What do you think?
Rate this book
Of Swords and Starlight
Harlow is a reincarnated warrior princess first, a university student second, and a fully functioning adult third. Or... realistically, somewhere much further down the list.
In her defense, finding time for self-care is difficult when most nights are spent harnessing starlight to fight giant monsters before clocking into the late shift of the campus observatory.
Her life gets even more complicated when a mysterious stranger reveals secrets that threaten to unravel everything she’s ever known about her past and the war that has begun on Earth.
Juggling royal duty, celestial responsibility, and a full schedule isn’t ideal. But at least monster-slaying with friends still counts as bonding time... right?
In her defense, finding time for self-care is difficult when most nights are spent harnessing starlight to fight giant monsters before clocking into the late shift of the campus observatory.
Her life gets even more complicated when a mysterious stranger reveals secrets that threaten to unravel everything she’s ever known about her past and the war that has begun on Earth.
Juggling royal duty, celestial responsibility, and a full schedule isn’t ideal. But at least monster-slaying with friends still counts as bonding time... right?
454 pages, Paperback
Published June 11, 2026
About the author
Wren Jones
6 books106 followersWren Jones lives in the Sonoran Desert with her family and two cats. Like most writers, she has been a storyteller for a long time. After her daughter was born, true crime felt a little too true, and darker fiction felt a little too dark. She started reading cozy mysteries, and after a while, she realized a little dose of fantasy and bi-rep was what she was missing. She figured what better time to research, write, and launch a novel that she’d been procrastinating on than while working full-time and raising a tiny human, so here we are.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
May 17, 2026
The Sailor Moon vibes? Vibing. The space cats? Immaculate. This was a cozy little fantasy, the perfect book to read in stolen moments and share my love of fantasy and whimsy with my son. I can’t wait to get a shelf trophy and share it with him again when he’s old enough to remember.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was selected as a reader for the ARC of this book. As a fan of Sailor Moon and the magical girl genre, I was excited to read a magical girl book. The concept and premise was cool, but the story felt like we were only skimming the surface throughout its majority. I struggled to become invested in the story until ¾ of the way through. That's when it felt like things were actually happening, that relationships were building, and that things were moving.
Within the last quarter of the book is also when I felt the connection between Harlow, Len, and Dessa. Everything up until then felt superficial. Len and Dessa felt like Harlow's comrades, the team she worked with, but she didn't feel connected with them. I understand in concept that Harlow cared for Len and Dessa, but I didn't feel that love and care until that last quarter of the book. It felt like it suddenly clicked, that we were finally starting to see more of Harlow.
I would have loved a bit more worldbuilding and lore in the book. It has so much potential to get deep into it and I really hope that more of the lore is divulged, as this book might be the first of a duology, trilogy or series?
I hope that the final edition of the story builds on the romance a bit more, too. I know that the romance isn't the most pertinent part of the story, but it is definitely pull. The romance felt disconnected for me. Harlow's attraction to Fox felt heavily based on the fact that he was in love with her. I also thought that Harlow's actual final at the end of the book was a bit sudden and unexpected beyond the brief mention of a kiss that happened in the past. I didn't pick up anything from Harlow about being attracted to that person at all, and I think I would have liked to see more hints of that attraction throughout the story.
Overall, I give Of Swords and Starlights a 3/5 stars.
The concept is awesome! The spin on moonlight being corruptive was fantastic. (What Sailor Moon fan hasn't pondered the idea of the Moon somehow becoming corrupted by evil?) The guardians/monks being able to take on this larger feline form is brilliant. (I see that nod to Kero/Cerberus from Cardcaptor Sakura and I love it!) The fact that Harlow doesn't end up with that star-crossed lover and actually someone else who's closer and been by her side longer, yes! I just want more of it. Give me that depth!—in the lore, the characters, and their relationships.
Within the last quarter of the book is also when I felt the connection between Harlow, Len, and Dessa. Everything up until then felt superficial. Len and Dessa felt like Harlow's comrades, the team she worked with, but she didn't feel connected with them. I understand in concept that Harlow cared for Len and Dessa, but I didn't feel that love and care until that last quarter of the book. It felt like it suddenly clicked, that we were finally starting to see more of Harlow.
I would have loved a bit more worldbuilding and lore in the book. It has so much potential to get deep into it and I really hope that more of the lore is divulged, as this book might be the first of a duology, trilogy or series?
I hope that the final edition of the story builds on the romance a bit more, too. I know that the romance isn't the most pertinent part of the story, but it is definitely pull. The romance felt disconnected for me. Harlow's attraction to Fox felt heavily based on the fact that he was in love with her. I also thought that Harlow's actual final at the end of the book was a bit sudden and unexpected beyond the brief mention of a kiss that happened in the past. I didn't pick up anything from Harlow about being attracted to that person at all, and I think I would have liked to see more hints of that attraction throughout the story.
Overall, I give Of Swords and Starlights a 3/5 stars.
The concept is awesome! The spin on moonlight being corruptive was fantastic. (What Sailor Moon fan hasn't pondered the idea of the Moon somehow becoming corrupted by evil?) The guardians/monks being able to take on this larger feline form is brilliant. (I see that nod to Kero/Cerberus from Cardcaptor Sakura and I love it!) The fact that Harlow doesn't end up with that star-crossed lover and actually someone else who's closer and been by her side longer, yes! I just want more of it. Give me that depth!—in the lore, the characters, and their relationships.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2026
You had me at Sailor Moon inspiration and space cats! You lost me at world-building and pacing.
For as much of this story skips over the lore, I think it needed to take a lot more time showing how this is much more similar to K-Pop Demon Hunters while adopting the astral aesthetics of Sailor Moon. With the audience's shallow understanding of the world this takes place in, it begs us to use our knowledge of similar pieces of media to fill in the gaps...which honestly confused me more than helped me when I was trying to get into the meat of this story.
We are told so much from Harlow's POV but shown very little. The way the other characters are described often feels disjointed with how they're acting because of recent events, which makes you feel like you've been dropped several many chapters (maybe a whole book) into a much bigger story right from the beginning. Everyone besides Harlow and Gigi is nervous and hovering, but even the both of them get anxious around the middle of the story. I don't think we got enough time to understand everyone and the state of their world to feel anything but worried for them.
As far as the villainous force of this story goes...I didn't care that much. The emotional stakes aren't great enough for us to treat the unknowns of this force as a mystery, and there's not enough vitriol for us to outright hate the villainous force because we know so little. Keeping an audience in the dark because we only know as much as the fractured memories that our single POV has can only work if there are emotional stakes that are built up throughout an epic of a story. We either needed to see more POVs (maybe some villainous ones) or we needed to be all-in on the mystery of who Harlow should place her trust in.
The slice of life aspects were cute. I'm a sucker for astro-aesthetics. Loved the cats when they were actually around. This book would probably appreciate a sequel, but unfortunately...it needs a prequel.
For as much of this story skips over the lore, I think it needed to take a lot more time showing how this is much more similar to K-Pop Demon Hunters while adopting the astral aesthetics of Sailor Moon. With the audience's shallow understanding of the world this takes place in, it begs us to use our knowledge of similar pieces of media to fill in the gaps...which honestly confused me more than helped me when I was trying to get into the meat of this story.
We are told so much from Harlow's POV but shown very little. The way the other characters are described often feels disjointed with how they're acting because of recent events, which makes you feel like you've been dropped several many chapters (maybe a whole book) into a much bigger story right from the beginning. Everyone besides Harlow and Gigi is nervous and hovering, but even the both of them get anxious around the middle of the story. I don't think we got enough time to understand everyone and the state of their world to feel anything but worried for them.
As far as the villainous force of this story goes...I didn't care that much. The emotional stakes aren't great enough for us to treat the unknowns of this force as a mystery, and there's not enough vitriol for us to outright hate the villainous force because we know so little. Keeping an audience in the dark because we only know as much as the fractured memories that our single POV has can only work if there are emotional stakes that are built up throughout an epic of a story. We either needed to see more POVs (maybe some villainous ones) or we needed to be all-in on the mystery of who Harlow should place her trust in.
The slice of life aspects were cute. I'm a sucker for astro-aesthetics. Loved the cats when they were actually around. This book would probably appreciate a sequel, but unfortunately...it needs a prequel.
June 11, 2026
One of the great things about booktok/bookstagram is hat it allows you to not just find great books to read, but to meet and learn about the amazing people behind those books - so you are getting not just more series to read but a connection to some humans you truly like. This builds a trust and camaraderie in whatever new ventures they choose to make - which brings be to Wren Jones.
I loved Wren’s first ‘Practical Potions’ mystery, as well as the two sequels in the series. They are cozy fantasy mysteries with great characters, interactions, humor, sarcasm, and solid stories. Next when Damsels & Dinosaurs came, the ‘Jurassic Park meets Bridgerton’ vibes sounded really cool - but once again it was the great characters, plotting, interaction, representation and so on that made me love it so much.
Now we have ‘Of Swords and Starlight’ - with a description talking about Sailor Moon and K-Pop Demon Hunters, things i know nothing about. But you also have fantasy with a magic system, hidden royalty and unknown backstories, and most importantly the truly deep connections Wren always weaves between her characters. From the start you can feel the pressure Harlow is experiencing as ‘The Sword’ - a struggle to make things right for everyone this time, and to not burden others. Naturally things go astray and need much more teamwork than ever imagined. Her friends Len and Dessa are unique and an absolute joy, as are her new human friends who are willing to put everything on the line.
And that is the bottom line for why I enjoyed this so much - no matter what vibes would hook it for some readers, ultimately you will love this if you enjoy cozy stories with great characters, found family and strong connections and representation. And I loved it all!
I loved Wren’s first ‘Practical Potions’ mystery, as well as the two sequels in the series. They are cozy fantasy mysteries with great characters, interactions, humor, sarcasm, and solid stories. Next when Damsels & Dinosaurs came, the ‘Jurassic Park meets Bridgerton’ vibes sounded really cool - but once again it was the great characters, plotting, interaction, representation and so on that made me love it so much.
Now we have ‘Of Swords and Starlight’ - with a description talking about Sailor Moon and K-Pop Demon Hunters, things i know nothing about. But you also have fantasy with a magic system, hidden royalty and unknown backstories, and most importantly the truly deep connections Wren always weaves between her characters. From the start you can feel the pressure Harlow is experiencing as ‘The Sword’ - a struggle to make things right for everyone this time, and to not burden others. Naturally things go astray and need much more teamwork than ever imagined. Her friends Len and Dessa are unique and an absolute joy, as are her new human friends who are willing to put everything on the line.
And that is the bottom line for why I enjoyed this so much - no matter what vibes would hook it for some readers, ultimately you will love this if you enjoy cozy stories with great characters, found family and strong connections and representation. And I loved it all!
Review of advance copy received from Author
*** Thank you to the author for this ARC! ***
When I heard queer magical girls, I knew I needed to read this. The cover art is so pretty, too! It's giving K-Pop Demon Hunters with the colours. I'm so glad the characters are all adults. I've mostly seen high school age magical girls or younger, but as an adult, it's nice to see adult characters, too. The main cast is in grad school.
I saw someone describe this book as cozy. Your definition may vary, but I wouldn't say fighting to save the world from a doomsday event is cozy. This is high stakes stuff and Harlow's continual self-isolation and secret keeping for the entire book makes things even more stressful.
I'm not a fan of characters keeping secrets from their friends, especially when there's danger. I know it's one of Harlow's flaws, but it still frustrates me that no one knows what she's doing because she doesn't want to stress her team out. Then, when she finds out someone has kept something from her, she's hurt and upset, as if she hasn't been keeping much worse from her friends. It would be understandable if she had a reason to be hyper-independent, but the book doesn't give her one. In K-Pop Demon Hunters, Rumi doesn't tell the other girls her secret because she's full of shame, self-loathing, and has been told all her life to keep it a secret. If keeping secrets and wanting to do everything alone are Harlow's flaws, why is she like that? We need to understand her to empathize. There's flawed, and then there's annoying, and unfortunately, she's just annoying to me.
She isn't shown to do nice things for others, whereas other people are always taking care of or looking out for her. I don't get why she has friends. What value does she bring to her relationships? Sure, she takes on the danger herself, but it defeats the purpose of having a team. Len and Dessa are like sworn to her or something (it's not specified, and Harlow worries Dessa will leave if she disagrees with her actions too much) so they're basically stuck watching her back, but Gigi and Rainey don't have to put up with her. Somehow, everyone loves her.
Harlow is supposed to be this fighter trained her entire life, "a general capable of complex strategy," but she (and even Dessa and Len) point out the most obvious things, and Harlow rushes into fights without any thought for strategy or minimizing risk/injury. She must have missed all the lessons about how to fight in a unit because she makes rookie mistakes like injuring her allies in battle and running out to get into melee range of a distant opponent and blocking the archer's shot. Maybe let the archer do her job???
The trio of magical girls all trust a stranger WAY too quickly. It's weird. Then Dessa and Len just let Harlow be alone with him without questioning it when they know things are more dangerous than usual and they haven't vetted this man more than a brief introduction. By this point, he hasn't even been shown to fight actively with them when there are baddies around - he's conveniently and mysteriously not around. Then Harlow goes into a hidden entrance to a bookstore basement with him like there's no way anything bad could happen to her. That education in complex strategy is hard at work.
I really dislike love triangles. Often, one love interest is obviously better than the other, or neither of them make sense for the main character. It's rare that all the characters are written well enough for the indecision to feel genuine. I think the tension of the implied love triangle so early in the book, when I don't feel like I know the characters well enough to be attached to any of them (including the main character), is what made it difficult for me to continue with the book. Also, this isn't 2014. The sapphic romantic interest doesn't need to be Legend of Korra level subtle. I honestly wondered if this was just queer bait because the majority of the book is focused on the male romance.
Speaking of the male romance... Listen, I thought Tuxedo Mask was cool, but Fox? Dude takes a girl on a date where there's a dress code and doesn't warn her, so she gets there and feels self-conscious and underdressed - meanwhile, he's dressed appropriately. He also tells her he was in love with her and that she was in love with him before they really know each other, and it feels icky to me. It puts pressure on Harlow to feel the same way again now. It would have been nice to actually like him instead of being suspicious, while Harlow throws caution to the wind with him.
The female romantic interest is the archer Harlow always blocks from doing her job, Dessa. She's nice, but, I dunno. I didn't really feel the romantic tension between them. Maybe I was just too annoyed with how Harlow treats her and Len? It feels like all of Harlow's attention is on the monsters and Fox, and she takes the other girls for granted and only thinks about them in relation to keeping them out of things she's doing. If you're here for the sapphic romance, your tolerance may vary, but this felt more hetero-heavy. I imagined there would be so much more of a bond shown between the three magical girls, and it actually felt like Harlow liked her human friends more.
So, if I didn't like the characters, did I at least like the story or world? Well... I'm not usually one to poke holes in stuff, but this magic system is so vague and doesn't make sense. Starlight: good. Moonlight: bad, but not really??? Sunlight: not mentioned by anyone, even though moonlight is just a reflection of sunlight. And then the magical trump card gets pulled out at the end with zero setup. At the same time, Dessa makes spell bags that have nothing to do with light of any kind, just herbs. So, there's also witchy magic? Her spell magic isn't just superstition. It apparently actually works against the light-based magical monsters. And I have to mention this - were they planning on winning the war against an army of moonlight monsters with just the four of them? Seven if you include the magical cats. No one planned for that??? Was the queen going to magically nuke them and she's the only one with the power to do that?
I'm so sorry. I feel horrible. I was so excited for this book, and I wanted so badly to love it. On paper, it sounds like a lot of things I really enjoy - magical girls being heroic and saving the world, magical talking cat familiars with personalities, found family, a sapphic romance, the main character learning to rely on others. It just didn't click for me for the above reasons. On the bright side, it seems like a lot of other people rated it high, so maybe I'm just an outlier. I'm going to try reading something else from this author because I like the ideas she has. The execution on this one didn't hit for me, but maybe I'll like other stuff by her?
2.5 stars
When I heard queer magical girls, I knew I needed to read this. The cover art is so pretty, too! It's giving K-Pop Demon Hunters with the colours. I'm so glad the characters are all adults. I've mostly seen high school age magical girls or younger, but as an adult, it's nice to see adult characters, too. The main cast is in grad school.
I saw someone describe this book as cozy. Your definition may vary, but I wouldn't say fighting to save the world from a doomsday event is cozy. This is high stakes stuff and Harlow's continual self-isolation and secret keeping for the entire book makes things even more stressful.
I'm not a fan of characters keeping secrets from their friends, especially when there's danger. I know it's one of Harlow's flaws, but it still frustrates me that no one knows what she's doing because she doesn't want to stress her team out. Then, when she finds out someone has kept something from her, she's hurt and upset, as if she hasn't been keeping much worse from her friends. It would be understandable if she had a reason to be hyper-independent, but the book doesn't give her one. In K-Pop Demon Hunters, Rumi doesn't tell the other girls her secret because she's full of shame, self-loathing, and has been told all her life to keep it a secret. If keeping secrets and wanting to do everything alone are Harlow's flaws, why is she like that? We need to understand her to empathize. There's flawed, and then there's annoying, and unfortunately, she's just annoying to me.
She isn't shown to do nice things for others, whereas other people are always taking care of or looking out for her. I don't get why she has friends. What value does she bring to her relationships? Sure, she takes on the danger herself, but it defeats the purpose of having a team. Len and Dessa are like sworn to her or something (it's not specified, and Harlow worries Dessa will leave if she disagrees with her actions too much) so they're basically stuck watching her back, but Gigi and Rainey don't have to put up with her. Somehow, everyone loves her.
Harlow is supposed to be this fighter trained her entire life, "a general capable of complex strategy," but she (and even Dessa and Len) point out the most obvious things, and Harlow rushes into fights without any thought for strategy or minimizing risk/injury. She must have missed all the lessons about how to fight in a unit because she makes rookie mistakes like injuring her allies in battle and running out to get into melee range of a distant opponent and blocking the archer's shot. Maybe let the archer do her job???
The trio of magical girls all trust a stranger WAY too quickly. It's weird. Then Dessa and Len just let Harlow be alone with him without questioning it when they know things are more dangerous than usual and they haven't vetted this man more than a brief introduction. By this point, he hasn't even been shown to fight actively with them when there are baddies around - he's conveniently and mysteriously not around. Then Harlow goes into a hidden entrance to a bookstore basement with him like there's no way anything bad could happen to her. That education in complex strategy is hard at work.
I really dislike love triangles. Often, one love interest is obviously better than the other, or neither of them make sense for the main character. It's rare that all the characters are written well enough for the indecision to feel genuine. I think the tension of the implied love triangle so early in the book, when I don't feel like I know the characters well enough to be attached to any of them (including the main character), is what made it difficult for me to continue with the book. Also, this isn't 2014. The sapphic romantic interest doesn't need to be Legend of Korra level subtle. I honestly wondered if this was just queer bait because the majority of the book is focused on the male romance.
Speaking of the male romance... Listen, I thought Tuxedo Mask was cool, but Fox? Dude takes a girl on a date where there's a dress code and doesn't warn her, so she gets there and feels self-conscious and underdressed - meanwhile, he's dressed appropriately. He also tells her he was in love with her and that she was in love with him before they really know each other, and it feels icky to me. It puts pressure on Harlow to feel the same way again now. It would have been nice to actually like him instead of being suspicious, while Harlow throws caution to the wind with him.
The female romantic interest is the archer Harlow always blocks from doing her job, Dessa. She's nice, but, I dunno. I didn't really feel the romantic tension between them. Maybe I was just too annoyed with how Harlow treats her and Len? It feels like all of Harlow's attention is on the monsters and Fox, and she takes the other girls for granted and only thinks about them in relation to keeping them out of things she's doing. If you're here for the sapphic romance, your tolerance may vary, but this felt more hetero-heavy. I imagined there would be so much more of a bond shown between the three magical girls, and it actually felt like Harlow liked her human friends more.
So, if I didn't like the characters, did I at least like the story or world? Well... I'm not usually one to poke holes in stuff, but this magic system is so vague and doesn't make sense. Starlight: good. Moonlight: bad, but not really??? Sunlight: not mentioned by anyone, even though moonlight is just a reflection of sunlight. And then the magical trump card gets pulled out at the end with zero setup. At the same time, Dessa makes spell bags that have nothing to do with light of any kind, just herbs. So, there's also witchy magic? Her spell magic isn't just superstition. It apparently actually works against the light-based magical monsters. And I have to mention this - were they planning on winning the war against an army of moonlight monsters with just the four of them? Seven if you include the magical cats. No one planned for that??? Was the queen going to magically nuke them and she's the only one with the power to do that?
I'm so sorry. I feel horrible. I was so excited for this book, and I wanted so badly to love it. On paper, it sounds like a lot of things I really enjoy - magical girls being heroic and saving the world, magical talking cat familiars with personalities, found family, a sapphic romance, the main character learning to rely on others. It just didn't click for me for the above reasons. On the bright side, it seems like a lot of other people rated it high, so maybe I'm just an outlier. I'm going to try reading something else from this author because I like the ideas she has. The execution on this one didn't hit for me, but maybe I'll like other stuff by her?
2.5 stars
Review of advance copy received from Author
Warnings: On-page depictions of blood, death, injury and murder.
Sailor Moon was one of the earliest anime series I fell in love with. Though the manga is rightfully a classic, there’s not been as much prose fiction inspired by it (Lunar Chronicles notwithstanding). Of Swords and Starlight is a welcome exception.
From the past lives to the space cats and even roses given by the love interest, this is very clearly written by a fan of that series. I, for one, particularly liked the Luna-Usagi esque relationship between Harlow and her space cat guardian, Carina. But the talent of Jones is how, like the best authors, she uses these familiar beats as a jumping off point for a wider story about female friendship, relationships, and the far-reaching impact of misinformation.
Harlow is our main point of view for the novel, and I was really invested in her character arc. As the “sword” of her group, alongside her friends Len and Dessa, she’s shouldering a huge amount – describing her metaphorical plate as “full, on fire, and spinning rapidly on the brink of collapse.” Add into this the revelations about her previous life, and she’s clearly conflicted, torn between staying true to her friends and following a deep need to discover her own truth.
If anything, I’d have liked a bit more about the girls’ past lives, as I didn’t think this was covered enough except for small, beautifully descriptive moments.
What definitely did take centre stage is the friendships – not just between the three non-humans, but between Harlow’s human coworkers at the campus observatory. Rainey and Gigi may not know about Harlow’s heritage straight away, but they each add something to her life on earth, and are instantly ride or die as soon as the stakes ramp up.
And between Harlow, Len, and Dessa there’s also an easy, breezy tone to the dialogue – making it clear they’re a trio with a friendship that’s battle-forged in more ways than one.
However, with the pressures of grad school and saving the world constantly competing, Harlow finds herself isolated from both groups – saying that “She didn’t have the luxury of friends. She had monsters to fight.” She’s wondering about her place in it all – until meeting with a mysterious fellow student. Fox is a character who is more than he first appears – and what he shows Harlow about her past is this too. It definitely gave me vibes of Rumi and Jinu from K-Pop Demon Hunters.
At times, we readers – like Harlow, Dessa, and Len — aren’t sure who’s telling the truth, what information they’re keeping back or for what reasons. Len, Harlow and Dessa aren’t just a group of generic magical girls – they’re real people, making decisions based on the information they have and the context they are within. As Harlow recounts from one of her journalism classes, “Knowledge could be a powerful tool against disinformation and corruption. But only so much as people were willing to understand it.”
Though I think this was a well-paced read of a decent length, I think I would’ve liked it to be longer, as some relationships weren’t as expanded upon as they could have been (I’m particularly thinking of Harlow and Fox, and Harlow and Dessa).
What’s more, even though this is just a standalone at the moment, the ending does leave open a lot of possibilities which I’d like to see explored!
Overall, Of Swords and Starlight is a warm and thematically rich read, with strong female friendships and emotional character arcs that are sure to delight fans of magical girl media both old and new.
Sailor Moon was one of the earliest anime series I fell in love with. Though the manga is rightfully a classic, there’s not been as much prose fiction inspired by it (Lunar Chronicles notwithstanding). Of Swords and Starlight is a welcome exception.
From the past lives to the space cats and even roses given by the love interest, this is very clearly written by a fan of that series. I, for one, particularly liked the Luna-Usagi esque relationship between Harlow and her space cat guardian, Carina. But the talent of Jones is how, like the best authors, she uses these familiar beats as a jumping off point for a wider story about female friendship, relationships, and the far-reaching impact of misinformation.
Harlow is our main point of view for the novel, and I was really invested in her character arc. As the “sword” of her group, alongside her friends Len and Dessa, she’s shouldering a huge amount – describing her metaphorical plate as “full, on fire, and spinning rapidly on the brink of collapse.” Add into this the revelations about her previous life, and she’s clearly conflicted, torn between staying true to her friends and following a deep need to discover her own truth.
If anything, I’d have liked a bit more about the girls’ past lives, as I didn’t think this was covered enough except for small, beautifully descriptive moments.
What definitely did take centre stage is the friendships – not just between the three non-humans, but between Harlow’s human coworkers at the campus observatory. Rainey and Gigi may not know about Harlow’s heritage straight away, but they each add something to her life on earth, and are instantly ride or die as soon as the stakes ramp up.
And between Harlow, Len, and Dessa there’s also an easy, breezy tone to the dialogue – making it clear they’re a trio with a friendship that’s battle-forged in more ways than one.
However, with the pressures of grad school and saving the world constantly competing, Harlow finds herself isolated from both groups – saying that “She didn’t have the luxury of friends. She had monsters to fight.” She’s wondering about her place in it all – until meeting with a mysterious fellow student. Fox is a character who is more than he first appears – and what he shows Harlow about her past is this too. It definitely gave me vibes of Rumi and Jinu from K-Pop Demon Hunters.
At times, we readers – like Harlow, Dessa, and Len — aren’t sure who’s telling the truth, what information they’re keeping back or for what reasons. Len, Harlow and Dessa aren’t just a group of generic magical girls – they’re real people, making decisions based on the information they have and the context they are within. As Harlow recounts from one of her journalism classes, “Knowledge could be a powerful tool against disinformation and corruption. But only so much as people were willing to understand it.”
Though I think this was a well-paced read of a decent length, I think I would’ve liked it to be longer, as some relationships weren’t as expanded upon as they could have been (I’m particularly thinking of Harlow and Fox, and Harlow and Dessa).
What’s more, even though this is just a standalone at the moment, the ending does leave open a lot of possibilities which I’d like to see explored!
Overall, Of Swords and Starlight is a warm and thematically rich read, with strong female friendships and emotional character arcs that are sure to delight fans of magical girl media both old and new.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.7 stars for me!
Haven't got enough of Kpop Demon Hunters or Sailor Moon? Then Of Swords and Starlight is the book for you! It has all their vibes and even adds space cats and paranormal monsters to it. Yeah, a lot is going on. At some point, I was thinking about the training scene in Barbie and the Three Musketeers. It has a strong classic narrative structure: introduction, the trigger, the preparation, the fight, the final battle, the aftermath, etc.
I loved the magical system, with starlight vs moonlight and, of course, the space cats functioning as guardians. Kind of like Miraculous Ladybug! This duality can be read as a political divide between certain species and classes, and you know how much I love a critical political touch. It doesn't explicitly elaborate on it, nor on other themes like trauma; I felt like it just touched the surface and nothing more. Like it or not, I am fine with how the story dealt with it, and I would've been fine if it indeed dug deeper.
--------> May contain spoilers <--------
The element of a forgotten past life was so appealing! Like, who hasn't ever wished that he/she/they had a secret life they'd never known? I also like the premise that those affected have yet to wake up, as it shows how much memory and experience actually make up your identity. Especially when a forgotten lover suddenly turns your world upside down. Like, what do you mean, my boss/aunt is actually the reason why we (aliens) had to migrate to Earth?? There's a little subromance sprinkled there, which I think was just cute and Romeo & Juliet-ish. However, the main love in this story was for yourself and your best friends! FOUND FAMILY BABY! The girls, Harlow, Len, and Dessa, were just an incredible trio together, and their characters just complement each other so well. I love how clear their roles are, also evident in their personalities.
A few things that I think could've made the story more immersive were the worldbuilding; it was there, but barely. I missed some specific original anchors in the city, or maybe even from their alien planet. Now, it felt like this could've taken place in any sci-fi world. But the narrative and character dynamics made up for it. And the backstory. I would've loved to know more about their past lives, or that of the Queen (also, I'm missing some concrete names for characters; now they feel like mere abstract dramatis personae).
However, the actions, the bigger and smaller moments between the three girls, were really touching, and just that was how celestial magic is presented in this book, which was so cool!
Thank you kindly, Wren Jones, for this supernatural e-ARC of Of Swords and Starlight!
Haven't got enough of Kpop Demon Hunters or Sailor Moon? Then Of Swords and Starlight is the book for you! It has all their vibes and even adds space cats and paranormal monsters to it. Yeah, a lot is going on. At some point, I was thinking about the training scene in Barbie and the Three Musketeers. It has a strong classic narrative structure: introduction, the trigger, the preparation, the fight, the final battle, the aftermath, etc.
I loved the magical system, with starlight vs moonlight and, of course, the space cats functioning as guardians. Kind of like Miraculous Ladybug! This duality can be read as a political divide between certain species and classes, and you know how much I love a critical political touch. It doesn't explicitly elaborate on it, nor on other themes like trauma; I felt like it just touched the surface and nothing more. Like it or not, I am fine with how the story dealt with it, and I would've been fine if it indeed dug deeper.
--------> May contain spoilers <--------
The element of a forgotten past life was so appealing! Like, who hasn't ever wished that he/she/they had a secret life they'd never known? I also like the premise that those affected have yet to wake up, as it shows how much memory and experience actually make up your identity. Especially when a forgotten lover suddenly turns your world upside down. Like, what do you mean, my boss/aunt is actually the reason why we (aliens) had to migrate to Earth?? There's a little subromance sprinkled there, which I think was just cute and Romeo & Juliet-ish. However, the main love in this story was for yourself and your best friends! FOUND FAMILY BABY! The girls, Harlow, Len, and Dessa, were just an incredible trio together, and their characters just complement each other so well. I love how clear their roles are, also evident in their personalities.
A few things that I think could've made the story more immersive were the worldbuilding; it was there, but barely. I missed some specific original anchors in the city, or maybe even from their alien planet. Now, it felt like this could've taken place in any sci-fi world. But the narrative and character dynamics made up for it. And the backstory. I would've loved to know more about their past lives, or that of the Queen (also, I'm missing some concrete names for characters; now they feel like mere abstract dramatis personae).
However, the actions, the bigger and smaller moments between the three girls, were really touching, and just that was how celestial magic is presented in this book, which was so cool!
Thank you kindly, Wren Jones, for this supernatural e-ARC of Of Swords and Starlight!
Review of advance copy received from Author
In a nutshell: This was such an amazing, action packed and yet cozy fantasy. It is inspired by Sailormoon and K-pop Demon Hunters, and therefore we get an amazing all female lead of strong magical girls, and their space cats! There’s awesome “monsters”, great fight scenes, a fantastic story of friendship, morally grey villains and so much more!
What I loved: From the get go, I loved the atmosphere and how nostalgic everything felt. It gave me that feel-good feeling whilst reading it. The power of friendship was definitely front and center in this book, and as we follow Harlow, we get to know and fall in love with her magical girl boss™ friends and their space cats too. Harlow also has two amazing friends, both humans who are just as strong willed and so supportive.
There is so much witty banter between all of them, and their connection together felt so authentic, especially between the trio, you could tell they had so much love and trust between all of them, and their space cats. After all, they were all aliens from another world, reborn again on earth. The Sword, The Bow and The Shield, all strong capable women who have the ability to harness starlight.
The magic system was so freaking cool and I ate up the details whenever there was a scene where they harnessed their power through starlight, and when they fought against the space monsters. It was just so captivating and I loved it!
I loved the air of mystery that came with a lot of this story too, you follow Harlow and her friends on a journey as she tries to unlock the memories to her past. All whilst she tries to keep up with her studies at uni, fights off monsters and comes in contact with a mysterious man called Fox who claims to have known Harlow in their past world. There’s so much to uncover and work through and it definitely kept me so engaged the whole time!
The romance definitely isn’t the main part of the story, but I did find myself invested in it regardless. What can I say, I am a romance reader at heart. I loved that the romance and Harlow's connections weren’t linear, they all were so personal and individual between her and each one of her friends. Again this story just absolutely nailed that found family feeling so well.
Special mention to the cool as shit space cats. I loved how they were so unapologetically themselves, especially Carina who very much so doesn’t hesitate to speak the truth. They were so amazing. Definitely off to the shop to get them the good food they like.
What didn't work for me: Whilst I loved all of the lore and the magic system, I do wish that it went into more detail with some of it.
Memorable quote:She felt comfort in the touch, the soft fur, and heat radiating from her. Carina was grounding, a steady force when everything else was adrift on a turbulent sea.
What I loved: From the get go, I loved the atmosphere and how nostalgic everything felt. It gave me that feel-good feeling whilst reading it. The power of friendship was definitely front and center in this book, and as we follow Harlow, we get to know and fall in love with her magical girl boss™ friends and their space cats too. Harlow also has two amazing friends, both humans who are just as strong willed and so supportive.
There is so much witty banter between all of them, and their connection together felt so authentic, especially between the trio, you could tell they had so much love and trust between all of them, and their space cats. After all, they were all aliens from another world, reborn again on earth. The Sword, The Bow and The Shield, all strong capable women who have the ability to harness starlight.
The magic system was so freaking cool and I ate up the details whenever there was a scene where they harnessed their power through starlight, and when they fought against the space monsters. It was just so captivating and I loved it!
I loved the air of mystery that came with a lot of this story too, you follow Harlow and her friends on a journey as she tries to unlock the memories to her past. All whilst she tries to keep up with her studies at uni, fights off monsters and comes in contact with a mysterious man called Fox who claims to have known Harlow in their past world. There’s so much to uncover and work through and it definitely kept me so engaged the whole time!
The romance definitely isn’t the main part of the story, but I did find myself invested in it regardless. What can I say, I am a romance reader at heart. I loved that the romance and Harlow's connections weren’t linear, they all were so personal and individual between her and each one of her friends. Again this story just absolutely nailed that found family feeling so well.
Special mention to the cool as shit space cats. I loved how they were so unapologetically themselves, especially Carina who very much so doesn’t hesitate to speak the truth. They were so amazing. Definitely off to the shop to get them the good food they like.
What didn't work for me: Whilst I loved all of the lore and the magic system, I do wish that it went into more detail with some of it.
Memorable quote:She felt comfort in the touch, the soft fur, and heat radiating from her. Carina was grounding, a steady force when everything else was adrift on a turbulent sea.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for selecting me for this ARC--I was so excited from the first Instagram posts that passed my way and was hoping I would get the chance to read the book early, since it sounded right up my alley. And it was! Sailor Moon meets KPop Demon Hunters in this urban fantasy title--this book was very well comp'ed and marketed, and was exactly what I was hoping it would be!
Of Swords and Starlight follows Harlow, a graduate student in journalism with a side-gig in astronomy who also happens to be a magical girl. In a background similar to Sailor Moon, Harlow and her friends are the reincarnation of princesses in a magical space empire, who were reborn on Earth to continue the war that their original planet lost. The girls don't remember much about their interstellar lives, but nobly continue the fight against moon-powered monsters.
However, things get complicated when Harlow meets Fox, a boy who remembers everything about their past lives and about her. . .
I really enjoyed this book! I adored the cat guardians, especially Carina, I enjoyed that Harlow had her two friends outside of the magical girl squad in the form of Gigi and Rainey, and her bond with her fellow magical girls, Dessa and Len.
The lore was intriguing, if not dived into as much as I might have liked, and the combat scenes were excellent! Action is definitely Jones's strong suit, and it made the combat in this story sing. The environment was also super cozy, and very accurate to being toward the end of one's college journey and all the stress that comes with. I did find the romantic relationships to be a little wanting, but there's definitely room to expand on those and the lore in future installments.
This is a fun romp and I really enjoyed it! I'm hoping there might even be sequel, since there are some open threads left for storytelling. I'll also be keeping an eye out for when the book is available for purchase!
Of Swords and Starlight follows Harlow, a graduate student in journalism with a side-gig in astronomy who also happens to be a magical girl. In a background similar to Sailor Moon, Harlow and her friends are the reincarnation of princesses in a magical space empire, who were reborn on Earth to continue the war that their original planet lost. The girls don't remember much about their interstellar lives, but nobly continue the fight against moon-powered monsters.
However, things get complicated when Harlow meets Fox, a boy who remembers everything about their past lives and about her. . .
I really enjoyed this book! I adored the cat guardians, especially Carina, I enjoyed that Harlow had her two friends outside of the magical girl squad in the form of Gigi and Rainey, and her bond with her fellow magical girls, Dessa and Len.
The lore was intriguing, if not dived into as much as I might have liked, and the combat scenes were excellent! Action is definitely Jones's strong suit, and it made the combat in this story sing. The environment was also super cozy, and very accurate to being toward the end of one's college journey and all the stress that comes with. I did find the romantic relationships to be a little wanting, but there's definitely room to expand on those and the lore in future installments.
This is a fun romp and I really enjoyed it! I'm hoping there might even be sequel, since there are some open threads left for storytelling. I'll also be keeping an eye out for when the book is available for purchase!
May 18, 2026
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this ARC! I have been soooo excited about this book since its announcement so to be able to finally read it and to get to read it early just made me full of joy! 😁
THIS BOOK WAS EVERY SAILOR MOON FANS DREAM!!!! It was so nostalgic for me! I read this one so fast haha I ate it up because it brought me so much joy! ✨
Ok I am in LOVE with these characters!! I want more of them! They are sooooo cute! This is legit a mix of Sailor Moon and Kpop Demon Hunters with space cats!
This is a friend group I want to be in! The girls are all soooo cute! I love them all so much! They have supernatural problems mixed with real world problems! I felt their stress of school, work, rent, and having to hardly sleep saving the world! (Not that I’m a superhero star guardian but I feel their stress haha) These girls are busy! I really enjoyed the differences between the friendships of Len and Dess (who are also Starlight Guardians) and of Rainey and Gigi (the human friend group)! All the girls have such fun personalities and I’m so glad they eventually meet up! They blended so well together!
The plot was very interesting and I really enjoyed it! The Starlight Guardians are reincarnated aliens from another planet that was destroyed. Now they continued the war that destroyed their planet against the Moonlight Monsters, the Mechodia. The Guardians don’t remember their past lives fully, but a stranger shows up who somehow remembers everything and has their eyes set on Harlow, the princess!
This book is on the shorter side sitting at 292 pages but the pacing felt just right! It didn’t feel too short at all! With some loose ends that need to be tied up (need to find certain people iykyk) I am so hoping for a book two because I need to jump back into this world!
I could not recommend this book enough!
This is a must read for Fans of Sailor Moon & Kpop Demon Hunters! Also, SPACE CATS! 💫
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️ (mostly kissing, nothing too crazy haha)
THIS BOOK WAS EVERY SAILOR MOON FANS DREAM!!!! It was so nostalgic for me! I read this one so fast haha I ate it up because it brought me so much joy! ✨
Ok I am in LOVE with these characters!! I want more of them! They are sooooo cute! This is legit a mix of Sailor Moon and Kpop Demon Hunters with space cats!
This is a friend group I want to be in! The girls are all soooo cute! I love them all so much! They have supernatural problems mixed with real world problems! I felt their stress of school, work, rent, and having to hardly sleep saving the world! (Not that I’m a superhero star guardian but I feel their stress haha) These girls are busy! I really enjoyed the differences between the friendships of Len and Dess (who are also Starlight Guardians) and of Rainey and Gigi (the human friend group)! All the girls have such fun personalities and I’m so glad they eventually meet up! They blended so well together!
The plot was very interesting and I really enjoyed it! The Starlight Guardians are reincarnated aliens from another planet that was destroyed. Now they continued the war that destroyed their planet against the Moonlight Monsters, the Mechodia. The Guardians don’t remember their past lives fully, but a stranger shows up who somehow remembers everything and has their eyes set on Harlow, the princess!
This book is on the shorter side sitting at 292 pages but the pacing felt just right! It didn’t feel too short at all! With some loose ends that need to be tied up (need to find certain people iykyk) I am so hoping for a book two because I need to jump back into this world!
I could not recommend this book enough!
This is a must read for Fans of Sailor Moon & Kpop Demon Hunters! Also, SPACE CATS! 💫
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️ (mostly kissing, nothing too crazy haha)
Review of advance copy received from Author
*Actual rating is 4.5 stars*
Of Swords and Starlight is inspired by the likes of Sailor Moon and K-Pop Demon Hunters - and as such features all of the magical girls goodness you need in your life. The story follows Harlow, a space princess incarnated on earth. Being a sword, a warrior able to wield starlight, she is tasked to defend the planet from space monsters. But she isn’t alone in the battle, by her side she has her two friends Len and Dessa. Not to mention their respective guardian space cat. When the monsters start to get more intense and the whole battle seems to shift for the worse, the girls will have to do everything in their power to win it.
This urban fantasy/sci-fi caught my attention on Instagram, as the author's posts made it seem like this book would be something for me. And it definitely lived up to my expectations. Not only are the girls absolutely kick-ass, but their friendship was amazing! It’s like one of those friendship groups you wish were real so that you could be part of it. And that includes the two humans Gigi and Rainy and the cats as well! The found family vibes are very strong, wish I’m a big fan of. There was a bit of romance, and while I found it a bit out of place, after finishing the book I feel like maybe that was the point? But luckily it didn’t deter from the very fun journey the girls had while trying to defend Earth while bringing both the action and the cozy vibes. Hopefully there will be more from this highly engaging world in the future, because I need more of these magical girls in my life. The ending felt like there could be more to come, so who knows?
—
Thank you to the author for an e-arc of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Of Swords and Starlight is inspired by the likes of Sailor Moon and K-Pop Demon Hunters - and as such features all of the magical girls goodness you need in your life. The story follows Harlow, a space princess incarnated on earth. Being a sword, a warrior able to wield starlight, she is tasked to defend the planet from space monsters. But she isn’t alone in the battle, by her side she has her two friends Len and Dessa. Not to mention their respective guardian space cat. When the monsters start to get more intense and the whole battle seems to shift for the worse, the girls will have to do everything in their power to win it.
This urban fantasy/sci-fi caught my attention on Instagram, as the author's posts made it seem like this book would be something for me. And it definitely lived up to my expectations. Not only are the girls absolutely kick-ass, but their friendship was amazing! It’s like one of those friendship groups you wish were real so that you could be part of it. And that includes the two humans Gigi and Rainy and the cats as well! The found family vibes are very strong, wish I’m a big fan of. There was a bit of romance, and while I found it a bit out of place, after finishing the book I feel like maybe that was the point? But luckily it didn’t deter from the very fun journey the girls had while trying to defend Earth while bringing both the action and the cozy vibes. Hopefully there will be more from this highly engaging world in the future, because I need more of these magical girls in my life. The ending felt like there could be more to come, so who knows?
—
Thank you to the author for an e-arc of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
*I got an arc*
CW: betrayal; lost memories; monster-inflicted injuries; loss of income
A wonderful love letter to those of us that refuse to age out of our love for Sailor Moon (and other magical girls including, if I must, Cardcaptor Sakura)!!
When I saw the beautiful cover for this book (paired with the note about it being for fans of Sailor Moon) I knew I needed it. If I were to describe this book I would say the setting is Sailor Moon with more of the dynamics of K-Pop Demon Hunters with a smidge of Cardcaptor Sakura (in the need to have excellent outfits that are not an inherent part of the transformation sequence). This book is honestly a warm hug that upholds the queer joy and resilience that magical girls are known for.
My only real critique is that I wanted *more.* While sometimes fantasy authors overburden readers with information, I feel like "Of Swords And Starlight" could have benefitted from a bit more background on the starlight & moonlight conflict. I was initially worried it was a bit too much like Sailor Moon, but instead it was a wonderful subversion of my expectations!
My favourite thing, however, may not be the book itself but rather Wren Jones's author note to accompany the arc. Her email emphasized "If something feels iffy for you, please, please let me know so I can incorporate your feedback and minimize harm before it goes out into the world." I have read hundreds of arcs and very few authors are so blatant in their attempt to be inclusive. Proof that magical girls will always work hard to right wrongs and triumph over evil ;)
CW: betrayal; lost memories; monster-inflicted injuries; loss of income
A wonderful love letter to those of us that refuse to age out of our love for Sailor Moon (and other magical girls including, if I must, Cardcaptor Sakura)!!
When I saw the beautiful cover for this book (paired with the note about it being for fans of Sailor Moon) I knew I needed it. If I were to describe this book I would say the setting is Sailor Moon with more of the dynamics of K-Pop Demon Hunters with a smidge of Cardcaptor Sakura (in the need to have excellent outfits that are not an inherent part of the transformation sequence). This book is honestly a warm hug that upholds the queer joy and resilience that magical girls are known for.
My only real critique is that I wanted *more.* While sometimes fantasy authors overburden readers with information, I feel like "Of Swords And Starlight" could have benefitted from a bit more background on the starlight & moonlight conflict. I was initially worried it was a bit too much like Sailor Moon, but instead it was a wonderful subversion of my expectations!
My favourite thing, however, may not be the book itself but rather Wren Jones's author note to accompany the arc. Her email emphasized "If something feels iffy for you, please, please let me know so I can incorporate your feedback and minimize harm before it goes out into the world." I have read hundreds of arcs and very few authors are so blatant in their attempt to be inclusive. Proof that magical girls will always work hard to right wrongs and triumph over evil ;)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Of Swords and Starlight was such a fun read and made this Sailor Moon obsessed girly quite happy!
I was lucky enough to get an ARC, and honestly, I devoured it in under a day. It has that perfect blend of nostalgia and fresh fantasy energy — especially if, like me, you grew up living for magical‑girl transformations.
The cover hooked me first (I’m absolutely a cover shopper), but the story kept me turning pages. There were a few plot twists I genuinely didn’t see coming, which was such a nice surprise in a genre that can sometimes feel predictable. And yes, there are some clichés… but they’re the good kind, and honestly, Sailor Moon is peak cliché at times, so it just added to the charm.
The character dynamics were great. The friend group chemistry just worked — the banter, the loyalty, the chaotic teamwork. I’d happily read a whole book of them just hanging out and being disasters together.
If I had to nitpick (purely personal preference), I would’ve loved a bit more romance or relationship growth between the main characters. Not spice — that’s not really my thing — just a little more development. It’s there, but it’s light. Some of the action scenes wrapped up a bit fast, and the ending could’ve lingered longer, but it still fit the tone of the book. None of it was a dealbreaker.
Overall, this is a cosy fantasy with magical‑girl flair, easy pacing, and characters you want to follow into the next adventure. I had such a good time with it and would absolutely read more in this world!
I was lucky enough to get an ARC, and honestly, I devoured it in under a day. It has that perfect blend of nostalgia and fresh fantasy energy — especially if, like me, you grew up living for magical‑girl transformations.
The cover hooked me first (I’m absolutely a cover shopper), but the story kept me turning pages. There were a few plot twists I genuinely didn’t see coming, which was such a nice surprise in a genre that can sometimes feel predictable. And yes, there are some clichés… but they’re the good kind, and honestly, Sailor Moon is peak cliché at times, so it just added to the charm.
The character dynamics were great. The friend group chemistry just worked — the banter, the loyalty, the chaotic teamwork. I’d happily read a whole book of them just hanging out and being disasters together.
If I had to nitpick (purely personal preference), I would’ve loved a bit more romance or relationship growth between the main characters. Not spice — that’s not really my thing — just a little more development. It’s there, but it’s light. Some of the action scenes wrapped up a bit fast, and the ending could’ve lingered longer, but it still fit the tone of the book. None of it was a dealbreaker.
Overall, this is a cosy fantasy with magical‑girl flair, easy pacing, and characters you want to follow into the next adventure. I had such a good time with it and would absolutely read more in this world!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wren Jones, you’ve done it again! I had such high hopes for this book as soon as I saw the announcement asking for ARC readers and, I’m so pleased to say the book lived up to them all.
This was a cosy, feel-good story, with bad-ass magical girls and their space cat sidekicks, which has been compared to Sailor Moon and K-Pop Demon Hunters. The girls have the ability to harness the power of starlight (I mean, say no more) and use it to battle monsters wielding moonlight powers. Oh, and they’re also reincarnated aliens, reborn on Earth so that they can have a second chance to win the war that destroyed their home planet!
I loved reading this one and devoured it in two sittings. The characters were loveable and easy to picture, and I loved their witty banter and how they performed their designated roles, both in battle and out. The will-they-wont-they tension between Harlow and Fox added some complication and depth to the story and I was really interested to see where it would go. I also especially enjoyed Gi-Gi, an optimistic and chronically-time-blind human side-character with an uncanny eye for fashion. (Can you say cute, girly super suits?)
Overall, a fantastic and fun read that was really well-written. Entertaining for all the girlies, and super appropriate for younger readers too, so get it on your TBRs ASAP!
Thank you so much to the author for providing an ARC of this book so that I could give my honest review. It was an absolute treat to read! May we have a sequel soon, pretty please?
5⭐️
This was a cosy, feel-good story, with bad-ass magical girls and their space cat sidekicks, which has been compared to Sailor Moon and K-Pop Demon Hunters. The girls have the ability to harness the power of starlight (I mean, say no more) and use it to battle monsters wielding moonlight powers. Oh, and they’re also reincarnated aliens, reborn on Earth so that they can have a second chance to win the war that destroyed their home planet!
I loved reading this one and devoured it in two sittings. The characters were loveable and easy to picture, and I loved their witty banter and how they performed their designated roles, both in battle and out. The will-they-wont-they tension between Harlow and Fox added some complication and depth to the story and I was really interested to see where it would go. I also especially enjoyed Gi-Gi, an optimistic and chronically-time-blind human side-character with an uncanny eye for fashion. (Can you say cute, girly super suits?)
Overall, a fantastic and fun read that was really well-written. Entertaining for all the girlies, and super appropriate for younger readers too, so get it on your TBRs ASAP!
Thank you so much to the author for providing an ARC of this book so that I could give my honest review. It was an absolute treat to read! May we have a sequel soon, pretty please?
5⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
With Of Swords and Starlight, author Wren Jones pays homage to shows like Sailor Moon and K-Pop Demon Hunters, and does her own spin on the concept. Our main trio, Harlow, Dessa and Len work with magic space cats and call upon starlight to craft their weapons and fight monsters called Mechoida that seem hell-bent on destroying main character Harlow.
The identity of the Mechoida and their goals are the main plot focus and it keeps things nice and mysterious through most of the story, with some solid twists here and there.
My favorite parts by far are when the trio are joking around with each other and/or the handful of side characters that show up throughout the story. There are a couple of romantic subplots, one that was subtle enough to keep me guessing whether it was romantic - and it was worth the wait to get the answer!
Overall character development feels a bit minimal, but Harlow does come to realize her shortcomings and learn to trust her team as time goes on.
Wren leaves a few plot points unresolved/as cliffhangers, and it makes me really hopeful that she'll continue this world she's built, as the characters and magic are a delight! I'm so grateful to have received an ARC copy and will definitely be getting a physical copy when the book releases!
The identity of the Mechoida and their goals are the main plot focus and it keeps things nice and mysterious through most of the story, with some solid twists here and there.
My favorite parts by far are when the trio are joking around with each other and/or the handful of side characters that show up throughout the story. There are a couple of romantic subplots, one that was subtle enough to keep me guessing whether it was romantic - and it was worth the wait to get the answer!
Overall character development feels a bit minimal, but Harlow does come to realize her shortcomings and learn to trust her team as time goes on.
Wren leaves a few plot points unresolved/as cliffhangers, and it makes me really hopeful that she'll continue this world she's built, as the characters and magic are a delight! I'm so grateful to have received an ARC copy and will definitely be getting a physical copy when the book releases!
May 24, 2026
A YA Urban Fantasy/Sci-Fi that gives Sailor Moon x Hamlet vibes, with Space Cats.
3.5 stars
As if life as a Uni student isn’t hard enough already, being a princess of an alien diaspora, tasked with hunting and killing monsters who draw power from the Moon is rough.
Harlow struggles with her stubborn independence, though her heart is in the right place, she pushes her friends away to keep them safe, endangering herself in the process.
While searching for answers about her half-remembered past, she meets Fox. A tall, handsome stranger who is not only from her home planet, but claims to remember everything from that time.
I enjoyed the story, though I did find there were some gaps in the “reawakened alien race now living on earth” part that made it hard to fully get into the story. I just had so many questions that weren’t answered…but so did the main character I guess, so maybe that was the point.
There were some unexpected turns in the plot, which I enjoyed, and while there were some Queen Beryl and Tuxedo Mask vibes (Sailor Moon 💁🏻) the characters took a different trajectory, which was refreshing.
3.5 stars
As if life as a Uni student isn’t hard enough already, being a princess of an alien diaspora, tasked with hunting and killing monsters who draw power from the Moon is rough.
Harlow struggles with her stubborn independence, though her heart is in the right place, she pushes her friends away to keep them safe, endangering herself in the process.
While searching for answers about her half-remembered past, she meets Fox. A tall, handsome stranger who is not only from her home planet, but claims to remember everything from that time.
I enjoyed the story, though I did find there were some gaps in the “reawakened alien race now living on earth” part that made it hard to fully get into the story. I just had so many questions that weren’t answered…but so did the main character I guess, so maybe that was the point.
There were some unexpected turns in the plot, which I enjoyed, and while there were some Queen Beryl and Tuxedo Mask vibes (Sailor Moon 💁🏻) the characters took a different trajectory, which was refreshing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review
Rounded up from 3.5 stars
This story follows Harlow. She is a reincarnated warrior princess who fights monsters made of moonlight all the while she navigates her life as a university student. Harlow has fragmented memories of her past life and struggles to balance her royal duties with her present day responsibilities. When a mysterious stranger, Fox, comes in to play and reveals that he knows her from her past life, things really gets complicated.
The world that is portrayed is quite unique. It is a blend between fantasy and contemporary elements. The whole concept of reincarnated warriors, monsters made of moonlight and starlight magic is fresh.
The mystery of Harlow’s past and the growing threat of the Mechoida keep the story engaging and suspenseful. The action scenes are thrilling and well executed and the romance between Harlow and Fox is slow burn and full of chemistry.
I enjoyed the concept of this story. The combination of fantasy with university life is enjoyable and felt unique. I however thing that the story was a bit all over the place at times.
It was an enjoyable and fresh read.
Rounded up from 3.5 stars
This story follows Harlow. She is a reincarnated warrior princess who fights monsters made of moonlight all the while she navigates her life as a university student. Harlow has fragmented memories of her past life and struggles to balance her royal duties with her present day responsibilities. When a mysterious stranger, Fox, comes in to play and reveals that he knows her from her past life, things really gets complicated.
The world that is portrayed is quite unique. It is a blend between fantasy and contemporary elements. The whole concept of reincarnated warriors, monsters made of moonlight and starlight magic is fresh.
The mystery of Harlow’s past and the growing threat of the Mechoida keep the story engaging and suspenseful. The action scenes are thrilling and well executed and the romance between Harlow and Fox is slow burn and full of chemistry.
I enjoyed the concept of this story. The combination of fantasy with university life is enjoyable and felt unique. I however thing that the story was a bit all over the place at times.
It was an enjoyable and fresh read.
June 16, 2026
The premise of this book immediately caught my attention and I am incredibly thankful to the author for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.
I feel like this story had so much potential. Our main girlies are literally aliens from a doomed planet trying to stop chaos from descending upon Earth, but I feel like the book just didn't give me enough. I wanted more lore, more world-building, more depth to the characters... I just wanted more. I feel like there were a few missed opportunities to give us a 5-star story.
I feel like we were told the relationship between Harlow, Len, and Dessa was a strong, amazing thing, but to me, it didn't feel that way. Harlow constantly went out of her way to avoid them and I did not care for Dessa at all. She did not feel like Harlow's friend at all during the story.
Also, I feel like the final confrontation was so anti-climactic. I actually went back a couple of pages to check i hadn't missed anything because we got no details on how it all went down.
Overall, a fantastic premise but it just didn't deliver like I had hoped
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I feel like this story had so much potential. Our main girlies are literally aliens from a doomed planet trying to stop chaos from descending upon Earth, but I feel like the book just didn't give me enough. I wanted more lore, more world-building, more depth to the characters... I just wanted more. I feel like there were a few missed opportunities to give us a 5-star story.
I feel like we were told the relationship between Harlow, Len, and Dessa was a strong, amazing thing, but to me, it didn't feel that way. Harlow constantly went out of her way to avoid them and I did not care for Dessa at all. She did not feel like Harlow's friend at all during the story.
Also, I feel like the final confrontation was so anti-climactic. I actually went back a couple of pages to check i hadn't missed anything because we got no details on how it all went down.
Overall, a fantastic premise but it just didn't deliver like I had hoped
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Such a fun book! I loved the new spin on the magical girl trope. Our three main MCs lost their memories and homeworld, now living on Earth as they fight monsters and try to live normal lives. Each character (including two supporting) had their own skill set and personalities that set them apart and gave them a proper place in the plot. I liked the celestial magic system and the unknowns surrounding it. It had fairly "soft" rules while still requiring skill and sacrifice.
All of the story elements - missing memories, family pressure, a stranger with answers, college stress - fit into the narrative without feeling overwhelming. The plot had plenty of mysteries, not all of which are fully resolved by the end. Still, there was a satisfying conclusion. The guardian spacecats were a great addition and helped use learn more about our characters' original home world.
There was also a focus on politics and leadership, as one of our MCs is a princess and fighter. Her own journey to discover the truths of her life and people brings up some interesting questions about propaganda, and how people can be misled or choose the comfort of lies over reality. There were several fight/action scenes, all of which were engaging and well written. I'm hoping for a sequel and a chance to further delve into this world.
All of the story elements - missing memories, family pressure, a stranger with answers, college stress - fit into the narrative without feeling overwhelming. The plot had plenty of mysteries, not all of which are fully resolved by the end. Still, there was a satisfying conclusion. The guardian spacecats were a great addition and helped use learn more about our characters' original home world.
There was also a focus on politics and leadership, as one of our MCs is a princess and fighter. Her own journey to discover the truths of her life and people brings up some interesting questions about propaganda, and how people can be misled or choose the comfort of lies over reality. There were several fight/action scenes, all of which were engaging and well written. I'm hoping for a sequel and a chance to further delve into this world.
Read
May 31, 2026𝐚𝐫𝐜 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: i’m avoiding giving this a star rating because i don’t think that’s fair to do for arcs not yet published! i will say that while this was a fun, sailor moon-esque plot, i just didn’t find myself as invested as i had first anticipated 🥲 this might be just a me issue, but i found myself being a bit confused at various parts or not remembering if what i was reading had already been discussed. sometimes it seemed like parts skipped around a bit? the pacing felt choppy to me in the sense that some parts were very fast paced and others were sometimes too drawn out.
some chapters also had spelling/grammatical errors which tend to be distracting (for me personally) so from an arc reader pov id just say an editor should check through again :)
overall this was an entertaining enough story with a really fucking cool premise that i think loads of people will absolutely ADORE, but i do think the execution of it just wasn’t for me 🥲
some chapters also had spelling/grammatical errors which tend to be distracting (for me personally) so from an arc reader pov id just say an editor should check through again :)
overall this was an entertaining enough story with a really fucking cool premise that i think loads of people will absolutely ADORE, but i do think the execution of it just wasn’t for me 🥲
Review of advance copy received from Author
Even with my life being chaotic and busy, I couldn’t put this down!! I’m so grateful for the ARC opportunity and can’t recommend this enough!! 5/5 stars from me!
If you love a good story with a main character who is stubborn, a found family with unconditional love, drama and suspense, magic, and cat companions….this was written for you!! This book is a very easy read and a nice reminder that there’s beauty and love all around us…all we have to do is stop and let it all in.
After having read this, my entire soul wants a sequel! I fell in love with the characters so quickly and am not ready to say goodbye to them yet. I can honestly say that I can’t wait for the release and that I will absolutely be purchasing this for not only myself, but also for my fellow book nerds.
In the amazing words of Wren Jones: “stay aggressively kind and surprisingly spiteful”
💙
If you love a good story with a main character who is stubborn, a found family with unconditional love, drama and suspense, magic, and cat companions….this was written for you!! This book is a very easy read and a nice reminder that there’s beauty and love all around us…all we have to do is stop and let it all in.
After having read this, my entire soul wants a sequel! I fell in love with the characters so quickly and am not ready to say goodbye to them yet. I can honestly say that I can’t wait for the release and that I will absolutely be purchasing this for not only myself, but also for my fellow book nerds.
In the amazing words of Wren Jones: “stay aggressively kind and surprisingly spiteful”
💙
Review of advance copy received from Author
Received this book as an ARC from the author.
4.5 ⭐
This book was everything I didn't know I needed.
1) Sailor Moon vibes made me excited from the start and this book did not disappoint. We had star magic. We had cat companions. We had friendships. We had tuxedo mask! It was written in a way that reminded me of the show but was also new and exciting.
The characters were phenomenal. Harlow was wrong and wanted to take care of everyone so no one else would get hurt. Dessa and Len were perfect points to their trio.
Y'all are going to absolutely love Fox. He had all the mystery of Tuxedo mask but was still completely his own character.
I already want to go back and read this again because it made me feel like I was back in elementary school and coming home to turn on Toonami and watch the Sailor Scouts kick some ass before dinner.
4.5 ⭐
This book was everything I didn't know I needed.
1) Sailor Moon vibes made me excited from the start and this book did not disappoint. We had star magic. We had cat companions. We had friendships. We had tuxedo mask! It was written in a way that reminded me of the show but was also new and exciting.
The characters were phenomenal. Harlow was wrong and wanted to take care of everyone so no one else would get hurt. Dessa and Len were perfect points to their trio.
Y'all are going to absolutely love Fox. He had all the mystery of Tuxedo mask but was still completely his own character.
I already want to go back and read this again because it made me feel like I was back in elementary school and coming home to turn on Toonami and watch the Sailor Scouts kick some ass before dinner.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A huge thanks to the author for this free EARC! One of my favorite authors had posted about this story and after reading the synopsis, I was SO excited to read it and I applied immediately! It's compared to Sailor Moon (which, as an old, I'm not super familiar with) and KPop Demon Hunters (which as a fan, I loved to see) and it definitely hit the second one right on the money! This was very cute and cozy with just enough action scenes and mid-high level stakes. I love a good "memories trickle in" plot point to keep the reader in suspense. I also LOVE a cat familiar! (Carina is probably my favorite character) I hope the author continues to write about this universe. (The book does not end on a cliffhanger but there are definitely more places we can go!)
June 4, 2026
ARC REVIEW
This story felt like a breath of fresh air. There was a lot of bouncing back and forth conversations between the characters that feels like genuine banter and it truly does give that Sailor Moon vibe I know we’ve all been itching for. Don’t let that familiarity fool you, though. There are plenty of new twists and turns in this story.
It feels both nostalgic and new. It isn’t combat or battle heavy but also not completely comfy fantasy. I think it was a good balance for anyone wanting a laid back story where they can enjoy the ride but also have some tense moments and high stakes.
I really enjoyed this story and feel grateful for being part of the ARC reviews. I didn’t get enough, though. I’ll definitely be picking it up for my collection at home!
This story felt like a breath of fresh air. There was a lot of bouncing back and forth conversations between the characters that feels like genuine banter and it truly does give that Sailor Moon vibe I know we’ve all been itching for. Don’t let that familiarity fool you, though. There are plenty of new twists and turns in this story.
It feels both nostalgic and new. It isn’t combat or battle heavy but also not completely comfy fantasy. I think it was a good balance for anyone wanting a laid back story where they can enjoy the ride but also have some tense moments and high stakes.
I really enjoyed this story and feel grateful for being part of the ARC reviews. I didn’t get enough, though. I’ll definitely be picking it up for my collection at home!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is my second Sailor Moon inspired book that I've read, and it is closer to the plot of Sailor Moon of the two. A reincarnated princess from another world battling monsters at night with magical powers. However, it still manages to be its own story. Harlow is stubborn and protective and would rather go it alone than risk her friends. Dessa is snarky, sarcastic know-it-all with a loving heart. Len is the sweet and strong level-headed one who keeps the peace. I absolutely adore the cosmic cats, and I desperately want one of my own. I fell in love with Fox from the start, and it's just not fair. I just finished the book, and I already want to dive back in.
I received this book as an ARC from the author.
I received this book as an ARC from the author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a fun and quick paced urban fantasy/scifi mashup with engaging characters and a shifting space cat that I adore.
Harlow, our FMC, is the reincarnated space princess that gives major Super Girl vibes. She’s trying to fit in at university and in her job while fighting evil with her interstellar posse in her down time. She’s feisty, but I found her snark to be a bit overdone.
I wish the world building had been stronger. There’s a lot that could be shared about her history and the background of her people and their story that would have added so much without being too strong on the exposition.
There were a few spots where the writing was clunky, but this was an ARC read and that may be addressed in the final version.
Thanks so much to the author for the review copy.
Harlow, our FMC, is the reincarnated space princess that gives major Super Girl vibes. She’s trying to fit in at university and in her job while fighting evil with her interstellar posse in her down time. She’s feisty, but I found her snark to be a bit overdone.
I wish the world building had been stronger. There’s a lot that could be shared about her history and the background of her people and their story that would have added so much without being too strong on the exposition.
There were a few spots where the writing was clunky, but this was an ARC read and that may be addressed in the final version.
Thanks so much to the author for the review copy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This gave me all the Sailor Moon vibes. While it has some similarities, such as character traits in some of the characters, talking cats, celestial based powers, etc., this story still felt new. Harlow is our leader. She is independent and a bit reckless, which causes her to get in trouble. Len, Dessa, Gigi, and Rainey are her closest friends, and you can see where the inspiration from the senshi was used. However, only 2 actively fight against monsters and the other two are support. I like them all, and they support Harlow in different ways. Fox is our Mamoru-inspired character, and he is dreamy. The plot was engaging and fast-paced. I liked how the Queen was present and how the monsters were created. You definitely get found family vibes and queer rep in this book.
Review of advance copy
Ι received it as an ARC and I was so exited and happy!
The plot, the twist and the vibe of the book and story was AMAZING! Sailor moon vibes with cats in space! Yes! Also the starlight ❤️ it was a cozy (with action! This is cozy for me too) read until almost in the middle of the book. Then I got confused and then the book ended. I liked the ending. It was sweet :)
I give the book a 3 stars only for the reason... I felt confused in all the book with the romance. I mean. First Fox and somehow ending with Dessa and with Fox it was just he is in love but she... I thought she saw her girls like comrades and nothing else! I was so confused.
Tropes:
Past lives
Female Teamwork
Found family
Magical girls
Forgotten memories
Destiny
The plot, the twist and the vibe of the book and story was AMAZING! Sailor moon vibes with cats in space! Yes! Also the starlight ❤️ it was a cozy (with action! This is cozy for me too) read until almost in the middle of the book. Then I got confused and then the book ended. I liked the ending. It was sweet :)
I give the book a 3 stars only for the reason... I felt confused in all the book with the romance. I mean. First Fox and somehow ending with Dessa and with Fox it was just he is in love but she... I thought she saw her girls like comrades and nothing else! I was so confused.
Tropes:
Past lives
Female Teamwork
Found family
Magical girls
Forgotten memories
Destiny
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2026
Arc Review:
just some college students, fighting monsters with their amazing weapon powers that screams demon hunters but also love food and sweets and get some after every fight and have a cozy but action filled time.
Wren Jones really knows how to keep ya calm with her cozy atmosphere in her books and still have some fun action packed plot. Lots of characters to keep up with but still easy to follow throughout the book. especially liked fox and harlow, reminded me of some certain other characters in a popular movie ;}
Personally is also reminded me of doctor who vibes with fun travels and nerdy companions and the action of it all
I am defiently gonna keep reading wren jones books, still my fav so far was damsels and dinosuars
just some college students, fighting monsters with their amazing weapon powers that screams demon hunters but also love food and sweets and get some after every fight and have a cozy but action filled time.
Wren Jones really knows how to keep ya calm with her cozy atmosphere in her books and still have some fun action packed plot. Lots of characters to keep up with but still easy to follow throughout the book. especially liked fox and harlow, reminded me of some certain other characters in a popular movie ;}
Personally is also reminded me of doctor who vibes with fun travels and nerdy companions and the action of it all
I am defiently gonna keep reading wren jones books, still my fav so far was damsels and dinosuars
June 16, 2026
This book was a joy to read. It balanced the real world and magic, had a quirky cast of diverse characters, and was full of enough tension to keep my interest.
The three main characters of Harlow, Len, and Dessa bounced off of each other so well. I really enjoyed the dynamics of this trio and found myself chuckling at their interactions. And each one had her own space cat!
The emotional turmoil and action ebbed and flowed, and it definitely gave me the vibes of an animated fantastical TV show or movie.
I read the arc of this book and would recommend it to someone who wants a light-hearted romp in a world where there's a fight between light and dark, humor, secrets, and a lot of magical fun.
The three main characters of Harlow, Len, and Dessa bounced off of each other so well. I really enjoyed the dynamics of this trio and found myself chuckling at their interactions. And each one had her own space cat!
The emotional turmoil and action ebbed and flowed, and it definitely gave me the vibes of an animated fantastical TV show or movie.
I read the arc of this book and would recommend it to someone who wants a light-hearted romp in a world where there's a fight between light and dark, humor, secrets, and a lot of magical fun.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews