is also this secret that she possesses starfire magic, an ancient forbidden magic believed to have disappeared from her bloodline a century before, which has the power to bring about destruction.
We begin at the Yuletide Ball where, of course, Asher and Nova meet as they both hide from the festivities. With the aid of an enchanted mistletoe debate, they kiss but unexpectedly form a mating bond which Asher wants nothing to do with and thus rejects Nova. Midsummer begins and The Veil (a protective shield around Aeramere) is lifted, allowing magical beings and mortals from other realms to visit. Enter The Darkling 2.0, dangerous and cruel Prince Drake Kalstrand of Brackroth, the only Shadowblade Assassin left. He wields shadow magic, lingers in the shadow and owns a dragon, Svartos. He strikes a deal with Novalise: he will court her to attract Asher, providing she will help him secure a deal with her family. And the plot thickens, with threats of an impending war.
This was such a good read; I did not want to put it down! It’s fast-paced even from the first chapters (even I was not expecting things that quick), incredibly descriptive that one could imagine the setting and characters, with plenty of parallels you could draw from “Bridgerton” as well as its own unique elements. The Starstorm family has 8 children (same as the Bridgertons) which nicely matches their House’s eight-pointed star crest; Asher does not believe in love and is bitter due to how his father treated his mother, like Simon.
The writing itself is very clever, especially with names: for instance, take the surnames in relation to the houses – they all match the element they control:
House Celestine - stars - Starstorm
House Azurvend - water – Marintide
House Emberspire - fire - Firebane
House Galefell - air - Skyhelm
House Terensel - earth – Everland
Then there are their first names: Drake, for example, means "dragon" in Old English and Old Norse, rather fitting considering he owns one; Asher means "happy, blessed" in Hebrew, an irony of what his life has been like up til this point; Novalise means "bright star, God's promise" in America, perfect for the fact she has starfire magic. These little touches just add a whole other layer to the characters!
The characterisation is also amazing. I absolutely adore Ash and Nova, they have my heart! I like that Novalise grows from being a dutiful delight to someone who stands up for herself and what she believes and ultimately the man she loves, against all odds . Asher is very sweet and dashing, and his own growth is lovely to see especially emotionally – also his nickname for Nova "Starlight" aww! I especially loved the sibling discussions and bonds, all very wholesome. It is nice how supportive Nova’s siblings are of her. My favourites have to be Ash’s sister Cyra, and Nova’s older brother Solarius: they are fun to be around and Cyra’s particular reactions are amusing.
Drake arguably is the best character of them all because while most of the time his sarcasm and emotionless state are on full display, he is shrouded in mystery (as well as literal shadow) and the times he does show emotion what he says or does is rather surprising. Definitely the most unpredictable. Indeed, the Epilogue from his perspective makes me want to read a story about him.
The only negative thing was this book had the tendency to reveal things through the POV, and some of them felt too soon: I prefer being shown rather than told, thus learning along with the POV of the other character. One such example was Asher's deal he made with Drake two years before – let me learn about this with Nova.
None of this detracts from how good this story is. I love everything about it! If this does not become a series of books, I shall be disappointed. I want more Drake, more Solarus – and definitely more dragons!
Favourite quotes:
“If she was the stars, he was her sky. If he was the fire, she was his frost. She captivated him. Completed him”
“He’d always hated that nickname, but when it fell from her lips, it was like a lullaby.”
“Cold power emanated from him, chilling the space. His demeanor projected that of an eerie quiet, like the stillness left behind in the wake of death.”
“His plans had gone out the window. Quite literally.”
“Do not compare her to sunshine and rainbows when she is so clearly moonlight and stardust.”
I am honoured to have been selected as an ARC reader for this book, and I’d like to thank Hillary for the opportunity.
April 28, 2024
I wanted to like this book, I really did. I kinda did up until 80%, but.. the side character meant to be a plot device to cause jealousy should not be more interesting than the main characters. This review might be a bit more brutal than my usual. This was so promising, but unfortunately ended up being a complete mess by the end.
The main characters were infuriating. Asher was horrible to Nova throughout most of the book, and he had the personality of a wet noodle. I felt kinda bad for Nova, but she was a huge airhead. There was very little going on up there, bless her soul. It got worse the further into the book I got, and I can't think of another main character I've ever disliked quite as much as I do her.
Certain phrases were repeated way too often, like how she was going to “defy the stars” (something Asher had told her to do) - we get it. A couple of times, okay, but when it’s repeated as some kind of proof of Asher’s effect on Nova because there’s literally nothing else to draw from.. it’s just a reminder of how shallow the romance really is. It’s brought up 9x by Nova, Asher only said it the one time.
Other things are repetitive too. Because Asher is an ass and nothing of value really ever happens between them, the fountain incident is also replayed often in her thoughts.
The spice was kinda cringy. In one scene, she gets on her knees to do the thing, and instead falls off of a cliff... excuse me? They still proceeded to engage in shenanigans after, which was also just.. why?? So awkward.
What does “kearsta” mean? Is it a term of endearment? An insult? If someone is calling me something in another language I’m clueless about, I’m going to ask them what it is I’m being called. Drake called Nova “kearsta” 6x and not once did she ask what the hell it meant, nor did he ever explain. 🤦♀️ I ended up googling it because maybe it was a thing somewhere, and it just led me to a nurse practitioner in Utah.
Some things were so ridiculous that I considered DNF’ing in the last 20% of the book.
Example: Ash tells her treasonous things that include Drake. Despite her bond with Ash, and despite knowing nothing about Drake except that the dude is an assassin, she IMMEDIATELY tattles on Ash to Drake.
....? Where is your brain, miss ma’am? I would want to break the bond too. The last 20% was one of the most rushed I've ever read, it was so messy and nonsensical at times that it left me with a headache. The characters seemed just as confused because they had also lost the plot.
In fantasy, I think that it's hard to go with the 'new relationship' for each subsequent book thing, because there's usually too much world building, too many politics, and the romance ends up suffering as a result. I'll probably still read the second book - only because I loved Drake (for the most part), but I have a feeling the FMC will be just as irritating as Nova.
Tropes:
✔️ Fated mates
✔️ Nothing to lovers
✔️ Insta-love (one sided)
✔️ Touch her and die, kind of?
✔️ Hidden power
✔️ Love triangle but not really
✔️ Broody, morally grey MMC
✔️ Mary Sue FMC
Spice: Open door 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Quality: 2/5
The main characters were infuriating. Asher was horrible to Nova throughout most of the book, and he had the personality of a wet noodle. I felt kinda bad for Nova, but she was a huge airhead. There was very little going on up there, bless her soul. It got worse the further into the book I got, and I can't think of another main character I've ever disliked quite as much as I do her.
Certain phrases were repeated way too often, like how she was going to “defy the stars” (something Asher had told her to do) - we get it. A couple of times, okay, but when it’s repeated as some kind of proof of Asher’s effect on Nova because there’s literally nothing else to draw from.. it’s just a reminder of how shallow the romance really is. It’s brought up 9x by Nova, Asher only said it the one time.
Other things are repetitive too. Because Asher is an ass and nothing of value really ever happens between them, the fountain incident is also replayed often in her thoughts.
The spice was kinda cringy. In one scene, she gets on her knees to do the thing, and instead falls off of a cliff... excuse me? They still proceeded to engage in shenanigans after, which was also just.. why?? So awkward.
What does “kearsta” mean? Is it a term of endearment? An insult? If someone is calling me something in another language I’m clueless about, I’m going to ask them what it is I’m being called. Drake called Nova “kearsta” 6x and not once did she ask what the hell it meant, nor did he ever explain. 🤦♀️ I ended up googling it because maybe it was a thing somewhere, and it just led me to a nurse practitioner in Utah.
Some things were so ridiculous that I considered DNF’ing in the last 20% of the book.
Example: Ash tells her treasonous things that include Drake. Despite her bond with Ash, and despite knowing nothing about Drake except that the dude is an assassin, she IMMEDIATELY tattles on Ash to Drake.
....? Where is your brain, miss ma’am? I would want to break the bond too. The last 20% was one of the most rushed I've ever read, it was so messy and nonsensical at times that it left me with a headache. The characters seemed just as confused because they had also lost the plot.
In fantasy, I think that it's hard to go with the 'new relationship' for each subsequent book thing, because there's usually too much world building, too many politics, and the romance ends up suffering as a result. I'll probably still read the second book - only because I loved Drake (for the most part), but I have a feeling the FMC will be just as irritating as Nova.
Tropes:
✔️ Fated mates
✔️ Nothing to lovers
✔️ Insta-love (one sided)
✔️ Touch her and die, kind of?
✔️ Hidden power
✔️ Love triangle but not really
✔️ Broody, morally grey MMC
✔️ Mary Sue FMC
Spice: Open door 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Quality: 2/5
January 22, 2024
Hillary knocked this one out of the park. Her words paint beautiful images in my head. Every scene I could picture perfectly. Also I want all of Novalise's gowns. Because they all sound so beautiful in the story.
I found a new mircotrope: men in a wet shirt. Man, it was perfect.
I found Novalise very relatable. Always trying to be perfect and live up to everyone elses expectations of her. But really she just wants to be her own person. I loved her character ARC and seeing her confidence grow.
I loved having the dual POV and getting inside Asher's mind. Loved seeing it in his eyes and really feeling his emotions (all emotions). He is so reserved and keeps to himself but this hidden side of him that he finally shows is amazing.
This book is like Bridgerton and fae had a baby. It gave off the best regency vibes plus all the fae politics.
This book is very balancing. I can see myself reading this multiple times, especially after a more emotional book.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND- book 1 in a new interconnected series!
I found a new mircotrope: men in a wet shirt. Man, it was perfect.
I found Novalise very relatable. Always trying to be perfect and live up to everyone elses expectations of her. But really she just wants to be her own person. I loved her character ARC and seeing her confidence grow.
I loved having the dual POV and getting inside Asher's mind. Loved seeing it in his eyes and really feeling his emotions (all emotions). He is so reserved and keeps to himself but this hidden side of him that he finally shows is amazing.
This book is like Bridgerton and fae had a baby. It gave off the best regency vibes plus all the fae politics.
This book is very balancing. I can see myself reading this multiple times, especially after a more emotional book.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND- book 1 in a new interconnected series!
June 4, 2024
LOVEDDD this book and can’t wait for the next one!
March 26, 2024
Hillary Raymer's new series is a whimsical, descriptive, and atmospheric story. And I loved every moment of it. Hillary has this amazing way of getting you to picture the world she is describing perfectly in your head -- the imagery is rich and descriptive.
Asher and Novalise's story was the perfect story to kick off this series of interconnected standalones. The tension builds between these two after a moment bonds them together -- and one of them (who is an idiot) rejects it. I lectured and I groaned in exasperation throughout the story at a specific character -- they know what they did. It was really fun to watch these two come together (that edging was not nice, Hillary) in a chaotic, passionate head collision way as they grappled with their own emotions. It was perfect. I love that Hillary built characters with very real and raw emotional backgrounds that drove them to make the choices they did. The anxiety rep in the story is spot-on and the reader will truly empathize with Nova over it.
Hillary hints at much more to come as an overarching narrative builds. Nova and Asher's story offers one piece of the puzzle to brewing tensions and political schemes in Aeramere. Additionally, Hillary introduces a lot of side characters with secrets and morally grey attitudes. I hope to see more of them in the future.
Did I stay up until 1 AM to finish this book? Yes, yes I did. If you are looking for a fantasy romance with Bridgerton vibes, then this is the book you want to add to your TBR.
Asher and Novalise's story was the perfect story to kick off this series of interconnected standalones. The tension builds between these two after a moment bonds them together -- and one of them (who is an idiot) rejects it. I lectured and I groaned in exasperation throughout the story at a specific character -- they know what they did. It was really fun to watch these two come together (that edging was not nice, Hillary) in a chaotic, passionate head collision way as they grappled with their own emotions. It was perfect. I love that Hillary built characters with very real and raw emotional backgrounds that drove them to make the choices they did. The anxiety rep in the story is spot-on and the reader will truly empathize with Nova over it.
Hillary hints at much more to come as an overarching narrative builds. Nova and Asher's story offers one piece of the puzzle to brewing tensions and political schemes in Aeramere. Additionally, Hillary introduces a lot of side characters with secrets and morally grey attitudes. I hope to see more of them in the future.
Did I stay up until 1 AM to finish this book? Yes, yes I did. If you are looking for a fantasy romance with Bridgerton vibes, then this is the book you want to add to your TBR.
January 28, 2024
2.5 stars
2/5 spice
I just wanna start by saying I am a MASSIVE fantasy fan. Truly my favorite genre. But I honestly felt that this is more romance with colorful-haired characters than an actual fantasy. I felt the plot was underdeveloped and the world building was lackluster. This definitely is a character driven story and not plot driven. The summary gives most of the plot away, so I was left wondering WHEN events were going to happen, not IF.
Aeramere’s development felt kitschy and cutesy, with the Houses and character names having direct resemblances to the titles. Even down to the physical traits and everything the characters wore. The magic system is extremely vague, and nothing significant really happens until the end.
I understand this is part of connected stand-alones, but the epilogue was the most interesting part of the whole novel. I want Drakes POV!! I want his story!! Nova and Asher just go around in circles because his trauma is too great until he realizes she’s actually the one for him. It felt slightly overdone
Some positives! I do love when a woman stands up for herself. I love the mythology and lore of the constellations. I am obsessed with the name Creslyn. And I love a villain origin story with Aspen and Trysta.
Overall, I thought it was a predictable storyline and it felt rushed. I still read it in 3 days so it was entertaining enough for my fantasy brain. I hope the next novels tie in more pieces to the puzzle, and I would love a pronunciation guide :)
2/5 spice
I just wanna start by saying I am a MASSIVE fantasy fan. Truly my favorite genre. But I honestly felt that this is more romance with colorful-haired characters than an actual fantasy. I felt the plot was underdeveloped and the world building was lackluster. This definitely is a character driven story and not plot driven. The summary gives most of the plot away, so I was left wondering WHEN events were going to happen, not IF.
Aeramere’s development felt kitschy and cutesy, with the Houses and character names having direct resemblances to the titles. Even down to the physical traits and everything the characters wore. The magic system is extremely vague, and nothing significant really happens until the end.
I understand this is part of connected stand-alones, but the epilogue was the most interesting part of the whole novel. I want Drakes POV!! I want his story!! Nova and Asher just go around in circles because his trauma is too great until he realizes she’s actually the one for him. It felt slightly overdone
Some positives! I do love when a woman stands up for herself. I love the mythology and lore of the constellations. I am obsessed with the name Creslyn. And I love a villain origin story with Aspen and Trysta.
Overall, I thought it was a predictable storyline and it felt rushed. I still read it in 3 days so it was entertaining enough for my fantasy brain. I hope the next novels tie in more pieces to the puzzle, and I would love a pronunciation guide :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2024
“𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐨����𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐈 𝐨𝐰𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠.”
“𝐈’𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬.”
𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐣𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬. “𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮.”
“𝐈𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐨?” 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝. 𝐇𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞.
“𝐘𝐞𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐬𝐨.” 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐢𝐦.
𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐫. “𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐲,” 𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐝, 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫, 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐚𝐫, “𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐩?”
“𝐈’𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡.”
𝐇𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞. 𝐇𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐬. 𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠. “𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬.”
𝐂𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬. 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞.
“𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡,” 𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝, 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐝. 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞. 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤. “𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬.”
“𝐃𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭.”
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Listen. Liiiisten. My fantasy girlies who turn regency romance lovers every time Bridgerton drops a new season. My babes who love tragic boys sworn off love and the stubborn women who woo them anyway. My girls who have yet to recover from Anthony Bridgerton falling in that pond. THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU!!
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Take the societal structure of Bridgerton, with a celestial twist on the marriage “season”, but drop it in a fantasy world filled with threats of war, rumors and political intrigue, and the powerful and sometimes ruthless fae we all know and love, and you get this refreshing and original standalone romance that is only the tip of the iceberg in this world and interconnected storyline. How the author was able to weave a complete and easy to read romance alongside a high stakes and intriguing world conflict blew my mind in the best way. I finished it somehow completely satisfied, but desperate for the next book already!!
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Novalise is a fantastic lead and her magic and powers are absolutely stunning. Asher is the mate-possessive Mr. Darcy of your dreams, and the tension between the two as they repeatedly try (and fail) to reject their untimely bond is *chefs kiss*. The spice will definitely heat up a room, but the emotional depth to their connection is one of the best fated mate bond portrayals I’ve read in a long time. I loved their characters individually but even MORE together and I already miss them.
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I found myself loving the side characters even more, and the dynamic between Nova and Asher and their siblings was so much fun. The house structure of this world is ethereal and magical and even though I love the fact that you can binge this fantasy in one sitting, I did not ever want to leave.
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With the pairing already set for the next book—and trust me you’re going to LOVE THEM—you don’t want to miss this one!!
“𝐈’𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬.”
𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐣𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬. “𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮.”
“𝐈𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐨?” 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝. 𝐇𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞.
“𝐘𝐞𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐬𝐨.” 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐢𝐦.
𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐫. “𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐲,” 𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐝, 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫, 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐚𝐫, “𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐩?”
“𝐈’𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡.”
𝐇𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞. 𝐇𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐬. 𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠. “𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬.”
𝐂𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬. 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞.
“𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡,” 𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝, 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐝. 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞. 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤. “𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬.”
“𝐃𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭.”
_________________
Listen. Liiiisten. My fantasy girlies who turn regency romance lovers every time Bridgerton drops a new season. My babes who love tragic boys sworn off love and the stubborn women who woo them anyway. My girls who have yet to recover from Anthony Bridgerton falling in that pond. THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU!!
*
Take the societal structure of Bridgerton, with a celestial twist on the marriage “season”, but drop it in a fantasy world filled with threats of war, rumors and political intrigue, and the powerful and sometimes ruthless fae we all know and love, and you get this refreshing and original standalone romance that is only the tip of the iceberg in this world and interconnected storyline. How the author was able to weave a complete and easy to read romance alongside a high stakes and intriguing world conflict blew my mind in the best way. I finished it somehow completely satisfied, but desperate for the next book already!!
*
Novalise is a fantastic lead and her magic and powers are absolutely stunning. Asher is the mate-possessive Mr. Darcy of your dreams, and the tension between the two as they repeatedly try (and fail) to reject their untimely bond is *chefs kiss*. The spice will definitely heat up a room, but the emotional depth to their connection is one of the best fated mate bond portrayals I’ve read in a long time. I loved their characters individually but even MORE together and I already miss them.
*
I found myself loving the side characters even more, and the dynamic between Nova and Asher and their siblings was so much fun. The house structure of this world is ethereal and magical and even though I love the fact that you can binge this fantasy in one sitting, I did not ever want to leave.
*
With the pairing already set for the next book—and trust me you’re going to LOVE THEM—you don’t want to miss this one!!
January 21, 2024
★★★1/2
🌶🌶
I would like to thank the author for gifting me an advanced copy of this book.
I would like to begin by providing this gif, the media-personification of me kicking and giggling my way through this delightful little novel.
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Spoilers Below, ye be warned
This book has everything: shadow daddies, dragons, sibling drama, magic, patricide, a desperate need for therapy, and about 1749 mentions of stars.
In all seriousness, this book was a delight. I couldn't put it down! I found myself giggling, kicking, and screaming at times. I read a lot of enemies-to-lovers so finally reading a book where the mains made sense and had this cozy little love story was a breath of fresh air. That being said, the will-they-won't-they had my anxiety going. (Though, I would have been happy with the shadow daddy or bookish Prince Zuko.) Novalise definitely has a little bit of Older Sister Syndrome going on... As someone with Older Sister Syndrome myself, I felt in good company with our FMC. I know anxiety representation was something that was marketed with this book and I felt like there was a pretty decent portrayal of anxiety/panic attacks.
I found the pacing of this novel to be pretty decent. I also loved the third person point of view - not enough fantasy novels work in third person, in my opinion. Also, I really appreciate how there was inspiration drawn from different works (again, Bridgerton vibes was in the book's marketing) without it being so obvious and pulling upon those plot points specifically.
The only thing that really pulled me out of the book was the naming scheme. We leaned hard into the elemental magic and each name fit very snuggly into the element that the character was born into. I think that after you get through the initial worldbuilding it's not a big deal. In the end, it wasn't a huge deal.
TLDR: I could not put this delightful little novel down, I was giggling and squealing the entire time! ACOTAR meets Bridgerton in this world of fae and elemental magic. I was on the edge of my seat with the will-they-won’t-they playing within this unrequited love story. This book was a nice breathe of fresh air after reading a lot of enemies to lovers.
🌶🌶
I would like to thank the author for gifting me an advanced copy of this book.
I would like to begin by providing this gif, the media-personification of me kicking and giggling my way through this delightful little novel.
Spoilers Below, ye be warned
This book has everything: shadow daddies, dragons, sibling drama, magic, patricide, a desperate need for therapy, and about 1749 mentions of stars.
In all seriousness, this book was a delight. I couldn't put it down! I found myself giggling, kicking, and screaming at times. I read a lot of enemies-to-lovers so finally reading a book where the mains made sense and had this cozy little love story was a breath of fresh air. That being said, the will-they-won't-they had my anxiety going. (Though, I would have been happy with the shadow daddy or bookish Prince Zuko.) Novalise definitely has a little bit of Older Sister Syndrome going on... As someone with Older Sister Syndrome myself, I felt in good company with our FMC. I know anxiety representation was something that was marketed with this book and I felt like there was a pretty decent portrayal of anxiety/panic attacks.
I found the pacing of this novel to be pretty decent. I also loved the third person point of view - not enough fantasy novels work in third person, in my opinion. Also, I really appreciate how there was inspiration drawn from different works (again, Bridgerton vibes was in the book's marketing) without it being so obvious and pulling upon those plot points specifically.
The only thing that really pulled me out of the book was the naming scheme. We leaned hard into the elemental magic and each name fit very snuggly into the element that the character was born into. I think that after you get through the initial worldbuilding it's not a big deal. In the end, it wasn't a huge deal.
TLDR: I could not put this delightful little novel down, I was giggling and squealing the entire time! ACOTAR meets Bridgerton in this world of fae and elemental magic. I was on the edge of my seat with the will-they-won’t-they playing within this unrequited love story. This book was a nice breathe of fresh air after reading a lot of enemies to lovers.
April 4, 2024
At first I said, no I won’t devour this in one night because I want to enjoy it.
And than I read it all in one night.
I also considered going and dying my hair lavender and cosplaying as a Starstorm fae.
I loved Nova and her star storm magic. Asher and his ice fire magic, the way their love story carried through the faux marriage plot.
I loved the sparkles, the lavender hair, the world they lived in. If Bridgerton and Romantasy had a baby, it’s this book. And I loved it.
I hope the second book delves deeper into some family character development, development of the political aspects that were foreshadowed. But also I hope there’s more sparkles and flowers.
This ate and left no crumbs, a perfect meeting of happily ever after and an ethereal romantic sparkly world that I wish I lived in.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
And than I read it all in one night.
I also considered going and dying my hair lavender and cosplaying as a Starstorm fae.
I loved Nova and her star storm magic. Asher and his ice fire magic, the way their love story carried through the faux marriage plot.
I loved the sparkles, the lavender hair, the world they lived in. If Bridgerton and Romantasy had a baby, it’s this book. And I loved it.
I hope the second book delves deeper into some family character development, development of the political aspects that were foreshadowed. But also I hope there’s more sparkles and flowers.
This ate and left no crumbs, a perfect meeting of happily ever after and an ethereal romantic sparkly world that I wish I lived in.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
April 13, 2024
Novalise Starstorm hails from a prestigious noble house, House Celestine. While her fate is tied to the stars, so will her marriage should she fail to secure her own love match soon.
Asher Firebane wants nothing to do with love, believing it a weakness that only destroys. Despite being clear opposites, their fates collide one fateful night, sending them on an unexpected and life-altering course…
Tropes/themes:
💫 Rejected mates
💫 Arranged marriage
💫 Unrequited love
💫 Anxiety rep
💫 No cliffhanger
“𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭, 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘺? 𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘥”
“𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘚𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘵, 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵”
This book was simply 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲! I binged it in one sitting. Hillary’s writing immediately draws you into this colorful and spectacular world that spoke to my Regency-loving heart with its “Bridgerton but make it fae” vibes.
Each character was well-developed and I loved their strengths and perceived flaws. I adore Novalise- her sweet demeanor and sharp wit and especially loved the juxtaposition with Ash’s gruff antisocial personality. At the heart of it, they may be more alike than they think, feeling loneliness and immense pressure to protect their family name and the ones they love. But will these rejected mates ever allow themselves to fall in love and find their own HEA?
💫All the Chaos of Constellations sends the reader through a fun starstorm of angst and swoon. The hilarious moments, the hot tension, pining, and delicious spice made me delirious. I cannot wait for the next installment featuring a very interesting MMC 🤭
Thank you so much Hillary for the opportunity to read this ARC! This is my honest and voluntary review
Asher Firebane wants nothing to do with love, believing it a weakness that only destroys. Despite being clear opposites, their fates collide one fateful night, sending them on an unexpected and life-altering course…
Tropes/themes:
💫 Rejected mates
💫 Arranged marriage
💫 Unrequited love
💫 Anxiety rep
💫 No cliffhanger
“𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭, 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘺? 𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘥”
“𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘚𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘵, 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵”
This book was simply 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲! I binged it in one sitting. Hillary’s writing immediately draws you into this colorful and spectacular world that spoke to my Regency-loving heart with its “Bridgerton but make it fae” vibes.
Each character was well-developed and I loved their strengths and perceived flaws. I adore Novalise- her sweet demeanor and sharp wit and especially loved the juxtaposition with Ash’s gruff antisocial personality. At the heart of it, they may be more alike than they think, feeling loneliness and immense pressure to protect their family name and the ones they love. But will these rejected mates ever allow themselves to fall in love and find their own HEA?
💫All the Chaos of Constellations sends the reader through a fun starstorm of angst and swoon. The hilarious moments, the hot tension, pining, and delicious spice made me delirious. I cannot wait for the next installment featuring a very interesting MMC 🤭
Thank you so much Hillary for the opportunity to read this ARC! This is my honest and voluntary review
December 27, 2023
I can't stop thinking about this book!!! (I beta read it) I think about this book at least once a day! You all need to add this to all your lists! The magic! The MMC! All of it!!! 10/10 do recommend!
April 3, 2024
Novalise and Asher find themselves seeking shelter in the same alcove where they both are avoiding everyone. When an enchanted mistletoe unfurls they tempt fate and kiss, “for traditions sake” of course. Instead of a mediocre kiss with a stranger their souls become bound to one another. But Asher doesn’t believe in love. He walks away and rejects the bond leaving Novalise hurt, angry, and frustrated.
This book is their love story. Overcoming past trauma and the ways it has shaped their lives is at the forefront of the story. Novalise, the consummate people pleaser, and Asher, determined not to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Sometimes love just needs a push for it to be revealed though.
Treason and rebellions are forming in the background. Finding out who is behind it and what their goals are is not so easy to unravel.
Ok, my thoughts….
Novalise can’t seem to stand up for herself in even the most minimal way. She can’t even decide her own outfits for certain social events. She is completely under the thumb of her mother and has been silenced in almost every way. It became frustrating that she didn’t grow a backbone sooner, and that when she did it was only on display a couple times. Her determination to pursue her mate and a marriage of love was commendable though. Forming a plan to make Asher see the light she begins to pursue him with a bit of subterfuge. That plan only lasts a chapter or so though so don’t get too excited. She was able to push back a bit with Asher and with Drake so I enjoyed those brief moments. She also vented her anger and showed strength a couple (TWICE!) times.
Unfortunately, there were so many unanswered questions. We learn of her power early on but not what it actually does, or why it is so important. The reader is told it is a power that hasn’t been seen in over 100 years, that it is amazing, but nothing else. We also barely got any details on the uprising and the machinations behind it. Again, it is mentioned…. But we don’t really see it in action in the book. A lot of telling and not showing sadly. We don’t get any resolution about Novas mother either. How does her brother know the secrets he knows? How does no one else? Why couldn’t Novalise see it if her powers are so powerful? Why is her mother so determined to keep Novalise under her thumb? For these questions and more we didn’t even get a hint of an answer.
At least for Asher we know almost all of his backstory. We find out why he acts the way he does and just how much he was deceived. I understood why he wanted to reject even the notion of love and that he felt he didn’t deserve it either. His stubbornness to deny his feelings was frustrating but true to his character. Overall he was not very memorable and I wanted her to get with Drake for most of the book.
In the end they are together. Though we don’t see how her mother just acquiesces after the trouble she went to in order to keep them apart. Maybe if we had not heard of the threat of war or had hints of what the Shadowblade Assassin AKA The Shadow Prince AKA Drake was there for. Or if we hadn’t heard Novalise predict catastrophe when reading the stars. Then this book would have been complete and perfectly depicted the MCs love story. Unfortunately, we did get those hints so the story felt unfinished. I hope that the next book will reveal more about the issues they are facing and have a bit more adventure and danger since it will (presumably) be about The Shadowblade Assassin. I have not given up on this series even though I wished for more in this first book. I will mention that I enjoyed the writing and the multiple POVs. That was well done.
This book is their love story. Overcoming past trauma and the ways it has shaped their lives is at the forefront of the story. Novalise, the consummate people pleaser, and Asher, determined not to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Sometimes love just needs a push for it to be revealed though.
Treason and rebellions are forming in the background. Finding out who is behind it and what their goals are is not so easy to unravel.
Ok, my thoughts….
Novalise can’t seem to stand up for herself in even the most minimal way. She can’t even decide her own outfits for certain social events. She is completely under the thumb of her mother and has been silenced in almost every way. It became frustrating that she didn’t grow a backbone sooner, and that when she did it was only on display a couple times. Her determination to pursue her mate and a marriage of love was commendable though. Forming a plan to make Asher see the light she begins to pursue him with a bit of subterfuge. That plan only lasts a chapter or so though so don’t get too excited. She was able to push back a bit with Asher and with Drake so I enjoyed those brief moments. She also vented her anger and showed strength a couple (TWICE!) times.
Unfortunately, there were so many unanswered questions. We learn of her power early on but not what it actually does, or why it is so important. The reader is told it is a power that hasn’t been seen in over 100 years, that it is amazing, but nothing else. We also barely got any details on the uprising and the machinations behind it. Again, it is mentioned…. But we don’t really see it in action in the book. A lot of telling and not showing sadly. We don’t get any resolution about Novas mother either. How does her brother know the secrets he knows? How does no one else? Why couldn’t Novalise see it if her powers are so powerful? Why is her mother so determined to keep Novalise under her thumb? For these questions and more we didn’t even get a hint of an answer.
At least for Asher we know almost all of his backstory. We find out why he acts the way he does and just how much he was deceived. I understood why he wanted to reject even the notion of love and that he felt he didn’t deserve it either. His stubbornness to deny his feelings was frustrating but true to his character. Overall he was not very memorable and I wanted her to get with Drake for most of the book.
In the end they are together. Though we don’t see how her mother just acquiesces after the trouble she went to in order to keep them apart. Maybe if we had not heard of the threat of war or had hints of what the Shadowblade Assassin AKA The Shadow Prince AKA Drake was there for. Or if we hadn’t heard Novalise predict catastrophe when reading the stars. Then this book would have been complete and perfectly depicted the MCs love story. Unfortunately, we did get those hints so the story felt unfinished. I hope that the next book will reveal more about the issues they are facing and have a bit more adventure and danger since it will (presumably) be about The Shadowblade Assassin. I have not given up on this series even though I wished for more in this first book. I will mention that I enjoyed the writing and the multiple POVs. That was well done.
March 18, 2024
If you like Bridgerton/regency era romance, you should read this book, whether you like fantasy or not. Same applies if you like fantasy but couldn't get on board with Bridgerton, this book perfectly bridges the gap between the two genres and will appeal to all readers of romance!
The descriptions were absolutely beautiful, from the characters, the surroundings, the scents, I could truly picture the whole setting and I loved every word. This started the book off in an excellent place, because even if the plot had been sub-par, I was on board with Hillary's writing style. However, the plot did NOT disappoint!
The world-building was casually sprinkled throughout the story telling in a way that was not overwhelming, and kept enough back to keep you reading for more details. I have been in such a slump recently and even books I have enjoyed haven't grabbed my attention as much as this story, it was so well-written. This is the first book by this author I have read and I am instantly bumping her previous series to the top of my TBR pile!
I found balance of spice to romance, world-building to plot, description to action to be just perfect. At no point did I think there was too much of one or too little of the other. The characters in particular were very well developed, and you can see little hints of their personalities popping through even in the most basic interactions - I can't wait for more from this world!
The descriptions were absolutely beautiful, from the characters, the surroundings, the scents, I could truly picture the whole setting and I loved every word. This started the book off in an excellent place, because even if the plot had been sub-par, I was on board with Hillary's writing style. However, the plot did NOT disappoint!
The world-building was casually sprinkled throughout the story telling in a way that was not overwhelming, and kept enough back to keep you reading for more details. I have been in such a slump recently and even books I have enjoyed haven't grabbed my attention as much as this story, it was so well-written. This is the first book by this author I have read and I am instantly bumping her previous series to the top of my TBR pile!
I found balance of spice to romance, world-building to plot, description to action to be just perfect. At no point did I think there was too much of one or too little of the other. The characters in particular were very well developed, and you can see little hints of their personalities popping through even in the most basic interactions - I can't wait for more from this world!
March 19, 2024
OMG! This book sweeps readers into a fantastical world where destiny intertwines with treachery, love, and sacrifice. Novalise, bound by tradition to marry before Midsummer's end, faces a daunting decision: follow her heart or succumb to tradition. She's determined to marry for love instead of having a mate chosen for her. She didn't expect a fleeing kiss that led to a bond with the one fae she least expected.
At the heart of the story lies the reluctant romance between Novalise and Asher, a fae lord burdened by the scars of past betrayals. Their journey is fraught with tension, longing, and so much ANGST. Asher grapples with his aversion to love while Novalise seeks to prove the depth of her affection. But Novalise is a prize to be won, and multiple fae have their sights on winning her heart, especially the Shadow Assasin, Prince Drake.
Against a backdrop of political intrigue and impending danger, the author weaves a spellbinding story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. As Novalise and Asher confront external threats and inner demons, they must decide whether to embrace their shared destiny or risk everything for a chance at true happiness.
𝑰𝒇 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒌𝒚. 𝑰𝒇 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒕.
Overall, this story is a captivating blend of fantasy and romance recommended for fans of Bridgerton and True Blood. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
At the heart of the story lies the reluctant romance between Novalise and Asher, a fae lord burdened by the scars of past betrayals. Their journey is fraught with tension, longing, and so much ANGST. Asher grapples with his aversion to love while Novalise seeks to prove the depth of her affection. But Novalise is a prize to be won, and multiple fae have their sights on winning her heart, especially the Shadow Assasin, Prince Drake.
Against a backdrop of political intrigue and impending danger, the author weaves a spellbinding story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. As Novalise and Asher confront external threats and inner demons, they must decide whether to embrace their shared destiny or risk everything for a chance at true happiness.
𝑰𝒇 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒌𝒚. 𝑰𝒇 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒕.
Overall, this story is a captivating blend of fantasy and romance recommended for fans of Bridgerton and True Blood. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
September 15, 2024
3.75 ⭐️- I really enjoyed it!
This is the first book in a series of interconnected stand-alones. Each book will focus on a new couple but the overarching plot and story will continue throughout the books, so they should be read in order.
Hillary’s writing is beautiful. It’s descriptive without being overwhelming and I found myself easily picturing the beautiful scenery. This story has major Bridgerton vibes which was a lot of fun, especially with the addition fae and magic.
I found myself frustrated with the two MCs, especially the MMC, Asher. His inability to make up his mind and commit really annoyed me. Many of the interactions between Novalise and Asher resulted in one storming off and I became impatient 😆.
I really liked another male character much more and I’m excited to know that he’s going to be the MMC in the next book 🙌, which I do plan on reading.
Overall, this was a fun and fast read. I recommend it if you love:
✨fated mates
✨fake dating
✨rejected bonds
✨Bridgerton courting season and sibling dynamics
✨anxiety rep
✨relatable FMC
This is the first book in a series of interconnected stand-alones. Each book will focus on a new couple but the overarching plot and story will continue throughout the books, so they should be read in order.
Hillary’s writing is beautiful. It’s descriptive without being overwhelming and I found myself easily picturing the beautiful scenery. This story has major Bridgerton vibes which was a lot of fun, especially with the addition fae and magic.
I found myself frustrated with the two MCs, especially the MMC, Asher. His inability to make up his mind and commit really annoyed me. Many of the interactions between Novalise and Asher resulted in one storming off and I became impatient 😆.
I really liked another male character much more and I’m excited to know that he’s going to be the MMC in the next book 🙌, which I do plan on reading.
Overall, this was a fun and fast read. I recommend it if you love:
✨fated mates
✨fake dating
✨rejected bonds
✨Bridgerton courting season and sibling dynamics
✨anxiety rep
✨relatable FMC
April 5, 2024
The Stars Never Lie
From the very beginning, Hillary’s fae story-telling and writing style had me hooked from page one all the way to the end!
The book sweeps readers into a fantastical world where destiny intertwines with treachery, love, and sacrifice!
All the Chaos of Constellations is a story of lies, reluctant romance between the characters Novalise and Asher, and fae fantasy!
We have a journey that is filled with tension, longing for one another , and some major ANGST. Asher grapples with his longing but reluctance to ✨love✨ And Novalise is a major prize to be won, with multiple fae have their sights on taking her heart, especially the Shadow Assasin Prince Drake.
Political intrigue and impending danger, Hillary weaves a magical story that keeps everyone on the edge of their seats.
As Novalise and Asher confront dangers, threats and inner demons, they must decide whether to accept their destiny or risk everything they know for a chance at a happily ever after.
For fans of Fae and Fantasy, READ THIS BOOK NOW!!!!🖤🖤🖤
From the very beginning, Hillary’s fae story-telling and writing style had me hooked from page one all the way to the end!
The book sweeps readers into a fantastical world where destiny intertwines with treachery, love, and sacrifice!
All the Chaos of Constellations is a story of lies, reluctant romance between the characters Novalise and Asher, and fae fantasy!
We have a journey that is filled with tension, longing for one another , and some major ANGST. Asher grapples with his longing but reluctance to ✨love✨ And Novalise is a major prize to be won, with multiple fae have their sights on taking her heart, especially the Shadow Assasin Prince Drake.
Political intrigue and impending danger, Hillary weaves a magical story that keeps everyone on the edge of their seats.
As Novalise and Asher confront dangers, threats and inner demons, they must decide whether to accept their destiny or risk everything they know for a chance at a happily ever after.
For fans of Fae and Fantasy, READ THIS BOOK NOW!!!!🖤🖤🖤
April 3, 2024
I binged this book in one day. It felt like I was reading a fantasy version of Bridgerton - it is heavily focused on the romance plot, but I was also drawn in to the rich world the author builds. Also, one of the characters has a dragon, so obviously I’m going to love this book 🤣
I related to Novalise in many ways, especially her experience of anxiety and always wanting to please the people around her. I enjoyed reading her journey to becoming more assertive and aware of her own desires. I am not usually a fan of rejected mate plots, but once I found out Asher’s reason for doing so I understood where he as coming from.
I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll just say THAT EPILOGUE! I’m even more excited for the characters the next book will be focused on 😍
𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙉𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙢 𝘾𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙨.
“𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙖 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡, 𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣’𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙖𝙙𝙮? 𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙖 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙚𝙭𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙙.”
𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Unrequited love, Rejected mates, Bridgerton vibes, Arranged marriage, Anxiety rep, No cliffhanger
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book. This review is voluntary, and all opinions expressed are my own.
I related to Novalise in many ways, especially her experience of anxiety and always wanting to please the people around her. I enjoyed reading her journey to becoming more assertive and aware of her own desires. I am not usually a fan of rejected mate plots, but once I found out Asher’s reason for doing so I understood where he as coming from.
I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll just say THAT EPILOGUE! I’m even more excited for the characters the next book will be focused on 😍
𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙉𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙢 𝘾𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙨.
“𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙖 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡, 𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣’𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙖𝙙𝙮? 𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙖 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙚𝙭𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙙.”
𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Unrequited love, Rejected mates, Bridgerton vibes, Arranged marriage, Anxiety rep, No cliffhanger
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book. This review is voluntary, and all opinions expressed are my own.
February 14, 2024
I received an ARC copy of this book.
HILLARYYYYY YOU DID IT AGAINNNNNN. Absolutely struck from the first chapter. I haven’t read many rejection tropes but omg Nova and Asher were amazing characters. I was really rooting for Drake ngl (love me some broody males). The plot twists kept me going and the ending was not expected at all. I love Hillary’s writing and she always puts the spice right where it needs to be. Wonderful story!
Edit:
Sometimes I’m dumb and don’t remember the details of stories I read but man oh man is this story even better because it’s connected to the Faeven saga. I am blown away. I love interconnected series and as I’m reading Void of Endings I love getting tidbits of characters we know and love from ATCOC
HILLARYYYYY YOU DID IT AGAINNNNNN. Absolutely struck from the first chapter. I haven’t read many rejection tropes but omg Nova and Asher were amazing characters. I was really rooting for Drake ngl (love me some broody males). The plot twists kept me going and the ending was not expected at all. I love Hillary’s writing and she always puts the spice right where it needs to be. Wonderful story!
Edit:
Sometimes I’m dumb and don’t remember the details of stories I read but man oh man is this story even better because it’s connected to the Faeven saga. I am blown away. I love interconnected series and as I’m reading Void of Endings I love getting tidbits of characters we know and love from ATCOC
March 22, 2024
Did you love Bridgeton or are you a fan of regency era books, shows and movies? Ok but how about Regency era but make it fantasy??
I know I just heard you say YES PLEASE. Because that was my exact reaction when I first heard about this book.
Hillary has written such a fun and exciting book filled with magic, court intrigued, fated mates, fake engagement and a sprinkle of spice. Her writing is captivating and I found myself sucked into the world of Aeramere. Although we get some closure we are left with a pretty big “what just happened” ending that is leaving me needing the next book which will carry on to a new FMC and MMC.
Thank you so much BBOM for giving me the chance to read this book! I loved it!
I know I just heard you say YES PLEASE. Because that was my exact reaction when I first heard about this book.
Hillary has written such a fun and exciting book filled with magic, court intrigued, fated mates, fake engagement and a sprinkle of spice. Her writing is captivating and I found myself sucked into the world of Aeramere. Although we get some closure we are left with a pretty big “what just happened” ending that is leaving me needing the next book which will carry on to a new FMC and MMC.
Thank you so much BBOM for giving me the chance to read this book! I loved it!
January 21, 2024
I knew this book was going to be a new favorite of mine before I even started it and knew 100% by chapter 2.
All the Chaos of Constellations is book one in Hillary’s new interconnecting standalone series. It was the perfect introduction into this new Fae world, with beautiful imagery and nice world building that’s not overwhelming.
If you love spicy Fae Romantasy, with Bridgerton vibes and Happily Ever Afters, this needs to be on your TBR in 2024.
Did I shirk my responsibilities all weekend to read this? Yes, yes I did. Do I already have a major book hangover? Yes, yes I do. I can’t wait for book 2 🥲
All the Chaos of Constellations is book one in Hillary’s new interconnecting standalone series. It was the perfect introduction into this new Fae world, with beautiful imagery and nice world building that’s not overwhelming.
If you love spicy Fae Romantasy, with Bridgerton vibes and Happily Ever Afters, this needs to be on your TBR in 2024.
Did I shirk my responsibilities all weekend to read this? Yes, yes I did. Do I already have a major book hangover? Yes, yes I do. I can’t wait for book 2 🥲
March 18, 2024
I read this book in 12 hours, if that tells you anything!
“Do not compare her to sunshine and rainbows when she is so clearly moonlight and stardust.”
This was a nonstop, feet kicking, squealing, romantasy with all the Bridgestone vibes, spice and swoon! It immediately sucked me in and I didn’t want to stop, obviously!! Asher and Nova have all the chemistry and tension! Asher is a broken little angel that just needs to figure it out! Nova is a powerful goddess that needs to learn to stand up for herself and come into her own! I couldn’t recommend this book enough! The world building is beautiful and easy, the story is captivating and overarching, and the characters are delicious and heartbreaking!
What you can expect:
Bridgerton vibes
Fated mates
Spice
Fates
Easy magical world
Interconnected standalones
“Do not compare her to sunshine and rainbows when she is so clearly moonlight and stardust.”
This was a nonstop, feet kicking, squealing, romantasy with all the Bridgestone vibes, spice and swoon! It immediately sucked me in and I didn’t want to stop, obviously!! Asher and Nova have all the chemistry and tension! Asher is a broken little angel that just needs to figure it out! Nova is a powerful goddess that needs to learn to stand up for herself and come into her own! I couldn’t recommend this book enough! The world building is beautiful and easy, the story is captivating and overarching, and the characters are delicious and heartbreaking!
What you can expect:
Bridgerton vibes
Fated mates
Spice
Fates
Easy magical world
Interconnected standalones
January 22, 2024
Excuse me while I absolutely melt into another Hillary book.
Breathe Starlight
I adored how dreamy this world is. Nova's story is the first in a series of interconnected standalones that are very much Bridgerton meets high fantasy and I loved every moment. There were so many moments that had me wanting to reach through the book and shake a certain character (you know what you did) and tell them to get it together, but it made for the best build-up.
I can't wait to see the rest of these stories play out!
Breathe Starlight
I adored how dreamy this world is. Nova's story is the first in a series of interconnected standalones that are very much Bridgerton meets high fantasy and I loved every moment. There were so many moments that had me wanting to reach through the book and shake a certain character (you know what you did) and tell them to get it together, but it made for the best build-up.
I can't wait to see the rest of these stories play out!
October 20, 2024
Bridgerton set in a fantasy world
This reads like Bridgerton set in an ACOTAR-like world. Not as much action and adventure as I'd like in a fantasy but the romance was sweet and I can't wait to see what Creslyn gets up to with her grumpy betrothed.
This reads like Bridgerton set in an ACOTAR-like world. Not as much action and adventure as I'd like in a fantasy but the romance was sweet and I can't wait to see what Creslyn gets up to with her grumpy betrothed.
February 9, 2024
"The stars never lied."
March 18, 2024
Review to come!
April 8, 2024
First of all I want to start off and say Hillary truly is such an amazing author, and o am so grateful that i got introduced to her. And I am beyond grateful that I get to be on her ARC team. This book was good! I am rating it a 4.5 but rounding it up to a 5 for good reads. I really did enjoy this book, but I wanted more, I wanted to see more of the characters. It was still such an amazing book!
It was a stand alone in what will be a series of 8 books. And it flowed nicely, even tho it was one book you got to see the characters grow and develop. I wanted more of Nova and Asher, I wanted more of there story. But I am very exited to see where the next books take me!
The two leads were perfect for each other from the start, they worked well, and complemented each other perfectly. I liked watching them grow and have their own journey through out the book. It was beautiful written and such a good book. Like I said Hillary truly is an amazing author!
It was a stand alone in what will be a series of 8 books. And it flowed nicely, even tho it was one book you got to see the characters grow and develop. I wanted more of Nova and Asher, I wanted more of there story. But I am very exited to see where the next books take me!
The two leads were perfect for each other from the start, they worked well, and complemented each other perfectly. I liked watching them grow and have their own journey through out the book. It was beautiful written and such a good book. Like I said Hillary truly is an amazing author!
March 6, 2024
“Do not compare her to sunshine and rainbows when she is so clearly moonlight and stardust.”
THIS. BOOK. WAS. AWESOME! This one truly hooked me from the very beginning. Filled to the brim with bridgerton vibes, fae magic, slow burn, spice, unrequited love, an arranged marriage to a vicious shadow prince, and a brooding fae lord determined to avoid his fated mate… there is no shortage of action.
There are lies and deciet unfolding around our FMC who just wants to choose her own path when all she has ever known is following what she’s told blindly. Being rejected by her fated mate, she’s forced to turn to a vile shadow prince for help in securing a marriage with him… but little does she know that enlisting his help has created even bigger problems that were already bubbling at the seams.
Hillary has really outdone herself giving us not only one grumpy, fae lord to swoon over… but also another shadow daddy who isn’t even the main love interest! Definitely excited to learn more about him in the future.
And let’s not forget… what other book includes a lovely FMC that has an knack for being attacked by thorny bushes, always loses her shoes, and happens to fall off a cliff while attempting to give a BJ (IYKYK).
This one does not end on a cliffhanger, and sets us up nicely to follow another couple. It is an interconnected standalone set in a world where marriage is required but love is not a garuntee.
“Everyone battles their own demons. No one is purely good or evil, just as the line of morality has never been strictly black and white. All our souls are blurred with shades of gray.”
Thank you Hillary for allowing me to read this early, I loved every moment with Novalise and Asher and cannot wait for more!
THIS. BOOK. WAS. AWESOME! This one truly hooked me from the very beginning. Filled to the brim with bridgerton vibes, fae magic, slow burn, spice, unrequited love, an arranged marriage to a vicious shadow prince, and a brooding fae lord determined to avoid his fated mate… there is no shortage of action.
There are lies and deciet unfolding around our FMC who just wants to choose her own path when all she has ever known is following what she’s told blindly. Being rejected by her fated mate, she’s forced to turn to a vile shadow prince for help in securing a marriage with him… but little does she know that enlisting his help has created even bigger problems that were already bubbling at the seams.
Hillary has really outdone herself giving us not only one grumpy, fae lord to swoon over… but also another shadow daddy who isn’t even the main love interest! Definitely excited to learn more about him in the future.
And let’s not forget… what other book includes a lovely FMC that has an knack for being attacked by thorny bushes, always loses her shoes, and happens to fall off a cliff while attempting to give a BJ (IYKYK).
This one does not end on a cliffhanger, and sets us up nicely to follow another couple. It is an interconnected standalone set in a world where marriage is required but love is not a garuntee.
“Everyone battles their own demons. No one is purely good or evil, just as the line of morality has never been strictly black and white. All our souls are blurred with shades of gray.”
Thank you Hillary for allowing me to read this early, I loved every moment with Novalise and Asher and cannot wait for more!
January 21, 2024
2.9/5 ⭐️
Smut 🌶️🌶️/5
MMC resists bond
Fake engagement to make mate jealous
I am most interested in Drake.
The MMC is so boring.
It’s an all right story, was expecting better
I wanted her to marry Drake and NOT Asher. 🙄😑
I love this author’s other books but I have to be critical even though I got this arc for free. It is a complete ripoff of bridgerton! Even some of the dialogue is from bridgerton! It should have been called a fan fiction of bridgerton meets fae and published on some fanfic website. This is the bridgerton story tweaked slightly.
It was very distracting. I have seen similar scenarios where authors steal lines from pride and prejudice and it falls flat. There is the OG and then there is the dollar tree version.
Words that are mentioned a LOT: mate and star.
Stop reading now if you don’t want to know the specific details of what I am talking about!!!!
He calls her the DIAMOND of the season. He makes a VOW to never love because he has mean daddy issues. Sound familiar? 🙄 She tries to make him jealous by courting another. She courts a prince to make the MMC jealous. They end up together but geez design copy much. Also, she is even afraid during storms.
It was so clearly bridgerton that I could not focus.
The magic is barely mentioned. The world building HISTORY is mentioned but the FMC does like nothing magically except for the end.
it is more of a romance which I love but I kept hearing about how powerful this mate bond is yet he rejects he’s again and again?
The MMC is so boring all he does is read all day which is fine in real life but when it comes to books my personal opinion is the men need to be tough.
Like I feel like the MMC has never touched dirt and what wound up happening is I wanted her to do a 180 and get with prince drake who is much sexier/hotter.
The author wrote Drake so well but forgot about writing Asher well. I didn’t really care for their love story because she kept getting discarded after hookups like a piece of trash and drake kept fighting for her.
Not finished still reading making notes as I go:
MMC doesn’t like love:
“Love is a death trap, Cyra. A manipulation of the heart, and a mockery of the mind.”
Prince Drake: (Who reads sooo much better!)
“His grin darkened. “Do you need a ride?”
“A…ride?”
“I have a dragon.” Prince Drake jerked his head toward the other end of the courtyard. “And I can guarantee you he’s faster than those absurd flying carriages you use.”
“I don’t know.” Twisting her hands together, her teeth skated along her bottom lip once more. “I’ve never ridden on a dragon before.”
He inclined his head, his wolfish smile all but vanishing. “Is that a yes?”
Gets interesting on page 193
See how much more interesting Drake sounds then her mate who wears glasses while reading all day? And he has a dragon like come on! Why tease me like that?!
Drake:
“back. “Let me court you.”
Novalise blinked. “I’m sorry?”
“It’s fairly simple. I’ll pretend to court you for the remainder of the Season, giving you free rein of suitors while intimidating the ones undeserving of you. That way you can have your pick.” He spread one arm wide, gesturing to the courtyard, the forest, and everything beyond. “In exchange, you’ll help me secure a”
MMC described PERFECTLY by the FMC:
“You hole up in your house, inside the safety of your study whenever things get hard, whenever there’s something you don’t want to face. You’re a coward, Lord Firebane.”
I gave three stars out of respect for getting this free. I LOVED the author’s other books but this one was not very good in my opinion. Respectfully ❤️
Smut 🌶️🌶️/5
MMC resists bond
Fake engagement to make mate jealous
I am most interested in Drake.
The MMC is so boring.
It’s an all right story, was expecting better
I wanted her to marry Drake and NOT Asher. 🙄😑
I love this author’s other books but I have to be critical even though I got this arc for free. It is a complete ripoff of bridgerton! Even some of the dialogue is from bridgerton! It should have been called a fan fiction of bridgerton meets fae and published on some fanfic website. This is the bridgerton story tweaked slightly.
It was very distracting. I have seen similar scenarios where authors steal lines from pride and prejudice and it falls flat. There is the OG and then there is the dollar tree version.
Words that are mentioned a LOT: mate and star.
Stop reading now if you don’t want to know the specific details of what I am talking about!!!!
He calls her the DIAMOND of the season. He makes a VOW to never love because he has mean daddy issues. Sound familiar? 🙄 She tries to make him jealous by courting another. She courts a prince to make the MMC jealous. They end up together but geez design copy much. Also, she is even afraid during storms.
It was so clearly bridgerton that I could not focus.
The magic is barely mentioned. The world building HISTORY is mentioned but the FMC does like nothing magically except for the end.
it is more of a romance which I love but I kept hearing about how powerful this mate bond is yet he rejects he’s again and again?
The MMC is so boring all he does is read all day which is fine in real life but when it comes to books my personal opinion is the men need to be tough.
Like I feel like the MMC has never touched dirt and what wound up happening is I wanted her to do a 180 and get with prince drake who is much sexier/hotter.
The author wrote Drake so well but forgot about writing Asher well. I didn’t really care for their love story because she kept getting discarded after hookups like a piece of trash and drake kept fighting for her.
Not finished still reading making notes as I go:
MMC doesn’t like love:
“Love is a death trap, Cyra. A manipulation of the heart, and a mockery of the mind.”
Prince Drake: (Who reads sooo much better!)
“His grin darkened. “Do you need a ride?”
“A…ride?”
“I have a dragon.” Prince Drake jerked his head toward the other end of the courtyard. “And I can guarantee you he’s faster than those absurd flying carriages you use.”
“I don’t know.” Twisting her hands together, her teeth skated along her bottom lip once more. “I’ve never ridden on a dragon before.”
He inclined his head, his wolfish smile all but vanishing. “Is that a yes?”
Gets interesting on page 193
See how much more interesting Drake sounds then her mate who wears glasses while reading all day? And he has a dragon like come on! Why tease me like that?!
Drake:
“back. “Let me court you.”
Novalise blinked. “I’m sorry?”
“It’s fairly simple. I’ll pretend to court you for the remainder of the Season, giving you free rein of suitors while intimidating the ones undeserving of you. That way you can have your pick.” He spread one arm wide, gesturing to the courtyard, the forest, and everything beyond. “In exchange, you’ll help me secure a”
MMC described PERFECTLY by the FMC:
“You hole up in your house, inside the safety of your study whenever things get hard, whenever there’s something you don’t want to face. You’re a coward, Lord Firebane.”
I gave three stars out of respect for getting this free. I LOVED the author’s other books but this one was not very good in my opinion. Respectfully ❤️
October 3, 2024
I loved this book until I didn’t. The descriptions of the House of Celestine were so vivid I felt like I was there. Novalise and Asher’s first kiss pulled me in and I was flying through this book. It was so enchanting. But then… their characters never developed. Their relationship never developed. There was no angst and no yearning. Everything about them felt skin deep and so paper thin that when the spice came, I was skimming through it because the passion was just non-existent for me. I kept thinking maybe that was intentional because she was going to end up with Drake (because that nip on the lip while on his dragon felt very much like foreshadowing.) Novalise’s pick-me attitude gave me the ick. Asher gave super beta vibes. I wanted more magic involved. Maybe Asher just wasn’t my type? And what I wanted was Drake? I will absolutely be picking up the second book in the series to research this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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