All the Stars in the Daylight Sky

by Maya MacGregor

In this spellbinding romantasy, an agender teen stumbles into the fae world and finds love and belonging– but at what cost?

Eighteen-year-old Cam bounces between houses in Texas and Scotland and has always thought that’s why they don’t feel at home in either place. A recent Autism diagnosis followed by a fight with their Mothers add an extra layer of real-life stress, only amplifying their struggle to belong. However, things take an unexpected turn when they cross paths with members of the fae deep in a Scottish forest. With the Gaelic wisdom from their Granaidh (Grandma), Cam understands that they have been noticed by the fae, and that this means that their life is suddenly in grave danger.  

Cam must make a face the danger or join the fae and never see their family again. With their human ties fraying even further, the allure of the fae’s acceptance tugs at Cam’s heart, but are they ready to say goodbye to their family forever? From the acclaimed author of The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester, this is a lush, lyrical romantasy novel set at the crossroads of belonging and the magical realm of the unknown.

Genres: Fantasy, Queer, Young Adult, LGBT, Fiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 2025

Reviews

[Fanna]

autistic teenage agender protagonist and this is what fae romantasy book covers should look like

[Makayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the Stars in the Daylight is a beautifully atmospheric romantasy with a heart at its center. The story follows Cam, an 18-year-old agender teen navigating life between Texas and Scotland, who gets pulled into the magical world of the Sìthichean the fae while trying to figure out where they belong.

What really stood out was the emotional depth and representation. Cam’s journey touches on identity, neurodivergence, family dynamics, and the longing to find a place where you feel accepted. Their connection with Ezra adds a tender, queer romance that feels earned and heartfelt. The Gaelic folklore and Otherworldly elements are lushly imagined, creating a vivid, mystical backdrop that I really enjoyed.

That said, the pacing felt uneven at times. Some sections leaned heavily into introspection rather than plot, which slowed momentum, and a few parts could have been tighter to keep the tension higher. It’s a slower, more reflective read than action-packed, but the emotional core and worldbuilding make it worthwhile.

If you enjoy:
🌲 Folklore-inspired fantasy
🌈 Queer and neurodivergent representation
💖 Character-driven, emotional journeys

[MJ Deans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queer romance? Fairy magic? Real Scottish Gaelic written by a real Gaelic speaker?

You better believe I loved this 🦋 need a sequel STAT.

[High Lady of Delulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the Stars in the Daylight Sky finds an incredible balance between real life heaviness, folklore whimsy and the darker sides of magical myths. Between that, the remarkably well executed level of representation and the fact that it is set in Scottish (and the narration actually matches that), I had such a good time with this!


PLOT
Although the plot was intriguing, the focus wasn’t as much on the arcs as it was on the FMC and her journey in a confusing world that just got a lot bigger. The way she manoeuvres it is both relatable and very realistic and as someone on the spectrum, I loved seeing the way her autism was treated.

Over all, the book was such a surprise for me because just from the cover I’d expected a bit of a different, more sweet and fluffy kind of vibe. And while I would probably have enjoyed that too, the book it turned out to be was so much better.

All the Stars in the Daylight Sky delivered hard punches that built a strong tether to actual reality, then threw in the most magical moments and lore. The transitions between the magical and the real were so smooth and simple and I love to see an author who dares stick with what is necessary, without adding distracting ornate embellishments.



CHARACTERS
As mentioned, it was above all a character journey with a main character that is faced with several challenges. Cam was really well written in my opinion. I appreciate a character that has so much complexity and depth that I don’t align with every single thing they do because that’s what makes them so real.

Ezra too, while with a little less depth, has received the three dimensionality they deserved. From the intriguing first encounter to the way they interact with both Cam and others, I was absolutely enthralled with them as a love interest.

The magic Cam encounters brings out things in her that have been dormant for one reason or another - Ezra was such a great love interest simply for the support and acceptance. And the lack of trauma, which was refreshing, seeing as the entire book could so easily have evolved in a different direction

The side characters in general feel real, particularly those that drive the plot and/or character development have obviously been given sufficient attention for them to add to the story on different levels, instead of just serving their function.

At some point I felt like there might have been slightly too many side characters that were mentioned early and were of importance later on but barely showed up in between. This led, at times, to slight confusion but without impacting the reading experience, since it still worked in context.



WRITING
Every writing choice supported the world, atmosphere and fairytale Maya MacGregor has built. To me, this entire book is an amazing example of magical realism.

The tone and pace were on point and the Gaelic aspect is something I particularly enjoyed.
I think I personally might have hoped for some more background in a sense that, while I understand the importance of preserving such an old and powerful language, the continued focus and discourse about it gave me the impression that it was leading up to a connection of sorts.

But it sure shed light on the significance of reclaiming language as part of a culture.

All this was amplified by the incredible narration, which granted the story even more authenticity and completely underlined and perfectly complemented the overall vibe.

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Thank you to NetGalley, RBmedia and Maya MacGregor for an ALC of this book

[reading · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Astra Publishing House for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I think it’s cool to have a protagonist who uses any pronouns and a nonbinary character. I also really appreciate the dynamic between the protagonist and their family. I enjoy that this book can get humorous as well.
The writing style itself is more casual than the books I typically read and the plot is paced rather quickly, not leaving the reader much time to steep in the life altering choice that Cam makes in the beginning of the book. I also find the references to covid-19 a bit jarring my and not really to my preference. I don’t think I got the impression of how modern this romantasy was going to be and how self aware textbook explanations were going to interject in the main character’s internal monologue. That may serve as a positive for some who are looking for fae and folk in a more integrated modern society, however it was not to my taste.
My expectations aside, I find the content of sentences unvaried and pretty straight forward. There are several YA fantasy novels which provide more present atmosphere, a thicker plot, and more complex relationships that keep my attention. Unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me! But I do appreciate the use of another language in the text, bringing a unique layer that I do not typically experience.

2.5/5 stars

[Ariel Cash · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was a fun and unique magical story, with an agendered, autistic protagonist, and a nonbinary side character—the representation was a huge plus for me.
I also really appreciated the humorous dynamic Cam has with their family. The central plot, where Cam has to choose between joining the magical Otherworld or dying after accidentally eavesdropping, is new and unique.
What I enjoyed most was the distinct flavor added by the Gaelic language and imagery woven into the scenes. It's truly a great YA fantasy for readers looking for the fae integrated into a modern-day setting.
The book's pacing and style weren't entirely to my taste. The writing felt more casual than what I usually read, and the plot moved too quickly, not giving me enough time to feel the weight of Cam's life-altering choice. For me, the direct references to COVID-19 were a bit jarring, and Cam's monologues sometimes pulled me out of the moment.
While it didn't fully grab my attention, I would recommend this to others looking for a fast-paced, highly diverse, and culturally unique modern fae adventure!
Thank you so much to Astra publishing for the arc read!

[Elysha Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the Stars in the Daylight Sky follows Cam, an autistic, agender teen who moves to Scotland with her moms. There she falls into the world of the fae.

I really liked the representation with Cam being both autistic and agender. Her being autistic plays an important part with how she views and interacts with the world and other characters. I really enjoyed this. I really liked Cam’s story here and her character, she was very well developed.

I also loved the world building. You felt like you were in the world. I also loved the use of Gaelic as well. I did appreciate as this was the audiobook, that it was translated in a non-intrusive way as well. The side characters were good and added to the world as well, both human and the others.

To be honest I think I learned with this book that fae romanstsy books might not be for me. This was the first one I read and I think this genre probably isn’t my cup of tea. However if you like fae romance and are looking for queer and neurodivergent representation I think this would be a great book to try!

Thank you to NetGalley and Recorded Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lumie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the ALC.

Plot 3.75/5
Characters 4/5
Ending 3.75/5
Interest 4/5

Overall 3.75/5

-First and foremost, I love the fact that the narrator had the Scottish accent, it really immersed me and made me feel like I was actually with Cam. Now, as for the actual plot, there was some intrigue. The mysterious aspect and then the romance and very character focused elements added a lot. The universe was interesting with these two different worlds and our main character balancing between both, although the pandemic references took me out a little.

-I really liked these characters. They were quite unique and different from the typical protagonists we find in romantasy books so it’s a very much appreciated change. Although saying that, the book was very character heavy and I could have donc with a little less emphasis we got every chapter. As for the relationship, I really enjoyed it. It was sweet and simple enough.

-The ending didn’t really stick out to me. There wasn’t any major plot twist. Although I am glad having seen this story through. I wouldn’t mind reading more in this universe, it’s very interesting and even coming back to these characters.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook copy! I loved this! The audiobook was awesome because the narrator had a Scottish accent and I got to hear how the words were pronounced correctly. That made it so much more immersive for me.

I loved the autism rep and how the MC discussed how their family has been to therapy to navigate how to handle it the diagnosis as a family. This was such a therapy positive book and I loved watching the family come together more as they put the things they learned in therapy to use.

I loved the trans rep too! The main character Cam is agender and while they use she/her they express freedom at not being called pet names usually meant for girls. Also the main love interest was gender fluid and that’s one of my favorite things to see repped. I love when magic is used to help someone be genderfluid it’s just so cool.

I am curious if there will be more books. There’s enough world building that this felt like the first in a series but I’m not sure as of now whether there will be more. I’d love to see more and know more of the plot going on.

[Skeena8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun unique magical story of an autistic, agendered (she/her) individual who finds themself accidentally eavesdropping on the wrong conversation and has to make the choice: Become one of them or die to keep their secret. Cam finds herself at a new school with new friends while also navigating the magical otherworld with a prince and non ‘fairy’ godmother Deirdre. Ezra also recently had to choose to become one of them and was immediately made a Prince. As Cam and Ezra accidentally bind themselves to each other they must try to navigate the Otherworld, danger lurking around the corners.
I really enjoyed the Gaelic language and imagery of the scenes and world. I think this is a great YA fantasy story that takes places in modern day with memorial events like Covid being identified and the effects that it has medically on Cams deceased friend.
I would recommend this to my Ya audience looking to experience a fae world.

[Roberta Godoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a book makes you want to learn another language, I think it has much more to it than just the story. The audiobook narration is done by MJ Deans, and let's just say I'm in love with it. All the Gaelic used in the story made me want to learn the language, even though I think it must be quite difficult!!!

The main character has so many layers to her character that that alone would make an entire book. The way she talks about so many serious subjects in a light and accessible way is a great way to make everyone pay attention to the points raised.

Besides all that, there's also the creation of a fantastic world with magic and all the regional mythological aspects. All the aspects of the fairy world and the mix with the real world, full of action and activities happening, making me wait for the next book.

[Aila Krisse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantasy book with a protagonist is queer and autistic??? Sign me tf up. This was a beautifully written and narrated story that had me completely enthralled in its fantastical world. I love that it incorporates fae/faeries alongside the Celtic mythological traditions they originate from, instead of making them into the boring facades that are so widespread in fantasy and romantasy nowadays. That the book includes actual Scottish Gaelic is the cherry on top. The narrator does an amazing job of bringing the world to life. I’m glad that it’s read by someone who (presumably) actually knows Gaelic and speaks English with a Scottish accent. It took a bit of getting used to because I’m just not as accustomed to hearing Scottish English, and it may be a bit difficult to understand for some readers.
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Thank you to Recorded Books for the ALC

[Curiouser_reviewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the Stars in the Daylight Sky by Maya MacGregor was a bit outside my usual reading lane and one of the few LGBTQ+ stories I’ve picked up, so I appreciated it for broadening my reading repertoire. I’m glad I listened to it.

While it’s categorized as a romantasy, it didn’t quite read like one to me. Yes, it’s firmly rooted in fantasy, but it doesn’t fully check the boxes typically associated with romantasy, particularly in terms of pacing and romantic intensity. That said, the writing itself is casual, approachable, and generally well done. I especially enjoyed the inclusion of Gaelic, which added a nice layer of atmosphere and authenticity.

Overall, it was a solid and enjoyable read—not a standout for me, but still a good experience.

⭐ 2.75/5

[Alyssa | Lyssi's Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the Stars in the Daylight Sky was absolutely wonderful. It had just the right balance of the real world and the magic of the fae. The story feels grounded and enchanting at the same time, never tipping too far in either direction. I listened to this as an audiobook and completely fell in love with it; the use of Gaelic and the way the narrator spoke it was beautiful and added so much depth and atmosphere to the story.

I was quickly drawn into the narrative and grew deeply attached to the characters as they felt real, tender, and easy to love. The neurodivergent representation was especially meaningful and handled with care, authenticity, and respect. Overall, this was a magical, heartfelt read that I can't stop thinking about.

[Ashley Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

All the Stars in the Daylight Sky by Maya MacGregor has a strong and meaningful concept, and I genuinely appreciated the representation of an autistic main character. The intention behind the story is clear, and it’s refreshing to see neurodiversity centered and treated with care.

Unfortunately, the execution fell flat for me. The pacing was slow, the plot lacked momentum, and I found myself bored more often than not. While the themes were thoughtful and the story didn’t engage me emotionally.

Overall, I admire what this book set out to do and value the representation it offers, but the storytelling itself didn’t hold my attention. A good concept that, for me, didn’t translate into an engaging read.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book of discovery. From the fantastical world around the main character to a deeper understanding of herself and the people around her. I loved the way the author tackled so many subjects and incorporated Gaelic into the book. It felt like learning a new language but because it was fun and interesting. This book is all about the journey and people you meet along the way so it is really a book for everyone.
The narrator was fantastic, her accent was beautiful and she brought this story to life perfectly.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an autistic person I absolutely adored the representation in this and thoroughly enjoyed the story. The pacing was good, the characters were good, and the way that the gaelic was incorporated into the story was wonderfully done. It was sweet and light and thoroughly enjoyable!

[Shelby Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cam has to decide between death and life as a changed person. Little does she know her introduction to the new world will forever change her. As Cam learns to control her new powers, she gains friends and power, growing in her faith in herself.

[Sarah Ploopy · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH I AM SO EXCITED

[Mairi Deans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book despite it being aimed, I think, at young adults and I'm a pensioner.
Would love to read a sequel.