Starside

by Alex Aster

From Alex Aster, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Lightlark series, comes her first adult romantasy. Enter the world of Starside , where swords wield magic and power is not inherited...but claimed.

Hundreds of years ago, a brutal war split a land in two. Starside is the realm of magic and immortals—the descendants of the gods, living in a power-rich paradise. Stormside is where mortals fight for scraps of that magic.

Every fifty years, the gates between them open, and fifty challengers are allowed to journey across Starside on a deadly quest to access a pool of magic that can heal, grant wealth, or extend life. Everyone has their reasons for entering, but Aris has only vengeance. As a child, a goddess set fire to her village, killing her family. Aris isn’t after the gods’ magic—she’s going to kill them.

First, she must survive the Culling, the king’s deadly competition to choose his fifty challengers. An orphaned blacksmith’s apprentice, Aris doesn’t have the superior weapons of the heirs from the Great Houses. But the greatest swords—ones that contain power—are not inherited or bought, they are claimed, by both sides. And when Aris claims a great sword, it makes her not just a real competitor—but a target.

Getting past the gates is only the beginning. Starside is deadlier than it seems. If the ancient creatures, magic-wielding beasts, and bloodthirsty immortals weren’t dangerous enough, a new peril has even immortals fearing what rises from the ground at night. With a blade most would kill to claim, Aris can’t trust anyone. Especially not Harlan Raker, the merciless and mysterious king’s guard who betrayed her years ago—and who may now be the key to her survival.

But Aris is hiding a secret tied to her family’s death. And when it’s revealed, not even the gods will be able to stop what’s coming…

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Adult, Enemies To Lovers, Fiction

Audible Audio

First published March 31, 2026

Reviews

[Emmy Rosam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trial fatigue has been a real struggle of mine lately but this was thoroughly entertaining. Alex Aster needs to continue writing adult romantasy because this was GOOD. Genuinely love the way the last 30 pages of the book made me feel, a great start to a new series. FUN!!

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Someone please inform the Habsburgs they are no longer the most inbred thing now that this book exists.

This is a DNF (edit: I ended up reading the rest) because even my hate reads have limits. Alex Aster saw Lauren Roberts’ success (in evading a plagiarism lawsuit) and said “bet.”

I’ve truly never read a more poorly written, copy-and-paste book in my entire life. Like, if you’re 13 and have never read anything beyond The Babysitter’s Club before, you might like this. But, if you’ve read even one contemporary YA fantasy-ish book before this, you’ve read this book and I can’t see how you’d enjoy it.

And this is YA—despite Alex Aster stamping an “adult” label on it. I’m sure it has smut in it later (it did and it was baaaad) and they say “fuck” a lot, but if you take out those two things, this is a young YA novel, borderline middle grade.

Nothing in here is original (and don’t give me the “nothing nowadays is original”) people who say that are too chronically online and are simply reading the same tropes over and over and over again. Even things that are inspired by other things are still able to put a twist on it.

This has no twist on ANYTHING. Suzanne Collins (among many authors) needs to sue because the blatant copying in this was insane!

We got the undead bodies beneath a bog attacking our fmc as well as the classic, “she made a vulgar gesture at him.” Okay, Sarah…

We get the “pretend” make out against a wall scene from The Powerless series. Between these two authors, they’re quite literally copying from each other. The literary incest is rampant.

We get the corset tying scene from Fourth Wing, like almost beat for beat.

We get the two halves of a whole (this time it’s swords, whereas in Harry Potter it’s the two feathers from the same Phoenix for their wands)

We get the fuck in a cave and then the betrayal duel ending scene from Serpent and the Wings of Night.

Aster decided to go a bit farther back and take from George R. R. Martin: our sassy fmc has a dragon and, get this, cannot be burned in a fire. Bet ya never heard that one before, aye? (In writing this I just remembered our fmc is named Aris—Daenerys. Daen-erys. Erys. Aris. I don’t care if you think that’s a stretch; even if it’s unintentional, it just goes to show how unoriginal this all is.)

We got the surly, broody guardian to our orphan character that ends up dying (sorry for the spoiler, but this book sucks so much AND there is zero emotional weight to it, so you’re not missing anything) from Silver Elite—which in itself was a copy-and-paste book!

We’ve got the overarching plot of the “every 50 years there is a competition” from Alex Aster’s OWN books! She got so lazy she plagiarized herself! Quite a feat.

There was some Quicksilver/Brando Sando metal magic (ish), some Xaden broody, leans against a wall-ness, the “I’m doing this for my sister and I wear a braid to fight in this competition” Suzanne, get your lawyers on the phone now…

THE MEMORY TEARS from Half Blood and some ye old classic Draco Malfoy school bully character (yup we’re doing J.K. Rowling again)…

Romantasy, at this point, is just Charles II of Spain, unable to eat, walk, or reproduce because it has been so inbred that there is ZERO originality to be found.

People…authors… GO OUTSIDE! Talk to new people that aren’t just booktok people reading the same bullshit enemies to lovers books. Read a genre that isn’t the exact one you’re writing about! It doesn’t even have to be non fiction! Read a sci-fi book! Read a horror! Read a love story literary fiction! Read an actual well-written YA fantasy with a MINOR subplot of romance.

You’re all producing inbred romantasy children that have to be spoon fed!

And if you’re the children enjoying it, beyond the 10-foot radius you have blocked yourself within, there are good, action-packed books with yearning and interesting magic systems that aren’t just tropey, elemental garbage written at a 2nd grade level.

I beg you to explore and find them.

Anyways, thanks as always to Edelweiss for being that girl and letting me read an early ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[levi (starboy)]

The character art convinced me. 😔😔😔😔

[kimberly ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡. [semi-hiatus]]

i'm sorry but this reads like a lightlark fanfic au 💀

[Laura Greenhalgh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need to sit on this for a sec, RTC 🫶🏼

[Ss]

|𝐏𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 ꨄ︎₊⊹
𝖯𝖾𝗈𝗉𝗅𝖾 𝖾𝗂𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝖱𝖤𝖠𝖫𝖫𝖸 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾𝖽 𝗂𝗍, 𝗈𝗋 𝖱𝖤𝖠𝖫𝖫𝖸 𝗁𝖺𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝗂𝗍. 𝖢𝖺𝗇'𝗍 𝗐𝖺𝗂𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝗄𝗇𝗈𝗐 𝗈𝗇 𝗐𝗂𝖼𝗁 𝗌𝗂𝖽𝖾 𝖨'𝗅𝗅 𝖻𝖾, 𝖨 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝗆𝗂𝗑𝖾𝖽 𝖾𝗑𝗉𝖾𝖼𝗍𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝗌 𝖻𝗎𝗍 𝖨'𝗅𝗅 𝗁𝗈𝗉𝖾 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖻𝖾𝗌𝗍 🤞🏻.

[❀Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't care what it's about, if Alex writes it I'm reading it.

[Rosie]

Isla and Grim will return in Avengers: Doomsday

[rosie (jason todd's version)]

☆彡pre-release: 13th sept, 25

ALEX OH MY GOSH I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. NO WAY THIS IS COMING OUT ON THE DATE OF MY BIRTHDAY NEXT YEAR. IS THIS A SIGN?! 🥹😭💕

[Kendra N. N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I just want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Alex Aster and Avon Books/HarperCollins for sending me an arc of this book!! I've been looking forward to the release of Starside since Alex announced it. It's my most anticipated release of this year, and let me tell y'all, it did NOT disappoint!

I know that when Alex first shared the synopsis for Starside, a lot of people were afraid it'd basically be Lightlark fanfiction. I can tell you with dead certainty that it is not.

Starside is such a unique story! It's been so long since I've read a quest-based fantasy, and now I'm in the mood to read more, although I know it won't cure my hangover from this book.

I loved the characters so much! The FMC, Aris, is definitely my favorite (she's honestly one of my favorite fictional characters ever), which surprises me since usually I end up loving a side character more. I also adore Harlan Raker (I blushed so many times while reading his dialogue haha) and can't wait to see how his relationship with Aris evolves throughout the series, especially considering the ending of Starside. I know Alex's books are always filled with insane twists towards the end, but I was not expecting THAT! Aris and Harlan Raker are going to be the best enemies-to-lovers duo ever, I'm calling it right now!

As for the plot, I ate it up!! A lot of parts, especially the beginning, reminded me of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire — you've got lethal challenges, a new Golden Trio, and an even more obnoxious version of Draco Malfoy + his gang of friends.

I was also reminded of Fourth Wing for a few reasons: 1. There's bonding between dragons and riders; 2. When Aris claims her sword, there's a complete flip in the power hierarchy, similar to when Violet bonded with Tairn and Andarna; and 3. NO ONE is safe, not even the main characters. Alex warned us that Starside is more brutal than Lightlark, and she isn't kidding! I was constantly on the edge of my seat any time Aris ran into trouble. (Side note: I think she and Violet would be best friends if they ever met haha).

So, if you love Goblet of Fire, Fourth Wing, Hunger Games, or Red Queen — or if you love enemies-to-lovers, dragons, revenge quests, feminine rage, and sword magic — you should pre-order Starside now!

Also, it's perfect if you're a fan of steamy, corset-ripping, saying "I hate you" while getting it on romance 🤭

All in all, I think Starside may be one of the best books I've ever read. I'm so excited to see how the rest of the series plays out!

[Fátima Aparecida da Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantasy full of action that gets better with each chapter

4.5 ⭐️

“Starside” is Alex Aster's first attempt at adult fantasy, and I can say it's a great start. I had already read three books from “Lightlark,” Aster's young adult series, and I always had a lot of fun reading them, even with some cliché scenes and the very simple writing style. And the same happened with “Starside”.

Now, speaking specifically about the book… it's full of adventure, one after another, action moments one after another, and you have very little time to breathe (which in a fantasy I find sensational). The story is frenetic, with a relatively moderate level of violence, considering the adult fantasy books that are being released, and with a very interesting, albeit simple, world. Full of magical creatures, but my favorite was the dragon. Dragons, in this case. No spoilers, I promise.

I think it's important to mention that yes, the book has a trial, and I'm getting tired of that kind of narrative in books, but I felt that in "Starside" it worked perfectly, especially because it creates a somewhat unique structure for how it evolves until you reach the end and win (or not).

The last 30% or so of the book are very intense, even more interesting than what came before, but I also need to say that the story gets more and more violent. And specifically, a scene where she's naked made me extremely uncomfortable; I won't say anything more because it would be a spoiler, but it seems that the discomfort was precisely what the author wanted, and it worked. I think when you read it you'll understand. Now, I must say, the last 5%????? Absolutely sensational. I think the writing improved chapter by chapter. I have to say that I had already guessed the plot twist, but it was still good.

The enemies-to-lovers dynamic is very good, and it has a whole context. I was caught in a non-stop love-hate loop, and it was definitely well-planned, especially to make things even more exciting at the end. What an ending! I also wanted to mention that, as is tradition with Alex Aster's books for me, I read the audiobook and I want to give the narrators immense praise. It was even more exciting to experience everything with their delivery.

However, something that bothered me quite a bit, probably because I didn't notice it in the young adult writing style of Alex Aster's other books, was the insistence on using profanity, and one specific swear word appears far too many times, unnecessarily. I have nothing against profanity in books, but too much of anything can hinder the reading experience. I also found it unnecessary to have a long chapter just for a long sex scene, but I understand the purpose. To be honest, that's the only reason the rating wasn't higher.

Finally, I'm sure I'll be thinking about this book many times over the next few months and I'm incredibly eager to read what comes next.

[Kate Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good! Written in first person - A Unique Magic system where power isn’t inherited it’s claimed! Swords have magic, a world split in two - immortals and humans!!! I was hooked from probably 30% in.

Aris our FMC is on a revenge quest, she is full of feminine rage with a lifetime of training and living in poverty has sharpened her into a weapon!

The trials were done well, I was not bored once, there is many Romantasy tropes thrown into this book but they were done so well it didn’t feel repetitive, you know what they say, if your going to do it… do it better!

The banter with the enemies to lovers is ELITE - they truly HATE each other for a majority of the book. The forced proximity - chefs kiss.

There is so much more to this world, it is so packed to the brim full of unique magical creatures and different powers and gods!

The world building was amazing and so vivid, the different lands throughout the world were all so unique and intriguing, I felt like I was there!

Thankyou to Bloomsbury for this ARC. I will treasure it forever.

[✰ ellie ✰]

Lowkey Miss Aster writes like she’s running out of time!! 4 books in 1 year! 3 in 6 months!!

[Taylor Rayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ive read the first 100 pages of this 2 days prior to announcement (I was at the news release “birthday party”) and OMGGGG I love it so far!!!

[Riley Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is based on my own personal experience reading this book, and I also want to address the lengthy one-star review claiming this work of art is “literary incest”—because that’s simply not true. Not only is that claim exaggerated, but it completely overlooks how well-written and thoughtfully crafted this story actually is.

My experience with Starside by Alex Aster was the complete opposite — this was an EASY 6 star read for me.

First off, the plagiarism claims feel wildly exaggerated. Are there a couple moments where a scene reminds you of something else? Sure — I clocked maybe two instances where the situation felt familiar. But that’s not copy-paste, that’s tropes and genre overlap. There’s a huge difference between inspiration and imitation, and this book absolutely stays in its own lane.

What made this book stand out for me was how immersive it felt. The world-building? Genuinely so creative and vivid. The magic, the setting, the stakes — it all felt intentional and fresh, not recycled. And the character arcs?? You can literally feel the growth happening in real time.

And the enemies-to-lovers??? OBSESSED. This is what I want when I pick up that trope — tension, slow burn, actual emotional payoff. Not surface-level banter, but real conflict and chemistry.

Also I NEED to talk about that plot twist because WHAT??? I did NOT see it coming at all. Like jaw-on-the-floor, stare-at-the-wall-after-reading kind of twist.

And then Alex really just said “here’s your 15-page romance scene in the final stretch” just to emotionally destroy us and leave us hanging off THAT cliffhanger??? Criminal behavior. I need the next book immediately.

This book is not the carbon copy it’s being made out to be — it’s gripping, emotional, and incredibly well-crafted. Alex Aster deserves her flowers for the creativity, the storytelling, and the way she built this world and these characters.

If anything, this made me MORE excited for what’s coming next.

[Hannah Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (honestly… 6 stars!?)

Fully biased because I love everything Alex Aster writes, but Starside had me in a chokehold from page one. Her debut adult romantasy is immersive, addictive, and driven by a very strong plot.

I was incredibly lucky to receive physical copy #34 of 100 ahead of the March 2026 release, and I’m still not over it 🥹 The twists were completely unexpected and left my jaw on the floor. I’m still shook and already feral for book two 🤭

With true enemies-to-lovers tension, the slowest burn imaginable, a unique sword-based magic system, and humans questing for magic in an immortal world, Starside is plot-forward with a romantic subplot that had me locked in. Add moments of feminine rage and a dragon, and consider me fully SOLD ⚔️

This one is going to be huge for romantasy fans! Thank you to Alex Aster, her marketer Kelsey, and Avon Publishing (HarperCollins) for this absolute dream of an opportunity 🥹🩶

[jordon lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I did not see that coming…

The quest, the magic, the action, the true enemies to lovers… to enemies. This book had a little bit of everything I love in a fantasy and kept me hooked at all times. The world building and the character building throughout were so good. You could slowly feel the bond building and walls breaking down on the journey and it was so nail bitingly slow and torturous. Just when you get what you want Alex rips it all away and grips your heart in a vise and squeezes. The true motives and identity reveals in the final few chapters leading to a new conflict I did not predict. I cannot wait to see where this goes next!

Thank you to Avon (HarperCollins) and Alex Aster for the eArc and opportunity to read my most anticipated release early!

[Amilyn Pettit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can not praise this book enough. I was hooked from the start and the cliffhanger is illegal lol. Alex Aster has truly outdone herself with her first adult romantasy. The plot was plotting in the best way. The world building was so descriptive without overdoing it. The tension between Aris and Raker was chefs kiss 🤌🏼 I can’t wait for more. For anyone who thought this would be similar to Lightlark, it was not. It felt new and exciting in my opinion. I will be rereading this when I get the physical copy of my book since I was able to read this as an ebook for being a VIP Member on her website.

[Leah Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was good, loved the world and magic system. At least by the end we understood Rykers hate was a self protection to not loss control.

[Logan]

the fact that mother is just pumping out these books 😍 my goodness alex you be spoiling us 🤗🤗🤗

also... the plot? I'M SAT. gimme the freaking book 🙌

[Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

I loved Lightlark so when I heard about this one I was SO excited to read it and honestly I was hooked straight away! The story gets straight into the action really quickly which I was glad for especially because I’ve been in such a reading slump lately 😩

I really loved the world and magic system and the idea that your swords strength depends on the type of metal it is. Also I really liked Zane and I hope we get to see more of his story in the next book. I do wish though we got some more info about the dragons and other magical beasts but I assume book 2 will touch on that more and I’m really looking forward to it!

I will say though to be honest the middle section did drag a little for me especially because I was tired when I was reading it. There was a big chunk where it felt very repetitive and like not much was happening and so I feel like that could have been reduced. But at the same time its part of their journey and bonding so it makes sense and it could just be because I was sleepy

That being said I still really enjoyed this book and I would definitely continue the series!!

I did NOT see the twist at the end coming tbh and OMGGGG I need book 2 now please and thank you!!!!! 😭

Also I would very much like a magical dress room 🤭

If you love:

🖤 Enemies to lovers
⚔️ Slow burn
🖤 Dragons and creatures
⚔️ Sword magic
🖤 Deadly quest
⚔️ Plot twists

you should read Starside by Alex Aster out March 31! ✨

[Kristy Tsantakou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haven’t been this excited since acotar.

[Chantelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Starside — and I’m honestly obsessed with Alex writing adult romantasy. 🔥

The world-building pulled me in straight away: gods, immortals, mortals and a deadly quest every fifty years? Say less.

This is proper enemies to lovers. Not “we mildly dislike each other” — real betrayal, real tension. And I loved that even by the end, there’s still that edge of are we still enemies? The slow burn absolutely wrecked me in the best way.

Aris was such a great main character. Watching her go from underestimated blacksmith’s apprentice to someone powerful and dangerous was so satisfying, and I loved how the magic felt earned, not handed to her.

And Harlan… listen. I KNOW I shouldn’t be drawn to him. I knew it the whole time. Did it stop me? Absolutely not. 🥵

He’s ruthless, mysterious, and walking red-flag energy — and I was fully invested anyway. Their chemistry had me holding my breath more than once.

Sharp, tense, magical, and addictive. Loved it. Need more immediately. Can’t wait for book 2, especially after that ending broke me! 💔

[Maggie Maeve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so fun. A true enemies to lovers with a broody MMC who wants nothing to do with her. Also, the magic in this book is so cool. The world is beautiful and full of so many magical and whimsical creatures, there are deadly trials, and some really lovable side characters/found family. I really enjoyed this one! It’s an adult Romantasy, but really only one spicy scene. So good!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book cured my romantasy burnout.

The fast pace right from the start made me want to devour this book. When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it and telling everyone I know to read it even though I hadn't yet finished. Now that I have finished, I fear I will become insufferable talking about it constantly.

The world building is complex, while not overwhelming. I love the detailed map in my physical copy. There are so many of the best elements of romantasy tied in to this book in the most epic way. Some of my favorite [out of context] components of the book: magical lands, enchanted structures, fantastical beasts, bada** swords, fire, plot twists.

Not to mention a true enemies to lovers tale. I mean talk about morally grey characters hating each other.

Hate. Me. Harder.

[Angela Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO. DAMN. GOOD. That ending… what the fuck!!! I love Aris, I’m always gonna be a sucker for a strong FMC . The tension with Raker was delicious. The quest, the world, the magic was all so gripping and so fun, I need the next book IMMEDIATELY.

Also, huge thank you to Alex for giving the VIPs the entire book early!! It was such an honour to get to devour this masterpiece before its release 🥹

[Coralie’s library · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC ☺️

[Jordan Corso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just WOW. This book is BEYOND an improvement in writing, characters, pacing and magic. I just love how much Alex has grown as an author. This world took me by storm (magic swords and all) and I’m in awe of how well it was mapped out.

Some characters I do not care for (side characters) and the middle only dragged a bit but it was so important for the ending. My god Alex knows how to pull a plot twist 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️. I need the next one NOW

[vacuity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do I have this already preordered on Barnes and Noble & Waterstones? ✅

Did I just finish the first 100 pages? ✅✅

Why did it take me so long to finish the 100 pages? Well, I was afraid of this exact feeling that I have right now. And that feeling is of longing and desperation for the whole book now 🫠

If you’re on the fence about this book, I’d say give it a shot! It’s fast paced, has a fun “magic” system involving swords, interesting set of characters, and has a blending of worlds setting to it ✨

In an alternate universe of Lightlark, I’d like to think that Aris reminds me of a young Oro, and Harlan is a Grim without Isla in his world. Teehee 🤭 I very much look forward to Aris and Harlan’s shenanigans!

So while I curl up and hibernate, waiting for Starside to release, just a huge thank you to Alex and her publishing and marketing team for allowing me to attend the reveal party and for the 100 page sample!! 🥹❤️

[Hunter Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starside is Alex Aster’s best work yet! She had me absolutely hooked and devouring this book from start to finish. Her writing style and prose has grown and matured so much since Lightlark, and it really got to shine with this book!

Aris is a woman who has lost everything, and has nothing more to lose. The only thought on her mind, is revenge. It’s so refreshing to read a book from the perspective of morally grey characters who by the end of the book, are shown to truly be morally grey. The plot is action packed and adventurous, and left me wanting more!

The enemies to lovers trope is saved! Alex aster truly knows how to write two characters who hate each other, and watching the characters develop throughout the story had me just as hooked as the plot did!

I wish I could be more thorough in this review but I’m trying to avoid giving any spoilers! This book is above 5 stars and I’m so honored to have received an advanced copy! Everyone should read this book!