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City of Skies
AS SEEN ON TIKTOK, CITY OF SKIES IS A HIGH FANTASY ADVENTURE DEBUT. A LYRICAL BLEND OF MAGIC, MUSIC, ACTION AND ROMANCE, IT IS SURE TO APPEAL TO ROMANTASY AND EPIC FANTASY READERS ALIKE.
"Ancient darkness shall be met with ancient Light..."
A truce betrayed. A kingdom vanished. Lovers torn.
When raiders attacked the kingdom of Ginan, their neighbour Kirantel escaped to safety with the powers of the twelve Light-blessed gemstones with supernatural powers. Five years later, Zael is still tormented over leaving Aniyah behind. Only by forsaking his crown and accepting banishment can he leave the "City of Skies" to search the world for her.
He hopes to travel unnoticed, disguised as a tavern bard.
But with imperial soldiers in every city and monsters in the wilderness, Zael must do more than forsake pacifism in order to he must embrace unprecedented powers he doesn't yet understand.
Zael's long awaited reunion with Aniyah is only the beginning in a chain of world-altering events. While they face the ghosts of their pasts and rekindle lost love, a dragon-god is released from the abyss.
And Zael and Aniyah are the first targets.
"Ancient darkness shall be met with ancient Light..."
A truce betrayed. A kingdom vanished. Lovers torn.
When raiders attacked the kingdom of Ginan, their neighbour Kirantel escaped to safety with the powers of the twelve Light-blessed gemstones with supernatural powers. Five years later, Zael is still tormented over leaving Aniyah behind. Only by forsaking his crown and accepting banishment can he leave the "City of Skies" to search the world for her.
He hopes to travel unnoticed, disguised as a tavern bard.
But with imperial soldiers in every city and monsters in the wilderness, Zael must do more than forsake pacifism in order to he must embrace unprecedented powers he doesn't yet understand.
Zael's long awaited reunion with Aniyah is only the beginning in a chain of world-altering events. While they face the ghosts of their pasts and rekindle lost love, a dragon-god is released from the abyss.
And Zael and Aniyah are the first targets.
398 pages, Paperback
Published June 22, 2025
12 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
August 20, 2025
My notes while reading this:
- Ooh, cool map! 🤩
- Dang, this started with a bang! 😮
- Ahhh, the yearning! 💖
- And the plot thickens... Colour me intrigued 😁
- Gosh, I love how refreshing indie authors voices are 🤩
- Wait... WAIT!!!! 🤯
- If I didn't know this was a debut I wouldn't have believed it, cuz it certainly doesn't read like one.
I loved the world-building, the carefully crafted lore and the different magical beings. You can tell the author put a lot of work into creating complex lore with realistic dynamics.
Add a nice romance with a caring MMC, plus action and intrigue and you got a very well rounded book.
There were some questions unanswered here and there, but I'm assuming they'll be cleared up on later books. This is a series, after all.
Also, yes, this is slow-paced. And I have ZERO problems with that because the world, the magic system, and the characters needed that to shine the way they do. Sorry if I sound defensive, but every time an author rushes what could be one heck of a beautiful world "cuz readers don't want details, they're here for the dialogue" a baby dragon dies.
Actually, what I thought could be minor details turned out to be very relevant later, and that's why we don't jump to conclusions, folks!!
📚 So...
If you — like me – are into books with fun elements like cool maps and visual representation of certain elements, song lyrics, you're gonna love this one.
If you enjoy a high-stakes setting that unravels slowly to create even more high stakes, without rushing the characters or the plot, then this is for you.
If you're looking for a story with classic fantasy vibes in a complex world full of lore and magical creatures, and a beautiful, tender romance, I strongly recommend you give this one an opportunity.
- Ooh, cool map! 🤩
- Dang, this started with a bang! 😮
- Ahhh, the yearning! 💖
- And the plot thickens... Colour me intrigued 😁
- Gosh, I love how refreshing indie authors voices are 🤩
- Wait... WAIT!!!! 🤯
- If I didn't know this was a debut I wouldn't have believed it, cuz it certainly doesn't read like one.
I loved the world-building, the carefully crafted lore and the different magical beings. You can tell the author put a lot of work into creating complex lore with realistic dynamics.
Add a nice romance with a caring MMC, plus action and intrigue and you got a very well rounded book.
There were some questions unanswered here and there, but I'm assuming they'll be cleared up on later books. This is a series, after all.
Also, yes, this is slow-paced. And I have ZERO problems with that because the world, the magic system, and the characters needed that to shine the way they do. Sorry if I sound defensive, but every time an author rushes what could be one heck of a beautiful world "cuz readers don't want details, they're here for the dialogue" a baby dragon dies.
Actually, what I thought could be minor details turned out to be very relevant later, and that's why we don't jump to conclusions, folks!!
📚 So...
If you — like me – are into books with fun elements like cool maps and visual representation of certain elements, song lyrics, you're gonna love this one.
If you enjoy a high-stakes setting that unravels slowly to create even more high stakes, without rushing the characters or the plot, then this is for you.
If you're looking for a story with classic fantasy vibes in a complex world full of lore and magical creatures, and a beautiful, tender romance, I strongly recommend you give this one an opportunity.
April 19, 2026
I'm around a 3.75-4 ⭐
I was really into the story, I do feel the back half got a bit slower. The way it ended setup book two in a way that I will definitely check it out.
Overall, for a debut book, I enjoyed this
I was really into the story, I do feel the back half got a bit slower. The way it ended setup book two in a way that I will definitely check it out.
Overall, for a debut book, I enjoyed this
June 20, 2025
I had the pleasure of being an ARC reader for this book.
If you enjoyed the world building in Lord of the Rings, When the Moon Hatched, Throne of Glass, The Lost Prince series, you will enjoy this book!
The world building is enjoyable, you dont get lost with it, the author is able to fully engulf you into the world, the detail of each town, what the characters are seeing, feeling, all of it paints a very clear picture in your head!
This book is not my norm of book either, its lead by the MMC Zael. I grew to love him and his character development throughout the book, by the end of the first book his growth is fantastic and isnt the same character you started with.
The MFC Aniyah is still a bit of a mysterious character, as not much is know about her. I look forward to seeing where her character goes, along with the few extra characters that come into play later into the book.
Im only rating it at 4 star just due to my own preference of it not being fast pace, or action packed. I still thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and can't wait for the next 4 books to come!
If you enjoyed the world building in Lord of the Rings, When the Moon Hatched, Throne of Glass, The Lost Prince series, you will enjoy this book!
The world building is enjoyable, you dont get lost with it, the author is able to fully engulf you into the world, the detail of each town, what the characters are seeing, feeling, all of it paints a very clear picture in your head!
This book is not my norm of book either, its lead by the MMC Zael. I grew to love him and his character development throughout the book, by the end of the first book his growth is fantastic and isnt the same character you started with.
The MFC Aniyah is still a bit of a mysterious character, as not much is know about her. I look forward to seeing where her character goes, along with the few extra characters that come into play later into the book.
Im only rating it at 4 star just due to my own preference of it not being fast pace, or action packed. I still thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and can't wait for the next 4 books to come!
August 30, 2025
ARC Reader review
First off, any book that gives me a great map and various other charts makes me squeal as a fantasy romance reader. I feel like it gives a good indicator as to the amount and quality of world building in the story.
This story is refreshing in unlike a lot of fantasy romance, as it's told mainly from the MMC's point of view. Our MMC , Zael, at times gave me Wesley vibes ( Princess Bride), searching for his true love. Five years ago, Aniyah's home of Ginan was attacked by raiders. Zael has been tormented by it. Leaving his crown behind and accepting banishment, he leaves his kingdom to search for her.
I loved seeing their backstory as to how they fell in love and Aniyah's story of survival. Zael is so full love and yearning for her- slow burn city! My only complaint is I would have like a little more backstory or development with our villain. Hopefully, we'll get that in book 2.
First off, any book that gives me a great map and various other charts makes me squeal as a fantasy romance reader. I feel like it gives a good indicator as to the amount and quality of world building in the story.
This story is refreshing in unlike a lot of fantasy romance, as it's told mainly from the MMC's point of view. Our MMC , Zael, at times gave me Wesley vibes ( Princess Bride), searching for his true love. Five years ago, Aniyah's home of Ginan was attacked by raiders. Zael has been tormented by it. Leaving his crown behind and accepting banishment, he leaves his kingdom to search for her.
I loved seeing their backstory as to how they fell in love and Aniyah's story of survival. Zael is so full love and yearning for her- slow burn city! My only complaint is I would have like a little more backstory or development with our villain. Hopefully, we'll get that in book 2.
September 2, 2025
I received this as an ARC and am so excited for the rest of the series! Please consider me if you need Book 2 ARC readers, Elle :)
Negatives:
Zael is amazing and too good to be true, yet he IS true! I love him so much. I did get a bit annoyed with him sometimes, him mentally complaining about not knowing whether Aniyah loves him back or not, when anyone with a brain can see that she does. Basically, there was just too much back and forth for me. "Does she love me or not?" "Does he love me or not?". When it came to being able to identify that, both of Aniyah and Zael are complete idiots, and it got slightly old and repetitive. That being said, I love both of them and definitely got emotionally attached to them.
I would have appreciated a little more focus and maybe slight explanation on Zael's multiple Stargem abilities as opposed to all other human's single ability. I suspected somewhat early that he would have several. Aniyah wondered, and Orrin clearly knew Zael was special, hence why he gave him Chiron's sword. But Zael is oblivious. He doesn't wonder why he has several abilities, he just doesn't notice at all. I was hoping for some dialogue between him and Aniyah about it, which didn't really happen. So that aspect of Zael's story didn't seem fully flushed out.
I would have liked more on Kirantel. Either active in the story, or in more flashbacks and background lore. It's such an important city to the story, so I would have liked more of it.
Positives:
Zael is one of a kind. I love that he is basically a genuine through and through good guy rather than a morally gray kinda guy. His kind of wholesome goodness and purity is rare. He struggled to keep his mind pure at times, but he still tried, and managed to stay wholesome.
Aniyah was slightly annoying to me, but more so because I simply could not relate. She annoyed me because she kept thinking Zael couldn't possibly love her because she was poor and unworthy of him with nothing to offer. I know many women these days struggle with that, I have not. I admit that I do not find myself to be the most gorgeous woman on the planet or anything, but overall I think I am relatively pretty, and I am confident in myself and my worth. I know I am worth something, and deserving of love and kindness. I suppose maybe 5 years of not receiving love or kindness from others might change a little of that, but I don't know.
I love the stargems and the lore of them and how they work. It seems a little funny to me, in that all of those stones are found and formed by the earth, not by sky or meteorites hitting earth or something, but alright. Overall, decent world building. Would like more, but it's not bad.
Lastly, I love that religion is shown positively and negativity. Faith in God is a beautiful thing, and I love hope Zael is shown to be stronger and more powerful BECAUSE of his faith in the creator, not just because he's awesome. Obviously the religion of the Adarians justifies horrible things, but some religions in our world do that too. I liked that religion was shown from both perspectives, and was shown to be relevant, not something outdated, and not something that believers are seen as naive for believing. Yes, the believers are seen as silly and naive by some, but we as readers get to see that it is not naive, and is actually something founded and real and right.
Negatives:
Zael is amazing and too good to be true, yet he IS true! I love him so much. I did get a bit annoyed with him sometimes, him mentally complaining about not knowing whether Aniyah loves him back or not, when anyone with a brain can see that she does. Basically, there was just too much back and forth for me. "Does she love me or not?" "Does he love me or not?". When it came to being able to identify that, both of Aniyah and Zael are complete idiots, and it got slightly old and repetitive. That being said, I love both of them and definitely got emotionally attached to them.
I would have appreciated a little more focus and maybe slight explanation on Zael's multiple Stargem abilities as opposed to all other human's single ability. I suspected somewhat early that he would have several. Aniyah wondered, and Orrin clearly knew Zael was special, hence why he gave him Chiron's sword. But Zael is oblivious. He doesn't wonder why he has several abilities, he just doesn't notice at all. I was hoping for some dialogue between him and Aniyah about it, which didn't really happen. So that aspect of Zael's story didn't seem fully flushed out.
I would have liked more on Kirantel. Either active in the story, or in more flashbacks and background lore. It's such an important city to the story, so I would have liked more of it.
Positives:
Zael is one of a kind. I love that he is basically a genuine through and through good guy rather than a morally gray kinda guy. His kind of wholesome goodness and purity is rare. He struggled to keep his mind pure at times, but he still tried, and managed to stay wholesome.
Aniyah was slightly annoying to me, but more so because I simply could not relate. She annoyed me because she kept thinking Zael couldn't possibly love her because she was poor and unworthy of him with nothing to offer. I know many women these days struggle with that, I have not. I admit that I do not find myself to be the most gorgeous woman on the planet or anything, but overall I think I am relatively pretty, and I am confident in myself and my worth. I know I am worth something, and deserving of love and kindness. I suppose maybe 5 years of not receiving love or kindness from others might change a little of that, but I don't know.
I love the stargems and the lore of them and how they work. It seems a little funny to me, in that all of those stones are found and formed by the earth, not by sky or meteorites hitting earth or something, but alright. Overall, decent world building. Would like more, but it's not bad.
Lastly, I love that religion is shown positively and negativity. Faith in God is a beautiful thing, and I love hope Zael is shown to be stronger and more powerful BECAUSE of his faith in the creator, not just because he's awesome. Obviously the religion of the Adarians justifies horrible things, but some religions in our world do that too. I liked that religion was shown from both perspectives, and was shown to be relevant, not something outdated, and not something that believers are seen as naive for believing. Yes, the believers are seen as silly and naive by some, but we as readers get to see that it is not naive, and is actually something founded and real and right.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2025
This cozy fantasy is a romance forward journey that centres around the reunification of Anaya and Zael after they were separated during an invasion. Zael has strong golden retriever vibes. There are brief encounters with mystical creatures and this book spends time laying the ground work for future novels. The star gem magic system is very unique and I would have loved to find out more about it.
August 25, 2025
I was given the privilege of being an arc reader for this book.
While the story sounds interesting and I like that it’s dual POV I found it to be slow. I DNF at 30%. I wasn’t inlove with the characters and they didn’t connect with me.
While the story sounds interesting and I like that it’s dual POV I found it to be slow. I DNF at 30%. I wasn’t inlove with the characters and they didn’t connect with me.
March 8, 2026
A sweet cozy green flag fantasy with a unique birthstone magic. The MMC is a walking green flag golden retriever in the best way. With more books to come and more magic in store. If you like cozy fantasies like The Spellshop then you will love this.
September 1, 2025
Advanced Reader Review
"City of Skies" (Stargem Chronicles book 1) by Elle Wither
With shades of LOTR, The Princess Bride, and When the Moon Hatched, this author's debut fantasy romance features lush and thorough worldbuilding with glimpses of a darker plot ahead.
As a fantasy, it assumes the reader is familiar with standard fantasy races e.g. dwarves, Fae, etc. with minimal descriptions thereof, but with enough to get a picture even without such.
Additionally, an intriguing magic system that's more shown than told, with enough seeds and nuggets dropped throughout that halfway through I could make some theories about why some characters' evident abilities were such (though I was still surprised in the end!) 🤐
As a romance, this is a slow burn, second-chance, back-and-forth friends-to-lovers romance. Plenty of adorable banter and moments that left me screaming at the characters to just kiss already!
For those looking for it, heat = (0.5-1)🌶
Thank you again to Elle for choosing me to read this lovely book! Looking forward to the next one!!
"City of Skies" (Stargem Chronicles book 1) by Elle Wither
With shades of LOTR, The Princess Bride, and When the Moon Hatched, this author's debut fantasy romance features lush and thorough worldbuilding with glimpses of a darker plot ahead.
As a fantasy, it assumes the reader is familiar with standard fantasy races e.g. dwarves, Fae, etc. with minimal descriptions thereof, but with enough to get a picture even without such.
Additionally, an intriguing magic system that's more shown than told, with enough seeds and nuggets dropped throughout that halfway through I could make some theories about why some characters' evident abilities were such (though I was still surprised in the end!) 🤐
As a romance, this is a slow burn, second-chance, back-and-forth friends-to-lovers romance. Plenty of adorable banter and moments that left me screaming at the characters to just kiss already!
For those looking for it, heat = (0.5-1)🌶
Thank you again to Elle for choosing me to read this lovely book! Looking forward to the next one!!
April 8, 2026
3.5 Stars, 4 rounded up.
Very grateful to receive a copy in exchange for a review in anticipation of book 2's release. Thank you for the digital copies of both your books. I am eager to jump into The Chosen Throne after that ending.
Spoiler-free review:
I LOVED the plot of this book, and the world that we find ourselves immersed in. Everything that was going on in the background, perfection! I loved the mixed-media aspect; there was the actual story, multiple povs, other storybooks woven within, time jumping, and songs written out for the reader as well. This was such an expression of art.
I didn't like that the author felt the need to repeat what was already known to the reader so often. At one point in my notes, I wrote: "For the love of the literate, stop repeating information we already were given." While the world of City of the Skies belongs alongside When the Moon Hatched and The Lord of the Rings, my favourite thing about those stories is that there is no hand-holding by the author, and our intelligence is trusted to catch up with what is going on. The lack of trusting your reader to keep up, unfortunately, was what brought down my rating from a five-star to a four-star read. (What knocked off the .5 will be listed under spoilers.)
P.S. The cover work is stunning, and the map is very well done.
Spoiler review ahead
Thank you again for gifting me a copy of City of Skies, please learn to trust your reader to keep up with you, your mind is a beautifully artistic storyteller.
Very grateful to receive a copy in exchange for a review in anticipation of book 2's release. Thank you for the digital copies of both your books. I am eager to jump into The Chosen Throne after that ending.
Spoiler-free review:
I LOVED the plot of this book, and the world that we find ourselves immersed in. Everything that was going on in the background, perfection! I loved the mixed-media aspect; there was the actual story, multiple povs, other storybooks woven within, time jumping, and songs written out for the reader as well. This was such an expression of art.
I didn't like that the author felt the need to repeat what was already known to the reader so often. At one point in my notes, I wrote: "For the love of the literate, stop repeating information we already were given." While the world of City of the Skies belongs alongside When the Moon Hatched and The Lord of the Rings, my favourite thing about those stories is that there is no hand-holding by the author, and our intelligence is trusted to catch up with what is going on. The lack of trusting your reader to keep up, unfortunately, was what brought down my rating from a five-star to a four-star read. (What knocked off the .5 will be listed under spoilers.)
P.S. The cover work is stunning, and the map is very well done.
Spoiler review ahead
Thank you again for gifting me a copy of City of Skies, please learn to trust your reader to keep up with you, your mind is a beautifully artistic storyteller.
August 1, 2025
City of Skies is a really great fantasy debut novel by Elle Wither. I adore authors who take the time to describe beauty throughout their worldbuilding, yes please tell me the goodness we're fighting to save! Hopefully one day we'll see Aniyah and Zael by the river enjoying the beautiful spring flowers among their stargems. The literary style reminds me of Howls' Moving Castle, if CoS was written from Howl's perspectives in trying to find his long lost love.
Zael feels earnest and sweet traveling to the ends of the earth to right this wrong done to their love story, eternally dedicated to Aniyah and her light. He refuses to compromise his integrity, while also learning the nuances that shift us into adults from childhood naivety. Sometimes there isn't a right answer except self-defense. Zael reminds me of Siddhartha, who only became Buddha by relinquishing power and privilege in favor of awareness. By learning empathy and compassion directly from the people he was expected to rule, he fulfilled his destiny as a spiritual leader. Zael is only just beginning his saga and I can't wait to see his growth.
Aniyah is realistic as a sweetheart in an epic fantasy romance, they both have 90's prince/heroine vibes as a couple and it's beautifully endearing throughout the book. Sleeping Beauty/Enchanted vibes - just your heroine making the best of a bad situation by radiating joy everywhere she visits. I hope you'll root for her too! I so wish we could have City of Skies as an animated series, I can envision Don Bluth's legendary style, giving justice to Aniyah's whimsy and light amongst the gritty saga.
The slowburn crowd will adore City of Skies!! As someone whose suffered a TBI, I thought it was neat seeing both Aniyah and Zael patient with the process of returning back to love. I loved how much space he holds for her growth, and also her pain throughout his quests knowing they've held different stories during their trials apart. Without giving away much, the whole reveal is beautifully well written! Can Zael stay true to himself, can Aniyah heal into a complex heroine whose light can save a kingdom? Only more books will tell!
In full transparency, the author gave me an advance reader copy in exchange for my freely given reviews. City of Skies earned 4 stars only because it is the first in a series, which means more room to grow! I cannot wait to see what spiritual battles await Zael, how the star gems will play a bigger role in what's to come, and if we've found our future King and Queen who will reunite the lands after all!
Zael feels earnest and sweet traveling to the ends of the earth to right this wrong done to their love story, eternally dedicated to Aniyah and her light. He refuses to compromise his integrity, while also learning the nuances that shift us into adults from childhood naivety. Sometimes there isn't a right answer except self-defense. Zael reminds me of Siddhartha, who only became Buddha by relinquishing power and privilege in favor of awareness. By learning empathy and compassion directly from the people he was expected to rule, he fulfilled his destiny as a spiritual leader. Zael is only just beginning his saga and I can't wait to see his growth.
Aniyah is realistic as a sweetheart in an epic fantasy romance, they both have 90's prince/heroine vibes as a couple and it's beautifully endearing throughout the book. Sleeping Beauty/Enchanted vibes - just your heroine making the best of a bad situation by radiating joy everywhere she visits. I hope you'll root for her too! I so wish we could have City of Skies as an animated series, I can envision Don Bluth's legendary style, giving justice to Aniyah's whimsy and light amongst the gritty saga.
The slowburn crowd will adore City of Skies!! As someone whose suffered a TBI, I thought it was neat seeing both Aniyah and Zael patient with the process of returning back to love. I loved how much space he holds for her growth, and also her pain throughout his quests knowing they've held different stories during their trials apart. Without giving away much, the whole reveal is beautifully well written! Can Zael stay true to himself, can Aniyah heal into a complex heroine whose light can save a kingdom? Only more books will tell!
In full transparency, the author gave me an advance reader copy in exchange for my freely given reviews. City of Skies earned 4 stars only because it is the first in a series, which means more room to grow! I cannot wait to see what spiritual battles await Zael, how the star gems will play a bigger role in what's to come, and if we've found our future King and Queen who will reunite the lands after all!
June 22, 2025
I absolutely devoured City of Skies and I'm still thinking about it days later! Elle Wither has written something really special here.
Getting this story mostly from Zael's POV was such a nice change. His voice drew me in completely - all that guilt over leaving Aniyah, his determination to find her, the way he sees her when they finally reunite. His transformation from guilt-ridden prince to someone who has to embrace these scary new powers kept me turning pages way past my bedtime.
Aniyah though - her character development blew me away. Going from pampered princess to someone who's survived god knows what for five years, and then having to figure out if she can trust Zael again? The way Elle shows us how much she's changed without info-dumping about her trauma was masterful. She's not the same person he left behind, and their relationship has to start over in a lot of ways.
Elle's writing is gorgeous. It has this lyrical quality that really comes through when she includes actual songs and musical elements. The way music is woven into the magic system and the world itself feels organic, not forced. When Zael uses his bard disguise, those moments felt so authentic.
The creatures in this world are fantastic. The centaurions have their own complex society, and the dragons feel truly ancient and dangerous. Even the smaller monsters Zael encounters in the wilderness serve the story instead of just being there for action scenes.
The Light-blessed gemstones magic system is intricate but never confusing, and watching Zael figure out these new abilities while being hunted kept me on edge. The fight scenes hit hard and the pacing never lagged.
That ending killed me. I immediately went looking for book two release dates because I need to know what happens next. There are so many loose threads and I'm invested in seeing where Zael and Aniyah's story goes.
If you're into epic romantasy with beautiful prose and character growth that feels earned, definitely pick this up. I'll be watching for whatever Elle Wither writes next.
Getting this story mostly from Zael's POV was such a nice change. His voice drew me in completely - all that guilt over leaving Aniyah, his determination to find her, the way he sees her when they finally reunite. His transformation from guilt-ridden prince to someone who has to embrace these scary new powers kept me turning pages way past my bedtime.
Aniyah though - her character development blew me away. Going from pampered princess to someone who's survived god knows what for five years, and then having to figure out if she can trust Zael again? The way Elle shows us how much she's changed without info-dumping about her trauma was masterful. She's not the same person he left behind, and their relationship has to start over in a lot of ways.
Elle's writing is gorgeous. It has this lyrical quality that really comes through when she includes actual songs and musical elements. The way music is woven into the magic system and the world itself feels organic, not forced. When Zael uses his bard disguise, those moments felt so authentic.
The creatures in this world are fantastic. The centaurions have their own complex society, and the dragons feel truly ancient and dangerous. Even the smaller monsters Zael encounters in the wilderness serve the story instead of just being there for action scenes.
The Light-blessed gemstones magic system is intricate but never confusing, and watching Zael figure out these new abilities while being hunted kept me on edge. The fight scenes hit hard and the pacing never lagged.
That ending killed me. I immediately went looking for book two release dates because I need to know what happens next. There are so many loose threads and I'm invested in seeing where Zael and Aniyah's story goes.
If you're into epic romantasy with beautiful prose and character growth that feels earned, definitely pick this up. I'll be watching for whatever Elle Wither writes next.
July 20, 2025
First of all, I just want to say how excited I was to receive my very first ARC, thank you so much to the author for the opportunity to read this book before its public release!
Overall, I really enjoyed the story. It was a solid read, and I think it has incredible potential as an audiobook. Music plays such a strong role in the plot that, with the right narrator and sound design, it could truly come to life in a powerful way.
The core storyline between the two main characters was easy to follow and engaging. There was a point where I was surprised - and honestly a bit confused - when a certain memory issue was introduced. It seemed to come out of nowhere, without any clear buildup. That said, the confusion didn’t last long, as the issue was cleared up relatively quickly.
There were some loose ends throughout the book, but by the end, most of them tied together well. Still, the ending did feel a little rushed and left on a pretty big cliffhanger, clearly setting up for a sequel, which I’m looking forward to!
One thing that stood out (in a slightly jarring way) was the inclusion of a few POVs from characters who hadn’t been introduced earlier or didn’t appear much outside of their chapters. Their perspectives felt random at first, and I struggled to place them in the larger narrative. That said, they did end up being important to the plot, so I wouldn’t say it took away from the overall story, but it might have helped to weave them in earlier or give them a bit more background.
This is definitely a light, enjoyable read that fits well within the young adult genre. I would note that the death of a parent is the biggest trigger to be aware of.
Overall, a great debut ARC experience for me. I’m hopeful we’ll get a chance to read the second book soon!
Overall, I really enjoyed the story. It was a solid read, and I think it has incredible potential as an audiobook. Music plays such a strong role in the plot that, with the right narrator and sound design, it could truly come to life in a powerful way.
The core storyline between the two main characters was easy to follow and engaging. There was a point where I was surprised - and honestly a bit confused - when a certain memory issue was introduced. It seemed to come out of nowhere, without any clear buildup. That said, the confusion didn’t last long, as the issue was cleared up relatively quickly.
There were some loose ends throughout the book, but by the end, most of them tied together well. Still, the ending did feel a little rushed and left on a pretty big cliffhanger, clearly setting up for a sequel, which I’m looking forward to!
One thing that stood out (in a slightly jarring way) was the inclusion of a few POVs from characters who hadn’t been introduced earlier or didn’t appear much outside of their chapters. Their perspectives felt random at first, and I struggled to place them in the larger narrative. That said, they did end up being important to the plot, so I wouldn’t say it took away from the overall story, but it might have helped to weave them in earlier or give them a bit more background.
This is definitely a light, enjoyable read that fits well within the young adult genre. I would note that the death of a parent is the biggest trigger to be aware of.
Overall, a great debut ARC experience for me. I’m hopeful we’ll get a chance to read the second book soon!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2025
Overall 3.5 stars!
This fantasy romance novel delivers a heartfelt love story set against the backdrop of cultural conflict and religious differences. At its core, it follows two lovers torn apart by war and ideology, with the devoted male lead disguising himself as a traveling bard in a desperate quest to reunite with his lost love.
What Worked Well
One of the standout aspects of this book is its imaginative fantasy world. The presence of stargems, along with the diverse peoples and cultures, gives the setting a unique sparkle. The romance shines most through the male lead—his unwavering devotion and determination make him both memorable and deeply endearing. Readers who love a steadfast hero willing to cross dangerous boundaries for love will find him captivating.
Where It Fell Short
Despite the intriguing setting, much of the worldbuilding is delivered through dialogue, which limits the reader’s immersion. Instead of truly stepping into this rich world, we often hear characters explain it secondhand. The female lead unfortunately doesn’t leave much of an impression; she lacks the depth or vibrancy to match the strength of the male protagonist. Additionally, the balance of power feels inconsistent. Characters who struggle against minor threats suddenly overcome major foes without clear development or training, and even supposedly all-powerful beings are defeated too easily, undercutting the tension.
Overall Impression
While not without its flaws, this book succeeds as a romantic fantasy tale. Readers seeking an emotional love story wrapped in a fantastical setting will likely enjoy the journey. Those who crave detailed worldbuilding or tight consistency in power dynamics may find it lacking, but romance-first readers will find it a charming, heartfelt adventure.
This fantasy romance novel delivers a heartfelt love story set against the backdrop of cultural conflict and religious differences. At its core, it follows two lovers torn apart by war and ideology, with the devoted male lead disguising himself as a traveling bard in a desperate quest to reunite with his lost love.
What Worked Well
One of the standout aspects of this book is its imaginative fantasy world. The presence of stargems, along with the diverse peoples and cultures, gives the setting a unique sparkle. The romance shines most through the male lead—his unwavering devotion and determination make him both memorable and deeply endearing. Readers who love a steadfast hero willing to cross dangerous boundaries for love will find him captivating.
Where It Fell Short
Despite the intriguing setting, much of the worldbuilding is delivered through dialogue, which limits the reader’s immersion. Instead of truly stepping into this rich world, we often hear characters explain it secondhand. The female lead unfortunately doesn’t leave much of an impression; she lacks the depth or vibrancy to match the strength of the male protagonist. Additionally, the balance of power feels inconsistent. Characters who struggle against minor threats suddenly overcome major foes without clear development or training, and even supposedly all-powerful beings are defeated too easily, undercutting the tension.
Overall Impression
While not without its flaws, this book succeeds as a romantic fantasy tale. Readers seeking an emotional love story wrapped in a fantastical setting will likely enjoy the journey. Those who crave detailed worldbuilding or tight consistency in power dynamics may find it lacking, but romance-first readers will find it a charming, heartfelt adventure.
January 1, 2026
I really enjoyed this story! And it left me with so much to look forward to in this series.
This book reads like a fantasy adventure story, with a healthy dose of romance on the side. The main character, Zael, is on an adventure to find his lost love, Aniyah. Without giving away spoilers, the majority of the story takes place on the road, journeying both to her and onwards from there. Zael is a very likeable character and his determination to find Aniyah, aliasing with his patience and long-suffering throughout the book are what made me really root for him and their love story. I wanted Zael and Aniyah to have their happy ending. Or, as this is book one in a series, their happy beginning. The pacing was a little bit slower towards the beginning of the book, but I think it gives time to build the characters and allow for their character arcs as well.
For me, the world building was absolutely fantastic. I loved the descriptions of the vast geographical locations throughout. I adored the map at the front, as it was beautifully drawn. The landscapes, towns, people, animals and mythical creature were all very well thought-out and easy for me to imagine. There was a good contrast between different places and it all felt very believable.
My favourite creature was the griffon with it's character and purpose being unique from any other story that I've read. I wish there had been a few more sentences about it as I liked it so much. I also really liked the Darkspawn animals. Animals such as crows and wolves that were actually turned evil and attacked the main characters. I won't say too much more than that because I want to let you experience it for yourselves, but they were excellently written.
There are dragons in this book! They are actually powerful, evil gods who control the elements. It's a nice twist (or nod back to old-fashioned stories) to have the dragons be scary/evil, whereas in our modern times there are a plethora of stories with friendly dragons who are almost pet-like characters.
The major themes in this book are good vs. evil, providence, and of course lost or second chance love and romance. I personally enjoy all of these themes immensely.
I understood and enjoyed the well developed magic system that is described as being a fraction of what once was, which raised the question of what will happen next because the main character seems to have more powers than he is thought to have at the outset of the story. The story occurs at a time when the world is in an era of transition. A thousand years have passed with the evil dragons sleeping/in prison. Now it's a new age. As evil forces are on the rise, Zael seems to be our hero processing more powers to defeat the darkness that is building. How does Zael have multiple powers? I can't wait to find out more in book two. More points in regards to the plot - I can't wait to find out more about the third point of view person that was introduced halfway through the story. Most of the book was from Zael's point of view with Aniyah's point of view mixed in here and there. Lots of very clearly laid out flashback which make it easy to read and understand their story. But they are a part of a larger world with many of it's own problems and the writing balances out their personal story with the larger plot that is to be revealed in later books.
As a love story, Zael and Aniyah are believable characters and relatable at times, less so at other times for me personally. Here's what I loved and what I related to: Zael is a hopeless romantic. He knew he wanted to marry Aniyah from a young age (18) and nothing could shake his passion for her or his hope for their future. I like that he is so optimistic and I am definitely a hopeless romantic myself. He went through many hardships on his way to get back to her and he showed himself brave and strong. Aniyah was carefree and playful when she first fell in love with Zael at 18, and now five years later is far more cynical and jaded. She doesn't believe in love anymore. I understand the factors holding her back but when she does begin to fall in love with Zael again, I had a hard time with how she didn't express her feelings to him at all, but left him wondering what was going on in her mind. At times this part of their story was cute and allowed the characters opportunities to get close physically but at times she just seemed to be toying with him too much. He was nothing but kind and patient with her while she seemed to be leading him on. He did get frustrated by her (but not as frustrated as I was at her) and feel confused but he would quickly overcome those feelings and be back to his cheerful self in no time. I got annoyed with her for not admitting to herself and to him that she had strong feelings of attraction and affection for him. I also had empathy for him and wondered how he could continue to be so kind to her when she was drawing him in and pushing him away. Can any man be that patient? It was hard to imagine that being real. Like he is too good to be true. But I guess that's the point of writing a hero the way you want him to be and that's the point of reading - to escape reality. In reality the man would have gotten angry with her and pushed her away more I think. BUT...!! when Zael and Aniyah finally kissed it was worth the wait! They are good together. And when everything came to a climax at the end, lots of things in the story all started happening together. The adventure, the monsters, the danger and the love all collided in a huge climactic event at the end of the book that made the last few chapters impossible to put down. Very well written and yes, very much a dream man at that point. So brave. So focussed on his mission of winning her heart.
An interesting element of this book was that the main character was a musician and song-writer and some of his original song lyrics are included and repeated as a motif throughout the book. I've not seen this done before. It adds an element of poetry to the writing.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes epic fantasy or romance or romantasy. But bear in mind, it's not a cookie-cutter story. It's got it's own unique feel to it and for that I respect it.
PS: There are very few swear words and nothing beyond kissing in the spice department - for those of you, like me, who may be wondering about such things. I appreciate this story as being a mature story without being full of swear words and things. It's not necessary and in my opinion detracts from the story. That's why I'm glad this book is lean on such things.
Now go read Meli F’s review of this book because I agree with everything she said. That’s a terrific review. 👍👍
This book reads like a fantasy adventure story, with a healthy dose of romance on the side. The main character, Zael, is on an adventure to find his lost love, Aniyah. Without giving away spoilers, the majority of the story takes place on the road, journeying both to her and onwards from there. Zael is a very likeable character and his determination to find Aniyah, aliasing with his patience and long-suffering throughout the book are what made me really root for him and their love story. I wanted Zael and Aniyah to have their happy ending. Or, as this is book one in a series, their happy beginning. The pacing was a little bit slower towards the beginning of the book, but I think it gives time to build the characters and allow for their character arcs as well.
For me, the world building was absolutely fantastic. I loved the descriptions of the vast geographical locations throughout. I adored the map at the front, as it was beautifully drawn. The landscapes, towns, people, animals and mythical creature were all very well thought-out and easy for me to imagine. There was a good contrast between different places and it all felt very believable.
My favourite creature was the griffon with it's character and purpose being unique from any other story that I've read. I wish there had been a few more sentences about it as I liked it so much. I also really liked the Darkspawn animals. Animals such as crows and wolves that were actually turned evil and attacked the main characters. I won't say too much more than that because I want to let you experience it for yourselves, but they were excellently written.
There are dragons in this book! They are actually powerful, evil gods who control the elements. It's a nice twist (or nod back to old-fashioned stories) to have the dragons be scary/evil, whereas in our modern times there are a plethora of stories with friendly dragons who are almost pet-like characters.
The major themes in this book are good vs. evil, providence, and of course lost or second chance love and romance. I personally enjoy all of these themes immensely.
I understood and enjoyed the well developed magic system that is described as being a fraction of what once was, which raised the question of what will happen next because the main character seems to have more powers than he is thought to have at the outset of the story. The story occurs at a time when the world is in an era of transition. A thousand years have passed with the evil dragons sleeping/in prison. Now it's a new age. As evil forces are on the rise, Zael seems to be our hero processing more powers to defeat the darkness that is building. How does Zael have multiple powers? I can't wait to find out more in book two. More points in regards to the plot - I can't wait to find out more about the third point of view person that was introduced halfway through the story. Most of the book was from Zael's point of view with Aniyah's point of view mixed in here and there. Lots of very clearly laid out flashback which make it easy to read and understand their story. But they are a part of a larger world with many of it's own problems and the writing balances out their personal story with the larger plot that is to be revealed in later books.
As a love story, Zael and Aniyah are believable characters and relatable at times, less so at other times for me personally. Here's what I loved and what I related to: Zael is a hopeless romantic. He knew he wanted to marry Aniyah from a young age (18) and nothing could shake his passion for her or his hope for their future. I like that he is so optimistic and I am definitely a hopeless romantic myself. He went through many hardships on his way to get back to her and he showed himself brave and strong. Aniyah was carefree and playful when she first fell in love with Zael at 18, and now five years later is far more cynical and jaded. She doesn't believe in love anymore. I understand the factors holding her back but when she does begin to fall in love with Zael again, I had a hard time with how she didn't express her feelings to him at all, but left him wondering what was going on in her mind. At times this part of their story was cute and allowed the characters opportunities to get close physically but at times she just seemed to be toying with him too much. He was nothing but kind and patient with her while she seemed to be leading him on. He did get frustrated by her (but not as frustrated as I was at her) and feel confused but he would quickly overcome those feelings and be back to his cheerful self in no time. I got annoyed with her for not admitting to herself and to him that she had strong feelings of attraction and affection for him. I also had empathy for him and wondered how he could continue to be so kind to her when she was drawing him in and pushing him away. Can any man be that patient? It was hard to imagine that being real. Like he is too good to be true. But I guess that's the point of writing a hero the way you want him to be and that's the point of reading - to escape reality. In reality the man would have gotten angry with her and pushed her away more I think. BUT...!! when Zael and Aniyah finally kissed it was worth the wait! They are good together. And when everything came to a climax at the end, lots of things in the story all started happening together. The adventure, the monsters, the danger and the love all collided in a huge climactic event at the end of the book that made the last few chapters impossible to put down. Very well written and yes, very much a dream man at that point. So brave. So focussed on his mission of winning her heart.
An interesting element of this book was that the main character was a musician and song-writer and some of his original song lyrics are included and repeated as a motif throughout the book. I've not seen this done before. It adds an element of poetry to the writing.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes epic fantasy or romance or romantasy. But bear in mind, it's not a cookie-cutter story. It's got it's own unique feel to it and for that I respect it.
PS: There are very few swear words and nothing beyond kissing in the spice department - for those of you, like me, who may be wondering about such things. I appreciate this story as being a mature story without being full of swear words and things. It's not necessary and in my opinion detracts from the story. That's why I'm glad this book is lean on such things.
Now go read Meli F’s review of this book because I agree with everything she said. That’s a terrific review. 👍👍
April 30, 2026
Book Review: City of Skies by Elle Wither
City of Skies by Elle Wither is a beautifully woven romantasy that blends sweeping epic fantasy with a deeply emotional love story. Set in a richly imagined world filled with centaurs, faeries, and dragons, the novel pulls readers into a landscape that feels both magical and alive.
At the heart of the story is Zael’s journey—told largely from his perspective—as he fights to reunite with Aniyah. This choice of viewpoint gives the narrative a refreshing emotional depth. Rather than a typical dual perspective, we are immersed in Zael’s devotion, his longing, and the internal battles he faces as he confronts fear and uncertainty. His character stands out as a fiercely loyal and determined male lead, making the romance feel earned and powerful.
One of the most intriguing elements of the book is the “stargems” system. It adds a unique layer to the world-building, offering both mystery and structure to the magic within the story. This element enhances the plot without overwhelming it, striking a nice balance between fantasy mechanics and character-driven storytelling.
The pacing leans into a slow-burn romance, allowing the emotional tension to build gradually. For readers who appreciate longing, yearning, and the quiet intensity of love that grows over time, this will feel especially satisfying. The connection between Zael and Aniyah is not rushed—it unfolds with intention, making each moment between them more impactful.
Overall, City of Skies is a strong choice for fans of romantasy who enjoy immersive worlds, magical creatures, and heartfelt devotion at the core of the story. If you’re drawn to epic fantasy with emotional depth and a steadfast male lead, this book is well worth the journey.
City of Skies by Elle Wither is a beautifully woven romantasy that blends sweeping epic fantasy with a deeply emotional love story. Set in a richly imagined world filled with centaurs, faeries, and dragons, the novel pulls readers into a landscape that feels both magical and alive.
At the heart of the story is Zael’s journey—told largely from his perspective—as he fights to reunite with Aniyah. This choice of viewpoint gives the narrative a refreshing emotional depth. Rather than a typical dual perspective, we are immersed in Zael’s devotion, his longing, and the internal battles he faces as he confronts fear and uncertainty. His character stands out as a fiercely loyal and determined male lead, making the romance feel earned and powerful.
One of the most intriguing elements of the book is the “stargems” system. It adds a unique layer to the world-building, offering both mystery and structure to the magic within the story. This element enhances the plot without overwhelming it, striking a nice balance between fantasy mechanics and character-driven storytelling.
The pacing leans into a slow-burn romance, allowing the emotional tension to build gradually. For readers who appreciate longing, yearning, and the quiet intensity of love that grows over time, this will feel especially satisfying. The connection between Zael and Aniyah is not rushed—it unfolds with intention, making each moment between them more impactful.
Overall, City of Skies is a strong choice for fans of romantasy who enjoy immersive worlds, magical creatures, and heartfelt devotion at the core of the story. If you’re drawn to epic fantasy with emotional depth and a steadfast male lead, this book is well worth the journey.
July 15, 2025
This indie fantasy romance is a hidden gem of rich, slow-burning, and emotionally immersive. At its heart, it's a story of lost love, burning desire, and the kind of connection that survives time, distance, and the darkness of fate. But what begins as a personal quest for love quickly deepens into something far grander, a battle between ancient forces of good and evil that threatens the very world the characters call home.
The worldbuilding is simply stunning. From astronomy and gemstone lore to religious undercurrents and the deep roots of history, every detail feels intentional and alive. The author has created a layered universe filled with diverse races, cultures, and hidden truths, all of which unfold seamlessly through the journey.
Zael is the kind of hero that readers fall for instantly, he is loyal, golden-hearted, and endlessly patient. He’s a steady flame in a world teetering on chaos. Aniyah, our strong-willed and emotionally raw heroine, is both relatable and radiant, a perfect match to Zael's quiet strength. Their dynamic is beautifully written, full of tension and tenderness, and evolves in a way that feels deeply earned.
The story is much more than a romance; it’s a journey through prophecy, sacrifice, and the fight to reclaim not just love, but hope. As a reader, I was captivated by the depth of the characters, the richness of the lore, and the high-stakes adventure that ties it all together.
If you enjoy stories where love burns slow but deep, where ancient powers awaken and destinies are rewritten, this book deserves a spot on your shelf. A truly magical and emotional read.
The worldbuilding is simply stunning. From astronomy and gemstone lore to religious undercurrents and the deep roots of history, every detail feels intentional and alive. The author has created a layered universe filled with diverse races, cultures, and hidden truths, all of which unfold seamlessly through the journey.
Zael is the kind of hero that readers fall for instantly, he is loyal, golden-hearted, and endlessly patient. He’s a steady flame in a world teetering on chaos. Aniyah, our strong-willed and emotionally raw heroine, is both relatable and radiant, a perfect match to Zael's quiet strength. Their dynamic is beautifully written, full of tension and tenderness, and evolves in a way that feels deeply earned.
The story is much more than a romance; it’s a journey through prophecy, sacrifice, and the fight to reclaim not just love, but hope. As a reader, I was captivated by the depth of the characters, the richness of the lore, and the high-stakes adventure that ties it all together.
If you enjoy stories where love burns slow but deep, where ancient powers awaken and destinies are rewritten, this book deserves a spot on your shelf. A truly magical and emotional read.
July 30, 2025
Stargems, mythical creatures, disappearing cities, young love, mountain village taverns and a long trek through the wilderness. City of Skies contains everything you could ask for in a fantasy, romance novel. I received this ARC and honestly had no idea what I was walking into, as fantasy novels are outside of my usual genres. I was pleasantly surprised.
City of Skies is a multiple point of view, dual timeline, fantasy + adventure + romance novel about a handsome young pacifist bard traipsing through rugged mountainside lands with only a horse and guitar to keep him company while he searches for his lost love... It reads like a cozy romace novel but with the adventure, action and mythical aspects giving the story an intriguing edge and making it hard to put down.
Both main characters, Zael and Aniyah, were likeable and developed well over the course of the story. Romance plots tend to get repetitive and predictable but the memory loss was an interesting, unexpected twist. I was initially unsure how multiple points of view and time periods would flow but it was pretty seamless and the storylines came together well. The unexpected, added points of view towards the end could have been better blended in earlier into the story so they seemed less abrupt, however, they do add to the longterm plot and build up to a sequel.
Overall, the characters, the fantasy world and the storyline itself drew me in because of the excellent, descriptive writing style. Lastly, shout out to the author for filling the entire book with beautiful lyrics. I was so impressed by the songs themselves on top of the intriguing storyline.
City of Skies is a multiple point of view, dual timeline, fantasy + adventure + romance novel about a handsome young pacifist bard traipsing through rugged mountainside lands with only a horse and guitar to keep him company while he searches for his lost love... It reads like a cozy romace novel but with the adventure, action and mythical aspects giving the story an intriguing edge and making it hard to put down.
Both main characters, Zael and Aniyah, were likeable and developed well over the course of the story. Romance plots tend to get repetitive and predictable but the memory loss was an interesting, unexpected twist. I was initially unsure how multiple points of view and time periods would flow but it was pretty seamless and the storylines came together well. The unexpected, added points of view towards the end could have been better blended in earlier into the story so they seemed less abrupt, however, they do add to the longterm plot and build up to a sequel.
Overall, the characters, the fantasy world and the storyline itself drew me in because of the excellent, descriptive writing style. Lastly, shout out to the author for filling the entire book with beautiful lyrics. I was so impressed by the songs themselves on top of the intriguing storyline.
June 23, 2025
Elle Wither’s debut novel, City of Skies, sweeps readers into a vibrant medievalish fantasy world, a tapestry woven with cobblestone streets and the scent of woodsmoke. The story begins with a breathless escape, a frantic flight punctuated by the clang of metal and whispered anxieties, planting seeds of mystery that deepen the narrative's intrigue. Alaniyah, a bookish heroine vanishes, prompting the noble and romantic Zael on a desperate quest. Clad in a disguise suitable to that of a traveling bard, he searches for his lost love, his heart echoing the desires of his youth and choices he made. The story shifts between the battle-scarred present and a shadowy past, a romance blossoming amidst faded memories. Wither's straight-forward prose places you squarely in the heart of the swirling drama. Lyrical songs, like tinkling glasses and raucous laughter, weave through the narrative, pulling you into the smoky, dimly lit taverns, the scent of ale and sweat thick in the air, as Zael searches for the missing woman. With dragon worship and gem powers, the book has a whimsical fantasy pulse that gives it a strong, fairytale-like heartbeat suitable for readers of all ages. The author includes content warnings at the front of the book, so readers know what to expect before they dive in. Wither masters the writing craft by pulling back layers of the story chapter by chapter in a way that holds interest. Fantasy lovers should enjoy this novel. I received a complimentary copy from the author but was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.
April 3, 2026
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read City of Skies. Here is my honest review.
This book started off with a bang and then it fizzled into a slow paced narrative based story. This book doesn’t have a lot of action until the last couple of chapters.
The book follows mostly Zael’s POV and Aniyah. As they reconnect after 5 years after a war broke out and they find themselves separated.
The world building was executed well and the magic system is unique, based off your birth month and the stone the correlates with it, determines the kind of magic you will receive.
The MMC Zael is very much a green flag.
He was very naive and innocent. Not the typical MMC I read about. He does have some character growth by the end of the 1st book, that makes him realize the world he grew up in isn’t the world he is now and maybe his teaching weren’t necessarily the right way of doing things
I found the FMC ,Aniyah, to be very unaware of her surroundings. Lacking intuition, she comes off as unintelligent and helpless. I really hope she has a character arc starting in the next book.
The villian kind of came out know where. She only has a few POV’s in the book. She is a mystery at the moment and you don’t really get to know too much about her or where is came from.
The book is mostly narration with long drawn out descriptions of feelings. Some of it becomes repetitive and I did find myself skimming a lot of it just so I could get through the book. Not a lot of interaction between character with dialogue, which for me can make a book move very slowly.
If you liked Rebecca Ross’ River Enchanted and A fire Endless. You will probably be okay with reading this book.
This book started off with a bang and then it fizzled into a slow paced narrative based story. This book doesn’t have a lot of action until the last couple of chapters.
The book follows mostly Zael’s POV and Aniyah. As they reconnect after 5 years after a war broke out and they find themselves separated.
The world building was executed well and the magic system is unique, based off your birth month and the stone the correlates with it, determines the kind of magic you will receive.
The MMC Zael is very much a green flag.
He was very naive and innocent. Not the typical MMC I read about. He does have some character growth by the end of the 1st book, that makes him realize the world he grew up in isn’t the world he is now and maybe his teaching weren’t necessarily the right way of doing things
I found the FMC ,Aniyah, to be very unaware of her surroundings. Lacking intuition, she comes off as unintelligent and helpless. I really hope she has a character arc starting in the next book.
The villian kind of came out know where. She only has a few POV’s in the book. She is a mystery at the moment and you don’t really get to know too much about her or where is came from.
The book is mostly narration with long drawn out descriptions of feelings. Some of it becomes repetitive and I did find myself skimming a lot of it just so I could get through the book. Not a lot of interaction between character with dialogue, which for me can make a book move very slowly.
If you liked Rebecca Ross’ River Enchanted and A fire Endless. You will probably be okay with reading this book.
April 9, 2026
This world was really intriguing with some fun unique elements. The magic system, the different take on common creatures, and the overall setup kept me invested even without a lot of action or big battle scenes. The MMC literally walks away from everything (including a crown) to find her… and it doesn’t exactly go as expected 😅
It’s very much a slow burn romance that focuses on the journey. Heavy on the tension, yearning, and emotional push-and-pull. She’s scared to let herself be happy again, and he’s holding back out of guilt and fear of losing her… which leads to a lot of almost-moments and frustrating miscommunication. The kind where you’re internally screaming “JUST KISS ALREADY” every few chapters 😂
The only note I had was that there’s a lot of timeline jumping. It will jump from present day, five years ago, then back again, plus smaller jumps like weeks or months earlier. It can feel a bit disorienting at first while you’re trying to piece everything together, but once it clicks, I think it adds depth to the story rather than taking away from it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story! It’s not the most action-packed romantasy out there, but the emotional tension, character dynamics, and unique world made it a compelling read.
⭐️ Rating: 4 stars
🌶️ Spice: Low (very slow burn)
🍇 Tropes: star-crossed lovers, “I chose you over a crown,” memory loss angst, forced separation, slow burn reunion
💭 Would I recommend?
Yes! Especially if you like tension-heavy slow burns, emotional angst, and story-driven romantasy over constant action.
It’s very much a slow burn romance that focuses on the journey. Heavy on the tension, yearning, and emotional push-and-pull. She’s scared to let herself be happy again, and he’s holding back out of guilt and fear of losing her… which leads to a lot of almost-moments and frustrating miscommunication. The kind where you’re internally screaming “JUST KISS ALREADY” every few chapters 😂
The only note I had was that there’s a lot of timeline jumping. It will jump from present day, five years ago, then back again, plus smaller jumps like weeks or months earlier. It can feel a bit disorienting at first while you’re trying to piece everything together, but once it clicks, I think it adds depth to the story rather than taking away from it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story! It’s not the most action-packed romantasy out there, but the emotional tension, character dynamics, and unique world made it a compelling read.
⭐️ Rating: 4 stars
🌶️ Spice: Low (very slow burn)
🍇 Tropes: star-crossed lovers, “I chose you over a crown,” memory loss angst, forced separation, slow burn reunion
💭 Would I recommend?
Yes! Especially if you like tension-heavy slow burns, emotional angst, and story-driven romantasy over constant action.
July 18, 2025
I really want to give this a 4.5, but alas… no half stars here. I definitely recommend reading this book if you enjoy fantasy. It was a charming tale and I am anxiously anticipating the sequel!
There may be some spoilers, so read on at your own risk!
I enjoyed this book, however my main criticism is the timeline. The POV not only switches between characters, but from time periods as well and left me feeling fragmented at times. This was most confusing when the FMC suddenly develops a type of amnesia. Overall, it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story.
The MMC, who has the majority of the POV, was a delightfully unique character. The intertwining of music throughout his story is innovative. I’m looking forward to the next installment to see how he grows, as well as how the relationship between MMC and FMC develops.
I enjoyed the world building. There are some remarkably fresh ideas the author has employed while maintaining a notable reminiscence of classic high fantasy literature. I do wish there was more explanation of the magic system woven into the story structure, but the included glossary and notes is very helpful.
The introduction of the villain seemed late in the story, even though the villain’s minions had been in the story from the beginning. I didn’t get a good rational of why these people were doing what they were doing, other than the generic power grab. I am trusting more will be revealed in the following book.
There may be some spoilers, so read on at your own risk!
I enjoyed this book, however my main criticism is the timeline. The POV not only switches between characters, but from time periods as well and left me feeling fragmented at times. This was most confusing when the FMC suddenly develops a type of amnesia. Overall, it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story.
The MMC, who has the majority of the POV, was a delightfully unique character. The intertwining of music throughout his story is innovative. I’m looking forward to the next installment to see how he grows, as well as how the relationship between MMC and FMC develops.
I enjoyed the world building. There are some remarkably fresh ideas the author has employed while maintaining a notable reminiscence of classic high fantasy literature. I do wish there was more explanation of the magic system woven into the story structure, but the included glossary and notes is very helpful.
The introduction of the villain seemed late in the story, even though the villain’s minions had been in the story from the beginning. I didn’t get a good rational of why these people were doing what they were doing, other than the generic power grab. I am trusting more will be revealed in the following book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2025
I cannot stop thinking about this book. Days later. It’s still living rent-free in my head.
we mostly get the story from Zael’s POV — which I loved. He’s carrying so much guilt over leaving Aniyah behind, and his determination to find her? It had me hooked.
But Aniyah… oh my god. Her character arc? Chef’s kiss. She goes from a pampered noblewoman to someone who’s survived five brutal years on her own. Elle never info-dumps her trauma — you feel how much she’s changed
Their reunion isn’t just a happy ever after — they have to start over, because they’re not the same people anymore. And that made it so real.
Elle’s writing is stunning. There’s this lyrical quality, and music is literally woven into the magic system. When Zael uses his bard disguise? It felt so authentic, like you could hear the songs.
The worldbuilding? Chef’s kiss again. Centaurions with their own society, dragons that actually feel ancient and terrifying, even the little monsters serve the plot instead of just popping up for fight scenes.
The Light-blessed gemstones magic system is so intricate but never confusing. This isn’t just romance — it’s prophecy, sacrifice, and a battle between ancient forces of good and evil.
And that ending… I’m already desperate for book two. If you love epic romantasy, beautiful prose, and character growth that feels earned — you need this on your TBR.
Elle Wither… I’ll read whatever you write next. 💫
we mostly get the story from Zael’s POV — which I loved. He’s carrying so much guilt over leaving Aniyah behind, and his determination to find her? It had me hooked.
But Aniyah… oh my god. Her character arc? Chef’s kiss. She goes from a pampered noblewoman to someone who’s survived five brutal years on her own. Elle never info-dumps her trauma — you feel how much she’s changed
Their reunion isn’t just a happy ever after — they have to start over, because they’re not the same people anymore. And that made it so real.
Elle’s writing is stunning. There’s this lyrical quality, and music is literally woven into the magic system. When Zael uses his bard disguise? It felt so authentic, like you could hear the songs.
The worldbuilding? Chef’s kiss again. Centaurions with their own society, dragons that actually feel ancient and terrifying, even the little monsters serve the plot instead of just popping up for fight scenes.
The Light-blessed gemstones magic system is so intricate but never confusing. This isn’t just romance — it’s prophecy, sacrifice, and a battle between ancient forces of good and evil.
And that ending… I’m already desperate for book two. If you love epic romantasy, beautiful prose, and character growth that feels earned — you need this on your TBR.
Elle Wither… I’ll read whatever you write next. 💫
June 21, 2025
I thought a lot about what I was going to say in this review. First you must know, I'm more of a dark romance reader and have been reading romantasy books just under a year now, so I'm still new-ish to it I would say.
I am used to a lot more fast paced books then this. This book is a killer of slow burn😅 if you want smut (maybe it will come in the others) but there is none is this but the build up!! my life!! it's going to be good... the way Aniyah and Zeal are together, it's the sweetest thing ever
I would say we mainly follow Zeal on his journey in this book. I struggled a little with all the back and forward through time but once you get to Aniyah's present time line, you realize it's information you do need. I love Claybourne - he's a feisty thing 🤣 he has such attitude, I just love him and then Canis comes along and made it even more better 😂
the world building in this book is very good and the way she writes, wow... I usually wait for the whole series to come out before I read them so the fact I've only got one of the books and it ended like that!!! is nearly killing me inside. I do look forward to the next one
I am used to a lot more fast paced books then this. This book is a killer of slow burn😅 if you want smut (maybe it will come in the others) but there is none is this but the build up!! my life!! it's going to be good... the way Aniyah and Zeal are together, it's the sweetest thing ever
I would say we mainly follow Zeal on his journey in this book. I struggled a little with all the back and forward through time but once you get to Aniyah's present time line, you realize it's information you do need. I love Claybourne - he's a feisty thing 🤣 he has such attitude, I just love him and then Canis comes along and made it even more better 😂
the world building in this book is very good and the way she writes, wow... I usually wait for the whole series to come out before I read them so the fact I've only got one of the books and it ended like that!!! is nearly killing me inside. I do look forward to the next one
June 28, 2025
City of Skies is a multi-pov, quest based fantasy with a heavy dash of second chance romance.
I loved that the author took the time to really build the world and give you an idea of how the magic system works before jumping into the action. She took the time to allow her readers to understand what the stakes were and how the world was set up, but still had the romantic storyline as the driving force behind the plot.
Having Zael, the male hero, be the most frequent point of view was really nice. Most romances and romantasies are from the female pov with a dash of male pov, and it’s refreshing to have a male protagonist given so much page time.
It leans more in the direction of a darker fantasy than a whimsical fantasy. There were some elements that were darker than I anticipated. The author has a trigger warning page before the start, so you can judge if the content is right for you. I can definitely sense the rest of the series progressively getting more gruesome and more suggestive as the series continues.
Thank you to the author a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by any outside sources.
I loved that the author took the time to really build the world and give you an idea of how the magic system works before jumping into the action. She took the time to allow her readers to understand what the stakes were and how the world was set up, but still had the romantic storyline as the driving force behind the plot.
Having Zael, the male hero, be the most frequent point of view was really nice. Most romances and romantasies are from the female pov with a dash of male pov, and it’s refreshing to have a male protagonist given so much page time.
It leans more in the direction of a darker fantasy than a whimsical fantasy. There were some elements that were darker than I anticipated. The author has a trigger warning page before the start, so you can judge if the content is right for you. I can definitely sense the rest of the series progressively getting more gruesome and more suggestive as the series continues.
Thank you to the author a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by any outside sources.
July 29, 2025
Thank you Elle for the ARC <3
Spoiler free comments:
This book tells the story of Zael, who after tragedy is convinced to recover his lost love. The amount of yearning this man does for Aniyah is borderline criminal. Most of the book is written from his point of view, which is a refreshing change. I spent the first half giggling and sighing through the chapters as they began to fall in love. (My fav part of the whole book)
Aniyah is a young, free spirit, in love with books and fantasy stories, convinced that the only man she would ever marry has to be one straight out of her books (aren’t we all?). But when she meets Zael, a redhead with a gift for music and an easygoing charm... she begins to discover that maybe, just maybe... love could be more than fiction after all.
City of Skies (I love the name btw) is a sloooooooow burn centered around a miscommunication trope that intensifies in the second half (Not a big fan here tbh). The system magic is imo new and refreshing, I can wait to see what the second book bring us world-building wise.
I love the writing style, and my endlessly romantic heart thrived while reading this.
Spoiler free comments:
This book tells the story of Zael, who after tragedy is convinced to recover his lost love. The amount of yearning this man does for Aniyah is borderline criminal. Most of the book is written from his point of view, which is a refreshing change. I spent the first half giggling and sighing through the chapters as they began to fall in love. (My fav part of the whole book)
Aniyah is a young, free spirit, in love with books and fantasy stories, convinced that the only man she would ever marry has to be one straight out of her books (aren’t we all?). But when she meets Zael, a redhead with a gift for music and an easygoing charm... she begins to discover that maybe, just maybe... love could be more than fiction after all.
City of Skies (I love the name btw) is a sloooooooow burn centered around a miscommunication trope that intensifies in the second half (Not a big fan here tbh). The system magic is imo new and refreshing, I can wait to see what the second book bring us world-building wise.
I love the writing style, and my endlessly romantic heart thrived while reading this.
January 25, 2026
for a debut novel, this was very well written. the plot and the writing kept me hooked. it certainly brought me back to high fantasy romance (think princess bride with a bit LOTR). it's in the pov of the MMC who is searching for his lost love. there's young love, first loves, lots of yearning and broken hearts.There's magic (good and bad) and the power of good over evil.
I was a bit annoyed by FMC. I understood that she experienced trauma of losing her family but instead of coming off as a jaded, broken (to use her own words) survivor, she came across more like a dim witted damsel in distress. there were hints to her cunning and survival skills but then that character seemed to have disappeared . she survived on her own for 5 years starting st the age of 18, went from a high born lady to a barmaid and housemaid. she knew about getting her hands dirty and work prior to the war so I was expecting a bit more fight.
it was easy to just go with the vibes of the book so I got over that quickly. the plot and the MMC's pov brought me back to old school high fantasy. I'm interested in seeing how the next book goes and I love supporting Canadian authors.
I was a bit annoyed by FMC. I understood that she experienced trauma of losing her family but instead of coming off as a jaded, broken (to use her own words) survivor, she came across more like a dim witted damsel in distress. there were hints to her cunning and survival skills but then that character seemed to have disappeared . she survived on her own for 5 years starting st the age of 18, went from a high born lady to a barmaid and housemaid. she knew about getting her hands dirty and work prior to the war so I was expecting a bit more fight.
it was easy to just go with the vibes of the book so I got over that quickly. the plot and the MMC's pov brought me back to old school high fantasy. I'm interested in seeing how the next book goes and I love supporting Canadian authors.
June 21, 2025
I was so excited to get an ARC of City of Skies by Elle Wither. This is her first novel in The Stargem Chronicles which will be available on KU and in paperback on September 1, 2025. I devoured this book in just shy of two days. I’m rating this 4.25 ⭐️ Elle Wither has painted a beautiful picture of the world this story takes place in so it was easy to follow along. The world building was done in such a way that it was easy to digest, understand and visualize. This story is more from the POV of the MMC who is basically a love story struck golden retriever who would go to the ends of the earth to find his love. The character growth from him was lovely to see. The chemistry between both the MMC and the FMC was felt and I could not help but route for them to get their HEA. This story did slow down a tad for me at about the 65% mark for a short while and picked up again towards the end. I’m definitely invested in this story, world and the characters so I will be anxiously waiting for the second book in The Stargem Chronicles to be released.
June 28, 2025
I had the privilege to be an arc reader for Elle Wither’s debut book the City of Skies, book one in the Stargem Chronicles.
The magic system is refreshing and not something you see in other books within this genre.
The world building does take some time, same as the love story as this is definitely a slow burn, but it allows you to understand the situations our main characters are in and how the magic works within their world before diving into the action.
We follow our MMC Zael throughout the story as he travels the continent looking for his lost love Anniyah. It was nice to have the story told through the MMC as it’s usually through the FMC. We get glimpses of Anniyah through her memories leading up to the downfall of her people, and more when she is reunited with Zael. I look forward to seeing how they grow throughout the series. I also look forward to more time with our sassy horse Claybourne 🐴.
I rate this book a 4 star ⭐️
The City of Skies will be released on Kindle Unlimited September 1st 2025!
The magic system is refreshing and not something you see in other books within this genre.
The world building does take some time, same as the love story as this is definitely a slow burn, but it allows you to understand the situations our main characters are in and how the magic works within their world before diving into the action.
We follow our MMC Zael throughout the story as he travels the continent looking for his lost love Anniyah. It was nice to have the story told through the MMC as it’s usually through the FMC. We get glimpses of Anniyah through her memories leading up to the downfall of her people, and more when she is reunited with Zael. I look forward to seeing how they grow throughout the series. I also look forward to more time with our sassy horse Claybourne 🐴.
I rate this book a 4 star ⭐️
The City of Skies will be released on Kindle Unlimited September 1st 2025!
April 1, 2026
This felt like stepping into something vast, ancient, and full of promise. City of Skies is an amazing start to a fresh series, giving strong epic fantasy energy that immediately reminded me of The Lord of the Rings in places.
The world and magic are where this book truly shines. There’s depth here. Structure. History you can feel beneath the surface. It’s the kind of setting that asks you to slow down and take it in. And that’s where the challenge comes in. The plot is a bit hard to get into at the beginning. It takes patience. It asks you to sit with the unfamiliar, to trust that things will come together. But once you let it absorb you? It clicks. The story deepens, the stakes become clearer, and suddenly you’re fully immersed. What once felt dense becomes rewarding.
Verdict:
🖤 Expansive, LOTR-level world-building
🖤 A structured and intriguing magic system
🖤 Slow start, but worth pushing through
🖤 A story that deepens the more you invest
This isn’t a quick read… it’s one you sink into. And now that I’m in? I’m absolutely ready for book two. 🌌🖤
The world and magic are where this book truly shines. There’s depth here. Structure. History you can feel beneath the surface. It’s the kind of setting that asks you to slow down and take it in. And that’s where the challenge comes in. The plot is a bit hard to get into at the beginning. It takes patience. It asks you to sit with the unfamiliar, to trust that things will come together. But once you let it absorb you? It clicks. The story deepens, the stakes become clearer, and suddenly you’re fully immersed. What once felt dense becomes rewarding.
Verdict:
🖤 Expansive, LOTR-level world-building
🖤 A structured and intriguing magic system
🖤 Slow start, but worth pushing through
🖤 A story that deepens the more you invest
This isn’t a quick read… it’s one you sink into. And now that I’m in? I’m absolutely ready for book two. 🌌🖤
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