The Starlight Heir

Yesterday Amalie Howard released her adult romantasy debut, The Starlight Heir, the first in a new series. This is a change in genre for her, but one that works well with her fun and high-energy writing style. I’m already intrigued to see where the series takes us next.

Why I Chose This Book:

I’ve read three historical romances by Amalie Howard, but The Starlight Heir is her first adult romantasy. As much as I’ve enjoyed her previous books, I was excited to read something in a new genre from her. This one combines her cultural heritages into an action-packed fantasy world. But amidst magic and danger, the main characters sill find time for some romance, ill-fated as it may be.

What I Liked:

• Indian, Persian, and Caribbean cultures
• Astrological elements and birth charts
• Different houses the characters fall into based on social class and career paths. It seems similar to the castes used in India?
• Portals!
• Modern language (things like “prince-splain” and “toxic masculinity” come up); unlike most fantasy I’ve read, this one doesn’t seem to be trying to be completely historical
• Shifting allies and enemies

Final Thoughts

Much as I love Amalie Howard’s other books, I actually think romantasy suits her writing especially well! I loved the blend of cultures here (Persian, Indian, and Caribbean), the focus on astrology and birth charts, and the fast-paced action that propels the whole narrative forward. The Starlight Heir is magical, action-packed, and spicy, and with that epilogue, it’s set up for more in the series. I’m excited to see what happens in the next book!

Special thanks to Avon and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!

Get the Book

You can buy The Starlight Heir here – it’s available as a paperback, ebook, and audiobook.

The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard
Series	YES (#1)
Audience	Adult
Genre	Romantasy
Setting
Number of Pages	368
Format I Read	Ebook (NetGalley ARC)
Original Publication Date	January 7, 2025
Publisher	Avon

Official Summary

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.