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A GAME OF THRONES MEETS LEGEND OF ZELDA in this medieval fantasy about women's resilience
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In the wake of a tragic accident that claimed her memory and her mother's life when she was just fourteen, Stella Aresun is haunted by a past shrouded in secrecy. Her attempts to recall the events are met with debilitating headaches and a wall of silence from everyone around her, including her own father.

Eight years later, as she steps into her role as heir, her world is shattered as a coup ravages its way through her home, propelling her into a flight for survival when she's forced to flee into the world. Stella plunges into the underbelly of society, and in her determination to keep her friends safe, she must decide how far she’s willing to go to secure the future of those she loves and reveal the dark secrets that have been buried in her kingdom and within her for far too long.

Embark on a journey of secrets, betrayal and self-discovery as Stella unearths the secrets at the heart of the kingdom she is next in line to rule.

419 pages, Paperback

First published March 11, 2025

58 people are currently reading
8593 people want to read

About the author

Lana B. Knight

2 books83 followers
Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Lana loves to travel the world, eat delicious foods, and explore imaginary worlds from movies and books. They are an ENFP, a Pisces, and a Gryffindor. They are mostly at home when they are surrounded by their friends and family.

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5 stars
73 (41%)
4 stars
66 (37%)
3 stars
24 (13%)
2 stars
11 (6%)
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2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
Profile Image for suonnahbooks.
418 reviews658 followers
May 15, 2025
Starheart by Lana B.Knight
-the poetic descriptive writing is chefs kiss put you right in the world and castle
-I love Stella shas smart, strong witty
-Cordis has me giddy I love a guard lol they can’t really be together but the love and tension between them is so good especially that she’s supposed to get married off
-Them being on the run had my heart racing bro
-so much pain and heartache damn
-“if i let fear dictate my decisions, I won’t do anything at all”
-ouff Stella has been through so much
-wow back to back adventure and fight damn lol
-in the middle i did find myself getting disconnected but it does pick back up
-loving the fae and magical elements
-I love Noxryn gotta love a rigged man with wings lol
-“Fear will be at my side no matter what I think or want, but I will not let it make me its prisoner. Not when my future holds more promise than my past”.
-wow this book was a heart wrenchingly adventurous story
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
235 reviews44 followers
March 25, 2025
Starheart by Lana B. Knight

A GAME OF THRONES MEETS LEGEND OF ZELDA in this adventure fantasy about women's resilience.
Embark on a journey of secrets, betrayal and self-discovery as Stella unearths the secrets at the heart of the kingdom she is next in line to rule.

Rating: *****
Feels: Challenged, Perseverance, Adventurous, Proud.
Style: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Fae, Fantasy Romance
First published March 11, 2025: 421 pages, Kindle

Debut story with rich world building, adventure, lyrical prose, lore, varied races and a story you can sink your teeth into. I really appreciated the set up to the story, the prose introducing us to the lands and the characters. Hardships, trials and tribulations await Stella as she is throw into the unexpected and must adapt and find her way. Stella was the kind of FMC I enjoyed watching grow as she stepped out of her comfort zone and so many things happened to her along the way in the book. The political intrigues were intricate and took us through the paces during the book. Overall a very thrilling fantasy adventure read. I look forward to reading the next book and continuing Stella's story !!

Favorite quote: A land of spring, summer, autumn and winter, where the realms of darkness and light intersected, each imbuing the land in a single drop with its unique essence.

This book has:
Strong FMC
Found Family
Prophecies
Hidden Identify
Politics
Magic
Profile Image for Stacey | read.with.stacey.
181 reviews17 followers
January 13, 2026
3.5 ⭐️

💭I enjoyed the concept of this story! I think the plot was interesting and had some unique features. I enjoyed the flashback memory scenes. I love when stories have bonded animals. There were also some good twists/betrayals in the story. The ending was pretty action packed and hooked me in. I do plan to read book 2 to see where the story goes!

There were some small issues I had with the writing. At times, scenes ended a bit abruptly/it didn’t feel like the scene had been fully completed and that was a bit jarring for me. There were also other bigger moments of the book that felt too rushed. Overall, this book has a lot of potential!

**check trigger warnings**
Profile Image for Kelly B.
227 reviews6 followers
May 21, 2025
3.75⭐️ rounded up!

The story itself was pretty interesting and action packed and I’m intrigued about what’s next. I had a hard time with the writing style - it felt overly complicated.

I’m proud of Lana for writing their first book!
Profile Image for Abby Windsor.
115 reviews4 followers
February 24, 2025
Thank you Lana B. Knight for allowing me an early read of your amazing story Starheart. I devoured this 502 page e-book and am left wanting so much more.

Starheart is the story of Princess Stella. On the day after her public debut as heir to all of Elyria, terror rains and her castle is seized. Stella narrowly escapes with the help of her friends only to be throw into more chaos. This is her story.

Stella is a fierce protector of her people. She is not easily fooled and is stronger than she looks, if only it weren't for her debilitating headaches....

Stella was kept sheltered in her castle by Daney, the high priestess, and her father, the King. Once beyond the castle walls, she sees both the beauty and horrors of life outside her kingdom firsthand.

When her faithful friend and castle servant, Oatha is captured, Stella enlists the help of a local waitress called to help rescue her. Everything that unfolds after helps reveal just who Stella really is and what has been kept from her for her entire life.

This book has many elements that could trigger a reader so please check the warning before proceeding. This trust no one tale gave me all the feels. I cried, I felt angry and I even cheered at times throughout my reading of this. I also set aside my life to finish the last 250+ pages in one sitting. It's just that good. My only complaint is that book two isn't out yet.

Starheart. Available March 11,2025

Profile Image for Heather Becht (fantasyromantasy).
353 reviews59 followers
February 11, 2026
This is such a smashing debut from Lana. The writing was beautiful and descriptive, plunging you into lush landscapes and vivid scenery. I felt as though I could picture each setting and character so clearly, and the pacing was perfect. I was absorbed in the character development, Stella is a baddie FMC that really grows into herself as the book progresses.I can’t wait to continue the series with the next installment.

𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓥𝓲𝓫𝓮𝓼:
✨ Debut Medieval Romantasy
✨ Hidden Identity / Hidden Abilities
✨ Feminine Rage
✨ Morally Gray Main Characters
✨ Shadow Daddy + Masked MMC
✨ Slow-Burn Enemies to Lovers
✨ Magic & Prophecies
✨ Political Intrigue
✨ Found Family
✨ Hidden Identity, Secrets, & Betrayal
Profile Image for Julia.
70 reviews1 follower
February 15, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I had the amazing opportunity to read the ARC of Starheart and I couldn’t be more excited! This book is about a princess who is on a journey to discover her truth. If you suffer from TOG and ACOTAR hangover, this is the book to read! It was fantastically written and I loved reading every word of it with its twists and turns. My only disappointment is that book 2 is not yet out. 😆 🤩 🌟💚🌟
Profile Image for Summer.
10 reviews4 followers
March 18, 2025
I was honored to be an ARC reader for this wonderful story! I was hooked from the start and read the first half of it in a day (fast for me lol)! The characters are believable, the plot is enticing, and the story just captivated me; I wanted more & more!
Such tragedy & turmoil hang over Stella, but she does her best not to let the fear & sadness stop her. I kept thinking “how much more can she take?!” But she kept going & digging for her truth and grew so much in the time we got with her & her friends! Some unlikely allies and unfortunate hidden enemies (I was getting some Ianthe vibes, iykyk). I cannot wait for the next one 😍
Profile Image for ReadTheHotline.
78 reviews3 followers
March 10, 2025
Starheart | Lana B. Knight

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤/ 5

“If I let fear make my choices, then I’d do nothing at all.”

Starheart is a debut fantasy novel from Lana B. Knight that gives us Game of Thrones meets Legend of Zelda energy, with all of the secrets, betrayal and self-discovery you can handle (and a healthy dash of female rage in there too). If you’re a lover of the Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L. Armentrout like your ghoul is, then this book will be your jam. 🤺

This story follows multifaceted FMC Stella Aresun, heir to a kingdom and haunted by lost memories of her mother's death. When a devastating coup destroys everything, Stella is thrust into a world she's never known, navigating society's underbelly while uncovering dark secrets within her kingdom and herself. 🏰

This story feels epic from the first page. With world-building that expands like an imposing Jenga tower being constructed one piece at a time, it sets the stage for what's clearly going to be a sweeping multi-book enemies-to-lovers situation; and the tension is already delicious. Speaking of lovers AND tension…NOXRYN? So mysterious, so otherworldly, I need to know more! Every scene with him had me white knuckling it, not knowing whether to lust or fear him, but landing firmly on BOTH.

What I adored most about this story is Stella's journey from sheltered princess to fierce survivor. She’s got so much heart and while everything is unknown to her (even herself), it doesn’t stop her from barreling forwards into the chaos and doing whatever it takes to protect the ones she loves. Even the side characters in this story are complicated, infuriating and lovable. The scenes with Stella and her family, and the ones she shares with her handmaiden and BFF Oatha were the emotional gut punches that hit the hardest, but boy did I fall hard for this world and its inhabitants. 🫶

Because this book is such a sprawling adventure (laid out in 3 parts), my feelings were all over the place. My heart was wrenched with tears streaming down my face in part 1, I was riddled with anxiety and fear in part 2 and suddenly energized and ready to tear some sh*t up in part 3.

Trope it up!

⚔️ Medieval fantasy
🔮 Hidden powers/abilities
😡 Female rage
🩶 Morally grey & shadow daddy
🔥 Slow burn enemies-to-lovers beginnings
🎭 Secrets, betrayal & a mysterious mask

Starheart releases March 11th, 2025 - that's tomorrow!! Thank you Lana B. Knight and Torch Lit Ink for the opportunity to read and review this brilliant book.
Profile Image for Kendra.
196 reviews22 followers
March 6, 2025
Thank you to Torchlit Ink and Lana for selecting me to read this e-ARC of Starheart! This was a fantastic read guys! This is a good one to pick up for fans of Game of Thrones and Throne of Glass! It gave all those good vibes in this novel!

I would def check your trigger warnings before reading this as it could be sensitive to others!

I loved how action packed this felt and the suspense that builds up in this story. You also got betrayal in here too. Stella is your main FMC and I liked her character a lot as it shows she has been through a lot but her heart never gives up! She will do anything to protect those who is important to her and I think that makes her a strong FMC.

This story focused on more self reflecting and finding yourself and the friendships in this book, so I’m hoping we get more romance in the 2nd book as a see a new romance building and shadow daddy coming hopefully 👀🔥

The secrets and twist in here kept you on your toes and glued your eyes to the pages because something was always happening and I couldn’t put it down to find out more lol.

A little blurb of the story:

Stella is a princess and with the public announcement of heir of all of Elyria, she is haunted with secrecy and her castle is seized. She escapes and with the help of her friends, they are thrown into more chaos. She must decide how far she is willing to go to secure the future of those she loves and reveal the dark secrets that have been buried in her Kingdom.
Profile Image for Kaitlyn Marshall.
22 reviews1 follower
November 17, 2025
I read Starheart and instantly fell in love. Not only with the story, but with the author behind it. Meeting Lana made the experience even better. Her passion pours out of every page in a way you can feel.

I’ve never played Legends of Zelda, but I know enough to appreciate the heart she has for that world, and the way she channels that inspiration into something entirely her own. Our fierce, wild FMC-Stella- had me hooked, and every character is crafted with the kind of intrigue that leaves you desperate for the next book.

This story is brought to life through a thrilling, lush fantasy adventure. If you appreciate the fantasy of Game of Thrones (one of my favourite series ever) meets Legend of Zelda, but with twists, magic, and soul that are unique to the authors voice alone. This book will satisfy you! If you are new to fantasy or experienced, this book will also satisfy you !

I devoured it. And I’ll be thinking about it until Nightwither releases.
Profile Image for Victoria Elise.
45 reviews5 followers
March 1, 2025
Incredibly honored to have had the chance to receive this AMAZING book as an ARC and be apart of the street team for it. So before my review I just want to thank the author for the opportunity !

I gave this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 rating. It was so deserved. I am left needing more and can’t wait for the future releases in this multi-book enemies to lovers series. But it is so so so much more than that.

Starheart follows the story of 22 year old Stella, a princess who has been sheltered inside the protected castle walls. Following the announcement of her as heir to throne, a devastating coup devoured everything she knows and almost everyone. As Stella is fortunate to escape with her closest friend, she finds herself navigating a world unknown outside of her castle walls.

Uncovering lies and deceptions along the way, Stella also finds friendships and a glimpse into her love interest.

This first book does such a great job of world building and setting up the story for the books to come. I really enjoy the authors writing style. I was intrigued from start to end. I felt joy, sadness, anger and a lot of other emotions throughout. This could be a triggering read for some so definitely read and check your triggers before picking up.

If you are a fan of female rage, friendships, fantasy reads and historical feel books please pick this up!! If you like Game of Thrones vibes this is for you!!!!

Releasing on March 11th 2025 I have already pre ordered my trophy copy for my shelf.
Profile Image for Deanna.
52 reviews1 follower
February 23, 2025
I had the privilege to get to read an ARC for this Game of Thrones meets Legend of Zelda inspired book and the vibes were spot on, I was not disappointed! Check the trigger warnings though as there are some heavy scenes throughout that made me gasp, yell, hold my breath, cry and even cheer.

The story starts off with some lore and setting the scene for the characters and dynamics of everyone involved. We meet Princess Stella who right away is a likeable character and feels relatable as a young woman with a rebellious streak, confined to a life laid out for her by royal protocol. But a tragic event changes the course of her entire life, sending her on an epic adventure where she will make new friends, learn new skills, discover her strengths, overcome obstacles and fight for her life. Along the way she uncovers some deeply hidden secrets which cause her to question everything she's ever known and believed and has given her the determination to find out the truth and become who she is ultimately meant to be.

The spice level is low in this book as it focuses more on building the storyline for the characters involved, however, there are hints at some heat developing between Stella and a certain someone that I'm sure will start to sizzle as the story progresses.

It ended off at a pivotal moment that perfectly set up for the next stage of the adventure and left you with a yearning for more! As this was only Book 1 of a series, I can't wait to see how it continues.
Profile Image for KJ.
126 reviews
March 11, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! Stella is such a mystery at the start, with her lost memories, and that had me hooked right away. I especially loved her friendship with Oatha—it was great seeing her have someone who truly cared about her. Stella is strong and determined, and once she knows what needs to be done, she makes sure it happens. I loved that about her!
Profile Image for Giuliana Love.
15 reviews
March 19, 2025
Overall, I think this book was incredibly well done, especially as a debut album. There were some parts where I was confused as to what was happening in the story. There were some parts of the story that I was confused where something had happened but it wasn't explicitly explained and then just kind of brought to fruition later in the book. Overall, though, I was really immersed in the story and the world and look forward to book 2.
Profile Image for Kyrie Mulkey.
3 reviews
April 9, 2025
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, but IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT! This book pulled me out of my reading slump. The character growth, the adventure, the heartache, the shock factor! The amount of times I hit my poor boyfriend’s arm because I was in shock from what I was reading. I cannot wait for the next book
Profile Image for Megan Martin.
10 reviews
January 1, 2026
Okay I am obsessed with this book. Stella what an amazing character. If it wasn’t for having a job I would have never of put this book down. Such a good read, I definitely recommend this book to all my fantasy girly’s out there. I love the author, and I absolutely love supporting my local Canadian authors.
Profile Image for Samantha Mannone.
71 reviews2 followers
March 13, 2025
I devoured this book. Any time I had to stop reading to adult...I was annoyed. This story is definitely one where I would say... Do not get attached to characters. If you think you know where the story is going....you don't. This is one of the few books that I was not able to fully guess the ending. The FMC, Stella, starts off as a sheltered princess and ends up becoming a b*da**. Stella, in the end, is the definition of FAFO. I love the balance of her friend Oatha, who keeps her a bit more level-headed into reality. The world build is really well done. It develops as you're reading it as if you're learning it with Stella and Oatha, which makes the pacing well thought out. If you're looking for a good fantasy book in a series with dynamic characters, twists in the plot, and just a well thought out story... I would highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Meagan Pletch.
2 reviews11 followers
August 19, 2025
I really wanted to like this book. The writing style wasn't for me - difficult to follow at times, not always clear who is speaking. Some interest peaked around half way the and at the end of the book, but not enough for me to consider continuing this series.
Profile Image for Dani.
106 reviews
February 18, 2025
This is the first in a multi-book enemies to lovers series and I devoured it in two days.

The story follows Stella, a 22 year old princess FMC. She grew up guarded behind palace walls, but as her life gets turned upside down she’s easy to adapt, fierce and capable. I really liked her. Stella is a strong character to begin with and growing even more throughout the book.

If you‘re a fan of female rage and friendships, this one‘s for you. All these men are treating our FMC like a pawn in a chess game, but she is clever and playing along to win in the long run. All while having a ride or die friend by her side.

The romance definitely wasn’t the main focus here, but we already got a glimpse of who I think will be the morally grey shadow daddy love interest. Since this is supposed to be a multiple-books enemies to lovers story, the author did an amazing job at setting the scene and making you super excited for the things to come.

Last but not least I really enjoyed the writing style, it drew me in right from the start.

✨I receive a gifted ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own✨
Profile Image for Amelia Rose.
1 review
March 1, 2025
This book had me hooked from start to finish, I couldn't put it down! Absolutely loved the FMC! Can't wait for the next book to follow Stella's journey further and see more of the world and characters! We only had a glimpse of romance with the MMC as this book really focused on Stella's journey and the world building, which I loved, so I can't wait to see more of them hopefully in the next book 😍🩷⭐️
Profile Image for Rachel.
130 reviews1 follower
February 24, 2025
With this book’s description being “A Game of Thrones meets Legend of Zelda” adventure fantasy, you know I had to read it! The book is broken up into three parts, and within the first I was invested. It was actually hard to put it down. •• I really clicked with the FMC Stella Aresun, the Princess of Elyria - while she wasn’t allowed to learn to fight with the boys, she has no shortage of fight within herself. With each chapter I read, the more I liked her. I feel like her character is built on some of my favorite fantasy heroines, and I just love that. •• Some scenes were so sad and tragic, but they had a way of making the story so *real* and connected me further with the characters and what they were going through. •• I cannot wait to continue on with Stella’s story and see what’s next for her…and some other characters I totally love, but I don’t want to give anything away!!
Profile Image for kall.isreading.
137 reviews6 followers
November 1, 2025
rating : ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
spice : 🌶

let me tell you this book had me in its clutches SO FAST, right from the start I was hooked. this story was so captivating to me, with so many twists and turns that had me at the edge of my seat and my heart pounding in tandem with the FMC.

Stella was such a treat. raised in a beautiful castle with no room to spread her wings but found her own secret ways to fly. I loved her. She was the definition of strength and bravery after she's forced to flee. outside the castle walls, Hlher brilliant mind and swift reflexes keep her alive when the odds are constantly stacked against her.
although there was little romance throughout, the female bonds in this one were truly something to behold. from stella"s castle handmaiden, the warrior they meet, and even the servants all tell their own story of strength and resilience.

the masked MMC is quite the mystery all the way to the end. hes strong and seemingly important to his kind i believe but even with little to say, there's some sort of connection hinted at between them.
I am definitely so very eager for more of these characters, the story, and of this world.

i am beyond grateful for the opportunity to be apart of this team, Stella's story was so captivating and left me hanging on the edge.
Profile Image for Her.rCreativeSpace.
134 reviews2 followers
November 15, 2025
A truly great start to a series! I can absolutely see fans of Game of Thrones deeply enjoying this book.

"If I let fear make my choices, then I'd do nothing at all." - Stella from Starheart.

There are beautiful, scenic descriptions and nice chapter lengths. I found it so neat that the author wrote the FMC as someone who boulders!

There are weighty themes in this book, but I fully respect that the author included a list of Trigger Warnings before the story begins. The vast majority of these dark themes were done tastefully.

The last quarter of this book rocks - big fan of two scenes in there (re: wedding + ship). I will absolutely be buying the next book in this series when it's available.
Profile Image for WhippedStitchReads (J.A.Y).
370 reviews6 followers
March 30, 2025
2.75⭐
Spice 0.5🌶️


The vibes of the book were there, but the story? Not as much. I had an extremely hard time trying to get into the groove of the book. The writing style also didn't help either. Can we also talk about the true MMC didn't show up until 47% into the book and from there, the FMC and MMC maybe only interacted 4 times, the least? Yeaa it was not the case for me. The MMC is describes so well, which was sad to hear.

Also, one of the tropes that was "supposedly" suppose to be was mask kink.....There was a mask, but there was no kink sooooooooo there's that.

Profile Image for Lilly.
411 reviews22 followers
March 25, 2025
This is your next favourite romantasy. If you have a shelf with all the recent books mixing romance and fantasy, you must have Starheart on there as well. The experience I had reading it was absolutely amazing. I did not expect things to happen the way they did and simply put: I loved it!

Princess Stella Aresun’s coronation as heir to Elyria is around the corner. Still, she feels trapped in all the court rules, customs and religion. All she desires is to enjoy the life as people outside the palace seem to be doing. Having difficulties remembering her mother’s death, she’s done all in her power to shelter her younger brother and become the future queen her father needs her to be.

The day of her coronation comes and the palace is attacked. She manages to escape, together with her best friend and maid Oatha. With her father nowhere to be found, she tries to survive in a world so different than her life at court.

Stella is such an amazing your lady. She is devoted to her people and even from the start we know she would be an amazing queen one day. However, living a sheltered life has left her vulnerable to real life situations. She goes through a lot in her journey, she has to use all her skills and learn a lot more. Her character evolves, learns to fight and learns about herself and her origins. I loved her strength and her loyalty.

Her maid Oatha plays a role in guiding her and being a moral support above all else. There is a time for her role, as well as a time and place for some of the other characters that help Stella.

Finding the strength within to overcome difficulties and never giving up is what screams from the pages of this book. Keeping one’s word, friendship and respect for those less fortunate accompanies the main theme. There are a lot of strong female figures that push through a world ruled by ruthless men, and this is very well included in all chapters.

What sets apart Lana B. Knight’s story is the plot, in my opinion. The reader may expect a certain outcome, but something else happens. You think you’re there, to the highest point of the action, but you have no idea what’s next. There is a lot of world building, at least in the first half of the book, and a lot of character development. Everything is definitely with purpose. There is action and preparation for an unexpected twist (or several). This is definitely a book well thought.

Reading Starheart was definitely an interesting experience. I savoured the pages and I suffered along Stella. With all my appreciation, I must admit there is a lot of information being provided more to the end and I got a bit lost between all the beings and locations. I found this first book as a preparation for what’s to come. It left me wanting more and I hope the author will have mercy on her readers and give us book 2 …tomorrow?

My biggest congratulations to Lana B. Knight for the beautiful start to the series. Starheart is a book you do not want to miss, if you are a romantasy fan! I am honoured to be part of the people receiving an ARC, so that I can tell you all about a series and an author that will become the next sensation in our book world.
Profile Image for Spicy.
71 reviews6 followers
March 15, 2025
Thank you so much to Torchlit Ink and Lana B Knight for sending me this eARC to review!!

Starheart is Lana B. Knight's debut fantasy novel, blending the intrigue and power struggles of Game of Thrones with the adventure and magic of Legend of Zelda. Packed with secrets, betrayal, and self-discovery, it also delivers a strong dose of fierce female rage.

The book follows 22-year-old Stella, a sheltered princess raised within the safety of castle walls. When she's suddenly named heir to the throne, a brutal coup shatters everything she’s ever known, leaving her with almost nothing and no one. Forced to flee with her closest friend, Stella must now navigate a dangerous, unfamiliar world beyond the castle she once called home.

I really loved the world-building in this book! It felt like we gradually uncovered more about this world, and that added to the mystery and excitement as Stella discovered things herself. While romance isn’t the main focus in this first book, we got a little teaser, and I’m so excited for more. It feels like the slowest of slow burns, and I’m totally here for it—I can't wait for the second book! The story is full of twists and mysteries that kept me hooked, and the friendships, especially with Oatha, are so heartwarming. If you're looking for a fantasy novel with a strong, loyal female lead, this one's for you!

Tropes:
Character growth
Powerful friendships
Epic Immersive World Building
Morally Gray Masked MMC
Disability rep
Game of Thrones Vibes
Legend of Zelda Vibes

4.5 out of 5 stars
1 out of 5 spice
Profile Image for Dida.books.
33 reviews
March 11, 2025
Huge thanks to Lana B. Knight for the ARC of Starheart! This book completely swept me away, and I couldn’t put it down.

🌟 Starheart is the perfect mashup of Game of Thrones and Zelda, in the best way possible. The story follows Princess Stella, who’s thrust from her sheltered life in the castle into a harsh, unforgiving world when everything she’s ever known is ripped away. Her journey is raw, emotional, and filled with grit as she fights for her freedom and discovers what it truly means to survive.

What I loved:
✨ Epic Character Growth: Stella’s evolution from a protected princess to a fierce, determined fighter had me cheering for her every step of the way.

🤝 Powerful Friendships: While the romance is a slow burn, the bonds Stella builds along her journey are pure gold. The loyalty and genuine care between her and her allies feel so real.

🔥 Immersive World-Building: The world Lana created is vivid, dark, and so easy to get lost in. Every twist and turn kept me glued to the pages.

🖤 Mysterious Morally gray Masked MMC: The tension and intrigue surrounding him? Perfection. I need more!

😱 Twists & Turns: Just when you think you know where things are heading, the plot smacks you with another surprise. It’s addictive.

Do I recommend this book? Absolutely! If you’re into dark fantasy with strong heroines, emotional journeys, and a sprinkle of romance, you’ll love Starheart. I need book 2 YESTERDAY!!
Profile Image for Amanda.
162 reviews17 followers
March 14, 2025
5⭐
1🌶


I feel so lucky to have gotten this book as an ARC, thank you Lana!

🌟Wow this book had it all!! Action, adventure, betrayal, secrets, twists...the list is never ending. I devoured this book in 2 days. It had me at the edge of my seat whether from laughing, crying or sheer anticipation, I was hooked from start to finish. For being a book of 502 pages, it was so well written that it didn't feel like 500 pages. Instant 5 star read!!!!!

Stella is definitely one of my top FMC so far in 2025. She has so much heart and resilience, its super admirable. Despite being raised as a princess, she is so much more than that and I loved exploring her relationships with the other characters in the book. Stella's self discovery journey throughout this book was the main focus and it did not disappoint. I absolutely love when characters are not what they seem to think they are and discover all the hidden secrets. Lana did a beautiful job of portraying this. There was not a whole lot of romance in this book, which didn't even phase me. But I hope that in book 2, there will be more romance between Stella and the shadow daddy we met. I cannot wait to see how the enemies to lovers trope plays out over this multi-book series.
Her writing has her becoming an Auto-read author for me!

Fave Quote 💛

“So do not be afraid of what you are or let others dim your light. You mustn't allow fear to manipulate your heart like a puppet. Be its master, Stella, and let it stand by your side as your ally."

Profile Image for Melinda.
450 reviews35 followers
March 15, 2025
I am so incredibly grateful to have received an advanced copy of Starheart from the author! 🫶

“If I let fear make my choices, then I’d do nothing at all?”

Starheart is such an incredible debut novel and I loved it so much! 🥹💕 As soon as I discovered that this book is a combo of The Legend of Zelda and Game of Thrones vibes I knew I needed this book in my hands ASAP because I love them both so much! 🥰 This book truly lives up to the vibes of Legend of Zelda and Game of Thrones and I ate this book up like I would eating a bag of chips! 🤭❤️

The world-building was amazing and the author does a wonderful job of building such a beautiful world with characters that are all truly so full of depth! 🫶 Stella is such a wonderful FMC! 🥰 I loved getting to read things from her POV and go through this journey of truly discovering herself! 🥹 Something that also shocked me was all of the plot twists! 😱😱😱 They were wild and I had so many theories as I was reading that I legit have 2 pages written front and back of what I anticipated happening! 🙊🙊🙊 Also that cliffhanger makes me want book two in my hands now because I am in shock and wanting to know what happens! 🙀

If you love medieval fantasy, Legend of Zelda and Game of Thrones vibes, morally grey characters, lots of secrets and betrayals, and a book that will bring you on a wild rollercoaster ride then this is the book for you! 🫶
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