Bride of Stars and Sacrifice

Cruel Goddess #1

by H.R. Moore

Previously published as Celestl by HR Moore.

Two epic romances. Two deadly worlds. A web of terrible secrets.A princess, cornered ...

Maria must marry Elex, the Black Prince of Oshe, despite his reputation for brutality and even though she’ll lose the few small freedoms she’s carved out for herself. Elex cares only to end 300 years of war, and if that means marrying the unknown First Daughter of an enemy land, so be it. To their surprise, Maria and Elex discover desire instead of dry duty. With him, Maria can have the life of equality she's always longed for; with her, Elex has the kind of partner he never thought he’d find. Until their promise of happiness is shattered when Elex’s brother steals Maria for himself.

A servant, caged ...

Ava has one endure the brutal life of a tavern wench while dreaming of a rescue she knows will never come. But then she meets a handsome, wealthy, and ruthless assassin―and possibly her salvation. Kush, however, is also struggling to survive, caged by magic and rules imposed by his lethal father, a man whose approval he desperately needs. Kush and Ava find solace in each other’s arms, but when Ava’s in trouble and she turns to Kush for help, she discovers he's not a safe haven. Instead, he poses the greatest threat she's ever faced.

The fate of worlds hangs on fragile secrets ...

Packed with action and political intrigue, this spicy fantasy romance sweeps through multiple fantasy worlds, following two women who couldn’t be more different. They must save themselves and the ones they love … before their families’ secrets destroy them all.

Bride of Stars and Sacrifice is the first book of the Cruel Goddess series, a dual story adult fantasy romance featuring morally grey main characters and strong-willed heroines. It's perfect for readers of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout and Penn Cole.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance, Magic

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 27, 2025

About the author

HR Moore writes romantic fantasy, romantasy, fantasy romance, and paranormal romance.

All HR's books contain strong women, high stakes, plot twists, adventure, found family and plenty of romance, with charaters willing to burn down the current order to change things for the better.

She resides in the UK, loves audiobooks, and lives for book club.

Reviews

[Kez Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the start of an epic romantasy series filled with action, drama, political intrigue, scheming and mystery.
Following 2 POV you are emersed into 2 gripping journeys, filled with secrets, growing romances and dire stakes.

Maria is set to marry the Black Prince to help seal an alliance and fulfil her duty to her kingdom and vicious uncle. Elex's reputation precedes him, but as they get to know each other it seems the biggest danger comes from his scheming family, and they'll need to work together to survive both of their familys ambitions and wrath. Meanwhile there's unrest in the city, plans of rebellion, and Maria is torn between family loyalty, protecting the innocent, aiding her best friend, and stopping a war.

Ava is trapped in poverty, surrounded by danger and battling to survive in a seedy world. A chance encounter with a mysterious stranger changes her life forever. She dreams of escape and freedom, and his constant visits and protection help her feel hope for the future as well as growing desire.
The mysteries surrounding her parents death come to light on her 18th birthday, and she finds herself not knowing who can be trusted as she discovers hidden worlds, secrets, betrayals, sorcery, gods and an uncertain destiny.

Excited to read the next books adventures.

Honest and Voluntary ARC review

[Elizabeth]

DNF at 7%.

Enh

[Klaudyna ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pros:
- unique world
- interesting
- imaginative
- political
- thought-provoking
- good vocabulary
- overall, delightful

Cons:
- hard to get into (didn't quite flow)
- common names (or short ones, didn't intrigue me)

I would also suggest, that this book is 16+, bc there are a lot of heavy topics, there's murder, fights, sexual implications & unintentional & intentional harm.

Midway through the book, it becomes more interesting, and it picks up.


Short summary:

It's a story about 2 teenage girls, on this land called Celestl, which looks like that (as the cover art), there are blades & claws.

One girl, Ava, is from a tavern, been said that her parents were meddling in ungodly things, so they died, then some guy brought her to Mrs. B. In the tavern to take care of her.

The other girl, Maria, is from a prominent first family of one of the blades.

There's a whole situation, where the undesired brother of a visiting family manages to convince his father to give Maria to him, instead of his brother, which she wanted, then there's a fight, and the

undesired brother gets into an accident with hot oil.

Both of the girls lives are significant, even if it doesn't appear so in the beginning. There's magic, further in the book, however, I was content reading it, without that element.

Am halfway through, so not sure if their lives will intertwine.

(GR is making this my 2nd time reading, it's not.)

[Kez Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the start of an epic romantasy series filled with action, political intrigue, scheming and mystery.
Following two POV you are emersed into two gripping journeys, filled with secrets, growing romances and dire stakes.
I loved seeing the character growth, delightful banter and the ease at which they fall. I liked the added drama of the intense sibling rivalry, arranged marriages, waring factions and battles over resources.
Ava and Kush are fascinating to see and I loved the hidden identities, and Maria and Elex are so swoony together!
Excited to read the next books adventures.

[H.R. Moore]

This is not your ordinary fantasy romance. No fae, no academy, no competition for the prince's hand ... (much as I love those things too).

If you want something different, something to remind you of the twisty fantasy books you read in your youth, featuring multiple POVs, multiple romances (open door, steamy), a missing goddess, layered plot, a marriage pact to end 300 years of war, an impoverished tavern girl with a mysterious past, an existential threat, fighting over scarce resources, and multiple, seemingly unconnected story lines that don't come together until book 3, then this one is for you.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

Celestl by HR Moore is a promising start to a new series, possessing a very intriguing new world that is separated into blades, each ruled by its own people. The story open onto the Day of the Toll, which has the blades coming together to form alliances through marriage between the children of their leaders. Once, centuries ago the bells would toll to signify the Goddess and her unpleasant requests, but the Goddess has seemingly disappeared from the lands, taking their water source with them.

I quite enjoyed Maria’s point of view in this book. Her story started off fast paced and filled with political intrigue which I love. It enters on the day of her meeting her soon to be spouse just before the arranged marriage itself is to take place. She is a fiery woman, full of spirit and a desire not to be overshadowed by the men in her life who try to rule her every move, giving her no freedom. Elex, her intended, has a disreputable reputation, one of darkness, and yet they form an instant connection upon meeting that had me swooning. I was so completely and immediately all for this match and couldn’t get enough of their interactions. And I consider it proof of the authors prowess how much I loathed Cane and immediately wanted to punch him.

The other point of view follows Ava. I struggled a bit more to get into these chapters as I found it very slow moving and failed to see the point of her chapters initially. In the beginning at least I was a bit bored with her chapters and dreaded having to switch from Maria’s chapters because nothing significant really happened. However, I will say her storyline picked up a bit beyond the halfway point. Suddenly there is a ton of mystery surrounding who Ava is and where she comes from, and a whole world she has until this point known nothing about. I started to get a little more hooked on what was going on with this shift and I will say I’m interested to know where it goes.

Celestl is an intriguing start to a new fantasy series and I want to know where it goes and to learn more of the world introduced here. Not to mention I’m seriously hooked on Elex and Maria’s romance and how they will continue to navigate their arranged marriage.

[Anais (atrailofpages) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Every hundred years, the Goddess demanded a sacrifice. Until she abandoned everyone. Now the bells have not tolled requiring a sacrifice for the last 300 years. Maria is betrothed to the Black Prince, along with five other nuptials, to help end the war that has torn Celestl apart for the last 300 years.
And Ava, an orphan trying to become something more learns a secret about herself and her parents and realizes she already something or someone more.

I’m not sure what I read. The world seems vast and interesting, but nothing is explained. I’m just told things like I’m supposed to already know about the different people or the feuds between families, like the Claws and Alters. It was very confusing and I was lost. Like is this supposed to be a sequel? It certainly felt like it! The other kingdoms(?) I have no idea what they were like. You get told some things and ideas of what they’re like, but no detail. I just need more detail about the world rather than just told random things throughout the book like I should have known the whole time.

And I was actually lost for most of the book. I don’t know what the point was of the book, or what the plot was. And I did not connect with any of the characters, although, I did like Ava’s story until like the last three chapters of her story which just got weird.

No one acts their age. It sounds like they’re supposed to be in their 30s, but they act more like they’re 18.

Maria is VERY contradictory. One moment she tells Elex they need to trust each other and be honest, and while he is, she refuses to be. And then she tells us she resents and hates her uncle, and yet defends him and her family against Elex saying they are close and everything is about family with them.

Elex is great. He wants to make changes and was hoping Maria would be the same, but she seems to say one thing and then do something different. I will say Elex did not live up to his moniker, especially when it came to his father until suddenly at the end.

I liked the romance at first, but then Maria just seemed so wishy-washy about everything and about Elex, and then seemed strangely attached to her childhood friend Nicolai, and I dunno. It was like the romance was forced into this story.

As I said earlier, I preferred Ava’s story, however, I don’t understand how these stories are linked. I think there should have been some sort of info explaining that.

And then the rest of the characters, well, everyone just treated each other like dirt and were all morally grey and had such weird dynamics. I didn’t like any of the characters, aside from Elex to a point. And Ava, I did like her, even if her story was super weird.

I really wanted to like this, but it just wasn’t for me. I would recommend it still since I’m sure many would enjoy it!

I received a free digital copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celestl

A unique and fascinating new world. There was so much packed into this story I’m not sure where to begin.
The world itself was interesting and I can’t wait to see more of what the other Blades and such are like.

There were kind of two stories in this book and I’m not sure how they connect together yet as far as timeline and such.

The first story focused on Maria and Elex. An arranged marriage that was broker in the name of peace. I enjoyed both characters in this one. They were fun, fierce, and compassionate. They complimented each other well.

The other main character and storyline focused on Ava and Kush. This one I felt was the most mysterious! It really has me guessing and wondering what is all going on. There’s sorcerers, magic and so much that we don’t understand yet but I can’t wait to uncover. Kush and Ava are both a mystery.

I don’t want to give away too much of anything but it was an interesting story and a fascinating work I can’t wait to see more of.

Maria and Elex tropes:

- arranged marriage
- Touch her and die
- Spice

Ava and Kush

- sweeter
- Portals
- Lots of mystery in this one

Both:

- Magic
- Morally grey characters
- Strong woman
- Protective MMCs

[LESLIE J (mrsj_readsbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to HR Moore for my complimentary copy of Celestl. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a quick paced enjoyable fantasy read with 2 POV. Maria and Ava have very different lives.
Not sure how they are going to connect and I am unsure if they are set in the same timeline?

Plenty of secrets, adventures, romance and political intrigue to keep me reading and guessing as to how this one will play out.

[Nita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was like two really good books in one. With each chapter, you keep wondering if will this be the chapter where Maria and Ava's paths would cross. Each woman was dealing with so many difficulties but both wanted to be loved and secure in their lives. I felt every emotion possible while read this book. I neeeeeed the next book asap to know what happens next.

[KMart Vet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story follows two women living in different worlds, each tangled in dangerous situations. One narrative leans into political marriages and fragile peace, while the other centers on survival and the gritty underbelly of poverty. Both threads are wrapped in magic, conflict, and the looming sense that everything is connected… somehow.

This was a really fun, character-driven read. I liked all of the characters and genuinely enjoyed watching them struggle, adapt, and grow. And fall in love. Right now, the two storylines feel completely separate, and I honestly have no idea when or how they’re going to intersect. Personally, that didn’t bother me. But I can definitely see that being frustrating for some readers who want immediate payoff. I'm happy to trust the process.

One thing I did enjoy was how different the two romances feel. One leans fast and intense, the other slower and more uncertain. One woman lives in relative privilege, the other in constant survival mode. That contrast kept the book interesting and made the dual structure feel purposeful.

The worldbuilding was interesting but also pretty confusing at times. There’s a lot thrown at you, and not everything is explained right away. Normally that might be a bigger issue for me, but strong characters can carry a book, and I am very interested even if I don't understand everything.

And by the end, things are... concerning. There’s something fragile about everyone's situation that made me nervous (in a good way), like the book is setting us up for emotional consequences later. This story feels layered with secrets, magic, and power dynamics that haven’t fully come into focus yet. There’s a constant sense that something is being withheld, which makes me so eager to pick up the next.

The pacing toward the end gets pretty breakneck, and I was left with a LOT of questions. It definitely feels like a setup book that’s planting seeds rather than delivering big answers. I’m eager to see what happens next, especially because I’m still trying to wrap my head around how these storylines will eventually collide.

Overall, this was an enjoyable start to a series built on strong characters, complicated relationships, and long-game mysteries.

Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[Maldi_200 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celestl
di @hrmoore che ringrazio per la copia ARC
.
✨“To the Blades of Celestl. To the marriages of our children. To the end of this bloody war”
.
Celestl è divisa in 4 Blades e 4 Claws considertate inferiori. Dopo secoli di guerra tra le Blades è stato firmato un trattato di pace che prevede una serie di matrimoni politici combinati.
Maria per il bene del suo popolo e onorare il patto dovrà sposare Elex, il Principe Nero, la cui oscura reputazione lo precede.
Ava, orfana, lavora in una taverna e quando casualmente incontra Kush non riuscirà più a toglierselo dalla testa
.
Primo libro della trilogia Rulers of Atlas Magic NA romantasy non disponibile in italiano.
Per tutto il libro si alternano il POV di Maria ed Ava che sono storia completamente parallele, elemento che ammetto di non aver eccessivamente amato. Ho amato entrambe le storie ed ero curiosa di scoprore come proseguiassero entrambe ma alla fine sembrava quasi di leggere due libri diversi mentre mi aspettavo si incontrassero.
Maria ed Elex hanno una specie di instant love (o forse quick burn) che peró funziona ai fini della trama e tra i due personaggi c'è una grande chimica. Maria è uno strong female character in un regno maschilista ma che nonostrante questo è diventata forte, indipendente ed è intenzionata ad evitare una guerra.
Ava è l'altro lato della medaglia: vive in povertà e avra uno slow burn col misterioso Kush.
I capitoli costantemente alternati e che si concludono sempre malino contribuiscono a tenere attaccati alle pagine.
Non mancano situazioni pericolose, tensioni politiche e misteri da risolvere in entrami i fili narrativi.
Il finale non mi ha eccessivamente convinta essendo sospeso ed aperto.
Il worldbuilding è ben fatto: Celestl è un regno molto particolare in cui si combatte per una delle risorse più inportanti ovvero l'acqua. La magia (anche nel senso di poteri magici) sebbene presente è comparsa poco.
Questo libro mi ha positivamente stupita e mi è piaciuto più di quanto mi aspettassi, super scorrevole e dalla trama non banale, leggeró sicuramente il prossimo volume
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

[Anne MKW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pages 1-153
💡 Yup, ok, I think I figured out what’s going on!
Oooo this is new, Clever! 😏 I like this. 👍🏼

Page 154
⁉️WHAT THE FUCK! I have no idea what’s going on!
😩 NOOOOO, there are only 346 pages!
That’s not enough book!

Sooooooooo…………..yeah. Is it September yet?! 🤞🏻

Since I usually only show up for the sex, there is some.
As shocking as it is for me to say, It didn’t even matter if there was, because this fucking story! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[❀ Sarah-Jane ❀ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d honestly give this book a 3.5… it would have honestly been higher but the ending was just… meh.

We follow 2 different people in this book with separate story lines. We’ve got Maria, who lives in one of the blades and her story centres around marrying Elex to fulfill the pact & the fact that the blades control the water to the claws but her childhood friend Nicholi was a tech genius & found a way to stock pile water to basically turn them to war. The middle of her planet “dromeda” had stopped spinning & Nicholi came up with turbines to keep it spinning & keep the water flowing.

We also follow Ava, whose parents died when she was young & she was taken in by Mrs B a tavern owner & basically abused her whole life. She falls in love with Kush I think it is (or something like that) and we see how different her life is to Maria’s. She finds out that her parents were the first people to find out a way to turn themselves into gods, so she is a descendant of a god, and her parents turned other people into gods too but they wanted to keep the power for themselves and it got them killed. Kush’s dad is also a god I belive…

We finish Maria’s story with her traveling through the different blades and claws to Oshe with Elex & Cane is now in charge & has taken 2 wives. Elex leaves Maria with Cane & asked to see her room as she’s had a long day. And Elex reminds him if he touches her he’ll take both of his hands.

We finish Ava’s story with her using the Atlas stone to get to the top of the tree & going through portal. She gets sick because her body doesn’t know where it’s meant to be & they need to get herbs to her to set her right again. Mrs B turns out to just be B & her friend (or brother I’m not sure) Billy were “friends” of her parents and they want her parents secrets from their house that no one has been able to enter since they died. They had to call Kush back to her as he’s the only one with the herbs & he tells her B & Billy lolled her parents and gives her a piece of paper with coordinates on and says she needs to run away. She uses the stone again & disappears.

I honestly thought both of these stories would have met in the middle at some point. Or even gotten into the same world as each other… or even slightly hinted at why we were following both of them at the same time. I enjoyed both of the story lines as I read them, but going all the way through with bits of drama here and there, feeling like it’s building up to something… just for it to not… it was just a bit underwhelming. Hopefully the second book will be better & bring the stories together quickly.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most intriguing books I have read this year, and it is full of surprises on every page and I loved the unexpected. Celestl has citizens known as blades and claws and in each section of the empire one could find both. The blades were powerful, whilst the claws usually lived in poverty, and even though they all needed one another the powerful ones ignored the efforts of the claws even when these saved all their lives. The goddess had abandoned the people and the toll bells had stopped ringing, and daughters were no longer sacrificed on toll day to appease the gods. However, as war had been unrelenting during the past three hundred years, this year the heads of the blades had agreed to set up six marriages binding them each to one another in the hope of gaining peace. However not everyone was included in these alliances, the claws were totally neglected as were their interests, and these rebelled and cut off the water flow to the blades. None of them could survive without water so are the claws biting their nose to spite their own face? or did they have some other plan? Those chosen into the forced marriages were willing to sacrifice for the good of their family and peace in Celestl but none were prepared for the tolling of the bells. I love this mysterious book, with gods living in the tree and above the clouds but who were these Gods really? This book ends on a most dangerous cliffhanger which leaves us needing to read book 2 immediately fearing for Maria's life.

[Elsa L · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not stop reading this book. At first I was confused with the POVs, hoping it would tie up but I soon forgot about it because both plots in Maria’s world and Ava’s world were captivating.

First, we meet Maria who soon will be in an arranged marriage to keep the peace in Celestl between the Blades. But the Claws are excluded and she tries to help them but they deny her help. The Blades might control the water but the Claws built the pipes and turbines to direct the water. So Maria has to marry the Black prince and hope he is not like her uncle, who wants to get rid of the Claws. Maria and Elex’s relationship was a surprise to follow and I really enjoyed it.

Then, we meet Ava. Who was orphaned at the age of 6 and has had a rough life trying to survive by working at a tavern. She needs to fend for herself the whole time and then she meets Kush. She is immediately intrigued by him, something connects them. At some point, Kush starts visiting Ava and slowly they start a friendship. But Kush has so many secrets and Ava wants to know. When Ava turns 18, she learns about her family and who she is and Kush is part of it. Kush is able to travel to different worlds and somehow Ava is part of that and gets sucked in.

These two plot are quite big and a bit complex but you will be sucked in every time you start a new chapter. I know these two timelines will tie up nicely at the end and I just hope it makes all these characters meet up

[coffeebooksandpluvio · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I would respectfully suggest the only reason you have been able to do so is because they are too self-absorbed to notice. I, on the other hand, am quite absorbed in you.”

Thank you to HR Moore for my complimentary copy of Celestl. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The world of Celestl is vast and has potential to create a multifaceted level of conflict between peoples. Even with a map at the beginning (essentially the pointed image on the cover) and the clear-cut fight for key resources between regions, I found myself wanting a lot more explained about each blade and claw as well as the history behind Toll Day. Hopefully this is the case as the series evolves.

There were several aspects I enjoyed a lot, like the dual POVs (alternating between Maria and Ava), and the way magic is subtly woven into the plot (though it’s unclear/unstructured). But the characters felt one-dimensional. And the three main male characters (Elex, Kush, Hale) were interesting, albeit a bit scattered and predictable. The exception is that Elex—dubbed “the black prince” for unknown reasons—gave me major Prince Hans of the Southern Isles from Frozen vibes and by the end, I still couldn’t tell if we’re supposed to trust him.

Ava is the character I found myself rooting for throughout. It almost felt like the whole book could’ve been about her arc. I also enjoyed the “touch her and you die” vibes, even though they were fleeting.

Overall, more foundational structure and character growth could really transform the reading experience for the story going forward. I would recommend this book for young adult readers, Hunger Games fans, or anyone looking for a fun story with lighter fantasy elements and some political intrigue.

[Psyckers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was blessed with the chance to read this in advance before its release to the world.
I found this book has a lot of things happening in it, that you may need to read it at least twice (like I did) to absorb everything that is going on. Centred around an arranged marriage to a Black Prince, whose reputation is entangled into a number of political, mysteries, magic, and other 'irregularities' that often embellishes the truth. As you would imagine there is enough intrigue, scheming, and action to fill at least a saga of books, let alone just the first one.
Yet it all works, the book is an easy read, it is well balanced with character introductions and development, world building and the political environments, mystery, 'spice', and a bit of magic as well. You genuinely get drawn into the story, just by the well written characters alone, the hook is really the intrigue surrounding them all and the story that unfolds.
You are captivated by the story the whole way through, and even after two readings, I have found more mysteries and other nuances that make you wish to read the next book of the saga.
It is definitely worth reading and you will find though it is an easy ready, reading it again and perhaps studying between the lines, enriches the experience. I cannot wait for the next book for the saga to come out in 2025.

[Krystal Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely a unique story, and I need to know more. It's written in 2 POVs. One is from Maria, a 28-year-old woman from a wealthy family who is required to marry the first son of a neighboring realm in order to seal a peace pact between realms and stop a 300-year war.

The second POV is from Ava, who first appears in the book as a 14-year old girl, and lives in poverty and in servitude of a grumpy tavern owner. She ends up meeting a boy a few years older than her in passing, and can't stop thinking about him. But why would he even pretend to want anything to do with her when she is constantly filthy, underfed, and a nobody orphan with nothing to her name?

I found it really interesting how one storyline is insta-love and the other is a slow burn. One woman lives in luxury and the other in poverty. One timeline spans a few weeks and the other 4 years. Magic seems to be present in each of their lives, but in different ways.

The big question is - HOW ARE THESE STORIES CONNECTED??


MINOR SPOILER:
These two separate POVs exist throughout the entire book, and I was disappointed that they never intertwined before the book ended.

There's no big cliffhanger, either. The story just sort of...ends, like chapters are missing.

So I'm really anxious to read book 2, and really hope we get some answers early on.

[Jodi Warne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two worlds and two young women on separate journeys but both facing betrayal, injustice, archaic oppression and first loves.

Maria facing an arranged to the Black Prince all in the name of the peace pact. However all is not as it seems when dealing with others from outside the Alter Blade. There is sibling rivalry to deal with, surprises on her wedding day and underhanded deals.

Ava is long past having any beliefs, faith and trust in others. And why should she her parents die when she is six years old and she is left under the care of someone she doesn’t know and who couldn’t care less. Years of going hungry, wearing hand me downs and sleeping in a cellar is becoming too much to bare. Until him the unknown young man who makes her heart speed up and gives her a glimpse of hope. It would seem Ava is not who she thinks she is and he’s about to help her discover her new reality.

Being honest I did find this a slow start which is why I think it’s taken me long to read than usual. However that being said once their individual situations started to pickup I was looking forward to making time to sit and read.

I feel this is a good start to a trilogy series and I’m intrigued to see if their lives become intertwined. Enjoyed the world building the character development for both the FMC’s.

Looking forward to book two.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been provided with a review copy of Celestl from the author and I am voluntarily leaving an impartial review. Celestl is the first book in the brand-new Rules of Atlas Magic series and this was just a wonderful way to start off a new series. This story follows two separate female main characters' lives and it goes back and forth between them. Each character has very compelling stories and each of them have led very different lives with hardships of their own. Maria’s story is all within the same timeframe so each chapter picks up immediately where you left off. Ava’s story is different in that it spans a few years so the first few of her chapters some time had passed. I can see where both lives could possibly lead in the future, but as of right now I believe this story could have been broken up into the two main characters' stories. That way you weren’t having to wait between the other characters' chapters. I don’t think anything major would have been spoiled by them each having their own story. Other than that opinion this was just a great book and I would highly recommend it to anyone to read. I’m so curious to see what the future holds for these characters.

[Anastasia Campo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars
Moderately Spicy
- EXTENSIVE world building
- Magic, Gods, opposing timelines
- Multiple POV
- 'quick' burn romance
- Good pacing
- funny characters and genuine moments
- also slow burn romance

This is a romantasy readers delight - the world building is so extensive and engrossing. There are so many twists and mysteries in this book, it most certainly kept me reading. The story is told between two women at opposing ends of the spectrum, Ava a destitute and starving young girl living off the scraps from an angry innkeeper, and Maria, the daughter of a prominent and dangerous family who was betrothed to dark man from an opposing 'blade.' Ava's story really grabbed me and had me turning the page, and although Maria's was equally fun and engaging, it was more predictable. The real winner in this book is the world, however. Celestl is a rotating land fighting over the most precious resource - water, and is where Maria resides. Ava’s history is more of a mystery, and as the book unfolds, you see how different their two worlds are, and how what you thought about them isn’t true.

[Micaela Bermúdez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What a unique book! It's been a while since I read a book this different and good.

The construction of the world is intense and extensive but it is very easy to navigate thanks to the fact that everything is told in a very dynamic way through the story of our characters. It is a double POV, narrated by two absolutely opposite women who, despite being very different, fight to survive and have a voice in the adversities of their realities.

Celestl is a complex and spinning world fighting over water, home to Maria, who is engaged in a marriage arranged through a political agreement. On the other hand, Ava's world is a mystery, as is her story, and it is the one I liked the most.

The relationship and tension between the protagonists is 10/10, at the end of the book you don't know who to trust and the magic system is incredible and enigmatic. The book ends abruptly leaving you wanting more.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book, thank you to the author for the great opportunity. I enjoy every second of it.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been provided with a review copy of Celestl from the author and I am voluntarily leaving an impartial review. Celestl is the first book in the brand-new Rules of Atlas Magic series and this was just a wonderful way to start off a new series. This story follows two separate female main characters' lives and it goes back and forth between them. Each character has very compelling stories and each of them have led very different lives with hardships of their own. Maria’s story is all within the same timeframe so each chapter picks up immediately where you left off. Ava’s story is different in that it spans a few years so the first few of her chapters some time had passed. I can see where both lives could possibly lead in the future, but as of right now I believe this story could have been broken up into the two main characters' stories. That way you weren’t having to wait between the other characters' chapters. I don’t think anything major would have been spoiled by them each having their own story. Other than that opinion this was just a great book and I would highly recommend it to anyone to read. I’m so curious to see what the future holds for these characters.

[Taylar’s Never Ending TBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Song: Sound of War by Tommee Profitt feat. Fleurie
Quote: “I would respectfully suggest the only reason you have been able to do so is because they are too self-absorbed to notice. I, on the other hand, am quite absorbed in you.”

I read this book in one day. I could not put it down. This is a masterpiece as it is two stories happening simultaneously. Maria is a very sassy mmc and really holds her own even though she is honor bound by her duty. Elex also calls her “hell cat” so if you are a sucker for a good nickname this book has you covered.

Ava and Kush have a very interesting relationship and I am dying to know what becomes of them in the next book. Their relationship spans over years and is such a slow burn with lots of secrets.

I am dying for book 2 already and will be first in line as soon as it is available. Thank you so much for allowing me to be apart of your arc team!

[Sophie Boyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

This was such a great start to a romantasy trilogy.

The story focuses on 2 women and its told in their POV (3rd person). Maria is from a prominent family but she has friends in the 'lower class' and she often climbs the walls to seek out adventure and see her best friend. Unfortunately that now needs to stop when she needs to marry the dark and mysterious Elex in order to form alliances and stop a 300 year war, Elex is also not exactly who Maria thought he was.

What is interesting is that both the upper class and the lower class both have something each need, also the fact that the Goddess has not shown up in 300 years also impacts this war.

We follow Ava from 13 to now 18 and how her life as an orphan raised in a tavern and living in the cellar has shaped her as a young woman. Where she is from they still believe in the gods and the temple is still very active esp when there is a family who seem to do the gods work with Kush showing a special interest in Ava.

As we follow Ava being kicked out of the Tavern when shes 18 we see this whole new magical world she seems to be the centre of as she finds out about her family.

Thank you to H.R. Moore for gifting me a eBook copy of this story.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun start to this series!

•Multiple POV
•Quick burn
•Gods
•Portals
•Spice

This series starts off somewhat slow but it has a lot of world building. I really enjoy the magic system as well. You follow Ava and Maria who are from two totally different backgrounds but seem to have some of the same struggles. Ava is an orphaned tavern girl who has a hard time catching a break. You later find out some mysteries in her life that have been hidden from her. Maria is the daughter of one of the first families who is being married off to another territory for a treaty. There is a lot of information that is thrown out there in the beginning and it was difficult to follow at times. But once I was able to understand it I couldn’t put the story down.

[Ali Lussier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was gifted an ARC & read through the book which is full of great characters. I love strong female characters & we get two! I was a bit confused because the two characters' stories seem like two different worlds/books but, I'm assuming everything will be revealed at a later book which I'm excited for because the book ended on such a cliffhanger I was like "there ain't NO way she just did that to us". 😂😭

It's a good romantasy, great characters & full of world building. The spice is like a 1.5 but, the plot is 🔥.


𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔:
✨️ Fantasy Romance
✨️ Dual POV
✨️ Arranged Marriage
✨️ Strong Female Characters
✨️ Portals & Magic
✨️ Morally Grey Characters

[Mags (mbooksbycandlelight) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m sad to say that I had a hard time getting into this book. I’m not a fan of multiple POVs and I was bothered by the introduction of Ava, especially because I felt like we got a lot less content from her POV, which made her scenes feel pointless. Also, because we didn’t find out how the two stories could possibly be connected by the end of the book, that made me not care about the story as well. The writing was good though and that’s what kept me going, but I finished the book confused and not in a good way. It didn’t leave me wanting to find out more.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an absolutely stunning book. I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but this story blew me out of the water. The book follows two very strong but also VERY different female main characters. One on a journey of duty and the other on a journey of discovery. The world building is intricate. The plot unique and super intriguing. I could not put this down. Yet I ended the book feeling like there is so much more yet to discover about these worlds and magic. This was truly only the beginning.

Highlights:
✨Strong FMCs
✨Multiple POV and Love Stories
✨Arranged Marriages
✨Political Intrigue/Plot twists
✨Touch her & die

Favorite Quotes: “She would be a fool to swap one cage for another, no matter how well-gilded.”

“And if you touch her, I’ll hang you like a fish from a hook, so everyone knows the consequences if they ever dare think of doing the same.”

Thank you to the author for the advanced copy. My opinions are my own.