Starchaser

Nightweaver #2

by R.M. Gray

I am vengeance. Fury. Power.

Seventeen-year-old pirate Aster Oberon faces a stunning new reality, gifted with magical ability that she’s struggling to master. Worse, both she and Will—the Nightweaver who has captured her heart—have been cursed. In mere weeks, they will become ferocious Underlings, creatures forced to serve the evil Queen Morana. The only way to break the curse is by procuring Morana’s blood.

To track down the cure, Aster teams up with both Will and Titus, the infuriatingly handsome prince of the Eerie who secretly aims to overthrow his royal family’s tyrannical reign. The trio’s journey takes them to Castle Grim where danger is around every corner, and no one is who they seem.

Between deadly dinners, extravagant balls, and shifting desires toward Will and Titus, Aster will have to keep her daggers at the ready and determine who she can trust before the ticking clock of her curse runs out.

Layered with devastating revelations and twisty romance, this heart-pounding sequel to Nightweaver will leave readers racing toward the truth about Aster and her destiny.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Pirates, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance, Audiobook

441 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 6, 2025

About the author

R.M. Gray lives in Texas with her husband and two giant dogs, where she enjoys writing stories about pirates, magic, mystery, and all things fantastical. A self-proclaimed expert at whistling and a dedicated collector of lightsabers, she spends her days drinking too much Earl Grey tea, re-watching old cartoons, and thinking up new ways to break readers’ hearts. She invites you to visit her online at rmgraybooks.com or @rmgrayauthor.

Reviews

[ari [gin’s vrsn 🩵] [semi ia]]

ACTUALLY SCREAMING BC I GOT THE ARC

just preordered the deluxe limited edition 😋✨
so…yay

[May (previously Violet)]

pre-read
GUYSSSSS I GOT THE ARC!!!! Do I have the time to read this? Absolutely not, BUT IM DOING IT ANYWAY BC IM A REBEL

pre-release
My favorite book is getting a sequel?! IM FREAKING OUT! OMGGGGGG I CANT WAITTTTTT

[ari [gin’s vrsn 🩵] [semi ia]]

pre-release

when i tell you i’m so ready to read this book i mean i’m abt ready to hoist my sails and grab a pirate hat

[jo ୨୧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾★☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

huge thanks to netgalley, the publisher for giving me an exchange copy in exchange for an honest review. all thoughts below are my own

i think that my one true love in life in fantasy is pirate fantasy. which makes it sound like i have a thing for illeagly watching my favorite childhood tv shows that no one shows anymore. which yes is true but also i just love pirates.
again, it sounds like i have issues. but pirate fantasy is so good and yet so underrated. i mean everyone knows pirates of the carribean but list off more pirate fantasy and while you stumbly over your words i'll shove nightweaver and this book in your hands.

this book. wow. this book was the perfect second book. it doesn't have second book syndrome because every. single. page. was. leaving. me. on. my. seat.

the tension? tensioning
the yearning? yearnining
the action? actioning.

and yes i am well aware that some of those aren't words, just a heads up, i do not care !


lets dive into the characters

aka the two love interests. thats it.
titus

my baby titus. if i had to pull a fictional character out of this world i would yank titus out of it so he, jacks, and jase ballenger could go hang out with kaz and julius and wes bennet. yeah i said what i said. sue me babes !! i don't rlly care. i guess i have a thing for fictional blonde men now! not really though, my dark hair broody hotties will always my heart (just waiting for my irl one. hello ?)

will
dear diary. went to jail today. why? because i became a pirate and murder-
oh. yeah. I HATE WILL WITH ALL LIVING BREATH OF ME BECAUSE HES SUCH AN UGH CHARACTER AND LOVE TRIANGLES ARE A HATRED TO MY HUNANTIY AND HES SUCH A PRICK
yeah. will could have lowk died from (insert reason here) and i would not shed a tear. i'd probably throw a party !!!!!!


plot !!

albiet a little confusing at times the plot kept me going and that cliffhanger is singlehandly making me want to time. the convnience of things was almostttt a little to like "oh wow magical how this worked out" but the plot twisted was twisting and those things were so minimal that i did not care.

pick this book up. but read nightweaver first.

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾★☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

pre-review

💜

i guess getting the arc of this is my sign to : finally read nightweaver. rip tp my arc list right now, she's getting big. so excited !!!

huge thanks to netgalley + the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
Such a fun read!

I had the opportunity to be an arc reader for Nightweaver way back in the indie days, and I feel like a proud parent seeing all of the hype for the sequel. 🥹😂 Starchaser is everything I had hoped it would be, and I think the hype is well deserved. I believe this is one of the best sequels I’ve read in a minute!

Starchaser hits the ground running and never really stops as it follows Aster, Will, and Titus as they navigate perils off the water.

Pirates, magic, court politics, betrayals, and love triangles are but a few of the things you can expect to read about in book 2. Personally I thought the pacing was great, it was an immediate page turner for me. There were twists I didn’t see coming, and the ending had me more than a little mad that I have to wait for book 3 to see how this ties up 😂

My only “complaint” was that I couldn’t always connect all of the dots between characters and their backstories; the world was almost too expansive with too few details to make it all click. Oh, and Aster was lied to…like, a lot (she pointed this out many times 🤪). But all in all, this was a great book and one I will be happy to add to my shelf when the physical copy is released.

Huge thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to read the advanced digital copy.

[angelpompom · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had the case of the terrible two’s for sure.

All the characters are suddenly unlikable? Will doesn’t do anything. Titus’s mere existence annoyed me. Aster? When did she become so whiny and judgmental? I feel like the only thing she says in this book is “YOU LIED TO ME”. Yes, in caps. Leo was just trying too hard the entire book. The only character I like in this one was Henry.

The plot like floated of planet earth until about the last 150 pages, then it got lost agin less than 50 pages to the end. The other 300? BORING, confusing, and literally just felt like smart words slapped together😑

The love triangle…I don’t even want to discuss it at this point. I honestly don’t like all 3 of them🤣

[Sara Crow · Rating 5 out of 5]

BROO IVE BEEN WAITING YEARS IDC ITS GONNA BE A FIVE STAR I ALREADY KNOW IT

[calyne ꨄ︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

╰┈➤ 5 stars.

“love is always worth the risk”

── ꒰ 🍸 ꒱ thoughts

this was such a good sequel. the plot kept up the entire book. like uhm the yearning!? i sooo would’ve finished this in a day if i had that time. i had a lot of theories and some i was right about but girl — i was not expecting allllll that.

my hot take is that i ship margaret and henry together.. whoops.. sue me! henry deserves the whole world

˗ˋˏ TEAM TITUS ˎˊ˗

i’m sorry but FORGET will — ever since titus was introduced in book 1 ive been a titus girly. i would actually go to war for this man. LIKE HE MADE ASTRID’S ROOM COLORS BASED SOLELY OFF HER EYE COLOR.

"and i hate that i can't hate you," i whisper. "as hard as i try, i just... can't."
he glances at my lips, his voice gruff. "you should."

“titus?”
“yes, love?”

"if anyone has anything to say about you," he interrupts me, standing to his full height, giving me a glimpse of the wicked villain of legend as he cocks his head, "i'll make them wish they never uttered your name."

#justiceformymantitus

[Cambree Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC received through Edelweiss.

This series has single-handedly pulled me out of my fantasy slump.
Starchaser is proof that second book syndrome doesn’t always apply. If anything, it might send me right back into a slump… because I can’t stop thinking about it, especially that ending.

I developed such a strong attachment to the main characters. Every emotion Aster felt, I felt too. While this book definitely is to set up the third installment, it never felt like a filler book in the usual sense. The buildup was deliberate and immersive, and I loved the care that went into preparing us for what’s to come.

R.M. Gray also excels at keeping the reader grounded. I’m often frustrated when characters piece together clues without explaining how, leaving me scrambling to remember every minor detail. But Starchaser avoids that entirely. As Aster uncovers the truth, you uncover it with her and it clicks. It’s satisfying without ever feeling condescending.

Now for my few complaints (aka personal pain points):
• Love triangle
• Too many characters
• What I call the “convenience trope”

Let’s start with the love triangle. I cannot handle them…I’m an empath (can you tell?). The heartbreak for the character who isn’t chosen? Devastating. That said, this triangle delivers a delicious slow burn. If you live for the angst, tension, and payoff of a well-written slow burn romance, this series delivers.

As for the cast…yes, I know fantasy tends to have a lot of characters, but there came a point where it was tough to keep track. It got a bit overwhelming trying to distinguish between who was crucial and who was just passing through. This could just be a personal problem though.

And lastly, the convenience trope. I understand that stories need connections to tie everything together, but some moments felt a little too coincidental. The plot twist was amazing—I loved it—but naturally, it made a lot of things fall into place a little too neatly (I’ll leave it at that for spoiler reasons).

If you’re craving a true YA fantasy that you just can’t put down, keeps you questioning everything, and leaves you hollow and obsessively checking for book three’s release date, you’ve found your next read. Just don’t read it too fast… or you’ll regret finishing it without the sequel in sight.

[felicityreadss · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the perfect sequel to Nightweaver, it had me hooked from the very first chapter! I loved how we got to see more into each character and their backstories, it made the whole plot much more intense. The pacing was good, the plot always seemed to be moving along and I never felt bored. The magic system and world was so interesting and unlike anything i’ve ever read before which was super exciting. I could picture each of the different settings so clearly and I really felt like I was in the story. And the yearning omggg. Love this series so much!!
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc copy!

[Mo · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Love is always worth the risk.”

As Aster’s story continues, R.M. held nothing back with this book.
Nightweaver was one of my favorite reads this year so Starchaser I was highly anticipating!

This being the middle of a trilogy, it didn’t feel like a filler. The plot twists continued to twist just like book one. The characters continued to pull at my heart strings. Especially the side characters. Y’all know how I love side characters. 😭 there’s a couple new people introduced and of course, they merged with the story so nicely.

Aster, Will, and Titus really had me in tears. Especially Titus…. Like at first I was all Team Will but now omg… why’d R.M. do me like this?

The world building kept thickening and it’s what really had me in love with these books. The writing I love so much. It’s dark, fluid, magical, and lovely.
The bonds between aster and her family and their lore…. Took me by surprise.


Ugggh def didn’t disappoint and now I have to wait for book three. 🫠

[millena ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 🌟 if it’s not too much to ask, could titus maybe stop suffering in the next book please !!!!

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to thank NetGalley and the publisher allowing for me to give an early read.

I was one of the people who purchased the first book when it was an indie book. I also reached out to the author and told her how much I enjoyed it and I hoped her book would be published. Months later she submitted it and now the first book is out with gorgeous spray edges. I am very happy that I got accepted.

Book 2 picks up right after the incident that ended book one. Capt. Shade is who? That's who she has to wrap her head around - the person who saved her was actually the Reaper, the crown prince. It appears Will, him and her are all on the same team and their mission is to infiltrate the castle, faux fealty, and figure out if the Prince's intended is possessed by the evil queen.

The story had me guessing and I couldn't tell who was a friend, foe, foe turned friend or friend turned foe. I also couldn't tell if her heart was torn between two men. It was perhaps one of the better written love triangles I've read. Though, there are some reveals down the line that have me pretty shook and make me rethink everything.

Family secrets, broken hearts, destinies, they are all in this book and more. I'm really excited for the third book. It's a shame it will be the last one. I d think this could be a four part series. The world building deserves more attention, as does the 'pirate' aspect. I want to see her do more pirate things and it looks like in the third book we'll get it.

[Vanessa]

can we take a moment to appreciate that cover? it's absolutely stunning! the florals, the castle, the colors, i need it in my hands!

[Bibliothecat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Penguin Random House for providing me with the ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Starchaser picks up not long after the events of the previous instalment and it certainly keeps up the pace with offering one twist after the other. Aster is called to the king and queen of the Eerie where she is to be knighted. What seems like a reward is just another set up, but Aster expect nothing less. She and her friends use this to infiltrate the castle where they suspect Queen Morana has possessed someone and is in hiding. Not knowing who might be possessed and with spies in their midst, there's no way of knowing who to trust.

I'm going to start by saying that this is by no means perfect, but just like the first instalment, I had a lot of fun reading it. While the pirate elements aren't nearly as strong for a series that is among others inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean, I do think it brings that right energy to the table. There are lots of twists, action and just constantly things happening which just really makes this an exciting read. As a whole, I would say it is very much on par with the first book and thus a great sequel. Interestingly, some of the things I didn't like so much in book one were much better in the sequel, but other things I enjoyed in the first book didn't quite live up to it in this sequel.

Romance - something was just off about it in book one and I want to say that it was simply a bit too close on the instant love side for me. I like Will as a character and he and Aster did have some nice scenes together, but there was something that just wasn't right. The first book already hinted at a potential love triangle and, while nothing is confirmed at all in this second instalment, I think this additional love interest just adds a better dynamic, not just between him and Aster but also with Will in the mix. There are still some unknowns that will likely influence just who Aster will end up with, but I think the romance was overall much better handled; there's more spark and things were a lot slower, making it now one of my favourite aspects of this book. Looking back, I would argue that book one's romance wasn't as instant as it first seemed as we learn things in this second instalment that just throw a different light on the situation as a whole.

In the first book, I enjoyed the large cast. It felt lively, had a certain element of found family and I just really liked many of the cast. This, I feel, didn't translate so well in the sequel. The large cast felt too large and I struggled to keep track of who is who. Many of the characters in book one were very sidelined, for example Aster and Will's family. They weren't nearly as involved and I kept forgetting who is who. Then we also had several new characters such as Elizabeth - who I quite liked - and her brothers as well as several others. I just felt as though the same story could have been told with less characters because they all didn't get as much page time as they would have deserved. I think this instalment had a much bigger focus on Aster, Will, Prince Titus and Princess Leo - another new character - alone and everyone else was really just adding very little. That both made the cast feel too large and I just felt it was a shame that we didn't get to see as much of characters we already learned to love such as - dare I call him that - fan favourite Henry.

On a side note, I found Aster's mother terribly infuriating this time around. There's so much she does or doesn't do and I feel as though things would run so much smoothly for everyone if she would just be more open. I felt frustrated on Aster's behalf and yet I also felt a certain amount of frustration with Aster for still being surprised time and time again because pretty much the entire cast lies to her - she should really be expecting it at this point.

Despite listing some of my grievances, I stand by that this is a really fun book - it's quite gritty for a YA novel and the energy it brings really feels a bit like watching an action fantasy movie. I am really looking forward to seeing how the romance develops and I am hopeful that we will get a better focus on other characters, at least that is what I would expect given how this instalment wrapped up.

[Brooklynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The roller-coaster that this book just took me on...
I love this series so much. Its amazing. The plot and characters. Agh! Its so good.
I will say. I'm not a fan of love triangles. So that's one negative. Especially since I dont like Aster and Titus together.
But all the background romances are great.
And the twists and turns in the plot were crazy.
I cannot wait for the next book. The group that I assume we'll be following for the next book, given the ending, is an awesome array of characters. And I am so excited for it.
All in all five star book. Maybe more.
I'd say 5.50 stars.

[Jillian Moan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I sob? Yes. Am I ashamed of that? Not in the slightest.
R. M. Gray, what have you done to me? I don’t think I’ve ever cried this much over a book series ever.
I love all of her characters and the way she writes. It’s so easy to get lost in the pages. I also love all of the subtle connections to God and His kingdom. Meaning: the True King - God
Morana - Satan
The Underlings - demons
The Nightweavers - angels (sort of?)
The Burning Lands - hell
I just find it so cool how she was able to incorporate all of these little things into her book and I love that she did it.
I’m so excited to see what happens next…even though I don’t know how I’ll be able to wait for the next book to come out 😂

[Julie G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I didn’t think it was possible to love this book more than Nightweaver, but here I am! This book was masterful. It picks right up where book 1 ended. We are taken through so many twists and turns! I am here for all of them. And the biggest one at the end was *chefs kiss!*

I am so invested in these characters and Aster is one of my fav FMC’s ever!

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me: waits 2 years for the sequel
Also me: finishes said sequel in one night 😩

[Julie Finch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO GOOD. I slammed my kindle down many times. I wanted to throw it!!!

I started with the physical book and that’s hard to read for me, my best reading time is in bed, so I switched about 1/4 of the way in. I got the audio from the library too and it was pretty good! At about 1/2 way this book really took off for me. And at 90% I was googling if there was gonna be a 3rd book because there was no way they were gonna wrap all this up!! Can’t wait for the third and final book!!!

This is a YA pirate (?) book. Not a lot of time on a boat in these first two books lol! But they are SOOOOO good. Lots of twists and secrets.

[Bre · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOS I thought this was a duology. Be warned: it’s NOT! But it’s SO GOOD!

Just like Nightweaver, the story is intricate. Tons of characters, but they all serve a purpose. My only “complaint” is that it was almost too complex. I loved that I couldn’t guess anything. The love interest and the yearning- THE YEARNING! It was all just so great.

Thank you Little Brown for the gifted egalley!! I cannot wait for the 3rd book!!

[📚 Alana (professional book nerd)]

I definitely did not pre-order the deluxe limited edition on Amazon.
Definitely not.... ;D

[Yvette · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

[𐬺☼.☆彡sᥲrᥲ ☆彡.☼𐬻 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lemme sing the abcs so I get my mind off this and its plot twist 🥹
A B C….


SCREW IT!!!
I’m broken…
Someone pay for my therapy 🫃
Rtc

[melissa roy | melissathebookaddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, i still can’t believe i was approved for an earc!

‘starchaser’ picks up right after ‘nightweaver’ ends, so it was extremely easy to get into. this book was so fast paced, there was always something happening. it really kept me on the edge of my seat!

i really like aster’s character. she’s so determined, bold, and will do just about anything to protect the people she cares about.

i’m not normally one for the love triangle trope, but it was done extremely well in this book. throughout the whole story, i wasn’t sure who I was rooting for?? titus or william?? now i know 🤭

i’m still thinking about that ending, i didn’t see it coming! makes me so excited for book 3!

thank you netgalley, little brown books for young readers, and r.m. gray for the earc of ‘starchaser’!

what to expect:
- pirates
- love triangle
- slow burn
- yearning, tension, angst
- magical beings
- blood curse
- ya romantasy

[Tayler Redford · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the advanced copy!

Other than Nightweaver, I haven't read many stories about pirates, so this was a different adventure for me!
The story was fun, and the characters are likeable. However, it was a bit of a slower read for me. I think I would have enjoyed this more if I had read Nightweaver more recently. I had a hard time recalling details from the first book, so some of it was confusing. Nonetheless, it's still a decently fun book!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good story. It kept me interested so that's always a plus.. I had no idea there was going to be another book and my goodness she better end up with Titus!!

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starchaser picks up right where Nightweaver left off, and the stakes are higher than ever. The pacing is fast, and there’s always something happening to keep you hooked. The last 50 pages? So good.

This one is full of betrayal, yearning, and reveals that had me flipping pages like crazy. And I have to say it… I love Titus.

[Laura Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starchaser by R.M. Gray is the highly anticipated sequel to Nightweaver that had me completely hooked from start to finish. This YA fantasy is bursting with high stakes, action, twists, and secrets.

What to expect

-Pirates
-Fierce FMC
-Magical beings
-Blood curse
-Love triangle
-Secret-filled castle
-Murder mystery
-Hidden Identities

We reunite with all the characters I adored from Nightweaver, and meet several new characters as well. R.M. Gray does a fantastic job with expanding the world building in Starchaser, as the stakes soar even higher.

The writing was fast paced, addictive, and emotionally rich. And the love triangle? It was absolute perfection! The yearning, the tension, and the banter was everything I wanted and more.

Our FMC Aster really shines in this book. She is bold, determined, and willing to do whatever it takes to protect those she loves.

I can’t stop thinking about that ending! It is the perfect set up for the next book.

A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, and R.M. Gray for the eARC of Starchaser.

[Paulina · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝙞 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚”

seventeen-year-old pirate aster oberon is faced with an entirely new reality - she’s been gifted with magic she can’t quite control and cursed alongside will, the nightweaver who has captured her heart. unless they can get their hands on queen morana’s blood, they’ll both be transformed into underlings, monstrous beings bound to serve her

desperate to find a cure, aster teams up with will and titus, the frustratingly handsome prince of the eerie who’s determined to overthrow his own corrupt family. their journey takes them straight into the dark heart of castle grim, where danger lurks behind every shadow, secrets twist tighter with every turn, and trust becomes the most dangerous gamble of all

-

i absolutely devoured book one, so when i got my hands on this arc, i was beyond excited - and yes, i might have read it in only two sittings. the story picks up right where we left off, and i loved how the opening chapters dropped just enough little reminders to make everything from the first book click back into place. it’s one of those rare sequels that feels like coming home but also immediately raises the stakes

aster is such a powerhouse of a main character - she’s brave, stubborn in the best way, and her love for her family runs so deep. she’s the kind of heroine you root for because she’s not perfect, but she feels real. will and titus both add so much tension and heart to the story, and yes… the love triangle is written perfectly. it doesn’t feel forced or cliché; every interaction matters, every moment carries weight. i definitely have my favorite (and i’m hoping she picks the right one by the end of the series)

the pacing is quick, but not overwhelming - everything unfolds over a short period, yet it never feels rushed. we get to dive deeper into the world’s magic, its myths, and the eerie, haunting creatures that were only hinted at before

the last 50 pages completely destroyed me in the best way. i was crying more than once, and the emotional payoff was so worth it. the twists kept coming - one or two i had a hunch about, but the rest genuinely shocked me. the ending left me reeling and desperate for the next book

“𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙪𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙛𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝”