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The Stars Above the Hill
The adventure to save their planets continues as the main four set out toward their next the stars above the hill.
The Ruler of the Deep instructed them to bring back two stars. One that will save the planets, and one for reasons unknown.
However, the mission is complicated by a dispute between the four rulers, and it involves the star the Ruler of the Deep asked for. Not everyone wants the planets to be saved, and the stakes are raised as they encounter the Ruler of the Sky, who will stop at nothing to take the stars back.
On top of it all, Noah is grappling with the decision he has to make if they save the stay on Fortun with Celeste and leave his cousin, newfound friend, and cat behind, or go back to his planet, leaving the woman of his dreams behind.
Follow Noah, Celeste, Mark, Katalina, and Luna as they run from fairies, visit a kingdom in the sky, deal with two riddling twins, dance with ghosts, and more in this fun sci-fi romantic comedy adventure!
The Stars Above the Hill is book 2, and the epic conclusion, of the World Beyond duology
The Ruler of the Deep instructed them to bring back two stars. One that will save the planets, and one for reasons unknown.
However, the mission is complicated by a dispute between the four rulers, and it involves the star the Ruler of the Deep asked for. Not everyone wants the planets to be saved, and the stakes are raised as they encounter the Ruler of the Sky, who will stop at nothing to take the stars back.
On top of it all, Noah is grappling with the decision he has to make if they save the stay on Fortun with Celeste and leave his cousin, newfound friend, and cat behind, or go back to his planet, leaving the woman of his dreams behind.
Follow Noah, Celeste, Mark, Katalina, and Luna as they run from fairies, visit a kingdom in the sky, deal with two riddling twins, dance with ghosts, and more in this fun sci-fi romantic comedy adventure!
The Stars Above the Hill is book 2, and the epic conclusion, of the World Beyond duology
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2025
About the author
Angela Funk
4 books41 followersAngela Funk is a fantasy and sci-fi author based in Iowa. She started writing short stories and full-length novels in elementary school, and her love for writing continued throughout her adolescence. School lessons were often lost on her, as she always had her nose in a book. Six months after graduating from the University of Iowa for a B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation, she made her dreams a reality and published her fantasy debut, The Heroic Facade. When she is not writing or daydreaming of fantastical worlds, Angela can be found watching anime, hiking, and spending time with her fiancé and cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 23, 2025
If you’re looking for a whimsical fantasy/Alice in Wonderland retelling that explores found family, mental health, and an overall wholesome romance, this one’s for you!!
What an absolute perfect completion to a wonderful duology. It was sweet, enchanting, and left me with my heart feeling so ~hopeful~.
“I carry the burden of hope in a hopeless journey with grace, I suppose. That doesn’t mean it’s not a heavy burden to carry.” Celeste had me feeling all the feels!! The mental health rep was so well written in all of its forms. There were many heart wrenching moments that really drew me in more to each character.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel from start to finish, and found myself giggling at points in the novel too. I said it before and I’ll say it again, books with strong friend groups are the best!! The humor was top tier, especially the banter between Mark and Noah. Noah- “I have style and I’m funny. Right guys?” Mark- “On a good day yes. There just aren’t many of those.”
I wasn’t expecting to like the addition of Luna to the friend group as much as I did. It didn’t ruin the dynamic, and if anything, added more depth and well-roundedness to the group.
This book was authentic, having its own unique characteristics to it, and although it’s an Alice in Wonderland retelling, it’s retold in such a distinctive way. The food descriptions were cozy, and just like in the Alice in Wonderland movie, I wished I could eat all the desserts!!
Another thing I loved were the riddles the twins would give the group while they journeyed. “Are you being argumentative for fun?” Had me cackling when they were trying to solve one of the riddles LOL and Eugene the door was hilarious. These pieces of Alice in Wonderland were perfectly woven into the story in a fun way.
Thank you Angela for allowing me to ARC read!!
What an absolute perfect completion to a wonderful duology. It was sweet, enchanting, and left me with my heart feeling so ~hopeful~.
“I carry the burden of hope in a hopeless journey with grace, I suppose. That doesn’t mean it’s not a heavy burden to carry.” Celeste had me feeling all the feels!! The mental health rep was so well written in all of its forms. There were many heart wrenching moments that really drew me in more to each character.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel from start to finish, and found myself giggling at points in the novel too. I said it before and I’ll say it again, books with strong friend groups are the best!! The humor was top tier, especially the banter between Mark and Noah. Noah- “I have style and I’m funny. Right guys?” Mark- “On a good day yes. There just aren’t many of those.”
I wasn’t expecting to like the addition of Luna to the friend group as much as I did. It didn’t ruin the dynamic, and if anything, added more depth and well-roundedness to the group.
This book was authentic, having its own unique characteristics to it, and although it’s an Alice in Wonderland retelling, it’s retold in such a distinctive way. The food descriptions were cozy, and just like in the Alice in Wonderland movie, I wished I could eat all the desserts!!
Another thing I loved were the riddles the twins would give the group while they journeyed. “Are you being argumentative for fun?” Had me cackling when they were trying to solve one of the riddles LOL and Eugene the door was hilarious. These pieces of Alice in Wonderland were perfectly woven into the story in a fun way.
Thank you Angela for allowing me to ARC read!!
February 23, 2026
The Stars Above the Hill is utterly delicious, the finale to the World Beyond duology, we pick up with Noah, Celeste, Katalina, Mark and Luna as they do what they can to save both of their worlds from imminent collision.
The descriptions and setting continue to be expertly written, and the cast of characters is excellent. Angela Funk does a wonderful job crafting an Alice in Wonderland inspired world, complete with characters and settings that are very clever throwbacks to those we already know. Our core characters are wonderful, it’s really satisfying seeing these relationships grow, and develop (especially Noah and Mark!). The addition of Luna to the team is a good one, I loved her sarcasm and personality, and she added additional depth to the core group.
The romance between Noah and Celeste is well done, its not too much, and it adds a beautiful layer to the story, as we see them gradually fall for each other, and find themselves at the same time. The writing is beautiful, I cried, I laughed, I absolutely loved this story and its characters!! Thank you to the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review, truly great work!
The descriptions and setting continue to be expertly written, and the cast of characters is excellent. Angela Funk does a wonderful job crafting an Alice in Wonderland inspired world, complete with characters and settings that are very clever throwbacks to those we already know. Our core characters are wonderful, it’s really satisfying seeing these relationships grow, and develop (especially Noah and Mark!). The addition of Luna to the team is a good one, I loved her sarcasm and personality, and she added additional depth to the core group.
The romance between Noah and Celeste is well done, its not too much, and it adds a beautiful layer to the story, as we see them gradually fall for each other, and find themselves at the same time. The writing is beautiful, I cried, I laughed, I absolutely loved this story and its characters!! Thank you to the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review, truly great work!
March 2, 2026
I received an arc from author Angela Funk in exchange for an honest review; all thoughts are my own. Thank you to Angela Funk for the arc!
“There is no such thing as wasted time when it comes to you, Celestial.”
The Stars Above the Hill is the riveting sequel to The World Beyond the Horizon. Between its pages, you’ll find a beautifully crafted story full of twists, love, grief, and found family.
If I liked The World Beyond the Horizon, I LOVED The Stars Above the Hill. This book was absolute perfection. I am obsessed with Noah and Celeste’s story. I have no words. This book is incredible.
6/5 Stars
“There is no such thing as wasted time when it comes to you, Celestial.”
The Stars Above the Hill is the riveting sequel to The World Beyond the Horizon. Between its pages, you’ll find a beautifully crafted story full of twists, love, grief, and found family.
If I liked The World Beyond the Horizon, I LOVED The Stars Above the Hill. This book was absolute perfection. I am obsessed with Noah and Celeste’s story. I have no words. This book is incredible.
6/5 Stars
February 16, 2026
This book lead right into the first book without skipping a beat. It was truly an amazing world building experience. I loved Fortun and all the whimsy it brought. The adventure and story was so amazing and the characters were so relatable! This was one of my favorite reads so far this year!
March 8, 2026
An amazing conclusion to a great duology I fell in love with the characters of this series and can't wait to read the rest of Funk's books as I loved her writing style. I fell in love with all the characters (including Mark 🤣) as I could see parts of myself in all of them.
The ending was absolutely amazing and I thought it tied up the duology nicely. I was grateful to be a part of her arc and street team.
The ending was absolutely amazing and I thought it tied up the duology nicely. I was grateful to be a part of her arc and street team.
April 24, 2025
{4.25/5}
CW: ref suicide, ref loss of family, mental health, alcoholism, some others
Thank you to the author for allowing me to be a part of the ARC team! “The Stars Above the Hill” is available now!
Still in love with the genderbent Alice in Wonderland story and you’ll never convince me to be otherwise.
With a guarantee from the Ruler of the Deep that they’ll help stop the worlds from ending if the group can bring him two stars, Noah and Celeste set out, along with Mark and Katalina, to go retrieve said stars. As with everything on Fortun, though, nothing is as one might expect, and the stars seem to have moved entirely…
Part two of the duology is here, and it’s every bit as insane as part 1. But first, a disclaimer— I had a harder time getting into this book, but I *don’t* think it’s the book’s fault. This one seems to be more of an “I’m fighting off a slump” situation, so take the review with that grain of sand in mind. If it was still this good when I’m out of it, I can’t wait to see how much better it is when I read it again at a better time.
Ok, on to the actual review. This book completely delivers on all of the unhinged glory that is the original Alice story. It’s wacky, it’s fun, and I absolutely adored getting to see the unique spins the author put on some of my favorite Alice characters.
This book completely embraced the insanity that it displayed in book 1 (“The World Beyond the Horizon”), but with a definite feeling of ‘something is rotten at the sickly sweet core.’ It starts subtle, but underneath the lush fever-dream that is Fortun, there’s this creeping sensation that something is wrong, and it gets stronger and stronger the further in we go. Those undertones were a fantastic balance to the rest of the story, and I thought it all worked really well to make this into a story that wasn’t just whimsical and fun but also something that had just a little bit more oomph behind it. I thought this also worked well with the placement of some of the OG Wonderland-ers, because it gave your mind something familiar to latch onto in the midst of all the madness.
I have to be honest, though. At first, I didn’t love the ending. It felt a little jarring and it’s not what I was hoping for. After sitting with it for a little bit, that opinion has changed. It’s actually really fitting both to the overall feel of this duology and to the nature of the original material. The longer I think about it, the more right it feels. That’s all I can really say without giving anything away, but I don’t think I’ll be alone in this thought process. I could be entirely wrong though, and that’s the beauty of reading— you get to choose for yourself.
This is absolutely a book that you need to be in the right headspace to read. Both the books are, really, though I think this one more so than it’s predecessor. You have to be willing and able to go with the flow. A linear path to the final destination isn’t going to be a straight line; it’s going to curve around and give you all sorts of unexpected things along the way and the characters (or at least Celeste) are going to treat those things like there’s nothing out of the ordinary because, for them, there isn’t. Noah deals with a lot of character growth, but it’s not uncommon for his thoughts to veer off course and then get interrupted by something completely unhinged. If you’ve ever wondered what Alice’s adventures would have looked like if she was a man in sci-fi story instead, or if you just think that idea sounds like fun, this is the duology for you.
CW: ref suicide, ref loss of family, mental health, alcoholism, some others
Thank you to the author for allowing me to be a part of the ARC team! “The Stars Above the Hill” is available now!
Still in love with the genderbent Alice in Wonderland story and you’ll never convince me to be otherwise.
With a guarantee from the Ruler of the Deep that they’ll help stop the worlds from ending if the group can bring him two stars, Noah and Celeste set out, along with Mark and Katalina, to go retrieve said stars. As with everything on Fortun, though, nothing is as one might expect, and the stars seem to have moved entirely…
Part two of the duology is here, and it’s every bit as insane as part 1. But first, a disclaimer— I had a harder time getting into this book, but I *don’t* think it’s the book’s fault. This one seems to be more of an “I’m fighting off a slump” situation, so take the review with that grain of sand in mind. If it was still this good when I’m out of it, I can’t wait to see how much better it is when I read it again at a better time.
Ok, on to the actual review. This book completely delivers on all of the unhinged glory that is the original Alice story. It’s wacky, it’s fun, and I absolutely adored getting to see the unique spins the author put on some of my favorite Alice characters.
This book completely embraced the insanity that it displayed in book 1 (“The World Beyond the Horizon”), but with a definite feeling of ‘something is rotten at the sickly sweet core.’ It starts subtle, but underneath the lush fever-dream that is Fortun, there’s this creeping sensation that something is wrong, and it gets stronger and stronger the further in we go. Those undertones were a fantastic balance to the rest of the story, and I thought it all worked really well to make this into a story that wasn’t just whimsical and fun but also something that had just a little bit more oomph behind it. I thought this also worked well with the placement of some of the OG Wonderland-ers, because it gave your mind something familiar to latch onto in the midst of all the madness.
I have to be honest, though. At first, I didn’t love the ending. It felt a little jarring and it’s not what I was hoping for. After sitting with it for a little bit, that opinion has changed. It’s actually really fitting both to the overall feel of this duology and to the nature of the original material. The longer I think about it, the more right it feels. That’s all I can really say without giving anything away, but I don’t think I’ll be alone in this thought process. I could be entirely wrong though, and that’s the beauty of reading— you get to choose for yourself.
This is absolutely a book that you need to be in the right headspace to read. Both the books are, really, though I think this one more so than it’s predecessor. You have to be willing and able to go with the flow. A linear path to the final destination isn’t going to be a straight line; it’s going to curve around and give you all sorts of unexpected things along the way and the characters (or at least Celeste) are going to treat those things like there’s nothing out of the ordinary because, for them, there isn’t. Noah deals with a lot of character growth, but it’s not uncommon for his thoughts to veer off course and then get interrupted by something completely unhinged. If you’ve ever wondered what Alice’s adventures would have looked like if she was a man in sci-fi story instead, or if you just think that idea sounds like fun, this is the duology for you.
March 10, 2026
Part 2 of this incredibly whimsy duology wrapped up the story in a topsy-turvy bow 🎀
“If he looked at her now, he was sure he’d had no choice but to kiss her. To hold her in his arms and never let go.”
”During the brief moments when their fingers didn’t touch, there was a burning hole in his chest, and when they found each other again, he became whole.”
The crew from book one + a certain stepsister are back at it in book two, dashing off to new places, being kidnapped by mystical creatures, and starting battles with the rulers of Fortun.
“To know was to think, and he’d rather be blissfully ignorant than think anymore than he already did.”
I particularly enjoyed the emotional growth, depth, and connection that developed within our troupe of adventurers. Tough conversations are had, arguments settled, and misunderstandings clarified. We see Noah blossom into a realist and learn to cope with the immeasurable grief of losing his mother.
“Despite his happiness, there was a lingering nudge of numbness beneath it all. He was still the same aimless man he’d been at the start of their adventure. He feared there was a hole inside him nothing could fix.”
We learn that Celeste isn’t this perfect pixie dream girl and has a nuanced and painful past and family history.
”it never truly mattered to him if they failed or not, as long as they failed together.”
Through it all, however, there’s a sense of hope and positivity. Mark grew on me! In book one, he was so annoying and got on my nerves, but by the middle of this book, I was laughing out loud at his dry humor and kicking my feet at his obvious love for Katalina.
“If Katalina asked me to help her save the world, I’d say yes just so I could talk to her for a few more hours.”
Unfortunately, we still didn’t learn why Katalina (a space scientist) decided to tag along and jump off the edge of the planet, but hey, maybe that’s a story for another time.
Finishing this book and closing the page on this magical adventure, I’m left with this profound feeling of coziness and found family. 🥹💕
”Noah sat back and watched as the group bickered, a grin crossing his lips. He loved every person— and merperson— so deeply that a harrowing pang erupted at the thought of what was coming next. Fate brought him more than Celeste— he was given a new family. He wished he could freeze this moment forever.”
“If he looked at her now, he was sure he’d had no choice but to kiss her. To hold her in his arms and never let go.”
”During the brief moments when their fingers didn’t touch, there was a burning hole in his chest, and when they found each other again, he became whole.”
The crew from book one + a certain stepsister are back at it in book two, dashing off to new places, being kidnapped by mystical creatures, and starting battles with the rulers of Fortun.
“To know was to think, and he’d rather be blissfully ignorant than think anymore than he already did.”
I particularly enjoyed the emotional growth, depth, and connection that developed within our troupe of adventurers. Tough conversations are had, arguments settled, and misunderstandings clarified. We see Noah blossom into a realist and learn to cope with the immeasurable grief of losing his mother.
“Despite his happiness, there was a lingering nudge of numbness beneath it all. He was still the same aimless man he’d been at the start of their adventure. He feared there was a hole inside him nothing could fix.”
We learn that Celeste isn’t this perfect pixie dream girl and has a nuanced and painful past and family history.
”it never truly mattered to him if they failed or not, as long as they failed together.”
Through it all, however, there’s a sense of hope and positivity. Mark grew on me! In book one, he was so annoying and got on my nerves, but by the middle of this book, I was laughing out loud at his dry humor and kicking my feet at his obvious love for Katalina.
“If Katalina asked me to help her save the world, I’d say yes just so I could talk to her for a few more hours.”
Unfortunately, we still didn’t learn why Katalina (a space scientist) decided to tag along and jump off the edge of the planet, but hey, maybe that’s a story for another time.
Finishing this book and closing the page on this magical adventure, I’m left with this profound feeling of coziness and found family. 🥹💕
”Noah sat back and watched as the group bickered, a grin crossing his lips. He loved every person— and merperson— so deeply that a harrowing pang erupted at the thought of what was coming next. Fate brought him more than Celeste— he was given a new family. He wished he could freeze this moment forever.”
April 22, 2025
INSTAGRAM POST (for extended thoughts): https://www.instagram.com/thenookofde...
Thank you to the author, Angela Funk, for the pleasure of reading an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I'm so happy to be back in this world with Noah, Celeste, and the rag-tag crew.
What a great conclusion to this duology! While it has been about half a year since I read The World Beyond the Horizon, I appreciate the brief visual recap at the beginning of the book. The first chapter is a direct continuation of the previous book, and it was nice to see references to past events in the first book as a way to help me remember what happened in the journey so far.
The Stars Above the Hill goes beyond the weird and whimsy of The World Beyond the Horizon. Luna becomes a fifth member of the planet-saving group, and the deeper the exploration goes, the more danger the group faces. However, amidst the bloodthirsty fairies and a confrontation with a self-absorbed queen, the adventure also strengthens Noah and Celeste's budding romance, which is all the more sweeter in this installment.
I enjoyed the level of character development that the main crew got in this book. Noah was forced to deal with his spiraling mental health, and Celeste showed more vulnerability compared to her usual bubbly persona. While Mark and Katalina were still the level-headed couple of the team, they also got to enjoy the spontaneous moments of their journey, especially when that excitement came infrequently in their home planet. And Luna, for all her lovesick tendencies, showed compassion when I least expected.
While there were times I wished there was just a little more development with the worldbuilding, the simplicity of it made it easier for me to follow along with the overall plot. And, while the story's pacing could've slowed down a bit toward the second half, I still enjoyed how everything was wrapped up.
Highly recommend picking up the duology!
Thank you to the author, Angela Funk, for the pleasure of reading an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I'm so happy to be back in this world with Noah, Celeste, and the rag-tag crew.
What a great conclusion to this duology! While it has been about half a year since I read The World Beyond the Horizon, I appreciate the brief visual recap at the beginning of the book. The first chapter is a direct continuation of the previous book, and it was nice to see references to past events in the first book as a way to help me remember what happened in the journey so far.
The Stars Above the Hill goes beyond the weird and whimsy of The World Beyond the Horizon. Luna becomes a fifth member of the planet-saving group, and the deeper the exploration goes, the more danger the group faces. However, amidst the bloodthirsty fairies and a confrontation with a self-absorbed queen, the adventure also strengthens Noah and Celeste's budding romance, which is all the more sweeter in this installment.
I enjoyed the level of character development that the main crew got in this book. Noah was forced to deal with his spiraling mental health, and Celeste showed more vulnerability compared to her usual bubbly persona. While Mark and Katalina were still the level-headed couple of the team, they also got to enjoy the spontaneous moments of their journey, especially when that excitement came infrequently in their home planet. And Luna, for all her lovesick tendencies, showed compassion when I least expected.
While there were times I wished there was just a little more development with the worldbuilding, the simplicity of it made it easier for me to follow along with the overall plot. And, while the story's pacing could've slowed down a bit toward the second half, I still enjoyed how everything was wrapped up.
Highly recommend picking up the duology!
March 12, 2026
"Do not fear the inevitable... embrace it"
continuing from the first book, this was a nice accompaniment to the first of the series. As opposed to its predecessor, with more of a focus on grief, the focus shifts in this story. And that's not saying that grief will ever go away, because every so often we get a snippet of it, and that really makes for character development.
Wonderland... a land of the greatest imagination. The original tale of Alice in Wonderland brought about the theme of dreams and imagination, and we get that vibe from reading this book two. I mean, what could be more imaginative than a setting of two planets due to collide, one predictable and to us, more normal, and the other, a fantastical whirlwind of everything, spun around well written characters and an engaging plot. There are several references to the original story, but seeing the unique twists on these just made the story more enjoyable.
Although there is a romantic plot in this story, it doesn't go into any graphic details and would be suitable for teens to read. There is some strong language, but sometimes, it's there for a laugh. After all, as the original Mad Hatter said "we're all mad, aren't we?".
But back to what I was saying. The relationships detailed in the story don't focus on the physical aspects, although those are important and mentioned, the focus is on the emotional bonds, which sends a positive message. And the ending wasn't predictable at all, which made it exciting as the final page drew near.
And if I may add, there is a song called Welcome to Wonderland and one of the lyrics is "dancing through a dream under the evening stars", which I thought perfectly fit our protagonists Noah and Celeste to a T. Beautiful, just beautiful.
continuing from the first book, this was a nice accompaniment to the first of the series. As opposed to its predecessor, with more of a focus on grief, the focus shifts in this story. And that's not saying that grief will ever go away, because every so often we get a snippet of it, and that really makes for character development.
Wonderland... a land of the greatest imagination. The original tale of Alice in Wonderland brought about the theme of dreams and imagination, and we get that vibe from reading this book two. I mean, what could be more imaginative than a setting of two planets due to collide, one predictable and to us, more normal, and the other, a fantastical whirlwind of everything, spun around well written characters and an engaging plot. There are several references to the original story, but seeing the unique twists on these just made the story more enjoyable.
Although there is a romantic plot in this story, it doesn't go into any graphic details and would be suitable for teens to read. There is some strong language, but sometimes, it's there for a laugh. After all, as the original Mad Hatter said "we're all mad, aren't we?".
But back to what I was saying. The relationships detailed in the story don't focus on the physical aspects, although those are important and mentioned, the focus is on the emotional bonds, which sends a positive message. And the ending wasn't predictable at all, which made it exciting as the final page drew near.
And if I may add, there is a song called Welcome to Wonderland and one of the lyrics is "dancing through a dream under the evening stars", which I thought perfectly fit our protagonists Noah and Celeste to a T. Beautiful, just beautiful.
May 1, 2025
Let me just start with sayings THIS BOOK took me back to my childhood. I have read a book with such adventure after a long time. The unexpected turns this book took had me hooked, I never saw any plot twist coming. The world-building had me fascinated.
Like I said It felt like I was once again in the days Where I used to read fairy tales or Magical Realms.
I'm a deeply nostalgic person by nature and you can think I made connections every step of the way including what these characters reminded me of.
This Book had all the myths we used to read as a child and believed them. Angela brought them to life. To all the children who believed stars were exactly how we drew them!
Angela, This was a most beautiful Read, I meeded this!
..
Noah: (I always heard Milly bobby brown calling his name 😭 )
Noah reminded me so much of Harry Potter. His nervous energy, bravery in the face of danger, chosen one ... all vibes matched his. His character growth was remarkable. His love for Celeste was the sweetest thing ever to read
..
Mark was my favorite. His witty humor and dry sarcasm kept the group alive. I loved reading his scene always
..
Xyrus was another one of the characters I loved having appear on page. He was the kind of nonchalant who was nice inside but kept up appearances.
Like I said It felt like I was once again in the days Where I used to read fairy tales or Magical Realms.
I'm a deeply nostalgic person by nature and you can think I made connections every step of the way including what these characters reminded me of.
This Book had all the myths we used to read as a child and believed them. Angela brought them to life. To all the children who believed stars were exactly how we drew them!
Angela, This was a most beautiful Read, I meeded this!
..
Noah: (I always heard Milly bobby brown calling his name 😭 )
Noah reminded me so much of Harry Potter. His nervous energy, bravery in the face of danger, chosen one ... all vibes matched his. His character growth was remarkable. His love for Celeste was the sweetest thing ever to read
..
Mark was my favorite. His witty humor and dry sarcasm kept the group alive. I loved reading his scene always
..
Xyrus was another one of the characters I loved having appear on page. He was the kind of nonchalant who was nice inside but kept up appearances.
February 19, 2026
The Stars Above the Hill by Angela Funk is a beautifully whimsical journey that evokes an Alice in Wonderland-type of emotion, where reality bends just enough to make you question what’s possible. The story is full of enchantment and wonder, with rich descriptions and a captivating plot that sweeps you away into a world of mystery and lighthearted adventure. There’s a sense of curiosity that drives the narrative, pulling you deeper into the world Funk has so carefully crafted.
The characters are endearing and full of charm, with moments of sweet vulnerability and bravery that make them incredibly relatable. As you read, you can’t help but feel like you’ve stepped into a dream, with every turn holding something unexpected—whether it’s a twist in the plot or an emotional discovery about the characters.
This book definitely carries a nostalgic, almost childlike innocence, and it’s a lovely escape from reality. With its blend of magic, heart, and a touch of whimsy, The Stars Above the Hill is an ideal pick for anyone who enjoys stories that transport you to a world that feels like a beautiful daydream. I’m giving this a solid four stars for its heartfelt narrative and the enchanting feeling it leaves behind.
The characters are endearing and full of charm, with moments of sweet vulnerability and bravery that make them incredibly relatable. As you read, you can’t help but feel like you’ve stepped into a dream, with every turn holding something unexpected—whether it’s a twist in the plot or an emotional discovery about the characters.
This book definitely carries a nostalgic, almost childlike innocence, and it’s a lovely escape from reality. With its blend of magic, heart, and a touch of whimsy, The Stars Above the Hill is an ideal pick for anyone who enjoys stories that transport you to a world that feels like a beautiful daydream. I’m giving this a solid four stars for its heartfelt narrative and the enchanting feeling it leaves behind.
February 28, 2026
This book was such a delightful read, full of the same whimsy and romance as its predecessor, yet with new tests and elements that show the author's improvement.
In the first book, they fell in love. In the sequel, that love is tested, along with their grit. I left my last review disappointed that it left with a cliffhanger. They had gone through so much for the end goal to remain unseen. I ate my words on that one. "The Stars Above the Hill" shows just how far the party still has before they save their worlds. Funk introduces new characters, moral complexity and political intrigue to the world of Fortun that personally enriched my reading of the text. While "The World Beyond the Horizon" felt like a more cursory exploration of this fantasy world, this book added further depth and lore that better immerses its readers. While previous threats were interesting, they felt more sparse and novel than lethal. The sequel does a fantastic job showing the threats that complement the forces opposing Noah and Celeste's group. It takes a lot of courage, compassion and aid for the party to even stand a chance against the antagonists. A riveting read, my sole regret being that it had an end.
In the first book, they fell in love. In the sequel, that love is tested, along with their grit. I left my last review disappointed that it left with a cliffhanger. They had gone through so much for the end goal to remain unseen. I ate my words on that one. "The Stars Above the Hill" shows just how far the party still has before they save their worlds. Funk introduces new characters, moral complexity and political intrigue to the world of Fortun that personally enriched my reading of the text. While "The World Beyond the Horizon" felt like a more cursory exploration of this fantasy world, this book added further depth and lore that better immerses its readers. While previous threats were interesting, they felt more sparse and novel than lethal. The sequel does a fantastic job showing the threats that complement the forces opposing Noah and Celeste's group. It takes a lot of courage, compassion and aid for the party to even stand a chance against the antagonists. A riveting read, my sole regret being that it had an end.
February 8, 2026
The Stars Above the Hill by Angela Funk is the final book of the World Beyond Duology.
This book continued with the journey of saving the two worlds. We are introduced to more parts of the world and I'm loving it. Bloodsucking fairies, mind reading gods, and finding the stars over the hills. The MMC asked multiple times, "What is the right answer?" We see many different scenarios that the book could have gone, and it made me think of the multiple choices we have in our own lives.
The future of the relationships of the characters, whether someone loves us or not, whether or not they are doing the right thing. It was beautiful to read. The relationships between the characters flourished and I love reading their interactions. The lovely thing about this book was that you never could guess where it could go and I loved being taken off guard on every page.
I recommend this series for anyone who wants to be taken on a wild ride for every page.
Thank you Angela Funk for the free book.
This book continued with the journey of saving the two worlds. We are introduced to more parts of the world and I'm loving it. Bloodsucking fairies, mind reading gods, and finding the stars over the hills. The MMC asked multiple times, "What is the right answer?" We see many different scenarios that the book could have gone, and it made me think of the multiple choices we have in our own lives.
The future of the relationships of the characters, whether someone loves us or not, whether or not they are doing the right thing. It was beautiful to read. The relationships between the characters flourished and I love reading their interactions. The lovely thing about this book was that you never could guess where it could go and I loved being taken off guard on every page.
I recommend this series for anyone who wants to be taken on a wild ride for every page.
Thank you Angela Funk for the free book.
May 3, 2025
🌟✨*The Stars Above the Hill* by Angela Funk ✨🌟
Wow, what an absolutely enchanting conclusion to the *World Beyond* duology! If you're a fan of whimsical fantasy, epic adventures, and heartfelt character growth, this book is an absolute must-read. 🌌💫
From the very first page, I was drawn into a richly built world full of magic, mystery, and humor. Angela Funk masterfully weaves Alice in Wonderland retelling elements with a fresh, distinctive twist—cozy food descriptions, clever riddles, and a cast of lovable characters that truly feel like family. The banter between Noah and Mark had me giggling out loud, especially Noah’s confident declaration: "I have style and I'm funny. Right guys?" 😂
The story tackles deep themes like mental health, found family, and hope amidst chaos, all wrapped up in a fun sci-fi romantic comedy adventure. Celeste's journey of carrying hope despite her burdens was genuinely moving, and Noah's dilemma of choosing between his heart and duty added a beautiful layer of emotional depth. 💖
Luna's addition to the crew brought new dynamics and heartwarming moments, and the riddles from the twins kept the pace lively and hilarious. The adventure through fairy-filled realms, sky kingdoms, and ghostly dances kept me hooked from start to finish. And the stakes? Intense! The confrontation with the Ruler of the Sky and the moral dilemmas made every page gripping.
Angela Funk's world-building is fantastic as always, with cozy descriptions that make you wish you could taste all the desserts and step into this magical universe. The character development felt authentic and rewarding—seeing everyone's vulnerabilities and strengths blossom was such a joy.
If you're looking for a wholesome, hopeful read that combines fantasy, adventure, and romance with a dash of humor and heart, *The Stars Above the Hill* is the perfect pick. It left my heart feeling hopeful and satisfied, and I can't recommend it enough! 🌟💖
Wow, what an absolutely enchanting conclusion to the *World Beyond* duology! If you're a fan of whimsical fantasy, epic adventures, and heartfelt character growth, this book is an absolute must-read. 🌌💫
From the very first page, I was drawn into a richly built world full of magic, mystery, and humor. Angela Funk masterfully weaves Alice in Wonderland retelling elements with a fresh, distinctive twist—cozy food descriptions, clever riddles, and a cast of lovable characters that truly feel like family. The banter between Noah and Mark had me giggling out loud, especially Noah’s confident declaration: "I have style and I'm funny. Right guys?" 😂
The story tackles deep themes like mental health, found family, and hope amidst chaos, all wrapped up in a fun sci-fi romantic comedy adventure. Celeste's journey of carrying hope despite her burdens was genuinely moving, and Noah's dilemma of choosing between his heart and duty added a beautiful layer of emotional depth. 💖
Luna's addition to the crew brought new dynamics and heartwarming moments, and the riddles from the twins kept the pace lively and hilarious. The adventure through fairy-filled realms, sky kingdoms, and ghostly dances kept me hooked from start to finish. And the stakes? Intense! The confrontation with the Ruler of the Sky and the moral dilemmas made every page gripping.
Angela Funk's world-building is fantastic as always, with cozy descriptions that make you wish you could taste all the desserts and step into this magical universe. The character development felt authentic and rewarding—seeing everyone's vulnerabilities and strengths blossom was such a joy.
If you're looking for a wholesome, hopeful read that combines fantasy, adventure, and romance with a dash of humor and heart, *The Stars Above the Hill* is the perfect pick. It left my heart feeling hopeful and satisfied, and I can't recommend it enough! 🌟💖
April 23, 2025
This book is the beautiful, whimsical conclusion to the World Beyond duology—and it completely stole my heart.
In book one, we met Noah and Celeste at Noah's mother’s tombstone. Celeste revealed she’s from another world, and that both of their worlds are on the brink of destruction unless Noah chooses to help her. Now, in book two, that journey reaches its stunning finale.
Angela has crafted an immersive sci-fi retelling of Alice in Wonderland that’s rich with imagination, mystic creatures, and an unforgettable world you’ll want to stay lost in. The romance between Noah and Celeste is clean yet deeply emotional—a love that transcends worlds. I also deeply appreciated the way Angela wove mental health and grief into this story with such care and subtlety, grounding the fantasy with real human experiences.
Highly recommend this magical duology for fans of portal fantasy, clean romance, and imaginative retellings!
In book one, we met Noah and Celeste at Noah's mother’s tombstone. Celeste revealed she’s from another world, and that both of their worlds are on the brink of destruction unless Noah chooses to help her. Now, in book two, that journey reaches its stunning finale.
Angela has crafted an immersive sci-fi retelling of Alice in Wonderland that’s rich with imagination, mystic creatures, and an unforgettable world you’ll want to stay lost in. The romance between Noah and Celeste is clean yet deeply emotional—a love that transcends worlds. I also deeply appreciated the way Angela wove mental health and grief into this story with such care and subtlety, grounding the fantasy with real human experiences.
Highly recommend this magical duology for fans of portal fantasy, clean romance, and imaginative retellings!
February 20, 2026
The drama and the true love! The finding of each other at the end of the book that gives us a happy ending was worth reading both books! All the events from the first book that you think are minor are important to remember for the building of the characters throughout the journey they take. It had a splash of whimsy, fantasy, sci-fi, found family, learned loved, and so many other topics, (I can’t spoil the fun!) This book was refreshing to read with its Alice in Wonderland vibes and references but was taken in a whole different direction with actual thought put behind it. I really enjoyed this book!
April 13, 2025
"Feel the darkness...but don’t stare into it."
What a breathtaking end to this duology. The imagery is fantastic and every bit the wild craziness you come to expect from a book with many Alice in Wonderland themes. Queens, rulers, Dragons, shapeshifters, mermaids, Fairies, humans... there is a huge diverse cast of fantasy creatures.
Political intrigue meets fantasy meets cozy setting with high stakes. Themes of depression and anxiety are explored well. We also see family, loss, grief, and the train switch dilemma. What would you give up to save the planets?
What a breathtaking end to this duology. The imagery is fantastic and every bit the wild craziness you come to expect from a book with many Alice in Wonderland themes. Queens, rulers, Dragons, shapeshifters, mermaids, Fairies, humans... there is a huge diverse cast of fantasy creatures.
Political intrigue meets fantasy meets cozy setting with high stakes. Themes of depression and anxiety are explored well. We also see family, loss, grief, and the train switch dilemma. What would you give up to save the planets?
April 30, 2025
I was fortunate enough to receive an e-arc from Angela in exchange for an honest review!
She’s done it again in my opinion, I love the writing style and the depth of the characters we interact with. If you’re looking for something that gives an Alice in Wonderland feel, look no further than this duology. It’s action packed with romance and new adventures, follow the main 4 from the previous book as they try to save the planets from destruction.
The writing style is unmatched, it feels unique and inspiring!
She’s done it again in my opinion, I love the writing style and the depth of the characters we interact with. If you’re looking for something that gives an Alice in Wonderland feel, look no further than this duology. It’s action packed with romance and new adventures, follow the main 4 from the previous book as they try to save the planets from destruction.
The writing style is unmatched, it feels unique and inspiring!
July 14, 2025
Another 5 star read from Angela Funk.
This is my new favorite duology.
The growth of the characters in the second book was heart warming. The way they all worked together to save the world, despite their differences.
I love how well the characters are modeled after characters from Alice in Wonderland. Being introduced to them and having the epiphany of figuring out who they are is a fun little game to play while reading.
I truly wish that this could be made into a film because I would LOVE to watch this.
This is my new favorite duology.
The growth of the characters in the second book was heart warming. The way they all worked together to save the world, despite their differences.
I love how well the characters are modeled after characters from Alice in Wonderland. Being introduced to them and having the epiphany of figuring out who they are is a fun little game to play while reading.
I truly wish that this could be made into a film because I would LOVE to watch this.
March 1, 2026
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘈𝘣𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘪𝘭𝘭
5/5 STARS: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
this was such a perfect end to an enchanting duology, wow!🫶🏼 the world building, again, is so so good, Celeste and Noah's lovestory is so well written and does not overpower the story, it adds to it in a meaningful way which i really like! i love the strong friend group this story has, the humor throughout, the relatable characters and the overall mystical cozy whimsical vibes of the whole book! i truly adored getting to read and experience these characters and this story, thank you so much Angela for allowing me to read the complete duology! 🤍
5/5 STARS: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
this was such a perfect end to an enchanting duology, wow!🫶🏼 the world building, again, is so so good, Celeste and Noah's lovestory is so well written and does not overpower the story, it adds to it in a meaningful way which i really like! i love the strong friend group this story has, the humor throughout, the relatable characters and the overall mystical cozy whimsical vibes of the whole book! i truly adored getting to read and experience these characters and this story, thank you so much Angela for allowing me to read the complete duology! 🤍
April 14, 2025
Once again, I love this. Alice in Wonderland retelling, and it is so good. I absolutely love the characters in this book because they all have something different to being to the story, but they all work together so well. Noah and Celeste are such an amazing couple that I can not get enough of them. So much adventure in this second book that makes you want to keep going and going. This ending had me giggling and being extra happy♥︎ so if you haven't read this duology, go read it you'll love it.
February 13, 2026
I loved these books way more than I had expected to. I don’t really have much to say… but the end definitely got me. I had to go back and reread a few pages when I realized what was happening (somehow it had went over my head) then I started crying. There were only like 4 pages left in the book and then we were hit with THAT?! I was actually scared it would end like that… thank god it didn’t. I was about to be very unwell.
February 23, 2026
Angela Funk's writing is like, wow! She's just so talented at drawing you in...... AGAIN. If you need an escape from reality, this book is THE one! It's like diving into a different world, and trust me, you need it sometimes. And can we talk about how she's retelling Alice in Wonderland?! Genius! The way she weaves in those elements with a twist... I'm here. for. it. Plus, the love story and adventures..... it's just perfection.... CHEF'S KISS 💋
March 4, 2026
I definitely think the second book is my favorite of the two! This one definitely had more of the Alice in wonderland retelling which I enjoyed a lot. Had the return of familiar faces from the first book, I wasn’t expecting! I loved that the friendships and relationships grew so much deeper with this book. Who doesn’t love a found family! And everyone got such a happy ending, it definitely had me feeling light hearted and smiling. What an amazing conclusion to this Duology! 🥰
April 18, 2025
Angela has done it again. The Wonderland vibes are ticked up a notch compared to the first book. The relationship between the characters has changed and I love it. Mark and Noah's interactions were humorous and Noah. Noah and Celeste are just so wholesome. I wish there was another book to look forward to. (Maybe a novella on what happened at the end?)
February 28, 2026
This was so cute! Again with that Studio Ghibli X Alice in Wonderland vibe, but with great character confrontations! I loved learning more about the politics in Fortun, and the moral of the story, that nothing is wholly good or bad, was a good way to settle the conflict
March 10, 2025
Just finished beta reading!! A truly unexpected journey from start to finish.
September 9, 2025
What an ending… I honestly have no words
4.25 stars
4.25 stars
November 17, 2025
👏 👏 👏 this series is super fun but with book two I loved how everything came back around and ended with a nice bow. Lots of wimsy and funny moments.
May 3, 2025
This sequel was just as cute and action-packed as the first book! The banter between characters was just as funny, and the character development was amazingly done. I adored every part of the group and loved that they each had very distinct personalities. This book is on my list of favorite fantasies for sure!
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