What do you think?
Rate this book
The Sundering of Rhend #1
The House of Starling
Hatred divides the elves by the color of flesh and the sharpness of steel.
Crossing the border is forbidden. Raemian Starling knows the consequences better than most. As a renowned fighter in the Shay army, she’s fought the Bleck Larin for years. But when she’s captured by the enemy, Rae finds the last thing she would have expected—kindness. Forced to reevaluate friend and foe, she puts her trust in the unlikeliest of places.
Gastel, the youngest Bleck Larin prince, has never left his home, has never met a Shay, and is entirely unprepared when the Shay’s prized warrior is not the monster he'd anticipated. A decision to help Rae return home forces Gastel to face the true power he possesses and the reason his father has kept him hidden from the world.
But time isn’t on anyone’s side. An unimaginable power threatens their world, one that cannot be defeated with a sword alone. Rae may be the only elf capable of confronting her queen and stopping the war, but she’ll need Gastel’s help to bring balance to elvenkind.
Lest their world cease to exist entirely. . . .
Crossing the border is forbidden. Raemian Starling knows the consequences better than most. As a renowned fighter in the Shay army, she’s fought the Bleck Larin for years. But when she’s captured by the enemy, Rae finds the last thing she would have expected—kindness. Forced to reevaluate friend and foe, she puts her trust in the unlikeliest of places.
Gastel, the youngest Bleck Larin prince, has never left his home, has never met a Shay, and is entirely unprepared when the Shay’s prized warrior is not the monster he'd anticipated. A decision to help Rae return home forces Gastel to face the true power he possesses and the reason his father has kept him hidden from the world.
But time isn’t on anyone’s side. An unimaginable power threatens their world, one that cannot be defeated with a sword alone. Rae may be the only elf capable of confronting her queen and stopping the war, but she’ll need Gastel’s help to bring balance to elvenkind.
Lest their world cease to exist entirely. . . .
Paperback
Published April 9, 2024
About the author
Ciara Hartford
5 books153 followersCiara (Keara) is a Romantic Fantasy and Romantasy writer of character driven love stories full of magic, heartache, bloody action, flawed characters, and brutal cliffhangers. When she's not writing she's working on illustration and graphic design freelance, as well as reading every fantasy book she can get her hands on. She lives near Cleveland, Ohio with her mad scientist husband and amazingly talented daughter.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
February 3, 2025
Read for SPFBOX as part of team Fantasy Book Critic and my semi-finalist pick!
8/10
Ciara Hartford offers a unique and refreshingly dark twist on elves in The House of Starling. Filled with bloody action, mystical magic, deadly intrigue, intense family drama, and just the most delicious dash of seriously slow-burn romance, this character-driven dark fantasy will keep you on your toes from start to finish.
For years, the three elven races living in the lands of Rhend have been divided by hatred and prejudice. Now an ancient threat is reawakening, and the chance at peace seems to grow ever more impossible. But when Raemian Starling, a fearsome and renowned Shay warrior, gets captured by the royal family of the Bleck Larin, she finds out that they are not the monsters she thought they were, and an unexpected alliance is born. The sheltered prince Gastel might just be the only one able to help Rae with stopping the war, but his own personal destiny might be even greater still.
Now, while that synopsis might seem like The House of Starling has a lot of moving pieces that could make it a dense and intimidating read, the opposite couldn’t be more true. Hartford has a true gift for creating vibrant and rootable characters whose intimate perspectives just immediately suck you into their world, which makes for an incredibly immersive and smooth reading experience.
Truly, from the moment I met my badass warrior elf Rae in the first chapter, I just was just hooked. She is an absolute force to be reckoned with, but she also has a more tender side to her that really comes out beautifully through her interactions with her friends and newfound allies. And I mean, before I start rambling, let me first just take a moment to appreciate the incredibly strong and wholesome platonic friendship between her and Freck; THIS is the type of dynamic I want to see more of between my male and female characters!
And honestly, those beautiful interpersonal relationships is where this entire book shines for me. Complex (and ‘slightly’ dysfunctional) family dynamics, strong friendships, tentative alliances, and yes, also an enemies to lovers romance subplot like you have never seen before. You see, prince Gastel is just the most cinnamon roll to ever have cinnamon rolled, and I absolutely loved the development of the wholesome dynamic between him and Rae.
These two powerhouse characters absolutely carried this story for me, but I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised to discover how minor and tantalisingly slooooow-burn the romance elements between them remained (at least in this first instalment). In fact, for a large part of the story they are separated and off on their own personal journeys, which not only made them stronger as individual characters, but also fleshed out the wider world in a fascinating way.
And speaking of the wider world, I really enjoyed how Hartford established the clashing cultures of the different elven races, which we got to explore through some compelling additional POVs from supporting characters who had their own unique story to tell. Especially the journey of Gastel’s brother, Belkin (whom I desperately need to see more of!!) really took me by surprise, and I love how Hartford continuously managed to make me completely change my mind on certain characters without me even realising it.
That said, I did sometimes feel like some of the character (re)actions and motivations felt a bit weak or out of left field, especially with certain characters letting go of their deeply ingrained biases and prejudices in an almost suspiciously convenient and quick way. Adding onto that, Queen Gemma felt a bit one-dimensional to me as an antagonist, taking the concept of cruel, evil stepmother to an entirely new level of messed up.
However, I still found the character development to be quite strong overall, and I suspect that we might get more answers or explanations behind certain actions in the sequels. And speaking of the sequel… I needed that yesterday! Hartford is not afraid to go deviously dark, and I really appreciated seeing these characters having to deal with the heavy consequences of their own actions. The way that the looming threat of the reopening rifts just exploded during this gut wrenching and brutally bittersweet cliffhanger of an ending was brilliantly done, and I have a feeling we have only scratched the surface of all that’s to discover in this dark and mystifying world.
Safe to say, The House of Starling really surprised me in all the best (and devastating) ways, and I already can’t wait to see what type of emotional damage Hartford has in store in the rest of The Sundering of Rhend series. If you think elves in fantasy have become boring, then I dare you try this story and think again; this is the disturbingly dark yet deliciously romantic fantasy you didn’t know you needed!
8/10
Ciara Hartford offers a unique and refreshingly dark twist on elves in The House of Starling. Filled with bloody action, mystical magic, deadly intrigue, intense family drama, and just the most delicious dash of seriously slow-burn romance, this character-driven dark fantasy will keep you on your toes from start to finish.
For years, the three elven races living in the lands of Rhend have been divided by hatred and prejudice. Now an ancient threat is reawakening, and the chance at peace seems to grow ever more impossible. But when Raemian Starling, a fearsome and renowned Shay warrior, gets captured by the royal family of the Bleck Larin, she finds out that they are not the monsters she thought they were, and an unexpected alliance is born. The sheltered prince Gastel might just be the only one able to help Rae with stopping the war, but his own personal destiny might be even greater still.
Now, while that synopsis might seem like The House of Starling has a lot of moving pieces that could make it a dense and intimidating read, the opposite couldn’t be more true. Hartford has a true gift for creating vibrant and rootable characters whose intimate perspectives just immediately suck you into their world, which makes for an incredibly immersive and smooth reading experience.
Truly, from the moment I met my badass warrior elf Rae in the first chapter, I just was just hooked. She is an absolute force to be reckoned with, but she also has a more tender side to her that really comes out beautifully through her interactions with her friends and newfound allies. And I mean, before I start rambling, let me first just take a moment to appreciate the incredibly strong and wholesome platonic friendship between her and Freck; THIS is the type of dynamic I want to see more of between my male and female characters!
And honestly, those beautiful interpersonal relationships is where this entire book shines for me. Complex (and ‘slightly’ dysfunctional) family dynamics, strong friendships, tentative alliances, and yes, also an enemies to lovers romance subplot like you have never seen before. You see, prince Gastel is just the most cinnamon roll to ever have cinnamon rolled, and I absolutely loved the development of the wholesome dynamic between him and Rae.
These two powerhouse characters absolutely carried this story for me, but I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised to discover how minor and tantalisingly slooooow-burn the romance elements between them remained (at least in this first instalment). In fact, for a large part of the story they are separated and off on their own personal journeys, which not only made them stronger as individual characters, but also fleshed out the wider world in a fascinating way.
And speaking of the wider world, I really enjoyed how Hartford established the clashing cultures of the different elven races, which we got to explore through some compelling additional POVs from supporting characters who had their own unique story to tell. Especially the journey of Gastel’s brother, Belkin (whom I desperately need to see more of!!) really took me by surprise, and I love how Hartford continuously managed to make me completely change my mind on certain characters without me even realising it.
That said, I did sometimes feel like some of the character (re)actions and motivations felt a bit weak or out of left field, especially with certain characters letting go of their deeply ingrained biases and prejudices in an almost suspiciously convenient and quick way. Adding onto that, Queen Gemma felt a bit one-dimensional to me as an antagonist, taking the concept of cruel, evil stepmother to an entirely new level of messed up.
However, I still found the character development to be quite strong overall, and I suspect that we might get more answers or explanations behind certain actions in the sequels. And speaking of the sequel… I needed that yesterday! Hartford is not afraid to go deviously dark, and I really appreciated seeing these characters having to deal with the heavy consequences of their own actions. The way that the looming threat of the reopening rifts just exploded during this gut wrenching and brutally bittersweet cliffhanger of an ending was brilliantly done, and I have a feeling we have only scratched the surface of all that’s to discover in this dark and mystifying world.
Safe to say, The House of Starling really surprised me in all the best (and devastating) ways, and I already can’t wait to see what type of emotional damage Hartford has in store in the rest of The Sundering of Rhend series. If you think elves in fantasy have become boring, then I dare you try this story and think again; this is the disturbingly dark yet deliciously romantic fantasy you didn’t know you needed!
September 27, 2024
3.3
Unlike most of the elves/fey fantasy I pick up only to discard before reaching the 50% mark, this one I managed to finish. Because it was different from most of its genre siblings, in every aspect, because I was invested in the story and wanted to know what was going to happen, because I was enjoying the worldbuilding and super curious to get to know it better. All these were strong points that kept me reading this novel with interest and enjoyment. The downside of it is, I didn't really get the characters. They were rather bi-dimensional for me, not fully fleshed, I didn't quite get a feel of their inner core, of who they really were. They remained characters and I never truly bonded with them. I did like Belkin because I also happen to enjoy the tall, dark, broody, gloomy, downright annoying mysterious stranger as much as the next person - but not because of how his personality came through. Belkin was hot in that 'romantasy' dangerous way that often takes place in books and that I like finding in them, not in real life. But he was as bidimensional as the rest. Except for Gemma and Roulin, who were, after all is said and done, the ones who almost ruined this book for me. These were unidimensional characters who - Gemma, at least, more than Roulin - happen to be bad just because the story needs a villain. She was an overly done, overly exaggerated character whose arc relied solely on one of my pet peeves: the scorned little woman who becomes deranged enough to destroy an entire world just because a bloke didn't want her. Sorry, but this trope will spoil any entertainment media for me (yes, I'm looking at you, Xianxia C Dramas). Also, Gemma's downfall was just so... unbelievably easy and convenient, and sooo rushed, just like that ending. Although I did enjoy one particular event through the final chapters (applause to the author for the courage to do it, most would never dare) I found those final 5 to 10 chapters to be immensely rushed just for the sake of ending on something of a cliffhanger. I mean, Rae did spend far more time thinking about other stuff instead of trying to come up with ways to bring Gemma down, even after all she learnt Gemma had done. And the fall of the House of Starling was very badly explained, for me, I would have liked it to have been fleshed out more, instead of being delivered to the reader through that unbelievably silly monologue Gemma has, which was so out of character for someone as scheming and guarded as her.
Truth remains, I found the books rather fun and enjoyable, in spite of the stuff that didn't sit quite well with me, the writing style is super accessible and for me, it flows quite well, keeping me interested in the events taking place without that urge to put down the book and go read something else. I'd recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy and is looking for a no steam, no smutt, fun, fast read without any of the heaviness. For me, this was a palate cleanser and came at the right moment!
Unlike most of the elves/fey fantasy I pick up only to discard before reaching the 50% mark, this one I managed to finish. Because it was different from most of its genre siblings, in every aspect, because I was invested in the story and wanted to know what was going to happen, because I was enjoying the worldbuilding and super curious to get to know it better. All these were strong points that kept me reading this novel with interest and enjoyment. The downside of it is, I didn't really get the characters. They were rather bi-dimensional for me, not fully fleshed, I didn't quite get a feel of their inner core, of who they really were. They remained characters and I never truly bonded with them. I did like Belkin because I also happen to enjoy the tall, dark, broody, gloomy, downright annoying mysterious stranger as much as the next person - but not because of how his personality came through. Belkin was hot in that 'romantasy' dangerous way that often takes place in books and that I like finding in them, not in real life. But he was as bidimensional as the rest. Except for Gemma and Roulin, who were, after all is said and done, the ones who almost ruined this book for me. These were unidimensional characters who - Gemma, at least, more than Roulin - happen to be bad just because the story needs a villain. She was an overly done, overly exaggerated character whose arc relied solely on one of my pet peeves: the scorned little woman who becomes deranged enough to destroy an entire world just because a bloke didn't want her. Sorry, but this trope will spoil any entertainment media for me (yes, I'm looking at you, Xianxia C Dramas). Also, Gemma's downfall was just so... unbelievably easy and convenient, and sooo rushed, just like that ending. Although I did enjoy one particular event through the final chapters (applause to the author for the courage to do it, most would never dare) I found those final 5 to 10 chapters to be immensely rushed just for the sake of ending on something of a cliffhanger. I mean, Rae did spend far more time thinking about other stuff instead of trying to come up with ways to bring Gemma down, even after all she learnt Gemma had done. And the fall of the House of Starling was very badly explained, for me, I would have liked it to have been fleshed out more, instead of being delivered to the reader through that unbelievably silly monologue Gemma has, which was so out of character for someone as scheming and guarded as her.
Truth remains, I found the books rather fun and enjoyable, in spite of the stuff that didn't sit quite well with me, the writing style is super accessible and for me, it flows quite well, keeping me interested in the events taking place without that urge to put down the book and go read something else. I'd recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy and is looking for a no steam, no smutt, fun, fast read without any of the heaviness. For me, this was a palate cleanser and came at the right moment!
April 20, 2024
Something new, unique, interesting and adventurous! I was privileged to receive this book as an ARC reader and I can only admit that I enjoyed reading every single page, I even wish the book was longer with more details because it was that good. I can only recommend that you read this story, especially if you're a fan of elves. 🧝
March 29, 2024
I’m usually a slow reader, but a bout with the flu offered me the opportunity to get a bit of reading done and HOLY FUCKNUGGETS did I fly through this.
The characters, down to minor side characters, feel so richly developed. One truly feels for them what the author intends.
Gemma is a vile piece of work.
Freck is a muscular badass ray of sunshine.
Rae is a conflicted murder machine who finally finds a place in the world beyond what she’s told to do.
Gastel is so much more than a brainy cinnamon roll. He learns so much about himself through the tale.
There’s deep lore to the world of Rhend as well, though it’s dropped as breadcrumbs to keep the reader wanting more rather than having it all dumped at once before getting to the story. Very well-done. The Vale, the Trove elves, rifts… there’s so much more to hopefully see more of in the later installments of the series.
Oh, and that ending… get ready to blink at the page for a few minutes uttering obscenities.
Five well-deserved stars.
The characters, down to minor side characters, feel so richly developed. One truly feels for them what the author intends.
Gemma is a vile piece of work.
Freck is a muscular badass ray of sunshine.
Rae is a conflicted murder machine who finally finds a place in the world beyond what she’s told to do.
Gastel is so much more than a brainy cinnamon roll. He learns so much about himself through the tale.
There’s deep lore to the world of Rhend as well, though it’s dropped as breadcrumbs to keep the reader wanting more rather than having it all dumped at once before getting to the story. Very well-done. The Vale, the Trove elves, rifts… there’s so much more to hopefully see more of in the later installments of the series.
Oh, and that ending… get ready to blink at the page for a few minutes uttering obscenities.
Five well-deserved stars.
July 6, 2024
Considering this is a debut novel, the world building and characters are completely top tier. The opening few paragraphs completely hooked me and I could not put this book down.
I always love a strong bad a$$ female lead and this delivers on that. We also get a terrific slooow burn romance with zero smut. This novel is about a war and two elven factions battling for over 30 years, not heavily focusing on a budding romance between two of the opposite sides.
There are some regular tropes for fantasy here - found family, evil Queen's machinations, secret history and lineage, untapped/unknown power, but it's just all so well done. The ending sets up the second book with a giant cliffhanger and I can't wait for it!
I always love a strong bad a$$ female lead and this delivers on that. We also get a terrific slooow burn romance with zero smut. This novel is about a war and two elven factions battling for over 30 years, not heavily focusing on a budding romance between two of the opposite sides.
There are some regular tropes for fantasy here - found family, evil Queen's machinations, secret history and lineage, untapped/unknown power, but it's just all so well done. The ending sets up the second book with a giant cliffhanger and I can't wait for it!
Read
July 10, 2024rtc
October 30, 2025
The House of Starling is the beginning of a slow-burning romantic fantasy set in the lands of Rhend. The author, Ciara Hartford, fills her world with traditional fantasy politics, family pressure, and heart-pumping action, with a lean into character relationships and a keen eye on relationships both blossoming, simmering, and coming to a boil.
“Hatred divides the elves by the color of flesh and the sharpness of steel.”
Mrs. Hartford pushes and pulls the book’s characters, leading Raemian Starling (Rae) through a series of court intrigues, two captured/prison-like plot points, and several small fight scenes that were pleasantly bloody and efficiently written and would belong in any great epic fantasy book. I say this because The House of Starling is marketed as a romantic fantasy, but offers more subtle layers that can be attributed to just one genre. The plot is complicated enough to get lost in, but also tight enough to know what most likely is coming next. Do I still have questions and lingering thoughts on what comes next in the plot and potential love interests for the main character, yes and that is what makes the book so enjoyable to read and led me into needing to read the follow up. Marks of a good writer, “Leave them wanting more….” as it were.
“Her heart broke into a thousand pieces of love and friendship; it might never be whole again.”
The story revolves around Raiemian, often called Rae, a noble warrior from the Eleven culture known as Shay, and Gastel, an elvish prince from the Bleck Larin elvish culture. Two cultures, one a queen’s domain and the other a kingdom, vie for control of the turbulent land known as Rhend, and conflict has been seething for generations. At the forefront of the story is the romance, and Mrs. Hartford leans into the romantic moments, providing detailed descriptions of eyes, breathing, legs, and other features to keep her audience enticed and wanting more. This isn’t Game of Thrones, but it’s also not a YA romance novel with a fantasy theme; it straddles both and brings the reader into the world without the stressful effort of having to understand every romantic or political nuance.
“Every muscle in her body tensed with the knowledge that she was alone and unarmed with a Bleck Larin.”
Mrs. Hartford blends some of the traditional tropes from both romance and fantasy genres to create a new yet familiar story in The House of Starling. Themes and tropes, such as enemies-to-lovers, a subtle exploration of race relations, and a young heroine’s growth through difficult trials, are found and explored throughout the book.
“He held her there, a stoic mask shielding his emotions, staring until his eyes fell to her lips.”
Overall, I enjoyed the novel and look forward to reading the sequel. Having only read a few of the bigger traditional romantic fantasy novels out on the rack, I consider this my go to recommendation to someone who wants to get into the romantic fantasy genre. Put that book about dragon riders in a military school down and pick up The House of Starling.
Full Review can be found at Willow Wraith Press
“Hatred divides the elves by the color of flesh and the sharpness of steel.”
Mrs. Hartford pushes and pulls the book’s characters, leading Raemian Starling (Rae) through a series of court intrigues, two captured/prison-like plot points, and several small fight scenes that were pleasantly bloody and efficiently written and would belong in any great epic fantasy book. I say this because The House of Starling is marketed as a romantic fantasy, but offers more subtle layers that can be attributed to just one genre. The plot is complicated enough to get lost in, but also tight enough to know what most likely is coming next. Do I still have questions and lingering thoughts on what comes next in the plot and potential love interests for the main character, yes and that is what makes the book so enjoyable to read and led me into needing to read the follow up. Marks of a good writer, “Leave them wanting more….” as it were.
“Her heart broke into a thousand pieces of love and friendship; it might never be whole again.”
The story revolves around Raiemian, often called Rae, a noble warrior from the Eleven culture known as Shay, and Gastel, an elvish prince from the Bleck Larin elvish culture. Two cultures, one a queen’s domain and the other a kingdom, vie for control of the turbulent land known as Rhend, and conflict has been seething for generations. At the forefront of the story is the romance, and Mrs. Hartford leans into the romantic moments, providing detailed descriptions of eyes, breathing, legs, and other features to keep her audience enticed and wanting more. This isn’t Game of Thrones, but it’s also not a YA romance novel with a fantasy theme; it straddles both and brings the reader into the world without the stressful effort of having to understand every romantic or political nuance.
“Every muscle in her body tensed with the knowledge that she was alone and unarmed with a Bleck Larin.”
Mrs. Hartford blends some of the traditional tropes from both romance and fantasy genres to create a new yet familiar story in The House of Starling. Themes and tropes, such as enemies-to-lovers, a subtle exploration of race relations, and a young heroine’s growth through difficult trials, are found and explored throughout the book.
“He held her there, a stoic mask shielding his emotions, staring until his eyes fell to her lips.”
Overall, I enjoyed the novel and look forward to reading the sequel. Having only read a few of the bigger traditional romantic fantasy novels out on the rack, I consider this my go to recommendation to someone who wants to get into the romantic fantasy genre. Put that book about dragon riders in a military school down and pick up The House of Starling.
Full Review can be found at Willow Wraith Press
December 20, 2025
I've been looking forward to reading this book since I beta read the initial drafts what feels like a lifetime ago, and the debut novel by Ciara Hartford doesn't disappoint. It's a very different kind of fantasy to ones I've read before, but that in a way works in its favour, as it's new to those that have come before...
"For thirty years, the Shay elves have warred with their Bleck Larin kin. Raemian Starling is one of the Shay's deadliest warriors, but when she is taken captive and brought before King Mesmal of the Bleck Larin, she discovers there is more to her enemies than she was led to believe. Forging an unlikely connection with Mesmal's youngest son, Gastel, Raemian unravels the truth of how the war began, but both she and Gastel find signs of an impending catastrophe that threatens to engulf both races unless they look past their divisions..."
Like in the beta reading, it was strange to read a fantasy novel that focuses on elves than relegates them to a subordinate race often overshadowed by humans as is commonplace in the genre. The cast of characters are a likeable mix, with Rae being a flawed heroine who comes to question her past choices and be willing to relinquish old hates. Gastel makes for an interesting counter to her and the budding romance between them has its charms, and the supporting cast are all characters I'd be intrigued to see again (Freck, Mesmal, Roulin, Lorilay), particularly since the ending definitely makes you want to know what comes next (one gets the impression a storm is coming...)
A compellingly unique new fantasy perfect for fans of Dungeons and Dragons, and I already eagerly await a sequel!
"For thirty years, the Shay elves have warred with their Bleck Larin kin. Raemian Starling is one of the Shay's deadliest warriors, but when she is taken captive and brought before King Mesmal of the Bleck Larin, she discovers there is more to her enemies than she was led to believe. Forging an unlikely connection with Mesmal's youngest son, Gastel, Raemian unravels the truth of how the war began, but both she and Gastel find signs of an impending catastrophe that threatens to engulf both races unless they look past their divisions..."
Like in the beta reading, it was strange to read a fantasy novel that focuses on elves than relegates them to a subordinate race often overshadowed by humans as is commonplace in the genre. The cast of characters are a likeable mix, with Rae being a flawed heroine who comes to question her past choices and be willing to relinquish old hates. Gastel makes for an interesting counter to her and the budding romance between them has its charms, and the supporting cast are all characters I'd be intrigued to see again (Freck, Mesmal, Roulin, Lorilay), particularly since the ending definitely makes you want to know what comes next (one gets the impression a storm is coming...)
A compellingly unique new fantasy perfect for fans of Dungeons and Dragons, and I already eagerly await a sequel!
February 20, 2024
For a first in a series fantasy there can sometimes be too long spent on world building, or character introductions. Introducing the magic systems and setting up the through line of what’s to come.
This story doesn’t suffer from any kind of lag. We learn all the things we need to in such a way as to keep the story moving and keep the reader interested.
From the start I was invested in Rae and her journey. The nuggets of information come somewhat sparingly but in a way that keeps you reading, wanting to know more. As I reader I never felt inundated with too much information and having questions just made the reveals all the more exciting.
Also Gastel and Freck and Belkin and Mesmal I loved them all and I can’t wait to see what the story has coming for them. Also I’m a little afraid.
I read this in one sitting, I couldn’t put it down. The action was well written and the fight scenes were grisly without being bloody for gores sake.
Fantasy is a hard genre, it’s saturated with content, both good and bad. It’s hard to come up with something unique. This has all of the elements you want from an epic fantasy with enough unique ingredients to make it feel fresh and new. A very strong start for a debut and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.
Also that ending?!? Bravo Ciara Hartford. 4.5 ⭐️
This review is of an ARC I received from the author in exchange for my honest thoughts. All opinions are mine.
March 19, 2024
Relatably flawed, badass FMC with nuanced characters in a complex but understandable and unique world. I really enjoyed going on Rae's journey with her and truly appreciated that the MC romance was not the only relationship explored in the book. I especially loved the bestie relationship between Rae and Freck. The detailed descriptions of the characters and their reality drew me in and I can't wait for the next installment in their lives.
February 18, 2024
Get ready for a book that will have you clutching your pearls the whole entire read!
I had the privilege of devouring this book as an ARC reader, and I could not be more honored. This book has a bit of everything to keep readers engaged. It's got an interesting world, it's got a strong female main character, war, multiple POVs, an evil queen, and a slow burn romance that honestly keeps you guessing.
The story follows Rae, who fights in a war that is, to her knowledge based upon race. Her character is intricate and heartwarming.
The world building and character development are done so well that it's not repetitive or confusing in the least. I threw myself into this book as early as the prologue!!!
I would like to add, (because this has become my favorite part of any book) that the dedication was just the sweetest.
PLEASE, PLEASE grab this book and dive into the world of Rhend. You will NOT be disappointed.
I know we will all very anxiously await Book 2!
I had the privilege of devouring this book as an ARC reader, and I could not be more honored. This book has a bit of everything to keep readers engaged. It's got an interesting world, it's got a strong female main character, war, multiple POVs, an evil queen, and a slow burn romance that honestly keeps you guessing.
The story follows Rae, who fights in a war that is, to her knowledge based upon race. Her character is intricate and heartwarming.
The world building and character development are done so well that it's not repetitive or confusing in the least. I threw myself into this book as early as the prologue!!!
I would like to add, (because this has become my favorite part of any book) that the dedication was just the sweetest.
PLEASE, PLEASE grab this book and dive into the world of Rhend. You will NOT be disappointed.
I know we will all very anxiously await Book 2!
January 6, 2025
I’m crying for the 2nd book! I NEED it! I am not ok after finishing this book. Please let that be a cliffhanger, please! 😭😭 There is some kind of magic in the rift to fix this, right?! RIGHT??!!
“You promised” oh, those words hit hard in that moment @the_zephi wrote between Raemian and Gastel. You have a beautiful way of creating those moments that hook. I love the forbidden trope, and she did a perfect job with it. I’m attached to these characters now. This book is awesome indie fantasy and a debut novel! This world made me feel I was literally in my favorite video game. I even made a blood elf character name Raemian with red hair. I love the elves! Love it! With so many book with fae, elves was so refreshing. The writing was perfect. The story was perfect. I am the right reader for this book!
“You promised” oh, those words hit hard in that moment @the_zephi wrote between Raemian and Gastel. You have a beautiful way of creating those moments that hook. I love the forbidden trope, and she did a perfect job with it. I’m attached to these characters now. This book is awesome indie fantasy and a debut novel! This world made me feel I was literally in my favorite video game. I even made a blood elf character name Raemian with red hair. I love the elves! Love it! With so many book with fae, elves was so refreshing. The writing was perfect. The story was perfect. I am the right reader for this book!
April 9, 2024
I want to rave about this book. I hope beyond hope that it finds its audience.
The House of Starling introduces us to an Elven world divided by bigotry where unique magic of earth and rift are being woken and found family will balance a world divided.
“We can only know what we have been allowed to learn.”
First, I want to acknowledge that the character art has been done by the author themselves. This insight into the authors creativity spills into not only the physical clarity of the characters but the intimate understanding of their internal motivation. It is clear the author knows, loves and lives with her creations. This intimacy flows into the writing and leads the reader to invest in Rae, Gasteel, Freck, Belkin and Mestel. Their relationships, established and developing, are beautifully painted. The gentle, honest developing friendships and romance offers a dignity often missing in the current climate of spice.
In a world where everyone can be an author, there seem to be a few who take the time to really hone their craft before publishing. What is impressive about The House of Starling is that it is evident the author has invested their time and effort in editing. The story is full. It has plenty of world-building going on but the geogrography, political history, lore and family histories are clearly outlined without the reader feeling overwhelmed or dumped on. The magic and its impacts have been thoroughly thought out. I find a quiet satisfaction that balance in all things is at the heart of this magic and its use.
This really is a gem debut. The cliffhanger ending was cruel and I hope that Book 2 is not far away.
The House of Starling introduces us to an Elven world divided by bigotry where unique magic of earth and rift are being woken and found family will balance a world divided.
“We can only know what we have been allowed to learn.”
First, I want to acknowledge that the character art has been done by the author themselves. This insight into the authors creativity spills into not only the physical clarity of the characters but the intimate understanding of their internal motivation. It is clear the author knows, loves and lives with her creations. This intimacy flows into the writing and leads the reader to invest in Rae, Gasteel, Freck, Belkin and Mestel. Their relationships, established and developing, are beautifully painted. The gentle, honest developing friendships and romance offers a dignity often missing in the current climate of spice.
In a world where everyone can be an author, there seem to be a few who take the time to really hone their craft before publishing. What is impressive about The House of Starling is that it is evident the author has invested their time and effort in editing. The story is full. It has plenty of world-building going on but the geogrography, political history, lore and family histories are clearly outlined without the reader feeling overwhelmed or dumped on. The magic and its impacts have been thoroughly thought out. I find a quiet satisfaction that balance in all things is at the heart of this magic and its use.
This really is a gem debut. The cliffhanger ending was cruel and I hope that Book 2 is not far away.
March 3, 2024
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
OVERVIEW
I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next one. Such a unique story with incredible worldbuilding and writing style. I feel Ciara Hartfood really brought the world and characters of Rhend to life.
This review contains spoilers.
Things I enjoyed:
The introduction to the world and characters felt really natural with no exposition dumps. The characters live in this world and understand this world, and that’s how it was described to the reader, but done in a way that was still easy for us to understand. Information wasn’t given to us on a silver platter. Ciara clearly understands that readers are clever and can understand what s being presented to them, so she doesn’t feed us the story and worldbuilding like we’re children. This is written for an adult audience, so the readers are treated like adult readers. I loved this so much.
Character development was done really well with clear goals and motivations. Rae and Gastel in particular worked well together. Also the Romeo and Juliet vibes? I love these two together omg. The differences between Queen Gemma and King Mesmal and their motivations and reasons behind everything was clear. I wasn’t expecting King Mesmal to be so nice straight away upon meeting Rae because we first see Rae’s POV and how she has been conditioned to view Bleck Larin, so seeing him be the complete opposite of what she envisioned was amazing. The three brothers especially were developed well in this regard too. Belkin and Roulin being angry because they know the truth and have been actively fighting Shay for 30 years, while Gastel was just curious and instantly drawn to Rae because he’s been sheltered. Their reactions were exactly how they should have been under the circumstances which is another thing I think Ciara did beautifully. Plus Belkin spending more time with Rae and realising she’s good and changing his mind about her was done really well, and Roulin’s “middle child” side is really clear. Always being overlooked while Gastel and Belkin are slightly more favourited is so true and I love that he’s still hating the Shay even after Gemma was defeated.
I really hope Ciara has plans for Belkin and Freck because omg I’m starting to ship them. I’m already shipping them. They’ve barely had any time together but the slight flirting? I’m in love. Frelkin all the way!!
Things that I feel could be improved:
I feel like there wasn’t enough time spent on Rae and Gastel forming a relationship. There was definitely some connection at the beginning with Gastel being curious about her and her kind and Rae realising that he’s not what she thought Bleck Larin would be like. The feelings they start to feel for each other here are clear and Gastel escaping with Rae was amazing. The moment they shared in the lake while they were travelling was also *chef’s kiss* but after that they just didn’t spend enough time together for the strong feelings they have for each other to be believable. Don’t get me wrong, I love them together, but it seemed like there just wasn’t enough time with just them. It was a lot of them thinking about each other, but just not enough romance developing. BUT the almost-kiss in the hallway, holy shit. I loved this but also felt it was quite random because again, there wasn’t enough romance shown between them and then suddenly they’re basically in love. I do believe they are in love and they’re amazing together, but I think there just needed to be more time spent on this.
This book was definitely an intro setting up the rest of the series, but at around the halfway point it seemed like there were two different plots happening: taking out Queen Gemma, and the mystery about the world and the rifts. I assumed this book would end with Queen Gemma being taken off the thrown because to me that felt like the main plot of the story with the rifts being the overarching plot of the series. But then there was more to do with the rifts at the end of the book, and I felt like that was a bit rushed. I’m also still confused as to why the rifts need to be opened. It’s mentioned a few times that the prophecy can be misinterpreted, but apparently the rift HAVE to be opened, but there’s no explanation as to why they need to be opened and how Rae came to this decision. The ending with Gastel opening the rift and Rae literally falling in I was like OMG WHAT!! But again, this scene just felt rushed. I feel like the book should have ended with Queen Gemma being taken off the thrown and then the next book be more focussed on the rifts. To me it felt like this last scene was put in there purely to have a tragic ending, but it just didn’t sit right with me. I think this is mainly because there’s not any clear reasoning behind why the rifts need to be opened. But this is only the beginning, and maybe this book ending in the way it did will make sense later on. I really hope it does.
The use of the term “house arrest” took me out of the world momentarily. Maybe it’s just me, but house arrest sounds like such a modern term and just didn’t seem to fit in with the world.
Overall, I actually really enjoyed this book. It’s so different to what’s currently being published which means it’s not predictable. This is an amazing debut novel and I can’t wait for not only the next book in this series, but whatever else Ciara Hartfood releases.
A few stand out quotes:
Gastel’s hair was unruly and soft and approachable. It was long enough in front that it fell around his temples, framing his face in a way that made his amber eyes brighter, more expressive. She’d always thought him beautiful, like his father, but now? It was dangerous, the attention he could command in her.
Whatever she wanted, she had but to ask, and he would give it to her. Whatever her heart’s desire, she would grant it if he could.
Now she felt nothing but fear that she could lose him. That she could never have him to lose.
The needing in his eyes as he stared with abandon filled her stomach with a strange mix of apprehension and tantalizing yearning.
The carcasses of abandoned buildings gaped like empty eye sockets, glaring at those who dared to pass by. - absolutely stunning writing like this all throughout the book.
Belkin threw the Shay a sly grin. “Clearly not foreboding enough to keep you from coming back.”
Dulanii handed his reins off and winked at Belkin, a sultry smile turning up his lips. “It’d be my pleasure, Highness.” - internally screaming!
OVERVIEW
I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next one. Such a unique story with incredible worldbuilding and writing style. I feel Ciara Hartfood really brought the world and characters of Rhend to life.
This review contains spoilers.
Things I enjoyed:
The introduction to the world and characters felt really natural with no exposition dumps. The characters live in this world and understand this world, and that’s how it was described to the reader, but done in a way that was still easy for us to understand. Information wasn’t given to us on a silver platter. Ciara clearly understands that readers are clever and can understand what s being presented to them, so she doesn’t feed us the story and worldbuilding like we’re children. This is written for an adult audience, so the readers are treated like adult readers. I loved this so much.
Character development was done really well with clear goals and motivations. Rae and Gastel in particular worked well together. Also the Romeo and Juliet vibes? I love these two together omg. The differences between Queen Gemma and King Mesmal and their motivations and reasons behind everything was clear. I wasn’t expecting King Mesmal to be so nice straight away upon meeting Rae because we first see Rae’s POV and how she has been conditioned to view Bleck Larin, so seeing him be the complete opposite of what she envisioned was amazing. The three brothers especially were developed well in this regard too. Belkin and Roulin being angry because they know the truth and have been actively fighting Shay for 30 years, while Gastel was just curious and instantly drawn to Rae because he’s been sheltered. Their reactions were exactly how they should have been under the circumstances which is another thing I think Ciara did beautifully. Plus Belkin spending more time with Rae and realising she’s good and changing his mind about her was done really well, and Roulin’s “middle child” side is really clear. Always being overlooked while Gastel and Belkin are slightly more favourited is so true and I love that he’s still hating the Shay even after Gemma was defeated.
I really hope Ciara has plans for Belkin and Freck because omg I’m starting to ship them. I’m already shipping them. They’ve barely had any time together but the slight flirting? I’m in love. Frelkin all the way!!
Things that I feel could be improved:
I feel like there wasn’t enough time spent on Rae and Gastel forming a relationship. There was definitely some connection at the beginning with Gastel being curious about her and her kind and Rae realising that he’s not what she thought Bleck Larin would be like. The feelings they start to feel for each other here are clear and Gastel escaping with Rae was amazing. The moment they shared in the lake while they were travelling was also *chef’s kiss* but after that they just didn’t spend enough time together for the strong feelings they have for each other to be believable. Don’t get me wrong, I love them together, but it seemed like there just wasn’t enough time with just them. It was a lot of them thinking about each other, but just not enough romance developing. BUT the almost-kiss in the hallway, holy shit. I loved this but also felt it was quite random because again, there wasn’t enough romance shown between them and then suddenly they’re basically in love. I do believe they are in love and they’re amazing together, but I think there just needed to be more time spent on this.
This book was definitely an intro setting up the rest of the series, but at around the halfway point it seemed like there were two different plots happening: taking out Queen Gemma, and the mystery about the world and the rifts. I assumed this book would end with Queen Gemma being taken off the thrown because to me that felt like the main plot of the story with the rifts being the overarching plot of the series. But then there was more to do with the rifts at the end of the book, and I felt like that was a bit rushed. I’m also still confused as to why the rifts need to be opened. It’s mentioned a few times that the prophecy can be misinterpreted, but apparently the rift HAVE to be opened, but there’s no explanation as to why they need to be opened and how Rae came to this decision. The ending with Gastel opening the rift and Rae literally falling in I was like OMG WHAT!! But again, this scene just felt rushed. I feel like the book should have ended with Queen Gemma being taken off the thrown and then the next book be more focussed on the rifts. To me it felt like this last scene was put in there purely to have a tragic ending, but it just didn’t sit right with me. I think this is mainly because there’s not any clear reasoning behind why the rifts need to be opened. But this is only the beginning, and maybe this book ending in the way it did will make sense later on. I really hope it does.
The use of the term “house arrest” took me out of the world momentarily. Maybe it’s just me, but house arrest sounds like such a modern term and just didn’t seem to fit in with the world.
Overall, I actually really enjoyed this book. It’s so different to what’s currently being published which means it’s not predictable. This is an amazing debut novel and I can’t wait for not only the next book in this series, but whatever else Ciara Hartfood releases.
A few stand out quotes:
Gastel’s hair was unruly and soft and approachable. It was long enough in front that it fell around his temples, framing his face in a way that made his amber eyes brighter, more expressive. She’d always thought him beautiful, like his father, but now? It was dangerous, the attention he could command in her.
Whatever she wanted, she had but to ask, and he would give it to her. Whatever her heart’s desire, she would grant it if he could.
Now she felt nothing but fear that she could lose him. That she could never have him to lose.
The needing in his eyes as he stared with abandon filled her stomach with a strange mix of apprehension and tantalizing yearning.
The carcasses of abandoned buildings gaped like empty eye sockets, glaring at those who dared to pass by. - absolutely stunning writing like this all throughout the book.
Belkin threw the Shay a sly grin. “Clearly not foreboding enough to keep you from coming back.”
Dulanii handed his reins off and winked at Belkin, a sultry smile turning up his lips. “It’d be my pleasure, Highness.” - internally screaming!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2024
It took me some time, but I’m glad I was finally able to finish this for the second time!
The House of Starling is a complex fantasy story with characters who grow for the better or for the worse. To put it simply, it’s one of the best fantasy novels I’ve read in a while.
Balance is a key element to this story, and it’s tested throughout the story, and it helps answer a lot of questions you may have when you’re first reading this novel.
Raemian Starling, the stepdaughter of the cruel Queen Gemma, is a strong Shay warrior and definitely one who knows the difference between right and wrong. Her character showed someone who fights for all elves, and considers everything—even if it puts her own life at risk. I really enjoyed reading about her, and how both Shay and Bleck Larin who at first may think little of her, grow to respect and even defend her.
[Spoiler:] She may have had her own doubts of leading her people, but the way she fights time and time again, and not just with her sword, I think she’ll always be seen as a true leader of the Shay.
Gastel, the youngest Bleck Larin prince of King Mesmal, has a past that defines his curious nature and the future of the war between the Shay and Bleck Larin. Anam-magic that seems to be used only by the Bleck Larin-was an element that only added to his character, which made me just as curious as he was when meeting Raemian for the first time. Having a character like Gastel who has more power than he knows what to do with, ties in with that element of balance that’s talked about time and time again throughout the book.
While romance does play a part in this book, it doesn’t feel forced. It only adds to the heartbreak many of the characters endure from before the start of the war, to the near ‘end’.
So, if you’re looking for a fantasy novel with elves fighting a war stemmed from jealousy and sacrifice, a budding romance enough to make your heart swell, and somber backstories, then the House of Starling is the novel for you.
I, for one, can’t wait to see how the second book will turn out!
Thank you to the author for an arc copy in exchange for an honest review!
The House of Starling is a complex fantasy story with characters who grow for the better or for the worse. To put it simply, it’s one of the best fantasy novels I’ve read in a while.
Balance is a key element to this story, and it’s tested throughout the story, and it helps answer a lot of questions you may have when you’re first reading this novel.
Raemian Starling, the stepdaughter of the cruel Queen Gemma, is a strong Shay warrior and definitely one who knows the difference between right and wrong. Her character showed someone who fights for all elves, and considers everything—even if it puts her own life at risk. I really enjoyed reading about her, and how both Shay and Bleck Larin who at first may think little of her, grow to respect and even defend her.
[Spoiler:] She may have had her own doubts of leading her people, but the way she fights time and time again, and not just with her sword, I think she’ll always be seen as a true leader of the Shay.
Gastel, the youngest Bleck Larin prince of King Mesmal, has a past that defines his curious nature and the future of the war between the Shay and Bleck Larin. Anam-magic that seems to be used only by the Bleck Larin-was an element that only added to his character, which made me just as curious as he was when meeting Raemian for the first time. Having a character like Gastel who has more power than he knows what to do with, ties in with that element of balance that’s talked about time and time again throughout the book.
While romance does play a part in this book, it doesn’t feel forced. It only adds to the heartbreak many of the characters endure from before the start of the war, to the near ‘end’.
So, if you’re looking for a fantasy novel with elves fighting a war stemmed from jealousy and sacrifice, a budding romance enough to make your heart swell, and somber backstories, then the House of Starling is the novel for you.
I, for one, can’t wait to see how the second book will turn out!
Thank you to the author for an arc copy in exchange for an honest review!
March 16, 2024
I had the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this book. The characters are well developed, the world is immersive, and the story itself is truly intriguing.
As for the ending... amazing
As for the ending... amazing
April 3, 2024
This book had me intrigued by the first couple of chapters, I was desperate to find out more of the story. I absolutely love fantasy books that explore war politics and this book absolutely delivered on this 👏
At times it felt a little wordy but over all the whole book captured an atmosphere of compassion and it was a very enjoyable, easy and wholesome read.
This book would be great for new fantasy readers as there aren’t too many characters or places to keep track of. It also has short chapters which were great for me trying to sneak in reads during work 😂 👀
I am not going to spoil it for you all but the ending 👀 oh. My. God.
At times it felt a little wordy but over all the whole book captured an atmosphere of compassion and it was a very enjoyable, easy and wholesome read.
This book would be great for new fantasy readers as there aren’t too many characters or places to keep track of. It also has short chapters which were great for me trying to sneak in reads during work 😂 👀
I am not going to spoil it for you all but the ending 👀 oh. My. God.
January 20, 2024
Well, i read this small 💎 as a beta reader last year and i loved it so much. It was sweet with no smut (yeeeees), plot twists and a strong female protagonist. I think she is stronger than the male 😅 You should all read it people and give this girl some applause 👏 she is an upcoming indie author and she has done so well already.
August 18, 2024
This book is amazing! It has wonderful character development, a great story, and keeps you interested right till the end! I love love love it. Read it, you'll probably love it too!
February 21, 2024
2.75 stars
Overall, the story had great potential! At the beginning I was very intrigued even if confused since very little background to the conflict was given. But sadly I could’t connect to the characters or understand their motivations to do any of the things they did. They were all supposed to be enemies and without really anything much to prove otherwise they all of the sudden were not?
Overall, the story had great potential! At the beginning I was very intrigued even if confused since very little background to the conflict was given. But sadly I could’t connect to the characters or understand their motivations to do any of the things they did. They were all supposed to be enemies and without really anything much to prove otherwise they all of the sudden were not?
April 8, 2024
Raemian Starling has fought for her Queen, leader of the Shay, all her life without question. Her stepmother is cruel and sends Rae into conflict and danger hoping she won’t come back. She is sent on a mission without her best friend, and is captured by the enemy, the Bleck Larin. Rae is taken back to their strong hold and finds that the enemy is not what it she has been taught to believe and she begins to question what she has been fighting for.
Gastel is the youngest Prince of the Bleck Larin and has led a sheltered life, not being allowed to fight in the conflict with the Shay or really know anything about who he is and why this conflict has been going on for 30 years. Together Rae and Gastel must uncover the truth behind the war and unlock the secrets of their families.
I absolutely adore Ciara’s writing. She has created a magical world where the conflict is between different races of Elves, something you don’t see very often. The characters she has placed in this world are not perfect but that is the strength of the story, discovering who they are and what strengths they truely possess. I love Rae and Gastel together, but I think my favourite moments in this book come from the side characters. Belkin and Dulanii are two of my favourites and I can’t wait to see where book 2 takes these characters.
Prepare for high fantasy with a romantic subplot. Be warned, that ending will shock you and rip out your heart and have you wanting book 2 immediately.
If you like:
✨ Adult Romantic High Fantasy
✨ Third person, multi-POV
✨ Unique twist on elves
✨ Female warrior MC
✨ Cinnamon roll MMC
✨ Hidden Powers
✨ Forbidden Attraction
✨ Bloody action scenes
✨ Magic and prophecy
✨ Evil stepmother/queen
✨ Royal sibling rivalry
✨ Found family
✨ Book one in a series
Gastel is the youngest Prince of the Bleck Larin and has led a sheltered life, not being allowed to fight in the conflict with the Shay or really know anything about who he is and why this conflict has been going on for 30 years. Together Rae and Gastel must uncover the truth behind the war and unlock the secrets of their families.
I absolutely adore Ciara’s writing. She has created a magical world where the conflict is between different races of Elves, something you don’t see very often. The characters she has placed in this world are not perfect but that is the strength of the story, discovering who they are and what strengths they truely possess. I love Rae and Gastel together, but I think my favourite moments in this book come from the side characters. Belkin and Dulanii are two of my favourites and I can’t wait to see where book 2 takes these characters.
Prepare for high fantasy with a romantic subplot. Be warned, that ending will shock you and rip out your heart and have you wanting book 2 immediately.
If you like:
✨ Adult Romantic High Fantasy
✨ Third person, multi-POV
✨ Unique twist on elves
✨ Female warrior MC
✨ Cinnamon roll MMC
✨ Hidden Powers
✨ Forbidden Attraction
✨ Bloody action scenes
✨ Magic and prophecy
✨ Evil stepmother/queen
✨ Royal sibling rivalry
✨ Found family
✨ Book one in a series
March 16, 2024
"The House of Starling" by Ciara Hartford offers a delightful escape for readers seeking a romantic story brimming with tension. Having received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. On a personal note about the author, she had encouraged her ARC readers to post all reviews even if they were 1-star! However, I was deeply captivated by the fast-paced plot and the undeniable chemistry between the characters and easily found it to be a clear 4-star read.
Rae, the book's strong female protagonist, is a character readers can easily root for. While the story unfolds with a satisfying resolution, I found myself wanting a touch more depth in character development. For my personal preference, a hint of darkness could have further elevated the emotional stakes.
Overall, "The House of Starling" is a thoroughly enjoyable read that will keep you turning the pages. I consider it suitable for young readers, so great if you have an advanced reader in the home. I, as an adult woman, am very looking to the next installment.
Rae, the book's strong female protagonist, is a character readers can easily root for. While the story unfolds with a satisfying resolution, I found myself wanting a touch more depth in character development. For my personal preference, a hint of darkness could have further elevated the emotional stakes.
Overall, "The House of Starling" is a thoroughly enjoyable read that will keep you turning the pages. I consider it suitable for young readers, so great if you have an advanced reader in the home. I, as an adult woman, am very looking to the next installment.
March 30, 2024
I loved this book! Thank you Ciara Hartford for the ARC. These opinions are all my own.
We are approaching the second quarter of this year and the books I have read are already becoming all my new favourites! This one is no exception.
The characters are what makes this book. Rae is everything you want in a protagonist. She is fierce, intelligent and great with the sword, especially against the enemy, the Bleck Larin. But she is also loving and compassionate and I love her relationship with her best friend Fleck, thank you for the healthy relationship between a man and a woman where there is love and support, rather than jealousy or one sided love. Freck is just adorable and everyone would be lucky to have a friend like him
And then there is Gastel, prince Gastel, youngest of 3 and kept away from the battlefield. Great political mind but wished he could see more of the world. Bleck Larin. Cinnamon roll.
Rae and Gastel soon realise not everything is what they have been told. And they find themselves wondering who their real enemies are.
The story is fast paced with a lovely slow burn. Loveable characters and an intriguing magic system. Just a warning it is a Romeo and Juliette story, that it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger….
We are approaching the second quarter of this year and the books I have read are already becoming all my new favourites! This one is no exception.
The characters are what makes this book. Rae is everything you want in a protagonist. She is fierce, intelligent and great with the sword, especially against the enemy, the Bleck Larin. But she is also loving and compassionate and I love her relationship with her best friend Fleck, thank you for the healthy relationship between a man and a woman where there is love and support, rather than jealousy or one sided love. Freck is just adorable and everyone would be lucky to have a friend like him
And then there is Gastel, prince Gastel, youngest of 3 and kept away from the battlefield. Great political mind but wished he could see more of the world. Bleck Larin. Cinnamon roll.
Rae and Gastel soon realise not everything is what they have been told. And they find themselves wondering who their real enemies are.
The story is fast paced with a lovely slow burn. Loveable characters and an intriguing magic system. Just a warning it is a Romeo and Juliette story, that it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger….
February 16, 2024
Had the pleasure of reading an advanced reader’s copy of this book, and could not put it down! Don’t get me wrong, I will always love fae, spice, and broody, morally grey male characters, but this was a breath of fresh air with rival elf races, slow burn romance, and a cinnamon roll male main character. I cannot wait to buy a physical copy of this book AND I can’t wait for a sequel because I can’t live with this ending. Ciara Hartford killed this debut novel, and I will be keeping an eye out for more work by her!
February 20, 2024
This was an arc read. But I recently got back into fantasy and this book just so happen to be the first book I read since I jumped back into fantasy world
This book I sped through because it was that goodddd
Can we acknowledge raemian please. She's so badasss and yet so loving and understanding
But....why would you do me that at the ending. 🥹. I'm not gonna ruin it for other who gonna read it. But the plot twist, you had my hopes up🥹😭.
But overall I loved thisss book. Keep up the good work. Can't wait to read even more books from you 🥹🫶🏼🖤
This book I sped through because it was that goodddd
Can we acknowledge raemian please. She's so badasss and yet so loving and understanding
But....why would you do me that at the ending. 🥹. I'm not gonna ruin it for other who gonna read it. But the plot twist, you had my hopes up🥹😭.
But overall I loved thisss book. Keep up the good work. Can't wait to read even more books from you 🥹🫶🏼🖤
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2024
I was hooked with the prologue! Rae Starling, Shay warrior and stepdaughter to the Queen. Gastel, the youngest son of the Bleck Larin King. Two kingdoms at war, two lives shrouded in secrecy. Epic story of love and sacrifice. Beautiful writing that pulled me into the world of Rhend and wouldn’t let go.
Read
August 17, 2024Read as part of SPFBO X
March 1, 2024
Everyone has THAT book. The book they recommend to any one that asks, this is that book for me. I absolutely loved this book! This is a once you pick it up you can’t put it down kind of book.
Whether you’re new to fantasy for a seasoned fantasy reader, this book will take you on an amazing journey.
A strong FMC, forbidden love/enemies to lovers, rival elven kingdoms… it has all the best things.
I was hooked in the first few pages and I still think about it all the time. I can not wait until the release date because I have to have a copy for my bookshelf. This is one I will definitely reread.
The characters of this book will pull you in and engulf you in their world. The character development is perfect. The plot twist will leave you breathless. I can not say enough about the place this book has taken up permanent residence in my mind.
I was so lucky to be an ARC reader for this book and was so pleasantly surprised to be absolutely in love with every page!
Whether you’re new to fantasy for a seasoned fantasy reader, this book will take you on an amazing journey.
A strong FMC, forbidden love/enemies to lovers, rival elven kingdoms… it has all the best things.
I was hooked in the first few pages and I still think about it all the time. I can not wait until the release date because I have to have a copy for my bookshelf. This is one I will definitely reread.
The characters of this book will pull you in and engulf you in their world. The character development is perfect. The plot twist will leave you breathless. I can not say enough about the place this book has taken up permanent residence in my mind.
I was so lucky to be an ARC reader for this book and was so pleasantly surprised to be absolutely in love with every page!
September 21, 2024
a world bursting with originality and depth
This book is everything I was hoping it would be and more. It is epic fantasy with a grand world, high stakes, a unique magic system, and an unflinching look at the evils of war and racism and the true cost of peace. It has romance, but it doesn’t diminish every other relationship to emphasize it. The story brims with love and sacrifice, and it’s masterfully told through multiple perspectives. Can’t wait for the next!
This book is everything I was hoping it would be and more. It is epic fantasy with a grand world, high stakes, a unique magic system, and an unflinching look at the evils of war and racism and the true cost of peace. It has romance, but it doesn’t diminish every other relationship to emphasize it. The story brims with love and sacrifice, and it’s masterfully told through multiple perspectives. Can’t wait for the next!
July 26, 2024
“𝒲𝑒 𝒸𝒶𝓃 𝑜𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝑒’𝓋𝑒 𝒷𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑜𝓌𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝑜 𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓃.”
Wow, what an amazing and unique read! I absolutely flew through this book.
I love a strong FMC, and Raemian Starling of the Shay elves definitely delivers on that front. She is an absolute fearsome badass, but also has a heart of gold. Her journey begins with a lifetime of indoctrination, believing that the Bleck Larin elves are monstrous and must be exterminated. However, once captured by them, Rae discovers a truth far more complex and compelling. The unraveling of the war’s secrets and the reason behind her evil stepmother’s hatred for her, who is also the Queen, sets Rae on a path to restore balance, even at the risk of her own life.
Then there’s Gastel, the youngest son of King Mesmal of the Bleck Larin elves. He’s honestly just the ultimate cinnamon roll, such a sweet and endearing character. He has an immediate connection with Rae, and it’s delightful to see him fall for her despite their different backgrounds. The slow-burn is sooooo delicious!!
Also, I loved Gastel’s personal journey about finally discovering his hidden powers and the length he goes through to help Rae and his fight against the power of the rifts.
Lastly we can’t forget about Freck, Rae’s mostly bare-chested and quirky friend. His deep understanding of Rae, his loyalty and their playful banter was great to read.
Frankly, I loved all the characters, well maybe not Roulin, and certainly not the Queen.
And I really hope that Belkin and Freck somehow end up together.
And oooh damn, that cliffhanger!
If you love romantic epic fantasy and strong, dynamic characters, perfect blend of action, magic, romance, and intrigue, then this is your book.
Wow, what an amazing and unique read! I absolutely flew through this book.
I love a strong FMC, and Raemian Starling of the Shay elves definitely delivers on that front. She is an absolute fearsome badass, but also has a heart of gold. Her journey begins with a lifetime of indoctrination, believing that the Bleck Larin elves are monstrous and must be exterminated. However, once captured by them, Rae discovers a truth far more complex and compelling. The unraveling of the war’s secrets and the reason behind her evil stepmother’s hatred for her, who is also the Queen, sets Rae on a path to restore balance, even at the risk of her own life.
Then there’s Gastel, the youngest son of King Mesmal of the Bleck Larin elves. He’s honestly just the ultimate cinnamon roll, such a sweet and endearing character. He has an immediate connection with Rae, and it’s delightful to see him fall for her despite their different backgrounds. The slow-burn is sooooo delicious!!
Also, I loved Gastel’s personal journey about finally discovering his hidden powers and the length he goes through to help Rae and his fight against the power of the rifts.
Lastly we can’t forget about Freck, Rae’s mostly bare-chested and quirky friend. His deep understanding of Rae, his loyalty and their playful banter was great to read.
Frankly, I loved all the characters, well maybe not Roulin, and certainly not the Queen.
And I really hope that Belkin and Freck somehow end up together.
And oooh damn, that cliffhanger!
If you love romantic epic fantasy and strong, dynamic characters, perfect blend of action, magic, romance, and intrigue, then this is your book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews