She Fell for the Witch's Disciple: Starshone Shifters: Book One

by Bea Chicory

Their hearts belong to each other, but their bonds say otherwise…

Soli Fang's a snake shifter that’s spent her entire life in hiding because of her Starshone eyes. Her only reprieve from loneliness is watching Ren, the cute dog shifter next door, practice outside with her own Starshone eyes shining out for all to see. When the infamous Death Witch comes to make Ren her disciple, Soli reveals herself in order to save her and ends up taking her place. As Soli grows more powerful, she makes royal friends and enemies along the way. None of that scares her, but for some reason, reuniting with her old neighbor makes her heart pound like never before.

19-year-old Ren Taildash has spent her life working towards becoming a dancer brilliant enough to earn her the position of house leader. Falling in love is the last thing on the dog shifter’s mind, but when she’s saved by the dashing snake shifter next door, she can’t stop thinking about her. From the moment they’re first reunited, she knows that she's the one for her. So why is Soli so hard to pin down?

Over the years, they find themselves on opposite sides of a royal rivalry as they’re thrown into situations that bring them closer than ever. Will their bond be enough to overcome those that demand their undying loyalty, or will their ties keep them on opposite sides of the spirit realm forever?

***

This book is a sapphic paranormal romance in a fantasy setting. It centers on a lesbian romance between two shapeshifters that takes place in the spirit realm. Past tense, dual, third-person POV.

Contains mature themes and scenes. For CWs please see author website.

Genres: Lesbian

382 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2025

About the author

Bea Chicory is an author based in the Pacific Northwest. She has a passion for writing about women who gain strength from their love for other women in the face of all adversity. When she isn’t writing or reading, she’s enjoying the beauty of the PNW from her home window next to her two fluffy cats.

Reviews

[Duskvioletnova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book and I absolutely loved it.

The book gives you the perspective of both the main characters which is something I really like, since you get to know both of their thoughts. The main and most of the side characters are really likeable.

The characters go through quite some character developments as the book continues. I also like how much attention was spent on the side characters. They were their own characters, of course with ties to the main characters, but they were more than just that.

The pace of the book is also just perfect. It can be quite fast from time to time, but at the right times.
The book makes quite some time jumps,which is something I’m normally a bit sceptical of, but surprisingly it didn’t bother me at all. It fits right in with the rest of the book.

Overall I really loved reading this book and getting to know these awesome characters.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Owen Hera-Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this!
Different castes of magic, the rebirth aspect, and the character progressions really drew me in!

The fact that there are different animal shifters, and they can half shift, accessing additional powers and abilities is also really cool!

Soli and Ren.
Soli and Vida.
Soli and Ava.

Soli builds bonds with may people - all different in their own way. What happens when each is tested? Threatened? Can Soli master her own abilities and her own heart?

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, whimsical sapphic fantasy romance! I very much enjoyed Soli and Ren’s story from beginning to end! I received an advance review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

With just a taste then story quickly evolves into adventure. There’s magic and shifters. The world building was thorough and exciting. There’s first love, coming of age, found family, celestial packs, soul ties and so much more!

Soli grows and changes throughout the story but always shines especially for Ren. Ren is a dancer and feels connected to the starshine that saved her when the Death Witch came to town.

The relationships that Soli forges are deep and sincere. The story is well paced, action packed and also sweet and warm. I am very much looking forward to the next book!!

[Hila Jonker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Bea and Book Sprout, for the opportunity to read this book.

For me, this style of fantasy was new and refreshing. The inclusivity and openness were a delight to read, and my only regret was that I did not have more time in my day to read because I would have finished this a lot faster.

A world full of animal shifters, elemental magic, celestial love dramas and extra-charged beings who all discover their strengths and build themselves and their relationships with each other throughout. It was so comforting that the character seemed to have everyday misunderstandings and issues that really helped pull me into the story.

Sweet and slightly dark, like this liquorice all sorts with the coconut candy. Give it a go.

[Ashlee Tharman · Rating 5 out of 5]

**ARC READ**

Ren and Soli have known each other for years without having actually met. When they reunite years later, the feelings are immediate and strong. Both, however, have allegiances and pacts elsewhere, so what will happen when their feelings become conflicts in those previously formed bonds?

This was a fun read! Another one that made me have all the feels, including feeling whiplash in the last quarter of the book! I thoroughly enjoyed the pacing and character developments - there were a couple that surprised me with their actions and others that I am CERTAIN have specific arcs coming up (I will be patiently waiting for the next book in this series to be proven right or wrong lol). A fabulous debut novel and an excellent addition for every fantasy lover's shelf.

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

SHE FELL FOR THE WITCH'S DISCIPLE is the first book in a shifter series and I have added the series to my "keep an eye out for the next installment" list.

The world building in this story is great. It starts out very detailed and slow, allowing the reader to understand where everyone is "coming from" in life and build allegiances. As I was reading the story, it kind of seemed like ROMEO AND JULIET as Sapphic fanfic and I didn't hate it.

The story is told with dual timelines in 3rd person POV and while the beginning is a bit on the slower side, it quickly ramps up and gets to the meat of the story.

This is a book I was able to put down and pick up again with no problem remembering what I was reading as it has a unique style. I enjoyed the different "non-traditional" shifters and the fantasy aspect of the story.

I would recommend this book and look forward to reading more.

Thank you to Book Sirens for the ARC.

[Aidan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read once I got into it. The beginning took a bit to draw me in, but once it got me I devoured the rest. Some of the reveals at the end weren't quite satisfying, I think this was exacerbated by the delivery being "oh my god I can't believe you didn't know" when there was hardly any mention of anything that would have helped the reader know. While I did enjoy the relationship between the two main characters, it also felt weird to me that it was explicitly prohibited in the beginning and then they are thrown together at every opportunity, even by characters that were doing the prohibiting in the first place, which kind of created a weird dissonance about the forbiddeness. Overall this ARC was a fun time with interesting characters.

[Devika · Rating 4 out of 5]

A queer romance with shifters? Sign me up! I couldn't wait to dive into She Fell for the Witch's Disciple by Bea Chicory. The synopsis had me hooked already and I was very curious about this first part in the Starshone Shifters series. What will this story bring to it's readers?

I did really enjoy the slow burn romance between Soli and Ren. Almost all romances in this book are queer, which is kind of refreshing for once. It was unique and I also loved the banter between the characters.

Check out my full review on my blog Boekensteeg

[CissasBookEnds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4/5 stars

This book was like reading a fairytale with a Japanese taste to it. I loved it and the interconnectivity between not only the main romantic pairing but those around them. The premise of rebirth with souls was refreshing. I wanted to read what came next and was so annoyed when the story was over as I wanted to read more.

This was wonderful and I truly hope that Bea Chicory writes more as I can't wait to read more from this author.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

She fell for the witch's disciple book 1 was a fantastic heartwarming sapphic paranormal and fantasy romance about two shifters a snake Soli and a dog Ren that I found very charming and good chemistry between them. The story draws you deep in their journey I found spellbinding .

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Arlo Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was on the longer side, but I literally just finished it. I enjoyed it. The main characters, Soli and Ren, I found really likeable. Their character development was brilliant. I liked that they got together in the end. If there are sequels planned, I will 100% be reading them when they come out.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

They know they are meant for each other but it is not what should be happening. They will be pulled apart and end up on opposite sides of a war. See where fate will take them
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great fantasy novel

[Natalie Rizvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this sapphic romance loved that we got both main characters viewpoints great read

I received this as an arc read and am leaving this review voluntarily