NetGalley Review: The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard
Hey all, Sam here.
Today’s review is definitely proof that sometimes I am really bad at getting my reviews written and posted in a timely manner. This was…I believe…the second book I completed in 2025 (as in I marked it as finished on January 5th). And yet, here we are, almost at the end of July, and I’m just now getting this post finished up and posted.
Maybe I should start prepping the post as I’m reading the book and then make myself sit down and write down the review portion before I pick up the next book. Most of the time right now, I finish one book and almost immediately start reading the next one. I need to figure something out, so I can keep up with talking about all the books I’ve read.
Anyway, this review has been waiting long enough. Let’s go ahead and dive on in.
My Thoughts
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.
Rating: 5 stars
First off, let’s talk about that cover. It is beautiful. In person it even has a nice glossy shimmer to it, which just catches the eye. It’s just really pretty and so that drew me in pretty quickly. Also, this is not my first Amalie Howard book. It’s my fourth (after Bloodspell, Alpha Goddess, and Queen Bee).
I was swept away by this one. It was more fantasy leaning than any of Howard’s previous books that I’ve read, and it definitely hit the spot for me. I suppose it did have some of the court drama and political intrigue that made me think of the scandals and interpersonal drama of Queen Bee (which was basically a mash-up of The Count of Monte Cristo and “Bridgerton”).
Yes, I could say that the set-up of Suraya, the crown prince, and illegitimate brother Roshan plus royalty versus rebel forces premise is something that has been done numerous times in fantasy, it’s also fair to say that these elements keep happening because they work, and because people keep reading them.
I remember there being drama and intrigue and basically a competition to find the crown prince’s bride, plus lots of secrecy and magic that led into a whole lot of tension and action. Plus the writing was captivating as well, which is always a plus.
I even read this book in just a couple days, so I was definitely enthralled by the characters and the story. This is a book that I would certainly consider reading again (you know, if it wasn’t for my outrageous TBR making lots of re-reads difficult).
All right, well that is all from me for today. Thank you so much for stopping by, and I’ll be back soon with more geeky content.
