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Star of Shalik
Conscripted into a war against the mystical Lumani, Rowynn Murchadha uncovers a terrifying truth—she can wield the very magic her army was raised to destroy.
Worse still, as her power grows, her reflection begins to change—morphing into the face of the enemy she’s sworn to fight.
Her only guide is Zi, a mysterious demon who visits her dreams, speaking of star-born magic and ancient bloodlines. Torn between worlds, Rowynn must navigate a web of false kings, mysterious demons, and forgotten memories.
With magic itself hanging in the balance, Rowynn faces an impossible choice: trust the demon who claims only he can save her, or forge her own path before her power consumes everything she loves.
Worse still, as her power grows, her reflection begins to change—morphing into the face of the enemy she’s sworn to fight.
Her only guide is Zi, a mysterious demon who visits her dreams, speaking of star-born magic and ancient bloodlines. Torn between worlds, Rowynn must navigate a web of false kings, mysterious demons, and forgotten memories.
With magic itself hanging in the balance, Rowynn faces an impossible choice: trust the demon who claims only he can save her, or forge her own path before her power consumes everything she loves.
- GenresFantasy
315 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2026
3 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Laken Honeycutt
5 books31 followersLaken Honeycutt is the author of The Chrysillium Tree and Star of Shalik, fantasy novels steeped in celestial wonder and nature-based magic. She lives in New Hampshire, where she enjoys spending time with her beautiful kiddo along with a touch of kitchen witchery, woodland wanderings, and starlit inspiration.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 1, 2026
Thank you to the author, Laken Honeycutt, for providing me with an ARC ebook. The following review may contain light spoilers, but I did try to keep details vague in case. All thoughts are my own as I was reading.
First Quarter: The story begins with a lot of world-building, but it is woven in well with character introductions and plot bases. The story is written in first person, and our main character, a conscript going through his first year of training, was a good way to introduce everything, even if it felt a little odd when we were getting some of her backstory. Mel is also an interesting character, though we don’t get as much information on them as I would have liked before the plot starts to pick up, and they leave the Palace. I love the description of Idris and the forest. It would make such a pretty scene in a movie or show, kind of like some of the scenes in Avatar with the magical glow.
Second Quarter: As of now, I don’t think I like the love triangle that is beginning here. While I can understand why the trope is being used, I don’t personally love it, and the execution of this one is a little shaky. By the 30% mark, Rowynn knows some things about both guys, but the only real draw in the story is a pull toward them rather than a genuine emotional and personal connection. Some aspects that did not feel as purposeful regarding Rowynn’s magic begin to make more sense. I loved the care put into Krashain’s descriptions and how we are getting so much information here in such few chapters compared to the first quarter. I also like Isaac’s POV chapters, though they didn’t begin to feel necessary until almost the 40% mark. The transition into part 2 was interesting, and while the book has a slower pace than many modern fantasy/romantasy traditionally published, the way this transition was handled felt purposeful for setting up the story to come, in addition to foreshadowing.
Third Quarter: Part 2 begins in a new setting, and the change is nice to keep the pace of the novel interesting. I love some of the insights we get about this new location. My heart went out to the characters, as some learned some painful truths in this section. I really felt for Rowan, as she goes through so much pain during this section. We also enter part 3 in this section, beginning once again in a new location.
Final Quarter: This quarter is where the pace really picks up. The book, up until this point, had a gradually building pace, but this quarter explodes with action. The ending was packed with reveals, and the epilogue perfectly sets up the next leg of the story. Overall, this book was a great read for lovers of epic fantasy, but still accessible for those who may not be into the genre.
First Quarter: The story begins with a lot of world-building, but it is woven in well with character introductions and plot bases. The story is written in first person, and our main character, a conscript going through his first year of training, was a good way to introduce everything, even if it felt a little odd when we were getting some of her backstory. Mel is also an interesting character, though we don’t get as much information on them as I would have liked before the plot starts to pick up, and they leave the Palace. I love the description of Idris and the forest. It would make such a pretty scene in a movie or show, kind of like some of the scenes in Avatar with the magical glow.
Second Quarter: As of now, I don’t think I like the love triangle that is beginning here. While I can understand why the trope is being used, I don’t personally love it, and the execution of this one is a little shaky. By the 30% mark, Rowynn knows some things about both guys, but the only real draw in the story is a pull toward them rather than a genuine emotional and personal connection. Some aspects that did not feel as purposeful regarding Rowynn’s magic begin to make more sense. I loved the care put into Krashain’s descriptions and how we are getting so much information here in such few chapters compared to the first quarter. I also like Isaac’s POV chapters, though they didn’t begin to feel necessary until almost the 40% mark. The transition into part 2 was interesting, and while the book has a slower pace than many modern fantasy/romantasy traditionally published, the way this transition was handled felt purposeful for setting up the story to come, in addition to foreshadowing.
Third Quarter: Part 2 begins in a new setting, and the change is nice to keep the pace of the novel interesting. I love some of the insights we get about this new location. My heart went out to the characters, as some learned some painful truths in this section. I really felt for Rowan, as she goes through so much pain during this section. We also enter part 3 in this section, beginning once again in a new location.
Final Quarter: This quarter is where the pace really picks up. The book, up until this point, had a gradually building pace, but this quarter explodes with action. The ending was packed with reveals, and the epilogue perfectly sets up the next leg of the story. Overall, this book was a great read for lovers of epic fantasy, but still accessible for those who may not be into the genre.
February 2, 2026
I first wanted to thank Laken for providing me the Arc ebook of her lovely story. I did not read the first book in The Chrysillium Saga so had no previous knowledge to build upon when I started this book. I do hope to go back and read the first book so I can be provided better clarity about the story that I missed. At the beginning of this story I learned about how Rowynn is a girl from a local town conscripted into the palace of light army. From there we find out that she is anything but ordinary and actually has history with the enemy the palace of light is fighting. From there we go on a journey that discovers her true self.
It was very hard for me to really get entranced into this story from the very beginning of this book. The first half there are a lot of moving parts. The wording for Mel’s character to start with kept taking me out of the time period of the story. The use of they/them felt odd as I was reading and for a while I didn’t realize they were in an all women’s army barracks at the beginning of the story. We are also introduced to Zi quickly in a way that is supposed to make him feel like he is supposed to be familiar to her yet it is not written well in that way to start with. I also found Rowynn really trusting of new people too quickly in which she should have been more reserved supposedly army trained and yet also at times I find her abit naive in which she asked questions like “why have they come for me” in which she really already knows the answer to.
My favorite characters in this story were definitely Isaac and Zi. I think they were the most dynamicly written.
The reason I gave this story a 3 out of 5 stars is because there wasn’t enough depth to the characters and the story pacing shifted way to quickly in areas that made the story at times feel jarring and unrealistic. The characters don’t feel like they have dimension. I feel like I’m missing backstories that really should be brought up to better explain why the characters do what they do. I don’t feel as many emotional connections because we don’t really get deep with many of the characters. I wish the author had spent more time really developing Rowynn as an army conscript and took time to transition her through the first half of the book slower to make her feel more real and realistic. To give her real genuine emotions of hesitancy and struggle before reuniting with family and moving her through her journey.
It is a unique story and has an interesting vibe incorporating the galaxy and such into the story. I just wish there was a deep level that really could have enhanced the world building and taken this story to another level.
It was very hard for me to really get entranced into this story from the very beginning of this book. The first half there are a lot of moving parts. The wording for Mel’s character to start with kept taking me out of the time period of the story. The use of they/them felt odd as I was reading and for a while I didn’t realize they were in an all women’s army barracks at the beginning of the story. We are also introduced to Zi quickly in a way that is supposed to make him feel like he is supposed to be familiar to her yet it is not written well in that way to start with. I also found Rowynn really trusting of new people too quickly in which she should have been more reserved supposedly army trained and yet also at times I find her abit naive in which she asked questions like “why have they come for me” in which she really already knows the answer to.
My favorite characters in this story were definitely Isaac and Zi. I think they were the most dynamicly written.
The reason I gave this story a 3 out of 5 stars is because there wasn’t enough depth to the characters and the story pacing shifted way to quickly in areas that made the story at times feel jarring and unrealistic. The characters don’t feel like they have dimension. I feel like I’m missing backstories that really should be brought up to better explain why the characters do what they do. I don’t feel as many emotional connections because we don’t really get deep with many of the characters. I wish the author had spent more time really developing Rowynn as an army conscript and took time to transition her through the first half of the book slower to make her feel more real and realistic. To give her real genuine emotions of hesitancy and struggle before reuniting with family and moving her through her journey.
It is a unique story and has an interesting vibe incorporating the galaxy and such into the story. I just wish there was a deep level that really could have enhanced the world building and taken this story to another level.
January 25, 2026
Thank you Laken Honeycutt for the opportunity to read your novel!
It took me a while to get into this novel. I struggled through the first part and I almost put it down. I decided to give it a chance and I continued to read on until the last page, and I am glad that I did. I have high hopes that the Mycellium Forest will end this series with a bang. This novel brought such vivid imagery and I absolutely loved the celestial magic, and the power of the Chrysillium Trees. It brought even more beauty to the night sky and a deep connection to nature itself.
Rowynn (Elijwa) was thrust into a new identity and newfound family barely batting an eye and for that I applaud her tenacity and gumption. Her acceptance to her powers helped her discover her true potential and strength and I loved to watch her confidence grow. I do wish there was more to her, I would have liked to know more about her, sometimes her character seemed almost one dimensional. Her relationships with Zi and Panez seemed almost rushed and it was difficult to be invested in either of those relationships.
What I would have liked to see from this novel is a glimpse of what the songs were. The songs that bring life and magic hold so much power that it would be great for readers to bring it to life in our own minds by providing lyrics. The dialogue at times did not feel conversational, which made it difficult to focus on what the characters were saying.
All that aside, there is poetry and beauty to this novel. I may not have connected with the characters, but I connected to the story and the world itself. Honeycutt has created a world that has potential for even more expansion and I would love to read more about restoring magic to the Ulli, one star at a time.
It took me a while to get into this novel. I struggled through the first part and I almost put it down. I decided to give it a chance and I continued to read on until the last page, and I am glad that I did. I have high hopes that the Mycellium Forest will end this series with a bang. This novel brought such vivid imagery and I absolutely loved the celestial magic, and the power of the Chrysillium Trees. It brought even more beauty to the night sky and a deep connection to nature itself.
Rowynn (Elijwa) was thrust into a new identity and newfound family barely batting an eye and for that I applaud her tenacity and gumption. Her acceptance to her powers helped her discover her true potential and strength and I loved to watch her confidence grow. I do wish there was more to her, I would have liked to know more about her, sometimes her character seemed almost one dimensional. Her relationships with Zi and Panez seemed almost rushed and it was difficult to be invested in either of those relationships.
What I would have liked to see from this novel is a glimpse of what the songs were. The songs that bring life and magic hold so much power that it would be great for readers to bring it to life in our own minds by providing lyrics. The dialogue at times did not feel conversational, which made it difficult to focus on what the characters were saying.
All that aside, there is poetry and beauty to this novel. I may not have connected with the characters, but I connected to the story and the world itself. Honeycutt has created a world that has potential for even more expansion and I would love to read more about restoring magic to the Ulli, one star at a time.
February 1, 2026
Thanks for the advanced reader copy! Below is my honest review.
This story picks up about two decades after The Chrysillium Tree with Rowynn. A young lady conscripted into a war against the indigenous Lumani. Those under the rule of the Palace of Light must serve time in the military and while Rowynn is training, she uncovers that she indeed possesses the magic the army is fighting against. Rowynn meets several new faces, including a demon, Zi, who claims only he can save her and teach her the ways of her star magic.
What do you mean there’s no more?! No no no! My thoughts as I finished this book. As for cliffhangers, it wasn’t the worst I’ve encountered, but I am genuinely concerned for so many characters and will be thinking about them until we meet again. What Laken did in less than 400 pages. Authors please take note! I feel like every word and sentence were indicative to understanding the very intricate world and magic system. If you like Avatar (the blue peeps), Avatar (The Last Airbender), and The Ascended (yes there’s star magic), I think you will enjoy this.
As for why I gave this 4 stars instead of 5, I do think there was a bit too much foreshadowing as I was able to guess the major plot twists - two specifically. Could I have been wrong sure, but I was waiting for that jaw on the floor shock and I did not get that. Also, I apparently really like love triangles where I root for both guys, but there was one clear choice. I’m not sure if that was intended, or I was just hoping for a love triangle.
This story picks up about two decades after The Chrysillium Tree with Rowynn. A young lady conscripted into a war against the indigenous Lumani. Those under the rule of the Palace of Light must serve time in the military and while Rowynn is training, she uncovers that she indeed possesses the magic the army is fighting against. Rowynn meets several new faces, including a demon, Zi, who claims only he can save her and teach her the ways of her star magic.
What do you mean there’s no more?! No no no! My thoughts as I finished this book. As for cliffhangers, it wasn’t the worst I’ve encountered, but I am genuinely concerned for so many characters and will be thinking about them until we meet again. What Laken did in less than 400 pages. Authors please take note! I feel like every word and sentence were indicative to understanding the very intricate world and magic system. If you like Avatar (the blue peeps), Avatar (The Last Airbender), and The Ascended (yes there’s star magic), I think you will enjoy this.
As for why I gave this 4 stars instead of 5, I do think there was a bit too much foreshadowing as I was able to guess the major plot twists - two specifically. Could I have been wrong sure, but I was waiting for that jaw on the floor shock and I did not get that. Also, I apparently really like love triangles where I root for both guys, but there was one clear choice. I’m not sure if that was intended, or I was just hoping for a love triangle.
January 3, 2026
I received a complimentary ARC through BookSirens, and this review reflects my honest opinion.
Star of Shalik is a character-driven fantasy that takes a steady, thoughtful approach to worldbuilding and emotional development. The story unfolds at a measured pace, allowing the setting and mythology to feel natural rather than overwhelming. I found the protagonist easy to connect with, especially in the way she navigates uncertainty, responsibility, and expectations that feel larger than she is. The writing is grounded and clear, which made the quieter moments feel intentional instead of slow.
The pacing favors character growth over constant action, but the story remains engaging throughout. Relationships develop gradually and add emotional depth without overtaking the plot. While this book clearly sets the foundation for a larger series, it still delivers a satisfying arc on its own. A solid choice for readers who enjoy fantasy that prioritizes atmosphere, personal stakes, and gradual world expansion.
Star of Shalik is a character-driven fantasy that takes a steady, thoughtful approach to worldbuilding and emotional development. The story unfolds at a measured pace, allowing the setting and mythology to feel natural rather than overwhelming. I found the protagonist easy to connect with, especially in the way she navigates uncertainty, responsibility, and expectations that feel larger than she is. The writing is grounded and clear, which made the quieter moments feel intentional instead of slow.
The pacing favors character growth over constant action, but the story remains engaging throughout. Relationships develop gradually and add emotional depth without overtaking the plot. While this book clearly sets the foundation for a larger series, it still delivers a satisfying arc on its own. A solid choice for readers who enjoy fantasy that prioritizes atmosphere, personal stakes, and gradual world expansion.
January 25, 2026
I received this as an complimentary arc book through BookSirens in exchange for an honest review and oh boy!! Did I really enjoy this read.
At first as the world is unfolding and characters get introduced I was semi confused. The story seemed very already established and I felt like I was missing something, but once the main FMC figured out her memories were wiped everything clicked for me!! And it was smooth sailing from there!!
I ADORE the magic system in this series and the importance of the shalik and what they stand for and the symbol of the tree. I love the concept of a dream world that literally can only be accessed through dreams or other means. Zial stole my heart RIGHT AWAY!!!
Towards the ending of the book I found myself sad that it was almost over, once I reached the last page and found out there’s actually a book one—this one being book two—and a book three coming soon I couldn’t help but get excited! Book one will be added to my tbr and I look so forward to book three.
At first as the world is unfolding and characters get introduced I was semi confused. The story seemed very already established and I felt like I was missing something, but once the main FMC figured out her memories were wiped everything clicked for me!! And it was smooth sailing from there!!
I ADORE the magic system in this series and the importance of the shalik and what they stand for and the symbol of the tree. I love the concept of a dream world that literally can only be accessed through dreams or other means. Zial stole my heart RIGHT AWAY!!!
Towards the ending of the book I found myself sad that it was almost over, once I reached the last page and found out there’s actually a book one—this one being book two—and a book three coming soon I couldn’t help but get excited! Book one will be added to my tbr and I look so forward to book three.
January 6, 2026
Ohhh boy. I read this in fewer than two days. It drew me in immediately and I couldn't put it down. GIVE ME THE NEXT BOOK STAT!
Pros: I really enjoyed the dual POV that followed protector and ward, which I felt was different than most dual POVs which follow either siblings or romantic partners. The magic system was interesting and compelling, and while some of the twists were obvious and expected, there were still surprises. I am invested in the characters and want to know what happens next.
Cons: there were some inconsistencies and grammatical errors that were not caught in editing but they don't detract from the actual story; almost every time a new character was introduced there was no actual introduction. You see a new person and then all of a sudden the narrator knows his/her name - again, this doesn't detract from the vibes, but some people may not be able to look past it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Pros: I really enjoyed the dual POV that followed protector and ward, which I felt was different than most dual POVs which follow either siblings or romantic partners. The magic system was interesting and compelling, and while some of the twists were obvious and expected, there were still surprises. I am invested in the characters and want to know what happens next.
Cons: there were some inconsistencies and grammatical errors that were not caught in editing but they don't detract from the actual story; almost every time a new character was introduced there was no actual introduction. You see a new person and then all of a sudden the narrator knows his/her name - again, this doesn't detract from the vibes, but some people may not be able to look past it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 24, 2025
I received an advance review copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story starts off a little slow, but once it gets going, it pulls you in pretty quickly. I didn’t struggle to connect with the characters or follow what was going on, which I always definitely appreciate as a reader.
The magic system was one of my favorite parts. The world felt detailed and layered without being confusing, and I liked how much thought the author obviously put into the world building.
There is some romance, and while I liked that it didn’t take over the entire story, it definitely didn't "wreck me" emotionally either. I'm sure it's a hard balance for an author… but I never quite fell in love with the love story due to the lack of a connection with it. If the love story had hit harder for me, this would’ve been a higher-rated read.
The story starts off a little slow, but once it gets going, it pulls you in pretty quickly. I didn’t struggle to connect with the characters or follow what was going on, which I always definitely appreciate as a reader.
The magic system was one of my favorite parts. The world felt detailed and layered without being confusing, and I liked how much thought the author obviously put into the world building.
There is some romance, and while I liked that it didn’t take over the entire story, it definitely didn't "wreck me" emotionally either. I'm sure it's a hard balance for an author… but I never quite fell in love with the love story due to the lack of a connection with it. If the love story had hit harder for me, this would’ve been a higher-rated read.
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December 31, 2025I enjoyed this book and I would love to read book 2 when it is available. The book held my attention and I wanted to keep reading it. At the beginning of each section, it had a flashback in a different font. I think it was a flashback, it took me a few sections to connect it to what was happening in the chapters. I did like how it was a different font so it was easily noted that that was something important and different from what was happening in the text. They helped provide some background information, but it would have been helpful to also have a glossary or map. There are different cultural groups within the book and having the information on who was who would have helped. I really enjoyed how the main character changed throughout the book and I am excited to see what the author does next.
January 15, 2026
This is a fantasy story that I didn’t quite expect. I was fascinated by the world however there were times I felt we were getting too much information at times. I know we’re supposed to find out things along with the FMC but it was overwhelming getting so much at once. I think if it was spaced out a little more it would have been easier to understand. I also had a hard time with the FMC changing her loyalties every time her emotions got the better of her. Despite those couple of things I really enjoyed the world and the magic system that came with it. There were a couple of twists I wasn’t expecting and I grew to love a lot of the characters. I also liked seeing a character with the pronouns of they. I never see that in fantasy/romantasy. Overall definitely a story I would recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 19, 2026
From the beginning, this new-to-me magical world had me enthralled.
The story involves several “countries” and realms that each have their own unique part to play in the Shalik’s story. This is done in such a way that you, as the reader, are immersed through the right amount of detail and understanding. Throughout, there are many people that are along on the journey and some have motives that aren’t immediately clear.
While reading, I felt hope in the relationships Rowynn was able to rekindle and the way she grew into her powers. However, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of betrayal and anger - in the best way!
I can’t wait for the final installment to see how Rowynn continues her journey.
I received a free advanced copy in exchange for a voluntary and honest review.
The story involves several “countries” and realms that each have their own unique part to play in the Shalik’s story. This is done in such a way that you, as the reader, are immersed through the right amount of detail and understanding. Throughout, there are many people that are along on the journey and some have motives that aren’t immediately clear.
While reading, I felt hope in the relationships Rowynn was able to rekindle and the way she grew into her powers. However, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of betrayal and anger - in the best way!
I can’t wait for the final installment to see how Rowynn continues her journey.
I received a free advanced copy in exchange for a voluntary and honest review.
January 22, 2026
I received an advanced reader copy of this from book sirens in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book immensely, and I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to read this ARC. I wasn’t able to predict any part of the plot lines, and I was genuinely intrigued to find out how this was going to end. The character development throughout the story was great. I really loved the FMC and her character arc. Also, I am dubbing one of the MMCs as a shadow daddy and he was probably my favorite character of all.
Without giving anything away, as this is very much a spoiler free review, there was one part of the story that was kind of a major turning point, for the FMC especially, but then what happened was just kind of brushed over and it wasn’t really addressed again. I would have really liked to see how the conversation/explanation would have played out had the FMC had a full on confrontation between herself and one of the other main characters.
I really enjoyed this and I had a great time reading this ARC. I cannot wait for the novella to come out!
I enjoyed this book immensely, and I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to read this ARC. I wasn’t able to predict any part of the plot lines, and I was genuinely intrigued to find out how this was going to end. The character development throughout the story was great. I really loved the FMC and her character arc. Also, I am dubbing one of the MMCs as a shadow daddy and he was probably my favorite character of all.
Without giving anything away, as this is very much a spoiler free review, there was one part of the story that was kind of a major turning point, for the FMC especially, but then what happened was just kind of brushed over and it wasn’t really addressed again. I would have really liked to see how the conversation/explanation would have played out had the FMC had a full on confrontation between herself and one of the other main characters.
I really enjoyed this and I had a great time reading this ARC. I cannot wait for the novella to come out!
December 24, 2025
Received as an ARC, I am leaving my honest review. I love the consistent build up of the fast moving plot and the gripping storyline from the first page til the incredible suspense filled emotional ending. The story is beautifully written with descriptive imagery that creates the scenes in your mind as you follow a young girl, hidden from all of her true identity until the time is right for her powers and true self to be revealed. Destined to save the magic of incredible beauty with the power of the stars, her journey is filled with discovery and danger. Dream walking does play a great role in uniting the impossible. I can’t wait for the next book!
January 12, 2026
Loved the magic system!! If you’re a sucker for unique takes on magic, this is it. I really enjoyed the romance—I know it wasn’t the “all-consuming fire” that most romantasy leans into, as it was more of a subplot, but I genuinely liked that choice. The multi-POV ( and tense shifts) worked for me, though I can see how it might not be for everyone. There were a few punctuation and grammatical mishaps (but honestly, who cares if the story is good?). I also loved the writing style: it was easy to read without feeling YA. If you’re after a fresh take and don’t mind a slower-paced read, I reckon this could be a strong contender. Overall, I enjoyed the read.
February 4, 2026
#cookiereads Star of Shalik by Laken Honeycutt 💫
Rowynn is training in the army but she knows something is off. She looks in the mirror and sees another face. At night she dreams of a demon named Zi who warns her she is in danger. Then she learns the truth….that she is a Shalik. She has the power to make the Chrysillium tree. Can she discover her power and prevent war? 💫
Furiends I say this Laken Honeycutt has this gift. She can a great fantasy novel in her under 350 pages!!! I love this! I also love the romance with the characters as well. I have a new favorite character….Zi!! I love him. Issac I love him too. I hope to see him in book 3……
3.5 out of 4 paws. (4.5 stars) #corgisofinstagram #booksbooksbooks #tuxiesofinstagram #bookgram
Rowynn is training in the army but she knows something is off. She looks in the mirror and sees another face. At night she dreams of a demon named Zi who warns her she is in danger. Then she learns the truth….that she is a Shalik. She has the power to make the Chrysillium tree. Can she discover her power and prevent war? 💫
Furiends I say this Laken Honeycutt has this gift. She can a great fantasy novel in her under 350 pages!!! I love this! I also love the romance with the characters as well. I have a new favorite character….Zi!! I love him. Issac I love him too. I hope to see him in book 3……
3.5 out of 4 paws. (4.5 stars) #corgisofinstagram #booksbooksbooks #tuxiesofinstagram #bookgram
January 17, 2026
I received an advanced copy of this book and have agreed to leave an honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters personalities are well developed and complex; the storyline engaging , drawing you in from the beginning. Relationships between characters were loving, but riddled with heartbreaking consequences. Decisions made in these relationships impacted the lives of all characters, people, magics, and demons alike. I highly recommend this book for readers who enjoy visiting other realms and worlds.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters personalities are well developed and complex; the storyline engaging , drawing you in from the beginning. Relationships between characters were loving, but riddled with heartbreaking consequences. Decisions made in these relationships impacted the lives of all characters, people, magics, and demons alike. I highly recommend this book for readers who enjoy visiting other realms and worlds.
January 19, 2026
Laken Honeycutt has a vivid imagination, and created a captivating story in this book. The plot was really intriguing. The reason I am only giving 3 stars is that there was so much meat on the bones, and we barely scraped the surface. I really wanted to hear a LOT more about the main character's journey of discovery, as well as the romance plot. I think with the storyline she created, this could have been an amazing trilogy. I still want to read on. I enjoyed it, I just felt like the book blew through each of the events in the story, and could have delved much deeper.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 28, 2026
The twists and turns are everywhere in this book. Just when I think I know what's going to happen; bam another shock!
I truly got lost in the world and want more. Ready to go back and read the prequel and the first book just to keep the adventures going.
I truly got lost in the world and want more. Ready to go back and read the prequel and the first book just to keep the adventures going.
December 25, 2025
This magic system is easy to understand and the story line is great! The romance could have been more but none the less I really loved the aspects and uniqueness of this book!
February 1, 2026
I received this as a complimentary ARC and am leaving a review voluntarily. When I started this book I was immediately drawn into the world and was really caught by the characters. I enjoyed the magic aspect of it but some points did seem repetitive. It is definitely a very good vibe book to read, as others pointed out some grammatical and spelling errors were missed during editing but not so bad as to distract from the story. Overall I would recommend and cant wait for the next one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advance copy of this book, in order to voluntarily write an honest review.
Having already read Laken Honeycutt’s debut novel, The Chrysillium Tree, I already had some knowledge of the setting and history, but that’s not essential to enjoy and get immersed in Star of Shalik. The book manages to be simultaneously fast-paced and detailed, with lots of flavour of the beautifully-imagined world with every new scene and setting.
The worldbuilding really is something else: the story is set in a cohesive and believable multi-planar universe, and describes a fascinating system of magic from the perspective of someone learning to harness their own supernatural abilities. The examination of how magic has shaped the cultures who exist in the world is also well thought out, and helps to weave an intriguing history from which, I have no doubt, many more stories will be created.
The plot doesn’t let up for a second, just as energetic and demanding as the journey the characters embark upon - never predictable, often surprising and sometimes exhilarating as the FMC develops and discovers herself, surrounded by a supporting cast of diverse and original friends and foes. There are lots of individuals to meet, each with their own motives, and I feel different readers will feel different loyalties - and maybe find these loyalties shifting - which speaks well of the author’s storycraft.
I would highly recommend Star of Shalik to anyone who appreciates deep and imaginative worldbuilding, believeable magic and twisting, multi-faceted story progression.
Having already read Laken Honeycutt’s debut novel, The Chrysillium Tree, I already had some knowledge of the setting and history, but that’s not essential to enjoy and get immersed in Star of Shalik. The book manages to be simultaneously fast-paced and detailed, with lots of flavour of the beautifully-imagined world with every new scene and setting.
The worldbuilding really is something else: the story is set in a cohesive and believable multi-planar universe, and describes a fascinating system of magic from the perspective of someone learning to harness their own supernatural abilities. The examination of how magic has shaped the cultures who exist in the world is also well thought out, and helps to weave an intriguing history from which, I have no doubt, many more stories will be created.
The plot doesn’t let up for a second, just as energetic and demanding as the journey the characters embark upon - never predictable, often surprising and sometimes exhilarating as the FMC develops and discovers herself, surrounded by a supporting cast of diverse and original friends and foes. There are lots of individuals to meet, each with their own motives, and I feel different readers will feel different loyalties - and maybe find these loyalties shifting - which speaks well of the author’s storycraft.
I would highly recommend Star of Shalik to anyone who appreciates deep and imaginative worldbuilding, believeable magic and twisting, multi-faceted story progression.
December 28, 2025
I received this book as an advance copy. Over all I enjoyed where the story went… not so much how it got there. It seems in the beginning of the novel that we are missing important elements from the plot. The further we get into the storyline I think this is intentional, because the MFC does not know anything. We learn about the world as she learns about the world. I feel that the love interests that the MFC has feel very forced. They happen to fast and they do not have a natural feel to them. They feel awkward. Then the MFC just jumps from being in love with one man to being in love with another man all in a matter of 2 weeks. The world building in the 2nd half of the book is much better than the 1st half of the book and the magic system was fun for me to read. This is the 2nd book in a series and I did not read book 1. Maybe if I had I would have not felt so lost in the beginning of this book.
I give 3 stars because I enjoyed where the story went and I want to know how it ends. I will be reading book 1 as well as the prequel novella and when book 3 releases I will also read this.
To wrap this up… I am not emotionally connected to any of these characters but I did enjoy the story and I look forward to seeing where this ends.
I give 3 stars because I enjoyed where the story went and I want to know how it ends. I will be reading book 1 as well as the prequel novella and when book 3 releases I will also read this.
To wrap this up… I am not emotionally connected to any of these characters but I did enjoy the story and I look forward to seeing where this ends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2026
The book has potential to be good if it was flushed out a bit more. The pacing was fast, the book starts with the reader hitting the ground running. There a lack of character development for all characters but especially the FMC. I had a hard time establishing an emotional connection with any of the characters as a result of of that limited character development. I think the pace at which all the characters were introduced was too quick. There wasn't enough time and development to form a real opinion on one character before we are introduced to another. While it is more original than some of the popular books out there, I do see a lot of influence from things like Avatar the last Airbender, Fourth Wing, ACOTAR and the increasing use of amnesia. The language was weird at times, some of the characters speak very formal/medieval/fantastical in one scene and then in an almost modern dialog can happen in the next. Again, it has potential but needs concepts to be more flushed out and perhaps only pick a few aspects to focus and develop on prior to introducing another.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I am pleasantly surprised by this book. I did not read book 1 so I was going in blind. The storyline was a slow start but quickly built up speed and I was able to make connections to the characters and storyline fairly quickly which is always a plus. I really liked the emotion the characters developed and I could almost feel them as my own in certain scenes even going as far as getting teary eyed as well. This book gives found family, magic,shadow daddy vibes with a powerful FMC. I also really liked there was some romance involved not overly done it was a perfect balance for this style of book. Already ready for the next one to see what happens next but that is going to be a while!
December 26, 2025
I received a copy as an ARC and am leaving this review voluntarily. I struggled with the strange first/third person perspective and a disturbing lack of character physical, environmental, and event description which made it difficult to connect to any part of the book. The story felt like it was on fast forward with convenient plot holes that gave me no opportunity to get invested in any of the characters or their challenges. There were also several grammatical issues that pulled me right out of the story.
December 21, 2025
I did like this book's magic system, and I was mostly able to understand the complexity of the world-building. I do think that some of the love story could’ve been done better. It didn’t make me fall in love like other books, if it makes sense. I think that if the love story made me feel deeply, I would’ve given it more stars.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 23, 2025
I felt that the story and plot had potential based on the description which is why I signed up for an advanced reader copy, but it was very hard to get into and follow. There is too much world building that it felt like it took away from moving the story forward. It sometimes felt like I was reading a history textbook for a made up world. I was waiting for something interesting to happen, but 100 pages in, I lost interest and decided not to finish this read.
January 18, 2026
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I found the book lacked detail and there were gaps that made the characters and the plot almost impossible to connect with. It also had a lot of similarities to some other popular stories and movies that were fairly obvious as inspiration that were also a bit distracting. Unfortunately between this and the grammatical errors I only made it to page 75 before I decided to not finish it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
received Arc from the author
The twists and turns are everywhere in this book. Just when I think I know what's going to happen; bam another shock!
I truly got lost in the world and want more. Ready to go back and read the prequel and the first book just to keep the adventures going.
The twists and turns are everywhere in this book. Just when I think I know what's going to happen; bam another shock!
I truly got lost in the world and want more. Ready to go back and read the prequel and the first book just to keep the adventures going.
January 5, 2026
I recieved this as an ARC. The concept was interesting, which is why I requested the ARC, bit overall, it fell flat and I didn't connect with the characters or the story.
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