Review // Stars and Shadows series by Holly Renee

"No one will hurt you and not see the end of my blade."

A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows

Stars and Shadows #1
Genre/Trope - Fantasy Romance / arranged marriage
POV - Heroine 1st person
Heat - descriptive with a few scenes
Source - Kindle Unlimited
Length - 259 pages

Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/3Lo0ddQ

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.

My Rating - ★★★

After reading several positive reviews about this book, I knew I was going to read it some day. Well, some day came and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I know I'm in the minority with not loving it. However, I didn't hate it either. I just wish I became more invested in what was happening.

Adara is starblessed and it seems that she is the key to unlocking a destined greater power. She's promised to the future king of the fae, but she's instantly drawn to his brother. I thought these facts would give me more drama, more intrigue, but I got a lot of inner tormoil from a girl who didn't know her own mind. Please save me from single perspective strories told by immature, innocent, impulsive, insecure people. PLEASE!!

The end grabbed me so the next book is already loaded up.

A Kingdom of Blood and Betrayal

Stars and Shadows #2
Genre/Trope - Fantasy Romance / fated mates
POV - Heroine 1st person
Heat - descriptive with a few scenes
Source - Kindle Unlimited
Length - 244 pages

Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/3RmVa1h

My fate is bonded to two princes– one born of blood, the other of power— but my trust lies in neither.

My skin is cursed by the stars, my fate damned by desire.

But when the dark prince offers me a bargain that will save his people and my life, the cruel and intoxicating male gives me no choice.

Our union is his revenge, and I am his sacrifice.

His lies are unforgivable. His wicked touch still bathes me in sin.

He is my mate, and he is tortured by a curse to protect his people from his own family.

I could now see him for exactly who he was. So why can’t I get his alluring touch out of my head?

I am the key to saving his kingdom, but he alone has the power to ruin me.

My Rating - ★★★1/2

I enjoyed this one far more than the first. I think it had more to do with learning more about Evren and vampyres in general and how wrong the legends were that Adara grew up hearing. She took far too long to put her prejudice and ignorance aside for my taste. Honestly, I got really tired of her nonsense, but I lived for the moments I got to spend with Evren, Sorin and Thalia. They were the highlights of this story for me and I'm looking forward to seeing how (because there is no IF) everyone will take down Gavril and his wicked family.

A Kingdom of Venom and Vows

Stars and Shadows #3
Genre/Trope - Fantasy Romance / fated mates
POV - Multiple 1st person
Heat - more than descriptive, but not quite explicit
Source - Kindle Unlimited
Length - 314 pages

Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/3Pc0emk

I entered into a bargain—choosing my mate over my freedom.

But I underestimated the crowned prince who took me. His touch like venom. His vengeance lethal.

He craves a power I no longer hold, and he’ll sacrifice every part of me until he gets it.

But I don’t belong to him. I belong to his brother.

His brother who will come for me, consequences be damned.

My fate is entangled between two princes—one who craves my power, the other who covets me—and I have more to lose than I ever imagined.

War rages in a game between queens, and I have become their pawn. But I will fight for my life, for my mate, and he will raze kingdoms to get me back.

My Rating - ★★★★

What the frig?!

Why couldn't the entire series be read like this book? I was deeply in love with the way that Evren's voice came through. Finally, I had something to sink my teeth into—a well-rounded and developed story with characters and emotions and plot that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Did I find some parts repetitive? Yes. I think I understood the sentiment that Evren and Adara belonged to each other after it was mentioned the first five times. I was excited to see these two as a couple, with Adara finally being real. That's right, she was no longer denying how she truly felt and I couldn't have been happier. Gone was the immature and unreliable girl I'd come to know. In her place was a beautiful, confident, fierce warrior of a woman that should have been the star of this story from its beginning.

And because I'm interested in whatever is brewing between Thalia and Sorin, I'll probably be reading their book too.