The Star-Blessed

by Angie Dickinson

Three legendary origins of power. Two royal bloodlines. One deadly curse.

The kingdom of Stelauris is slowly dying. A season of poison infects the air, earth, and water with increasing deadliness each year, and a deep love of gold and power infects the failing mind of the king. His only daughter and first in line to the throne, Princess Seren, lives in tightly controlled isolation. When she is suddenly thrust into royal society, she struggles to hide the strain of untamed magic awakening in her blood.

Seren’s newly appointed personal guard, Sir Corin, resents the exile of his people. As heir to a long-banished line of succession and the last of the land’s legendary protectors, he holds no loyalty for the current royal family and their history of unhinged cruelty.

As death steals over the kingdom and the schemes at court grow deadlier, the princess and the guard are forced to face their fears, their troubled pasts, and the cost of personal freedom.

The Star-Blessed is a reimagining and reinventing of two fairy tales: “Rumpelstiltskin” and “Catskin” by the Brothers Grimm.

Genres: Fantasy, Christian Fiction, Young Adult, Christian, Retellings, Fairy Tales, Christian Fantasy

448 pages, Hardcover

First published March 17, 2026

Reviews

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls)]

DNF @ pg.155 / middle of chapter 11 / 36% into ebook


I am very disappointed in this book and the content in it. I wasn’t familiar with the fairytale of Catskin but based on the synopsis I read of it, it’s probably one of the least gruesome one by the Brothers Grimm—but the gruesome bar is pretty high with their stories. 😖 As you might can figure, that story has about skinning cats, so this book has about skinning and killing animals for a cloak. As a visual reader, an animal lover, and a vegan, these scenes were terrible to read. Obviously there are fur coats and whatnot in the world—real or fictional worlds, even—and I can understand that and it’s not my main complaint of this book, but it was way more graphic and gruesome that I was expecting which added to the already dark and heavy feeling of this story.

Rather than being a retelling, this was more along the lines of being inspired by the tales of Catskin and Rumpelstiltskin. The latter is more used along the lines of what happened after Rumpelstiltskin got his gold and became an evil king, that’s where the book picks up many years later.

Listen, Seren is in an awful spot. There’s no doubt about that. But that doesn’t mean I have to read about awful things. Her father is probably possessed by a demon for how awful is he to her and everyone else.

So the animal cruelty is one reason I stopped reading this book, but the major was the witchcraft/hedgewitch concept. In our society, witchcraft has been romanticized—which is the work of Satan and make no doubt about it—but especially the “hedgewitch” concept which is supposed to be one who usually works with herbs or one who is said to be on the edge of the normal and spiritual worlds. As a Christian, I find this a giant glaring red flag and I’m very concerned about the publisher having this in this book and not portrayed as evil. Our main character is a “hedgewitch” and wants to be with other female family members that are also ones. While yes, they use herbs, there’s also spells and such used. I’m not going to lie, I’m a concerned by the lack of reviews mentioning about the witch content in this book. She gets her powers from the stars rather than the One who created them; there’s nothing Christian about this concept. I think it could have been different had the characters who were called this reject the title, but because they call themselves it and are deemed the “good guys” while the actual bad characters (like Seren’s father) aren’t part of the witch content, it sends a mixed message of deeming the witches to be good.

On technical notes, I struggled with some elements of the writing style and descriptions used as there’s many fictional world analogies that didn’t make any sense because I had no clue what it was referring to. The female main character is in first person POV, the male main character is in third person. There’s a lot of lore and history for this world and rather than info dropping, it felt more like info dumping at times. Particularly in the first hundred pages, it was quite thick with details about the setting and I had to read some scenes twice to gather what was being said. I would consider this book to be high fantasy because of it.

As a note, the publisher’s website has this book as a standalone so it appears there won’t be anything about Seren turning away from the “hedgewitch” activities. I skipped around the book to the ending and am glad I did not finish this book.


If you find any typos in this review, please ignore them as I really don't want to spend any more time on this book.



Main Content from what I read (+ a little bit of what I searched for in regards to the magic content)-

Christianity references-
God is mentioned a handful of times in the context of “God rest his soul” or “God willing”, but that’s it; It’s said that Seren prays a couple times, but it’s not said towards Whom.



Magic-
Seren has magic in her veins that is described as a “flicker”, “cold shiver”, and an “unearthly spark”; Prior when she has released this feeling, it had shattered bottles and started fires; Seren holds it back at times despite it being desperate to set free.

Seren uses her powers/magic to heal herself (the first time she uses it, it makes her wound worse and pour more blood out) and on others’ injuries/sicknesses; She is able to heal someone’s injured skin (called “skin-sealing”).

Seren is told by her nursemaid that she is going to have to learn to control her powers (called her “peculiarity”) and learn about “the star-blessed”; This is a line of a family who are called “the star-blessed” and receive their powers/magic from the stars and drawing their “strength and abilities from the stars”; Seren is told that her mother was not an ordinary hedgewitch and the women in her family have had magical abilities and were “star-blessed”; Seren attempts to heal herself (again) while standing in the glow of the stars under the encouragement of her nursemaid who tells her to reach for her “store” inside herself and seal the skin (up to a few paragraphs in description of what she feels when doing this; Seren is successful and felt as though she was inventing a spell when doing it); Seren is giddy about being able to heal her flesh with nothing but her mind.

Seren tries to heal another’s injury & later the poison out of someone with her magic/mind and searches for the weakness in the person (this happens a handful of times and helps the person, up to multiple paragraphs in describing it; One time, Seren has no starlight but “wishes for it” and is able to help the sick person; Later, Seren says she’s been sleeping in the window under the stars and has stored the power from them in her to use later; ) A hedgewitch plans to help bring some from “the edge” of death.

Seren works towards making a cloak to hide her identity (by using the skinned animals and her magic; I stopped reading before she actually made it so I do not know what it entailed).

Seren reads about abilities that are referred to as “magical” or “fey” and how some are malignant; She also reads about a family who has female children with an inherited “golden touch” and how everyone around them prospered because of their nearness (the “star-blessed”).

A book that Seren reads describes “hedgefolk and hermits who practiced wizardry at varied levels of usefulness, strength, and respectability, as well as generous gift-feys who were welcomed at court and blessed every royal proceeding in return”, of imps who cause mischief, and hill-witches who are credited with the crop of the season (good or bad).

Hedgewitches are called by noble ladies for their charms and potions (such as hair-dyes); Seren considers herself to be fortunate to know a hedgewitch.

Seren snoops through another’s belongings with her magic (which she regrets because of the emotions the item makes her feel).

Seren is called a “witch” and the “curse” of the land by others because of the timing of her birth and her mother’s origins bringing superstition; Seren wants to escape the castle and live her life as a hedgewitch because while they are scorned, they are left to their own devices;

Seren brings powders of herbs to an injured man, but he does not want it and calls it “hedgewitch devilry” and her a “mad witch”.

Seren’s mother was married to the king because he believed that she had a gift that would increase his wealth.

Mentions of magic, spells, charms, and potions (including spells to disguise one’s appearance or shield one’s identity); A couple mentions of luck.



Parental Abuse (some minor spoilers unmarked in this section)-
Seren’s father was incredibly upset about her being born a girl and had her banished to a corner of the castle for nineteen years.

Seren’s father’s physical and verbal abuse prior to the book starting (being kicked, hit, and smacked) are mentioned, but also seen on-page when he forcefully grabs her chin and cuffs her on the head; He also verbally abuses her through berating and belittling her because of her gender and snarling at her; He views her with disgust and calls her a “mad harlot”.

See Sexual Content section for more information about a plan Seren’s father has for her; She has a panic attack when telling her nursemaid about his plans (up to a handful of sentences).



Animal cruelty-
Seren is given some dead and mostly dead animals for their skins (she requested them tanned, but her father is cruel and gives them to her bloody and partially alive); One man snaps the neck of an animal in front of Seren and it distresses her; She is distraught over seeing the carcasses and vows to use their lives to save herself which involves skinning them to make it into a cloak to escape (see Magic section of this review for more information; the skinning is up to a few sentences in the descriptions of the actions, blood, and smells).

Prior to this scene, men at a banquet throw knives at a rat and one eventually hits it (they all cheer and it comes across as barbaric and something they have done before; up to a few sentences).



Violence + Other Negative Content-
Deaths and near-deaths are seen on-page; Due to a poison in the land, many people die every summer and their bodies are burned to keep it from spreading (it’s implied that those with the poison symptoms are burned at the stake before they are actually dead; The victims of the poison are cut on the throat to mark before death that they need to be burned.

Fighting, Pain, Injuries, Blood/Bleeding, & Almost passing out (up to a few sentences).

Drinking both by Seren and side characters (she drinks watered wine; other side characters get drunk).

A knight is whipped for disrespecting Seren’s royal title (despite her not wanting this to happen), and it gets worse when her father appears and whips the man even more, to the point of the knight becoming unconscious (multiple paragraphs about the amount of blood, the man bleeding, and his major injuries).

Seren thinks that she would hurl herself off a building if that would help her escape, but does not.

Many people believe that the king and his line (including Seren) are unfit to royal because they are “mad” (crazy) and plan to get rid of them all.

Seren lies a few times to protect herself/her interests (which she hates); A few mentions of curses (said, not written).

Many mentions of the poison, deaths, dying people, burning bodies, (up to a few sentences); Mentions of executions & the kind randomly executing people because of paranoid suspicions; Mentions of alcohol, drinking, & drunks/getting tipsy; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of gambling; A few mentions of assassins & assassination attempts; A few mentions of some calling mass murder of peasants “harmless entertainment” (hunting the people with their hounds).



Sexual (minor spoilers unmarked in this section)-
Seren’s father has the plan to marry her off to her cousins to produce him a blood heir: her marrying the oldest (fifteen years older than her) for at least a year and if he does not sire a son, the marriage will be annulled and she be given to marry the next cousin (there are seven of them); The king plans to claim her firstborn son as his own which will twist the royal family’s tree even more; Seren’s father claims this is her purpose and she is in shock over the plan; Her father threatens her with withholding any of her children from her and plans to raise the first son as his own.

Seren asks for a hedgewitch to come to her as it’s common for soon-to-be-wed women to be seen by one (implied due to personal reasons relating to the marriage/childbearing).

Men leer at Seren.

Seren sees Corin without a shirt and she quickly looks away; A couple touches between the main couple.

[Jacquelyn 💐 {This Rapunzel Reads} [Jesus Christ, my Living Hope]]

I honestly don’t know what to rate this book. I have so many thoughts and feelings. Confused is definitely one of them. Disappointed is another. I had high hopes and was excited for this one. So to start, it starts off pretty violent. That king is beyond evil and sickening. Seren was a good character. She was a bit overpowered in my opinion. Okay, and here is the one part that I struggle with. The whole thing about her being a witch and the spells. One reader said that it was witchcraft. I didn’t really feel that exactly. But it did give me a weird vibe and was different than the other magic I had read in books. It was heavily influenced by that and was constantly mentioned. And there was more than one so called witch. To be honest, I didn’t really understand it all so it could’ve gone over my head. So that whole thing definitely bothered me. I didn’t feel the love story either. Seren and Corin were apart most of the book except for speaking to each other in their minds. Then they were suddenly in love. They barely knew each other! I wasn’t convinced and I wanted more. Corin also didn’t seem to have a lot of personality in a way. He just was kinda there because of her. Overall, this was sadly a miss for me. I don’t know if I’ll read anymore by this author. Also, I accidentally have two copies now. 🤦🏼‍♀️ If you want some good Rumpelstiltskin retellings, I can give you some recs!

[Amelie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Then, suddenly, like a shaft of moonlight in the darkest hour of the night, something clear and beloved broke through whatever was holding his mind in chains.”

Enchanting, engaging, and very much in the spirit of fairy tales and folklore, The Star-Blessed gleams like galaxies and thrums with tenacity.

Dark like a Grimm story yet borne on a current of irrepressible light, Angie Dickinson’s second novel is a fresh new fairy tale with an old soul. Lilting prose sweeps you directly into the inventive fantasy world of Stelauris and its neighboring kingdoms, matching the atmosphere of mysterious magic, the Age of Chivalry setting, and the protagonists’ compelling voices. The worldbuilding sparkles with the fantastical and intrigues with its varied dangers. From herbs to kingdom politics, from jousting to mushrooms, from the insulation of castle rooms to night breezes over the cliffsides, from the seduction of gold to the blessing of starlight, everything feels believable and tangible. And, this novel being a retelling, brilliant threads from “Rumpelstiltskin” and “Cat-Skin” undergird the plot. (I was quite unfamiliar with “Cat-Skin” before finishing The Star-Blessed, but every bit of fairytale inspiration blends so seamlessly with the rest of the story that I never felt lost or excluded while reading.) Every motif of moonlight and starlight and night beauty, along with gold (both fool’s and genuine), is stunning.

As the characters fight the poison seasons and insidious enemies, the story is honest about the viscidity and tricks of the darkness, and it shows the chains wrought of darkness with a stark chill. Yes, the story becomes quite dark and grim at times, but that heaviness only serves to magnify the wondrous supremacy of light.

“How horrible it must be to feel the darkness closing in around your mind. To find walls flung up right and left, to have no way out and into the light.”

Resilience is the hallmark of this storyline. Seren, the princess with the golden-red hair and strange abilities, is kindhearted and determined despite her longtime tribulation within the palace. Corin, the guard with hidden ambition yet the impulse to protect, slowly moves from brittle and moody to rock solid, truly desiring to grow into a good man. These characters are tested and pressed and fired, and they then come forth as gold. Pure, real gold, untainted by curse or conflict and having no more need to fear the fire. It’s lovely. (And speaking of the characters, the romance is also quite lovely.)

The Star-Blessed celebrates many blessings—the tenderness of true family, the depth of true love, the healing and victorious power of true light. Darkness haunts the characters’ steps, but it gives way to the cool, refreshing light of truth, of which the stars sing. It’s the kind of luminous story I love to read.

For a serious, folkloric tale that pulses with light and courage, even in the most shadowed moments, you’d be hard-pressed to go wrong with The Star-Blessed. I’m very excited for every story Angie Dickinson weaves next.

the heads-ups: The king essentially abandons Seren and is verbally abusive toward her. Partygoers get drunk or tipsy. Some violence and blood, including a scourging and a mass killing of small animals. King Ormand only cares about Seren’s ability to produce an heir and talks about passing her from man to man till she can. An exclamation each of “bedamned witches” and “bloody.” Magic, including an evil creature’s possession of a man.

🏰 I’m so grateful to have received a physical ARC of The Star-Blessed from the publisher! However, I was not required to leave a review. All thoughts and opinions within this review are entirely my own. 🏰

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I love fairy tales, and I’m always drawn to retellings because I love seeing how an author reimagines certain aspects of the plot or adds his/her own spin. I’ve read retellings of nearly every major fairy tale, yet I’ve never found one of Rumpelstiltskin until now. And oh my goodness, I need no others. The Star-Blessed captures everything that fascinates me about this rather dark fairy tale and infuses it with the promise of light that redeems. As an added bonus, author Angie Dickinson spins another Grimm fairy tale into gold on these pages too – and one I had never heard of before: Catskin. I don’t think you really need a basic knowledge of either fairy tale to enjoy The Star-Blessed but I read a quick version of Catskin online just so I could better appreciate how Dickinson incorporates it into this story. Both fairy tales are among the more disturbing … though, to be honest, most fairy tales are rather disturbing before they’re Disney-fied … so do expect the evil forces depicted in this retelling to be especially poisonous. But in my opinion, the Light that ultimately triumphs (in this story and in the story God has been telling since Genesis 1:1) appears all the more brilliant against the backdrop of the darkness that once held court.

Seren instantly had my heart and my sympathy – basically held prisoner by her apparently-mad king of a father until he decides it’s time to shove her into the spotlight. Not to make her the heir to the kingdom of Stelauris but to make it apparent that’s she’s not worthy of being queen. And yet, her heart is kind, her mind is sharp, and a magic she doesn’t fully understand hums through her blood. One that’s becoming more and more difficult to contain. Until one day it’s the very thing that may save not only her life but the lives of the whole kingdom. I absolutely loved watching Seren navigate her powers, from what she’s cobbled together on her own in her isolated tower to what she learns in the second part of the book under Estrid’s tutelage and then, finally, as she stands on the threshold of the moment she was created for. (And oh how I adored Estrid! I can’t wait for you to meet her. You’ll probably want to just randomly hug her as much as I did.)

Sir Corin is brought to the royal city under the guise of becoming Princess Seren’s personal guard, yet he has other purposes in mind. Saving his own region of the country, for starters, and possibly taking his own rightful claim to the throne. To say that I swooned a little over Corin would be an understatement, though Seren really is the star of this show. (No pun intended there because IYKYK.) And maybe I didn’t swoon so much over Corin as the hero, albeit he makes a great one. Maybe what made my heart flutter was Seren and Corin’s relationship, first as strangers who don’t like each other and then acquaintances with a grudging mutual respect, then unexpected friends and, finally, something deeper. I am not ashamed to admit here that I grinned like a smitten fool during their cleverly-written, long-distance banter. It was adorable, creative, healing and just so fun… and it gradually stirs their hearts toward forever, which I am of course always all for in the books I read.

Bottom Line: Through the creative re–imagining of two cautionary fairy tales, The Star-Blessed by Angie Dickinson paints a powerful portrait of the battle between darkness and light. And she does so with such poetic attention to detail, even down to the characters’ names, leaving reader-treasures for us to discover if we pay attention. I love layered stories like this, and I enjoyed every minute of Seren’s. The romance gently stole my heart too, and by the final page that same heart brimmed with the joy of a story well told and the subtle reminder – tucked between the lines – that the Light of the World always wins over darkness once its time has fully come. I highly recommend The Star-Blessed for fans of Narnia, Melanie Dickerson, Sara Ella, and fairy tales.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author.)

first reviewed at Reading is My SuperPower

[D.T. Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up to 5.

I definitely enjoyed this more than Dickinson's first book. It had a lot more grit to it, but it also had clear heart. I will have to disagree with the publisher's classification of this as YA. It's solidly New Adult, and I'd have much preferred to see it marketed to an Adult audience.

Estrid and Hedy were my favorite characters. I loved their quirks and uniqueness. They reminded me a bit of Aughra from The Dark Crystal.

I'm not big on fairytale romance (or much of any romance, for that matter) and, to its credit, this book doesn't focus overly hard on romance, but I would have preferred even less than what was included.

As a reader who isn't a fan of first person, I very much appreciated having one of the main POVs in third. It provided relief early on when the opening first person chapters felt too overwhelming.

I have never read Catskin but am very familiar with Rumplestiltskin. This retelling/combining of the two fairytales was compelling and kept my attention throughout the book. The pacing was consistently good, and though I did feel the prose could have used a tad more polish, it was quite good overall. Something else I really appreciated was the depiction of what would actually happen if a woman went into physical combat against a man/men. This book acknowledges the biological advantage of men regarding brute strength capabilities without diminishing women. Which is a balance near impossible to find in modern Fantasy.

I'm curious to see what Dickinson writes next.

[E.F. Buckles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book from the publisher as thanks for being on their street team. A review was not required. The following review is my honest opinion.

As soon as this book was announced, I was taken in by the stunning cover and curious to know the story inside. Thankfully, this book is just as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. The Star-Blessed is a “reimagining and reinventing” of the fairytales Rumpelstiltskin and Catskin. I am well familiar with Rumpelstiltskin, but had to look up Catskin because I'd never heard of it before. I think “reimagining and reinventing” are the perfect terms for what Angie Dickinson did with this novel because, while elements from both fairytales are present, they’re more like set dressing to her much grander, original concept of the “Star-Blessed” who are people with magical powers fed by the stars.

This story had me gripped from the start with its interesting concept and immediately likable main characters, Seren and Corin. The author handled their perspectives so well as we get to see what their internal lives are like, but then we also see how they appear through each other’s eyes. Like how Seren seemed to outsiders that she might become crazy like the king, but when we see through her eyes, we know that she’s just trying to survive and escape the king’s unhinged behavior, especially as it becomes more extreme. I appreciated that Corin, despite having his own secrets, was sympathetic and started to realize this, too.

The fairytale vibes were on point throughout as well, and I loved exploring this complex, magical world and wondering how things would turn out in the end.

I guessed at one of the earlier twists, (it wasn’t obvious, I just had a gut feeling) The rest of the story kept me guessing because I truly didn’t know what might happen. I was especially surprised by a lot of the reveals toward the end, and I really like how things worked out for both Seren and Corin!

This is such a creative twist on two classic stories that mashes together elements from them with the author’s original ideas to make something fresh and new. I loved how it really felt like a fairytale throughout, and I highly recommend it to fantasy and fairytale lovers alike!

Content Advisory:

This book was written for a teen audience and is very appropriate for teen readers.

Language:

One use of d*mned

Violence/Scariness:

Princess Seren is not treated well by her father, who has gone insane. We’re told she was kept in isolation growing up, and that any perceived disrespect was (and still is) met with a smack, kick to the shin, or screaming. In the current day, the king berates her for minor things, grabs her face, and cuffs her on the head. She gets away from him later, and we eventually learn he wasn’t her biological father at all. He stole her mother away from someone else and then had the man killed. Not described.

A fantastical plague is spreading through the kingdom and killing people. People who get it in their lungs get a cough and get weaker until they die. The illness and death of people from this disease is described a couple of times, but it’s not graphic or gross. Mention that the bodies of those who died of this are marked with a small X at the throat to assign them for burning. Seren sees a doctor do this once. Brief mention of blood.

A flogging occurs. Initially, it’s fair punishment for a soldier being disrespectful to the princess (this is moderately described with brief mentions of blood), but then the king shows up and, in his insanity, nearly beats the soldier to death. (Less described, but we’re told the soldier ends up unconscious and that his back is a terrible mess.)

Most injuries (all non-deadly) are moderately described because Seren discovers she has a healing power, so the magical healing process is described. Mentions of pain and bleeding.

One chapter features a few mentions of dead wild animals. First, a rat is killed at a banquet (stabbed, mention of twitching.) Then, after Seren requests tanned animal hides (as part of her desperate escape plan to sew a magic cloak) she is, instead, delivered a bunch of recently killed animals to her room. Brief mentions of blood on the floor and bad smells. Mention of a fox twitching, then an unkind man snaps its neck. (Briefly and barely described. This all upsets Seren deeply.) Very brief mentions of blood and bad smells. Very brief mentions of Seren skinning the dead animals, again, out of desperation to escape the crazy king. (Barely described.) Coren briefly describes the mess in the room when he discovers what Seren did.

Barely described mention of a large pile of corpses that have died of the poison plague and are going to be burned.

Fighting happens at a tournament. A lot of fighters get bruised, injured, and concussed, but no one gets killed. Mentions of pain and occasional bleeding.

Sexual/Romance:

Seren's father announces a plan to marry her off to one cousin after another, year after year, until she produces a male heir, after which, he will take the child from her and raise it as his own. (This plan doesn’t actually happen because Seren escapes.

Seren slowly falls in love with someone over the course of the book. They share a kiss that is described in terms of warmth and emotions, but nothing “below the belt.” A second kiss later on is less described.

Spiritual/Magic:

This book is from a Christian publisher and author, and while it doesn’t have heavy spiritual themes, it still has positive themes of truth and overcoming darkness.

Princess Seren was born with magic power that not everyone has. She learns she is one of the “Star-Blessed" and the light of the stars feed her powers, and the powers of anyone like her. These people are called “witches” by some, and there are mentions of casting spells, but the source of power is always the starlight. (The author states in her notes at the end that this was inspired by the stars in Narnia, like Ramandu, who take human form, have magical powers because of being stars, and serve Aslan.)

A “scrying pool” acts as a magical communication device, letting Seren see and talk to people in other places. Sometimes, she can see past events, too.

Seren discovers a magical connection to another person (this person also has magical powers he was born with) and they talk to each other in their minds.

Seren learns that the king stole her mother (also a Star-Blessed) away from her home because of an ability to spin straw into gold.

ENDING SPOILER: Seren learns that the king didn’t go crazy on his own. A person within the council basically got possessed by an evil “imp” named Rumpelstiltskin who had enchanted a ring that he was using to manipulate and control the king. After the king’s death, he uses this ring to control someone else, too, but Seren frees the person. The imp is ultimately defeated and destroyed.

Other:

A mention of someone smelling like ale and acting tipsy.

[Amber | ✨ Hidden Within The Book ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book!!! Angie is a new to me author and when I saw the tropes for this book I knew I HAD to read it.

I was pulled in from page one and could not set this book down. I love the story line, the main characters (and side characters) and the star magic.

I ABSOLUTELY recommend this book.


Content: No language, Zero spice (kisses only. Romance is the subplot.), mild violence (reference to making a fur cloak with animal pelts and knightly jousting, sword fighting, etc). Contains a verbally abusive father (the king) and magic (light overcomes darkness).

Ages 14+

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Taylor Pence · Rating 5 out of 5]

"No one rescued my mother. She'd managed to hide, but never escape. And no one was going to rescue me."

Equal parts dark and enchanting, The Star-Blessed captured my attention from start to finish. Although familiar with Rumpelstiltskin, I've never read Cat-Skin or a retelling of it. However, I'm a reader who craves the unknown in a story. Being an OG reader for Angie's debut, Truth Cursed, I anticipated the plot twists to be twisting, which she fully delivered on. What I didn't expect was the level of grit the world demanded of the characters, and to some extent the reader. This is a world swallowed by darkness, and if one wishes to locate the light, they must seek it out.

For a girl who lost her mother, has a cruel father who locks her away, and hides the existence of her magic from everyone but her lady's maid, Seren is tenacious. Although her outward actions might speak of submission, Seren never reaches a point where her inner strength fails. She has fears and self-doubt, but when it matters most, she does what's required to survive. Along with this inner strength, Seren is compassionate. Unlike her heartless father, Seren cares deeply for the pain of others, and that made me relate and love her as the FMC. There was never a moment I wasn't rooting for her.

It's not the main focus of the story, but I have to compliment the masterful work Angie put into the romance. Seren and Corin are miles apart for the majority of this book. I won't give away any spoilers, but this method of developing a relationship from a distance worked for me. Although unconventional, Seren and Corin got to know each other on a deeper level, void of physical awkwardness/temptations normally associated with such relationships. These characters were strong on their own, but it was something special seeing what kind of a team they could be together. I loved everything about them.

I already can't wait for Angie's next book!!

[Lizzy Hite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! Rumpelstiltskin and Cat-Skin aren’t fairytales that I know as well or have read many retellings of, so it was really neat to get to read this reinventing! So many twists to keep me flipping pages, and I really like Seren and Corin and their banter. Definitely recommend!


~~I received an early copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to leave a positive review.~~

[Lily · Rating 1 out of 5]

A story set in the times of knights jousting, but it wasn’t quite what I thought it would be, as you will soon see. It had been a rough start for Princess Seren as she had been silenced and tucked away in the tower since she was young by her father. Now, at age 19, she is called upon to reveal herself and start to fulfill future duties as heir to the throne. She has no choice but to escape from her royal prison. Her father is quite the tyrant, and he has horrible plans for her. Parts of this is an interesting read, but unfortunately, contains a lot of worldly fiction such as witches, spells, healing herself, taking energy from another to name a few, and picks up more and more. And, honestly, there is no Christian theme that I can see. I’m not sure how this book made its way onto the Christian bookshelf. Quote from the book, “I closed my eyes and steadied my breathing, then reached for any sort of magic to help me feel safe.” There is only one who we turn to and that is the Lord God Almighty. DNF at page 311. I received this e-book for free from Celebrate Lit Tour and the opinions I express are honest and my own.

[Adalyn Skains · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairytales, mushrooms, stars, chivalry, sweet romance and magic delightfully woven into one brilliant and unique tale. ✨ The vibes were immaculate and the story was one you couldn’t put down. A retelling of Rumplestiltskin and Cat Skin with all the feels of a Grimms Fairytale in a new form. I will say that the world building absolutely blew me away! So intricate and fascinating! 🍄💛 I appreciated how it was full grit and didn’t shy away from darkness but still had a very clear heart behind it and it was laced with hope and light. A very enjoyable story!

~ I received an ARC from the publisher but all thoughts are my own ~

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Star Blessed is an upcoming ya novel set to release this Spring. It is a mix of fantasy and fairytale elements and I have a great feeling that it will be much enjoyed by teenage readers along with adults. This is the first time I have read anything by this author and I am super glad I took the opportunity to be on her lauch team to help promote this story! It is filled with much romance and adventure.

We are introduced to Princess Seren who is the heir of the deteriorating kingdom Stelauris. She has spent much of her life in isolation and being neglected by her father. However, one day he decides that it is time for her to learn her duties if she is to become the next ruler. She is suddenly thrust into a whirlwind of newfound opportunity.

We also meet Corin who is recently appointed as Seren's personal guard. They butt heads at first due to past bad blood between the two families. However, when the current situation of the Kingdom gets worse they must put aside their differences and work to save the Kingdom.

[Jessica Di Salvio · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

The story had an originality I really appreciated. Soren, just like Corin, were beautiful made characters. Mind you that Soren had nothing. A title, yes, but a title that made her a slave under a monstrous father.

I loved how she discovers herself through the story, how magic gets involves. The good writing helped with the plot. Especially for a retelling.

But, a part of me, couldn’t appreciate it fully. There was a few dull moments and some informations that were repetitive. In a fantasy, it can be good, but for this one, in my pov, it wasn’t. It took me out of my immersion in the universe and it affected my liking of the story.

[Cindy Fillmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend!
If you love enchanting stories that can draw you in and captivate from beginning to end, I recommend The Star Blessed. I truly found myself experiencing a sense of disappointment as I reached the inevitable completion of a lovely tale. An endorsement on the back of the book is spot on: "Angie Dickinson's prose is its own kind of magic, sure to enchant readers and win her loyal fans for many books to come."
I found myself going back and re-reading certain portions of this book, or even just a sentence here and there, because the imagery was so lovely, touching and sometimes amusing.
Looking forward to this author's next work of art!

[Camille Mosemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dickinson has perfectly blended the whimsy of classic fairy tales, the vibes of the Middle Ages, and the intrigue of court politics into one compelling story!

It took me a little while to get into the story, but once I did it sucked me in and didn’t let me go. I loved the concept of starlight giving Seren her magic and how it enabled her strength! And speaking of Seren, I really loved her character! She was strong and cunning, yet gentle and sweet and willing to learn from others! I’ve never heard of Cat-skin so the storyline was even more interesting to me as I didn’t know quite where it was headed.

Corin was also a really interesting character that took me by surprise. I really enjoyed learning more about his heritage and how he gradually started to see Seren as someone separate from her father. Their little romance was so cute and so subtle but I loved it so much!

The Star-Blessed in an intriguing story that will keep you up late and make you gasp at the plot twists! I’m highly anticipating Angie Dickinson’s next novel!

I received an advanced copy from the publisher, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kortnee - The Closed Door Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overview:

Language 🤐: Clean/mild ( I think Be damed was used once, I have a note of it)

Romance ❤️‍🔥: Kissing only (non-descriptive)

Violence ⚔️: There king is quite evil and there is a whipping that could be upsetting for some, This a retelling based on Rumpelstiltskin and Catkin (which I had never read before) there is a scene where animals are skinned and it was an upsetting scene as it was supposed to be

⚠️Abusive father who is losing his mind, This does have darker themes but I feel like it makes the hope and fight for good brighter in the end, I can see it being a heavier read for some, Death of a parent⚠️

Tropes/Micro tropes
- Dual POV
- Forced Proximity
- Guard and Princess
- Slow Burn
- Magical Bonds
- They rescue each other

My Thoughts:

Initial:

Wow wow wow! What an absolute beautiful story that had me trapped in its pages unsure what would happen next in the best of ways. I absolutely loved this story. It was such a unique fairytale retelling and just such a beautiful and deep story! I definitely have more to say about this wonderful story!

Final thoughts:

This was such a great story! I loved it and had no idea what to expect as I was reading it. I was fully gripped by this story. It is a heavier story the situation that Seren is put in is beyond imagining. Her determination in the face of such horrible circumstances was inspiring. I really enjoyed the interactions that her and Corin had and how their relationship grew! It is not your typical romance and is a super slow burn but I truly enjoyed it. I thought this was a really fun and unique mash up of these two fairytales.

Thanks so much to the publisher for the physical ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Let the people see their queen.”

“Golden-red hair, as brilliantly colored as a jewel in the sunshine, spilled over her armor. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were bright.”

The kingdom of Stelauris is slowly dying. Poison is infecting the air, earth and water which is making people sicken and die, the king is going mad, and the princess is kept isolated from her people.

Princess Seren is struggling to hide her growing magic from her father. When she is suddenly brought into the spotlight and her father insists she marry to give him an heir, she has to make some huge decisions. Seen by her guards and people as a princess who is going mad like her father, she is disrespected and looked down upon.

Sir Corin is appointed as Seren’s new personal guard and he resents the position. He holds no loyalty to the royal family and has his own plans for the crown.

When Seren goes missing, he sets out to find her and this begins a whole new journey of self-reflection and growth for both the princess and her guard.

I really liked the Rumpelstiltskin vibes in this story, and I’ve been told it is also a sort of Catskin retelling as well, though I’ve never heard that tale so I can’t say what I think about that. But this was written very well and the magical system was unique and interesting. There were some twists that I didn’t expect and those were done really well.

The romance is not the emphasis in this story, more of an afterthought imo. The dual POVs we get from both Seren and Corin kept the story flowing and interesting.

This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I look forward to reading more by her in the future.

CW: mentions of death and plague, corpses of animals, animal death, some witches are portrayed as good (no witchcraft, just potions and superpowers), no language. No spice.

I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Stephanie Mccall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star-Blessed is easily more a 4.5-4.75. I admit that after Truth Cursed, I didn't know what to expect from Angie Dickinson and honestly entered this book with skepticism. But Star-Blessed is a complete turnaround from Truth Cursed. In a way, I shouldn't even say that; it's a beautiful book on its own.

I wasn't familiar with the Catskin story, though I do remember my teacher reading us Princess Furball in kindergarten. (I should snag a copy and read it again). Regardless, that and Rumplestiltskin provide the perfect backdrop for Seren and Corin and their kingdom's story. The depth and twists Angie gives that backdrop make the novel feel whimsical, yet rich, young at heart and yet adult. I love that dichotomy and don't see it enough, even now that fantasy and romantasy are such big genres. Seren's crafting of her cloak and the unique uses of her sun, star, and moonlight dresses are particularly great examples.

The best example of the dichotomy I'm describing though, perhaps the best part of Star-Blessed, is Seren herself. I don't mind saying that in her position, I would likely crumble. Either that or just become an ordinary bookworm and archivist. Seren's resourcefulness, intelligence, and cunning sparkle on the page. Her vulnerable moments, her insecurities and uncertainties, the places where she just plain doesn't know what she's doing--these enhance her character growth and strengths. They don't detract from those. Seren becomes a princess through Star-Blessed, not just in terms of the throne, but in terms of the woman she's going to become.

Corin isn't as well-developed in comparison. In fact, I'd argue there needed to be more friendship and romantic chemistry between him and Seren. But with that caveat, what exists works great. Corin has plenty of growing up to do, especially regarding who he listens to and appearances vs. reality. But his desires and intentions are noble, and even when he doubts Seren's abilities or sanity, it's clear he still respects her as a person. There are times in fact, that I thought Seren and Corin had a more mature relationship than I've seen from adult characters--again, especially in fantasy fiction.

The secondary characters are wonderful, too--well, some are wonderful. Others are wonderfully horrible. Regardless, everybody gets the page time they need to become memorable. The most minor character, the smallest plot thread, is eventually tied back into the novel's major arcs and the mysteries of what is going in on Stelaurius. Estrid and Hedy the hedgewitch are of course major conduits of this. I loved Meline and the twists and turns with her character and history. Even King Ormand--I rooted against him, of course. But he was an unusually "challenging" villain because I was always questioning, okay, how much of this is his condition talking and how much is really him? How dangerous is this guy? I don't think I've seen that in most books, let alone a fairytale retelling.

The plot itself twists and turns in understated ways, meaning there are very few "classic, gasp in shock plot twists." But the more information you have, the more complex the story becomes and urgent the stakes become. Every time I started to let my guard down, someone would say or do something that made me think, "Wow, okay, where are we going with this" or, "Okay, I can't wait to see how this turns out!" I also appreciate that while Star-Blessed is a fairytale retelling, Angie didn't make the connections terribly obvious or apply them to every chapter. They are instead woven in organically. Some were even a surprise, such that I said, "Of course, why didn't I see that? It was right there!"

As noted, I'd have liked Seren and Corin to have more time together, even if separated, to capitalize on friendship, banter, romance, or any other place they found themselves. I also would've liked Angie to spend a bit more time on the poison seasons and explain them a little more. Meaning, the fallout is devastatingly clear, and it's clear how the poison seasons affect Seren as a princess and person. Yet the "why" and "how" don't become as clear as they could or maybe should until near the end. Plus, there's a thread where Corin is trying to help his hometown but has to hide where he's really from, that is set up as important but doesn't necessarily finish as it should.

Also, I was a little disappointed at Angie's explanation of how Corin and Seren could "stay together" even when apart. I mean, I've seen similar devices and they work fine. This one mostly did, too. But when it came to explaining why and how, again, the mechanics got sort of handwaved. But those notes aside, again, I can't see taking more than a half star, at most a whole for an even rating of 4.

Finally, there are several "popping" scenes in here, like little pinpricks of starlight if you'll forgive me. Look for:
-Seren's brave, if risky, request at the banquet and what she does with the response she gets (although fair warning, that second bit is a little rough/potential tearjerker)
-Seren going down to the barracks to visit Argan; it shows so briefly and brilliantly the kind of royal she is
-The revelations surrounding Meline, Danika, Estrid, any of those women
-Seren's brilliant idea to take back her kingdom near the end
-How the Rumplestiltskin connection fits in, period.

Add these to any of your own treasures, and I'm sure you'll see the sparkling book I did. I hope Angie Dickinson gives us more like this soon!

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an early review copy of this novel courtesy of the author and the publisher, Enclave. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

I’m a sucker for a good fairy tale retelling. But I have to confess, sometimes it feels like the popular fairy tales are being trampled and retread over and over again, to the point that they no longer seem to carry more than a breath of creativity and originality. There are so sweeping, beautiful exceptions to this, whether because the author presented a new facet to a time-worn tale or because they chose to look to the more obscure fairy tales for inspiration. The Star-Blessed is an example of both. In this standalone young adult fantasy, Dickinson mingles the well-known story of “Rumpelstiltskin” with the lesser-known “Catskin” in a way that honors both stories while also presenting a wholly original fairy tale of her own.

Our main characters here are Princess Seren, the only child of a very cantankerous who had her locked away in a tower as a newborn, not to leave said tower until her 19th birthday; and Corin, her very reluctant new captain of the guard whose own heritage becomes vital to the plot. The pacing was just a bit unusual. Something about the beginning felt very abrupt to me, like it mirrored what Seren must have been feeling as she was forced abruptly into society for the first time. And because of the abrupt beginning, I felt that this story was missing a bit of the dreamy, singsong style that tends to characterize a fairy tale. Which caused me to not immediately connect with the characters or the story being told as deeply as I might have hoped. However, both Seren and Corin—but especially Seren—grew on me as they sought to navigate an incredibly difficult situation with grace, and with the good of the kingdom in mind.

Seren is the kind of princess I would love to see serve as a literary role model to young readers. I want my nieces to grow up to be as clever and selfless and brave as Seren. She fought for her people in every sense of the word, and I loved seeing such a strong female protagonist in such a classic, medieval setting. I also loved that her strength didn’t seem to poison Seren against all things feminine, as I’ve seen some authors lean into with their female leads. Seren demonstrates that a girl can wield a sword and still enjoy feeling beautiful in a ballgown; the two don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

Some really interesting in-world mythos was gradually revealed as the plot unfurled. I’ll leave that element for other readers to uncover for themselves. But I will say that I really enjoyed how the fairy tales that inspired the story made themselves known as the tale progressed. And one small, odd observation: I found it fascinating how scent—especially any that are overpowering—played such an uncommonly prominent role in the story.

While it took a little while for me to really sink into The Star-Blessed, I really ended up enjoying my time with it. If you’re looking for clean, compelling young adult fantasy with a unique voice and female protagonists you can root for, look no further than Angie Dickinson’s work. Her stories are some that I would happily hand to my nieces when they’re older!

[TC692 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished up The Star-Blessed and boy was it good. It mashes up two traditional fairy tales. I really enjoyed this book, because it clearly has faith in the One true God throughout, thought He is seen by a different name. I also enjoyed this book because it retold the fairy tales in a way that was not corny, cheezy or just barely any alteration to the original. I am not a fan of retellings that slightly change the characters and situation just enough so that copyright or intellectual property cannot be infringed upon. This book was nothing like that. While you will be able to recognize the elements that it does draw into this story, they are not just copied and pasted so to speak.
Seren is the main character of this book, she is surrounded by a small cast, but it seems to be the right amount for this book. Sometimes supporting characters can get to be a bit much and hard to keep track of, if there are way too many. This book does not suffer from that problem.
Seren is unfortunately locked away for the entirety of her life until one day when she has become a woman, her father decides it is time to let her out. Her father is the king of the land of which they live called Stelauris. Something has slowly been poisoning the king’s mind beyond the poison that comes during a season and then goes way until the next time. Seren is to be the next Queen, so presumably this is why the king has let her out of her prison, but then the king is influenced by evil and wicked schemes and comes up with a sinister plan for Seren that she or anyone else could not have seen coming. It is then that Seren decides that no matter whether she is the rightful heir or not, she must get away.
Corin, is the main male character of this book. He is from another area that has so far been clear of the poisons, but his family was shipped off there having once had some rule in Stalauris before. He is upset about how his family has been treated for years and all but forgotten, so he does not really have any compassion when he finds that the king is worsening. He too is influenced to take control of the kingdom. When he first meets Seren he is convinced she must be deposed as well as her father, but as he gets to know her more, he is not sure what to think. He is sure of one thing though; he must take the kingdom and then all will be as it should be again.
This was such a good book, and it was a fairly quick read even though it was over 400 pages. It is just that once I started reading, I really had to keep going to find out what happened next and then the end. I recommend picking this book up at the earliest you can. I think you will be blessed by it just like I was.
I received a complimentary copy from the author through Celebrate Lit, for my honest opinion.

[funkelbunt.liest · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Star-Blessed is a magical fantasy novel inspired by the fairy tales Catskin (which I don’t know) and Rumpelstiltskin (which is one of my favorite fairy tales).

While it took me some time to get into the story at first, I quickly empathized with Seren and admired her strength in this awful situation. She’s a silent but resilient heroine that grows continually throughout the story.

Her connection to Corin is really unique and I liked his additional POV. Before their special bond I wasn’t completely sure if I should trust him, but he turns out to be as loyal, brave and kind as he seemed to be from the beginning.

I really liked him and their sweet romance!

This is an enchanting tale, but a bit darker than Angie Dickinson’s first book Truth Cursed and I am not sure why this is marketed as YA since the main characters are all 18 or older.
The Star magic was intriguing, but there was something missing for me.

Even though the worldview was Christian, I wasn’t comfortable with witches being presented in a positive way and I personally would have appreciated to know this in advance, since I would probably not have read the book. In my opinion we should be very careful as Christians to call witches or witchcraft good. It can get confusing very quickly when the Bible is very clear about this topic and in every event when a person from the Bible is able to perform any sort of wonder/prophecy/”magic” it’s always given directly by God. I know this is a Fantasy book, but I think it would have been much better to create a world where God gives certain gifts and not call these people witches when witchcraft is so obviously something evil and something to step away from.

I really enjoy Angie Dickinson’s writing (and will definitely share her first book with my kids when they are a bit older) and just hope and assume this was an honest mistake and that her next books won’t include “good witches”.

* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.

[Bri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love retellings of more obscure tales, so I was really excited when I realized this was a retelling of Cat-Skin! I love how the author blended Cat-Skin and Rumpelstiltskin together! It was truly a fantastic experience!

I really liked what the author did with the 3 dresses! It kinda reminds me of a cross between the three balls in Cat-Skin and another fairy tale trope that would be a bit spoiler-y to mention.

I enjoyed all the characters so much! Corin and Seren were both interesting characters in their own right, and their banter was really fun! I thought Estrid's anxiety was really well done, and I liked seeing her grow to being more confident.

This being a fairy tale retelling of a tale that ends with the princess finding her true love, of course there is a bit of romance, but that said, it is very subtle, with more of a friendship forming and the couple not getting together until the end. Really, this is more of a political intrigue story than a romance story, as the plot to take over the throne is a pretty major thing that is going on. The romance that is there is very sweet and clean.

I definitely recommend this book for anyone who loves fairy tales!

Some content warnings to be aware of:
*There's physical combat, although nothing terribly graphic. Think tournament style. People do get realistically injured during this combat, though.
*A soldier gets punished with lashes. It wasn't supposed to be excessive, but the mad king takes it to extremes.
*There are hedgewitches, which fall into 2 categories: most of them don't seem to have magic, just practicing natural medicine and the like, and those who are star blessed and have a power that comes from the heavens.
*Animals are skinned.
*There's what amounts to a demonic possession, where one of the "Spiteful Ones" (an imp) is possessing a host.

[H. L. Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀✨

“Then, suddenly, like a shaft of moonlight in the darkest hour of the night, something clear and beloved broke through whatever was holding his mind in chains.”

I was excited when I learned that Enclave was publishing this fantasy stand-alone—especially when I saw it was partly inspired by one of my favorite fairy tales (“Rumpelstiltskin”). And as a street team member for THE STAR-BLESSED, I had the treat of receiving an ARC to read.

I thought the author did a great job writing from two points of view: first-person for Seren and third-person for Corin. Each voice was strong, and I liked both of their narratives equally; however, it took me a while to feel truly invested in their connected tales. The pacing of the plot seemed slower to me for the first half of the book, so I sank into the story a bit more slowly than I would’ve preferred as a result.

But by the halfway point, I was fully immersed, and the story *really* started to shine. I enjoyed the bond strengthening between the main characters and the secrets of the past being revealed, the author’s clues gleaming like golden nuggets in the text for readers to find. The final chapters were particularly gripping and led to a rousing, light-filled conclusion.

It was fun seeing the olde fairy tale elements woven throughout this still original story. If you enjoy dual-POV fantasy books with medieval settings, palace intrigue, magic and lore, chivalry and friendship, and heroes willing to sacrifice and grow in the fight for healing and freedom—you should consider reading THE STAR-BLESSED.

(I believe this novel may be better suited to upper YA/NA readers as there are some fairly dark, grim situations. And though the tale also features hedgewitch characters, the author makes the sides of good and evil in this story-world quite clear.)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angie Dickinson has set a high bar of excellence in The Star-Blessed as she melds two magical fairytales of old into one exquisite tale of magic and curses, of valor and love. I was entranced from the very first page and reluctantly set the book down when I finished.

Seren's story is one of self-discovery, as she flees the evil plans of a mad king. She is the princess and heir of a failing regime. As she learns to use her own magical powers, she seeks to uncover the truth of her identity. Corin, a young guard, also has claims to the throne. As his friendship with the princess grows, he begins to question the intentions of those who hold the reins of power. As the mad king's health fails, evil forces begin to surface. Seren must learn who she can trust as she draws upon a deep strength and fights for all she holds dear.

I loved the way Ms. Dickinson wove elements of the fairytales into this beautiful rendition that is recognizable yet wholly new and original at the same time. I found the magical lore of the hedgewitches delightful, the characters of Heddy and Estrid charming. There is also an element of medieval chivalry, of tournaments and jousts. One where women's strengths are more subtle and at times underestimated against the brute strength of men.

To paraphrase the famous C. S Lewis quote, I will never be too old to appreciate the wonder of a good fairy tale and its deep allegorical truths. This is a book for the keeper shelf.

****I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[D.M. Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Angie Dickinson's latest novel, Star Blessed, immediately drew me in. I was completely absorbed by the end of the first chapter. Drenched in a royal ambiance with Rumpelstiltskin undertones, I felt an instant connection to the narrative. Knights, jousts, royal parties, and ancient magic pulsed through the pages. Intricate plotlines emerged from the vivid world-building and the well-developed characters in a playful, yet intriguing way.

The weight of Princess Seren's predicament was palpable as she bravely charted a perilous course through the treacherous landscape of aristocracy, gossip, and power plays. (And don’t get me started on her parental relationships!) Sir Corin's behavior at first made me question his trustworthiness, and I was unsure if he was on the side of good or evil.

By masterfully concealing the antagonist's identity and real motives, a shocking turn of events made the end of the book memorable. The story's progression was deliberately gradual, allowing for a deep dive into the intricate magic system and the interwoven nature of the ancient tales.

I truly enjoyed the escapism quality of the tale, taking me out of my own world. It had me thoroughly engrossed, clinging to the hope for a happy outcome until the final pages. The smooth development of the character arcs, imbued with a fairy-tale quality, significantly deepened the storytelling. Fantasy fans who prefer a strong plot over romance will find Star Blessed an ideal read.  

I received a complimentary copy from the author but was not required to leave a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Mychaela Bardakjy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I feel so fortunate to be a part of Angie’s street team and getting the opportunity to read it early.

I loved the dual POV of Seren and Corin, both were great characters I couldn’t help but root for, it was clear they were on two very different paths that were heading towards a collision with the same ending, and their special specific connection was sweet and endearing. There were enough unexpected twists throughout to keep my attention, and while the ending is somewhat predictable, there were still a few unexpected revelations in the last few chapters.

I would not exactly call this a reimagining of Rumpelstiltskin and Catskin, but more of its own unique story with elements included from both those fairy tales. It has a medieval feel with tournaments and jousting and hedge witches and palaces, and the star magic was fun to explore and learn about.

I wish it was a little longer and there was a little more details on Corin’s past and his family history, on the king and what was going on with him, and for Seren’s growth in the middle of the book. That being said, it’s a quick read and firmly YA and appropriate for teens.

Romance level is minimal light kissing. There are some gory descriptions throughout that might upset some younger teens (especially animal lovers) but all in all, it would be appropriate for 14+ teens I’d say.

I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own. The Star Blessed comes out March 2026!

[Emily Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun story! I love it when stories mesh different fairy tales together, which I thought this did well with Rumpelstiltskin and Catskin. I did love the fairytale feel of the story. The magic system was intriguing, and I loved that it was based around starlight, definitely not something I’m used to seeing in fantasy! The author did a great job teasing out information over the story, and there were a couple of twists along the way that I definitely didn’t expect!

We see Seren really grow into her own as she works to earn respect and become the leader her country needs, despite her crazy father and a court full of scheming nobles and a curse that is taking its toll on the entire nation.

Corin is definitely not too sure of the princess at first, and I really liked that it took a little bit of time before he trusted her.

The romance, while a sub-plot, was so cute, and I loved the uptick in banter as the story progressed. There’s a specific scene at the end in Seren’s workshop that I *love*, but no spoilers here. The cast of side characters was also great, but I won’t go into them because, spoilers.

The only drawback for me was that the beginning was a little slow, but it didn’t take long before I was pulled in.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a standalone story with curse-breaking and a fairytale feel.

Content: PG-13 for some descriptions of blood & action.

*I received an ARC copy of this book, this did not influence my opinion in any way*

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal book! From the very first page I was enveloped in this story in such a way that I couldn't stop thinking about it even when I wasn't currently reading it. Princess Seren is a wonderful character, from her struggles to try and please her "mad" king of a father, to her realization that she's more than just a normal person, I loved getting to see her journey and growth throughout the story.
Sir Corin was one of my favorite kinds of heroes. He's someone who has a strong moral sense of duty and honor. At first he thinks Seren is mad, just like her father, but he soon realizes she is nothing like the king. I really liked how the author developed his and Seren's relationship, especially as they each discovered what their powers were and how they were connected to one another.
One thing I really appreciated in this book is how the author ties the magical system to a good and evil foundation. There is good magic and there is evil magic, none of the gray area stuff that so many secular books try to pass off. I also really liked how the author incorporated the Rumplestilskin fairy tale into this story. I haven't read it in years, but I saw so many wonderful nods to it that it made it that much more enjoyable for me as I read.
If you're looking for a wonderful fantasy book that also has a moral foundation to it, look no further than this book. I can't wait to go back and read the author's other works. This is a book for the keeper shelf for sure!
*I read an early ARC from the author/publisher. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are those who only seek to use them....

I absolutely loved Angie Dickinson's book Truth Cursed, so I was beyond excited when I heard about The Star-Blessed a few months ago. Since then I have been on tenterhooks of eager anticipation. When I finally got my hands on it I dived right in. And it was every bit as good as I hoped it would be.

The Star-Blessed captured my attention right from the start. First and foremost, it is a fantasy story with all of the elements that I love about the genre. But, it is also a fairytale retelling, or rather a double fairytale retelling. What I enjoyed so much about this book was the clever way that Angie Dickinson wove those two things together into a tale that is both captivating and richly detailed. From fancy balls and swordplay to magical clothing and spun gold, you get that fairytale essence within a story that is entirely fresh and new.

The worldbuilding is exquisite in The Star-Blessed. The realm has history, it has geography, it has culture, it has religion. And, since this book is a standalone title, those elements are key and must not be skimped on. Angie Dickinson's did not skimp. Her characters are interesting and you can't help but become immersed in their lives as well as the world around them.

Anyway, as I'm sure you can tell, I loved The Star-Blessed just as much as I did Truth Seeker. With two books of this caliber already out, I can't wait to read more from Angie Dickinson myself. Definitely recommend!

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a rare thing: a fairy tale retelling that feels fresh and new while still braiding in the threads of the original tales into the narrative, making reading it feel like both a discovery and a recognition. Seren feels real and relatable in a way in which so few "strong female characters" succeed, while still showing strength and endurance that had me rooting for her with bated breath. Corin is another rarity, a MMC who is complex without being just another alphahole. Both characters have a strong moral compass, but meet enough challenges, have histories of personal tragedy, and are forced to balance so many competing interests that they are never boring. (I would agree with another reviewer that this book leans more New Adult in complexity, while still being appropriate for younger readers.)
In short, this book is a treat from start to finish. The author builds a unique and tantalizing world without too much exposition. Even minor characters have depth and texture. I feel that I know these characters, which is such an accomplishment in a relatively short, standalone novel. The romance is light but meaningful and the fantastic finale is satisfying and well-earned. An easy 5/5.