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Solar Sovereign #1
Inherit the Stars
She was born in the shadow of a tyrant. Now she must rise into the light – or be consumed by it…
Cyra is a gifted healer with an addiction to using her own dangerous magic. When her mother vanishes and a royal summons drags her into the militant court of House Mars, she’s forced to confront the truth she’s spent her entire life hiding – about her power, her bloodline, and the legacy she was born to inherit.
Lord Zevran, the brooding and battle-worn ruler of House Mars, suffers from a mysterious affliction only Cyra can soothe. Their nightly healing sessions begin to blur the line between duty and desire, binding them in ways neither of them expects.
But when a masked stranger made of darkness itself saves her life, Cyra is drawn into a web of secrets, seduction, and betrayal.
With a Conclave looming and the solar system teetering on the edge of destruction, Cyra must decide who to trust, who to love – and whether to embrace or destroy the monsters she’s heir to.
Perfect for fans of Sailor Moon looking for a spicier adult version, you’ll love this book if you like cosmic magic, deadly trials, court intrigue, multiple love interests, queer representation, and tropes such as one bed, slow burn, forbidden passion, and "burn the world for her."
Cyra is a gifted healer with an addiction to using her own dangerous magic. When her mother vanishes and a royal summons drags her into the militant court of House Mars, she’s forced to confront the truth she’s spent her entire life hiding – about her power, her bloodline, and the legacy she was born to inherit.
Lord Zevran, the brooding and battle-worn ruler of House Mars, suffers from a mysterious affliction only Cyra can soothe. Their nightly healing sessions begin to blur the line between duty and desire, binding them in ways neither of them expects.
But when a masked stranger made of darkness itself saves her life, Cyra is drawn into a web of secrets, seduction, and betrayal.
With a Conclave looming and the solar system teetering on the edge of destruction, Cyra must decide who to trust, who to love – and whether to embrace or destroy the monsters she’s heir to.
Perfect for fans of Sailor Moon looking for a spicier adult version, you’ll love this book if you like cosmic magic, deadly trials, court intrigue, multiple love interests, queer representation, and tropes such as one bed, slow burn, forbidden passion, and "burn the world for her."
389 pages, ebook
Published March 6, 2026
72 people are currently reading
537 people want to read
About the author
Amy Ressa
1 book56 followersAmy Ressa lives in British Columbia, Canada with a bookshelf full of fantasy novels and a heart claimed early by Sailor Moon.
She is a traditionally published author of early reader fiction and nonfiction, and her love of romance, magical worlds, and complicated heroes led her to explore indie publishing under this new pen name.
Inherit the Stars is her debut romantasy novel and the first step into a universe she imagined for years.
She is a traditionally published author of early reader fiction and nonfiction, and her love of romance, magical worlds, and complicated heroes led her to explore indie publishing under this new pen name.
Inherit the Stars is her debut romantasy novel and the first step into a universe she imagined for years.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 308 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨ A battle across the solar system that is equal parts sensational in its world-building and soul-destroying in its emotional complexities. A stunning debut that feels as though it was penned by a master ✨
This is a book I've been looking forward to reading ever since I saw the first advertisement of this book as a Sailor Moon inspired romantasy. I didn't watch Sailor Moon growing up but I've always appreciated the aesthetics of it. So when I saw that it was also combined with a morally grey, older, bi FMC?
Well hang on a second, now it feels like we have something fresh in what often feels like an oversaturated market.
As high as my expectations were for this book, the reality just blew it out of the water. The FMC? Stunning. Flawed, real, battling with addiction yet - at her heart - someone who just wants to find a sense of belonging in the world and to help those who truly need it.
The first MMC we are introduced to is guarded and standoffish, though as peeks of his personality slip through his guard, we see him as a traumatised boy who was forced to grow up far too quickly; he's a man who feels the weight of responsibility and bears it admirably because he must.
The supporting characters are surprisingly well fleshed out for how many of them there are. Each of them has their moment to shine, adding an individual note into this symphony of storytelling. I'm curious for book two, where we will hopefully learn more about what makes each of these characters tick.
And that ending? OH. THAT ENDING. Me and Amy need to have words.
I need to put a claim in with someone.
I've definitely been injured in an accident that wasn't my fault.
I just stared into the void once I saw the words 'The End'. It took my brain a few minutes to catch up and realise that it was, in fact, the best cliffhanger ending I have read in a very long time.
Sensational 👏🏻
Tropes:
❤️ Multiple love interests
✨ Older bi FMC
⚔️ Deadly trials
🔎 Court intrigue
🎭 Mysterious & masked shadow-wielder
🔥 Slow burns and forbidden passion
❌ "Touch her and die" (from her female bodyguard)
This is a book I've been looking forward to reading ever since I saw the first advertisement of this book as a Sailor Moon inspired romantasy. I didn't watch Sailor Moon growing up but I've always appreciated the aesthetics of it. So when I saw that it was also combined with a morally grey, older, bi FMC?
Well hang on a second, now it feels like we have something fresh in what often feels like an oversaturated market.
As high as my expectations were for this book, the reality just blew it out of the water. The FMC? Stunning. Flawed, real, battling with addiction yet - at her heart - someone who just wants to find a sense of belonging in the world and to help those who truly need it.
The first MMC we are introduced to is guarded and standoffish, though as peeks of his personality slip through his guard, we see him as a traumatised boy who was forced to grow up far too quickly; he's a man who feels the weight of responsibility and bears it admirably because he must.
The supporting characters are surprisingly well fleshed out for how many of them there are. Each of them has their moment to shine, adding an individual note into this symphony of storytelling. I'm curious for book two, where we will hopefully learn more about what makes each of these characters tick.
And that ending? OH. THAT ENDING. Me and Amy need to have words.
I need to put a claim in with someone.
I've definitely been injured in an accident that wasn't my fault.
I just stared into the void once I saw the words 'The End'. It took my brain a few minutes to catch up and realise that it was, in fact, the best cliffhanger ending I have read in a very long time.
Sensational 👏🏻
Tropes:
❤️ Multiple love interests
✨ Older bi FMC
⚔️ Deadly trials
🔎 Court intrigue
🎭 Mysterious & masked shadow-wielder
🔥 Slow burns and forbidden passion
❌ "Touch her and die" (from her female bodyguard)
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am truly honored to have had the opportunity to receive an ARC for this book, it was fantastic! I absolutely loved the world building and the characters. It had the trial aspect that I enjoy from fantasy books but felt new and fresh. As a huge Sailor Moon fan, I was thrilled with the characters and the story. It gave me such a wonderful nostalgic feeling while reading it and I can't wait for more!
That ending???? I tried to picture several ways a final plot twist could go and that was NOT even close to anything I imagined!
That ending???? I tried to picture several ways a final plot twist could go and that was NOT even close to anything I imagined!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
5/5 Stars – An Absolute Cosmic Fever Dream! 🪐✨
I am officially obsessed with the world Amy Ressa has built. Inherit the Stars is the kind of high-stakes "cosmic romantasy" I’ve been waiting for. The magic system—specifically Cyra’s internal battle with her healing addiction—was such a refreshing, dark twist on the typical healer trope. House Mars is brutal, the trials are cinematic, and the political maneuvering kept me guessing until the very last page.
The Only Catch:If you’re a "slow-burn" fanatic, be warned: the romance between Cyra and Lord Zevran moves at light speed. They are definitely "soulmate" energy, but the relationship developed so quickly that I felt we missed out on some of that delicious, agonizing romantic tension. I would have loved to see them pine a bit longer before diving in!
Why you should read it anyway: The world-building is so lush and the pacing of the plot is so relentless that the rushed romance didn't take away from my overall enjoyment. It’s like Sailor Moon meets A Court of Thorns and Roses, and I’m already counting down the days until Book 2.
Final Verdict: A must-read for 2026. Just come for the magic and the trials, and stay for the vibes!
5/5 Stars – An Absolute Cosmic Fever Dream! 🪐✨
I am officially obsessed with the world Amy Ressa has built. Inherit the Stars is the kind of high-stakes "cosmic romantasy" I’ve been waiting for. The magic system—specifically Cyra’s internal battle with her healing addiction—was such a refreshing, dark twist on the typical healer trope. House Mars is brutal, the trials are cinematic, and the political maneuvering kept me guessing until the very last page.
The Only Catch:If you’re a "slow-burn" fanatic, be warned: the romance between Cyra and Lord Zevran moves at light speed. They are definitely "soulmate" energy, but the relationship developed so quickly that I felt we missed out on some of that delicious, agonizing romantic tension. I would have loved to see them pine a bit longer before diving in!
Why you should read it anyway: The world-building is so lush and the pacing of the plot is so relentless that the rushed romance didn't take away from my overall enjoyment. It’s like Sailor Moon meets A Court of Thorns and Roses, and I’m already counting down the days until Book 2.
Final Verdict: A must-read for 2026. Just come for the magic and the trials, and stay for the vibes!
February 6, 2026
I had the absolute stunning pleasure of being an ARC reader for this divine book and let me tell you the rollercoaster ride of discovery of self, strength, found family, facing one’s past, family history and legacy all wrapped up into the gorgeous cover of an ode to Sailor Moon has my book loving heart soaring.
Chronically Ill heartbeat Lord Zevran(let’s face it, he is a heartbeat, broody and adorable, though maybe even her heart beat, her chaos balance in the storms) Gorgeous Cyra who grows and changes with ease and embraces her changing world with graceful fear. They need each other much like the sun needs the moon….
Lord Castor, Astrid, Ren, and the rest of the motley crew, are the perfect cast of characters, turning into a true found family of chaotic heroes, with some spice, slow burns and a curious world building that continues to grow and change before your eyes as you read.
Lucien. We aren’t going to address him because I HAVE MY THOUGHTS!
It’s a true treat of wonderful, exceptional writing—an epic romantasy of the cosmos, that keeps your mind working and the reader on their toes. Character development was seamless, and I am left with more questions than answers at the end of it, so I am salivating for the second book.
I am ferally unhinged at best, heartbroken at worst and so so grateful that I was picked to be part of this ARC team.
Well done, Amy. Well flipping done!
Chronically Ill heartbeat Lord Zevran(let’s face it, he is a heartbeat, broody and adorable, though maybe even her heart beat, her chaos balance in the storms) Gorgeous Cyra who grows and changes with ease and embraces her changing world with graceful fear. They need each other much like the sun needs the moon….
Lord Castor, Astrid, Ren, and the rest of the motley crew, are the perfect cast of characters, turning into a true found family of chaotic heroes, with some spice, slow burns and a curious world building that continues to grow and change before your eyes as you read.
Lucien. We aren’t going to address him because I HAVE MY THOUGHTS!
It’s a true treat of wonderful, exceptional writing—an epic romantasy of the cosmos, that keeps your mind working and the reader on their toes. Character development was seamless, and I am left with more questions than answers at the end of it, so I am salivating for the second book.
I am ferally unhinged at best, heartbroken at worst and so so grateful that I was picked to be part of this ARC team.
Well done, Amy. Well flipping done!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"You seem like an enigma, Miss Cyra. That makes you either dangerous… or valuable."
— Isolde.
💚 A healer FMC with uncontrollable magic
💚 FFMM+ (no MM, yes to a tiny bit of FF)
💚 A masked shadow daddy, a scarred bf who literally couldn’t live without her, and a protective gf
💚 First person single POV
💚 Trials, but make them extra messy
💚 Impressive worldbuilding
💚 Oopsie, there’s a snake in silk clothing!
Me: I’m done with reverse harem! 😮💨
This book, bulldozed through my TBR: Hi, my FMC is bi and she has a girlfriend! 🎉
Me, an actual clown who loves girls: count me in 🤡
To be honest, I gave up on RH months ago. This genre used to captivate me back in 2024. The idea of women hoarding boyfriends like people hoarded hand sanitizer during the COVID era pulled me back into reading after YEARS of a slump.
But over time, all the books started to look ... The same? 😔 It was either an academy or an asylum. Either a damsel in distress, or a so called badass FMC who melts the second the MMC smirks. Even the boyfriends started to feel identical, like most authors were following the same checklist:
A) Dom daddy
B) The grumpy one
C) The playful one
D) The asshole
I’m tired, boss.
But when Amy Ressa promoted this book with that "Older Bi FMC" (Cyra is 28!) winking at me from the trope map, I knew I had to give it a chance. I’m a sucker for girls loving girls 😳
And this book kept surprising me!
Why settle for an academy when you could have the whole solar system as the setting? Inherit the Stars starts on Mars!
Why stop at abusive parents when your FMC could have a tyrant who terrorized entire planets as her father?
Why do enemies to lovers when your father did something terrible to your bf, yet he still can’t bring himself to hate you?
Bonus point bcs the most delicious part that made me scream, why have OW drama when you could just have a gf in the harem? 🥰
This book offers all of that!
Seriously, when the author said it had Sailor Moon vibes, I didn’t expect her to take me planet hopping and introduce each world’s charming leader. There are eight. EIGHT planets and leaders participating in the trials! Normally, that number would scare the hell out of me because my brain can’t even remember what I ate yesterday 😨
BUT! Ressa gives each of them unique traits. They’re varied in a way that makes them easy to distinguish. There’s a seer who can probably talk to fish, a radical nonbinary leader, a Gandalf scholar uncle, and sooooo much more. I genuinely had fun getting to know each of them. I didn’t even need notes. Their characterizations are strong enough that they’re easy to remember. Sure, there’s still the typical grumpy guy, but even his anger and doubts about the FMC are justified, and he stops being mean pretty quickly. You don’t like bullies? You’re safe here 😉
I love Cyra. She basically said fuck them kids and ran to save herself in the first chapter when everything started getting messy 😂 You hear about snarky heroines. You hear about stabby heroines. But what about a cowardly, flawed FMC who actually recognizes her imperfections?
Cyra feels relatable.
She’s not Little Miss Perfect, even though she has powerful magic. Half the time, she’s literally high on her own magic 😩 She’s scared. She makes mistakes. But the second you touch her bf? You better prepare to burn 🔥😡
The romance here is another case of chef’s kiss mwah mwah 😘 For a book that’s almost 400 pages, I would’ve been mad if there were instalove, which is often the case in RH yuuuck! 🤢 But Cyra and Zevran’s relationship builds slowly. It starts because they need each other. He eases her hunger; she heals him. It blossoms beautifully, like medicinal herbs taking root. No virgin trope. No instalust. Even their smutty scenes only happen after the story fully convinces you they’re in love. And the way he worships her like the queen she is? I melted 🥺
Oh, Zevran. I was ready to dislike you since you were described as the typical brooding alpha at first, but his character had so much depth that it didn’t take long for me to fall for him. Marry me, my lord 😩
I can’t say much about the shadow daddy because spoilers, and trust me I have OPINIONS, but let’s set him aside because helloooo?? I absolutely swooned over Cyra’s relationship with her gf. That yearning??? "Am I just a duty, or is she really looking at me?" Holy moly strawberry banana sweetie, YESSS 😭 I. LOVE. THAT. 💯💚👩❤️💋👩
We need more bisexual FMCs. Period.
Every scene with Cyra and her gf had me giggling because Cyra isn’t even sure what’s happening between them. They’re just touching here and there which was sweeeet okay, but it also drove me crazy because WHY HAVEN’T YOU TWO KISSED YET??? There’s literally a scene where they’re alone, staring at each other, and they still DON’T kiss. Excuse me while I pull my hair out like a stressed out cheerleader 😬
Wow. The. Tension.
Cyra × Zevran 🔥🥵🥺
Cyra × her shadow daddy 😰🤨🌚
Cyra × her gf 👀😐🗡️
Side note: this is not a fated mates situation!
Cyra doesn’t fall in love because of some magical mark or a supernatural pull. There’s no destiny nonsense. And that’s a HUGE plus for me. Yeah yeah, her connection with the shadow daddy is ... Questionable, but her feelings for Zevran and her gf feel completely REAL. She chooses them. And she probably will choose more people. I had a feeling that the grumpy one will be an additional member, but I'm not sure 🤔
Cyra even had "is this normal" moment for falling for more than one person. I don’t even think harem is even a concept in this world, so she’s genuinely confused and trying to make sense of her own heart. Just imagine the drama when people find out about her unconventional love life. The politics. The angst. The jealousy when they realize they have to share Cyra??? I'm ready 🤭
Thank you Amy Ressa for including WLW romance for us bisexual girlies (+ helped and answered my questions on IG!). What do I have to offer to get more of this, please??? 😭 I have the most delicious Indonesian noodles and way too many cats. Your choice, queen.
In conclusion, Inherit the Stars was fantastic. It reminded me why I fell in love with this genre in the first place. It made me believe reverse harem still has hope if you just know where to look.
— Isolde.
💚 A healer FMC with uncontrollable magic
💚 FFMM+ (no MM, yes to a tiny bit of FF)
💚 A masked shadow daddy, a scarred bf who literally couldn’t live without her, and a protective gf
💚 First person single POV
💚 Trials, but make them extra messy
💚 Impressive worldbuilding
💚 Oopsie, there’s a snake in silk clothing!
Me: I’m done with reverse harem! 😮💨
This book, bulldozed through my TBR: Hi, my FMC is bi and she has a girlfriend! 🎉
Me, an actual clown who loves girls: count me in 🤡
To be honest, I gave up on RH months ago. This genre used to captivate me back in 2024. The idea of women hoarding boyfriends like people hoarded hand sanitizer during the COVID era pulled me back into reading after YEARS of a slump.
But over time, all the books started to look ... The same? 😔 It was either an academy or an asylum. Either a damsel in distress, or a so called badass FMC who melts the second the MMC smirks. Even the boyfriends started to feel identical, like most authors were following the same checklist:
A) Dom daddy
B) The grumpy one
C) The playful one
D) The asshole
I’m tired, boss.
But when Amy Ressa promoted this book with that "Older Bi FMC" (Cyra is 28!) winking at me from the trope map, I knew I had to give it a chance. I’m a sucker for girls loving girls 😳
And this book kept surprising me!
Why settle for an academy when you could have the whole solar system as the setting? Inherit the Stars starts on Mars!
Why stop at abusive parents when your FMC could have a tyrant who terrorized entire planets as her father?
Why do enemies to lovers when your father did something terrible to your bf, yet he still can’t bring himself to hate you?
Bonus point bcs the most delicious part that made me scream, why have OW drama when you could just have a gf in the harem? 🥰
This book offers all of that!
Seriously, when the author said it had Sailor Moon vibes, I didn’t expect her to take me planet hopping and introduce each world’s charming leader. There are eight. EIGHT planets and leaders participating in the trials! Normally, that number would scare the hell out of me because my brain can’t even remember what I ate yesterday 😨
BUT! Ressa gives each of them unique traits. They’re varied in a way that makes them easy to distinguish. There’s a seer who can probably talk to fish, a radical nonbinary leader, a Gandalf scholar uncle, and sooooo much more. I genuinely had fun getting to know each of them. I didn’t even need notes. Their characterizations are strong enough that they’re easy to remember. Sure, there’s still the typical grumpy guy, but even his anger and doubts about the FMC are justified, and he stops being mean pretty quickly. You don’t like bullies? You’re safe here 😉
I love Cyra. She basically said fuck them kids and ran to save herself in the first chapter when everything started getting messy 😂 You hear about snarky heroines. You hear about stabby heroines. But what about a cowardly, flawed FMC who actually recognizes her imperfections?
Cyra feels relatable.
She’s not Little Miss Perfect, even though she has powerful magic. Half the time, she’s literally high on her own magic 😩 She’s scared. She makes mistakes. But the second you touch her bf? You better prepare to burn 🔥😡
The romance here is another case of chef’s kiss mwah mwah 😘 For a book that’s almost 400 pages, I would’ve been mad if there were instalove, which is often the case in RH yuuuck! 🤢 But Cyra and Zevran’s relationship builds slowly. It starts because they need each other. He eases her hunger; she heals him. It blossoms beautifully, like medicinal herbs taking root. No virgin trope. No instalust. Even their smutty scenes only happen after the story fully convinces you they’re in love. And the way he worships her like the queen she is? I melted 🥺
Oh, Zevran. I was ready to dislike you since you were described as the typical brooding alpha at first, but his character had so much depth that it didn’t take long for me to fall for him. Marry me, my lord 😩
I can’t say much about the shadow daddy because spoilers, and trust me I have OPINIONS, but let’s set him aside because helloooo?? I absolutely swooned over Cyra’s relationship with her gf. That yearning??? "Am I just a duty, or is she really looking at me?" Holy moly strawberry banana sweetie, YESSS 😭 I. LOVE. THAT. 💯💚👩❤️💋👩
We need more bisexual FMCs. Period.
Every scene with Cyra and her gf had me giggling because Cyra isn’t even sure what’s happening between them. They’re just touching here and there which was sweeeet okay, but it also drove me crazy because WHY HAVEN’T YOU TWO KISSED YET??? There’s literally a scene where they’re alone, staring at each other, and they still DON’T kiss. Excuse me while I pull my hair out like a stressed out cheerleader 😬
Wow. The. Tension.
Cyra × Zevran 🔥🥵🥺
Cyra × her shadow daddy 😰🤨🌚
Cyra × her gf 👀😐🗡️
Side note: this is not a fated mates situation!
Cyra doesn’t fall in love because of some magical mark or a supernatural pull. There’s no destiny nonsense. And that’s a HUGE plus for me. Yeah yeah, her connection with the shadow daddy is ... Questionable, but her feelings for Zevran and her gf feel completely REAL. She chooses them. And she probably will choose more people. I had a feeling that the grumpy one will be an additional member, but I'm not sure 🤔
Cyra even had "is this normal" moment for falling for more than one person. I don’t even think harem is even a concept in this world, so she’s genuinely confused and trying to make sense of her own heart. Just imagine the drama when people find out about her unconventional love life. The politics. The angst. The jealousy when they realize they have to share Cyra??? I'm ready 🤭
Thank you Amy Ressa for including WLW romance for us bisexual girlies (+ helped and answered my questions on IG!). What do I have to offer to get more of this, please??? 😭 I have the most delicious Indonesian noodles and way too many cats. Your choice, queen.
In conclusion, Inherit the Stars was fantastic. It reminded me why I fell in love with this genre in the first place. It made me believe reverse harem still has hope if you just know where to look.
February 17, 2026
Inherit the Stars is a Sailor Moon inspired cosmic romantasy featuring a morally gray, older adult, female main character who is navigating her addiction to magical power.
When her mother suddenly goes missing, she is summoned to serve as a healer to Mars’ ruler. Soon after, that ruler is called to compete in a series of deadly trials, pulling her even deeper into interplanetary politics and danger.
I loved getting to know the rulers of each planet and the distinct cultures that shaped them. The mirror maze trial was especially fascinating and filled with tension. The story places a strong emphasis on trust and truth over brute power, perfectly captured by the line, “Tyrants never question whether they deserve power. Leaders do.”
The romance is layered and emotionally charged, with multiple love interests that each bring something different to the story. I also appreciated the chronic illness representation and the honest exploration of addiction.
Because the pacing is so fast, there isn’t always a lot of time to deeply connect with the characters or to fully watch their relationships develop on the page. Still, the momentum and high stakes make this a compelling, bingeable read for fans of cosmic fantasy, morally gray heroines, and romantasy with heart. Be ready to clear your schedule once you start!
When her mother suddenly goes missing, she is summoned to serve as a healer to Mars’ ruler. Soon after, that ruler is called to compete in a series of deadly trials, pulling her even deeper into interplanetary politics and danger.
I loved getting to know the rulers of each planet and the distinct cultures that shaped them. The mirror maze trial was especially fascinating and filled with tension. The story places a strong emphasis on trust and truth over brute power, perfectly captured by the line, “Tyrants never question whether they deserve power. Leaders do.”
The romance is layered and emotionally charged, with multiple love interests that each bring something different to the story. I also appreciated the chronic illness representation and the honest exploration of addiction.
Because the pacing is so fast, there isn’t always a lot of time to deeply connect with the characters or to fully watch their relationships develop on the page. Still, the momentum and high stakes make this a compelling, bingeable read for fans of cosmic fantasy, morally gray heroines, and romantasy with heart. Be ready to clear your schedule once you start!
February 14, 2026
⭐️ARC Review ⭐️
Thank you to the author/publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I can’t tell you how excited I was to get this book as a lover of all things Sailor Moon and romantasy!!
Inherit the Stars by Amy Ressa is a romantasy that blends celestial elements, destiny bound magic, and a slow burn with emotional and romantic tension into a story that is out of this world. Literally. Some inspiration comes from Sailor Moon , but Amy Ressa takes it a step further and has taken it to a new height. Your millennial self will be squealing.
From the very first pages, the worldbuilding stands out. You feel like you’re truly on Mars and at the conclave - descriptions of how it looks, how it feels. I don’t have a minds eye so I need a book that delves into world building so I have something tangible to hold on to and Amy certainly does that for us as readers. She creates a universe shaped by inheritance of magic , power and the crushing legacy left by a tyrant but manipulated father where magic isn’t just a tool, but a birthright that comes with sacrifice that Cyra pays for every time she uses or doesn’t use her magic. The celestial system and its rules feel fresh , it hasn’t been like anything else I’ve read but still delivers the immersive depth fantasy/romantasy readers crave. It’s easy to read and devour, the plot is thick and there is so much to learn. The political intrigue is fierce and has you guessing who’s allied with whom and can Cyra swing the votes to get Solar Sovereign !
Cyra is easy to invest in—fierce but vulnerable, powerful yet constrained by forces far bigger than herself. There is fear , which makes sense when you realize and learn what her father does during the trials and exactly why he’s a tyrant. Watching her navigate duty, identity, and the growing pull of her power was amazing.
And the romance… chefs kiss. That shower scene 🥵, the scene in her room 🥵 ✨
The budding attraction with Ren, and maybe possibly Lucien. He quiets the noise and pain of her addiction, she silences his need for dark shadow magic ( up until the end of the book that is).
Cyra leans into tension over instant gratification although she wants it…. Badly. It’s delivered a slow-build connection layered with longing, mistrust, and undeniable chemistry between Zevran and Cyra. The lingering touches , and confessions has my heart in tangles. The dynamic feels purposeful to the plot rather than decorative, which makes every charged interaction land harder. It’s lands further when Cryas mom admits to a future she’s seen with Zevran. This acknowledgment of a romance fate had me kicking my feet and giggling at my work desk.
That ending plot twist has me shook! Stupid Lucien. Although the betrayal by Isolde I figured was coming , she just seemed too fake nice - I didn’t know what the betrayal was but I knew she was hinky. I didn’t trust her , even though she technically did help Cyra navigate around the other leaders. I desperately need the next book, I’m addicted to this story. If you enjoy romantasy with cosmic mythology, legacy magic, and simmering romance, Inherit the Stars is definitely one to add to your TBR.
Final thoughts:
A star-laced tale of power, destiny, and love written in the constellations—perfect for readers who want their fantasy expansive and their romance aching with tension that leaves you cheering and desperately wanting more.
Thank you to the author/publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I can’t tell you how excited I was to get this book as a lover of all things Sailor Moon and romantasy!!
Inherit the Stars by Amy Ressa is a romantasy that blends celestial elements, destiny bound magic, and a slow burn with emotional and romantic tension into a story that is out of this world. Literally. Some inspiration comes from Sailor Moon , but Amy Ressa takes it a step further and has taken it to a new height. Your millennial self will be squealing.
From the very first pages, the worldbuilding stands out. You feel like you’re truly on Mars and at the conclave - descriptions of how it looks, how it feels. I don’t have a minds eye so I need a book that delves into world building so I have something tangible to hold on to and Amy certainly does that for us as readers. She creates a universe shaped by inheritance of magic , power and the crushing legacy left by a tyrant but manipulated father where magic isn’t just a tool, but a birthright that comes with sacrifice that Cyra pays for every time she uses or doesn’t use her magic. The celestial system and its rules feel fresh , it hasn’t been like anything else I’ve read but still delivers the immersive depth fantasy/romantasy readers crave. It’s easy to read and devour, the plot is thick and there is so much to learn. The political intrigue is fierce and has you guessing who’s allied with whom and can Cyra swing the votes to get Solar Sovereign !
Cyra is easy to invest in—fierce but vulnerable, powerful yet constrained by forces far bigger than herself. There is fear , which makes sense when you realize and learn what her father does during the trials and exactly why he’s a tyrant. Watching her navigate duty, identity, and the growing pull of her power was amazing.
And the romance… chefs kiss. That shower scene 🥵, the scene in her room 🥵 ✨
The budding attraction with Ren, and maybe possibly Lucien. He quiets the noise and pain of her addiction, she silences his need for dark shadow magic ( up until the end of the book that is).
Cyra leans into tension over instant gratification although she wants it…. Badly. It’s delivered a slow-build connection layered with longing, mistrust, and undeniable chemistry between Zevran and Cyra. The lingering touches , and confessions has my heart in tangles. The dynamic feels purposeful to the plot rather than decorative, which makes every charged interaction land harder. It’s lands further when Cryas mom admits to a future she’s seen with Zevran. This acknowledgment of a romance fate had me kicking my feet and giggling at my work desk.
That ending plot twist has me shook! Stupid Lucien. Although the betrayal by Isolde I figured was coming , she just seemed too fake nice - I didn’t know what the betrayal was but I knew she was hinky. I didn’t trust her , even though she technically did help Cyra navigate around the other leaders. I desperately need the next book, I’m addicted to this story. If you enjoy romantasy with cosmic mythology, legacy magic, and simmering romance, Inherit the Stars is definitely one to add to your TBR.
Final thoughts:
A star-laced tale of power, destiny, and love written in the constellations—perfect for readers who want their fantasy expansive and their romance aching with tension that leaves you cheering and desperately wanting more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2026
Stars: 2
Start Date: 02/06/26
Ending Date: 03/13/26
Genre: Romantasy
Form: E-ARC
Page Count: 389
Publishing Date:3/6/26
Point of View: 1st
Setting: Mars
Content Warning: Sexual Content, Death of Parents, Death, Violence
My Blog:https://tanyasreading.wordpress.com/2...
Story Graph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews...
Thank you to the Author for this Arc.
Spoilers Ahead
I have three words for this book
Undercooked, Underbaked, Underdeveloped
Everything about this book is those three things.
The first 10-18% of the book was very promising. The author was inspired by Sailor Moon but wasn't heavily relying on Sailor Moon but crafting her own story. The fact we started on Mars and each planet has its own house ruler but used to have a ruler that was over all of them but was a tyrant but now the planet is ruled by a group of people named the Cardinals was a pretty good premise for a book.
It started to take a turn for me once it came to the Conclave when it started to fall apart.
The ideas in this book were interesting but it was so underdeveloped and rushed that the author didn't let things marinate and cook. Everything feels like an instant tv dinner you put in the microwave but is still frozen after five minutes. Instead of having fresh ingredients, you put them in a slow cooker and let them cook.
Now don't get me wrong. I am a fast paced girl through and through. I love stories that get to the point and don't waste my time but I want to care long enough to get to the point. I want to care about the characters ,the romance, the plot. and the world building that is a part of the point. This book did not let us sit with things or build up to things before we are in them.
Cyra has the potential to be a very good fmc but it just feels like all the information is handed to her by other people. Like everyone is telling her things instead of her figuring it out on her own or she knows the right answers for everything to the point she feels mary sueish .I felt like I barely knew her. Everyone has a right not to trust her and be wary of her but she says or does the right thing which everyone instantly trusts . Her biggest flaw is carrying a relationship with Zevran and becoming codependent on healing to feed her addiction but other than nothing else is bad about her. I also really got tired of her saying " I know" every time a character tells her something she needs to hear or needs to do. Also the way the certain characters interacted with her felt like a rpg game. Like one character tells her to do something and then she just does it. She didn't feel like someone who was 28 years old but felt like an 18 year old.
The Conclave aka a set of trials to appoint a new Solar Sovereign for the Planetary Houses ,was supposed to be a mix of Hunger Games, Survivor and Big Brother but it didn't have enough built up leading up to it to create tension that was needed to sustain the story. The first mention of the Conclave was in Chapter 8 and we are heading to the first trial in the Moon of Talis by chapter 10. The fact we barely saw but was told that it was civil unrest that was going on between the planets for the reason why the Cardinals were calling a Conclave. To take its name from one of the oldest and longest forms of tradition to elect a leader and to be a rushed unorganized mess that took the majority of the book..
The Cardinals themselves needed more development since they supposedly have been the governing body for 17 years over the planet houses. Especially since the majority of the book was trying to paint them as trying to keep them power for themselves and just call the conclave as smoke and mirrors to keep power.
The romance was so underdeveloped and rushed. The spice wasn't needed since the romantic relationships were barely developed to create that tension.
If you can't develop one romantic relationship that doesn't feel rushed and unstable, don't try to develop three.
In the beginning ,Cyra and Zervan, the house of Mars leader, started out promising. Since her mom went missing, she was summoned to the place to help heal him with her healing powers. Their interactions were good in the first 20% of the book with her healing him and him starting to trust her. It gave me Beauty and the Beast vibes which the author really could have leaned on if she wanted to create tension and interaction between the two. That went all away when the Conclave happened.
I should feel something for them but their relationship is so underdeveloped when they barely knew each other for two months before the conclave happened. Especially to me he wasn't angry enough at her for keeping the secret when the first thing he does is kiss her. I felt nothing when they had their first kiss and I rolled my eyes during their two spicy scenes. The author ages her characters up to late twenties ( Cryra being 28) and early thirties (Zervan being 30) but still acts like two horny teenagers....
I really didn't like Zervan that much because I felt like he was talking on the side of his mouth a lot of times when it came to her. He got too jealous and possessive for me for a person that kept saying they should have been mad at her.
Him: " I am angry at you. This will make me and Mars look weak since you didn't tell me."
Next Moment: He Kisses her.
Him: " I can't make it seem like Mars have sided with you"
Next Moment: Take her to his quarters to protect her after her assassination attempt.
He just didn't do anything for me on how underdeveloped him and their romance was.
I need these writers who want to write spice in their books to understand something. You need enough interaction between the two characters that doesn't feel sparse and that you can feel a shift between the two. You need tension between the two that doesn't just feel forced. You need yearning for this to work. It's not going to work without interaction and a sense of yearning between the two.
Cyra and Ren were pretty much princesses and bodyguards with brushing of hands and stolen graces which somehow Crya felt guilty about. Ren felt like Temu Haruka aka Sailor Uranus and how she wanted to protect her.
Lucien is supposed to give Mamoru Chiba/Tuxedo Mask vibes but I'm getting Erik/Phantom of the Opera Vibes with this white mask that covers half his face like Erik does. Mamoru's Mask just covers his eyes like Batman. Even if he left a rose behind for Cyra. For the author who heavily promoted this book on Tik Tok, Instagram, and FB as a book with Sailor Moon vibes and a Tuxedo Mask Morally Grey character, he was barely in this book. He had like six scenes total in an almost 400 page book when most of them he was helping her out.
The biggest sin of this book and the reason why nothing worked for me is the fact Cyra's real identity was revealed 30% into the book to all the House Rulers in the book during the Conclave. Cyra is supposed to be the long lost daughter of the Sun King aka the last Solar Sovereign for the Planetary House. You find out you killed all the current Planet House rulers parents including the MMC ( which felt kind of lazy) and wreak havoc into the rest of the Solar System Kingdoms. She knew she was the daughter but hadn't told anyone for obvious reasons. I did like the fact that she knew her actual identity which is a subversion of the trope where the person didn't know they were the long last heir.
Like I said before, the author is inspired by Sailor Moon but even Princess Serenity's real identity didn't come out until the arc was halfway or over halfway done.
In the 90's anime it was Episodes 34 and 35 of 46 Episodes, For the Manga it was Act 9 of 14 acts and for PGSM it was Episode 26 of 49 Episodes. Not like the first 10 episodes of the series.
In Lunar Chronicles, which is another book that was heavily inspired by Sailor Moon along with the Fairy Tales, the FMC didn't know she was the lost moon princess until the last chapter of the first book. It was obvious to the readers she was but she didn't know. Her love interest didn't even know until the last chapter of the third book even though he was looking for the long lost moon princess to overthrow the current ruler since the first book.
I also expected it to be the best kept known secret(aka the FMC doesn't realize that everyone knows who she is while she is trying to keep it hidden) but not revealed so early in the book.
In the Throne of Glass series, it wasn't revealed to the reader that the lost heir was actually the main character who knew she was the lost heir and changed her name so no one would be looking for her until the 3rd book.
The author could have let that cook longer to build and develop the relationships and friendships so when that revelation happens, then you have tension, drama and a sense of betrayal between the characters. Which then I can see Cyra testing them by asking them do they really believe she's like her father which they reflect on her actions and trust she built with them With it coming out so early and not sometime that comes out towards 60%, 70% or 80% of the book, there's no sense of that at all. To me this was an hindrance and not a strength of the book.
For Example :
The forced proximity trope with Cyra and Zevran was there the first place with her coming and living to place to heal him and then being his advisor in Conclave where they shared living quarters. Then it felt forced when her secret identity came out when she left his quarters for her own since she was officially in the Conclave. You would still have forced proximity naturally if the secret identity wasn't out since she was already sharing quarters with him. Doing the assnation attempt to get her back into not only his quarter but his private chambers in order to have a spicy scene didn't make sense. .
I understand why she did it in order to get Cyra to officially be in the Conclave but the author could have come up with a more creative way to get her into it.
The Relationships between the House Rulers and Cyra don't feel earned and the political intrigue lacked because of this. The second test would have more weight if the tension was built since they had every right to distrust and be wary of her . It should have been a level of distrust to turn into trust as the conclave went on.
Speaking of the Conclave, the whole scheduling of it was weird.
The First Trial happens the next day after they arrive on the natural terroty on the Moon Talis. It gets suspended after everyone finds Cyra's identity and Zervan almost getting killed but it never gets complete.
Second Trial was one week after the first.
It took Astrid (Cyra's best friend from Mars) five days to get there but it only took Cyra and Zervan one.
Which begs the question how far this Moon is to Mars and the rest of the planets if the Conclave gets announced one day and then everyone is expected to be there the next.
Final Trial took three days after the second. Then Between chapters 36 and 37 two days passed and no explanation what happened in those two day before the last trial.
The Final Trial doesn't happen because of reasons I'm not telling since it will spoil something.
But this was supposed to determine who is worthy of enough to be ruler when it was barely completed..
It also begs the question.
Who was looking over each planet while the ruler of each planet was on Talis completing the conclave?
I guess they named regents since Zevran named one of his commanders as regent for Mars. But then somehow he was over at the conclave watching their first trial with Crya instead of looking over Mars. Then become his advisor once Cyra identity comes out to never mention it again after chapter 24..
Speaking never to be mentioned again at some point.
What happened to Zevran's illness which was the reason why he needed a healer in the first place? Which was the reason why she was healling him? Which was the reason why they started to become co-dependent of each other?
Oh I have some more questions like
Are there still people of the Sun king court?
Is the Sun Kingdom actually on the sun?
What is the culture of the Sun kingdom beside him being a tyrant?
Why did her mom choose Mars to hide instead of other planets?
Where are the rest of the daughters of the moon? ( That one did get answered)
What happen to Astrid Mom who was best friend with Cyra's mom?( That was answered)
Does the Daughter of the Moon actually live on the Moon?
How does Lucien get on Mars and other planets easily when he's on Pluto? ( That one sort of got answered)
What happen to Pluto for it to no longer be considered as ruling house?( This did get answered but it felt like a copout)
Not as many questions as Moonlight Memories but these are questions that should be answered when you are doing world building.
The lore needs to be better developed. The Daughter of the Moon who is supposed to have special healing powers that Cyra got from her mom needs more. Also the implications that the Daughters of the Moon can manipulate outcomes to favor gave me The Bene Gesserit from Dune.
The Magic System needs more development.The whole addition to healing was unique. Like she gets a " fix" by healing people and she starts feeling windrawling symptoms when she doesn't. Also the fact the Sun powers are supposed to cause harm and pain.
It doesn’t explain how she was able to use her sun powers for a moment and then switch back to her moon powers on a drop of a hat. It could have been a flashback of her being younger and discovering she had both sets of powers from her mom.
The author was very descriptive to me which is not a bad thing if you want to picture things in your mind but barely described the Main Character. Like she's describing the walls, the fixtures and other characters but not the main character. Only thing I know about the main character is that she may have blonde hair and green eyes. She literally describes everyone's skin color but the main character.
I am about to talk about some other characters then I'm wrapping this up.
Astrid was a potential character but I needed more from her instead of her being crya best friend and her mortal compass during the Conclave. Telling her thing that she already should have known
Isolde has the potential to be a good character but she just feels like just a mentor for Cyra. Serves no other purpose but to guide her in the right direction. Then something happens which had no emotional pull for me since they interacted a couple times but not enough for me to consider them friends. Described as" skin that gleams, dark as the night sky"..
Lord Castor and Cyra should have had more tension between them which I feel that he trusted her too quickly. Especially after finding out his backstory. He should have been dq after the first trial for cheating and almost killing Zervan.
The other house rulers needed more to them and they felt like they were just there to just push Cyra along.
Sun King Backstory was heartbreaking but not enough for me to feel sorry for him or even see him as a threat, not when someone else pulled the strings and tried to cover their tracks..
The best character in the book doesn’t show up to the end and that was Cyra's Mother. She was manipulative as hell that she gave me Lady Jessica from Dune vibes. She really could have been saving grace of this book but I was so done with it that she couldn't save it for me.
The cliffhanger was not enough for me to invest into reading the second one.
I really struggled to get really locked in to this which is the reason why it's getting two stars. I am dragging my feet but this book for almost a whole month because it is so undercooked. It was a good idea but it was so undercooked, underbaked, and underdeveloped.
If you do want books that have Sailor Moon Vibes I would recommend
The Lunar Chronicles by Marrisa Meyer
Guardians of Galaxy Series by S.Jea-Jones
The Effigies Series by Sarah Raughley
A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon
The Nightmare Verse Series by L.L Mckinley
The Celestial Kingdom Series by Sue Lynn Tan
Red Winter Trilogy by Annette Marie
Empress of All Seasons by Emiko Jean
Just pick up the Sailor Moon and Codename Sailor V Manga by Naoko Takeuchi!!
Start Date: 02/06/26
Ending Date: 03/13/26
Genre: Romantasy
Form: E-ARC
Page Count: 389
Publishing Date:3/6/26
Point of View: 1st
Setting: Mars
Content Warning: Sexual Content, Death of Parents, Death, Violence
My Blog:https://tanyasreading.wordpress.com/2...
Story Graph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews...
Thank you to the Author for this Arc.
Spoilers Ahead
I have three words for this book
Undercooked, Underbaked, Underdeveloped
Everything about this book is those three things.
The first 10-18% of the book was very promising. The author was inspired by Sailor Moon but wasn't heavily relying on Sailor Moon but crafting her own story. The fact we started on Mars and each planet has its own house ruler but used to have a ruler that was over all of them but was a tyrant but now the planet is ruled by a group of people named the Cardinals was a pretty good premise for a book.
It started to take a turn for me once it came to the Conclave when it started to fall apart.
The ideas in this book were interesting but it was so underdeveloped and rushed that the author didn't let things marinate and cook. Everything feels like an instant tv dinner you put in the microwave but is still frozen after five minutes. Instead of having fresh ingredients, you put them in a slow cooker and let them cook.
Now don't get me wrong. I am a fast paced girl through and through. I love stories that get to the point and don't waste my time but I want to care long enough to get to the point. I want to care about the characters ,the romance, the plot. and the world building that is a part of the point. This book did not let us sit with things or build up to things before we are in them.
Cyra has the potential to be a very good fmc but it just feels like all the information is handed to her by other people. Like everyone is telling her things instead of her figuring it out on her own or she knows the right answers for everything to the point she feels mary sueish .I felt like I barely knew her. Everyone has a right not to trust her and be wary of her but she says or does the right thing which everyone instantly trusts . Her biggest flaw is carrying a relationship with Zevran and becoming codependent on healing to feed her addiction but other than nothing else is bad about her. I also really got tired of her saying " I know" every time a character tells her something she needs to hear or needs to do. Also the way the certain characters interacted with her felt like a rpg game. Like one character tells her to do something and then she just does it. She didn't feel like someone who was 28 years old but felt like an 18 year old.
The Conclave aka a set of trials to appoint a new Solar Sovereign for the Planetary Houses ,was supposed to be a mix of Hunger Games, Survivor and Big Brother but it didn't have enough built up leading up to it to create tension that was needed to sustain the story. The first mention of the Conclave was in Chapter 8 and we are heading to the first trial in the Moon of Talis by chapter 10. The fact we barely saw but was told that it was civil unrest that was going on between the planets for the reason why the Cardinals were calling a Conclave. To take its name from one of the oldest and longest forms of tradition to elect a leader and to be a rushed unorganized mess that took the majority of the book..
The Cardinals themselves needed more development since they supposedly have been the governing body for 17 years over the planet houses. Especially since the majority of the book was trying to paint them as trying to keep them power for themselves and just call the conclave as smoke and mirrors to keep power.
The romance was so underdeveloped and rushed. The spice wasn't needed since the romantic relationships were barely developed to create that tension.
If you can't develop one romantic relationship that doesn't feel rushed and unstable, don't try to develop three.
In the beginning ,Cyra and Zervan, the house of Mars leader, started out promising. Since her mom went missing, she was summoned to the place to help heal him with her healing powers. Their interactions were good in the first 20% of the book with her healing him and him starting to trust her. It gave me Beauty and the Beast vibes which the author really could have leaned on if she wanted to create tension and interaction between the two. That went all away when the Conclave happened.
I should feel something for them but their relationship is so underdeveloped when they barely knew each other for two months before the conclave happened. Especially to me he wasn't angry enough at her for keeping the secret when the first thing he does is kiss her. I felt nothing when they had their first kiss and I rolled my eyes during their two spicy scenes. The author ages her characters up to late twenties ( Cryra being 28) and early thirties (Zervan being 30) but still acts like two horny teenagers....
I really didn't like Zervan that much because I felt like he was talking on the side of his mouth a lot of times when it came to her. He got too jealous and possessive for me for a person that kept saying they should have been mad at her.
Him: " I am angry at you. This will make me and Mars look weak since you didn't tell me."
Next Moment: He Kisses her.
Him: " I can't make it seem like Mars have sided with you"
Next Moment: Take her to his quarters to protect her after her assassination attempt.
He just didn't do anything for me on how underdeveloped him and their romance was.
I need these writers who want to write spice in their books to understand something. You need enough interaction between the two characters that doesn't feel sparse and that you can feel a shift between the two. You need tension between the two that doesn't just feel forced. You need yearning for this to work. It's not going to work without interaction and a sense of yearning between the two.
Cyra and Ren were pretty much princesses and bodyguards with brushing of hands and stolen graces which somehow Crya felt guilty about. Ren felt like Temu Haruka aka Sailor Uranus and how she wanted to protect her.
Lucien is supposed to give Mamoru Chiba/Tuxedo Mask vibes but I'm getting Erik/Phantom of the Opera Vibes with this white mask that covers half his face like Erik does. Mamoru's Mask just covers his eyes like Batman. Even if he left a rose behind for Cyra. For the author who heavily promoted this book on Tik Tok, Instagram, and FB as a book with Sailor Moon vibes and a Tuxedo Mask Morally Grey character, he was barely in this book. He had like six scenes total in an almost 400 page book when most of them he was helping her out.
The biggest sin of this book and the reason why nothing worked for me is the fact Cyra's real identity was revealed 30% into the book to all the House Rulers in the book during the Conclave. Cyra is supposed to be the long lost daughter of the Sun King aka the last Solar Sovereign for the Planetary House. You find out you killed all the current Planet House rulers parents including the MMC ( which felt kind of lazy) and wreak havoc into the rest of the Solar System Kingdoms. She knew she was the daughter but hadn't told anyone for obvious reasons. I did like the fact that she knew her actual identity which is a subversion of the trope where the person didn't know they were the long last heir.
Like I said before, the author is inspired by Sailor Moon but even Princess Serenity's real identity didn't come out until the arc was halfway or over halfway done.
In the 90's anime it was Episodes 34 and 35 of 46 Episodes, For the Manga it was Act 9 of 14 acts and for PGSM it was Episode 26 of 49 Episodes. Not like the first 10 episodes of the series.
In Lunar Chronicles, which is another book that was heavily inspired by Sailor Moon along with the Fairy Tales, the FMC didn't know she was the lost moon princess until the last chapter of the first book. It was obvious to the readers she was but she didn't know. Her love interest didn't even know until the last chapter of the third book even though he was looking for the long lost moon princess to overthrow the current ruler since the first book.
I also expected it to be the best kept known secret(aka the FMC doesn't realize that everyone knows who she is while she is trying to keep it hidden) but not revealed so early in the book.
In the Throne of Glass series, it wasn't revealed to the reader that the lost heir was actually the main character who knew she was the lost heir and changed her name so no one would be looking for her until the 3rd book.
The author could have let that cook longer to build and develop the relationships and friendships so when that revelation happens, then you have tension, drama and a sense of betrayal between the characters. Which then I can see Cyra testing them by asking them do they really believe she's like her father which they reflect on her actions and trust she built with them With it coming out so early and not sometime that comes out towards 60%, 70% or 80% of the book, there's no sense of that at all. To me this was an hindrance and not a strength of the book.
For Example :
The forced proximity trope with Cyra and Zevran was there the first place with her coming and living to place to heal him and then being his advisor in Conclave where they shared living quarters. Then it felt forced when her secret identity came out when she left his quarters for her own since she was officially in the Conclave. You would still have forced proximity naturally if the secret identity wasn't out since she was already sharing quarters with him. Doing the assnation attempt to get her back into not only his quarter but his private chambers in order to have a spicy scene didn't make sense. .
I understand why she did it in order to get Cyra to officially be in the Conclave but the author could have come up with a more creative way to get her into it.
The Relationships between the House Rulers and Cyra don't feel earned and the political intrigue lacked because of this. The second test would have more weight if the tension was built since they had every right to distrust and be wary of her . It should have been a level of distrust to turn into trust as the conclave went on.
Speaking of the Conclave, the whole scheduling of it was weird.
The First Trial happens the next day after they arrive on the natural terroty on the Moon Talis. It gets suspended after everyone finds Cyra's identity and Zervan almost getting killed but it never gets complete.
Second Trial was one week after the first.
It took Astrid (Cyra's best friend from Mars) five days to get there but it only took Cyra and Zervan one.
Which begs the question how far this Moon is to Mars and the rest of the planets if the Conclave gets announced one day and then everyone is expected to be there the next.
Final Trial took three days after the second. Then Between chapters 36 and 37 two days passed and no explanation what happened in those two day before the last trial.
The Final Trial doesn't happen because of reasons I'm not telling since it will spoil something.
But this was supposed to determine who is worthy of enough to be ruler when it was barely completed..
It also begs the question.
Who was looking over each planet while the ruler of each planet was on Talis completing the conclave?
I guess they named regents since Zevran named one of his commanders as regent for Mars. But then somehow he was over at the conclave watching their first trial with Crya instead of looking over Mars. Then become his advisor once Cyra identity comes out to never mention it again after chapter 24..
Speaking never to be mentioned again at some point.
What happened to Zevran's illness which was the reason why he needed a healer in the first place? Which was the reason why she was healling him? Which was the reason why they started to become co-dependent of each other?
Oh I have some more questions like
Are there still people of the Sun king court?
Is the Sun Kingdom actually on the sun?
What is the culture of the Sun kingdom beside him being a tyrant?
Why did her mom choose Mars to hide instead of other planets?
Where are the rest of the daughters of the moon? ( That one did get answered)
What happen to Astrid Mom who was best friend with Cyra's mom?( That was answered)
Does the Daughter of the Moon actually live on the Moon?
How does Lucien get on Mars and other planets easily when he's on Pluto? ( That one sort of got answered)
What happen to Pluto for it to no longer be considered as ruling house?( This did get answered but it felt like a copout)
Not as many questions as Moonlight Memories but these are questions that should be answered when you are doing world building.
The lore needs to be better developed. The Daughter of the Moon who is supposed to have special healing powers that Cyra got from her mom needs more. Also the implications that the Daughters of the Moon can manipulate outcomes to favor gave me The Bene Gesserit from Dune.
The Magic System needs more development.The whole addition to healing was unique. Like she gets a " fix" by healing people and she starts feeling windrawling symptoms when she doesn't. Also the fact the Sun powers are supposed to cause harm and pain.
It doesn’t explain how she was able to use her sun powers for a moment and then switch back to her moon powers on a drop of a hat. It could have been a flashback of her being younger and discovering she had both sets of powers from her mom.
The author was very descriptive to me which is not a bad thing if you want to picture things in your mind but barely described the Main Character. Like she's describing the walls, the fixtures and other characters but not the main character. Only thing I know about the main character is that she may have blonde hair and green eyes. She literally describes everyone's skin color but the main character.
I am about to talk about some other characters then I'm wrapping this up.
Astrid was a potential character but I needed more from her instead of her being crya best friend and her mortal compass during the Conclave. Telling her thing that she already should have known
Isolde has the potential to be a good character but she just feels like just a mentor for Cyra. Serves no other purpose but to guide her in the right direction. Then something happens which had no emotional pull for me since they interacted a couple times but not enough for me to consider them friends. Described as" skin that gleams, dark as the night sky"..
Lord Castor and Cyra should have had more tension between them which I feel that he trusted her too quickly. Especially after finding out his backstory. He should have been dq after the first trial for cheating and almost killing Zervan.
The other house rulers needed more to them and they felt like they were just there to just push Cyra along.
Sun King Backstory was heartbreaking but not enough for me to feel sorry for him or even see him as a threat, not when someone else pulled the strings and tried to cover their tracks..
The best character in the book doesn’t show up to the end and that was Cyra's Mother. She was manipulative as hell that she gave me Lady Jessica from Dune vibes. She really could have been saving grace of this book but I was so done with it that she couldn't save it for me.
The cliffhanger was not enough for me to invest into reading the second one.
I really struggled to get really locked in to this which is the reason why it's getting two stars. I am dragging my feet but this book for almost a whole month because it is so undercooked. It was a good idea but it was so undercooked, underbaked, and underdeveloped.
If you do want books that have Sailor Moon Vibes I would recommend
The Lunar Chronicles by Marrisa Meyer
Guardians of Galaxy Series by S.Jea-Jones
The Effigies Series by Sarah Raughley
A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon
The Nightmare Verse Series by L.L Mckinley
The Celestial Kingdom Series by Sue Lynn Tan
Red Winter Trilogy by Annette Marie
Empress of All Seasons by Emiko Jean
Just pick up the Sailor Moon and Codename Sailor V Manga by Naoko Takeuchi!!
February 15, 2026
"Tyrants never question whether they deserve power. Leaders do."
Wow! This book is AMAZING! I loved it so much! I am not one for politics but this book was like a 101 for how to act and become a leader in a court! I really enjoyed it! You can really see how the FMC grew along the way!
Cyra is a great FMC! She starts off timid, unsure of where she stands in the world, fighting an addiction to her magic. Throughout the story, she grows, listens, and becomes strong and more confident throughout everything that happened! The idea of her suffering an addiction to her magic is so different but made the story and the character that much better! She didn’t let her addiction define her, even when it got to much! She was such a well written character!
The different lords were great! I loved how each one was different and they all had their little quirks that made them unique! I loved each character and how they interacted with each other, it was great! Truly felt the Sailor Moon Vibes with them 🌙
My favorite part of the book was the second trial! It was soooooo well written and emotional! That trial really caused a challenge for our FMC and the way she navigated it was a chefs kiss! I’m going to be thinking about this trial for a long time 🩵
The romance of this book is so good! The yearning, pulling, desperate love was very well done! The relationships grew and evolved as the book went! There were multiple love interest and each one was well thought out and created to help our FMC figure out what she wants a needs! It was hard to pick one that I liked because they were all great haha
THE ENDING 😭 I need book 2 stat! I need to know what happens next!! The cliffhanger was diabolical haha
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this ARC! It was such an honor to read this book early! This book was beautiful inside and out and I can’t wait to continue the series as it releases! Well done! 🩵
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️🌶️
Wow! This book is AMAZING! I loved it so much! I am not one for politics but this book was like a 101 for how to act and become a leader in a court! I really enjoyed it! You can really see how the FMC grew along the way!
Cyra is a great FMC! She starts off timid, unsure of where she stands in the world, fighting an addiction to her magic. Throughout the story, she grows, listens, and becomes strong and more confident throughout everything that happened! The idea of her suffering an addiction to her magic is so different but made the story and the character that much better! She didn’t let her addiction define her, even when it got to much! She was such a well written character!
The different lords were great! I loved how each one was different and they all had their little quirks that made them unique! I loved each character and how they interacted with each other, it was great! Truly felt the Sailor Moon Vibes with them 🌙
My favorite part of the book was the second trial! It was soooooo well written and emotional! That trial really caused a challenge for our FMC and the way she navigated it was a chefs kiss! I’m going to be thinking about this trial for a long time 🩵
The romance of this book is so good! The yearning, pulling, desperate love was very well done! The relationships grew and evolved as the book went! There were multiple love interest and each one was well thought out and created to help our FMC figure out what she wants a needs! It was hard to pick one that I liked because they were all great haha
THE ENDING 😭 I need book 2 stat! I need to know what happens next!! The cliffhanger was diabolical haha
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this ARC! It was such an honor to read this book early! This book was beautiful inside and out and I can’t wait to continue the series as it releases! Well done! 🩵
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 and LOVING where this story is going!
I will start by saying that it is marketed as Sailor Moon vibes which was immediately what pulled me to request a copy. HOWEVER, I had a hard time disassociating what I know as Sailor Moon and this book. That is not the author's fault, it is entirely mine. I went into expecting a girl and her bestie gang of crime fighters 😂 and that's not what it was. It felt a little slow to start, but the action picked up.
What this story IS however, is a beautifully written story about a girl coming into her own while dealing with her own demons. I at no point knew where this story was going and I had so much fun getting to know the characters.
I am left spiraling at that climax and conclusion! I have so many questions and no theories as to where this will go and I cannot wait to see where Amy takes this next!
A huge thank you to Amy for the ARC and opportunity to review!
I will start by saying that it is marketed as Sailor Moon vibes which was immediately what pulled me to request a copy. HOWEVER, I had a hard time disassociating what I know as Sailor Moon and this book. That is not the author's fault, it is entirely mine. I went into expecting a girl and her bestie gang of crime fighters 😂 and that's not what it was. It felt a little slow to start, but the action picked up.
What this story IS however, is a beautifully written story about a girl coming into her own while dealing with her own demons. I at no point knew where this story was going and I had so much fun getting to know the characters.
I am left spiraling at that climax and conclusion! I have so many questions and no theories as to where this will go and I cannot wait to see where Amy takes this next!
A huge thank you to Amy for the ARC and opportunity to review!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I knew I was going to devour this book before I started it. It's probably a 4.5 star for me with just a few things that kept it from clinching the 5 star rating. I wish it was longer. I think this book could have done better if it were just a little longer with more time to flesh out relationships and see Cyra grow into her role. It almost felt like the author was trying to rush to the point instead of giving us time with the characters.
I loved the main character and felt myself really rooting for her. But again she was too good at everything right away.
I could not put this book down. It moved at an incredibly fast pace and I felt like if I stopped I would miss something.
Another thing that moved at an incredibly fast pace was the romance. If you were expecting a slow burn they burn for each other at first sight.
All that said I require book 2 immediately and will be enthusiastically continuing this series. I'm so happy I was able to receive this ARC but now I have to wait even longer for the next book. An absolute triumph of a debut.
I loved the main character and felt myself really rooting for her. But again she was too good at everything right away.
I could not put this book down. It moved at an incredibly fast pace and I felt like if I stopped I would miss something.
Another thing that moved at an incredibly fast pace was the romance. If you were expecting a slow burn they burn for each other at first sight.
All that said I require book 2 immediately and will be enthusiastically continuing this series. I'm so happy I was able to receive this ARC but now I have to wait even longer for the next book. An absolute triumph of a debut.
February 25, 2026
3.5/5 ⭐️ 1/5🌶️
Thank you Amy for letting me be an ARC reader for this book!
I really loved the sailor moon vibes and loved the story! Especially that ending 👀
The only reason I’m giving it 3.5 stars is I craved so much more detail and world/character building, and felt that everything felt a bit rushed? I guess I really just wanted another 100-200 pages of writing 🙈
I’ll definitely be reading the sequel of this though because I must know what happens next!!
Thank you Amy for letting me be an ARC reader for this book!
I really loved the sailor moon vibes and loved the story! Especially that ending 👀
The only reason I’m giving it 3.5 stars is I craved so much more detail and world/character building, and felt that everything felt a bit rushed? I guess I really just wanted another 100-200 pages of writing 🙈
I’ll definitely be reading the sequel of this though because I must know what happens next!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the great pleasure of reading an early ARC of Inherit The Stars, and was hooked from the second I started reading! Amy Ressa is a phenomenal author, who creates such a vivid world through masterful storytelling.
This Sailor Moon-inspired cosmic romantasy is the definition of un-put-downable! I was immediately drawn in by the main character (an older, bi, female main character!!), the internal and external conflicts, the multiple love interests, the magic, and the competition for the solar system throne.
With elements like found family, exploring personal morals and integrity, political unrest, and the perfect amount of spice, I genuinely couldn't recommend it more highly. Each chapter drew me in even more, and I can't wait for the rest of the series.
If you're looking for your next read, let this be it!
This Sailor Moon-inspired cosmic romantasy is the definition of un-put-downable! I was immediately drawn in by the main character (an older, bi, female main character!!), the internal and external conflicts, the multiple love interests, the magic, and the competition for the solar system throne.
With elements like found family, exploring personal morals and integrity, political unrest, and the perfect amount of spice, I genuinely couldn't recommend it more highly. Each chapter drew me in even more, and I can't wait for the rest of the series.
If you're looking for your next read, let this be it!
March 22, 2026
This was an ARC read! Thanks to the author for allowing me into her world!
I truly loved the world building and the incredible detail that the author put in to describing the stunning scenes around us. I truly imagined every little detail in this beautiful ethereal universe.
I loved our FMC. She was smart, real, levelheaded and wise. As well as the characters based off of each planet.
There were some great twists in this book and things you didn’t see coming and the cliffhanger at the end was perfect. It definitely makes me want to read more in this series.
What I would’ve liked to see more of would have been character develop in the beginning. I felt like everything happened really fast, which is good to an extent. However, I would’ve liked a lot more growth with our main characters, as well as a longer development with her love interest.
This book could’ve easily been another 250 pages, but I definitely will be reading the second one when it comes out
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I truly loved the world building and the incredible detail that the author put in to describing the stunning scenes around us. I truly imagined every little detail in this beautiful ethereal universe.
I loved our FMC. She was smart, real, levelheaded and wise. As well as the characters based off of each planet.
There were some great twists in this book and things you didn’t see coming and the cliffhanger at the end was perfect. It definitely makes me want to read more in this series.
What I would’ve liked to see more of would have been character develop in the beginning. I felt like everything happened really fast, which is good to an extent. However, I would’ve liked a lot more growth with our main characters, as well as a longer development with her love interest.
This book could’ve easily been another 250 pages, but I definitely will be reading the second one when it comes out
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 14, 2026
Amy Reese’s Inherit the Stars is a thoughtful and emotionally grounded take on first contact that feels as intimate as it is expansive. Rather than focusing on spectacle or interstellar politics, Reese centers the story on a young girl who becomes humanity’s unexpected bridge to align the universe— and the ripple effects that follow.
What makes this novel stand out is its heart. The setting and concept is beautiful, but the real power of the story lies in how governments, religious leaders, scientists, and everyday people respond to the unknown. Reese explores fear, hope, faith, and control in ways that feel uncomfortably realistic. The moral questions raised — about ownership, exploitation, belief, and what we owe each other — linger long after the final page.
The pacing is steady and character-driven, which may not satisfy readers looking for high-action sci-fi, but for those who enjoy speculative fiction grounded in human emotion and ethical complexity, this one delivers. It gives Sailor Moon / Hunger Games vibes. And I devoured it.
A reflective, quietly powerful novel about connection — and what it really means to inherit the stars.
What makes this novel stand out is its heart. The setting and concept is beautiful, but the real power of the story lies in how governments, religious leaders, scientists, and everyday people respond to the unknown. Reese explores fear, hope, faith, and control in ways that feel uncomfortably realistic. The moral questions raised — about ownership, exploitation, belief, and what we owe each other — linger long after the final page.
The pacing is steady and character-driven, which may not satisfy readers looking for high-action sci-fi, but for those who enjoy speculative fiction grounded in human emotion and ethical complexity, this one delivers. It gives Sailor Moon / Hunger Games vibes. And I devoured it.
A reflective, quietly powerful novel about connection — and what it really means to inherit the stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Inherit the Stars by Amy Ressa was an immersive experience from the first page. You follow Cyra, a healer, through an adventure in politics when she becomes entangled in the conclave to determine the next Solar Sovereign. Cyra is a well developed character with strengths, weaknesses, and flaws that make her feel real. She is navigating a world that is well thought out and described in a way that eases the reader into it and it's accompanying magic system. The characters were developed well and Amy Ressa made them each matter in their own way. The plot was engaging and made sense. When things shifted it wasn't obvious and it made you think keeping me thoroughly entertained.
I truly enjoyed this book and it was so hard to read. I just didn't want to book to end. As a result I kept taking breaks to process what happened and obsessing over every little plot change. Don't ask me my favorite character because I loved them all in so many different ways! I have already been recommending this book to anyone who will listen and I feel that it's just going to continue that way! Go get yourself a copy to read!!
I truly enjoyed this book and it was so hard to read. I just didn't want to book to end. As a result I kept taking breaks to process what happened and obsessing over every little plot change. Don't ask me my favorite character because I loved them all in so many different ways! I have already been recommending this book to anyone who will listen and I feel that it's just going to continue that way! Go get yourself a copy to read!!
February 12, 2026
“Tyrants never question whether they deserve power. Leaders do.”
When I saw that this book was a Sailor Moon inspired Romantasy, I knew I had to read it. This story is so beautifully written! The world building, the character development, and the twists and turns!! My first five star read of 2026!
Cyra is such a strong FMC; she’s flawed yet works through her magic addiction to try and be better not just for her but for the friends she’s made and the people she needs to protect. Zevran….we love a protective MMC. His growth intro trusting her fully even knowing her past while helping her succeed, swooning! All the characters were well developed through the story! Lord Castor really grew on me and is definitely a favorite character of mine.
Liora, girl, what did you do?! The last 5% of the book had me in a chokehold. Between Liora’s confession and Lucien’s involvement in handing Cyra over to whatever lurks in the shadows, I was gripping my kindle for dear life not wanting it to end. I need book two ASAP.
When I saw that this book was a Sailor Moon inspired Romantasy, I knew I had to read it. This story is so beautifully written! The world building, the character development, and the twists and turns!! My first five star read of 2026!
Cyra is such a strong FMC; she’s flawed yet works through her magic addiction to try and be better not just for her but for the friends she’s made and the people she needs to protect. Zevran….we love a protective MMC. His growth intro trusting her fully even knowing her past while helping her succeed, swooning! All the characters were well developed through the story! Lord Castor really grew on me and is definitely a favorite character of mine.
Liora, girl, what did you do?! The last 5% of the book had me in a chokehold. Between Liora’s confession and Lucien’s involvement in handing Cyra over to whatever lurks in the shadows, I was gripping my kindle for dear life not wanting it to end. I need book two ASAP.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely loved 'Inherit the Stars' by Amy Ressa! The world-building was breathtakingly beautiful, and I could vividly picture every scene while reading. I felt completely transported into this magical, vibrant world full of color. The story had me hooked from start to finish with its unique blend of fantasy and hints of Sailor Moon. I adored the trials and the descriptions of each planet - every one was brought to life with such color and meaning.
The plot twists were totally unexpected, and the ending left me craving the second book in the Solar Sovereign series immediately. I'm not usually a fan of first-person POV, but this one worked perfectly. I fell in love with the FMC and MMC, and I can't wait for the next installment.
I gave this book 5 stars because I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. Amy Ressa, you're officially a huge favorite of mine - thank you for this amazing story! If you love fantasy with rich world-building, memorable characters, and unexpected twists, 'Inherit the Stars' is a must-read.
The plot twists were totally unexpected, and the ending left me craving the second book in the Solar Sovereign series immediately. I'm not usually a fan of first-person POV, but this one worked perfectly. I fell in love with the FMC and MMC, and I can't wait for the next installment.
I gave this book 5 stars because I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. Amy Ressa, you're officially a huge favorite of mine - thank you for this amazing story! If you love fantasy with rich world-building, memorable characters, and unexpected twists, 'Inherit the Stars' is a must-read.
Read
March 3, 2026Spoiler Free Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you are looking amazing world building this should be your next book.
Amy has done such a phenomenal job and carefully built a world that's a well balanced mix of some of book toks favorite fantasy elements with science fiction.
She originally had me hooked at "sailor moon inspired" but she took that inspiration and magnified it.
Found family. Slow burn yet still satisfying spice. Trials. Why choose? Bi FMC. This story had it ALL.
I don't even know which love interest was my favorite. The tuxedo mask inspired character absolutely stole my heart obviously with me being a sailor moon gal but there are still elements of each love interest I absolutely fell in love with.
Some character progression arcs had me shocked. Others were a little easier to figure out but even when I thought I had it figured out I was thrown a plot twist.
Great job Amy! You absolutely created a story that I am dying to get into and I'm looking forward to seeing more of Cyras story!!!
If you are looking amazing world building this should be your next book.
Amy has done such a phenomenal job and carefully built a world that's a well balanced mix of some of book toks favorite fantasy elements with science fiction.
She originally had me hooked at "sailor moon inspired" but she took that inspiration and magnified it.
Found family. Slow burn yet still satisfying spice. Trials. Why choose? Bi FMC. This story had it ALL.
I don't even know which love interest was my favorite. The tuxedo mask inspired character absolutely stole my heart obviously with me being a sailor moon gal but there are still elements of each love interest I absolutely fell in love with.
Some character progression arcs had me shocked. Others were a little easier to figure out but even when I thought I had it figured out I was thrown a plot twist.
Great job Amy! You absolutely created a story that I am dying to get into and I'm looking forward to seeing more of Cyras story!!!
February 21, 2026
ARC review…..
Inherit the Stars is a Sailor Moon inspired cosmic romantasy featuring a morally gray, older adult, female main character who is navigating her addiction to magical power. It was a nice change of pace to have older characters instead of teens or young adults. I really felt like I could relate to the characters more.
I enjoyed getting to know the rulers of each planet and the distinct cultures that shaped them. The story places a strong emphasis on trust and truth over brute power.
The romance is layered and emotionally charged, with multiple love interests that each bring something different that the FMC is in need of in her life.
Although the pacing is so fast, there isn’t always a lot of time to deeply connect with the characters or to fully watch their relationships develop on the page. The high stakes make this a compelling read for fans of cosmic fantasy, morally gray heroines, and romantasy.
I enjoyed this adventure and can’t wait to see what happens next!
Inherit the Stars is a Sailor Moon inspired cosmic romantasy featuring a morally gray, older adult, female main character who is navigating her addiction to magical power. It was a nice change of pace to have older characters instead of teens or young adults. I really felt like I could relate to the characters more.
I enjoyed getting to know the rulers of each planet and the distinct cultures that shaped them. The story places a strong emphasis on trust and truth over brute power.
The romance is layered and emotionally charged, with multiple love interests that each bring something different that the FMC is in need of in her life.
Although the pacing is so fast, there isn’t always a lot of time to deeply connect with the characters or to fully watch their relationships develop on the page. The high stakes make this a compelling read for fans of cosmic fantasy, morally gray heroines, and romantasy.
I enjoyed this adventure and can’t wait to see what happens next!
March 14, 2026
Inherit the Stars by Amy Ressa was AMAZING. I absolutely devoured this book.
The Sailor Moon vibes made this feel so fresh compared to a lot of the mainstream fantasy out right now, and I loved that magical, celestial energy woven throughout the story. It felt nostalgic in the best way while still being completely its own thing.
The trials were one of my favorite parts....so interesting, intense, and impossible to look away from. I was constantly trying to figure out who could actually be trusted because I genuinely never knew who was on Cyra’s side and who was trying to off her. That tension kept me hooked the entire time. And the slow burn to f*ck it...yaaaaaas. And also the angst with multiple love interests without it being a whole triangle...loooove it.
This was such a fun, addictive fantasy with intrigue, danger, and a unique vibe. I need book 2 immediately because I am not okay after that ending.
The Sailor Moon vibes made this feel so fresh compared to a lot of the mainstream fantasy out right now, and I loved that magical, celestial energy woven throughout the story. It felt nostalgic in the best way while still being completely its own thing.
The trials were one of my favorite parts....so interesting, intense, and impossible to look away from. I was constantly trying to figure out who could actually be trusted because I genuinely never knew who was on Cyra’s side and who was trying to off her. That tension kept me hooked the entire time. And the slow burn to f*ck it...yaaaaaas. And also the angst with multiple love interests without it being a whole triangle...loooove it.
This was such a fun, addictive fantasy with intrigue, danger, and a unique vibe. I need book 2 immediately because I am not okay after that ending.
February 23, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh my god yes!!!! 🥹
This debut Romantasy from Amy Ressa, is such a new and refreshing approach. This new series gives off major Sailor Moon vibes that the little kid in me was absolutely loving. Our FMC, Crya, grew up the daughter of the Sun and Moon. Although no one but her and her mother know the Sun part.
This story has us following Cryas journey to learn and weave through the politics of the system while trying to unite everyone and rule fairly. I really like the Pluto history. Lucien also has my interest and I desperately need to know how much of my heart he’s going to steal. 😭
Oh my god yes!!!! 🥹
This debut Romantasy from Amy Ressa, is such a new and refreshing approach. This new series gives off major Sailor Moon vibes that the little kid in me was absolutely loving. Our FMC, Crya, grew up the daughter of the Sun and Moon. Although no one but her and her mother know the Sun part.
This story has us following Cryas journey to learn and weave through the politics of the system while trying to unite everyone and rule fairly. I really like the Pluto history. Lucien also has my interest and I desperately need to know how much of my heart he’s going to steal. 😭
March 17, 2026
There were parts of this book that I really liked, but pacing issues made it a hard read for me. At times (namely the beginning and the end) events were happening so quickly that it felt as though importantly details were skipped, while other times the pacing started to feel more even.
There was a large cast of characters and some of them showed real interest, but given the length of the book, none of them really had time to be fleshed out. The romance has been pushed as a slow burn, but ultimately felt like a quick insta-love situation. And ultimately there are almost too many potential love interests.
Did I hate it? No, not at all. Do I wish that it had undergone a round of hard developmental edits to really push it to it's full potential? Yes.
All that being said, I am likely to continue with the series when the next book comes out because I believe the author could grow into the writing and the story held my interest.
There was a large cast of characters and some of them showed real interest, but given the length of the book, none of them really had time to be fleshed out. The romance has been pushed as a slow burn, but ultimately felt like a quick insta-love situation. And ultimately there are almost too many potential love interests.
Did I hate it? No, not at all. Do I wish that it had undergone a round of hard developmental edits to really push it to it's full potential? Yes.
All that being said, I am likely to continue with the series when the next book comes out because I believe the author could grow into the writing and the story held my interest.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Inherit the Stars is an ABSOLUTE MUST-READ! Amy has crafted a mesmerizing storyline with phenomenal world-building that grabs your attention from the very first page. It was like stepping into the shoes of the main character! The way this book had a chokehold on me, I found it nearly impossible to put down. If you’re a fan of Sailor Moon or just adore fantasy in general, this book is an absolute GEM that you don’t want to miss. When this book releases? Don’t walk – RUN. I promise you won’t regret it!
February 15, 2026
There is not enough stars available to give to this story.
The character depth, connections, world building, romance. I’ve fallen in love with every aspect of this book. And need, NEED the second book immediately.
That ending was so unexpected! I’m still reeling.
Absolutely anyone who enjoys fantasy, whether or not they are sailor moon fans, need to get lost in this book.
Thank you so much Amy for choosing me to be an ARC reader for this work of absolute art. I’m so grateful.
The character depth, connections, world building, romance. I’ve fallen in love with every aspect of this book. And need, NEED the second book immediately.
That ending was so unexpected! I’m still reeling.
Absolutely anyone who enjoys fantasy, whether or not they are sailor moon fans, need to get lost in this book.
Thank you so much Amy for choosing me to be an ARC reader for this work of absolute art. I’m so grateful.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was selected as an ARC reader for this book and let me tell you, I was addicted to this book like Cyra to her magic. Throw in an unexpected shadow daddy? Yes, please! This has been my first 5 stat read of 2026.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2026
Wow! What a captivating Sailor Moon inspired adventure, full of political intrigue, assassination attempts and a few well written spicy scenes. Exceptionally well written to completely engross the reader! Highly Recommended. Amy, I am so honoured to be your ARC, thank you 🙏
March 25, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
This took me by surprise - I came for the Sailor Moon vibes but I stayed for the politics, the trials and the found family.
Cyra was a great FMC, a healer searching for her missing mother. To make things interesting, we have an addiction subplot, Cyra needs to heal to prevent withdrawal symptoms and it raises the question of whether her healing is good or bad.
I wasn't sure about the romance, the MMC didnt feel quite right to me but I guess I'll have to wait for the next book in the series to find out if my feelings were justified.
I need more of the mysterious man who pops in and out 🤭
This took me by surprise - I came for the Sailor Moon vibes but I stayed for the politics, the trials and the found family.
Cyra was a great FMC, a healer searching for her missing mother. To make things interesting, we have an addiction subplot, Cyra needs to heal to prevent withdrawal symptoms and it raises the question of whether her healing is good or bad.
I wasn't sure about the romance, the MMC didnt feel quite right to me but I guess I'll have to wait for the next book in the series to find out if my feelings were justified.
I need more of the mysterious man who pops in and out 🤭
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh yes another book that wrecked me and had my family looking at me like a crazy person after I finished it and had an outburst of emotion. And now the wait for book 2! Now that I have gathered my thoughts I can share my review.
The action and intrigue start on page one and the pace doesn't let up the entire book. The way the author shares Cyra's battle with her magic addiction is so raw and real and shows how difficult battling addiction is and there is no easy fast cure.
I love the side characters (huge fan of gruff Lord Castor by the end). The betrayal! The cliffhanger! Multiple love interests and I don't know who to root for.
There are so many strong female characters and all with differing strengths and in leadership roles. The trials are well planned and Crya grows into herself through it all and is still so human and relatable.
Again the cliffhanger ending! I want to slap some characters and hug others. This one is definitely one to add to your TBR
The action and intrigue start on page one and the pace doesn't let up the entire book. The way the author shares Cyra's battle with her magic addiction is so raw and real and shows how difficult battling addiction is and there is no easy fast cure.
I love the side characters (huge fan of gruff Lord Castor by the end). The betrayal! The cliffhanger! Multiple love interests and I don't know who to root for.
There are so many strong female characters and all with differing strengths and in leadership roles. The trials are well planned and Crya grows into herself through it all and is still so human and relatable.
Again the cliffhanger ending! I want to slap some characters and hug others. This one is definitely one to add to your TBR
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
Releases March 6, 2026
Self published fantasy debut
Canadian author, Amy Ressa
Final Rating: 4.1 out of 5
I read this as an ARC, and for a self published fantasy debut, this is incredibly strong.
Inherit the Stars gives Red Queen meets Throne of Glass meets The Hunger Games with a little Red Rising political bite wrapped up in a Sailor Moon aesthetic. Deadly structure. Hierarchy tension. Everyone playing competing end games while pretending they are not.
Cyra absolutely carried this for me. She is flawed, sharp, and driven in a way that feels intentional. Her motivations are clear and she consistently acts in alignment with who she is. I found myself questioning other characters more often. Sometimes their choices felt convenient, and I did get briefly pulled out wondering why. But this is political fantasy. Everyone is maneuvering, and motivations are deliberately revealed slowly. By the end, that feels intentional; trust the process.
The first half is slower, but not boring. I was engaged because I was tracking alliances and trying to anticipate moves. Around the midpoint the pacing noticeably accelerates, and once it does, it does not let up. The competing end games begin to collide, and the twists genuinely landed for me. I was not deeply emotional over most of the book, but the ending had my flabbers gasted. I was shook. The climax is earned and sharp, and the cliff hanger absolutely works. All previous minor complaints were forgiven because I immediately needed the sequel.
The world building is digestible and smooth. Politics can easily become dense in fantasy, but this never felt overly heavy. Lore is integrated naturally, though I would not have minded slightly more depth. The deliberate vagueness around the Sun King’s reign and fall is a bit frustrating at first, but by the ending it is clearly intentional and tied directly to spoiler territory.
I'm sorry to say that he weakest element for me was the romance. I do not buy Cyra and Zevran. He gives me the ick. I was far more interested in Ren, and intrigued by shadow daddy whose name shall remain unspoken for spoiler reasons. The spice itself was solid and refreshingly brief. Sometimes people just bang. It doesn't need to take twenty pages. Minus points for the word "folds," 😬 sorry.
The writing style is smooth and accessible without feeling simplistic. It carries political tension well and keeps the stakes clear.
Overall, this is an impressive debut. Engaging plot, strong political structure, a protagonist worth rooting for, and an ending that absolutely demands more. I cannot wait to see what this author does next.
Releases March 6, 2026
Self published fantasy debut
Canadian author, Amy Ressa
Final Rating: 4.1 out of 5
I read this as an ARC, and for a self published fantasy debut, this is incredibly strong.
Inherit the Stars gives Red Queen meets Throne of Glass meets The Hunger Games with a little Red Rising political bite wrapped up in a Sailor Moon aesthetic. Deadly structure. Hierarchy tension. Everyone playing competing end games while pretending they are not.
Cyra absolutely carried this for me. She is flawed, sharp, and driven in a way that feels intentional. Her motivations are clear and she consistently acts in alignment with who she is. I found myself questioning other characters more often. Sometimes their choices felt convenient, and I did get briefly pulled out wondering why. But this is political fantasy. Everyone is maneuvering, and motivations are deliberately revealed slowly. By the end, that feels intentional; trust the process.
The first half is slower, but not boring. I was engaged because I was tracking alliances and trying to anticipate moves. Around the midpoint the pacing noticeably accelerates, and once it does, it does not let up. The competing end games begin to collide, and the twists genuinely landed for me. I was not deeply emotional over most of the book, but the ending had my flabbers gasted. I was shook. The climax is earned and sharp, and the cliff hanger absolutely works. All previous minor complaints were forgiven because I immediately needed the sequel.
The world building is digestible and smooth. Politics can easily become dense in fantasy, but this never felt overly heavy. Lore is integrated naturally, though I would not have minded slightly more depth. The deliberate vagueness around the Sun King’s reign and fall is a bit frustrating at first, but by the ending it is clearly intentional and tied directly to spoiler territory.
I'm sorry to say that he weakest element for me was the romance. I do not buy Cyra and Zevran. He gives me the ick. I was far more interested in Ren, and intrigued by shadow daddy whose name shall remain unspoken for spoiler reasons. The spice itself was solid and refreshingly brief. Sometimes people just bang. It doesn't need to take twenty pages. Minus points for the word "folds," 😬 sorry.
The writing style is smooth and accessible without feeling simplistic. It carries political tension well and keeps the stakes clear.
Overall, this is an impressive debut. Engaging plot, strong political structure, a protagonist worth rooting for, and an ending that absolutely demands more. I cannot wait to see what this author does next.
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