This was received as an ARC in exchange for an honest review — thank you Natalie Alexandra for the gifted eARC.
Book: A Touch of Stars and Stones
Series: The Kirrian Series - duology (#1)
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Rating: 5⭐(HALL OF FAME)
5/5 Relationships
5/5 Characters
5/5 Plot
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*:✿˚⋆ SPOILER FREE REVIEW *:✿˚⋆
Well dang, I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. Honestly, I was excited to read it, but for some reason I wasn’t expecting it to be a banger—and hot damn, was I wrong. This book 100% took me by surprise. I started reading it with only an hour left before my usual bedtime and ended up reading for three hours straight. It kept me up until 3 a.m. for the three nights I spent on it because I simply could not put it down. I’m so happy I applied for this ARC because, man oh man, this one deserves a permanent spot on the shelves.
The story revolves around Ever, a seemingly normal girl who suddenly starts having strange fits that scare her guardian—the only person she can call family. Her guardian, Lyle, brings her to her home world, where Ever discovers she is, in fact, magical. From there, she begins training and uncovering the secrets of her powers and past.
The plot is incredibly captivating as you follow Ever through her discoveries and the secrets everyone seems determined to keep from her. It keeps you wanting more about her past, but although the answers always seem within reach, she never quite gets them. Instead, she’s left with scattered puzzle pieces that keep you intrigued and constantly trying to connect the dots yourself. By the end of the book, you realize things are much bigger than anticipated, and you can feel the buzz of the coming storm.
The characters are some of the best written I’ve come across. Their personalities, behaviors, and backstories are detailed enough to feel real and make you care about them, while still leaving room for growth in the next book. The MCs were extremely relatable and lovable. The dual POV format really deepens your understanding of them both and strengthens the connection you feel to them. I absolutely loved Ever. She wears her emotions on her sleeve, which makes her prone to outbursts when overwhelmed, but that just made her even more realistic and relatable to me. I loved her fire, her drive, and her determination to stand her ground even when the world seemed against her.
Aten is probably one of the most lovable MMCs I’ve read. There was never a moment where I lost respect for his character. The way his relationship with Ever develops honestly melted me. His personality, his attention to her, and his drive to be better made him all the more endearing. I adored them both and can’t wait to see more of them.
The romance is a very slow burn, but so well done that I wouldn’t have it any other way. The tension, angst, and yearning throughout the book made the moments of actual progress in their relationship feel that much more rewarding. The slow burn never felt like a tease or dragged out—it was a natural progression, with obstacles to overcome without undoing the bond already built. The characters weren’t “wishy-washy” with their feelings, which made them so much more likable.
The worldbuilding was excellent. The first few chapters throw a lot at you, but it’s written in a way that makes you feel like you’re learning alongside Ever. It never feels like an info-dump; instead, you’re discovering this new world right beside her. Even with all the new information, it never felt overwhelming or confusing in the wrong way—if I was confused, so was Ever, which I believe was intentional. The pacing shifts throughout the book, sometimes slowing down, sometimes skipping ahead weeks or months, but always with smooth transitions that felt natural.
The magical, mysterious atmosphere makes this story even more captivating. With hidden powers, ancient goddesses, eerie moments, and haunting secrets, it constantly keeps you on edge. A few times, I even got chills—sometimes from a single line, a look, or just a description—and that made the experience even better.
The magic system itself is one of the most unique I’ve ever read. The way characters come into their power, what happens once they reach full strength, the risks of losing control, and even the concept of sharing magic—all of it was brilliantly done. The complexity and balance of this system made it one of my favorites. The “touch” aspect especially added so much tension to the relationships and made the characters’ emotions feel more tangible.
And then there’s the cliffhanger. Wow. I swear I didn’t see any of it coming—I was absolutely shocked. It’s easily one of my favorite cliffhangers ever. Even though I was already excited for the next book, that ending tripled my anticipation. It’s the kind of cliffhanger that slaps you in the face and leaves you desperate for more.
Overall, I have nothing but good things to say about this book. I truly believe it’s a god-tier fantasy romance that everyone should pick up. This is big-shelf, viral-level potential, and I really hope more readers give it a chance. Honestly, anyone skipping this book is missing out. I’ve already bought a physical copy, and it’s going straight into my personal hall of fame.