Consort of Stars

by Alana Powers

Unknown Binding

Expected publication April 28, 2026

Reviews

[Gwen Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewing as an ARC read-Thank you Alana Powers and Green Avenue books for this opportunity!

I mostly enjoyed this story. There was great world building and I really enjoyed the plot. I don't know if I would've labeled it Repunzelesque. I can see hints of that theme in here but it's not major.

Also I really didn't like how Soraya's interaction with Ardeen in the dungeons escalated so quickly to lust and desire. I felt like there needed to be more buildup before it became the really sexual mess that it was. Especially when we learn he has been in a cell all his life, but somehow he is well-toned and muscled. Not to mention the author says he smells of Lavendar and sage, but he is also covered in dirt....? Make this make sense.

To add to this it felt like it took me longer than usual to figure out te characters age, so in the beginning I was imagining a 12 year old until the author mentioned she was 2 weeks from turning 21. But even after that point, with the way the character acted and talked she still felt more like 16. It also took me 100 pages to learn she had dark red hair. I feel this could have been introduced earlier.

I also had a really big problem with Jamesons character. I thought I remembered him being described as young and handsome and well-toned from Soraya's point of view, just to learn he was 42. So this whole time I was thinking he was another love interest, also the way his character behaved and scenes were worded made him seem like he was a love interest. That really threw me off.

In the last 30 pages of the book, this is where I felt the story really shined. I really enjoyed the plot twist, (except for that momentary second of thinking there was an incestuous act.) But then Ardeen's character does a complete 180. Which the author tries to describe why he did, but I still dont think with the way he behaved earlier, that he would switch up like that. I was kind of hoping he would turn around and betray his parents. But I think thats what made the ending better, because the author didn't write something that could be expected. Also at the end for Reed and Ardeen to have gotten ahead of the main characters didn't make any sense. What really baffled me was that while these 3 characters were trying to flee, Jameson decides to carry a HORSE, which is not possible, unless I missed the part in the book where everyone is giants. Just to later completely forget about the horse. Then I believe at the end we are introduced to the real main love interest. There were definitely a few confusing things in this book, or things in general I don't agree with. but don't let my review deter you. Cause I still think it was a very unique story with a great plot and I found myself reading about 30 pages everyday, so it kept me drawn in. A lot of it felt like filler though.

[Amy Hricko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewing as an ARC reader of this book.

10/10. Period.

I devoured this book in less than 48 hours. It would've been quicker if adulting and work hadn't gotten in the way.

Princess Soraya is about to turn 21, and as such, will be taking over as ruler of her kingdom. However, the king and queen do not want her to rule alone. They have planned a birthday celebration, at which time Soraya shall pick an eligible bachelor to be her husband, and future king.

Soraya has other plans. She wants to rule alone. She doesn't like how her kingdom is known for their bloodshed and hostility. She wants to reunite the kingdoms and bring peace to the land.

This book is phenomenal! It tells the story of Princess Soraya, and how she wants to overcome being the silent princess. She knows she can make a difference, if only she can get her parents to see things her way.

The ending had me FLOORED! I will be in a reading slump for weeks because of this. The roller coaster of emotions wrecked me.

If you love a good Rapunzel/Anastasia retelling, this one is for you. I love fairytales, and this book has the perfect amount sprinkled in throughout.

I cannot wait for this to release on April 28, 2026 so I can own a copy of my own.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this. I am not giving it such a rave review because I was selected as an ARC reader. I'm giving the rave review because the book deserves it. Cannot wait for the next installment!

[Jessica B · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC read — huge thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I’m already excited for book two. I think book two has sooo much potential to be great!

I went in thinking I’d be able to predict most of the plot since it’s a Rapunzel retelling… and wow, I was so wrong. I was genuinely surprised more than once. The author took the familiar framework and created something that feels fresh while still honoring the original inspiration.

Soraya is a young and very strong FMC. I loved her determination to better herself for her kingdom and her people. Her hunger for independence and knowledge was compelling, and her heartbreak hit hard. I think she has so much room for growth and to become a real bad a$$!

And Jameson… 🤌🏼 absolute chef’s kiss.

[Kalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Posting as an ARC reader- thank you to the author and publisher for the advanced copy! Definitely a solid 4/5 for me! I enjoyed the content and plot of the story and can’t wait for the official release and book 2! It gives off a rapunzel/anastasia with a twist vibe (to my understanding this was a goal).

The downside: the only major complaint: this book needs some ed-it-ing. There are some pretty glaring grammatical and syntax errors throughout that detract from the otherwise well thought-out and engrossing story. Some repetitive phrasing, some “wait I thought this WASNT possible based on what was said two pages ago?” moments, etc.

Overall: solid story, solid plot, easy to follow and easy to love (or hate) characters. With some good editing and proofreading, this could be a 4.5 or 5/5 star read.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

First thank you Green Avenue for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My 5 takeaways from this book

1. This is a great concept, and I hope from ARCs to the final publishing some of the formatting and grammar mistakes are fixed.

2. The pacing is strange, and picks up a bit in the 50% range, but really hits in the last 10%.

3. The description being Anastasia meets Rapunzel really helps set up the story, but it also felt like aspects happened because that was inspiration, but I am hopeful more is revealed in book 2.

4. The more I think of the ruling system the less I understand.

5. The ages of all of the guards and the love interest just confuse me. Also it felt like certain aspects should be revealed earlier, such as when prisoners are released.

Stars: ⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🤢
5 Emojis: ⭐🟥🗡️📚 🤯

[Dakota Fields Ryder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an arc reader and willingly leave my review.
OMG this book was amazing! The story building, the heartache, the growth, the action, the romance chefs kiss 💋😘
10 out of 10 stars if I could.
Holy Jameson 🥵🥵

[Isabel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Received an ARC from publisher in exchange for an honest review.

As soon as I saw this book being advertised as a Rapunzel/Anastasia inspired novel (two of my favorite movies), I had to read it. Unfortunately, despite the strong potential, this book fell very flat and wound up being very disappointing.

I don't even really know where to start to be honest. It was a struggle pushing through this book, but I forced myself to read the entire thing in order to provide a fair review.

The pacing was incredibly slow. The entire book takes place over a two-week timespan that leads up to Soraya's birthday. There was a lot of focus on the party planning aspect, which was utterly boring. It was hard to find any character to connect with or root for, and although the FMC had great moments where I could see her turning into a fantastic heroine, it felt forced.

One of the worst aspects is the romance. From the beginning nothing about Ardeen or his relationship with Soraya felt genuine or natural. It felt like it was being pushed on us and that we, as readers, were being convinced this was a real love story. Any sort of likability he had vanished with the absolutely nauseating spicy scene between the two. It was repulsive and completely destroyed anything he had going for him. In the end none of it mattered due to the complete heel-turn Ardeen's character takes at the end (which in itself was very abrupt and did not make sense after the author painstakingly emphasized how much he cared about her in all of their prior interactions.) That would be the one saving grace, that this man is clearly not the true MMC of the series. It's a relief that she didn't end up with him after that scene, which may have been what the author was going for. However, in order for this twist to have the devastating effect it should, the build up needed to make more sense. The basis of their relationship should have felt more organic but instead we got awkward romantic moments shoved down our throats, culminating in a truly revolting sexual encounter.

So many aspects did not make sense. Soraya became a fairly skilled warrior after like three training sessions, the descriptions of many of the characters were confusing, and other parts were just utterly laughable. There's a moment at the end where Jameson picks up an entire dead horse and throws it over his shoulder, which is entirely impossible. He makes a point of saying he won't leave this horse behind. Yet when he shows up a few pages later, the horse isn't mentioned at all.

Worst of all was the writing. This book needs several rounds of vigorous editing before it's ready to be published next month. It is full of grammatical errors such as run-on sentences, oddly placed capitalization, and at times a completely wrong word being used due to misspelling. Examples would be "revealed" instead of "reveled," or "sparring" instead of "sparing." Additionally, there is a LOT of repetition in descriptions of the world building, or using a word more than once in the same sentence.

The dialogue is both confusing and juvenile. Due to the bad punctuation and structure, the dialogue at times feels disjointed and makes it confusing as to who is actually speaking. The author also relies heavily on ALL CAPS DIALOGUE when expressing anger, but it doesn't always fit the description. I remember one instance where the character, I believe Jameson, yelled in ALL CAPS followed by "he seethed." Seethed to me as always been interpreted as a more calm, controlled anger. But maybe that's just me. I can't get the exact quote because I already removed this book from my kindle.

The big "twist" at the end is fairly predictable knowing what the story was inspired by. However, I will say how it was revealed was well done.

The most unfortunate thing is that the bones for a good story are there. Soraya had a strong sense of morality and inherent goodness and she could be a great character. The execution just isn't there. Like I said, this book needs a lot of tight editing. It is not ready for publication. I do not see myself continuing with this story.

[Ash (On Lit Wings) · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC read - thank you to the author and publisher for the chance to read this early!

This book had so much potential, but it fell a bit short for me. Firstly, let’s start with the positives -

1) The FMC - I really enjoyed this character. She was just and morally good, had grand ideas of how to better society, enjoyed learning, was kind-hearted, questioned the status quo, and fought for her beliefs even when she faced punishment.
2) The worldbuilding we got (though see the negatives list). The different kingdoms were really interesting to learn about and the origin story of the sun/moon/stars was neat.
3) Matilda and Jameson - both of these characters became found family and I loved that aspect of it.
4) Overall premise - so much potential here. Rapunzel x Anastasia vibes.
5) The twist revealed in the last 5% of the book.
6) Jameson and Soraya’s banter (but see the negatives list).

The negatives -

1) The pacing - this book moved really slow for the first 70% and then was full speed ahead in the last 30%. A good chunk of the book felt like filler and I wished more time was spent on moving the plot along.
2) The “MMC” (quotations because I don’t feel like he should have been the MMC, lol). Ardeen’s character had so many inconsistencies that took me out of the story. He’s a prisoner that has been locked in a dungeon since childhood and he’s somehow ripped, smells good, knows how to flirt, is articulate in how he speaks, and can give advice on how to navigate political issues. Like what??? We also have only small tidbits to build the foundation of their relationship on. So, while we are supposed to feel a connection to him, the emotional depth just isn’t there.
3) The spicy scene - This scene was so cringey to read and felt so out of place and forced. Going back to Negative #2, he’s been a prisoner since childhood but somehow knows what to do sexually (including weird modern dialogue that just doesn’t fit the setting)? This is supposedly both of their first times (both virgins), but he’s pretty rough with her and there’s zero foreplay on her behalf. But somehow she wants it rougher? So beyond unrealistic. Ardeen was also explained to be gentle and loving yet turns into a totally different person during the spice scene. It just felt unnecessary and didn’t feel aligned to the rest of the story.
4) The Personality Switch Up - This goes back to Negatives #2 and 3, but Ardeen pre-release and post-release have different personalities. One was protective, in love, and pro-Soraya ruling and the other was cruel, calculating, and power hungry. It makes no sense at all. This character is all over the place motivation wise.
5) The worldbuilding - While very interesting, we aren’t given much to go off of. The magic system was basically unexplored which I think is a big let down. We get small tidbits from Matilda’s lessons but not enough to make the setting feel “real.”
6) Jameson - Is it just me, or did he read like the actual MMC/love interest for Soraya? The twist that he’s married to Matilda left me so confused. The chemistry, banter, and flirty exchanges were obvious on page yet somehow we’re supposed to believe this was somehow more “fatherly” love/protection and that he’s deeply committed and in love with his wife? Not at all where I thought this was going. I was very much rooting for them to get together. This switch up at the end was jarring.

While there’s a lot in the Negatives column, I do want to emphasize that I still did enjoy reading this one - it was entertaining and the twist at the end was interesting. But, I am ending this book confused as to where it’s going. If the focus became Soraya and Jameson’s story, I would have been more on board, but there’s just so many inconsistencies that it took me away from the story and plot. I am still interested in reading book 2, but I hope more character development is done to make the characters feel more consistent and the world/magic system is more fleshed out.

Giving it a 3⭐️ rating because while I did find a good amount of negatives, I still enjoyed reading this one and would read book 2 if given the opportunity.

[Ariana wells · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Alana for the EARC!

I have seen this book be advertised all over instagram for months and was so excited to read it! But I will say this book fell very flat as it seems to be in its first stages of editing rather than a ready to publish book.

The plot itself has so much promise, but it could really use more refining. The ending was also an insanely good plot twist!! But it also fell flat due to a lot of inconsistencies.


**** Spoilers *****






In chapter 7 Ardeen (a prisoner since birth) says “You are my most tempting sin.” He speaks so proper for someone imprisoned since birth and I know Soraya went in and taught him some things as she learned, but that wouldnt teach him the way a true teacher would

“I can show you how skilled I am in other activities.” Heat flared in my cheeks as Ardeen tore his eyes from mine, fiddling with the envelope. — what??????? Youve been in a cell all your life. I get the author wants him to be this hot MMC but it doesnt align with his backstory she gave him.


Then we get introduced to a new guard Jameson who I thought FOR SURE was a new love interest based off this:

“I don’t like the way he looks at you,” he responded, still keeping his eyes firmly on Reed.

“My pleasure princess.” He bowed his head at me before making his way over to the door. “And Soraya, if you ever want him gone, just say the word and I will take care of it for you.” He said, opening the door and scanning his surroundings before closing the door behind him.

“I’m sure you will find that I am not like most men, princess,” he taunted, letting his lips curve into a playful smile.

He was overall very protective, sometimes a little flirty and invaded her personal and private spaces often. It read more as a love interest than a guardian which makes it even weirder that it turns out he is married to her teacher and here to rescue her.

My mothers voice passed through the door seconds before she started knocking, banging on my door with little to no force. - this just made no sense


Add in the very graphic and vulgar sex scene that happens between Soraya and Ardeen in his DUNGEON CELL, it just doesnt flow. We are told Ardeen was raised in the cell but he isnt written like someone who has never left a cell. He has muscles, smells good????, knows how to flirt, speak well, and is suddenly chasing Soraya down at the end. It’s a very big plot hole that ruins that part of the story.

“smelled like Ardeen. The remnants of sage and vanilla hitting my nose had me reminiscing about last night.”

She then a few sentences later talks about how he has never even bathed with hot water. She also remarked she was covered in dirt from the cell and cant imagine how filthy he was. It just makes no sense. And then they had sex in the cell 🤮


Overall a lot of older characters are written very immaturely with lots of yelling and quips that they are snarky that just scream middle schooler. The love story falls flat and honestly the sex scene really ruined it for me.

Im willing to give the book another chance if it goes through more editing but if it stays as is, I wont be reading book 2.

[Maddi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to GreenAvenue Books and Alana Powers for the ARC.

This Rapunzel/Anastasia-inspired romantasy has a lot of potential. The premise itself is intriguing, and there are moments where the story hints at something that could truly stand out in the genre. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite match the strength of the concept for me.

The biggest hurdle was the writing. There are frequent run-on sentences, tense inconsistencies, and noticeable time jumps that made the narrative feel disjointed. At times, it pulled me out of the story entirely. The prose also leans heavily into repetition and text-style emphasis (all caps yelling, “!?” punctuation), which felt more modern and informal than the tone the story seemed to be aiming for.

The characters were another challenge. While I can appreciate morally gray or flawed personalities, most of the cast came across as difficult to connect with, which made it harder to stay emotionally invested.

Additionally, the intimate scene felt abrupt and out of place within the progression of the story. It didn’t feel fully earned by the emotional development leading up to it, and as a result, it came across as unnecessary rather than enhancing the romantic tension.

That said, I didn’t DNF this book. The core storyline shows promise, and with another thorough round of editing and tightening, I genuinely believe it could evolve into something much stronger. The bones of a compelling romantasy are here; they just need refinement.

[cyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Readers Copy and this is my honest review.

Soraya the Princess of the Star Court is about to turn 21. Raised in complete lock down with little to no interaction with the outside world, her only friends are Matilda her tutor and Ardeen, a prisoner locked in the dungeon. As her parents prepare her for her coronation and birthday, Soraya is assigned a new guard to keep her protected. Jameson is the kind, caring and lethal. But as the big day fast approaches, she uncovers secrets that she is unsure how to deal with, quickly spiraling out of control to where everything she thought she knew is now gone.
————————
WHAT?! Again I say UM WHAT?!! To say I was wrong and right at the same time about this book I am truly speechless. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment reading this fantasy novel. How the author was able to build almost an entire book in one setting is impressive. Every criticism that I had was erased at the end when my jaw dropped and my mind was aghast. The read flags that I noticed that were seemingly skipped… Oh no, they were not! Prepare for whiplash. The only real thing that I did not quite understand was Soraya’s relationship with Jameson. At times, it seemed that there was something between them, borderline intimate. There was this dance between fatherly and then more? That I had trouble understanding. But once we got the 411, that was set to rest.

Overall, I would absolutely recommend this book and look forward to where it goes from here.

[Isobel Matthews · Rating 1 out of 5]

ARC READER

i am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to be an arc reader. with that said, the book was disappointing. the story has a good bones but i found the writing repetitive, simple and a little too modern at times which pulled me out of the story.
the main character was naïve and quick to trust especially with jameson which makes no sense for a princess of a ruthless kingdom.
the magic system needs more. It’s a cool concept but was barely used the entire book.
there are timeframe issues. it being daytime then immediately nighttime within the span of seconds then somehow it’s daytime again.
the training scenes didn’t make sense. they started immediately with using blades which seems reckless for a princess with no training whatsoever. then somehow after a few weeks she is doing better than the best guard in all of the land.
it seems like a YA book with spice but even the spicy scenes had no build up. there’s no foreplay or sexual tension and was not enjoyable to read. all i could think about was the fact that ardeen has been locked in the dungeon for 21 years with no way to shower. yuck. he was also a selfish lover and only worried about getting himself off. it all felt too forced and awkward.
the ending did save the book a little but you had to read through several hours of confusing storyline to get there. it seemed like the ending was the only thing planned and the rest of the book was mindless filler until you got to the twist.

[Kylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this from Green Avenue Books. I enjoyed reading Consort of Stars and am looking forward to reading more of the story. Suraya is a princess who has to be married by the age of 21 to take over the throne. She internally questions the violent methods of her parents, the king and the queen, and is eager to take over as ruler and see to change. Majority of the story focuses on the preparations for her party where she will select a suitor and her tutoring sessions leading up to the event. For me, the ending saved the book and kept me interested. There are parts of the story that feel really drawn out and detailed like the making of her dress for her party and other elements that feel like they were rushed, for example, any interaction with the love interest. The book left me wanting more at several times while reading since it felt like a lot of the story was told to the reader instead of shown to the reader, primarily through Suraya's lessons and tutoring.

Overall, I am looking forward to reading more of this story and seeing more of the magic system as it seems really interesting.


Potential Spoiler Below:







The love interest tells Suraya "I can show you how skilled I am in other activities." Sir, you've been in jail cell alone literally your entire life what do you mean.

[Stephanie Chiocchi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Alana and Green Avenue Books for this eARC 🖤

This book was certainly a different plot than what I am used to but I absolutely loved it. I read it within 24 hours because I needed to know what happened.

The beginning/middle did start off a little slow but the last 150 pages TOOK OFF. Our FMC is turning 21 and will become the ruler of her kingdom where she must also marry so he can rule while she stands in the background. This obviously won’t do for Soraya because she wants to make changes for the kingdom on her own. She also gets a broody yet sassy guard, who I thought was going to be our love interest… But also she has a secret “friend” in the prison.

Then we get to end. Where everything you thought you knew was a BIG FAT LIE. I was panicking (in a good way) the entire time. And that last page? Okay, now I need book 2. IS THIS WHERE THE ROMANCE TAKES OFF?!

I did only settle with 4 stars because I do felt like something was missing. The magic system was barely mentioned and powers were rarely used - though I do see why for a small plot detail but I still wished there was more. I also wish more subtle hints about the plot twist were sprinkled throughout the entire book. I did love the ending but a lot of the middle was repetitive. The story, characters, and plot twist are certainly more than enough for me to want to read book 2.

[Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, thank you to Alana for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. It’s always such an honor to be trusted with an early copy, and this one absolutely delivered.

From the very first chapter, I was completely pulled in. The premise alone had me hooked a princess hidden away in a castle her entire life, protected but isolated, unaware of the full truth of the world beyond her walls. Watching Soraya begin to question everything and step into a reality far more dangerous (and complicated) than she ever imagined was so compelling.

One of my favorite aspects was the layered relationships. The loyalty, the tension, the unspoken truths it added so much depth to the story. And the romance? Dangerous, intense, and beautifully woven into the political and magical stakes.

I truly thought I had the plot figured out at multiple points. I was wrong every time. The twists were well-paced and genuinely surprising without feeling forced. There are so many moving pieces power plays, deception, hidden motives and it all builds into something bigger than you expect.

If you love stories filled with royalty, secrets, betrayal, magic, and a romance that grows in the most unexpected places, this is one to add to your TBR.

Consort of Stars releases April 28, 2026 — and I am already counting down to book two

[Yolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consort of Star by Alana Powers completely surprised me in the best possible way. I went in expecting one kind of story and got something entirely different, and somehow it was even better than what I imagined.

First, the writing. It is beautiful without being heavy. Easy to read, but still rich with detail. The kind of prose that pulls you in quietly and then refuses to let go.

The world building is incredible. Three distinct kingdoms. Three different magic systems. All intricately connected. I especially loved how the very first chapter sets the foundation for these realms. It felt intentional and expansive, like stepping into a world that was already alive long before we arrived.

And the characters. So well done. Jameson and Matilda absolutely stole my heart, but every character feels distinct and real. No one blends into the background. They have their own motivations, flaws, strengths, and voices, which makes the story feel layered and authentic.

And that ending. I was completely convinced I knew where the story was heading. I had it all mapped out in my head. And then the book essentially said, “You thought wrong.” I love when a story can genuinely surprise me without it feeling cheap or forced.

I need the next book immediately. No patience. None whatsoever.

[Karen Nickle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It was an easy read with a good coming of age/rebellious spirit FMC. The magic system and world are interesting- I look forward to learning more in the second book!

World- I look forward to learning more about the world- I like that each territory is based on a different celestial element- moon, sun, stars. We don’t know much yet because neither does our FMC.

Magic- Again- I look forward to learning more about the magic and different gifts in each place. I loved how the FMC used her magic at the end!

Characters- Most of the characters are likeable, except those that we aren’t supposed to like. Of course you question things part way through. The FMC is tough and coming in to herself- this is a great coming-of-age meets rebel meets court politics character arc for her

Romance- There is a lot of backstory that we only know the basics of for our MMC/FMC, but it is enough to know they have a longstanding relationship. The forbidden love trope is well done

Story- I like the Rapunzel- meets- Anastasia vibes. There were a couple of twists, especially with how the ending went, that I wasn’t expecting. It was an easy read that I didn’t want to put down and I look forward to the next book!

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

A strong 3.5 stars.
I was given this arc for my honest opinion.

Consort of Stars was a book about Soraya who is coming up on her 21st birthday and was to find her future king to take over the crown. Her stubborn spirit, fierce determination to not wed so she could rule how she feels fit, and two parents who are blood thirsty makes this an interesting story.

Kept away from the kingdom, secrets start to unfold getting closer to her birthday celebration. She was given a guard that at first I was like, why is he so protective for only knowing her a short time. It all makes sense in the end but I was where was this going?

Soraya also had a secret of being in love with Ardeen, a prisoner who had been there since he was a baby. That just weirded me out. His mother "died" in childbirth so they just let this baby sit in a cell?!?! Even in the end when things are revealed, that still bugged me.

It was a decent story but it was hard to get through because she was so naive, the writing was off and the one spicy scene gave me the ick. I do see this story progressing into a great series. The cliffhanger was good and I cannot wait to see where it goes. I just hope our FMC grows up fast, they quit babying her and she finds her backbone.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Scars are nothing to be ashamed of. They show the world you have survived"

THE WAY MY JAW DROPPED READING THIS BOOK.

When you read a lot of romantic fantasy and romantasy books, you tend to notice patterns. There are trends that a lot of authors follow, as well as tropes that lead to predictability.

WHEN I TELL YOU, THAT I DID NOT GET ANY OF MY PREDICTIONS RIGHT WHEN READING THIS BOOK! I was shook. My jaw was on the floor. The twist that the story took was not predictable in the least. It was refreshing!

Not only is the FMC a strong independent woman, but what she will have to go through in book 2? OH MY GOODNESS I CANNOT WAIT.

This series needs to be on everyone's radar that has romantasy burnout.

The fact that the only prediction I had was that a blonde MMC was a red herring as a romantic interest, but not in the way that I EXPECTED!!!!!!! Chills. Absolute chills.

Thank you so much Alana and Green Avenue Books for trusting me with this ARC. I enjoyed every minute and now I am impatiently waiting to see what's next for Princess Soraya. As the dedication states: "Grab your sword ladies, we have enemies to slay."

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from Green Avenue Books & Publishing.

A Consort of Stars has a captivating world behind it with an interesting magic system based on the sun, moon, and stars. The first book doesn’t delve very deep into the magic. Just small happenings through the book. I will be interested to see where it goes in future books.

Soraya (the main character) is a princess who has spent her life locked away by a king and queen with a brutal reign rooted in tradition, and is weeks away from getting her crown. Shes quite naive and untested in the world which occasionally drove me nuts, but I get the point of needing her to be for the set up at the end of the book. Overall I liked her at the end of the book.

The pace of the story was pretty slow, it’s fairly single setting (in the castle only) so it’s not overly imaginative. The big “reveal” could have happened midway through instead of all the party planning pages. Overall I really enjoyed the story and ate it up in a matter of 2 days. There wasn’t any huge plot holes. At the end of the book everything came together and left me wanting more! Cant wait for the next!

[Erin Masura · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful dark and little twisted read this was.
Soraya is not a fan of her “parents” ways and begins to question everything including her picking her own husband. The fmc is strong, smart, has some magic and I can/will do it attitude.
Ardeen who has been part of her life for a long time they start as friends and grow to become more. The man and his words are hotness(if you know you know) Once some truth is revealed my opinion on Ardeen changed.
Jameson and Matilda may not be main characters but they both hold a special place in my heart for protecting and allowing Soraya to feel heard and seen.
The plot twist at the end was diabolical and I may have yelled at my kindle. The book has a great plot and world building. There are some dark undertones but the author definitely has a way with words. Wow just wow. Reeling in my emotions and now patiently waiting for the next book.
P.S. the horse named Finn brought me back to the Rapunzel movie!
Thank you to both the author and Green Avenue books for the ARC!

[Chaseidy Pence · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC reader review!

i read this book in literally 24 hours! the writing style was wonderful in my opinion, i was intrigued and got stuck on “just one more chapter” but of course had to continue 😂

This book follows our girl Soraya, a princess essentially locked in her castle. At first she seems shy & timid but you quickly find out she is brave, intelligent, and driven with good intentions. She is being forced into marriage to take her crown, when truly she wants to rule on her own to promote growth and change of the kingdom. Lots of backstory and world building but it keeps you intrigued and entertained. The love interest seemed wonderful but I’m now very curious who this Hadeon man is and will be as the series continues!! Jameson and Matilda were some of my favorite side characters! Was pleasantly surprised to find out who they really were. Massive plot twist closer to the end that had me on the edge of my seat!! Truly such a fun read and I cannot wait to read the next in the series! 🩷

[Monty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of Consort of Stars in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

I need book two immediately because wow. This had me hook, line and sinker from the start. I was completely pulled into the story and did not want to put it down.

There were a couple of twists I guessed early on, but honestly that didn’t take away from the fun at all. If anything, it made me more invested watching everything unfold. Some sections felt a little slower, but I never lost interest or felt tempted to stop reading. I was in it the whole time.

Suraya was such a strong FMC. I really enjoyed her growth and the way she stepped into herself as the story progressed. She felt layered and believable, and I loved seeing her navigate everything thrown at her.

But the real standout for me was Jameson. Every scene he was in just hit. The banter, the protection, the loyalty… he completely stole the show for me.

Now excuse me while I impatiently wait for book two.

[Tiffany Motton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. The premise was so strong. The blurb showed so much potential.

And then I started reading it. I just got more and more confused.
Why would a person who grew up in a dungeon talk like that?
Why is Jameson being so flirty?
And then the plot twist. I didn't see it coming. That's usually a good thing. But sometimes you don't see a plot twist coming because ... they just don't make sense.

Maybe this is one of those books where it will all be explained in the final book of the series.
Too bad it's lost me way before then.

I don't like to write bad reviews because I'm aware how much of heart every authors pours into their books, so I want to finish on a positive note:
Soraya is badass. She's critical, an innovator, and bases decisions on both heart and facts. She saved a LOT of this story and is what made me push through to the end. If you like bad ass heroins who save the day with courage and brains and heart, then you should definitely get to know Soraya.

[Sierra Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: Consort of Stars by Alana Powers💫

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

💥Releases April 28, 2026💥

Unique. Captivating. Brilliant.

This fantasy novel was TOP TIER.

The FMC is everything I want to be: clever, independent, driven and good-hearted. I loved that we got to read from her POV because it was easy to root for her character.

I appreciated how the magic in the world was built. Powers were subtle, yet unlike anything I'd ever seen in a book before.

And there was a ton of political intrigue and scheming that made the book so fascinating to read. I appreciate an intricate political system.

And the twists and turns in this book were INSANE. I was absolutely not expecting the ending! I can not wait for the next book! I need this sequel immediately!

If you love fantasy, you HAVE to read this book! It was so good!

TROPES:
💔Forbidden Romance
✨️Celestial Magic
👑Rebellious Princess
⚔️Sassy Knight
💀Touch Her and Die
👸Anastasia/Rapunzel Inspired

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was both complex, and while I was dead set on something happening, it did not, which means I love this book because it did surprise me. Jameson is... WOW, awesome, ten outta ten. Would like a few dozen like him.
Also, and totally unrelated, Soraya's dress for whatever reason reminds me of one of those online games where you could make outfits for a princess going to a ball like... I'm 100% sure you had the option to make it midnight blue, stardust white, or sunshine yellow, and I am forever imagining the dress as cartoonish, puffy, and 100% drawn on a completely realistic version of her character, so that also contributes to the rating.
I do indeed recommend the book, and the only reason I am not giving 5 stars is because my dear ol' heart feels like it's missing something, tho don't ask me what because it is a 100% sentimental, 0% explainable feeling.

[Tiffany L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Alana and her publisher for the ARC in exchange for this review!

This was nothing like I thought it would be...with that being said it was so much better! When I went into this thinking it was just a Rapunzel retelling I thought it would be obvious and I wouldnt be able to seperate this from the actual story. But boy was I so wrong...

This was a work of ART. I love that this didnt go in all the same directions as the original and it was its own story.

The story building and the romance were amazing and I cant wait for book 2.

As with any book there were a few things that had me a little confused for a bit and could use another round of proofreading but with that it is a solid 5 stars!!

[Enchanted Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Alana Powers and Green Avenue Books for providing me with an advanced reader copy of Consort of Stars!
Wow what a great read! I absolutely loved everything about this book. I highly recommend checking it out, you will not regret it!

Being the first book in the series it focused a lot on world building and the background of the princess, Soraya. I thought Alana did a fantastic job at keeping the story flowing, while keeping me drawn in wanting to know what’s going to happen next. I loved the first person POV, being in Soraya’s head and following alongside her. She is a great FMC: strong, smart, rebellious and I can’t wait to follow her journey!

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to GreenAvenue Books and Alana Powers for the ARC.

I recommend this book for fans of ACOTAR, Fourth Wing, and From Blood and Ash.

I liked the heroine's desire to be a self-sufficient and to prove herself as a leader of her people. I can see that the idea is there, sadly, the story didn't deliver it as well as I wish it had.

I noticed several errors in the formatting (i.e. dialogue tags that confused me as to who was actually speaking). I felt as though the story itself could have used some more polishing. I do think that this is a good book for young adults who want to get more into fantasy works.

[Kim Rodis · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

The beginning was a little slow for me… but by the end, I was completely hooked!

Soraya just wants the chance to rule as Queen — to protect her people and be their voice. Unfortunately, her parents quickly become obstacle number one.

Jameson… I love you. Truly. His relationship with Soraya was one of my favorite parts of the book, and I also adored the bond between Soraya and Matilda.

I guessed about 50% of what might happen throughout the story, but I was NOT expecting that ending!

And to a certain someone… I’m coming for you. You can run, but I will find you — and I WILL hurt you. You know who you are.

COUNT. YOUR. DAYS.