The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard
Book Fort Rating: 3 Stars
Is it building the Book Fort? It's welcome to visit, but... nah.
Let's first start this rating by saying that Amalie Howard has a great imagination, and her ideas for The Starlight Heir are really engaging and creative. I enjoyed the world that she's starting to build here.
Now that that's said, let's get into it - the good:
- The world of Endara is beautiful. I honestly wish I'd gotten more descriptions of the world and the setting, because every time we did I was so interested by how vivid and beautiful everything was.
- I overall loved our main character, Suraya. She's witty, strong, and (most of the time) isn't taking crap from anyone. And this isn't done in the "main character who's just 'THE BEST AT WHAT S/HE DOES'" way - she starts out rather ordinary, only to find out that unbeknownst to her, she really is extraordinary.
- The villain of the novel is actually frightening - and a bit stomach-turning, honestly. I do not want to get caught with them in a dark alley, and that makes the book feel like it has much higher stakes. In general, the characterization of the book is done well.
- The world of Endara is beautiful. I honestly wish I'd gotten more descriptions of the world and the setting, because every time we did I was so interested by how vivid and beautiful everything was.
- I overall loved our main character, Suraya. She's witty, strong, and (most of the time) isn't taking crap from anyone. And this isn't done in the "main character who's just 'THE BEST AT WHAT S/HE DOES'" way - she starts out rather ordinary, only to find out that unbeknownst to her, she really is extraordinary.
- The villain of the novel is actually frightening - and a bit stomach-turning, honestly. I do not want to get caught with them in a dark alley, and that makes the book feel like it has much higher stakes. In general, the characterization of the book is done well.
So why 3 Stars?
- Honestly, my biggest gripe with this book is the pacing. I think this could be due to the fact that it's the first in a series, but I frequently had long stretches of the book that seemed to drag. Then, just once I thought the plot had really picked up, it slowed down again. The effect here is that events feel almost out of order and rushed (especially at the end).
- As a fantasy reader, I was really thrown off by some of the diction used. There was a lot of code-switching from more formal, high fantasy-esque language to very modern and uncouth turns of phrase. It was jarring for suspension of disbelief.
- I was really thrown off by some of the interspliced chapters with clearly a future main character. I think the point here was to show the connection that exists between them and Suraya, but unfortunately it felt like a lost plot thread at the end of the book.
- Lastly, I think one of the main goals of the book is to focus on the effects of choice, and our ability to make choices for ourselves (rather than following fate/destiny). But some of those interspliced chapters and the general *vibes* of the book make me think we could renege on that in future books, so I couldn't fully attach myself to that "lesson."
- Honestly, my biggest gripe with this book is the pacing. I think this could be due to the fact that it's the first in a series, but I frequently had long stretches of the book that seemed to drag. Then, just once I thought the plot had really picked up, it slowed down again. The effect here is that events feel almost out of order and rushed (especially at the end).
- As a fantasy reader, I was really thrown off by some of the diction used. There was a lot of code-switching from more formal, high fantasy-esque language to very modern and uncouth turns of phrase. It was jarring for suspension of disbelief.
- I was really thrown off by some of the interspliced chapters with clearly a future main character. I think the point here was to show the connection that exists between them and Suraya, but unfortunately it felt like a lost plot thread at the end of the book.
- Lastly, I think one of the main goals of the book is to focus on the effects of choice, and our ability to make choices for ourselves (rather than following fate/destiny). But some of those interspliced chapters and the general *vibes* of the book make me think we could renege on that in future books, so I couldn't fully attach myself to that "lesson."
Overall, I did enjoy The Starlight Heir, even when I found some aspects frustrating. I think the series might better hit its stride in book two. If you're a fan of rivals/guy annoying the crap out of a girl to lovers, mythology-based romantasies, flawed/realistic (and lovable) characters, and light fantasy world-building, give this one a look!
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, Netgalley, and Amalie Howard for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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