The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard – a Review

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Description:
To save the realm from eternal darkness, she’ll have to choose between the truth and the lie—stand and fight or kneel and die.

“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 draws her interest…and her ire. The invitation isn’t a quest to find a suitable bride, but a veiled hunt for the starbringer—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 carry out a brutal strike, Suraya and Roshan find themselves on the run, trying to deny their simmering attraction and the knowledge that Suraya herself might be the starbringer. But Roshan is hiding secrets of his own. And with no control of the power that seems to be stirring within her, Suraya has drawn the attention of the old gods themselves…and the interest of one dark god in particular might be the biggest threat of all.

Review:

The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard is an adult romantasy. Suraya Saab, our heroine, lives with her family, and to her shock, she receives an invitation to participate in a selection to become the Crown Prince’s Bride. Suraya is a self-taught smith on making powerful blades, using ‘Jadu”.  Little do the selected girls know that they are searching for a woman who is supposed to have an ability of great power that would change the world. A veiled hunt for the starbringer; a girl rumored to hold the magic of the stars in her blood.  Suraya decides to accept the invitation, looking forward to visit the capital city her late mother loved.

All the women who arrive are quickly put to the test of cruel trials, with many getting killed.  During the trials, Suraya meets Javed’s distant brother, Roshan, and immediately both of them enjoy their banter, and the chemistry between is strong.  In a short time, Javed discovers that Suraya is the girl he is seeking, who will be forced to marry him.  Before the crown prince can push for the marriage, an attack comes from a group trying to fight the prince and his mother.  Suraya and Roshan find themselves on the run, especially now that Roshan knows she might be the starkeeper, and is determined to keep her safe. The journey together is action filled and a magical adventure, with Sura discovers her powerful abilities, as well as her falling in love with Roshan.

I really like both Sura and Roshan together, as we can feel their strong bond.  It was also nice to see the  female friendships along the way; Laleh, Clem, Amma and her memories of her mother. Roshan was charismatic, and he truly loved Sura; but he also held a number of secrets.  Sura had many dreams, with the shadow god connecting to her visions; with no control of the power that seems to be stirring within her.

The Starlight Heir is a fast-packed mythology, epic fantasy, romance, betrayal, love, deceit, with a Persian/Indian inspired theme. The Starlight Heir was a very good story, that kept my attention throughout.  The Starlight Heir was very well written by Amalie Howard.  I suggest you read this book, as it looks like more books to come for this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher