When the Stars Alight

The Essence of the Equinox #1

by Camilla Andrew

A maiden of the stars. A monster from the shadows. A collision that rewrites their worlds.

Princess Laila Rose is a fallen star in human form. A beloved guardian to humanity. Yet in spite of these fantastical origins, she has never much believed in prophecies. That’s why when a demon of apocalyptic legend is presented to her in a block of ice, she feels fascination rather than fright.

Curiosity kindles into mutual desire once he breaks free of his captivity. Far from the rampaging beast of mass destruction everyone expects—he is monstrously handsome, deviously articulate and alluringly mysterious, a prince among his kind. Eager to discover his origins, Laila travels from her idyllic seaside realm into a land of unspeakable horrors, relying on her wits to survive her journey. She arrives aiming to establish peaceful contact with the aid of the besotted prince.

However, it becomes clear that the heartless demon king does not desire peace at all, only war and conquest. When diplomacy fails, Laila turns to the king’s suave and manipulative bastard son in the hopes that she can inspire both him and his trueborn brother to go against their father. But soon it is her heart she must keep from being torn between their centuries-old dangerous rivalry.

This gothic fantasy set in a vibrant gaslamp world is a must-read for fans of Catherynne Valente and Angela Carter. It’s written in lush, lyrical prose full of intricate worldbuilding, courtly intrigue, and magic that seeps through the pages. Beneath its light, romantic and whimsical veneer, you can expect darkness, brutality and passion.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Gothic, Romantasy, Ebooks, Fiction, Fantasy Romance

451 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 16, 2023

About the author

Camilla Andrew lives in a leafy English town that sounds remarkably like a fairytale setting with talking animals in suits. She spends her days writing, reading, drinking tea and working diligently at her (remote) office job. Her works also feature in Cloaked Press and midnight & indigo.

Reviews

[Kaira · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC in return for an honest review

I didn't have many expectations going into the book because unlike many of the people who received ARC's I hadn't been following the author for very long. I just knew to expect some level of political intrigue, monsters and a lot of fantasy elements.

I admit it was difficult getting into the book because there is a lot of flowery prose (too much prose in my opinion) but around I think 20-30% of the book I did get a hook on it, even if it meant sometimes I only skimmed the descriptions.

Listen, I love good descriptions but I have a limit and too much will make me turn the other way.

The first part of the book that is, the storyline between the doctors was completely useless in my opinion and could've been cut it out entirely without making any difference to the plot. I was genuinely convinced reading that certain characters would play a bigger role but when they did not (and they weren't even mentioned again) made me think well that felt like a waste.

Another thing I noticed at the beginning of the book is that POV's changed without much (or really any) warning and it was jarring because sometimes I'd flip back a page to see whose POV I was reading from and where it ended up. It's not that consistent and I didn't like that.

But moving on to the things I did like Laila as a protagonist is fascinating to read about. I adored her character and her interactions with everyone and I thought she was so intriguing throughout the book. She's basically a highly manipulative but slightly spoiled princess who struggles with gaining her mother's approval.

I liked most of the other characters too and thought they were all very well written. I think Darius, for example, is something close to a villain but not quite. He's both morally reprehensible and so interesting to read about and what else do I prefer in my faves lol

Most of the side characters while not shown that much because the focus is very much on Laila, and her subsequent relationships in this book (she has two) are still interesting to read about. Also, I like the bond Laila has with her female friends.

The worldbuilding is fascinating and while I'm not sure I understand everything about it because it is pretty vast, I enjoyed it nonetheless. It's probably one of the most interesting fantasy worlds I've read about in a while now. Laila is something like the physical incarnation of stars and wishes which was really cool, while Darius and a couple of other characters are creatures made of a dark god and chaos.

That does bring me to something I didn't like I think it's weird that everyone kind of just forgot about the prophecy (y'know the whole reason Laila did or was even looking into occassi), and Dr Hariken's story and how she was being possessed or something with her creepy visions is just overlooked and never plays into the plot again. I feel like it should've been brought up again at least as more foreshadowing and I'm disappointed it didn't. This just adds to my point about how I think the first part of the book is entirely useless.

While the book does have a plot, I personally don't think it plays a REALLY big role. As I said, most of the focus is on Laila and her relationships which, fair, but that's why if you're looking for a plot-heavy book I wouldn't call this one that. The entire story is very character driven.

Lastly, while I like the ending I also find that it's not entirely fulfilling and I'm almost certain a book HAS to follow up after this because there are some things I don't think we got closure over.

Anyway, I appreciate the ARC, and I hope more people pick up this book tbh.
--> 3.2 stars

[Jacques · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of receiving an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

This debut novel from Camilla Andrews absolutely blew me away. I have never once been so awe-struck but the first novel of any writer.

When The Stars Alight is a beautiful first installment (the first in a trilogy) to an immersive, and absolutely rich world that comes alive at your fingertips. It has decadent prose, with a savoury pace that leaves you turning the page one after another until you realize it's 4 am and you have to wake up to go to work soon. But, the sleepless and timeless days spent lost in this book are worth every moment.

I only have two criticisms:
- (1) is the slow start. I only want to emphasize this point because I know it might deter some readers from continuing. If you're reading, I implore you not to make the mistake of putting it down.
- (2) the jarring pov switches.
Perhaps she could have done better with these, but they are still executed exceptionally well for a debut author. And I look forward to her improvement in sequels.

However, these two criticisms do not bring this down from a 5-star rating because they are done with a purpose, and she successfully executes that purpose.
- For me, the slow beginning brought a specific wicked tension throughout the novel (knowing how dark Darius is and what he's capable of) and brings questions (about what happens to the doctor) that linger in your mind through the narrative. And, if they are not answered by the end of this book, it's clear these questions might bear fruit in the coming sequels. And perhaps my opinion and review will change if they do not, but I hope they will. Camilla is able to build trust as a writer that makes you believe these will be addressed in future sequels.
- In addition, regarding the pov switches, they are also done with a clear purpose. The insight obtained from the mentioned pov switches gives the reader just enough insight into the characters that make them more relatable and enjoyable (despite being a style that is not often seen).

This goes into the positive attributes of the book.

- Camilla Andrews showcases her skill with incomparable prose that leaves a rosey taste lingering on your fingers as you flip through the book. (making everything I say below even better)

- It itches my interest in fantasy with really interesting well-built worldbuilding, cultures, magic, and races filling the world.

- Camilla builds phenomenal characters, relationships and dynamics, each with juicy flaws. Special mention to Laila and Darius, who have tension with eachother that just bleeds through the pages.

- The political intrigue between the two nations (one light and one dark) at war leads to amazingly interesting events that range from high-paced action to savoury character explorations.

- The steamy scenes will absolutely fog up your glasses while reading.

This book is quite unforgettable, and I am eager to devour the next installment.

[Ladz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read an eARC from the author
Content warning: body horror, explicit sexual acts, ritual sacrifices, blood, familial abuse, death by drowning, self-harm in the name of magic

In When The Stars Alight, sunlight reigns in the queendom of Soleterea, but when a ice-bound demon sweeps among their shore, legends turn into a reality and princess Laila sets off to discover the grim land where the beast comes from. Dark magic and light magic collide in this vibrant, gaslamp fantasy where half-brothers must decide between their hearts and their own aspirations to help the woman they love take down a demon king bent on destroying the world as they know it.

There is so much to love about this first entry into Laila and Darius’s world. The world feels massive and lived in, with Andrew giving such specificity to cuisine and customs, plus the kinds of cultural disagreements expected from two polar opposite nations. The way she explores this with both Laila and Darius as they find themselves fish out of water in their respective courts. The intrigue makes way for some excellent sexual tension, but also opportunities for this younger generations of rulers to exert their agency and power.

I found Amira to be the most fascinating character. She’s a shrewd ruler and, unlike in many fantasies I’ve read, a mother that actually keeps an eye and instructs her daughter in the way of ruling. There is a tension between born out of a sense of duty taking opposite approaches. While Laila is softer and more enamored with the richness of all life, Amira definitely takes a colder approach that is a different kind of cruelty compared to the actively bloodthirsty demons called ocassi. She doesn’t even make concessions for her own daughter, and given that this book already features one plot against monarch parents, I can’t wait to see how this nets out.

If you enjoy fantasy where every character makes some kind of morally or politically dubious decision with lush prose and plenty of heat as a princess seeks out political machinations of her own, this one’s for you.

[CristoC · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an easy five stars.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t know anything about the book before requesting an advanced copy. What’s funny is that my first mental description of it was “steampunk and gothic”, so imagine my surprise when halfway into the book I finally read the blurb and found out it was exactly what the writer had in mind. This speaks volumes about the writer’s ability to create the intended atmosphere with her writing; I’ve read many books where a chaotic worldbuilding or the lack of a specific theme made the read disappointing, but this one hits the mark. Everything about it, thanks to the writer’s skill, was a delight to witness, from the descriptive but flowing style, to the depth of the characters and the development of their relationships, and to the slow but compelling plot. There are so many aspects of this story that are so masterfully dealt with that I’m afraid I’m just going to gush about them without coherence, but I’ll try my best.

I really appreciated how this book almost reads like a love letter to food and eating, and how meals are an integral part of the Solarites’ culture. Every description of pastries, tarts and sweets made my mouth water, and I loved to see how unapologetic the main character was about her love for eating. Laila is such a complex and interesting character. She’s so sensitive and gentle, and at the same time so strong and relentless, diligent in her role as a princess while also dealing with a difficult relationship with her mother. I also loved how a lot of the secondary and even background characters were female. There’s this tendency in fantasy written by and for women to put the female main character, and maybe a few other women, in a world filled with male characters, which doesn’t successfully create a realistic or even plausible environment for the story. I even began to appreciate Laila’s mother despite her behaviour towards her daughter, just because of how well written and realistic she is. However, it’s Lyra who I’m really hoping to read more of. I’d love to read her backstory, her previous relationship with Laila and with her uncle.

The villain is very well crafted. He looks like the traditional mean guy, but here we see a greedy, heartless and remorseless villain whose character is also manifested though the surrounding characters and the circumstances he’s put in. People despise him not just because he’s cruel, but also because of his inadequacy to rule, and how this inadequacy is affecting everyone, from rich to poor. It’s been incredibly interesting to see how the two main male characters were influenced by him and their respective relationship with him, and how this affects not only the plot, but their respective relationship with Laila as well, both so well constructed that I never once felt the need for things between them to go any different (a very rare thing). Laila’s love journey is breath-taking. It develops a lot from the start to the end of the book, but I can tell there’s so much she still has to learn, especially when it comes to loving herself.

I’d like to really thank the author for such a beautiful story and the opportunity to read it in advance. I began the read in a particularly stressful period and this book made things a lot better, and put me on the right track to appreciate reading once again.


I received an ARC from the author and this represents my honest opinion.

[eclecticbychoicereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delving into The Essence of Equinox trilogy by Camilla Andrew, starting with Book 1, When Stars Alight, was an enchanting experience. The poetic prose, the immersive world-building, the meticulously crafted characters, and the captivating storytelling all contributed to a truly ethereal narrative. Camilla's prose, with its magical and mesmerizing flow, kept me enchanted while providing a rich plot and character development. This is a true gothic fantasy, down to its core.

I felt so immersed in this world—I wanted to explore and learn more; I wanted to know all about the solarites and the occassis, and Camilla has gifted me that. I wanted to bask in the sun eating macarons with Leila. I wanted to share a drink and talk about books with Darius. I wanted to hug Darius & Dominus, and Laila and tell them I understand why loneliness is so omnipresent and that they are all broken in their own ways. I wanted to tell them all there is more to life than court intrigues, the intricate power plays and manipulations within the royal court, thirst for power, and the chaos each and every one of them was wrapped in their own way.

Amidst all that chaos, what will Laila do when she finds herself in the court of a demon heartless king, caught between two brothers and their bitter rivalry with deep wounds starting in their childhood? How will she navigate all that and the treacherous ways of her own court? And, most of all, how will she navigate her heart?

When Stars Alight was the perfect dark gothic fantasy with flowery prose, Camilla has me right where she needs me—dying to devour Book 2, aptly titled We Will Devour the Night.

When Stars Alight will gift you
- Book 1 in a dark gothic fantasy series
- magical & flowery prose
- immersive & rich world
- light vs. darkness
- court intrigue
- morally grey characters
- star-crossed lovers
- whirlwind romance
- sensual scenes
and an unforgettable story to keep you up at night!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world building was great and I found it very interesting. However I had trouble with the 3rd person and random pov switches.

[Siavahda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I requested an arc of this directly from the author because of the Catherynne Valente comp (and after being assured that yes, there are actual unicorns in it – albeit extremely minor ones), but alas, the book didn’t live up to its beautiful cover.

I’m not sure I’ve ever come across this exact problem before, but When the Stars Alight gets moving far too quickly. We’re given no time to learn the characters, nevermind the world, before Things Start Happening, which means much of it has no real impact because the reader doesn’t know or understand what a big deal each Thing is – you have to know the status quo to appreciate the Things that wreck it. So the le gasp! aspect of each Thing has to be explained as it happens, which is pretty terrible for maintaining tension or excitement in any given scene.

And to be honest, the things that do happen…make very little sense, even with the explanations. For example, we’re quickly introduced to the cryptograph, a mysterious machine only one professor can operate, which allows her to communicate with…the forces of chaos? Which in this story are Very Evil. I don’t mind that part – but why is nobody concerned about the existence of this machine? Why are the answers it gives trusted? If the Forces of Ultimate Evil were talking to me, I certainly wouldn’t trust what they were saying! Wtf? And the description of how reading the cryptograph works seems lifted straight out of The Northern Lights/The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman;

The dial spun rapidly, needle scratching over several eldritch symbols in continuous sequence. Nobody knew how to interpret them besides Hariken herself, and to do so she had to train her mind to take on a certain concentration. She’d called it “dipping into the abyss”, for the sensation was akin to descending into oceanic depths until her skull almost cracked from the pressure of it.

Just like how Lyra in The Northern Lights has to focus just-so to make the alethiometer’s needle swing to the symbols that answer her question? Um. That’s a little too close to be coincidence. Best-case scenario, Andrew didn’t consciously copy the alethiometer, but it got into her subconscious somewhere and came out in her writing. I guess none of her beta readers had read Pullman’s trilogy?

The rest of the worldbuilding didn’t really click for me either: the dark god (dark lord?) especially seemed as if the story couldn’t make up its mind about his nature. Why does a god keep a grimoire? But then, he’s also communicating through the cryptograph? And provides a weird prophecy-thing to help guide them to wherever he’s been all this time;

Tread the course of ivory salt
’Til the dragon’s lungs exhale
Cross the wound of despair before I entered my lair
Within its innards you shall prevail

I don’t like Being Mysterious just for the sake of it – why not just tell them where he is, if he wants them to find him? – and I don’t like prophecies or prophecy-esque messages that conveniently rhyme when translated. But what I really don’t like is how there is literally no way for the reader to make any sense of this.

“They’re directions,” Dr Hariken explained, “to the Shadowlands.”

“How can you know?”

“It took me a moment to decipher, but the ‘course of ivory salt’ is the White Sea. And ‘the dragon’s lungs exhale’ refers to the Dragon’s Breath.

We just have to take her word for it, because we have no idea what the White Sea or the Dragon’s Breath is at this point in the story. This is kind of what I meant about the story moving too fast – the reader is just getting dragged along, with no time to absorb the world or gather enough info that we can actually understand what’s happening.

Moving away from the worldbuilding to the characters: the instalust made me incredibly uncomfortable, at least partly because we have this petite delicate heroine and a bulked-up 7-foot-tall ‘monster’ – and something about that contrast makes me feel ick. I’m not sure why, because similar pairings haven’t bothered me in the past – maybe it’s that this ‘monster’ is just a basic humanoid but big, but is being described in very animalistic, bestial terms that don’t seem warranted? So Laila’s lust comes across as really gross and creepy, like a white woman with a fetish for Black men? (As far as I can recall both characters involved are brown-skinned, for the record.) Like, for whatever reason, it was Laila’s lust that bothered me, not the love interest’s so much. I felt like the love interest was getting objectified in a really yuck way. I can’t put it any better than that.

And this is all aside from the fact that instalust is a trope I don’t like anyway.

[Morgan Dante · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the description brings up Angela Carter, it's not kidding. The one word I would use to describe the prose in this is "luscious." The food descriptions, especially! Also, the steamy parts were awesome.

When the Stars Alight is like a good dessert, and it's a nice, enjoyable read that sometimes goes to dark places.

Laila, Darius...I love you...

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really different, I overall really enjoyed it but it wasn’t really what I was expecting.

From the promotional materials I had seen I expected this to be a romantasy, with a big focus on the relationship, but it’s not quite the case.

While it does have a lot of romance and even a kind of love triangle, it’s mostly political intrigue. The romance kind of just happen but we can’t really see where it comes from or why they fell in love.it made me less engaged into the overall relationship.

But I was highly invested in the court intrigue part, which really is the main focus.

The characters are all very morally grey/dark. Even the FMC who seems like an absolute sunshine is also kind of manipulative and selfish. It gives great credibility to what o think will happen in the next book!

Anyway we should see soon since I already started the second book!

[Janene McClelland · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
🌶️🌶️1/2

✨Tropes✨
💫Political Intrigue
💫Love Triangle
💫He Falls First and Harder
💫Tension
💫Fantastic Character Building
💫Hades x Persephone vibes
💫Slow Burn

✨Summary✨
Laila, who is a celestial goddess, finds a man encases in ice. When her mere light touch sets him free, it will also set into motion a series of events which will lead her to a dark world full of monsters.

✨Criticism✨
The beginning is a bit slow, but it’s all for world and character building. I mention this because a slower beginning can deter some people. Do not let this deter you away from the book or story. It all pays off around 30% or so.
The switches in POV can be a little confusing at first, however I found it became easier to follow (or maybe I just became used to it) as the book went on.
I also thought the jump in time was also a bit jarring, but I do appreciate the author getting to the point and not waffling about.
Laila is a selfish being, but I’m looking forward to seeing if she grows as a character. This isn’t necessarily a criticism, I believe Laila was purposely meant to be this way, but I didn’t have another place to put this note.

✨Elements I Loved✨
Darius is morally dark gray and yet when he is around Laila, he reveals a certain vulnerability that is utterly irresistible.
The world building and character development is excellent. The author truly paints a lush and vivid picture.

👩🏻My Recommendation👩🏻
I loved this book and I’m super eager to read the next book. I’m excited to see how the characters grow and develop further. I need more Darius in my life. If you enjoy lush world building, excellent character building, and a fantastic romance with plenty of spice, I feel confident that you’ll enjoy this book.

Thank you The Nerd Fam and the author for the gifted book.

[Camilla Andrew]

Hello!

Just popping in to leave my bloody handprints over the page. I won't be lurking on here much except to provide a few updates.

As advanced copies are currently out, I wanted to mention there may be a couple of changes between now and release date for the final copy of WHEN THE STARS ALIGHT. I wanted to be transparent regarding the alterations in case some people happen to pick up the published version and notice a few discrepancies.

Content warnings for the book include: cannibalism, gore, body horror, abusive family dynamics and explicit sexual content.

I am available to contact should you need more details (regarding page numbers and such) if you'd like to avoid any of the above content mentioned. This is an adult book for adult readers with gothic themes that err towards the horror side.

[Brend]

I'm DNFing this (I skimmed to the end) without a rating

I could never get into the writing and I don't think this is my kind of story at all. I was just blinded by the fact this is tagged as gothic (hmm, don't know about that) fantasy. I do hope this book finds its audience because it was not objectively bad at all, just... not my thing

[Maria Elena | pagesofmaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spice rating: 3 peppers

Reading When the Stars Alight was like reading a whimsically dark fairytale. The mood of the story starts off light and whimsical as we find ourselves in Soleterea, a kingdom where the rulers are fallen stars in human form. Then the female protagonist, Princess Laila, is presented with a monstrous being entrapped in ice—an occasso, which is basically her total opposite. A monster made of shadows. The appearance of the occasso is supposedly going to herald an apocalypse, but Laila does not believe in such things. Instead it’s curiosity she feels towards this being, especially once he breaks free from his icy cage.

From this moment, the story starts taking a progressively darker turn. The occasso is none other than Prince Dominus of Mortos, and his appearance in Soleterea starts off a chain of reaction that sees Laila traveling to Mortos herself. Once we move to this new setting, the tone of the story is a lot darker. The occassi are carnivorous beings, hunters, brutal, with completely different lifestyles from the solarites. The land is filled with deadly creatures. In Mortos we are introduced to another POV character, Darius Calantis, who is as morally gray as morally gray can get, making his chapters decidedly darker than Laila’s or any of the other perspectives we see.

I loved the darkening tone of the story, made all the more enchanting by the author’s almost lyrical prose and the interesting world building made of opposites. What I also loved is that, despite one setting is undoubtedly darker than the other, the same cannot be said about the characters. Take Darius and Laila for example. Darius does some pretty despicable things, yet he’s a curious and intelligent man who loves to read and learn and has hidden depths and sweetness. He’s charming, and the abuse he faces from his father make it hard not to root for him. Laila, on the other hand, is clearly a good character, ruled by curiosity and compassion, but also by passion. She knows what she wants, she’s not afraid to take and discard lovers. In a way, she’s very enigmatic. Other examples of such characters are the Impératrice Amira, Laila’s mother, who is a cold and calculating ruler most times and not very affectionate towards her daughter, and Vasilisa Regina, Dominus’s mother and wife of the King of Mortos. Despite being an occassa and thus a monster, she’s actually a woman who holds great love for her son and I perceived her to be a lot warmer than the solarite ruler. So you see, things are not as black and white as they appear at the start.

I also very much enjoyed the romance. It was quite surprising! I was expecting the story to go one way, but then it took a completely new direction and I didn’t mind at all. It’s a love triangle, but without the overtly dramatic squabbles of a traditional love triangle. It’s hard to describe without spoiling anything, but by the time Laila makes her choice, you’ve made it as well. Trust me.

Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. Opinions are my own.

[Georgina Prince · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world building in this book was huge and really exciting, the world is very unique and not quite like anything I’ve read before. I’m a huge fantasy world building fan, when a book manages to make the world so new and interesting it’s almost like a character itself within the story.

It took me a little while to get into the plot but once I did I was hooked, the writing is beautiful and very descriptive if you’re someone like me who loves this style I think you’ll really enjoy this book. Its switches POV at times a little abruptly but it didn’t bother me too much. It’s a very character driven plot I found, but the relationship was gripping.

The main Character Laila is really intriguing, not always likeable but definitely always interesting. Her relationships and friendships with more minor characters were also a really exciting and well done part of the story. The love triangle was done really well also and made for gripping reading.

The ending was good, there are still some things I want to know though and I imagine they will be wrapped up in the second book of the Duology which is out on the 22nd of September 2024, I can’t wait!

[Crystal Beausoleil · Rating 2 out of 5]

The cover is simply beautiful and perfectly complements the lyrical writing throughout the book. The artwork, poetic style, and the story’s momentum after approximately 79% were impressive. However, these were the only aspects I genuinely enjoyed. From the start, I was confused, as the reader is abruptly thrust into a complex world. Furthermore, the beginning of the plot initially seemed aimless—it vanished entirely and was overtaken by other story elements, resulting in a lack of focus. The story frequently shifts between characters' POVs without smooth transitions.

The book primarily revolves around Laila’s relationships with other characters, which makes her motives and actions difficult to fully understand. She appears somewhat politically manipulative, and I remain unconvinced by the romance. Characters introduced feel superficial and lack depth.

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as an e-ARC.
I absolutely loved the world in this book and there was so much potential. The magic seems so interesting, but there's barely any attention for it.
The first half of the book bored me (could've just been me) but the second half got me a bit more hooked.

I'm usually not really a romantasy fan (I just miss worldbuilding aspects in these books), but if you are I'm sure you will love this book.

I do feel hopeful going into book 2, just because there's so much potential!!

[Audrey Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've read a lot of genuinely good books that I forgot about the moment I finished them. It takes something special for a book to linger- it's a quality I can't put into words and that likely comes down to taste, but this book definitely has it for me.

When the Stars Alight is a little gem of a book. There's something unique about it that I can't quite explain and that likely comes from a mix of elements. The prose is to die for - it felt like every line was a polished jewel, and I absolutely loved that. The worldbuilding is lovely, as is the dichotomy of the two main nations - it makes for good storytelling, and I love a good light/dark duality.

As for the characters, Laila is the protagonist of all time. The prose brings out how luminous she is - you can't help but be taken in by her -and I really, really enjoy her. On a more predictable note (at least for anyone who knows me), I loved Darius, as he happens to be exactly my typeTM, aka: pretty, prone to atrocities, and in love. This is a book that will definitely appeal to the villain x heroine enthusiasts.

I did feel as though the plot gets a little lost in the last third of the book. I won't lie, I was in it for the whole "star maiden x monstrous man fall in love", but I found myself really taken in by the story, the political intrigue, the worldbuilding, the characters, to the point where I was almost saddened when the focus shifts to more shippy content (which, to be clear, i still enjoyed greatly),, and it feels like parts of the ending are a little bit rushed. However, I can't say it detracted from my general enjoyment!❤️

All in all, there are no perfect books, but there are books that stay with you and books that don't, and for me, that one is definitely the former. What may be a turn-off for some readers, such as the flowery and detailed prose or the slower pace, are the reasons why I personally like it so much. Count me in for the sequel!

[queenslayerbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the honour to receive an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

(this review might contain some very vague spoilers)

The first thing that merits mentioning in this book is its prose. With an omniscient narrator and lush descriptions of the settings, the characters, and every grand or minute detail, reading it feels like being immersed in a vivid moving painting. I’d recommend the story to those of us who appreciate this kind of writing style; and to those who might be on the fence, I’d ask them to be open-minded, to take their time, and to welcome it in in order to enjoy everything else this story has to offer. I must also commend the artist that illustrated the beautiful cover, as well as the art inside the book, for aiding to the sensory experience.

As for the book, I’m particularly enamoured with the worldbuilding. WTSA, and the universe it introduces us to as a first installment, can’t be called a typical fantasy story. If, like me, you both love this genre but tragically find yourself disappointed by how repetitive, superficial or conservative some of its examples can be, this book could be just what gets you out of that slump.

The world it presents is utterly different from our own, with original fantasy species, each wonderfully distinctive. On the one hand you have Solarites: powerful star maidens fallen from the sky that benevolently rule over humans (some of them with magical abilities of their own) and other races like the sprites (another immortal race of monster slayers with a strong connection to nature); on the other you have the Occassi, a more demonic race in the artic. Here in particular the prose becomes indispensable, presenting two opposing races and their societies, constantly contrasting them with light/dark, life/death symbolism without falling into black and white thinking. From the matriarchal society lead by the Solarites, filled with more subtle (yet still dangerous) political power-plays, to the more patriarchal, militaristic Mortos; the luminosity and abundance of one setting and the more gothic, tenebrous and scarce environment of the other. As the lead travels from one to the other, we discover these differences with her.

This leads me to the next point: this book puts its money where its mouth is when it comes to a matriarchal society, filling it with outstanding female characters and showing us women in power across all fields: diplomats, scientists, soldiers, etc.

Laila, the protagonist, is the clear star. She’s delightful, curious, adventurous, with strong morals paired with a deep-seated insecurity. She’s also a political animal; charming, manipulative, with ambition that’s presented as a positive. Her optimism can be a sign of her youth and naivety, but born out of genuine compassion and want for progress. It all comes together into a lovely, complex lead character that I can’t wait to see grow and develop.

Someone else I found unusual and fascinating was Amira, Laila’s mother. She’s powerful and seemingly untouchable, exacting, and the opposite of nurturing. Her influence over Laila is never-ending, both as her maternal figure and as her monarch, influencing all aspects of her life and looming over all of her relationships.

Another one with key importance is Lyra, a sprite. She and Laila were past lovers, and in the present have a deep, sometimes difficult friendship that goes beyond most princess/lionheart dynamics. Lyra is irreverent, with a sturdy sense of justice that comes from sympathy for the underdog, and often the blunt warrior to Laila’s diplomat.

Others that, while less prominent, still tell us a lot about the world are the Odakan scientists (whose part foreshadows what might come in future installments), full of excitement and purpose to change and explore the world; or Dr. Mielette, with a small part, but that offers insight into Solarite culture. We see less of the women in Mortos, so far, but they serve their purpose. In Vasilisa, the Regina, you can see the precarious, risky position of a woman who is ostensibly at the highest one of her kind can come in a misogynistic society. The looming absence of Serafina, the king’s former lover, or of Katerina, another blood sorcerer, both women who sought power outside society’s confines, contrasts with her.

But Mortos’ most prominent representatives are the men in the Calantis family. Most significantly Darius, the male lead. He’s the king’s bastard and eldest son, resentful of his lesser position in court, and eager to retake the place he thinks he deserves. His more intellectual pursuits (he definitely incarnates the mad scientist archetype, a favourite of mine) haven’t always been of help among Occassi, who value brute force above all. He’s charming and sophisticated, a wolf in sheep’s clothing, which can fool others, audience included, into not fearing his monstrous nature.

The other members of the family are Lanius, the tyrannical father and king opposing Laila’s diplomatic efforts, a poison in the family and the kingdom; and Dominus, the younger son and reluctant heir. Both brothers do take part in a love triangle with Laila, but it’s not your typical, never-ending F/M/M triangle; as someone who sometimes side-eyes such trope, I must say I appreciated how this one develops, with Laila’s differences in approach, in chemistry, and in the emotional risk she incurs in each relationship. Related to the love story, because I know this will be of interest: the book’s sex scenes are delightfully written, just as beautiful and descriptive as any other, steamy and evocative.

To finish off, I’ll say that this story was perfectly crafted to appeal to both my baser and higher interests. Its world and its characters have raised quickly in my list of favourites, it makes me think and wonder and speculate about what will come next, and it will stay with me for a long, long time. If you enjoy this book half as much as I did, I recommend checking out the author’s page for any other related stories of materials.

[Fitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started When the Stars Alight right before a nasty fall that left me with a broken hand and cracked face. This was how my journey to Camilla Andrew’s world began. Put on bedrest, I needed an escape and what a welcome journey it was. Let's talk about the first book in The Essence of the Equinox series.

Our protagonists are a star made flesh and a Fabio for monster fuckers (monsterfuckers? I need Merriam-Webster and/or Oxford to comment). The star is a princess named Laila and her life is as light as a ton of feathers. Light as a breeze, Laila floats through life under a tremendous amount of pressure from her mother but she puts on a good face. One day, a curiosity from the sea falls into Laila’s lap. A monstrous man frozen in ice kickstarts multiple deaths and Laila’s journey to a bleak and desperate land. Despite the unrelenting wilds and government officials, Laila presses onward. Darius Calantis, bastard son of the rex and brother to Laila’s iceman is our other POV. He spends his days having politically strategic sex and musing about life after death (in a disturbingly hands-on way). Their liaisons spark political intrigue and sexual tension so thick that not even immortality can guarantee a deathless life.

Andrew loves this world, these characters, and this story. The affection is spilled on each page, every detail carefully crafted. Minor characters (I’m pointing directly at you, Dr. Emika Hariken) make me want more stories where I learn more about them, their lives, and the people around them. Laila is the star (there is a point where puns jump the shark and this is it) but not everything revolves around her. Everyone feels real. The stakes are terrifying for the reader as well as the characters.

I finally understood that this book was not for the faint of heart when I realized Andrew had stealthily, in plain sight, placed reminders that while I really wanted to see Laila bang it out with Darius there were marginalized and disenfranchised peoples who were being casually conscripted to serve a royal family. I am purposefully downplaying the horrors that are packed into “casually” and “conscripted” and “serve.” Unfortunately, one of my favorite scenes of the book is when you realize Andrew is an honest and genuine author. When she writes of the Solarites, the living stars, I was too dazzled by the idea of twinkling lights in a rich night sky and making wishes on shooting stars that I forgot that stars are controlled thermonuclear fusion reactors. As I read everything else in this series, I will not forget that again.

While all the characters feel properly motivated and fleshed out, there are times where the POV changes feel a bit breakneck. As Laila’s perspective and thoughts get reported to us, once in a while her lightguard Lyra will pop in with an opinion or we’ll even get the author jumping in with a bit of commentary about the events transpiring. This did not affect my ability to read the story, follow the narrative, or enjoy my time with the book. These seemingly parenthetical interruptions were far and few between and, at most, would simply cause me to double take before getting back to the story. If a reader is a stickler for details, there might be some conflict between them and Laila. Laila’s skill sets and way of thinking are more flexible and go-with-the-flow at any given moment. As a self-identified Type A personality myself there were a few times where I had to take a step back and recognize that perhaps Andrew did too good of a job at creating a Type B personality specifically crafted to drive me up a wall. Fortunately, Andrew also does a phenomenal job at writing Laila as someone I can sympathize with.

It would have been easy to phone in a standard romantasy fare. As someone who unabashedly loves a good dark romance with fantasy world window dressing, I’m a sucker for a lead who at first falls for The Obvious Choice but as the story goes on we realize, “Oh no, it would be WAY hotter if they ended up with the serial killer cannibal.” No shade, no judgment. But what makes When the Stars Alight unique for me is Andrew’s ability to create characters and a world I now think about on a regular basis. Her writing style and voice are striking. There are snippets of description and dialogue that are so evocative that I hate how good it is (let’s talk about how Mortos wants to EAT EAT EAT from the soil to the soul, I’m on discord). This book also gives me what I crave for single entries in a series: the book can satisfactorily stand on its own if I decide not to go any further. No matter my feelings towards a book’s contents, I’m a sucker for an author who has a vision and then understands they need to package it nicely for others. Cliffhangers are for box office cash cows and my nephrologist says I need to monitor my dairy intake. Being able to gobble up a story guilt-free and fully satiated is a true treat.

So, the big question: should you read When the Stars Alight by Camilla Andrew? I don’t know. I’m not your mom. If you don’t like political stories, fantasy stories, sexy stories, or horrific stories, then it’s not something I’d recommend to you just because you’re not the target audience. If you’re down for anything, then absolutely read this book. Even if you don’t get into the series or the short stories that are connected to it, Andrew has given me some respite from books usually recommended to me (about a month ago while I was serving wine to some customers, I was recommended Kristin Hannah’s The Women and Brynne Weaver’s Ruinous Love trilogy. Both are solid reads, just classic comforts for a voracious reader like myself). Sometimes, a reader’s motivation can be to support independent authors and, if that’s the case, you don’t get any more indie than a black woman self-publishing a political sci-fantasy story.

Also, the smut is REAL good.

Stars: 4.5/5
TLDR: Literal star girl becomes a diplomat to a land where no light shines. She can seduce but can she survive?

[Alex Harvey-Rivas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since I finished this book, I have struggled to put all of my feelings about it into words. Nevertheless, I have NOT been able to stop raving about it. WHEN THE STARS ALIGHT is a masterful work of fantasy between two diametrically opposed nations and the people who rule them. On one hand, we have beings from the stars who weave aether together to form their kin and to perform feats of magic. On the other, we have a race of darkness and blood.

I truly love everything about this book, from the heavenly food descriptions to the dynamic between Laila and Darius to the complicated family dynamics they both have. This is a book that sweeps you away with its luscious prose and well-developed characters. Fantasy needs more books like this. Andrew is an author unlike many others and is truly a force to be reckoned with. I can only dream of what comes next for her!

[M.A. Vice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It's dark, intricate, intriguing, and the characters are people who, while I didn't always want to root for them, I was always interested to see what they would do next. Laila is a fascinating protagonist with a lot to dig into under the surface. I sometimes struggled a bit with the prose/structure, but overall this did not stop me from enjoying the story and I am looking forward to reading more from Camilla Andrew!

[Katie B · Rating 1 out of 5]

I always thought that the people in the Anne of Green Gables series who criticized Anne Shirley for her flowery language and lack of substance were just being mean. I totally get it now...

[ren]

not really sure how to review or rate this book tbh. so:
the good:
- laila. the mc is pretty great and a breath of fresh air. i love how manipulative and spoiled she was while at the same time being a genuinely a good person (or at least having genuinely good intentions). she felt very real, flawed and interesting.
- the love interests, darius and dominus, were okay.
- some truly great imagery, especially in the beginning.
- solarites are just really, really cool.
- queernormativity and queer mcs!

the meh:
- writing felt very forced and artificial. and so wordy!! i love purple prose but the writing here was bashing my head over and over again with unnecessary and superfluous words. more is not always better etc
- also headhopping. personal preference here, but i deeply dislike headhopping.
- why were the doctors in this book even? i understand much of what happened to them here is setup for future books but talk about an unsatisfying arc. their point of view was actually pretty interesting but then they are tossed aside (or killed) and never brought up save for the very last scene. it's very little for the amount of page time they got in the first act.
- the pacing felt very off because the structure of this book was, imo, not built well.
- to begin with, expectations.
- the beginning of the book sets up 1. a prophecy 2. a weird ass creature up north apparently luring ppl 3. the occasso (?) as monstrous stuff of legend.
- ... then proceeds to never talk about the prophecy ever again, the creature/god just disappears and the occasso just... decide to announce to the world they exist and trade negotiations just start happening??
- and everyone is okay with this?? these were monsters out of legend two weeks ago!
- then characters start teleporting from kingdom to kingdom when the travel usually takes at least weeks? and like, okay, maybe the weeks are there, but the timeskips are never addressed?
- ppl didn't even know mortos existed a few months ago! and now its so easy go there!
- this lends an air of artificiality to the book. things happen because they need to happen, not because they are a real consequence of what came before.
- see when darius attempts to murder laila but changes his mind last second and saves her. the scene where he does said saving happens and right in the next chapter he is already in laila's kingdom being arrested by her mom the queen.
- ?????
- in a throwaway line it is mentioned the queen requested from an extradition but it makes no sense whatsoever for mortos to agree! why would the king of mortos, who was never afraid of soleterea, agree to send his son to this foreign queen? knowing what came after, it's obvious darius needed to be in soleterea so laila & her mom could use him to depose the king. which was the most obvious thing in the planet! if you give an ambitious bastard to a foreign power after almost murdering its heir, guess what's likely to happen? the foreign power will use him against you.
- not only that, but mortos had laila!! as far as they know, she is the only heir of soleterea and she was in their hands (soleterea doesn't work like that but i doubt the king of mortos knew or cared). why would he give her and his bastard son up? it makes no sense. he was the one who ordered her death!
- there are other moments where contrived stuff like this happens: léandre and lyra being the only survivors of the airship (very convenient) or laila returning to mortos to scheme with the queen as if nothing happened after the attempt on her life. darius leaving mortos right after murdering the rightful heir and sending the rightful ruler to the foreign kingdom that sponsored his coup. it's bonkers that he didn't return to a new king while he was taking a vacation in soleterea.
- none of this felt believable, is the point.
- no tension whatsoever. the moment people starting teleporting between soleterea and mortos i lost any sense of them being in danger at any point.

the conclusion:
- if you like character-heavy books and isn't bothered by plot contrivances, i'd recommend this one.
- if you don't... give it a try for the worldbuilding, which is very interesting. but otherwise, yeah, nope.
- this books lacks a spine, not in the sense of, you know, having courage or standing for something (tm), but in the sense that it feels very disconnected and without a underlying structure. which is a big no for me apparently.

[Raven Elliot O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I admit, I wasn't sure where to place this book. Objectively I might rate it a little lower than I have, due to its functional issues, but emotionally it has won me over enough to bump the rating up a little.

WtSA is a largely character-focused read, rich in its emotions and the beauty of its prose. Though it contained the much-maligned trope of a love triangle, the telling of such was unique and gripping enough that I actually rather enjoyed it. The two love interest, both brothers of the same court, were equally fascinating and three dimensional characters that made the redemption of one and the fall of the other a gripping story of heartache and change. Laila is as haughty and strong-willed as one would expect the princess main character of a romance to be, but as a person of colour she is far more appealing than the average petite white main character would be. I enjoyed the detail put into her rituals of hair-care as it added a level of realness and depth that made her truly come to life.

The overarching story behind the romance left a little to be desired, however. The first act of the book is largely forgettable save for its worldbuilding, with characters who are scarcely mentioned again after their usefulness is spent. The two scientists we are introduced to were fascinating to me, but their entire arc is largely forgotten about in favour of the romance by midway through act 2, as well as any worldbuilding they brought with them. We know little of the Solarite's relationship with mortals nor the mortals' importance, there was a prophecy that I had completely forgotten about until being reminded by other reviews of its existence, and Dr Hariken was largely used as a plot device rather than a fully realised side-plot as it was made out to be from the beginning.

The prose itself is beautiful at times, forced at others. It may be an inherent drawback of the purple prose or a visible marker of the author's interest in plot points, but the story will go from beautiful, flowing descriptions to forced paragraphs spending a little too long describing the food the main character is eating. I feel like I know a lot about the Mortesian world from its structure to its culture, and yet despite a Solarite being the main character I only feel like I know about the aesthetics of the country and its cuisine, with perhaps a little of its magic through Laila's abilities.

And yet, Dominus and Darius and Laila have me hooked. This is where my issues come in with rating this book: objectively, the writing leaves a lot to be desired and I am left wondering why an editor did not come across the glaring discrepencies between the first act and its successors. Emotionally, however, I had fallen in love with this little world and its problems by act three when the true plot kicked in and I could feel the author's fondness for their characters. Dominus' arc was abrupt yet foreshadowed enough that I could feel the heartache for him. Darius had truly won me over despite his more monstrous qualities. Lyra is a wonderful friend (and an excellent way of marking Laila's bisexuality at the start). It felt like act three in itself could be a book on its own with how much it tried to cram in at once, but it was powerful enough to boost my rating from a 3 to a 4 star.

I truly hope this is not the end of the universe Camilla has built. Despite its flaws there is a lot of potential for this world to grip the hearts of others as it has my own, and I recommend it for anyone who cares for rich characters and emotional arcs.

[Bevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

CW: gore, cannibalism, violence, spice, some others

If you want to feel happy and good about what you’re reading, this is absolutely not the book you’re looking for.

In Selesterea, the stars themselves have fallen to live amongst the mortals. Princess Laila, heir apparent to the throne, shines brightest of all. When Laila’s research team discovers a block of ice containing a monster of demonic origin, everything the Solerites thought they knew shifts. When the monster turns out to be surprisingly human, everything else begins to unravel.

This book is not for the squeamish. If detailed descriptions of gore (including involving eyes) gives you the ick, you’re going to have a bad time. While I wouldn’t necessarily call the depictions in this book ‘gratuitous,’ they are expertly placed for maximum impact. This plays a large part in why I said before that this isn’t the story you read to give you all the good feelings. Some of the scenes are very raw and blunt and brutal, and it’s both incredibly jarring and incredibly well executed.

If I had to pick one word to describe this book, it would be ‘lush.’ Everything is so richly detailed, so vibrantly described, that it feels almost over-saturated. The descriptions of Selesterea feel like a pastel, candy-sweet dreamland, which is quickly undercut with a disconcertingly brutalistic, bloody tone. The resulting effect is reminiscent of when one first discovers that the fairytales of our childhoods were often more violent than we knew. The whole story feels like, instead of living in it and experiencing things alongside the characters, we’ve found a living snow globe and are peering in to watch from the outside.

That separation lends itself to a disassociation from the characters in a trippy, hazy way. We’re reminded time and again that we don’t know what they’re thinking, what their overall plans are, that we’re often missing pieces of information that would be vital to their choices. The monsters bend and shift until you could almost forget what they are. Sometimes they arise in unexpected places. It’s a really unusual style, but it works so well here.

Because we don’t know everyone’s thoughts and feelings and motivations, the plot is less readily apparent than some books. There’s no clear cut “point A to point B” plan; there’s just the vaguest outline of an idea, and then everything changes along the way. While it might sound like this would end up incredibly confusing, it actually works really well. There’s so much detail and so many amazing turns of phrase that it leaves you feeling content to just drift along with wherever things end up. It’s a sizable book, so a lot happens, but none of it is what you might have expected, and yet it all just *fits*.

This book somehow feels like both a fever dream and a waking terror (in the best way). There’s so much leaking out from the setting and the world itself that it’s almost uncomfortable; it’s a sensory overload in text form, but it’s so easy to just sit back and watch everything unfold. It leaves you in a little bit of a haze, and I can truly say I’ve never read another story like it. It’s lush and bloody and delightful. If you like dark (and I mean *dark*) fantasy with a sumptuous background that leaves you with a lot of feelings, none of which have truly accurate descriptions, this might be the story for you.

[DC Guevara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been following WTSA since a little before it came out, and I remember vividly the aesthetic that hooked me in. Promising decadence, lushness, and a world that would feel alive as it was beautiful, WHEN THE STARS ALIGHT is one of the most refreshing and unique fantasy books I've ever read.

WTSA follows the story of Laila Rose, a princess made of stars and light, who seeks to prove her worth, both as a daughter and heir to the Soleterean empire to her cold, distant mother, the matriarch of the kingdom made of beauty and grace. Her duties lead her to encounter the princely brothers of Mortos, Dominus, and Darius, at different stages in their lives and she is as captivated by them as they are with her, albeit in different ways. Amidst a foreign court with deadly customs, Laila learns how to navigate the Mortesian landscape and use her demure, feminine appearance to her own advantage.

It must be said that Camilla Andrew's command of the English language is superb, wielding prose and elegancy like a blade amidst the pages of this novel. Page after page, I was always delighted to find lines or paragraphs that would take my breath away, and with this novel, I've learned words and sayings I have never heard before and have become a richer person for it. This stellar world with its vast array of detailed descriptions gives the reader a sense of immersion unlike any other as Andrew describes the decadent food they consume with the same amount of poise and grace that she would describe the Rococo-inspired buildings of Soleterea or the dark, gothic-like inspirations of Mortos.

The plot and characters are excellent as well. With a rich tapestry of interesting characters and even more complex relations between them, each chapter of WTSA feels like a perfectly structured episode of a favorite TV show of political intrigue and sexy court etiquette. It really helped me through a difficult time in my life and I will never be able to thank Camilla Andrew enough for it.

Laila stole my heart and easily became my favorite character, with her optimistic but pragmatic viewpoint of the world, I often found myself not only sympathizing with her but relating to her as well. She's a creature of passion guided by her duty and her passions and I cannot wait to see how her story unveils as the story continues. Darius is, of course, the perfect love interest to introduce someone like her-- and he succeeds at charming the reader along as well. I often find myself thinking about smaller characters and what more they can contribute to the story as the series goes on, Lyra and Amira specifically hold my piqued interest 👀

In the end, I cannot recommend WHEN THE STARS ALIGHT enough. It has an immersive world, interesting characters, and a breakneck pace that always leaves you wanting more. Perfect for fans of THE VAMPIRE DIARIES and Angela Carter's THE BLOODY CHAMBER, WHEN THE STARS ALIGHT is an excellent, decadent, and rich story about love, loss and the intricacies of alliances. I want this book to be bigger, to succeed, and to rise amongst the stars where it belongs, but in the meantime, y'all will just have to contend with me screaming about it and recommending it every time I can.

5 out of 5 stars, easily.

[Bunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

To keep it simple, I liked a lot about this book. (Count how many times I say “I love” in this review haha). The author hits it out of the park with their illustrious descriptive voice and the whirlwind of drama, lust and betrayal that is at the heart of the plot is highly engaging.

The sex scenes are immaculately crafted. The way Darius surrenders to his desires? Super hot. Also, clear communication between intimate partners about boundaries and consent? Mega hot. Also, it is super affirming to see different sex acts other than penetration be represented as valid expressions of sexuality.

I love seeing sex positive representation, with Laila embodying her desires and embracing her sensuality. It’s also interesting as a worldbuilding tidbit, building on the cultural landscape of this fantasy land. The scene where Laila and Lyra are dancing together is another example of this and I love how it mirrors a later scene between the two.

Laila is absolutely my favourite character of the bunch, although Lyra is a formidable second place. She’s just so interesting as a gothic heroine because of the myriad of ways she conforms to and subverts gothic expectations. I particularly appreciate how we are shown that while Laila still has more to learn, she is no stranger to conflict. I love that she has powerful and dangerous magic she isn’t afraid to unleash on those who wish to harm her. But I also love how she expresses emotional vulnerability and has a softness about her that is super endearing. I also relate to her relationship with her mother, which is important because reading survivor stories is a part of my healing journey.

The lore is great. The worldbuilding is expansive, with fascinating fantastical creatures and complex social and cultural systems. The monstrous and supernatural depictions of the occassi and solarites are also A+, especially when combined with their animalistic (e.g. wolfish) features. Laila being the literal embodiment of a star plays out in really interesting ways (the bit about animals looking up at the sky was so cute) and the symbolism works well in contrast to Darius – specifically the light and dark imagery.

My only real issue is with pacing. I found the first 15% or so of the book the hardest to get through, with the rest honestly being a breeze. I thought the last few pages skipped past some potentially interesting interpersonal conflict with the ending feeling abrupt. Still, I’ll admit part of my struggle with the beginning of the book was because I am not an experienced high/hard fantasy reader and generally read books much shorter than this.

Overall a wonderful addition to the gothic fantasy canon.

[Sarah-Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book in return for an honest review*

When the Stars Alight is a story for all those who lean towards the darker side of fantasy, jam packed with political intrigue, monsters, flawed characters, magic and a diverse and interesting range of characters with a touch of romance. It's a story set in a fascinating world with a variety of fantasy settings and creatures but which also allows for a deeper examination of some very human character motivations and aspirations.

What I liked:
• The author’s talent for description. Camilla Andrew has a wonderful way of describing things which make her settings come to life in a vivid way.
• The characters were by and large very interesting. I absolutely LOVED Darius (am I allowed to say that?). He was utterly fascinating. Not “the good guy” by any means, but his scenes were among my favourites. Shout out for Lyra as well. I’d definitely want her on my team!
• The plot was overall intriguing, and not overly predictable. I was interested in reading more throughout the story and seeing how everything all played out.
• The worldbuilding. I loved the various creatures and races of the lands described in this book. Every thing, every place, every creature felt distinct and well crafted, which really drew me into the world the author had created.

What I didn’t like:
• I felt at times the author’s description verged on being too flowery and over the top which drew me out of the story. I tended to skim read parts to get on with the plot. This might just be my own personal taste though.
• While some characters really held my attention (Darius, I am both repelled and fascinated by you!) others felt less well developed. Some of the emotional impact was lost when Léandre died as I never really felt that I knew him or bought into Laila’s relationship with him.
• The storyline with Dr Isuka and Dr Hariken at the beginning of the book never really seemed to go anywhere, which was very disappointing. I was interested in reading more about them, or at least see them feature somewhat in the plot later on but they just seemed to disappear without making much of an impact.
• I found it a bit jarring to be constantly jumping POV between characters within the chapters and even within the same scene. It disturbed the flow of the story somewhat for me. Then again, this may just be personal taste.

Overall, it was a largely enjoyable read, and definitely something you should check out if you like descriptive prose, courtly intrigue and a darker tone to your usual high fantasy settings.

[Feanoriel Maitimo · Rating 4 out of 5]

at first sight, this book would have been all but in my radar: I don't particularly care for romance novels, love triangles and such. Fortunately for me, this book has to offer much more to its readers rather than that, since the story fascinately uses the romance theme to explore another: is truly possible for the leopard to change its way? and what makes a monster a monster?

i appreciated that it doesn't give an easy answer to this question either, rather we're left to take our own judgement about the characters' actions. that was very interesting and i hope it will be explored more in the following sequels.

i did also liked a lot the worldbuilding, a mixture of modern-ish technologies that goes hand in hand with a more magical setting. magic and quotidianity here goes hand in hand, and we immediately get sucked by the vivid descriptions of the settings, so much that we can almost see them in our mind as if they're in front of our eyes.

the only thing i didn't appreciate much is that at one point, towards the end, i'd the impression that the events where rushing a little ... too much? that too many things were happening at once, and the narration had a little time to breath, for many events happen in a little space in the last part of the novel. i felt like i wanted to have much more time to see the Mortesian conspiracy and family dynamics unravel with a much slower pace (but maybe that's just me living for the family drama, i really really liked it xD), rather than immediately undergo across a big change of the status quo. this, and i was a little surprised to see (SPOILERS!) Dr Isuka, who seemed to have a much larger part in the narration in the first half of the novel, to completely disappear towards the end. (speaking of which, it would have been interesting to see more about the way in which humans and immortal beings seem to cohexist, if this cohexistence is all peaceful, etc, but maybe it will be explored in the following sequels, so I won't pin it as a flaw of the novel)


however, i think that the writing has a lot of potential, and I'm definitevely looking forwards for the sequels, because the setting and the dynamics genuinely caught my attention and i want to know what will happen next. so, four stars, because i think that it's a pretty solid novel, i got really curious about how the story will unravel next, and that there's plenty of room for improvement!

[R. Dawnraven · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the Stars Alight is a fantasy story for those who like political/court intrigue, dark vs. light magic, fantastical peoples, and hefty spoonful of romance. There is a nice range of unique characters, some of whom you will love, others you will hate.

Likes:

Locations are very nicely detailed, giving the reader a rich view of the fantastical world. It’s easy to immerse yourself in the physical locations and the various cultures.

The various magic systems in the world compliment each other without breaking the rules of the world’s universe.

The main character, Laila, is very well developed. She’s a fascinating character to learn about. She's not perfect by any means, which is just want a main character should be!

Dislikes:

The plotline at the beginning with the doctors doesn’t really go anywhere. It only served to push one plot point (which another catalyst could have been used). Perhaps the next book will address this.

The writing is very flowery and frequently too descriptive (lots of unnecessary descriptions of food). It often detracts from the advancement of the plot.

There is a lot of head hopping. It’s fine to switch POVs, but being in the head of a side character that’s immediately going to disappear isn’t necessary. The constant head hopping also leaves little mystery for the reader and slows down the plot. The locations jump around quite a bit too (perhaps in an attempt to speed up the plot). It’s jarring.

Overall, the book suffers from overwriting, making it a slow read. Too much detail eats a lot of the mystery and slows the pace. Cutting down on some descriptions and side-character head hopping would speedup the pace and give the author time to add some more natural transitions between the sudden location jumps. Of course, for readers who enjoy this detailed style, I recommend you give it a try. The world and magic systems are worth reading about!

**I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily**