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MORNINGSTAR
“What if the devil fell from grace, not for power, but for love?”
Morningstar is a loose retelling of Lucifer’s descent.
The story follows Christian, a knight who has avoided death so often that one might think him a patron of Fate herself.
To reach his ultimate goal of becoming the Left Hand of God, he must first survive the Seven Trials—perilous, precarious, and designed to test all who pursue them.
His path to glory and divinity was laid out for him the day he was left at the King's doorstep.
But Fate did not account for her.
The King’s arcane heir, Kathryn, is a temptation he was never meant to touch—a love imperatively forbidden. Yet, with every moment in her presence, Christian finds himself straying further from the decrees that once ruled him.
Morningstar is a loose retelling of Lucifer’s descent.
The story follows Christian, a knight who has avoided death so often that one might think him a patron of Fate herself.
To reach his ultimate goal of becoming the Left Hand of God, he must first survive the Seven Trials—perilous, precarious, and designed to test all who pursue them.
His path to glory and divinity was laid out for him the day he was left at the King's doorstep.
But Fate did not account for her.
The King’s arcane heir, Kathryn, is a temptation he was never meant to touch—a love imperatively forbidden. Yet, with every moment in her presence, Christian finds himself straying further from the decrees that once ruled him.
300 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 2026
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 5, 2026
I’m not sure if I was ready for the chokehold this book would have on me by the end of it. I can easily say I loved pretty much everything about this story. The writing was a breath of fresh air that I greedily welcomed. It was a perfect balance of elevated and easily flowing.
I really loved the vivid and beautiful descriptions of the setting/world, it made the imagery so dreamy and exciting. The characters were very likable, and I found myself actually wanting to know more of their backstories.. especially the Elite Guard!! 🥰
I was on a rotation of giggling, kicking my feet, sweating, crying, and wanting the throw up. It was all worth it. I’ll gladly wait whatever amount of time necessary to get another dose of these characters.
Well done, J.R. Rowden. Excellent debut!
I really loved the vivid and beautiful descriptions of the setting/world, it made the imagery so dreamy and exciting. The characters were very likable, and I found myself actually wanting to know more of their backstories.. especially the Elite Guard!! 🥰
I was on a rotation of giggling, kicking my feet, sweating, crying, and wanting the throw up. It was all worth it. I’ll gladly wait whatever amount of time necessary to get another dose of these characters.
Well done, J.R. Rowden. Excellent debut!
February 11, 2026
Captivating story and characters you will love and hate
I can’t wait for the next book!
I can’t wait for the next book!
March 27, 2025
A beautiful story of forbidden love intertwined with responsibility and exploration of inner self.
As a child, I was an avid reader of many different stories and books. I loved diving into fantasy worlds with my wild imagination. However, somewhere along the way since then I lost my love for reading.
Getting to be an early reader of this book brought back my lost love for reading. The fantastical world building was healing for my inner child.
This book quite literally had me screaming and crying! The story is written so well that it makes you feel the highs and lows that the characters experience.
I typically do not read fantasy books, but Morningstar has reignited the spark that was my childhood love for fantasy, and I can’t wait to read more.
As a child, I was an avid reader of many different stories and books. I loved diving into fantasy worlds with my wild imagination. However, somewhere along the way since then I lost my love for reading.
Getting to be an early reader of this book brought back my lost love for reading. The fantastical world building was healing for my inner child.
This book quite literally had me screaming and crying! The story is written so well that it makes you feel the highs and lows that the characters experience.
I typically do not read fantasy books, but Morningstar has reignited the spark that was my childhood love for fantasy, and I can’t wait to read more.
April 16, 2025
I am blown away by this book. It was so beautifully written. The world building details, the characters, the plot, and the magic were all spectacular. I fell in love with every main character. I cried, I laughed, and my jaw was on the floor. I cannot wait for the next book!!
April 16, 2025
4.5✨
I was kindly gifted an early review copy of this by the author 🫶🏻
this book was such a pleasant surprise! I had no idea what to expect going in but I had an amazing time reading it. while this book has familiar tropes of the fantasy and romantasy genre, it still felt really unique and fresh, and I am absolutely dying for book 2!
I was kindly gifted an early review copy of this by the author 🫶🏻
this book was such a pleasant surprise! I had no idea what to expect going in but I had an amazing time reading it. while this book has familiar tropes of the fantasy and romantasy genre, it still felt really unique and fresh, and I am absolutely dying for book 2!
March 18, 2025
Was able to get an early copy and these are my thoughts
The author was really good about describing what was to come. The foreshadowing and the writing style were just up my alley when it comes to entertaining my curiosity and my enjoyment of reading books.
MorningStar was a refreshing reminder of what it’s like to really read something that the author clearly loves and is extremely passionate about
The world building, as well as the creativity of the dialogue, kept me at the edge of my seat, wanting more
Although I normally don’t read many books in this genre, books like this have peaked my interest into continuingly, wanting more
I’m excited to read more and to find out what happens next in the series, I had moments of wanting to curse out the author but also wanting to applaud their boldness and creativity.
Keep an eye out for those that fight with you and don’t let go who you cherish the most is a pretty good take away of Morningstar in my opinion
Will recommend if you are a fan of fantasy, mythology and exciting world building
Highly recommend.
The author was really good about describing what was to come. The foreshadowing and the writing style were just up my alley when it comes to entertaining my curiosity and my enjoyment of reading books.
MorningStar was a refreshing reminder of what it’s like to really read something that the author clearly loves and is extremely passionate about
The world building, as well as the creativity of the dialogue, kept me at the edge of my seat, wanting more
Although I normally don’t read many books in this genre, books like this have peaked my interest into continuingly, wanting more
I’m excited to read more and to find out what happens next in the series, I had moments of wanting to curse out the author but also wanting to applaud their boldness and creativity.
Keep an eye out for those that fight with you and don’t let go who you cherish the most is a pretty good take away of Morningstar in my opinion
Will recommend if you are a fan of fantasy, mythology and exciting world building
Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
That was quite the ride, very rarely do I read this type of writing anymore but I quite enjoyed it.
I went through it with the characters, it was a roller coaster of emotions and some which I didn't expect to change.
I really enjoyed the World Building it makes me very reminiscent of Throne of Glass keeping me interested in the World from Start -> End.
Can't wait to see these characters and this world once again in the future!
I went through it with the characters, it was a roller coaster of emotions and some which I didn't expect to change.
I really enjoyed the World Building it makes me very reminiscent of Throne of Glass keeping me interested in the World from Start -> End.
Can't wait to see these characters and this world once again in the future!
May 5, 2025
The most well thought out romantasy novels I've read. Can't wait for this to be a physical book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews