A Bride of Fallen Stars

by Victoria McCombs

Hidden passageways, secret meetings at midnight, five courts, a glass dance, and a tender-hearted mortal king in search of a wife, A BRIDE OF FALLEN STARS begins the BROKEN CONSTELLATIONS DUET. Perfect for fans of Once Upon a Broken Heart or closed-door romance that feels like a fairytale.

Cora and Adele were meant to inherit the heavens together, ruling as twin stars. But on the night of their ascension, Adele shatters the bond between them and steals the sky for herself.
In doing so, she unknowingly unleashes an ancient beast her sister had kept hidden in her veins. Once a bloodthirsty king, the creature takes a mortal host as it claws its way back to power.
Cora has fourteen nights to find him among the five mortal courts before he grows strong enough that the stars go dark forever. To do this, she aligns herself with the mortal king her sister once loved—posing as his Fallen Bride—for the duration of the Festival of Fourteen Nights, a season of masks and music honoring the beast’s fall centuries ago. They will search between dances and dinners, in secret passageways and glassy lakes, to find an ancient evil before the skies fall.

This year’s Festival of Fourteen Nights promises to be a ruinously romantic one. We hope you can attend.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Christian Fiction, Fantasy Romance

476 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2026

About the author

Victoria McCombs is the author of many YA novels, with hopefully many more to come. All her stories are no spice with no language or gore. She’s drawn to stories of stubborn courage, dangerous romance, and atmospheres thick with fairytale intrigue. When she isn’t drafting, she can be found raising four wildlings with her husband in Omaha, Nebraska, fueled by hazelnut coffee and an unwavering respect for her deadlines.

Reviews

[Shea · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

One of my favorite books by this author so far! I absolutely loved the setting, and while I would have loved more detailed world building, I was able to imagine the star courts really well. This is a fun story with a relationship. The ending wasn’t a huge cliff hanger for me (I thought everyone already knew what the big “reveal” was), but I am still so excited for the next book!

[Keira Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up

This felt like a painting mixed with a symphony mixed with a ballet mixed with an opera mixed with a poem. In short, it was a work of art.

Every single sentence of A Bride of Fallen Stars is music to the reader's mind, a rich, vivid, incredibly descriptive setting brimming with magic, mystery, and the essence of fantasy itself.

With the incredibly luxurious courts, Victoria McCombs invites the reader into a stunning setting beyond their wildest dreams...a world of fallen stars, incredible magic, heart-wrenching relationships, and a fantastically creative world. The prose and imagery were just beautiful.

The setting alone was one of the best I have ever read, and I was completely and utterly transported into this world of pure imagination.

Normally, I dislike fantasy FMCs, but I actually really enjoyed Cora's growth into her confidence, her determination to do what was right, and her celestial nature. It was so lovely that she was calm and competent, but still cared and could fall in love.

Darius was a fantastic love interest; we need more king, bookish, glasses-wearing kings who care about their subjects! One thousand yesses!

Odette was amazing, and so were Adele and the other stars.

And the plot twist at the end?! Gah! Was. Not. Expecting. It. How am I supposed to wait until January for the sequel?

Also, this cover might be my favorite of the year! It is absolutely gorgeous, and I cannot wait to see the sequel.

If you are a fantasy fanatic or a lover of immersive worldbuilding, you absolutely must pick up this thrilling escape into a world far better than Caraval or Once Upon a Broken Heart. Both of those can be kicked out of the heavens with this new arrival.

My only critiques were that it was difficult to keep track of the five courts, both mortal and immortal, and I couldn't tell if Darius was the king over all mortals, or just the Court of Hearts. Additionally, it got a tiny bit repetitive when they attended all the dances and courts. Mainly, the setting, plot, FMC, and MMC carried the entire book, which I wasn't mad about. Normally, I am a fairly critical reader, but I was here for the vibes and loved them.

Content:
Completely clean! Just some sword-fighting violence. I am beyond thrilled to have an auto-buy fantasy author who delivers every single time on the worldbuilding, entertainment, and vibes without sacrificing for content. I never felt guilty reading this, as I did with Caraval.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story! I was hardly able to put this one down and every time I had to the story just kept returning to my mind over and over again as I wondered what would happen next, and when I would be able to sit down and read again… but also I wasn’t ready for it to be over either. That ending had me dying for book two!

If you have read any of Victoria’s books then you know that her books just keep getting better and better somehow. I’m slowly collecting her older books because I want to own them all. This one definitely did not disappoint.

The idea of stars ruling as kings and queens is so intriguing to me. I’m still trying to wrap my head around all that I just read. Darius is my favorite character in this book and I need to know what happens next. Cora has such a soft heart and so many hard decisions to make throughout this story. Everyone thinks she’s weak but she’s been carrying a huge and dangerous burden all of these years and no one even realizes. I’m so eager to see where the story will take us next…

If you like reading books with things like:

•stars ruling as kings and queens
•secrets
•romance
•no spice
•five intriguing courts
•deception
•a mortal king in search of a wife
•beautiful descriptions
•sacrificial love
•good fighting against evil

…then you will love this one!


I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

•••

[Sara [semi ia] · Rating 4 out of 5]

EEK the cover is so gorgeous!!!
im so excited for it!!!
The premise too??
I’m seated 🤭

Edit:
I finished it!!

[Jacquelyn 💐 {This Rapunzel Reads} [Jesus Christ, my Living Hope] · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. First, WHAT WAS THAT ENDING? Okay, I absolutely love this cover and is the reason I bought it. I’ve never read anything by Victoria McCombs before. This was unlike anything I’ve ever read before. I didn’t love it and I didn’t hate it. I was very confused for most of it. All of the stars and their powers and all of that stuff was really confusing and a lot to process. It was a bit weird too. I didn’t really understand the whole beast being trapped in her veins. I’m very wary when it comes to fallen stars and things like that as a Christian. I liked Cora. She was a strong and brave character. I really liked Darius. The two of them were perfect for each other and I was cheering them on from the start. It was a bit weird that he and her sister were together before. I didn’t like that. There was a bit too much kissing in my opinion. It was also quite violent in certain parts. I don’t know how to summon up this book really. There’s so much that happened and so many things that didn’t get answered. I’ll probably read the second book to see what happens next, but I don’t think I’ll read anymore by this author.

[BookishVibesClub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I am so in love with this romantasy with its beautiful celestial magic system and the sweet marriage of convenience filled will protective caretaking. The whimsy of the magic system put a lovely spin on the magic we love in a romantasy world. I loved how the stars are royalty and the dynamic between the stars and the human world ran by a human king. This sweet allies to lovers was more adorable than I could have ever imagined with genuine care between them and stolen kisses that meant more than the show they put on for the courts. And, the sweet sacrificial romance. 💞 The twists. Oh the twists 🥺

This book left me staring, jaw dropped 🥺 in the best way though! I don’t even know what to say about that ending except that I don’t think I was breathing the last 10% of the book 🤭 I’m going to need book two immediately!

💜 Marriage of Convenience
💜 Fallen Queen Goddess
💜 Betrayal
💜 Royal Balls
💜 Sweet Flirty Banter
💜 Celestial Based Magic
💜 Mortal Courts
💜 Celestial Court
💜 Magic Letter Writing
💜 Stolen Hidden Passageway Moments
💜 Questionable Allies
💜 Court Intrigue
💜 Twists
💜 Adult Characters

🫑🫑 no spice, kisses only, closed door, steamy tension
No Language

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A Bride of Fallen Stars” by Victoria McCombs is an awesome new closed-door fantasy! It is the first book in the “Broken Constellations Duet.” I love the lush descriptions, unique and imaginative world, and storyline. It gave me “Once Upon a Broken Heart” vibes. I love the concept of characters who are stars and have special powers. Everything felt like it was out of a dream or a fairytale. I love how many balls there are, especially a masked ball. There is a whole mythology around this world that is fascinating. The romance is amazing! I could feel the chemistry between the two characters. In true McComb’s fashion, there were some great jaw-dropping moments. The Nightling is a great villain that we learn more about, mostly through flashbacks. I love the theme of light verses the dark. The book also has beautiful artwork. And what a cliffhanger!! I cannot wait for book two!

Content: I give this book a low PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content: blood, gore, and torture (nothing too intense).

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Hallie · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, thanks so much to Victoria McCombs for allowing me to read this before its release day!! I was thrilled to pick up my first arc 😌

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯✢✢♕✢✢⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
𝐀 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐍 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒 by 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝒊𝐚 𝐌𝐜𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐬
My Rating: 3.25 ★★★★

𝑴𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
First of all, I really love Victoria McCombs as an author. I really enjoyed her Mortal Queens duology, and I also did enjoy Rune. She is an excellent fantasy author, and the concepts behind her books are always very interesting.
Unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. I wasn't really that invested in the characters, and the romance aspect was too insta-love for my personal tastes. I did love that the FMC wasn't quite as headstrong as in other books of McCombs'. Sometimes I feel like her girl main characters are a little too rash in their decision making lol.
The world was interesting, and in many ways it reminded me of Mortal Queens. I was not able to grasp this world though as clearly as I did in Mortal Queens. It was so...fantastical. Which is great, but I feel like the magic/world building could have been explained a bit better. There were a few instances where our main character would switch settings, but her moving from one place to another wasn't included. I was confused several times because I couldn't remember how we got from one place to another.
The romance aspect was sweet, but it was too instant for my tastes. Cora fell for Darius really quickly, and both of their plans to keep their relationship "business-like" were just forgotten. I feel like the romance was based more upon attraction and passion than actually getting to know one another.
All of that being said, I am curious to see what happens in the next book! Sadly, I picked this one up BEFORE realizing there was a cliffhanger (whoops) and I am eagerly awaiting book two.

𝐀𝐠𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 14+ for some passionate kissing.

➸𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭
Sexual
One mention of "not yet wanting to ruin someone's reputation" when a female character takes off an outer layer of clothing. A female character says she needs to "know a man better" before showing him her thigh. A female character puts her hands under a man's shirt to treat a wound. (not sexual). Some passionate kissing. One man kisses a woman up her arm and on her neck. One mention of a man and woman "sharing nights together" and remembering it. One man says he and a woman could find "plenty of ways to enjoy themselves" A male and female character feel each other's hair while kissing. A mention of thoughts drifting places they shouldn't.

Violence
Not a crazy amount. There is one mention of "flesh parting." There are some mentions of stabbing and clawing. A few mentions of blood and wounds. Nothing really sticks out as particularly gory.

𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬?
Yes, if you enjoy ya fantasy that has kind of a mythical vibe. If you enjoyed Mortal Queens you would most likely enjoy this one, though Mortal Queens is better (in my humble opinion lol).
It wasn't my personal favorite but maybe it just wasn't for me 🤷‍♀️

[Abigail McKenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listen, when Victoria McCombs starts a series, personally, I'm buckling in and ready to go on an ADVENTURE. Her concepts are always fascinating, and this was no exception. The romance at the center of the story was very sweet, but I found myself more intrigued by the twists in the second half that kept me turning the pages (that ENDING?? crazy) Very excited to see where the back half of this duology will go! 4 stars from me!

**I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**

[Leighton Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 rounded down, review to come
EDIT: review is here!
“You’re taking this book too seriously, Leighton!” They cry.
There are some books where I would agree. Nod. Yes, I am taking a silly little story too seriously. But this one read all angsty, all melodramatic. It was screaming to be taken seriously, and so I tried.
I failed.
Victoria McCombs is such a sweet person and I love so many of her books, but she writes the same thing over and over, and it can get so…tiring. This is an easy read, but it was 400 pages of literally nothing happening. Everything in the plot was far too planned out and convenient, and the characters were head over heels in love in five days time (not an exaggeration) despite the dude literally being her sister’s ex 😭

Admittedly, a lot of the problems I have with this book could be solved in the sequel, but that doesn’t change how I feel about this one. There was so much that didn’t make sense to me, and I was disappointed in the worldbuilding. Not the worst book I’ve read but I had a hard time enjoying it and now desperately need something beautiful and deep to reset me.

SECOND EDIT: also forgot to mention that the usage of AI images is largely upsetting to me

[Camille Mosemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victoria has done it again! I think this might be my new favorite of her books so far! If you’re craving a tale full of stunning prose, vibes reminiscent of Once Upon a Broken Heart (with a much better romance in my opinion), high stakes and unique magic systems then this book is for you!

This book had me completely spellbound from page one! I loved Cora’s character so much! She was gentle and kind, yet strong and fiercely protective of the people she cared about. And Darius *sighs* he was the epitome of a great male main character! Gentle and strong, kind and intelligent, chivalrous and charming. I just loved their dynamic so much! Their romance was so well done! Cora and Darius are one of my favorite fictional couples now!!

The setting was absolutely stunning and I’ve come to expect nothing less from McCombs! The magic system and world building was so unique and enchanting with the stars and their different courts. I felt like I was completely transported to the Court of Heart and I loved it!!

I don’t know how I’m going to wait for the second installment, but in the meantime, I’m looking forward to rereading this stunning book and annotating all my favorite parts!!

Content Considerations: depictions of stars with constellation magic; some depictions of torture (briefly detailed); characters are burned with magical fire; magical flashbacks featuring the villain character; the Nightling takes a human host (not depicted in graphic detail, only appears in the last few pages).

[Rachel Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to start? Overwhelming positives? Yes, Let's start there.

First, it's a relatively clean read, if that is something that is important to you (either for yourself or your teen readers). In the immortal words of Fred Savage, "Is this a kissing book?" Yes, there is some of that, but not a ton. See below for specifics.

Second, I LOVED the art included in it. I go bananas (in the BEST way) for authors who incorporate amazing character and background art into their books, both self-made work and that commissioned from other artists. It really was such a lovely touch to come across some of the moments described in the story represented visually. Since I didn't see an acknowledgment to an artist, I'll assume that the author did the art herself. Well done, you!

Third, this book is abso-freakin-lutely gorgeous. Soooooooo gorgeous, in fact, that I was almost tempted to purchase a hardback cover with the sprayed edges and all because GAH!!!!! It's just that gorgeous. But then I saw that it was on Kindle Unlimited and thought, "I should exercise some restraint and read it on KU first. Then, if I love it, I can get the hardcover. But, as much as I love shelf candy, I am glad that restraint ruled the day, because (for me) this book was not my favorite of this author's. If I’m honest, I am more than a little sad that didn’t love it because:

🔹1) I feel like I SHOULD have. I *wanted* to love this soooo hard. While I’m not the target demographic, I do read a lot of YA fantasy. I have quite a few friends who can’t keep up with the books their teens read. Many of them come to me to ask about content and recommendations. A large portion of that is fantasy because fantasy accounts for about 65% of my reads. With its fantastical setting, the celestial and mortal worlds colliding, familial and political betrayals, this book truly *should* have been right up my alley.
🔹2) I have several book loving friends that were so, so excited about this book’s release. I am almost dreading the moment I am asked my thoughts on this.
🔹3) That limited edition hardcover with the sprayed edges is so gosh darn gorgeous that it kills me to not have liked this book.
And this one is probably the most painful reason, but …
🔹4) The author is known for writing clean and age-appropriate YA fantasy romance - it’s an area which is sorely needed. There are so many readers looking for clean and quality reads, so I desperately *want* to support and encourage the authors who are making strides in this niche.

Actually, the more I think on it, the more I realize that it's not that I disliked the book as much as I was disappointed because I wanted better. And I do feel like this *could* have been better.

The setting was expansive, which initially excited me. (I do love an epic world build!) There were a lot of kingdoms, a lot of characters, a lot of details, and a surprising multiplicity of plot threads to follow. I assume that, at some point, they will all converge, but as of the end of this book, they were still woefully unresolved. I feel like I have a decent grasp of all of those things, but the devil is in the details, and the details felt inconsistent. There were several instances in which particulars didn’t line up throughout the book, where characters acted inconsistently with the details the author had given, where the reader would be told one thing but character actions would show another thing. This was true across the board with personal character/integrity, familial relationships, the romance, political strategy, and even in a detail as innocuous as how well the main character knew another character. Inconsistency was a huge part of what made this book not work for me, and the most glaring of places this occurred was in the character of the female protagonist. The fact that Cora’s actions didn’t seem to act consistently with her stated character and goals made it a challenge for me to invest in her.

My reading experience was also diminished by the fact that I didn’t know that this book was the first in a duology. I enjoy duologies and series, but I do like to know that information from the outset. I'll own that I probably should have read a synopsis in which I might have seen that this was the first book in a duology, but I didn't. (We've already discussed how easily I can be beguiled by an enchanting cover.) If there's something that I loathe (other than a stupid cliffhanger), it’s a book ending without resolution. Thus, as I was reading and the % completion markers crept ominously higher and higher with an insane number of questions remaining unresolved, the tension in my body was ratcheting … and not in a good way. The fault is my own - my expectations of this being a standalone book made the experience worse than it could and should have been. As I said before, we’ll hope that all of the things that were left unresolved (the whys behind familial betrayal, why is there a secret star child hiding in the human world, what happened to poor Neal, does Riven get a butt-kicking for conspiring to topple the mortal realm, the debt owed to bargain lady, what the actual heck was up with King Basilei, the big boss battle, what happens to loverboy, and there really needs to be a Jerry Springer episode between Cora, Darius, and Adele to resolve that mess – and for a moment like that, I might actually read the second book.)

I do feel like this could have benefitted from additional editing and proofreading, both for the story/character inconsistencies, as well a few typos and misused words, the most notable of which was when the word "courtesan" was used in place "courtier" 😬 That one made my eyes goggle ...

There were a lot of wonderful things going on in this story. Unfortunately for me, what wasn’t working was enough to overshadow the reading experience. But ... I *did* finish it. Will I read the next one? ... not sure. but since I am unlikely to reread this, no gorgeous hardback shelf trophy for me.

LANGUAGE: none
INTIMACY: hand kisses, arm kisses, a neck kiss, several mouth kisses, reference to a couple spending several nights together
VIOLENCE: one person is turned to ash by a magic sword, a young girl hits an assassin with a rock and the assassin holds a knife to her neck, mention of assassin being killed, a knight dies in a struggle, memory account of a star’s (person) essence being extracted in a painful way, a king being poisoned

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cora is a star. She starts as a queen in the sky but becomes a bride to the mortal king. She is a new favorite heroine of mine, timid and finding courage but overall gentle. Then there was Darius, the mortal king who ruled with kindness.

This story was a fairytale that I had my attention from the first page. The world building was so beautiful—kingdoms in the sky and earth, courts, ballrooms, gowns, knights, and a secret cottage. A story with artwork between the pages.

Cora was betrayed but this does not stop her from wanting to protect the stars and mortals from the Nightling, an evil set to destroy.

I thought a theme from the story might be: keeping your heart soft despite the darkness that attacks. That’s what I really liked about Cora. She even had a tenderness toward her sister, who had betrayed her.

[Jenessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not ok… how soon does the next book come out cause I need to know what happens next. Please

[Dakota · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not even sure where to start with this book I absolutely loved it. The whole fairytale, Star Court celestial world is so enchanting. It truly felt like stepping into a fairytale. The details were incredible the pinks, the stained glass, the swans, all the different courts and how unique each one felt. It was pure magic.

I loved Darius and Cora. Watching their love bloom throughout the story was so special. The way he paid attention to her really noticing the little things made me fall in love with him every sweet moment between them melted my heart. You can tell they would do anything for each other.

One of my favorite parts was when Darius gave her a colorful dress, and then another in silver, saying it was for the girl who likes silver more than gold. That moment really stayed with me. Even though it happens early in the story, it showed how much he cared he noticed something so small, even when he didn’t have to.

I also loved their banter/ flirting between them made me giggle. I also truly loved her relationship with Vail.

And that plot twists! I can’t wait for book two.💗💗💗

[Mychaela Bardakjy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow with each Victoria McCombs book, I end up with a new favorite

I absolutely ADORE this book! I love how fierce Cora becomes, I love how protective and genuinely good Darius is, I love Odette and her strength and sassiness. The flashbacks piecing everything together, all the twists at the end, I was weeping, and I need book two NOW!!!

ABOFS kept the same fast paced nature as Victoria’s other stories, but this one had more depth and detail than many of her others. It’s hard to put down. It is a masterful weaving of grit and endurance and pain along with the beauty and poetry of a fairytale.

I’d say this is more upper YA, just due to the depth and nature of the story, but stills reads entirely appropriate for teens AND adults. Enough romance to satisfy Romantasy lovers without the romance overtaking the main plot. Feels like OUABH but not as whimsical and way more depth. I absolutely LOVED this book!

[Meiri · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when a Star Falls
A Bride of Fallen Stars tells the story of Cora, a Twin Star who is cast away from the Sky, falling into the arms of a mortal King who happens to be her sister's former love. This is undoubtedly a romantic story, with subtle references to the tale of Swan Lake.

The story about the Twin Stars and their reign over the Sky, presented at the beginning, immediately captivated me, but when Cora fell from the sky, the plot began to present some issues. The Five Courts seemed to be quite close to one another, since a simple day's carriage ride could take Darius and Cora from one Court to another. I wish I had seen a map of this world to understand the distances between each Court.

Cora and Darius made a beautiful couple, and their romance was sweet, but Darius didn't contribute as much to Cora's mission as she contributed to his. Cora is very powerful and quite capable of taking care of herself, despite being considered the shy twin. I liked Darius's gentle nature, but I would have preferred him to be a bit more proactive. As for Adele, she wasn't fully developed, and the reasons behind her actions are not satisfactorily explained. Her romance with Darius seemed to have been more of a whim on her part, since they never shared much with each other, and apparently it was only with Cora that he learned about the igniting of stars caused by strong feelings.

The twist at the end wasn't what I expected, and I definitely want to know what happens next; regarding Odette, I have my theories about why she was hidden, and I can't wait to see if I'm right or not. A Bride of Fallen Stars didn't quite live up to all my expectations, but it's the start of a story that, if well-developed, could grow spectacularly in its sequel.

[Julz.reads.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely unique story and plot, with such a beautiful world and a romance that has all the sparks and tension without the spice.

A fallen star, Cora, is trying to save her world after her sister betrays her and steals both thrones, and to do it she falls to the mortal world and to gain the help of the mortal king she agrees to pose as his bride… but he also happens to be her sister’s former lover. It’s complicated, emotional, and full of tension in the best way.

This felt like a fairytale in the best way. The writing is so whimsical and it fully pulled me into the story. I could vividly walk through this world… from the glowing skies, to her fall into the mortal realm, and the swans!! I can’t not mention the swans. And Cora’s gowns… every single one felt so detailed and easy to picture.

Victoria’s writing just paints everything so clearly in your mind. It’s effortless to get lost in it, and I loved that feeling of being fully inside the story instead of just reading it.
It’s the kind of book that captures your attention right away, feels completely unique, and slowly pulls you in until you’re a little obsessed and already wanting more by the end. Because that end definitely had me screaming at said character, and I need the rest of the story immediately!

[Hailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really want to love McComb's books--she has such a fast publishing schedule!--but I'm coming to realize that they just don't quite click with me.

The worldbuilding premise for ABoFS was neat--a blend of celestial and mortal courts. However, I felt that the worldbuilding could have used more development, particularly for the stars. Aside from their constellations, which were cool, there really didn't feel like much of a difference between them and the humans. There weren't any details about the celestial court that made me wish I could explore it more.

One of my biggest struggles with duologies is that they can often feel solely like one massive plot split across two books rather than two books with their own plots /and/ a connecting, overarching plot. I feel like ABoFS leans a bit into the first category. While the number of open plot threads does have me curious about what will happen in the next book, it also leaves me with almost too many unresolved questions. I also struggled a little with the ending. As other reviewers point out, it ends with a cliffhanger following two plot twists/reveals. I saw one of the twists coming, and the other left me frustrated with the main character. semi This might be because I'm not an instalove person, but it felt like the FMC completely changed stances and sort of undermined what she'd been working toward because of the romance.

I was surprised by the structural similarities between A Bride of Fallen Stars and Mortal Queens: two high queens, scheming kings, and messages in portraits/memories tied to the vials. Now, that isn't to say that the two books are identical--but the similar elements did cause me to compare the two a bit. That might be part of the reason I'm a little hard on A Bride of Fallen Stars--I really enjoyed Mortal Queens and wanted ABoFS to match that level.

Of course, your reading mileage may vary.

Cautions: moderate/heavy romance; moderate violence

(I received an eARC from the author. All thoughts are my own.)

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨✨✨⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐✨✨✨

Victoria McCombs does it again! The vivid detail, the characters, the romance, the intrigue, the CLIFFHANGER!

✨ The setting of A Bride of Fallen Stars is so unique. Cora and her twin sister Adele are the next heirs to the celestial kingdom, one destined to rule the day as the Solare (Adele), and one to rule the night as the Noctare (Cora). What no one knows is the Noctare not only brings the night, but also cages an ancient evil that desperately fights to be released. 

✨ When Adele betrays Cora, taking both thrones for herself, she is unable to contain the evil Nightling and Cora, stripped of her throne, is cast down to the mortal realm, right into the arms of the mortal High King, Darius. 

✨ The only way to save both their kingdoms is, of course, a fake engagement, for at the end of the Fourteenth Night, the Nightling will come to full power. Court intrigue, betrayals, and plot twists follow them as they desperately try to find the five essences before the Nightling. 

✨ I absolutely love the romance. An engagement of convenience quickly turns into much more. The world building is fantastic, so vivid and magical.

✨🦢✨🦢✨ 
“Try to touch her again,” Darius said, low and lethal, “and you’ll beg for the mercy she offered.”

✨ Clean, no-spice, high-stakes romantasy that technically YA, but as a thirty-something woman, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

✨🦢✨🦢✨
  "...You are our Fallen Queen, and I believe—wholly—that you will save us.”
  His voice softened. “But Cora… even if you do not.”
  One hand rose, resting over my heart. “You are perfect as you are. Because you are good.”

✨I read the digital edition, but I am %100000 buying the hardback for the beautiful cover and illustrations. I know this is one I will read over and over again. And of course, I am dying for the next in the series!

I received an advanced copy courtesy of the author. The views expressed in this review are my own.

[Kristi W - Book Love By Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You carry the wonder of the skies on your skin,” he said quietly. “Sometimes it’s easy to forget that I’m a mortal and you are a star. And other times, I forget everything else entirely.”

This incredible book is the beginning of a duet. It’s filled with amazing world building, fantastic characters, celestial powers, betrayal, romance, suspense, and changing suspicions. There are so many twists and completely unexpected turns. And the ending!! Oh my! The wait for the next book is going to be torture!!

Cora, the fallen star, is strong, brave, and caring. Darius, the mortal king, is intelligent, determined, and protective. I enjoyed the world building history and the revelations of the “true history” as Cora completes her quest. I loved that Cora accepted her fall and didn’t become bitter. I enjoyed her quest to find the Nightling and how the story unfolds, shifting my suspicions of it’s host. I loved how much Cora cared for the mortals and her strong desire to keep them safe. I enjoyed Darius’ wit and I loved seeing how much he cared for his people. I loved that Cora and Darius have an engagement of convenience that quickly turned into more. I loved how thoroughly Cora and Darius accepted one another. I loved that Cora trusted him with the truth of what she had been doing and now needed to do. I loved that Darius trusted her with Odette. There are so many more things I could mention but I don’t want to spoil anything.

A few more quotes:
“Whatever you seek, I’m glad I’m the one you needed. I would rather be chosen for a reason I don’t yet understand than ignored entirely.”

“I mean it, Cora,” he said softly. “I am not letting anyone hurt my future bride. Kings, knights, all of them—they do not get to touch you. No matter what happens to me, I want you safe.”

“You won’t lose me. Not when the festival ends. Not when the crown is safe. Not when this is over. I am here because I choose you. And I will keep choosing you even if the whole world ends.”

This ARC was provided by the author. I was not required to give a positive review, rating and opinions are my own.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victoria McCombs has penned another exquisite tale that will capture the imagination of its readers. With excellent plot pacing and detailed world-building, I found myself lost in the fictional world of the Five Courts in the mortal and celestial realms. It took me a bit to wrap my mind around the imaginary world, but I gradually found myself caught up in Cora and Darius' story.

Cora is a star that has fallen to the mortal world. Her sister has taken her throne and banished her from her home. But Cora eventually has her eyes open to the flawed character of the celestial beings, their selfishness and struggles for power. Cora is the most well-developed character and it was great to see her grow some backbone from the beginning to the end. She has a pure heart that one hopes will not be tainted by the darkness.

I found the engagement for convenience trope in this story delightful. It works well and one hopes our main characters will have their happy ever after ending. There is another young character I loved, but no spoilers from me. I assume she will play a big role in the sequel.

There is darkness and a battle with light, love and sacrifice. And the cliffhanger at the end, just had me impatient for the release of the rest of the story. So that we can see light overcome the dark, good triumphing over evil. That is the key characteristic of well-written fantasy. This theme resonates because it reflects the internal human struggles that are timeless.

I loved the artwork throughout the story and the cover is magical. Great read for fans of young adult fantasy.

***I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Rachel Trout · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Celestial Meets Mortal Courts Fantasy 🤴🏽👸🏼

When I saw the cover for this book on Instagram, I just HAD to request the ARC even though this type of story is far removed from what I normally read. There are five celestial courts, and five matching mortal ones, and a star cast out of the skies. While the whole premise may be very familiar to some, it was foreign to me. After reading ABOFS, I'm certainly still NOT a fan of this type of story. It's just not for me. Despite that, objectively, it was a well written and mostly well paced story with plenty of well timed plot twists and a cliff hanger ending. The characters were developed enough, although I like to feel more about them. The MMC especially, though likable enough, just wasn't super well rounded in my opinion. It's a simple story in that way, and I guess that's what makes it good for the YA audience.

All that to say, the story didn't move me. I read fantasy and fairy tales for the beautiful Christian symbolism that is often woven into them. I think that's why this story ultimately fell flat for me. A Bride of Fallen Stars more mirrors mythology (which is great for people who love that type of fantasy). The stars are like flawed gods with selfish motives who use mortals and don't value them. (Though the FMC is a more noble star, and themes of love and sacrifice are present, just not enough to move or inspire me.) Fans of mythology and the more popular fantasy series will probably really enjoy this story, and it's definitely YA appropriate. No spice, passionate kisses only.

Thank you, Victoria McCombs for the ARC of this book. The opinions expressed above are my own.

[Miranda Salazar · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book would have hugely benefited from some more efficient editing. The story line was immediately gripping; however, there are way too many descriptive passages (like every single time the main character changes scenes, because she apparently can’t ever revisit the same place twice; so, instead of saying ‘she met the king in his conservatory’ it has to describe her walk there, the people she sees, the hallway she walks down, etc.). Less than a third of the way through, I began skipping entire paragraphs like this because I just couldn’t concentrate on trying to picture the muddled descriptions of every scene change.
And then we’re back to the problem many modern authors seem to have: character consistency. Is she a shy, reserved, constantly-worried queen-to-be, or a fierce, stubborn warrior princess who is confident in her own abilities? I understand that personalities have different facets and can change over time, but I felt like Cora changed completely, depending on what the scene needed. She was molded to the story, not the story to her. I was confused as to who she was and who she saw herself to be almost from the beginning.
And then there was the love story: they all of a sudden ‘fell in love’, three days in, of course, with nothing leading up to the sudden reciprocal fascination with each other.
Cora had flawed ideas about her sister: she wanted to make up when her sister was ready to KILL HER. She felt bad for pretending to be engaged to Darius after her own sister TRIED TO KILL HER. That’s some delusion!
Needless to say, I couldn’t find it in me to finish this story.

[Mandee (mandee.reads.cleanbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Bride of Fallen Stars is perfect for fans of OUABH. It feels like a story of old, starting with the outfit descriptions to the castles to the conniving kings. The beginning set up the story beautifully. The plot twists, starting from early on, were complete surprises to me. Maybe I was just blind to the clues, but I thought Victoria did a great job of keeping me guessing. I loved the sweet friendship between Odette and Cora. The mystery and intrigue felt perfect. I also thought it was cool to see a MMC king with glasses. I don't think I have ever seen that in a fantasy novel before. Also the art is so pretty!

For fellow clean fantasy readers: the romance remains closed door with no explicit content. There are a few more descriptive kissing scenes than I personally expected, but it’s still around a Hallmark movie level. That is part of why I didn't give it full five stars. But I think for most readers it wouldn't be an issue, just a Mandee critique. And the romance felt a little rushed to me. Like the two knew each other for 14 days I believe but were completely and totally enthralled with each other. I'm definitely more of a slow burn gal. But yes, I did think they were so cute together.
Overall, a great read for fans of no profanity and closed door romance. Thank you to Victoria McCombs for letting me read it early!

[Kiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Bride of Fallen Stars by Victoria McCombs is a devastingly beautiful tale.

What would think about a world where stars and humans coexist. Stars come down from the heavens and walk among mortals. The world steeped in tradition, and things must be done a certain way as it always has been like that. But suddenly the line is severed, the tradition is no longer right anymore and the whole world is ready to fall. The greatest danger to ever exist is threatening to rise again, and hope is lost.

This book sucked you in, at first it was difficult to grasp the complexities of the history of the world so I got lost in the details. As I read on in this fast-paced book you can't help but be sucked into it. The MMC doing his best for his people and the FMC doing so as well, finding her ground where tradition no longer welcomes her. What would it be like to be raised your entire life to find out that you are no longer welcome in that position, or even the things you thought you knew with a certainty aren't actually real. This book ended with a gutwrenching cliffhanger and I yearn for the next book.

If you want a book that is so very beautiful in its description, and in its execution this it he book for you.

Thank you Victoria McCombs for the free book.

[darlingirlreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

💫“You carry the wonder of the skies on your skin,” he said quietly. “Sometimes it’s easy to forget that I’m a mortal and you are a star. And other times, I forget everything else entirely.”💫

Wow, I am thoroughly impressed. A Bride of Fallen Stars was such a magical and whimsical read, and it gave me all the same feelings I had while reading Once Upon a Broken Heart. I’m thrilled to experience that sense of wonder again.

Cora’s character growth after her sister betrays her was so endearing. Watching grow become more confident in herself was so endearing. And I loved Darius and his tender heart toward her and the patience he shows his people.

This story has celestial magic, betrayal, suspense, plot twists, and a fake engagement that slowly turns into real feelings (yes please!). The pacing was great, and that cliffhanger ending has me so eager for the next book.

I will definitely be purchasing a beautiful physical copy when it becomes available and recommending this one to everyone.

Thank you Victoria McCombs for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review ✨

💫“His breath caught. He lifted a tender hand, then hesitated as if even reaching might shatter the fragile constellation that was me.”💫

[Story Eater · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not like YA books.

For a small part, I've grown well past them; for the most part, they're not YA. On one hand, they can be overly simplistic, dull, and entirely vapid. On the other hand, they're full of inappropriate adult content. While I read adult books that contain mature themes, I will not pick up or knowingly endorse a YA book with adult content.

McCombs' books are some of the few in the YA genre that I can stand to pick up—and actually enjoy. The plots are intricately woven, the characters complex, and they always come with a fantastic mystery and a smidge of googly-eyed swoon. I can also recommend them to parents of the target audience without worrying their readers will be either morally bankrupted or intellectually deflated.

My thanks to the author for the DRC, for which I willingly give my own, honest opinion.

See the full review on my blog:

Blog / Instagram / BookBub

[Emilee Forrester · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am giving this book 3.75 stars.

I really enjoyed A Bride of Fallen Stars. I was skeptical about it at first because of falling stars, but I enjoyed it.

I loved Odette! She is fierce, loyal, and sweet.

I loved Cora! At first, she seems timid, but she really grew more confident and herself as the story progressed. Cora is a fighter, and she will fight for what is hers. You can see that throughout her fall from the skies.

I loved the storyline; however, I kept waiting for more twists and turns and something just totally unexpected to happen. Don’t get me wrong! There were definitely some surprises, but I needed one to really draw me in.

I also felt that the romance between Cora and Darius was a little fast-paced for my liking. I love their dynamic together, but I wish that their love was built upon a little more.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I can’t wait to see where the characters end up next!

[Gabriella Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such an emotional roller coaster! And I loved every second of it! It kept me at the edge of my seat guessing what was going to happen next!

Adele was the center of attention, the bright and shining star. Cora was the overlooked sister, the one who stayed in the shadows, the one who never stood up for herself or what she believe in. They were meant to rule the skies together until her sister cast her into the mortal world below.

Thanks to her sister’s selfishness and reckless actions, a beast of unimaginable power is unleashed. Cora, whose job had been to previously keep him in check, takes it upon herself to prevent his reign of terror from claiming the lands like it had once before. In doing so, she finds an ally, and love in Darius, the man her sister once loved. Cora, realizing that she’s found something precious to lose, finds her fighting strength within herself.

I absolutely can’t wait for the second book to see where it’ll take this story next!