Book Review: The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard

 


My book review of The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard.

Title: The Starlight Heir

By: Amalie Howard

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 368

Release Date: January 7th, 2025 

Rating: ★★★☆☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:

A bladesmith blessed by the stars. A prince with a dangerous secret. A god bound in shadows. From USA Today bestselling author Amalie Howard comes a scorching new romantasy that will leave you spellbound.

“His Imperial Majesty King Zarek requests your presence as his esteemed guest.”

When the gold-dusted court invitation arrives at Suraya Saab’s forge, she believes it’s a joke. Nobles might seek her skills as a bladesmith—one of few who can imbue her work with precious jadu, the last source of magic in the realm—but she has no qualifications as a potential bride for the crown prince. Still, the invitation is the chance at adventure, and the means to finally visit the capital city her late mother loved.

But what awaits her in Kaldari is nothing she could have imagined—and fraught with danger. It’s not the crown prince, but his impossibly handsome, illegitimate half-brother, Roshan, who captures her interest…and her ire. The invitation isn’t a quest to find a suitable bride, but a veiled hunt for the Starkeeper—a girl rumored to hold the magic of the stars in her blood. And across the city, unrest is brewing between the noble houses and the rebel militia.

When the rebels attack, Suraya and Roshan find themselves on the run, trying to deny their simmering attraction and the knowledge that Suraya herself might be the Starkeeper. But Roshan is guarding secrets of his own. And with no control over the power stirring within her, Suraya has drawn the attention of a dark god, an immortal whose interest might be the biggest threat of all.

 

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Review:

The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard offers an intriguing premise but stumbles in execution due to its rushed pacing and lack of depth. What begins as a promising Hunger Games-style story quickly pivots as the characters escape the city, abandoning the initial setup and leaving little room for world-building or meaningful character development. The protagonist’s unearned trust in others feels unrealistic, and the inclusion of her bizarre wet dreams detracts from the narrative. While the book is packed with action and ideas, the overwhelming pace makes it hard to keep up. With more time and space, perhaps spread over 2-3 books, the story could have reached its full potential.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

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