Darkness Births the Stars: an epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance

by Sarah Lee Wohn

Their forbidden love tore the world apart.
Now two broken gods might be the only ones able to heal it.

Haunted by his past and the evil forces he commanded, Noctis, once the God of Darkness, cannot forget Rada, the former Goddess of Light—and the queen who ruled at his brother’s side. Condemned to mortality, thought dead to the whole world, Noctis craves one last meeting …

Stripped of her magic and exiled for treason, Rada has built an idyllic new life on a farm at the edges of the realm. But her peace is shattered one stormy night when Noctis—the enemy who caused her downfall, the lover she betrayed in turn—appears at her door, wounded and desperate.

When a sinister attack reveals the powers of Chaos are stirring once more, Noctis’s dark past begins to unravel. As desire and duty entwine, Rada faces an impossible choice. Can she become the ally of the man who broke her heart to save everything she holds dear?

Inspired by Nordic mythology, this first book in a series follows star-crossed lovers, their fall from grace and their quest for redemption. Sizzling, tension-filled romance, high-stakes magical battles, and morally-grey characters make this the perfect read for fans of Gild, The Cruel Prince and When the Moon Hatched.

Are you prepared to touch the Darkness?

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Mythology, Fiction, Gods

708 pages, Paperback

First published September 3, 2025

About the author

Sarah Lee Wohn has been obsessed with books and all things fantasy since her childhood. Driven by endless curiosity and a vivid imagination, she has traveled the world always in search of adventure. Darkness Births the Stars is the first book in her debut adult fantasy romance series, combining an epic, magical plot with a forbidden romance that will steal your heart.

When not creating captivating fantasy worlds and unforgettable characters, you can find Sarah cooking dishes from around the globe, enjoying the idyllic forests near her home with her husband, and trying in vain to contain her two very own little lords of chaos.

Reviews

[shaelinslibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This love story was utterly beautiful.

Both main characters are SO layered, and flawed but they love each other because of those flaws. BREATHTAKING.

This is a love story for the ages, the pining was exquisite, the yearning and history between these two characters was palpable.

On top of all that, the world was so fun, and unique, the ending completely shocked me! Obsessed!

5 stars ⭐️

[amandathebookworm 📚🪱 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ & rounding up for this romantic beast of a book. I really enjoyed this but a couple things kept it from being perfect. Let’s get into it


PLOT
Rada, a goddess stripped of her powers & exiled, has been living peacefully hidden on her farm for a decade. Until he, the fallen one she loved & brother of her husband, showed up on her doorstep half dead out of nowhere. She thought he was dead, he thought she tried to kill him, & they’ve got thousands of years of love, lust, & betrayals screaming at them. Oh & also his former acolytes are now trying to continue the war he started that almost ended the world. This book has
- love & betrayal spanning millennia
- multiple timelines
- gods, elves, humans, dwarves, & more
- morally gray MMC, v capable badass FMC
- gods & all their creations (elves, humans, dwarves, etc.)
- dual POV
- med/higher spice


PROS
- Now this, my friends, is some LONGING. My god it is the elephant in every single room.
- I quite like how this story is told. I’m a big fan of multiple timelines & telling this story in the present & the past (very The Last Five Years) was a great way to explore & develop the romance as well as the evolution of individual characters.
- LOVE Rada. Big fan of her brilliance & wit as well as her vulnerability & naïveté at times. She is a woman scorned trying to figure it out.
- LOVE Noctis. Morally gray is HEREEEEE hello! He is very well developed & I’m excited to learn even more.
- Rada & Noctis’s push & pull was delicious. Their relationship & past was so well established things that might annoy me in other books completely served the story (lots of rehashing previous fights, for example). But it *made sense* because of how the story was told. & my god did it make to delectable tension.
- Fun reveal at the end. I knew the thing was the thing but I didn’t know the thing was also the thing. So that was VERY fun.
- I would do anything for the araks. & the chickens.
- Intetesting world & magic.
- Solid spice.
- Had me theorizing which I love to do. This was a big world with big lore & big plot on top of the like, suffocating (complimentary) romance.


MIDS
- I found the name of one particular race kind of silly. Everything else was given sort of beautiful almost Elvish names. Then we had elves & dwarves, anima and aurea. & then… brownies… it was just odd & felt out of place lol.


CONS
- Some world building inconsistencies &/or funkiness. Some examples were some slightly clunky dialogue that just wouldn’t be said between 2 people who know each other well in order to world build. & also I found myself wondering why these gods couldn’t turn to their spirit forms mid-battle to avoid injury/fight better. So some of the battles seemed like they shouldn’t have been so harrowing & that took me out a little bit.


Will def continue with this series!

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

i'm having a hard time judging my feelings on this one!

the characters are incredibly complex, and the nuance is strong here. the dual POV with time jumps in particular is a really cool way to view a messy relationship that spans centuries.

however, the pacing here is really rough, particularly with present-day. i found myself dreading the present every time we would leave the past, especially because so much of it took place on a farm doing mundane tasks.

the world itself is also quite complex, and the magic system feels unique. honestly, overall this was a cool read, but it's also a read that you savor over time instead of devouring it in one-three sittings.

**thank you to Sarah Lee Wohn and The Nerd Fam for the gifted copy**

[The Babbling Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

You better buckle up, strap that seatbelt on—and get in because we’re going for a ride. 🚘

📖 Summary

Darkness Births the Stars by Sarah Lee Wohn is a lush, heartbreaking romantasy steeped in forbidden love, betrayal, and redemption. When Noctis, the fallen God of Darkness, reappears at the door of Rada, the exiled Goddess of Light, old wounds rip open as quickly as sparks reignite. Stripped of magic and condemned to mortality, Rada must decide if she can trust the man who broke her heart to stand with him against rising chaos. Seamlessly weaving past and present, this story delivers both gut-wrenching heartbreak and intoxicating tenderness, where desire collides with duty and survival demands impossible choices.

———

✨ Tropes / Vibes

Forbidden love ❤️‍🔥
Star-crossed lovers 🌙
Enemies-to-lovers-to-something-more 🗡️💔➡️❤️
Morally gray MMC 🌑
Fierce, resilient FMC 🔥👑
Betrayal and redemption 🩸🤲
Fallen gods & exiled royalty ⚡👁️
Mythology-inspired world 🌌
Angst + aching tenderness 😭💞
Poetic, lyrical writing ✍️🌹

———

💭 My Review

I’m literally blown away by this story. The way Sarah wove the past and present together was so beautifully done. I never once felt jarred or confused by the shifts; instead, the timeline jumps only made the story feel richer and more whole. My heart was breaking and mending at the same time, wrapped up in the poetic experience of a forbidden love that still aches to heal old wounds. It was devastatingly addictive.

Rada/Baradaz: Fierce. Strong. Absolutely everything. Sarah wrote her with so much raw power and pain that I could feel every ounce of her anguish. She’s now one of my all-time favorite FMCs.

Noctis/Belekoroz: My sweet chaos man, the fallen one. Misunderstood by everyone except Rada. Despite all the heartbreak, he kept showing up for her, his words and his actions aligning in such a devastatingly beautiful way. The way he cared for her, and for the people she loved, completely undid me. Having those little lines from him truly broke me, giving us such deep insight into the creative torment of his existence.

“Then why, I wanted to scream, the words stuck in my throat like broken glass, choking me, did you create me this way?”

That moment gutted me. It captured everything about his pain, his vulnerability, and his yearning to be understood.

Aramaz: Suspicious, unsettling, and raising a thousand questions. The way he brushed things off made me second-guess every move.

This book is equal parts heartbreak, redemption, and addictive longing. It hurts in all the best ways, and I already know it’s going to linger with me for a long time. I cannot wait to see what Sarah does with the Easter eggs she tucked into this story—hinted at with just a line or two. My mind is already spinning for the next book.

Honestly, I could put so many quotes in here. I highlighted practically the entire book, but I think you should experience it for yourself. 🖤🫶🏽😮‍💨

Lastly, thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted e-arc.

[Joy Metzger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went in blind on this one with no expectations and holy shit. Star-crossed lovers/forbidden romance at its finest. The FMC and MMC are former gods now living as mere mortals. She was a queen married his brother (can’t call it a love triangle if there was no love between husband and wife IMO) l. He shows up on her doorstep and throws her life back into chaos. The tension is tensioning OMG. There are multiple timelines for backstory and world-building. There are wars, battles, betrayals, and many will-they-or-won’t-they (again) moments. The first book in a series, but it didn’t end on a crazy cliffhanger which I loved for a change!

[Brittanica Bold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t wait for you all to read my newest obsession aka Darkness Births the Stars!! I’m seriously invested in this series and its author, Sarah Lee Wohn’s, other future works, because this has got to be my top read this year so far!!

I absolutely love mythological/god-based fantasy romances because it just puts everything on such a different playing field. Fantastical abilities, magical places, and crazy worldbuilding are some of my favorite things about these types of fantasy romances, and Darkness Births the Stars definitely had all of these things in spades!! The worldbuilding was INSANE!!! I especially loved that we got a lot of chapters in the past as well as in the present. Given our main characters were both fallen gods, I enjoyed getting to see what their lives looked like before they were “fallen”, how they met, and how they got to where they were in the current storyline. It was all woven so fantastically that there was never a point I was confused, and in fact, I just couldn’t put this book down!!

I loved all the inner politics surrounding the gods, not just Rada and Noctis. I love when there are side bargains/friendships, complete enemies, and a group that was forced to “work together” despite maybe that not being the best option. I seriously trust no one but Rada and Noctis. YES, EVEN NOCTIS. Look, dude did some not great things (morally pitch black if I ever saw it), but at the end of the day, I trust anything he would do to help and save Rada. I truly believe he has turned a leaf, though he will go through trials. I can’t wait to see him succeed!!

I loved that initially Rada and Noctis both wanted to “play nice” to get something from the other…or kill the other. The fact that they started their friendship based on wanting to get rid of the other was incredibly fun and elicited so many giggles and feet kicks from me while reading. I loved watching their chemistry go from enemies to lover to enemies to reluctant allies to lovers. I loved getting to watch their second chance come about and how much Rada struggled with allowing Noctis back into her life. I loved the insight we got into Noctis’s mind, where we knew how invested he was in Rada and their second chance for the long haul; this definitely made it faster to love him despite his many flaws.

Oh goodness, the spice was plentiful and wonderful!! I honestly was worried that this book was going to have no spice because I saw nothing in reviews about it…I thought, that’s a lot of pages for no spice 😬 BUT NEVER AGAIN WILL I DOUBT SARAH LEE WOHN!! Such fantastic spice that is still living rent free in my mind (*cue romp in the mud scene*)

I loved both of the main characters. Rada was so tough and fierce, definitely being a warrior and an independent woman. Noctis was dark and misunderstood, and completely swoony with how much he loved and needed Rada, even after all those years apart.

Lastly, I can’t believe that twist at the very very end!! WTAF?!?!?!? I need book 2 immediately!!

Thank you to The Nerd Fam and Sarah Lee Wohn for the gifted eARC. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.

[jlreadstoperpetuity · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨️ 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 & 🍵𝗧𝗲𝗮 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
Once gods, now mortals. Rada, the exiled Goddess of Light, has traded her crown for a quiet life on a secluded farm. Enter Noctis the God of Darkness her former lover and the reason her world fell apart. When he shows up at her doorstep wounded and desperate old flames reignite. But can they team up to stop a rising chaos that threatens everything they hold dear or will their past betrayals tear them apart once more?

This book threw me right into a wild mix of old feelings and new chaos. Rada and Noctis have so much baggage it’s honestly a miracle they don’t explode every time they talk. The world’s cool like Nordic myth meets farmhouse vibes but it’s really the messy slow-burn tension that kept me hooked. Sometimes it felt like watching a train wreck I couldn’t look away from. Not perfect but definitely not boring.

[Katelyn C · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 STARS

CALLING ALL EPIC ROMANTASY READERS !!!!!!

This blew me away! If you're looking for an epic high romantasy to dive into, let it be this one. I was hooked from the first chapter on and the book kept getting better as it went on. When I first realized this was almost 700 pages I thought "oh no, why did I sign up for this?", but the book did not feel long at all while reading, and if anything I didn't want it to end. The fantasy lore was well done, I didn't find it to be confusing or too much information at once. The romantic plot was excellent, I really felt invested in the two main characters and you could feel their emotions and tension on the page. There is a dual timeline throughout the book, which I loved! I honestly have no complaints, I recommend everyone pick this up who loves the genre.

What to expect in Darkness Births the Stars:
~Epic Romantasy
~High Fantasy
~War of Gods
~Enemies to Lovers
~Forbidden Romance
~Dual POV/Timeline

Thank you to the NerdFam for the opportunity to read this before it releases September 3!!

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC reveiw: Wow this was something else! Okay, so you get at well written fantasy with interesting world building, divine characterers and a well-thought-out story! But the complexity was what blew me away.

It's a mix of flashbacks and different timelines, and you still get hung up on the all-devouring love story between darkness and the light.
Inspired by Nordic methodology this fantasy books gives you a long adventure with action, banter, spice and lot's of emotions. It's a very long book, but it might just be worth your time ;)

4 stars, and a thanks to Netgalley for the ARC

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darkness Births the Stars swept me away with its epic blend of myth, romance, and betrayal. This story follows Noctis, the God of Darkness, and Rafa, the Goddess of Light, as their fates intertwine across centuries of exile, lost powers, and impossible choices. Their relationship is beautifully complex full of yearning, heartbreak, and the kind of intensity that lingers long after you’ve put the book down.

The dual POV and shifting timelines added so much depth, allowing us to see both past and present while unraveling their tangled love story. I adored the way this book balanced sweeping worldbuilding with intimate, emotional moments. The mythology feels rich and layered, with Nordic-inspired elements that gave the story a timeless, epic feel.

Yes, the pacing can feel slower at times, but I found it only added to the grandeur and scope of the tale. And the ending? Absolutely jaw-dropping. I need book two immediately.

If you love forbidden romance, fallen gods, and stories that mix poetic writing with gut-punch emotion, this is one you don’t want to miss. Thanks to the NerdFam and the author for the gifted arc!

[bookishy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this; it was a really slow burn, but I happen to like those. I love Rada and Noctis so much, and I do love a good villain, and it doesn't get more villainous than Noctis. I was more interested in the present life of Rada and how she comes to terms with her feelings for Noctis, despite his numerous betrayals. I'm not gonna lie, it took me almost a month to read it, but the moments where I put down the book were the flashbacks. Back then, I feel like Rada was too perfect and too quick to judge Noctis for the smallest things.

I loved their relationship, and I hope in book two we get to see more of Noctis' feelings. The first book was more focused on Rada coming to terms with her feelings, her life and Noctis' betrayal, but I'm hoping for more inner monologue of Noctis and his mistrust towards Rada. Anyways, you guys are in for a ride with this one. And that last chapter? Absolutely ruined me. The worldbuilding was absolutely epic as well - so complex and so well-planned.

I'm also gonna start doing one sentence reviews, and this would be: The Eternals get the slow burn they deserved.

Thanks to the author and the MTMC Tours for the copy of the book!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If someone were to spill my blood, scatter my very being to the winds, I suspected the remaining tatters of my spirit would still yearn for her somehow.” EXCUSE ME?? I fear Noctis has ruined me for other book boyfriends.

Rada is a former goddess who has been stripped of her powers and exiled, living out a cozy farm life finally free of her dark past. Or at least that’s what she thinks until one day Noctis knocks on her door - a former god/lover she had believed dead - shattering the peace she’s worked so hard to cultivate. This book left me with my jaw on the floor. The pace feels deceptively slow at first, unraveling the story of their relationship as the author pulls you between the past and present with the immaculate world building and insane tension as these characters go from enemies to lovers to enemies again and again. I cannot wait for the rest of this series, this is everything I’ve ever wanted in a romantasy.

read this if you like:
-beautiful and detailed world building
-dual pov, dual timeline
-main characters who are thousands of years old
-gods/goddesses, magical beings
-YEARNING LIKE NO OTHER BOOK I HAVE READ BEFORE

[Hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review: Darkness: Birth of Stars

First off, a huge thank you to Sarah for the ARC of this fantasy romance, perfect for fans of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and Star Wars. Seriously, the mythic vibes are STRONG in this one.

While the pacing felt slow at times, what really kept me going was the dual POV and dual timelines. Getting to see both Noctis and Rada's perspectives, in the past and present, was such a great way to unravel their tangled, emotionally charged story. Their chemistry is intense, and watching their relationship change over time gave me all the enemies to lovers feelings that I want to see in a romantasy.

The writing is elegant and poetic (sometimes a little dense, yes) but it totally fits the story of fallen gods, betrayal, heartbreak, and redemption. The world Sarah has built is rich and immersive, filled with ancient magic, lovable characters, and let's not forget the animals friends!!

And don't even get me started on the yearning in this book... it is actually just unreal. "You are the only good thing that has ever happened to me in my entire existence..." HELLOOO???

I'm looking forward to seeing where book 2 takes us. Cause that epilogue?? Left me with wayyyyy more questions than answers. A perfect setup for the next book.

It you're into:
- Dual POVs and dual timelines
- Gods, goddesses, and magical beings
- Deep lore
- Immersive worldbuilding
- Angst, longing, betrayal, and redemption arcs
...then definitely check this one out!

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got lost in this world so fast, give me fallen Angels anytime. Rada is a former Goddess that was stripped of her powers and Noctis also is a former God and Rada’s former lover. I know a lot of former, but so good. Rada thought Noctis was dead, until he comes knocking on the door. The book starts at a slower pace, but keeps picking up at the story unfolds. It jumps from the past and present and back as the story is told, also has dual point of view. I am looking forward to the rest of the series, can’t wait!

[Megan Bresson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buckle up, because I have A LOT TO SAY.

This is, hands down, one of the best reads of 2025. I had the honor of beta reading this book back in May, and here I am finally putting my thoughts into a formal review in July - and not a day has gone by that I haven't thought about Darkness Births the Stars.

I am a sucker for the fallen angel in any story. I listened to Razia's Shadow on repeat as a teen, I love media like the series Hazbin Hotel. With DBTS, we have another brilliant entry into the age-old question: what is the all-powerful creator hiding from us? Why provide power and punish your workers when they dare to use them?

This book focuses on Baradaz, the Star Queen, and Noctis, the God of Darkness. The timeline floats between the past and present, giving us the full series of events that bring these two together and tear them apart while fighting a war against the powers of Chaos. The tension between these characters, the banter, the YEARNING for acknowledgement and the need to be understood. It is all so beautifully written. As a reader, your emotions will be held captive by their story. Ultimately, you'll be left asking yourself.... who really defines what is "light" and "good?" And is grey so bad?

It is so delicious to see Baradaz and Noctis re-learn each other after they are torn apart by circumstances. We always love to see a man who will do ANYTHING for her, and a woman who comes to see EXACTLY how powerful she truly is. You need to read Darkness Births the Stars to experience one of the best love stories of 2025, one that is complicated and raw, but so real. Nothing forced here. Do yourself a service. Put this on your TBR, and slide it right up to the top.

[Dani Fusaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best fantasy romance books I’ve ever read… hands down.

I honestly don’t know where to begin with this book. The world-building was stunning, immersive, and unique. It’s inspired by Nordic mythology but is unlike anything I’ve ever read.

The story follows two characters during two different timelines— at present, when our FMC Rada’s former lover shows up to her door, and in the past at the beginning of their love story (which has spanned millennia). The author beautifully weaved these narratives together to keep me hooked from page to page.

I was immediately invested in the characters’ journey and was on the edge of my seat waiting for each mystery to unfold. This story utterly consumed me from the beginning, and I couldn’t think about anything else.

The tension, the yearning, the hurt from past betrayals was so intense you could practically feel it. I am obsessed with this story and this world, and I’ll be unwell until I get my hands on book 2.

If you love:
- When the Moon Hatched or Gild
- A morally black MMC
- Yearning for days
- Immersive world-building
- Epic fantasy romance

You will LOVEEEE this.

[Kenzie Deerin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want this book injected into my veins. This is one of the most heart wrenching, yet achingly beautiful stories of forbidden love, duty vs. desire, chaos vs. order and two god’s fall from grace. This is an absolutely epic fantasy with incredibly detailed lore, magic, history and politics while simultaneously being one of the most romantic stories I have ever read. Rada & Noctis’s story truly pulled at my soul and completely consumed my being. We have a forbidden love that endures through thousands of years, betrayals, descents into chaos and potentially the destruction of the world. I don’t have the words to adequately express how fantastic this was. I could have read 2000 more pages of this and I can’t wait for the next installment. Just wow.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

What to expect:
- Slow-burn ❤️‍🔥
- Enemies to lovers BUT with lots of history
- Gods/goddesses
- Shadow daddy (chaos daddy???)
- Taboo relationship (check warning at bottom of review)
- Complex world
- #farmergirlera 🤠
- Spice 3/5

Wow! What a debut! I seriously can’t believe this is Sarah Lee Wohn’s first book. The world building and character depth was incredible. I loved the main relationship, Bele and Rada forever 🧡 there was so much history to their relationship, which made it so much more meaningful! I especially liked Rada’s hesitation to get back into a relationship with Bele, it reflected her trust issues, that are very much warranted if I do say so myself! And it was the perfect amount of spice and slow burn 🤌🤌🤌

I can’t wait for the next book, I definitely feel that there is a lot more information that will be shared with us especially regarding Aramaz and his motive.

10/10 recommend!

⚠️ WARNING ⚠️
The fmc cheats on her husband with the mmc, but the husband knows about it.

[Harley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg that took me for a spin! So obviously yes I’m an arc reader for this which is why I’m posting! Now I don’t want to give spoilers but I’ll say this much:

When you are duty bound but your heart wants what the heart wants you get this!

Let’s start with Baradez: this is our leading lady! Shes the queen but hiding out. (You’ll find out why) She’s betrothed/married (it’s a long story so you’re gonna get to the marriage part) to Aramaz (hate him) and in love with his brother Noctis (love him). Talk about a triangle!

Aramaz: he’s the king (lil D energy) ( we hate him btw, too many hidden agendas and fake or that’s my opinion) he’s controlling but also has his motives. And our girl Baradez is his woman. All through the story I’m telling myself, I don’t like this dude. I can’t stand him. He doesn’t deserve her. Etc. and guess what? When you get to the end you’ll see. He’s up to something major.

Noctis: he has his given name but this is what we know him as! He’s the brother to Aramaz and in love with our girl! He’s made out to be the bad guy but I honestly don’t feel he is. Love him!! And the way he interacts and his story with our girl, I love it. Absolutely love it! Can we just let them have a HEA?!

Enlial: don’t trust em, don’t like em, but maybe book 2 I’ll change my mind. But right now, nope!

Tayshren: sneaky, sneaky. That’s all ima say

Dragons: screaming, crying

Now you’re really going to have to read it when it comes out and you’ll see and make your own assumptions. I enjoyed the story and honestly can’t wait for the next book! I have questions and need answers because there’s something going on and I’m sure we won’t know the extent until book 2!

[Holly Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is easily one of the best books I’ve read this year. From its soul deep yearning and sharp banter to the layered secrets unraveled through timeline jumps, the journey had me completely hooked. The morally gray dynamics, the fierce and brilliant FMC, and the constant tension made for a truly unputdownable reading experience. I was captivated by the world and that epilogue left my jaw on the floor. An absolute must-read.

[Annie · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a tease. The opening—gods, world's creation—had me convinced this would break my reading slump. Instead, it dug the hole deeper.

The bright spot? The characters. They’re layered, flawed, and fascinating. I loved the dual POV with time jumps. It’s a clever way to show a relationship stretched across centuries. The past sections are where the book shines. Noctis and Rada feel genuinely ancient and soul-bound, their connection heavy with history. Every flashback made me believe in a love that survives ages.

The modern scenes? A slog of chores and half-baked flirting. All slow burn, no payoff.

This is a deeply character-driven novel. Introspective, moody, and full of quiet longing. The romance is haunting and complex, and the writing has a lyrical pull. But action? Stakes? Momentum? Almost nonexistent until the halfway point, and by then I was restless.

If you crave rich character work and slow-burn tension, this might hit. If you need a strong plot to stay hooked, you’ll probably feel like I did: waiting for the stars to finally show up.

[Kayla’s Book Binge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story has so many levels to it. These are immortal gods so they had a millennia of love, pain and betrayal to go through. It was so interesting to see how they navigated relationships as eternal beings versus in mortality. You understand their choices but at the same time you don’t and I think that shows how they are so complex. On one hand, I understand Noctis’ crash out but then you find out the utter destruction he made and you feel conflicted. Then you see him yearning as a mortal and building their relationship again and it almost feels easy to forgive. It’s like they have a string that binds them together even through so much pain. They’re forbidden but can’t stay away from one another.

The way these characters navigate the political aspect of their duties is very intriguing. I think the king is sneaky and covers it up so well with manipulation. I am very curious to see how his plot line will go.

Rada is a badass, I hope we get to see even more of her fights cause she devours. She doesn’t let mortality stand in the way of her strength. It makes me giddy when Noctis loves the way she’s powerful. Not just cause of the power itself but because it’s HER. That’s his girl!!

The magic system, chaos, and lyr stones are all so fascinating, ESPECIALLY chaos. I can’t wait to read more on it and how it influences this upcoming war!!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d give this 4.5 ⭐️ so I’m rounding up to 5.

What I liked:
-The dual timeline with flashbacks to how Rada and Noctis/Bele met and how their love story started.
-dual POV. Always a big fan.
-The slow reveal of what went wrong between them (the betrayals, war, loss of their magic, their time apart).
-Lots of world building but it was fairly easy to follow.
-loved the cottage/farm vibes where most of the present day took place.
-The tension and spice. You get spice fairly early in a flashback but the tension in both present day and in the past is thick. In present day, we don’t get much spice until almost the end of the book. If you like a slow burn, this will satisfy you.
-Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes.
-No cliffhanger at the end but there’s much more that was left unanswered for book 2.
-major reveal at the end which will be interesting to see how that plays out in book 2.

What I didn’t like:
-Felt clunky at times. Some of the scenes dragged on for me.
-I wasn’t super interested or invested in the side characters other than obviously knowing how Rada and Aramaz’s relationship would play out.

Overall, this was everything I hoped it would be and can’t wait to continue Rada and Bele’s story in book 2.

[WhimsicalWildReads (Emily Wilson) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darkness Births the Stars by Sarah Lee Wohn was messy, interesting, and so good! It boasts an interesting story and complex characters.

Darkness Births the Stars is focused on the goddess of light and the god of darkness. Their love story is messy, dramatic, full of betrayal, and spans centuries.

I really enjoyed the world in this book. The whole world is basically a family tree drenched in magic. The Allfather created the gods, who each created their own species. The characters were also super captivating, and despite it all, you are rooting for the MCs to get back together. I also think the dual POV and dual timeline give us so much more depth to the characters. We don’t just get to hear about the characters’ pasts; we get to experience it.

As much as I loved this story, I loved the extras that Wohn put in this book. She included a few diagrams at the front of the book to help establish everyone’s relationship to each other. While I referenced this a few times, the best addition was the glossary in the back of the book. This glossary not only includes terms but also people and places. As someone that can struggle sometimes with keeping the characters straight, especially if we haven’t seen them for a minute, having a sentence to jog my memory was awesome!

TL;DR: Perfect for fans of messy god/goddess relationships. Definitely worth the read, and I’m excited for book 2. The last chapter was definitely a surprise!

Thank you to Sarah Lee Wohn for the gifted eARC!

[TJ]

Man, I can NOT get into this book! I tried and tried, put it aside, came back and tried again but it just isn’t working. It’s just a confused muddle for me. It might be the busy time of year Christmas is and I can’t spend the brain-space to really concentrate - or it could be all the jumping around of timelines, characters etc. just isn’t’ doing it for me. Maybe I’ll try again down the road, but for now I’m tapping out.

*Because I didn’t get over 50% through, I don’t think it’s fair to give a star rating.*

[Joanna Owens · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm really not feeling this one, the reviews are epic and it reads well... I think it's just not for me.

An unusual premise for a Romantasy, fallen gods, millennia of yearning... but for me it feels like a second book with the first missing. To aid this transition the author has split the story over multiple timelines, I don't like this. It's just not for me.

I guess I'm a sucker for a budding romance. Not an age old will they/won't they that is clearly going to develop into more. It all feels back to front dammit!

[Rochelle ♡]

˖⁺‧₊♡ pre-read review ⋙
darkness births the stars has been one of my most anticipated romantasy books. the cover is divine, but the nordic influences, combined with star-crossed lovers who are enemies turned lovers turned enemies? consider me SOLD.

a massive thank you to sarah lee wohn for the gifted e-arc.

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[Brina.readz · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was one hell of a night after finishing Darkness Births the Stars because I could not stop thinking about it and had a lot to process! This was by far my favorite read in a long time, and I am utterly obsessed and captivated.

"In my darkest nights, one guiding star will always remain"

Book 2 needs to come out soon because that epilog has me on my toes already!

Darkness Births The Stars felt like a modern-day retelling of Hades and Persephones and myths of the Viking gods combined with elements of the Lord of the Rings/the Hobbit/ Rings of Power, Star Wars.

Both Rada and Noctis are amazing MCs to follow through the ages, and I loved diving deeper into their past and complicated feelings towards each other.
Noctis gives us a great villain origin story, with Rada as his only weakness, and I was eating it up. The yearning was everything!

"You are the only good thing that has ever happened to me in my entire existence [...] fitting isn't it? Because he never intended for you to be mine. The one guiding star, shining brightest in my darkest hours."

S.L Wohn created a fantastic world and magic system with interesting side characters and furry companions. Fast-paced and adventurous, this book is the perfect combination of romance and adventure with a captivating plot. The dual POVs in present and past made Rada and Noctis' story come together in the best way possible and gave this all the enemies to lovers to enemies feelings I needed!

"Would you have spared him, even if it meant destroying the world?"

Thank you for providing me with an ARC copy of this book for an honest review!

[Madi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely - a bit different story wise, good smut I reckon

[Malén · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5⭐️

Wow I don’t now where to begin! This was such a beautiful and fun read! It gives Lord of the Rings mixed with Northern mythology vibes. It has a rich and deep world building that captivates, and I just want to know more about this world! The main characters’ storylines are devided between present and past events, and I found it worked quite well! Sarah has absolutely mastered the art of linking the past and present chapters and made it flow smoothly throughout the storylline. I especially enjoyed the storyline from the past most and I just wanted more of it! The book has some action, but is not action packed.

The main characters are fallen Gods stripped of their powers and now lives in exile! But before that we get to dive into their history that spans over millennia that explains why they are fallen Gods! And yes their romance is forbidden! Their whole history is basically intense yearning for each other, but they can never fully get together😭 She is forced to marry the King of the Gods, but she loves his brother!

I would describe the mmc as a mix of Loki and Rhysand! He is the God of shadow and he evokes chaos! He deceives, betrays and destroys, but he also flirts like Rhysand😏

And without spoiling anything! What was that ending! I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book! I just need to know what all these events will lead to!

Overall a very enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend it, especially if you like a thick book with great world building.