Starry Nights of Wonder:

by A. Lya Sunshine

This series can be read in multiple orders depending on you preferences and mood. Before venturing into the story, please consult the reading styles available at

This book is spicy, dark, high romantasy with dragons, shifters, high fae & a cheeky bodyguard.


🌸 Trying to survive & enjoy the little things
🖤 Unhinged bodyguard MMC who just needs a hug


🔥 Tension, cheeky banter & teasing
🐉 Dragons
🧝 High Fae
🐾 Shifters
🐢 Slower pace than previous books
👀 Only her POV, present tense



“I shouldn’t waste the miracle the kind stranger granted upon A chance at freedom.”


⚔️ My world is at Light against Darkness.

Two continents against each other.

But things aren’t as black and white as they seem.

All I had to do was to take on the image of my noble half sister, fail a magic test mortals are forced into for the war draft, then attempt to flee my cruel family.

Fate has other plans, though.

My scheme shatters when I pass the test and get sent to the brutal Dragon Rider Academy.

Worse? The mysterious stranger who saved me on the road here self-proclaims himself as my bodyguard, then starts stirring feelings I can’t afford.

Survival means keeping my mask on, but my heart longs to break free.

Can I have love and freedom, or will this false identity destroy me first?

528 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2026

Reviews

[Monmonreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starry Nights of Wonder is a dark, forbidden high romantasy that blends destiny, dragons, and a slow-burning romance that will absolutely steal your heart.

This story follows a young woman who tries to run from her fate—only to be forced into the brutal Dragon Riding Academy in her sister’s place. From the very first chapters, the stakes are high: survival isn’t guaranteed, trust is dangerous, and every choice could be deadly.

Enter the mysterious stranger who declares himself her bodyguard. Protective, secretive, and full of unanswered questions, he becomes both her shield and her greatest distraction. Their chemistry simmers beneath every interaction, creating a forbidden romance that feels tense, emotional, and earned rather than rushed.

What I loved most:
The Dragon Riding Academy – intense training, rivalries, and constant danger
A strong female lead who refuses to break under pressure
The forbidden romance trope with a protective bodyguard
Beautifully atmospheric world-building that feels dark and magical

This book is perfect for readers who love:
• Dark romantasy
• Forbidden love
• Strong heroines
• Mysterious, morally gray bodyguards
• Dragon academies and deadly trials

Dragged into a Dragon Riding Academy in her sister’s place… and guarded by a mysterious stranger who shouldn’t matter but does.
Starry Nights of Wonder is dark, forbidden romantasy perfection.

[Sarah-Ève Vallée · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC in exchange of my honest opinion.

I give it a 3.5⭐️ rounded up to 4.

Firstly, this book is part of a series, but the reading order can vary. Only 2 books are out at this time (Feb. 2026). They are connected, but they are not continuing a story.

Quick summary
Muse is the illegitimate daughter of the viscount. Her existence is unknown to all. When her sister Astra gets drafted for the war academy, she is sent to take her place. On her way there, she is attacked and saved by a handsome stranger. He will attend the same academy and take upon himself to protect her.

What to expect
🐉 Relationship and character driven
🐉 Slow paced
🐉 slow burn
🐉 Fourth wing vibes (many similarities)
🐉 some darker themes

I liked this book enough to want to know what happens next. If you read The Golden prisoner, you will notice the similarities. I think I know why, but I won’t spoil it. There are many hints in this book though.

I liked the relationship between the 2 main characters.
The reasons why I didn’t give it a higher rating are the following:
▪️It didn't stand out in originality
▪️It felt very focused on boy talk and boy crush. It overpowered the main story.
▪️very little world building (I don’t quite understand what is going on overall)
▪️slow paced. I think only a few days go by in the story.
▪️vocabulary is repetitive and I don’t always like the choice of words (whine and womb for instance)

To sum up
It was enjoyable, I did have a good time. It won’t change my brain chemistry.

[Readwithsamijo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Im so glad I already have the next book because jeeeeez i need to keep going.

Muse has been basically abused and neglected her whole life and then gets shunted to pretend to be her half sister Astra for a war draft. She's forced to use magic and manages to fool her way into college where she finds family amongst her squad, and possibly her fated person.

This story pulled me in so many directions and yes it may have dragons bonding at a college but this is so much more than that. The world building and magic descriptions are 🤌 and im totally routing for Daryx aka goldie, her loveable golden retriever type protector who has kept her safe and her secret identity. But the banter is on point the whole way through the book and its not just with the MC's but everyone adds something

If you love dragon bonds, high fae, and other supernatural creatures this series is gonna be for you

[CJ Meade · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a lot of fun, and I definitely stayed up wayyyyyy later than I should have because I struggled to put it down. I really loved that despite having a fairly large cast, each character felt unique and dynamic. Most of them are dramatic in all the best ways, making the unserious parts quite amusing. But don't let that fool you, the book definitely has its fair share of darkness and trauma, which is handled with care.

I really enjoyed the world-building and the interaction of the fae, humans, and dragons and their various cultures and rules. I cannot wait to read the next book because I am really curious to see where this story progresses and I am hoping to see a lot more of some characters introduced later in the story that I have a feeling will be important it books to come.

Anyway, if you love dragon rider academies, dragons, fae, magic, snarky characters, down bad MMCs, and did a say DRAGONS, then you should definitely check this series out.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a spin on a traditional fantasy romance type book with fae, dragons and magic. They are in a war school but most of the focus is on the characters and their lives, versus battles and training, so it doesn't really feel military. Muse and Daryx/Goldie have an interesting (spicy) connection. There is a lot of flirting, banter and a slow burn that's also spicy at the same time. This book was completely different from A. Lya's other book The Golden Prison but somehow also connected as a part of it? This book is a lot lighter in tone with lots humor, but it does have some darker parts so please check the triggers. I am interested to see how all of the books in the series will completely connect.

[Emilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded to 5.

I really did not want to put this book down. I’m in love with this series and all its characters and how they all have unique voice and storyline that doesn’t get lost in the main plot of the series/book.

While the pacing was a bit slow for me in places, I really enjoyed this. And the cliffhanger is definitely enough for me to beg for the next one.

Muse and Daryx have a relationship that I really love. It’s raw and primal in places but honestly I love it. Their dynamic is really enjoyable to read about and I honestly just love Goldie with my whole heart (I think the whole street team knows this by now).

This was an ARC gifted to me by the author herself and I can’t wait to read the next books when they are released!

[Sabrina Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review ✨✨ I really liked it, to me this story reminds me of fourth wing/acotar but in its own way. it’s different but it also has the parallels to the first book The Golden Prisoner. I really like that it’s a slow burn, not much happens and it’s such good banter and flirting which I appreciate more than the smut to be honest. I was dying laughing at a lot of things. The starry nights of wonder and the first book The Golden Prisoner are two story’s that are one. When you read book one and then this one you’ll understand why I say this “it’s connected in a way that’s not just interconnected” Safe to say I Loved it and can’t wait for more. 💜

[Ashley (andtheniwasbookish) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't really vibe with the writing style in this book. It was similar to The Golden Prisoner, but felt more rushed and less intentional.

THAT BEING SAID, here are some things about this book that I DID vibe with:

• the plot. the idea here is super cool. The magic system is super interesting and there are a lot of little hints suggesting that there is so much more coming.
• the MMC/FMC chemistry. Sooooo good! felt it off the page
• The dragons! I'm a sucker for sassy dragons, and we get some in this book
• the promise for more. A. Lya does an amazing job at ending her books leaving you wanting more.

[Charlee Lock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series continues to blow my mind. When you think you know what’s happening - you don’t. Not really, not even a little bit.

I can’t say I read this book, it completely consumed me - it’s by far my favourite of the two currently released books.

It’s got many of the same dynamics from book 1, the family we hate, the FMC we love, the cheeky boy we adore but this book has High Fae and freaking dragons! DRAGONS.

I love fated mate stories and I loved seeing unexpected fated mates in this one.

But holy cliffhanger Batman… I wasn’t ready.

[Rose Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh I loved these two so much! Everything about this book was amazing and today is release day too! I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in this series. Goldie is one of my favorite characters in this book. I loved the dragons too and can’t wait to see more of them. I’m also looking forward to see all the amazing side characters again. I loved this book and it was hooked on reading. Happy release day A. Lya!

[Annie Chu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read- couldn’t put it down!

[Kyra Lenith · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's just the right amount of heart break, slow burn and humour. This book is perfect book for those craving an escape into the world of high fae, dragons, and dark academies.