A Black Star

by Dani M. Ward

In the slums, you learn to take what you need.

Once every twenty years, a Black Star glides over the slums of Granit, promising a life of luxury for any woman who can reach it. But only one will win. Only one will be chosen.

E.L. wasn't supposed to compete for passage to the Star Realm. That honor belonged to her beautiful, elegant younger sister, Celeste. But when opportunity presents itself, E.L. doesn't hesitate—she takes it.

Now she's won the a place among the stars, caught between a prince and his guard in a realm where women are prized for one thing alone—their ability to bear children in a world of infertility. In the Star Realm, where women born from this dimension cannot bear children, a pregnancy is worth more than love or money. It's everything.

The Stars are a glittering prison where powerful men wage silent wars, and women fight for status. Prince D'Angelo offers her a rank. His guard, Carter, offers her protection. E.L. will take both—and everything else they're willing to give.

Because E.L. didn't crawl out of the slums to play nice. No, she came to conquer.

145 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 18, 2026

About the author

Dani M. Ward lives in a state with more corn than people. As a kid, she daydreamed about living in a world with vampires, witches, and fairies. Dani realized later supernatural creatures hide in plain sight, so she looks for them everywhere she goes. When she's not hunting for supernatural creatures, Dani is chugging coffee and writing. Dani writes fantasy romance for lovers of diverse fiction. Her characters include strong women saving themselves with swoon-worthy men who stand beside them. She loves sass, spice, and smut. When she's not writing, she can be found trying to wrangle her two children, watching Asian dramas with her two poodles, or playing video games with her husband. Dani enjoys reading, napping, and pairing wine with food. She has a BA in Anthropology and is getting her MFA in Creating Writing. She's hoping to catch a demon; so she doesn't have to pay her student loans back.

Reviews

[Brownskinnedreader]

This book is nasty, nasty 🌶️🌶️🌶️🫣! I love every bit of it. My only gripe is that the book didn’t give me more character development between the throuple!

[Ashley]

Menage for Power

So first things first: this is not a why‑choose romance. She doesn't have a choice and her betrove just happens to have a boyfriend. So it's a menage at best. E.L. isn’t choosing men she’s choosing survival in a world where her body is a bargaining chip and the people in power think they can play her like she’s simple. Spoiler: she’s not.

E.L. comes from absolutely nothing, and the second she steps into the Star Realm, everyone assumes she’s an airhead. But honestly? That’s her greatest weapon. She lets them underestimate her while she quietly clocks every move, every lie, every ego-driven decision the men around her make. And the twist? I saw it coming a mile away because the men in this book are so convinced they’re smarter than her. Their arrogance is the real plot device.

What I loved most was the political tension , the fertility crisis, the class divide, the way power is traded like currency. The romance elements are there, and yes, it gets a bit spicy, but the heart of this story is the system E.L. is trying to survive, not the men orbiting her.

It’s a quick read, but it still manages to feel layered. A little dystopian grit, a little heat, and a heroine who’s far more cunning than anyone gives her credit for. I’d definitely read more in this world.

[Just D]

100 stars, no notes.
I went in knowing two things and trusting one thing completely. I was reading it because of the author, and the spice was going to show up. What I did not expect was how much story, depth, and emotional weight Dani packed into a novella this tight.

E.L. is that girl. Sharp, hungry, and fully aware of what the world owes her. Watching her move through the Star Realm let me know that nothing about her survival is accidental, and I loved that she never pretends to be soft when the world demands steel. Prince D’Angelo and Carter are compelling in very different ways, and the dynamic between all three stays charged without overpowering the plot.

Yes, the spice absolutely delivers. But it never replaces the story. The worldbuilding, the stakes, the politics, and the quiet power struggles all kept me locked in. I read it straight through and immediately wanted more.

This one is going to sit with me for a while. Team E.L. forever. Dani M. Ward is operating on pure talent here.

[Demi Nyx]

short and spicy

I’m now invested because of how it ended. This novella is not lacking in the spice department. It definitely leaves you wanting more. So I hope that the more will come sooner than later. Because I am intrigued to see where we are going in this adventure.

[Angelbelle Reads]

Thank you for the early copy. All opinions are my own

A dang good time

If you like

✨Black love
✨MMF
✨gang bang
✨glory hole
✨filthy descriptive sex scenes
✨ competition
✨a plot twist for a little razzle dazzle

Then A Black Star is for you!

Ooooh Dani doesn’t do anything halfway 😮‍💨 she heard we wanted a short and nasty story and she responded in kind 🙌🏾 An author for the people 😌

E.L is definitely my favorite in the book. She knew what she wanted so when opportunity presented itself she took it. Like she took all them d*cks

Carter and D’Angelo… Nasty! 😋 Carter had D’Angelo spread open every chance he got. And I do mean every. This man over here saying his “I do’s” whole time Carter’s babies dripping out his ahole 🤣 had that man grabbing pillows to stay quiet

Listen if you’re looking for a novella where sharing is caring you need to read A Black Star

[Celeste]

I hope there is a continuation of this because it definitely ended on more questions than answers. I’m with E.L. You gotta do what you can to survive. Carter was great for her and D’Angelo. D’Angelo on the other hand can go somewhere. He has a goal/dream but his thoughts on E.L. Makes me not want them together.

[Seven Seventeen]

I did enjoy the book enough to finish it, but there were some areas that could have been improved - character development being one of them. I'd be interested in whether this will become a series or if there will be a second book to answer some of my outstanding questions.

Once E.L. arrived in Azur, she did come across as a bit of an airhead, as D’Angelo assumed. However, it was interesting to learn that she'd secretly been a conniving bitch to take her sister's place - RIP Celeste. Her parents treated her unfairly, but I can kind of see where they were coming from - they loved both daughters but they were ignorant and wanted what they figured would be their best chance of getting the family, including E.L., off of Granit. I would have liked to see more interaction between E.L. and her parents after she won, particularly to better understand her reasoning for not wanting a relationship with them.

D’Angelo claimed to be bisexual, but he seemed to hate women and I felt like he was more interested in bottoming for Carter- maybe due to the matriarchy (all hail the queen 🙌🏽). I wanted to see more development between him and E.L. that wasn’t centered on sex or him slutting her out. Although she seemed to enjoy their dynamic, the moves he made weren’t about her pleasure - he thought she was an idiot and he just wanted a child, specifically a son. I would have loved to see him grow to respect E.L. and come to the realization that she isn't just his lapdog ... because by the final chapter, it’s clear she has depth and agency. I'm super interested in what could develop between E.L. and D’Angelo. Despite his arrogance, they share some traits (selfishness, determination, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to get what they want). Him learning to respect her could lead to a whirlwind of a love story, with a dash of Carter.

Speaking of Carter, I do think he was sweet, and he seems to see the good in E.L. I also think he may see the good in D’Angelo but he's boring. I did like that we got a bit of his background (which is similar to E.L.'s), and he's the head guard, but what else is going on? Will he have a bigger role once D'Angelo becomes King? If D'Angelo doesn't shape up and learn to respect E.L., will he and E.L. team up and beat his ass? Let's get a part 2 going, author - please and thank yew! More drama/chaos, more romance, more everything.

[Karla KP]

💥 Messy, Naughty, and Unapologetically Bold 💥

I wasn’t ready for how messy and intense this story would be. There were a couple one-liners that had me cackling 😂. E.L.’s fight and determination made her a compelling lead, and her connection with Carter was electric, he sees that fire and fight in her eyes.

Now, the spice… ohhh, the spice 🔥. This is a Why Choose, but it’s not your usual. Baby, this one got a lil nasty. At one point and time everything was getting turned every which way but loose. When it hit level 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️, I was thrown completely off guard. Not judging anyone’s kink, but… whew 🤦🏽‍♀️ Some moments were downright intense 🥵.

As for the characters, Carter was easy to root for, but D’Angelo? Not my vibe. He sometimes seemed to underestimate E.L., not realizing just how much she was calculating and how much she knew, playing the game exactly as she wanted. That cleverness added depth to her character and kept the story unpredictable.

The story was entertaining, messy, and intense in all the right ways at times, but some characters and moments didn’t quite land. Still, it’s bold, ruthless, and definitely memorable.

[BlackMeetsBooks]

You Can't Keep Just Doin' Girls Like That
Thinkin' That Nobody Finna Bite Back
Losin' Your Mind Baby
Can't Be Sure
Times Wastin'
Nice To Meet You
I'm Sorry
I'm Just Here To Do My Job
Nice To Meet You
No Runnin'
Please Don't Fear Me
I'm Just KARMA...
(Karma x Summer Walker)
This was a 'Novella Tuesday' pick and we got the pleasure of speaking with the author on the TikTok live.

Well well well, this was a new to me Author suggested to us by Ari(1/3 of Novella Tuesday) and baby it did not disappoint. I was on the edge of my seat reading this one. I mean just hootin' and hollerin' the whole time. I mean the story line is there so you're locked in off that. Then you get to the meat and potatoes of the story and now you're even more invested because you just have to know how all this messy mess is gonna play out. How did they do that and who did what to who!? But why!? lol
The FMC is someone who is always overlooked and is seemingly the odd ball out in almost all instances but there is a fire inside of her and something else behind her eyes that no one seems to see. The MMC is supposed to be finding a wife but he's too busy sewing his royal oat's and making sure that the pissed his mother(The Queen) off every chance he gets. You are rooting for the underdog through this entire book. There are so many plot twists and turns. The dam spiceeeeee thought baby that's what the hell I'm talking about! The spice was on point. There is a scene that I had to do a mental diagram for but once I got it baby I got it lol. Anyways, in this story you get everything. You get an unlikely some hunger games action, a prophecy, and a throuple? What the helliante?
Yeah this books is like that and if you're anything like me then you're nosey and you need to see wtf goin' on. When I tell you from start to finish this book will have you by your good good edges I mean it. Its all well worth it though. I will def be reading more things by this lovely author and making sure to read the second portion of this series 'A White Star' once it drops!
Thanks for sharing your art!
-Fairy

[El.Jaye.B]

“The stars are beautiful, but they burn.”

Let me start by saying, the smut is smutting! This is a Black MMF fantasy and it is a 10/10…definitely recommend. The story is erotic with plot. I was hooked from start to finish. Questions I had in the beginning, were answered by the end of the book. The plot twist…was a plot twist for yo ass! I hope this saga continues because I need more of E.L, Carter and D’Angelo.

[Katie]

This book had potential but it felt very much like a very rough draft of a story. It is repetitive in it's descriptions and choppy in the story telling. E.L. has to go through 4 trials,a nd we see 3 of them and then just nothing of 4th. There is this whole backstory about why the women in Azur are infertile but we only get a brief description as a throw way statement from D'Angelo to E.L. There could definately be more to this story but in reality is to mostly PWP.

[Sade-Kemi Brown]

Shooketh

This book had my mouth open the whole time. I'm talking about mouth just agape. Think of a dystopian society like the handmaid's tale and the hunger games. But make it black. It is burn your mouth, crying tears type hot, and down right filthy. Had me clutching me pearls. The plot twist also had me speechless and it's fast paced but worth a read. If you are looking for something that's quick and will get the heart pumping then this is for you.

[Aniece Futch]

There’s a lot of reasons I shouldn’t have read or liked this book. But man, I cannot say I wasn’t hooked. Even when it was like yeahhhhh girl you can’t have seriously written this lol…I was glued and surprised!!! But whew chile this book ain’t for everyone

[Bea_random_romance]

NTMA

This was my first read from this author! I love a why choose storyline I wasn’t expecting that ending. whew def will read more.

[Taija Thompson]

Well damn!

E.L. got out the slums by any means necessary and got dicked down in the process. Like, absolutely slutted out! D’Angelo was hungry and Carter was sweet!

[Epiphany Bookish]

Very unexpected

I went in mostly blind and and lets just say even if I read the synopsis I would've that been ready. I am looking forward to more from this world.

[Kelsey]

Let the games begin.....
This is a why choose novella that tells how the upperclass uses the lowerclass to continue their legacy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶

MMF
Why choose

[Krissy Scott]

So this one started off really well. I love a good alien competition to get to the king type deal. Where i think the book lost me was when we stopped getting the FMC POV. She turned into a person that was only there for the king and didnt have a voice. it made the twist at the end confusing too. It kinda felt like two different people wrote the FMC. The book had a lot of potential but by the end just turned into alien smut and not the good kind.

[Reco Reads]

I absolutely loved this book. this may have been my 1st 5 star of 2026.