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Starborne
Lavinia Fenwick was never meant to be seen.
A handmaiden in the royal palace of Delmera, she’s kept her head down and her mouth shut, surviving on observation, subtle defiance, and the protection of a crown princess trapped in her own cage. But beneath Lavinia’s skin lies a scar she can’t explain, one that begins to burn as the kingdom's unrest rises. It’s not just a mark. It’s a signal. And she’s not the only one who sees it.
As Delmera tightens its grip on its people, and whispers of rebellion stir in the east, Lavinia finds herself navigating the court’s dangerous games, where affection is weaponized, faith is enforced, and cruelty wears the crown. Her place beside the princess is no longer safe. Neither is her body. Nor her blood.
And then there’s the man who sees too much. The only one who speaks to the part of her she’s tried to silence.
When a foreign envoy arrives bearing fractured truths, Lavinia’s carefully constructed world begins to crack. Kiernan is too observant, too dangerous, and far too interested in the scar she’s never dared to speak of. And when he reveals the prophecy she is meant to fulfill, Lavinia is thrust into a legacy of magic, war, and betrayal she never asked for, and may not survive.
She never asked to matter. But if the prophecy is true, her blood was never hers to begin with.
Starborne is a slow-burn romantasy debut filled with palace intrigue, morally gray desire, and ancient magic. Perfect for fans of dark romance, subtle rebellion, and heroines who learn that being chosen is its own kind of curse.
📛 Mature content This novel contains explicit scenes, psychological trauma, and adult themes. Please refer to the content warning page inside.
A handmaiden in the royal palace of Delmera, she’s kept her head down and her mouth shut, surviving on observation, subtle defiance, and the protection of a crown princess trapped in her own cage. But beneath Lavinia’s skin lies a scar she can’t explain, one that begins to burn as the kingdom's unrest rises. It’s not just a mark. It’s a signal. And she’s not the only one who sees it.
As Delmera tightens its grip on its people, and whispers of rebellion stir in the east, Lavinia finds herself navigating the court’s dangerous games, where affection is weaponized, faith is enforced, and cruelty wears the crown. Her place beside the princess is no longer safe. Neither is her body. Nor her blood.
And then there’s the man who sees too much. The only one who speaks to the part of her she’s tried to silence.
When a foreign envoy arrives bearing fractured truths, Lavinia’s carefully constructed world begins to crack. Kiernan is too observant, too dangerous, and far too interested in the scar she’s never dared to speak of. And when he reveals the prophecy she is meant to fulfill, Lavinia is thrust into a legacy of magic, war, and betrayal she never asked for, and may not survive.
She never asked to matter. But if the prophecy is true, her blood was never hers to begin with.
Starborne is a slow-burn romantasy debut filled with palace intrigue, morally gray desire, and ancient magic. Perfect for fans of dark romance, subtle rebellion, and heroines who learn that being chosen is its own kind of curse.
📛 Mature content This novel contains explicit scenes, psychological trauma, and adult themes. Please refer to the content warning page inside.
673 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2025
5 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Starborne by M. Hawthorne
Okay, this book took my emotions, threw them in a blender, and hit purée 😭
The world-building was chef’s kiss — fae, humans, and all that deliciously dangerous magic. I was fully sucked in by the mystery and power dynamics. And our FMC? She’s strong but not invincible, powerful but still human, and her struggle to control what’s inside her had me rooting for her the whole way.
The romance was a slow burn (painfully slow 😩), but it worked. The gentleness and patience he showed her after everything she’s been through? It just made my heart ache in the best way. The way he calls her Clover… yeah, that one word alone took me out emotionally. The loyalty, the care — I’m obsessed.
A beautifully written story about pain, power, and finding your footing again. I’m so ready to see where book two takes us. 💫
Okay, this book took my emotions, threw them in a blender, and hit purée 😭
The world-building was chef’s kiss — fae, humans, and all that deliciously dangerous magic. I was fully sucked in by the mystery and power dynamics. And our FMC? She’s strong but not invincible, powerful but still human, and her struggle to control what’s inside her had me rooting for her the whole way.
The romance was a slow burn (painfully slow 😩), but it worked. The gentleness and patience he showed her after everything she’s been through? It just made my heart ache in the best way. The way he calls her Clover… yeah, that one word alone took me out emotionally. The loyalty, the care — I’m obsessed.
A beautifully written story about pain, power, and finding your footing again. I’m so ready to see where book two takes us. 💫
November 3, 2025
✨ 4⭐️ | Starborne by M. Hawthorne ✨
This book took me on an emotional ride — anger, betrayal, heartbreak, and healing all wrapped up in a world of magic and mayhem.
The slow burn? Painfully slow (yes, I yelled “just kiss already!” more than once 😭), but it made sense once you understand everything the FMC’s been through. Her journey to rebuild herself after trauma is raw and beautifully written — handled with care and strength that really hit me.
I love that she isn’t instantly powerful or perfect. She’s dangerous, messy, and still figuring it out — which somehow makes her feel even more real. The world-building is rich, the fae vs. human dynamic is intriguing, and the magic system hooked me fast.
And the quote that stayed with me: “Two true things.” Simple but grounding — exactly what this book is about: surviving the chaos and finding your balance when everything feels impossible.
If you like slow burns, complex magic, emotional depth, and a heroine who’s still learning to control the storm inside her — this one’s worth diving into 💫
This book took me on an emotional ride — anger, betrayal, heartbreak, and healing all wrapped up in a world of magic and mayhem.
The slow burn? Painfully slow (yes, I yelled “just kiss already!” more than once 😭), but it made sense once you understand everything the FMC’s been through. Her journey to rebuild herself after trauma is raw and beautifully written — handled with care and strength that really hit me.
I love that she isn’t instantly powerful or perfect. She’s dangerous, messy, and still figuring it out — which somehow makes her feel even more real. The world-building is rich, the fae vs. human dynamic is intriguing, and the magic system hooked me fast.
And the quote that stayed with me: “Two true things.” Simple but grounding — exactly what this book is about: surviving the chaos and finding your balance when everything feels impossible.
If you like slow burns, complex magic, emotional depth, and a heroine who’s still learning to control the storm inside her — this one’s worth diving into 💫
December 14, 2025
I very rarely give 5 star ratings as there are so many factors that I look at when reading books. The book has to have an overall impact with the writing, characters, storyline, and ability to pull me in emotionally. This book hit all those marks out of the park.
From the world building to the character development and the pacing this book was so hard to put down. The romance was a slow burn but it was soooo needed to help add to the intensity of the pacing.
I rarely love a FMC because a lot of times in fantasy books they are obnoxiously telling you over and over how much of a bad ass they are but Liv let her actions speak for themselves.
Don’t get me started on all of the emotional turmoil you go through when reading this book. You will feel all of the things from anger to betrayal and everything in between but it also ripped your heart out and put it back together piece by piece.
My favorite part of this book was the fact that you felt as though you were standing right there in the world, on the journey right along side Liv and Kiernan and were able to experience and feel everything they were. One of the best fantasy books i’ve read this year.
From the world building to the character development and the pacing this book was so hard to put down. The romance was a slow burn but it was soooo needed to help add to the intensity of the pacing.
I rarely love a FMC because a lot of times in fantasy books they are obnoxiously telling you over and over how much of a bad ass they are but Liv let her actions speak for themselves.
Don’t get me started on all of the emotional turmoil you go through when reading this book. You will feel all of the things from anger to betrayal and everything in between but it also ripped your heart out and put it back together piece by piece.
My favorite part of this book was the fact that you felt as though you were standing right there in the world, on the journey right along side Liv and Kiernan and were able to experience and feel everything they were. One of the best fantasy books i’ve read this year.
November 17, 2025
This is one of those stories that leave an impact on your soul. From the moment I started reading, I transported into this world and into Lavinia's mind. I felt her joy, I felt her sorrow, I felt her heart break and mine broke along with hers. I felt her strength and will to continue on after a traumatic experience. I felt her love. I could not put this book down until I finished it. It has left a longing in my heart, I can't wait to read how this story continues. M Hawthorne, thank you for bringing us this story, it is truly a gift.
November 7, 2025
Starborne — Written By M. Hawthorne
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I received this book as an ARC. I fell behind tremendously with reading in general. It took me awhile to finish but I never forgot the story.
The betrayal, the heartbreak, Lavinia finding her place in the world and finding her mate….. UGH 😫
The romance legitimately was a slow burn (I mean slow) but it built with the story line perfectly. The trials and tribulations Lavinia went through was more than one person could handle but she never faltered.
She found her solace in Keirnan, their love will forever live in my head rent free.
I would highly recommend giving this a read if you love slow burn, magic, romance, spice, and mystical books.
I can’t wait for book 2.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I received this book as an ARC. I fell behind tremendously with reading in general. It took me awhile to finish but I never forgot the story.
The betrayal, the heartbreak, Lavinia finding her place in the world and finding her mate….. UGH 😫
The romance legitimately was a slow burn (I mean slow) but it built with the story line perfectly. The trials and tribulations Lavinia went through was more than one person could handle but she never faltered.
She found her solace in Keirnan, their love will forever live in my head rent free.
I would highly recommend giving this a read if you love slow burn, magic, romance, spice, and mystical books.
I can’t wait for book 2.
November 10, 2025
I dont remember being so drawn into a fictional world since The Lord of the Rings. Usually the characters are well developed OR the scenes are, but this book drew me into the scenes and also developed the characters so they are like friends. The FMC was flawed and strong and so relatable. The betrayal was heartbreaking and the love that develops is the kind every woman dreams of.
November 23, 2025
What really stood out to me in Starborne was the writing itself — especially the epilogue. The author has a way of describing things that doesn’t just paint a picture… it pulls you into it. The details, the emotion, the atmosphere — everything feels alive and intentional. By the time I reached the epilogue, it felt like the entire journey came together in this beautifully written, almost cinematic moment. It’s the kind of ending you can feel more than you can explain.
The story is definitely a slow burn, but the author makes that a strength. She takes her time building the connections, the tension, the world, and the characters’ emotional layers. Nothing feels rushed or forced — it unfolds naturally, and when the payoff finally hits, it feels earned. You walk away appreciating the patience of the journey because the ending delivers on every little breadcrumb she left along the way.
Overall, the writing is what makes this book shine. It’s descriptive, emotional, and captivating — the kind of fantasy that wraps around you slowly and then refuses to let you go.
I’m excited for more.
You can feel that the story doesn’t end here — not even close — and it makes me look forward to diving into whatever comes next.
The story is definitely a slow burn, but the author makes that a strength. She takes her time building the connections, the tension, the world, and the characters’ emotional layers. Nothing feels rushed or forced — it unfolds naturally, and when the payoff finally hits, it feels earned. You walk away appreciating the patience of the journey because the ending delivers on every little breadcrumb she left along the way.
Overall, the writing is what makes this book shine. It’s descriptive, emotional, and captivating — the kind of fantasy that wraps around you slowly and then refuses to let you go.
I’m excited for more.
You can feel that the story doesn’t end here — not even close — and it makes me look forward to diving into whatever comes next.
November 3, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
From the moment I opened Starborne, I knew I was stepping into something special. M. Hawthorne, you’ve created a world that’s lush, mysterious, and full of emotional depth where Lavinia’s hidden strength and unseen destiny made me root for her at every turn.
What struck me most was how effortlessly you blend fantasy grandeur with personal stakes: the palace intrigue, the bindings of duty, the faint taste of rebellion — all set in a realm that shimmers with both wonder and danger. And through it all, you let the characters feel human, vulnerable, and unforgettable.
Thank you for giving us a story that doesn’t just transport us, but stays with us. Starborne will live in my thoughts long after the last page, and I’ll be telling everyone looking for immersive fantasy to read it.
From the moment I opened Starborne, I knew I was stepping into something special. M. Hawthorne, you’ve created a world that’s lush, mysterious, and full of emotional depth where Lavinia’s hidden strength and unseen destiny made me root for her at every turn.
What struck me most was how effortlessly you blend fantasy grandeur with personal stakes: the palace intrigue, the bindings of duty, the faint taste of rebellion — all set in a realm that shimmers with both wonder and danger. And through it all, you let the characters feel human, vulnerable, and unforgettable.
Thank you for giving us a story that doesn’t just transport us, but stays with us. Starborne will live in my thoughts long after the last page, and I’ll be telling everyone looking for immersive fantasy to read it.
December 7, 2025
In this first book - slow slow slow burn - Lavinia goes through everything that can be gone through. She preservers and finds her way through it. She finds her mate - Keirnan and the connection is just wow!!! There's magic, spice, trials, tribulation, connection, and romance. Can't wait for the 2nd book.
April 1, 2026
Starborne (The Weaver’s Prophecy Book 1) by M. Hawthorne is a captivating slow-burn romantasy filled with palace intrigue, hidden power, and dark, emotional depth. Lavinia’s journey from unseen handmaiden to a key figure in a dangerous prophecy is both gripping and layered with tension. With rich world-building and morally complex characters, this is a compelling start to a promising series.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews