Holly Renee

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.

Star and Shadow #1

A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows

Um hello sir, we just met… but I think I’m going to like you. 

Megan BV

“I will never get on my knees for you.”

“Ah, princess.” He stepped into my space, closer than was proper. He reached forward, slipping a piece of my hair between his fingers before he slowly twisted it in his hold. “I would give just about anything to see you on your knees.” 

Sidney Schaffner

Lani

erm

the beginning i enjoyed a lot, but towards the middle the pacing with evren was weird and the main character really started to piss me off

Ok listen, this book is 3 stars in the same way that a tomato is a fruit. IYKYK. 

I would recommend this to someone who is able to turn their brain off and just read 250 pages of a tropey fantasy book that is similar to about four other popular ones you've already read. 

If you have a critical mind I would spare yourself from reading this though! You will not enjoy it. There are lots of ????? moments and wondering why things are happening because there truly was never a reason given. I truly don't know what the plot is. Couldn't tell ya. 

I was able to turn my critical thinking and brain off while reading this so that's how it managed to get a 3 star review, on fantasy vibes alone. 

I will probably end up reading one of the sequels the next time I need a no one's home in my head read, since they are quick and easy reads.

It had a ton of potential - I really liked the “two kingdoms” dilemma but unfortunately there was no character development and no slow burn it just went straight for the romance. It read more like a fan fiction. Would love to read something similar but slower paced. Will not be continuing this series. Also the audiobook narrators were terrible. It was choppy and curt. It’s slightly better if you just read it.

Vanessa

Princess

This was a very quick and easy read… I’m curious to find out what will become of Evren and his mate, Adara… is he double crossing?! Is it all just a game… Does she go back to the palace?! So many questions…

Amanda Patrick 

I’m new to fantasy romance and found this to be a super fun, enjoyable, fast read. I immediately started book two after completing this book. I loved it!

Takecia Bright

It has everything you want in a fantasy romance. I enjoyed it but found it predictable because I’ve read many stories with a similar plot like this one (each one had their own twist though) so it was hard for me to get through BUT it was still great! 

I see a lot of people compare it to From Blood and Ash but I don’t see the similarities in the story. The characters aren’t really the same either since they have different circumstances and personalities. Evren is nothing like Casteel (in a good way).

Anyway. If you like the genre that From Blood and Ash is in then you’ll like this one also. Sometimes you have to push the reviews a side and read it for yourself.

I really enjoyed parts of this book; however, I didn't really like the fact that one moment all she wanted was him, and the next, she didn't. Was a bit immature, so I didn't like her character much. I also could do without all the smutty cringy scenes. But if you look past that, the story was good.

Rocy Roque

Fast paced, easy read that was hard to put down. Wish there was a bit more backstory as to why Adara was so important, but enjoyed nonetheless. Spicy & exciting. 

Shelby BD 

Allison Freedman

Hot damn I love a steamy fast paced enemies to lovers story. Evren is a dirty boy and man did I eat that shit up! Phew this book did not disappoint on the spice, I mean literally almost every single chapter. Although it was definitely fast paced and a short read it did not feel rushed at all. I won’t lie and say I didn’t see the twist at the end coming, but it was still absolutely an enjoyable read. Love it, 5/5!

Dre T

This was my first fantasy romance and it was a perfect starter. I am shocked that I liked it so much to be honest. Will definitely be reading more. That amount of spice was certainly unexpected.

Mikala Mawer

WOW! 

Wow! This book hooked me right from the beginning. I was looking for a shorter read after reading books that were 500+. I’m very excited to read the next.

Honestly….. it was just smut. Which isn’t a bad thing in theory but I was getting toxic masculinity vibes the whole time so I did not enjoy it really at all. Also the MC was very “Im not like the other girls, I hate dresses and flowers.” 

Kiersten

Immediately fell in love with this book. I finished it in a day, it was that good. And I won't be able to look a books spine the same way ever again lol.

This book is more character driven than plot driven and the plot moves at a slow pace. I will say the plot is predictable but I was honestly ok with that. I got all of the other aspects that I could have wanted. Fae, vampires, political intrigue, spice, secrets, a little world building, and a dark, moody, possessive love interest.

The ending perfectly set up book two and of course, I immediately downloaded book two and read it the next day.

amidpages

Immediately fell in love with this book. I finished it in a day, it was that good. And I won't be able to look a books spine the same way ever again lol.

This book is more character driven than plot driven and the plot moves at a slow pace. I will say the plot is predictable but I was honestly ok with that. I got all of the other aspects that I could have wanted. Fae, vampires, political intrigue, spice, secrets, a little world building, and a dark, moody, possessive love interest.

The ending perfectly set up book two and of course, I immediately downloaded book two and read it the next day.

3 stars because while this was enjoyable and a quick read, this book is essentially the same story as FBAA. If you’ve read FBAA, you can predict every single thing that happens, even the “twist” at the end of the book. 

Abby Williamson

Cassandra Martin

** spoiler alert **
           WOW. My first 5 star book of the year, I actually think of the last two years. I’m pretty stingy when it comes to giving 5 stars but I didn’t even hesitate to give it to this one. I LOVED this book. The forbidden love? Enemies to lover? Vamprye? Fae? ALL SO GOOD. The smut? 🤤🤤🤤🤤 could not get enough from it. I loved the inner turmoil with the main character, I loved the chemistry with her and her love interest. Her love interest? Ugh, incredible. We didn’t get a lot out of the side characters but I didn’t mind, what we did get really helped moved the story between all the characters well. I’m obsessed, one of my immediate favorites. I read it on kindle and I’m going to need a physical copy and I can’t wait for the next one! Amazing.

Katie Kuegler

The plot was mediocre at best, but I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. Where the plot lacks, the romance does not. We love a good enemies to lovers (to enemies?!) so I will be reading the sequel.

Marissa Donis

Did I enjoy this book? Yes. Did I find it predictable, with nothing terribly new to add to the fantasy and magical romance genres? Yes. Do I recommend reading this book? Yes.

TROPES:
One bed/One Horse
Love Triangle
Fated Mates
Magic
Vampires/Fae
Dark Romance


I found this book was a quick read I finished it in a day which is always nice to get lost in a book and be able to finish it at the same time. However I do have to say that this book is very similar to various other books out there right now and I needed something more from this one to really get me hooked and unfortunately I wasn't fully hooked in the book until the very end with the plot twist.

This story is about Adara who is Starblessed, which I believe, means she was blessed by the stars with markings on her body and face of silver starlight and blood that can strengthen the Fae (vampires too I believe but it didn't really go into that). Since Adara was a child she was betrothed to the Fae Crown Prince, Gavril and was to marry him when the time came so her blood could strengthen the Fae and Human worlds. However, the night before she is to be taken to the Fae world and meet her betrothed Adara meets another stranger and has this pull towards him that she cannot explain (hello fated mates). 

Adara joins the Fae world and is introduced to her new home and future in laws but it still looking for the dark haired stranger she met the night prior. Adara meets her betrothed Gavril and is underwhelmed by him. Shortly after meeting Gavril, Adara finds her dark haired stranger again and of course, he's the bastard half brother of her betrothed, Evren (hello drama!) 

However, she decides that she cannot stay with these people and live a life where she is essentially a human blood bag and plans her escape from the castle. Adara doesn't get far though before she is attacked by a nobleman and is cut for her "magical" blood. Evren finds her and takes care of her heals the wound but in doing so he leaves a mark on her skin that wasn't there before. The Queen who is not a fan of Adara and views her as property and a means to strength and power for the royal family noticed the mark and demands her son Gavril to taste the blood of his betrothed before the wedding to see who "touched" her. Adara is held down and forced against her will to endure Gavril harming her all while the Queen watches. 

After the incident we find out that the Vampyre Kingdom is attacking the Fae Kingdom and Evren takes Adara on a journey to another city where they will be safe from the attack. Things happen between the two and let's just say she isn't pure anymore for her beloved Gavril. 

Now my favorite part of this book and I feel where it really picked up is the plot twist where the Vampyre kingdom (which Evren is the Crown Prince of) have come to steal Adara and use her essentially how the Fae Kingdom was going to use her.

I think this was what really turned the book around for me and left me wanting more because I want to see what happens and what Adara's life will be like now that is in the Vampyre world with Evren who kind of tricked and betrayed her.

This book was a fun look at fantasy, magic, vampire, and fae romance with intrigue and I do have to say that I will read the second book when it comes out. I just wish the book overall had more originality or involved more of the story with the Vampyre Kingdom because as the reader we don't know much about the Vampyre Kingdom at this point. 

What I also found hard to digest was how Adara said basically 3 words to Evren when they first met and then she was "immediately" hooked on him and couldn't stop thinking about him or wishing to see him. That was hard for me to really get on board with and then when Evren started giving Adara all of his attention he was very to the point about his intentions in a seggsy way. Like, I get it but for him to just say all of these to someone he pretty much just met was a little weird to me and hard to believe and enjoy the story. Did I enjoy the smut? I did like it there was not a lot of it but more a lot of words leading up to their "one bed" night in a tavern. 

Overall, enjoyable and I can't wait to read the second book and see how that one goes and if the momentum of the end of the book continues through to the sequel.

Jaycie 

** spoiler alert **
           With fantasy books, I usually am like “damn, this didn’t need to be this long, it should’ve been 100…200 pages shorter.” But with this book, I feel like it needed to be 100/200 pages longer with more world building and information on the starblessed versus vamp versus fae magic systems!!!!!!!! I feel like the focus was only on Evren and Adara finding a moment to fool around + that especially felt incredibly rushed (borderline insta-lovey.)

I wish the book was paced better and I genuinely think the shortness is why I feel like its potential wasn’t reached. I also found Adara’s inner dialogue towards wanting Evren incredibly annoying and I wish that word count was spent exploring what it even means to be starblessed or what the fated prophecy even was. Also, did Evren know she was his mate the whole time? When did the bond click in place and why didn’t Adara realize it?? 

The plot felt like it was only about sex when generally, the plot was set up to be SO MUCH MORE!

This is a decently smutty fantasy romance with an alpha mmc and a “destined for greatness” fmc. It’s not groundbreaking, it’s not very original but it is fun. 

I was entertained and distracted from a very nerve wracking interview so it did what I needed it to. 

There was a weird library scene I’m not so sure how I feel about but other than that I enjoyed it. I have read reviews that say it’s a “slow burn,” I didn’t get that from this really I felt it was more “insta lust.”

It’s a quick read and ends on a cliffhanger. 

This is a decently smutty fantasy romance with an alpha mmc and a “destined for greatness” fmc. It’s not groundbreaking, it’s not very original but it is fun. 

I was entertained and distracted from a very nerve wracking interview so it did what I needed it to. 

There was a weird library scene I’m not so sure how I feel about but other than that I enjoyed it. I have read reviews that say it’s a “slow burn,” I didn’t get that from this really I felt it was more “insta lust.”

It’s a quick read and ends on a cliffhanger. 

A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows Star and Shadow #1

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