The Starlight Heir

A Novel

By: Amalie Howard

Narrated by: Anais Inara Chase, Ramiz Monsef

“My newest obsession! A breathtaking, sexy romantasy full of twists and adventure.”–REBECCA YARROS, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Fourth Wing

“Be ready for a deadly contest for a bride, mistaken identities, hidden magic, and secrets that will keep you guessing until the end.”–NISHA J. TULI, internationally bestselling author of Trial of the Sun Queen

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.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

“Consumes all your attention and leaves you longing for more!”—Jennifer L. Armentrout, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Stunning.”—Brigid Kemmerer, New York Times bestselling author

“Pure addictive delight."—Thea Guanzon, New York Times bestselling author

“Amalie Howard at her finest!”—Danielle L. Jensen, New York Times bestselling author

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2025 Amalie Howard (P)2025 HarperCollins Publishers

Well paced and delicious banter

Amalie Howard wrote a wonderful novel! I loved the banter and chemistry between the FMC and MMC. The banter was absolutely delicious! And I’m literally on the the edge of my seat, waiting for her to announce the Queen of the Night Sky!!

Also wanted to express how I loved the cultural references in this novel. I’ve never read Caribbean / Indian mythology/fantasy before. And I’m surprisingly obsessed with it! It makes this story so much richer, and makes for an incredibly unique magic system for a romantasy. Thank you, Amalie!

Dazzling High Stakes Romantasy

I enjoyed this story and the descriptive storytelling. It was fairly fast paced, occasionally repetitive, but still entertaining. The setting was interesting - I loved being in a desert world, different from my recent reads. Themes that definitely warranted good book club discussions. I also enjoyed the lore & magic system. I really liked the FMC, both her personality and inner monologue. Not 100% sold on our current love interest (although I did really like HIM). I am really looking forward to things getting messy in the next book. Will definitely pick up Book2. I did the audiobook and the female narrator was fantastic. I also loved the male narrator for certain chapters, although Anais really stole the show.

Fun for a novella

The first 75% of this book I had no emotional connection to and was not fully invested in the characters. The world building was great, but there was just a little too much of it and not enough balance. The last 25% of the book was actually so good. It felt like I was reading a completely different book. It was sitting at a two star for me and I bumped it up to a three star because the last 25% of the book. Definitely wouldn’t reread and definitely wouldn’t continue to read anything else in these world, but this book was good for a standalone. Even though the ending felt like it wasn’t a standalone.

Passable

I’m not sorry I spent a credit on this book. It’s a decent story, but it suffers in several ways that aren’t difficult to let go. I think stronger editing would help. Some passages are needlessly long and repetitive in their description. Several transitions weren’t explained enough. One minute they were doing one thing, the next doing something totally different without a foremention, although an explanation was supplied after the fact. The world building was under developed. I never got a true sense of the surroundings. Then there was the Lord of Night who randomly interrupted the story with a brooding threat of some kind. I still have no clue how he fits in or who he is. The narrator did pretty good once she warmed up to the story. It was not an easy job. All in all the series has great potential. It’s not really a YA story because the steamier bits are a tad extreme, as are the fight scenes.

The setting is incredible.

Story was good, I just wish there was much more world building. It’s good, it just needs more pizazz. I really enjoyed it though.

DNF

There is no world building. The plot is predictable. Only made it to chapter 7.