I just finished reading A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows written by Holly Renee. TikTok made me read it tbh and I have to say this book did not disappoint. I loved the story and plot. This is a 4 book series. It's kind of a Romanatsy with an intriguing plot, politics, wars among kingdoms, and races of Vampyres and Fae. I simply loved it. who doesn't love a good old vampire romance?. So let's get into a detailed review.
Blurb
Destiny or desire?
Where does your allegiance lie?
I am told my union to the crowned prince will determine the fate of the kingdom, but it isn’t my betrothed who haunts my dreams. It’s the half-breed prince who stands at his side.
He is darkness and sin, and when he whispers promises of wickedness in my ear, I crave a man who I can’t have.
Every thought I have is treasonous. The way my hands ache to touch him deceitful.
Even my dreams make me a traitor to the kingdom I am sworn to protect.
But when the kingdom is attacked, I am forced to make choices I’m not prepared for. Our lies and deception are entangled in the shadows and stars, and as they unravel so shall my fate. Betray a kingdom or betray my heart.
GENRE
Romantasy
THEME AND TONE
Beautiful
LANGUAGE AND WRITING STYLE
Easy to Read
CHARACTERS
Multilayered Complex Characters
☙ Enemies to lovers
☙ Fated Mates
☙ Forbidden Romance
☙ She distrusts him
☙ He fell first
☙ Politics and War
☙ Touch her and die
☙ Forced proximity
MY REVIEW
This is one of the best Vampire romance book I have read so far this year. The story revolves around Adara who is a human from a small human village. There is some kind of shadow border surrounding human lands which separates humans from the Fae Kingdom.
Adara is the star blessed which she refers to as star cursed because she keeps repeating it again and again that being star blessed took away her life which she doesn't have to start with 🤷. There is no reference to her hobbies or anything she particularly loves. She just kept saying she was trained her whole life as the star blessed. So the starblessed are some human people born with star marks which means they have the power of the stars and whoever drinks blood from them gets the power. yeah.... an interesting idea.
She is plucked from her home on the designated day and transported to the castle. she is presented in front of the queen who is shown as a powerful lethal woman who rules with brutality and her son the future king who is a Momma's boy to start with. There is deep-rooted racism against Vampires in the Fae kingdom because apparently, they are mortal enemies. Both Fae and Vampires sorry the book says "Vampyres" are power-hungry nations and are after starblessed power.
In the castle, interesting things happen. Adara is torn between two people. There is a love triangle....well....sort of triangle. She fell for the step brother who also happens to be a very powerful Captain of the Army who happens to have dark shadowy powers.....yeah this gave off major shadow daddy vibes.
The story is filled with twists and turns, betrayal, and simmering chemistry between Adara and Evren(the Captain). The scenes were lit. There is a mixture of hate, love, trust, and distrust in going on between these two people. On the other hand, Gavril and Adara have no chemistry whatsoever. Gavril has no personality in the story and he always does what his mother says. and he sounded stupid almost al the time. This was the biggest flaw in the series I found. If you are going for a love triangle may be give both characters a strong personality. But maybe the author was not going for a love triangle and going for Fated mates? Hmm....anyway let's back to topic.
The end of the book revealed the biggest twist of all and I won't spoil it for you. I enjoyed this very much. I will definitely recommend reading it and 4 stars from me ⭐.
Overall: ★★★★ | 4 Stars
Ending: ★★★★| 4 Stars
☙ Chemistry between Adara and Evren
☙ The Vampire Queen was intriguing. I would like to read more about her story
THE WORST PART:
☙ Gavril doesn't have a character. I would have preferred Author focused on him some more.
Best Words
“Starblessed are a blessing and curse on our world. Their power can be extraordinary yet wicked. A mated Starblessed equals a threat.”
Happy Reading!!
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