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Daughter of Starlight

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Luma was six years old when she was found wandering alone with no memory of a family or how she got the strange scars that crisscross her palms. Now, twelve years later, Luma is summoned across a magical bridge to another a world where the decimated population of elves suffer under the ruthless wizard army.

Luma’s appearance is a ray of hope for the elves, who believe she is their prophesied “Daughter of Starlight,” the only one whose powerful magic can heal their broken defenses and stop the wizards once and for all. Luma just wants to get back home, but the wizards discover her, and soon Luma is in the fight of her life. As she flees a mighty adversary, Luma struggles with hints of a strange power from deep within, a power that she can neither control nor deny any longer.

Desperate for answers, Luma joins a group of elf resistance fighters on a perilous journey in search of the exiled elf mage. Along the way, Luma begins to realize there could be more truth to this prophecy than she first thought and that, just maybe, she has a family after all.

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 9, 2025

3 people are currently reading
23 people want to read

About the author

Molly M Hammond

1 book7 followers
Molly is an award-winning author whose love of language and writing has been lifelong. She earned a degree in English and Communication and then went on to earn a second degree in American Sign Language Interpreting. An avid runner, Molly often gets her best story ideas while running and remains outraged that those ideas do not then present themselves, fully formed, on the page. When she’s not running, writing, or interpreting, Molly can often be found taking an excessive number of photos of her dog, Bungee, and her two cats, Rose, and Clover. Molly lives in the beautiful St. Croix River Valley of Minnesota with her husband and two sons, who bring her joy every day.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Susan Dalessandro.
Author 5 books234 followers
May 11, 2025
Daughter of Starlight, by Molly Hammond, is an enjoyable, action-packed, yet emotionally wrenching YA fantasy. It begins with Luma, the mc, aging out of the foster care system to begin her next chapter, only to be magically pulled into a strange world where she’s apparently the prophesized savior of a land of elves who are defending their home from evil wizards. All Luma wants is to go home. But by staying and fighting alongside the elves, she may find the answers to questions that have plagued most of her childhood, including the deep scars that crisscross both her palms and how to wield the remarkable untapped power that lives deep inside her.
Her actions will affect not only her future but the future of the elves who are counting on her.
This was a delightful read, with well-developed characters, about a girl who had many unanswered questions and only wanted to be loved and accepted. For me, at its core, it’s a story of discovering one’s true self and finding acceptance in it.
This was a terrific read, and I highly recommend it!
Susan Dalessandro
Author of Complex Solutions, Strong Enough, and A Whisper In The Trees
Profile Image for Reader Views.
4,666 reviews327 followers
June 30, 2025
A world with elves, but not a ton of magic? That’s not something we typically see and is quite refreshing in Daughter of Starlight: The Alignment Waits for No One by Molly M. Hammond. Luma has mysterious scars from before she was six years old and no recollection as to what caused them, or anything else. Twelve years later, something mysterious draws her to a magical bridge that drops her into a world with elves fighting against wizards to save their land. What does Luma have to do with all of this? Why do her scars suddenly hurt? How is she supposed to help the elves fight back?

This was a really refreshing teen/young adult fantasy read in that it wasn’t overcomplicated, and the story was easy to follow. While I appreciate books with lots of connections and plot twists, sometimes it’s nice to read something that just lays everything out. I loved how we were given Luma’s back story while on Earth, and yet still left with enough mystery so that her showing up in this new world was exciting. I also appreciated the skepticism and wariness when being confronted by strange people.

The place she travelled to, Edira, was well described, and the landscape sounded beautiful. It’s not a big place; they were able to travel between places within a few days, but it still had the feeling of adventure to it. The characters were easy to differentiate due to personality differences. I struggle with some fantasy novels as they will introduce a ton of characters without giving them distinct traits to help separate them. Hammond did an amazing job of making each character uniquely its own, so I was easily able to follow the story and dialogue. We also had multiple POVs (points of view) throughout the story that did not blend with each other. I knew who was talking or thinking each time.

Daughter of Starlight by Molly M. Hammond was such a beautiful story of coming home and relearning who you are in the face of adversity. The book is appropriate for young readers and up, as I don’t recall any cursing, and there is no physical romance, just mild flirting here and there. There are battle scenes, however, even those are shared with minimal description so that any could read them and be fine. I also don’t recall any grammar/spelling errors. I really enjoyed this book! This would be a good introduction to fantasy for those new to the genre, but also great for those of us who have been fans for a long time!
Profile Image for ♡ A ♡.
729 reviews11 followers
July 11, 2025
Daughter of Starlight follows Luma as she is summoned across a magical bridge to another world where elves suffer under a wizard army. Luma disguised she is the prophesized “Daughter of Starlight” and is the only person who can heal the defences of their world and get rid of the wizards. Desperate for answers and clarity over her burgeoning magic, Luma joins a group of resistance fighters and will do anything to fulfill the prophecy.

This was an incredible debut! Full of gorgeous prose and a fascinating, atmospheric world, you’ll be hooked instantly. The plot was so engaging and fast paced and full of twists and turns. I loved that we got such a varied cast of characters and POVs. It was so interesting to see both sides of the fight.

I loved the characters, especially Luma and Corr. Their friendship and history was so sweet. The whole group of resistance fighters were awesome and added some great humour to the story. Vell is such a fascinating and ruthless villain and I loved see her perspective.

Overall, this is definitely a book you’ll want to check out if you love fantasy and unique worlds!

Thank you to The Wild Rose Press and the author for an arc!
Profile Image for Amber.
29 reviews
June 28, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Daughter of Starlight by Molly Hammond.

“The Alignment Waits For No One”

This definitely has YA Lord of the Rings vibes. I finished this book within 24 hours because I had to know how the quest ended! I enjoyed Luma (our female main character) and her entire group trying to save their world from the bad guys. I thought the Starlight powers were a unique choice. I don’t know if the author plans to continue in this universe, but I would definitely like to return and check in on the crew!
Profile Image for Renate Natalie N.
236 reviews1 follower
July 5, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC and The Wild Rose Press ✨️

This book was AMAZING!!
I'm lost for words. It is never boring!

Luma is a girl, I think we all will just love and understand her too.
All the characters and the feel you get while reading. You can feel the hatred, joy, sadness etc.
Magic and different worlds.
I'm just saying I LOVE this book and need it in all formats when its out.

✨️ JULY 9TH, 2025! ✨️

The alignment waits for no one
Profile Image for Tori Harbron.
13 reviews1 follower
June 19, 2025
This book was okay, the story line had potential and I was really excited to see how it was executed, but I feel like it fell slightly flat. I felt like the characters were two dimensional and I wasn’t able to fully connect and become invested in their journey or hoping that they succeeded. A lot of it of it felt like I was being “told” not “shown”. It was incredibly fast paced- not necessarily a bad thing, but I felt like it didn’t give me time to become entrapped by the story.

Thank you to NetGally and Molly M Hammond for giving me the opportunity to read this as an ARC. This is my honest review
Profile Image for Molly Hammond.
Author 1 book7 followers
July 16, 2025
Per K.C Finn for Reader's Favorite - Daughter of Starlight is an enchanting young adult fantasy adventure that takes readers on a journey through magic, prophecy, and self-discovery. Luma, found as a child with no memory of her past, is suddenly thrust into another world where elves suffer under the rule of a ruthless wizard army. Luma must take on the role of a savior and grapple with an unknown power stirring within her while navigating the dangers of a world she doesn’t understand. As she joins a band of resistance fighters, the truth of her past begins to unravel, leading her toward a destiny she never imagined. With rich world-building and a gripping narrative, Daughter of Starlight is a must-read for fans of fantasy.

Author Molly M. Hammond has a clear enthusiasm for creating meaningful moments and stories with heart, and that has resulted in a breathtaking fantasy adventure filled with magic, mystery, and genuine emotion. I loved the immersive quality of the writing and the attention to detail that Hammond uses to create a vivid world with compelling characters and thrilling action. Luma is a brilliant central figure to hold readers' interest, and her speech and thoughts let readers get to know her on a personal level, balancing the elements of classic fantasy with a strong, relatable heroine for a modern audience. The plot events sent to challenge her felt well-paced and logical within the lore of the world itself, and there were always new surprises and discoveries as the mystery of her memories unfolded. Overall, for an immersive, emotional, and beautifully crafted story, I highly recommend Daughter of Starlight as a truly unforgettable journey.
-K.C. Finn
Profile Image for Literary Titan.
750 reviews83 followers
May 10, 2025
Daughter of Starlight follows Luma, a fierce, guarded young woman aging out of foster care, who stumbles across a hidden cave in the Colorado mountains and ends up transported to the magical world of Edira. There, she learns she’s no ordinary girl; she’s the one marked by the stars, the key to healing the ancient Sacred Stones and stopping a dark tide of invading wizards. With a mix of gritty real-world struggles and rich fantasy adventure, Molly M. Hammond spins a story that feels both deeply personal and sweepingly epic.

Hammond's writing made a profound impact on me from the very first chapter. She sets up Luma's pain, the blood on her knuckles, the loneliness, the worn kindness of her social worker Frank, with such realness that I was immediately hooked. That opening scene, where Luma picks at the scars on her palms while waiting to be lectured, felt so heartbreakingly tangible. Hammond doesn’t waste words but paints her world with quick, sharp brushstrokes that sink in deep. Even later, when Luma first hears her name whispered in the mountains during the storm, I could feel the same eerie pull she did. It’s hard to find YA fantasy that captures both grounded reality and wonder so seamlessly, but this book pulls it off.

While the middle of the book took a slightly more deliberate pace, I appreciated the deeper look into Luma’s early interactions with Corr, the gruff yet oddly endearing elf guide. Their spirited exchanges added texture to their relationship and highlighted Hammond’s talent for character dynamics. Moments like Luma’s stumbles and Corr’s teasing remarks provided a playful contrast to the story’s more intense scenes. And when the raptera attack burst onto the page, chaotic, brutal, and utterly thrilling, the story’s momentum surged, and I found myself completely engrossed once again. Hammond’s prose truly shines during these breathtaking moments of magic and mystery.

The themes explored in the novel, particularly those concerning destiny, loneliness, and belonging, resonated with me more deeply than I had anticipated. Luma’s reluctance to embrace the role of a hero and her belief that she is not inherently special felt especially poignant, reflecting sentiments with which I could personally identify.That deep reluctance, that aching disbelief in her own worth, felt incredibly real. When she finally unleashes her starlight powers to save Corr from the monstrous bird (and then immediately pukes afterward, because of course she would), I found myself grinning like an idiot. Hammond doesn’t write magic as something clean or effortless; it’s messy, painful, and exhausting. That choice made Luma’s journey feel earned instead of just fated.

I came away from Daughter of Starlight deeply moved by its heart and emotional resonance. It is a beautifully crafted fantasy that offers real emotional depth, a stubborn and relatable heroine, and a story that intertwines everyday struggles with dazzling magic. It is the kind of book that keeps you reading late into the night and leaves you sitting quietly afterward, feeling both a little wrung out and a little more hopeful as you linger over the final page.
34 reviews1 follower
August 11, 2025
Thank you so much Netgalley and Molly M Hammond for allowing me the chance to read and review your debut novel!!

I enjoyed this book. There were aspects, such as her unique powers of Starlight and certain charecters I loved. I felt the world was beautifully described, alot of effort and thought has gone into creating scenes and the lore of this world. I did however struggle to sit down and devour this in one reading like I usually do.

The conflict of this story was well thought out, and a very clear reason was given for why everything was happening and how Luma was involved. It had a wonderful element of found family and that was one of the aspects that stood out the most, as well as the sense of finally finding your purpose/role in life.

The beginning felt very rushed, there was not much dialogue and I struggled to connect with the story. The first chapter almost felt unnecessary and only there to serve as an explanation that she was being taken to a new world, creating the element of modern to magical.

The first 2 chapters moved very quickly and make the time feel extremely rushed. For example, we go from Earth, to Medaza, to learning about a world ending prophecy, to denial then to an attack by wizards in 2 short chapters.

Some of the charecter conversations feel realistic, others not so much. Scenes felt rushed and almost skipped over, for example being locked up in jail for Aire, Corr and Elas had no significance to me since the chapter ended and they were in jail and the start of a new chapter they were being freed so there was no feeling of fear or concern for them.

I really struggled to connect with the charecters and thier conflicting charecter personalities. I do not know whether Luma is timid or firey, she has conflicting charecter traits, dependent on situations.

The book did not make me fear for the charecters. Once we see her heal with her powers, without training or any knowledge of having the skill. It makes the fear of death or harm feel less real.

That being said I did enjoy reading this story, it definitely embodies and embraces  the romantasy and magically trend we see latley.
Profile Image for Avis Adams.
Author 6 books31 followers
July 9, 2025
Daughter of Starlight, a high fantasy by Molly M. Hammond, brings to life, Luma, a young woman living between two worlds. The problem for Luma is she doesn’t know why she doesn’t fit in the only world she’s ever known. She’s tired of being different.
Hammond opens with Luma, and eighteen-year-old foster kid trying to survive in her ordinary world where she doesn’t fit in and is not accepted her for who she is. That all changes on a hike in the Colorado Rockies when she is lured into a cavern where the earth quakes, and she finds herself falling.
She wakes in a room with the three people more like herself than anyone she’s ever met. Thus begins her indoctrination into the world Edira, and soon, Luma begins the journey she was born to take.
Hammond’s world building takes us to a land filled with elves, wizards, talking owls, and one dragon who bears the four-star constellation that dominates the night sky. The lore of this land that crosses the veil between a world in which she didn’t belong, a world desperately in need of her powers to heal and save it becomes a story of timeless adventure, of epic proportions, a story that pits wizards against elves in a war to end all wars so that the world can finally heal itself.
Hammonds storytelling mastery brings a heroine that will win readers hearts and keep readers turning pages into the night. Daughter of Starlight will satisfy fantasy lovers, lovers of adventures, and any reader who loves a strong female hero who overcomes her own weaknesses and fears to save her friends and a world she has grown to love. A Five-Star read. 😊
Profile Image for Heather.
380 reviews28 followers
July 9, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A Stunning, Emotional Journey Through the Stars

Daughter of Starlight took me completely by surprise in the best way. From the first page, I was hooked by the immersive writing and the emotional depth. Luma, the main character, was superbly written—strong yet vulnerable, fierce yet filled with questions. Her growth throughout the story felt earned and incredibly satisfying.

The author did a phenomenal job of making me feel every single moment. Joy, heartbreak, awe, fear—it was all there, layered beautifully through the narrative. I found myself pausing just to sit with certain passages because of how powerfully they were written. Molly M. Hammond has a true gift for emotional storytelling and world-building that feels both expansive and intimate.

The cosmic themes of destiny, alignment, and personal choice were threaded throughout in a way that felt natural, not forced. And that tagline—“The alignment waits for no one”—could not have been more fitting. The pace was steady, the stakes real, and the twists well-executed.

If you love character-driven fantasy with a star-soaked edge, this is one to pick up. I can’t wait to see where Luma’s story goes next.

Thank you to The Wild Rose Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this amazing book.
Profile Image for Jade..
172 reviews13 followers
July 11, 2025
𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
𝐃𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭
𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

- - -
Read this if you like:
□ YA fantasy
□ found family
□ hidden power
□ magic battle
□ elves, mages, wizards
□ multi POV

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC.

From the start, there is already a lot of action, and that's how I like it! You instantly get pulled in the story. It took me a few days to finish this book cause life got really hectic this week. So, I am glad I finally finished the book.

I thought the plot was intriguing, a battle between elves and wizards and a young woman with hidden powers who can save the elves and their world. I just got confused quite a few times cause there are so many POV's. I am also a bit sad that there is no romance in this book. I always love a good, slow-burn romance! The ending was bittersweet but also had an open ending? It's like the story wasn't really finished. I'm not sure how to feel about the last page.

Overall, the story is fast-paced, action-packed, a unique plot, and many interesting characters.
1 review2 followers
September 2, 2025
Daughter of Starlight is a beautifully written fantasy that swept me away from the very first page. Molly Hammond has created a rich and magical world full of elves, wizards, and ancient secrets that felt both fresh and timeless.

The main character is brave, relatable, and full of heart, and watching her grow into her powers and purpose was one of my favorite parts of the story. The world-building is detailed and enchanting, with starlit skies and powerful magic that felt alive. Hammond’s writing is lyrical without being too heavy, making it a joy to read from start to finish.

The pacing was just right—plenty of action and mystery. There are important themes of identity, courage, and finding your place in the world, all woven naturally into the story.

Daughter of Starlight is perfect for young readers and fantasy lovers of any age. If you enjoy magical quests, strong heroines, and stories that leave you dreaming long after the last page, this book is for you. I’m already looking forward to reading more from Molly Hammond!
Profile Image for Vicky.
Author 26 books69 followers
May 12, 2025
THOUGHTS: Wow. This book grabbed me from the first page and didn’t let go until the last. Luma is a good character, as are the others in the story. She is the one the elves have been looking for for twelve years—the one who will help free them from the wizards of another world who want to take over their world. There is action (a lot!), treachery, friendship, and even a dragon! She has to figure out how to come to terms with the fact that she is an elf and her life on Earth was an unfortunate accident of fate. She has no memory of before she got there, or of her powers, or how to use them, but everyone is depending on her to save the elf world. Unfortunately, there are just as many people who don’t want her to do it.

If you’re looking for a decent fantasy story with lots of twists and turns, treachery and friendship, long lost love, and a war that could end multiple worlds. Or help them. Then you need to pick this one up. Definitely worth reading.

And definitely recommended.
Profile Image for A.A. DaSilva.
Author 2 books57 followers
July 7, 2025
Daughter of Starlight hooked me from page one! This book opens with Luma finding herself in a new world—a once peaceful elf world of magic that is now overrun with thieving wizards. As the alignment approaches, Luma must decide whether the stories she’s told are true—and if she has what it takes—to save the mysterious world.

—𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒏𝒐𝒘. 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒇, 𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅, 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔? 𝑶𝒓 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆, 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒇 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒎𝒆?—

Luma is easy to relate to in her journey of self-discovery. Along the way, friendships are made, purpose is found, and family secrets are revealed. With lush prose, beautiful and refreshingly straightforward worldbuilding, elves, wizards, and starlight magic, this book offers a lot to love. Highly recommend to fantasy lovers of all ages!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jessie Cole.
15 reviews
July 7, 2025
Daughter of Starlight is a YA fantasy where Luma is found wandering with crisscross gashes on her palms, no memories of anything.
Twelve years later, Luma and her gang of friends are trying to save the world from the evil villains! Raised by Elves she is seen as the prophesied “Daughter of Starlight” but she just wants to go home. She runs off looking for answers, finding an exiled elf mage. She finds that not only does she have a family but there is more to the prophesy than she thought.

Likes:
1: Elves, Wizards & a DRAGON!!
2: The way the author writes the story I went through the emotional journey with the characters.
3: The “Starlight Powers” are a cool twist on magic.
4: The world building was good without being too much

Cons:
1: I just wish that the characters gave me more
2: Felt rushed, give me more!

9/10 Plot
4/10 Character
8/10 Storytelling

9/10 Overall
Profile Image for Chelsey M. Ortega.
Author 1 book8 followers
May 14, 2025
Anastasia meets Avatar in Daughter of Starlight. Luma is hiking when a cave calls to her. The cave whisks her away to a new world where elves, wizards, and talking owls exist. And it turns out that Luma belongs to this world as its long lost princess. Luma takes a while to accept her place in Edira's history, but once she does, it's time to train and save her people.

Luma's adventure is fast paced and action packed, making it an enjoyable read for today's YA readers. The introduction of new creatures was fun. Ms. Hammond has created a refreshing take on magic with who and how it can be used. And the prevalent themes of found family and sacrifice left me satisfied.
Profile Image for Ash.
7 reviews15 followers
July 9, 2025
Daughter of Starlight - 4,25 stars
I was hooked from the start, the world building and the journey had me immersed the whole way through. Some of the characters could do with a bit more backstory but Luma, the FMC, felt like a real person. What I really liked about her is that throughout the book you could see her become more and more accepting. It started out with her repeatedly saying “I’m not special” and you follow her path to acceptance.
I’d love to read more about Luma and her crew in the future!
Profile Image for Sue.
1,727 reviews137 followers
June 25, 2025
Y’all—this book had me hollering “you go, girl!” to a literal ball of starlight power. 💫 Luma is fierce, confused, and fabulous, and I was living for her magical glow-up and her "who-even-am-I" identity crisis while dodging evil wizards and joining a ragtag elf rebellion. It’s like Hunger Games meets Lord of the Rings with a heroine who doesn’t even know she’s a legend… yet. If you love chosen-one chaos, elf sass, and wild plot twists—grab this book, stat! 🧝‍♀️✨🔥
Profile Image for Abigail L..
1,709 reviews122 followers
July 1, 2025
Daughter of Starlight is a beautifully written YA fantasy that weaves mystery, magic, and identity into an unforgettable journey. Luma’s story—marked by scars, secrets, and the search for belonging—pulled me in from the very first page. The worldbuilding is rich without being overwhelming, and the characters felt real even in a land full of elves and wizards. I really enjoyed watching Luma’s power unfold as she started to believe in herself, even when everything around her said she shouldn’t.
Profile Image for BLACKBIRD .
42 reviews1 follower
October 4, 2025
The Daughter of Statlight is an immersive fantasy with beautifully crafted lore that makes the world feel alive and vivid. I loved the development of Luma. What a fantastic main character, full of depth and courage, I was definitely rooting for her. While the story drew me in, I did wish some aspects had been expanded on, as I was left with a few unanswered questions.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
2 reviews
July 2, 2025
I think this story has an interesting plot. The setting is fun and unique. However, the pacing was incredibly fast. Too fast for me to feel any real connection to Luma before she was already the chosen one. I would've like to see more character development before that revelation. Overall, I might recommend this book to folks who are interested in very fast moving, plot driven stories.
Profile Image for Ell Staley.
49 reviews1 follower
July 29, 2025
If you're looking for a fierce heroine whose self belief grows right in front of you, some wicked magic and a lot of mystery then this is the book for you!

Fantastic journey watching Luma discover herself (and what a badass she is). The characters were well developed and the plot had you asking questions alongside Luma!
1 review
October 11, 2025
Must read! Captivating and inspiring.

This book is truly incredible. I felt pulled into Luma and her world, and it was hard to put it down! Molly Hammond writes with creative detail and passion, and strong character development - clearly a very gifted writer. I can't wait to find out what happens next and have been recommending this to friends and my middle school aged kids.
Profile Image for Paige Turner.
235 reviews15 followers
June 24, 2025
Elf Uprising and Star-Powered Girlboss Energy

Daughter of Starlight shines like a comet with fierce magic, elf rebellion, and a heroine who goes from lost girl to legendary queen-in-the-making—I was absolutely starstruck from page one! 🌠
1 review
November 13, 2025
This book is so good will read again can’t wait for the next one
Profile Image for Jennifer (Yodareads) Bishop.
360 reviews10 followers
July 7, 2025
A world with elves, but not a ton of magic? That’s not something we typically see and is quite refreshing in “Daughter of Starlight” by Molly M. Hammond. Luma has mysterious scars from before she was six years old and no recollection as to what caused them or anything else. Twelve years later, something mysterious draws her to a magical bridge that drops her into a world with elves fighting against wizards to save their land. What does Luma have to do with all of this? Why do her scars suddenly hurt? How is she supposed to help the elves fight back?

“Daughter of Starlight” by Molly M. Hammond was such a beautiful story of coming home and relearning who you are in the face of adversity. The book is appropriate for young readers and up as I don’t recall any cursing, and there is no physical romance, just mild flirting here and there. There are battle scenes. However, even those are shared with minimal description so that any could read them and be fine. I also don’t recall any grammar/spelling errors. I really enjoyed this book! This would be a good introduction to fantasy for those new to the genre, but also great for those of us who have been fans for a long time!

For a more detailed review, go to the link below:
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198 reviews
August 9, 2025
I'm giving this a 3.5 star rating rounded to a 3 on Goodreads.

Luma is an orphan, and though she has just turned 18, she has no direction to her life yet. She feels lost and aimless until she is drawn into a strange world by a magical bridge. She is more connected to the place than she realizes and soon takes up a pivotal role in changing things for the people of that world and herself. But there are those who seek to stop her.

This book was quite interesting with multiple worlds at play and complex magic systems. Luma is a character that adapts and grows greatly throughout the story, feeling very different by the end from the lost orphan she started as. My main critique of the story is that her quick growth makes her feel a bit disconnected. Her change is almost overnight and her past life isn't really referenced once she crosses the magical bridge. There are also some plot holes and conveniences that were explained away. However, I read for vibes and this had some great ones! There's a huge theme of found family and greater purpose throughout the book as well as the world itself being beautiful. I had a lot of fun with this book!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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