What do you think?
Rate this book
The Stargazer
In a world where power is everything, Wren has none.
Among the Sideri—a magical people defined by the ember they carry within—Wren is an aberration. No ember manifested when she came of age. No power. No place. She has spent years confined to the Citadel, catalogued as defective, watched over by monks who measure the stars and know far more about her fate than they will say.
The Citadel children are raised on a story so beautiful it never occurred to Wren to question it: that they were chosen, that their births under the alignment were sacred, their years of preparation a gift, their futures already written in starlight.
Then a stranger appears in the dark of the catacombs—armed, lethal, and belonging to a world the Citadel had spent years convincing her didn't exist. Griffon is the queen's former assassin, one of the most feared men in the kingdom, and he is very much being hunted. He doesn't offer rescue. He offers one brutal truth: for someone like her, the only fate is an early death.
Wren runs.
What follows is an escape across a continent she has never seen—through a city built beneath the sea, aboard an airship that falls from the sky, and into the court of a foreign king whose hospitality may be more dangerous than the tracker still on Griffon's trail. At every turn, Wren finds that the world is nothing like she was taught—and that nearly everything the Citadel taught her was designed to keep her from questioning it.
Griffon is many things: a deserter, a killer, a man who grips a malachite dagger the way others touch a talisman. He did not agree to protect her. He did not agree to stay. He keeps doing both anyway. She is sharp and relentless and strange, and he has stopped pretending her presence doesn't change something. The feelings building between them are inconvenient, irrational, and, given that someone is still trying to separate his head from his shoulders, profoundly ill-timed.
Beyond the Citadel, everything Wren thought she knew about herself begins to unravel. The farther she runs, the more she suspects the Citadel was never afraid of what she lacked—but of what she might be.
The Stargazer is a slow-burn NA romantasy for readers who like their magic systems detailed, their banter sharp, their heroines more likely to solve a ancient puzzle than wait to be rescued, and their romantic tension stretched to the absolute limit. It is the first book in the Embers of Distant Suns series.
Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout.
Content warnings: violence, death, captivity, threats of slavery, threats of execution, religious oppression, substance use, panic attacks, trauma flashbacks, and grief over the loss of family. The romance is slow-burn; this book contains no explicit sexual content.
Among the Sideri—a magical people defined by the ember they carry within—Wren is an aberration. No ember manifested when she came of age. No power. No place. She has spent years confined to the Citadel, catalogued as defective, watched over by monks who measure the stars and know far more about her fate than they will say.
The Citadel children are raised on a story so beautiful it never occurred to Wren to question it: that they were chosen, that their births under the alignment were sacred, their years of preparation a gift, their futures already written in starlight.
Then a stranger appears in the dark of the catacombs—armed, lethal, and belonging to a world the Citadel had spent years convincing her didn't exist. Griffon is the queen's former assassin, one of the most feared men in the kingdom, and he is very much being hunted. He doesn't offer rescue. He offers one brutal truth: for someone like her, the only fate is an early death.
Wren runs.
What follows is an escape across a continent she has never seen—through a city built beneath the sea, aboard an airship that falls from the sky, and into the court of a foreign king whose hospitality may be more dangerous than the tracker still on Griffon's trail. At every turn, Wren finds that the world is nothing like she was taught—and that nearly everything the Citadel taught her was designed to keep her from questioning it.
Griffon is many things: a deserter, a killer, a man who grips a malachite dagger the way others touch a talisman. He did not agree to protect her. He did not agree to stay. He keeps doing both anyway. She is sharp and relentless and strange, and he has stopped pretending her presence doesn't change something. The feelings building between them are inconvenient, irrational, and, given that someone is still trying to separate his head from his shoulders, profoundly ill-timed.
Beyond the Citadel, everything Wren thought she knew about herself begins to unravel. The farther she runs, the more she suspects the Citadel was never afraid of what she lacked—but of what she might be.
The Stargazer is a slow-burn NA romantasy for readers who like their magic systems detailed, their banter sharp, their heroines more likely to solve a ancient puzzle than wait to be rescued, and their romantic tension stretched to the absolute limit. It is the first book in the Embers of Distant Suns series.
Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout.
Content warnings: violence, death, captivity, threats of slavery, threats of execution, religious oppression, substance use, panic attacks, trauma flashbacks, and grief over the loss of family. The romance is slow-burn; this book contains no explicit sexual content.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2026
About the author
Evren Marlow
1 book23 followersEvren wrote The Stargazer because she wanted to give her daughters a heroine who wins with her brain instead of a blade—in a story about what it means to be told you're not enough, and what becomes possible when you finally stop listening. A fantasy novel seemed less awkward than another dinner table conversation.
She lives in Pennsylvania with her family, who are her favorite people and have been very patient about the years it took her to write something she continually described as “almost done.” The Stargazer is her debut novel. She is currently working on Book 2, which is, well…almost done.
She lives in Pennsylvania with her family, who are her favorite people and have been very patient about the years it took her to write something she continually described as “almost done.” The Stargazer is her debut novel. She is currently working on Book 2, which is, well…almost done.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 18, 2026
Well, if The Stargazer by Evren Marlow is any indication of what’s to come, I may have just discovered a new author to obsess over.
The annoying part?
It isn’t even released yet and I already need the next book!!
I genuinely couldn’t put this one down. The pacing was perfect ✨ it’s quick without feeling rushed, and there was always enough happening to make me want to read “just one more chapter”… which, as usual, was a terrible decision for my sleep schedule.
The world concept has a learning curve, with new terminology, rules and concepts to get your head around, but I never found it overwhelming. Information is revealed gradually and naturally, so by the time I realised how much I’d learned about the world, I was already completely invested in it. There are clearly things we haven’t been told yet, but I’m loving the journey.
Wren is our FMC and I absolutely loved her. Shes smart, witty and brave, but what really made her stand out to me was that she actually feels like a person.
She’s clumsy. She’s silly. She makes questionable decisions. She reacts emotionally to situations that would make any normal person react emotionally.
And honestly? Thank you Evren..
Sometimes fantasy heroines can feel like a ‘copy, paste’. Wren isn’t like that and I found her to be a breath of fresh air.
Griffon is mysterious enough to keep me interested, morally grey enough to make me suspicious, and clearly hiding a lot more than he’s letting on. I spent a good portion of the book trying to work him out, and I’m still not convinced I have.
There is definitely a history there, and I have a feeling we’ve only scratched the surface of what Griffon has done, who he was, and what he’s capable of. I really enjoyed that Marlow didn’t feel the need to immediately explain everything about him. There’s just enough information to keep you intrigued without completely giving the game away.
And now I’m left sitting here wondering: What else are you hiding, Griffon?
Overall, The Stargazer was exactly the kind of fantasy read I love discovering unexpectedly. It’s fast-paced, imaginative, funny in the right places, and populated by characters I genuinely want to spend more time with.
Most importantly, it made me care about what happens next. And considering this book isn’t even officially released yet, that’s both exciting and mildly infuriating.
Because now I have to wait, so please excuse me while I stare dramatically into the distance waiting for book two.
I received an advance reader copy of The Stargazer by Evren Marlow in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own and are not influenced by receiving an ARC.
The annoying part?
It isn’t even released yet and I already need the next book!!
I genuinely couldn’t put this one down. The pacing was perfect ✨ it’s quick without feeling rushed, and there was always enough happening to make me want to read “just one more chapter”… which, as usual, was a terrible decision for my sleep schedule.
The world concept has a learning curve, with new terminology, rules and concepts to get your head around, but I never found it overwhelming. Information is revealed gradually and naturally, so by the time I realised how much I’d learned about the world, I was already completely invested in it. There are clearly things we haven’t been told yet, but I’m loving the journey.
Wren is our FMC and I absolutely loved her. Shes smart, witty and brave, but what really made her stand out to me was that she actually feels like a person.
She’s clumsy. She’s silly. She makes questionable decisions. She reacts emotionally to situations that would make any normal person react emotionally.
And honestly? Thank you Evren..
Sometimes fantasy heroines can feel like a ‘copy, paste’. Wren isn’t like that and I found her to be a breath of fresh air.
Griffon is mysterious enough to keep me interested, morally grey enough to make me suspicious, and clearly hiding a lot more than he’s letting on. I spent a good portion of the book trying to work him out, and I’m still not convinced I have.
There is definitely a history there, and I have a feeling we’ve only scratched the surface of what Griffon has done, who he was, and what he’s capable of. I really enjoyed that Marlow didn’t feel the need to immediately explain everything about him. There’s just enough information to keep you intrigued without completely giving the game away.
And now I’m left sitting here wondering: What else are you hiding, Griffon?
Overall, The Stargazer was exactly the kind of fantasy read I love discovering unexpectedly. It’s fast-paced, imaginative, funny in the right places, and populated by characters I genuinely want to spend more time with.
Most importantly, it made me care about what happens next. And considering this book isn’t even officially released yet, that’s both exciting and mildly infuriating.
Because now I have to wait, so please excuse me while I stare dramatically into the distance waiting for book two.
I received an advance reader copy of The Stargazer by Evren Marlow in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own and are not influenced by receiving an ARC.
August 18, 2026
Review of advanced copy from publisher
✨
This one had me hooked from the beginning! It was such a fast read because the flow of the words and the incredible storytelling had me finishing in just under 2 days.
I absolutely loved Wren’s personality-she’s smart, witty, and has the kind of quick comebacks that make her so much fun to follow.
She begins the story as a sheltered, naive, helpless FMC, and watching her navigate everything being thrown at her while she transformed into a woman who used her incredible mind to outwit all the men in the story was one of my favorite parts.
And then there’s Griffon. 👀 Morally gray, mysterious, carrying a seriously dark past, and giving major “I shouldn’t want you, but I absolutely do” energy. The touch her and die aspect made their relationship even more interesting, especially because they’re constantly forced into situations where they have to trust one
The romance is definitely a slow burn, with forced proximity and forced allies gradually turning into something much deeper. The tension between Wren and Griffon is chef’s kiss. 🔥
If you love forced allies-to-lovers + forbidden touch + morally gray men + magical mysteries, this one is definitely worth adding to your TBR.
✨
Plot Breakdown:
At nineteen, Wren has spent her entire life knowing she is different. She is a Sideri-one of the rare people born when an asteroid passes between Gemini’s Castor and Pollux. But unlike the Sideri of legend, Wren has no ember, the magic that should have marked her as extraordinary. And with Sideri women mysteriously unable to conceive for nearly two centuries, their existence is becoming increasingly threatened.
Wren’s life inside the Citadel takes a dangerous turn when she is forced into an unlikely alliance with Griffon, a morally gray man carrying a dark and complicated past.
When the two are forced to escape the Citadel together, Wren finds herself following Griffon to the Tenabris Forest in search of a secret village rumored to shelter free Sideri. What begins as a fight for survival slowly becomes something much more complicated as the pair are forced into close proximity-and forced to rely on each other.
✨
This one had me hooked from the beginning! It was such a fast read because the flow of the words and the incredible storytelling had me finishing in just under 2 days.
I absolutely loved Wren’s personality-she’s smart, witty, and has the kind of quick comebacks that make her so much fun to follow.
She begins the story as a sheltered, naive, helpless FMC, and watching her navigate everything being thrown at her while she transformed into a woman who used her incredible mind to outwit all the men in the story was one of my favorite parts.
And then there’s Griffon. 👀 Morally gray, mysterious, carrying a seriously dark past, and giving major “I shouldn’t want you, but I absolutely do” energy. The touch her and die aspect made their relationship even more interesting, especially because they’re constantly forced into situations where they have to trust one
The romance is definitely a slow burn, with forced proximity and forced allies gradually turning into something much deeper. The tension between Wren and Griffon is chef’s kiss. 🔥
If you love forced allies-to-lovers + forbidden touch + morally gray men + magical mysteries, this one is definitely worth adding to your TBR.
✨
Plot Breakdown:
At nineteen, Wren has spent her entire life knowing she is different. She is a Sideri-one of the rare people born when an asteroid passes between Gemini’s Castor and Pollux. But unlike the Sideri of legend, Wren has no ember, the magic that should have marked her as extraordinary. And with Sideri women mysteriously unable to conceive for nearly two centuries, their existence is becoming increasingly threatened.
Wren’s life inside the Citadel takes a dangerous turn when she is forced into an unlikely alliance with Griffon, a morally gray man carrying a dark and complicated past.
When the two are forced to escape the Citadel together, Wren finds herself following Griffon to the Tenabris Forest in search of a secret village rumored to shelter free Sideri. What begins as a fight for survival slowly becomes something much more complicated as the pair are forced into close proximity-and forced to rely on each other.
August 27, 2026
THIS is how you do a slow burn 👏🏼🔥✨ I am so sat for the next book in the series and this one hasn’t even been released yet 😂
Our 2 main characters are Wren (smart, traumatised, so funny and likeable) and Griffon (an ex-assassin for the Queen, also traumatised, angry, needs a hug). They end up on the run together and adventure and peril ensues, of course.
I loved the world building and magic system, particularly the parts about the stars and constellations, and the slow burn romance was PERFECT 🫠 we are given less of the ‘you are the most annoying person in the world and I will hate you forever’ and more of the ‘protective as hell of each other but terrible at admitting feelings’ vibes, and it was delicious 🤌🏼 I love them both and I’m so looking forward to seeing their relationship develop in later instalments.
Thank you to booksirens and the author for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Our 2 main characters are Wren (smart, traumatised, so funny and likeable) and Griffon (an ex-assassin for the Queen, also traumatised, angry, needs a hug). They end up on the run together and adventure and peril ensues, of course.
I loved the world building and magic system, particularly the parts about the stars and constellations, and the slow burn romance was PERFECT 🫠 we are given less of the ‘you are the most annoying person in the world and I will hate you forever’ and more of the ‘protective as hell of each other but terrible at admitting feelings’ vibes, and it was delicious 🤌🏼 I love them both and I’m so looking forward to seeing their relationship develop in later instalments.
Thank you to booksirens and the author for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
August 30, 2026
**I received a complimentary advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.**
I’m uncertain what I was expecting when I started this book but ultimately I enjoyed it greatly.
This was a familiar feeling trope but with true originality and refreshingly relatable dialogue. I love when a book can make me chuckle along with it. Especially when it’s got a touch of dark humor.
This book is not perfection, but it is perfectly imperfect. It drew me in and kept me wanting to come back and find out what was to happen.
I look forward to the next installment of this adventure. And I recommend you give it a read.
I’m uncertain what I was expecting when I started this book but ultimately I enjoyed it greatly.
This was a familiar feeling trope but with true originality and refreshingly relatable dialogue. I love when a book can make me chuckle along with it. Especially when it’s got a touch of dark humor.
This book is not perfection, but it is perfectly imperfect. It drew me in and kept me wanting to come back and find out what was to happen.
I look forward to the next installment of this adventure. And I recommend you give it a read.
August 31, 2026
Excellent story, brilliant characters and so well written. Already can’t wait to carry on with the story!
Review of advance copy
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to Evren Marlow and Book Sirens for the ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
I absolutely could NOT put this book down! The world is immersive and so well written - the prose was pure poetry. The characters are unique, smart, relatable. The banter is sharp and witty.
Our FMC, Wren, was raised with a whole belief system that was upended when a stranger, Griffon, relayed her fate. Then the story takes off and the rest is written in the stars.
🌎 The world building in this book is phenomenal. We get a peek into Wren’s life living in the Citadel as a member of the Sideri - people with magical characteristics that manifest within their early teens. Well, they’re supposed to. Ya see, she’s a dud but they didn’t give her the boot so, she’s stayed there and became the nerdiest of nerds and I LOVE IT! She’s bloody brilliant… not graceful or street smart, but her brain is BIG and BEAUTIFUL!
But… again… she got some not so wonderful news from the Big Scary Man and took that as her cue to leave. Legit fled the only home she’s ever known. Now she’s partnered with someone that makes her heart do strange things but she’s not sure if that’s because she should be worried that he’s going to kill her or leave her somewhere to fend for herself. She’s naive, not street-smart and, frankly, kind of a clumsy girl. He is a protective but not brooding or over-bearing MMC. They had the right balance between the two to be chef’s kiss perfection. Their journey together goes from the seas to the skies, through the desert and more. It’s INCREDIBLE!
💞 I love absolutely everything about this book! I would not change a thing. I love that this is intended to be a slow burn… and it is. Zero spice but 100% heartfelt. In a world of smut, instalust and cookie-cutter romantic plotlines, this was organic and felt real.
📜FAVORITE QUOTES📜
📜 Words were only weapons if you let them land.
📜 Gargoyles… Nothing makes a city more welcoming than stone monsters poised to eat your face.
📜 “So you have a magical boomerang dagger and you just… never mentioned this?”
📜 …I numbly followed her out of the hall to become nothing more than a collectible with exotic face confetti.
📜 “pyromania seemed like a poor addition to my already questionable resume.”
📜”I can’t believe your grand plan involves a sugar coma and treason.”
Thank you to Evren Marlow and Book Sirens for the ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
I absolutely could NOT put this book down! The world is immersive and so well written - the prose was pure poetry. The characters are unique, smart, relatable. The banter is sharp and witty.
Our FMC, Wren, was raised with a whole belief system that was upended when a stranger, Griffon, relayed her fate. Then the story takes off and the rest is written in the stars.
🌎 The world building in this book is phenomenal. We get a peek into Wren’s life living in the Citadel as a member of the Sideri - people with magical characteristics that manifest within their early teens. Well, they’re supposed to. Ya see, she’s a dud but they didn’t give her the boot so, she’s stayed there and became the nerdiest of nerds and I LOVE IT! She’s bloody brilliant… not graceful or street smart, but her brain is BIG and BEAUTIFUL!
But… again… she got some not so wonderful news from the Big Scary Man and took that as her cue to leave. Legit fled the only home she’s ever known. Now she’s partnered with someone that makes her heart do strange things but she’s not sure if that’s because she should be worried that he’s going to kill her or leave her somewhere to fend for herself. She’s naive, not street-smart and, frankly, kind of a clumsy girl. He is a protective but not brooding or over-bearing MMC. They had the right balance between the two to be chef’s kiss perfection. Their journey together goes from the seas to the skies, through the desert and more. It’s INCREDIBLE!
💞 I love absolutely everything about this book! I would not change a thing. I love that this is intended to be a slow burn… and it is. Zero spice but 100% heartfelt. In a world of smut, instalust and cookie-cutter romantic plotlines, this was organic and felt real.
📜FAVORITE QUOTES📜
📜 Words were only weapons if you let them land.
📜 Gargoyles… Nothing makes a city more welcoming than stone monsters poised to eat your face.
📜 “So you have a magical boomerang dagger and you just… never mentioned this?”
📜 …I numbly followed her out of the hall to become nothing more than a collectible with exotic face confetti.
📜 “pyromania seemed like a poor addition to my already questionable resume.”
📜”I can’t believe your grand plan involves a sugar coma and treason.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to Author, Evren Marlow for giving me the opportunity to ARC read Stargazer for an honest review.
And honestly, I absolutely loved this book. I have been seeking a book that would give me the same vibes I had felt when reading Silversmith. And after reading almost over 100 since then, none has ever come close… until Stargazer. The writing was fun and beautiful and gripping. The pacing was steady when it needed to be and intense when it needed to be. The development of the characters and their relationships felt real and natural. (But if you're looking for spice, you won't find it here, but doesn't mean that you won't feel their attraction!)
I will always love a broody, but soft-hearted MMC. And the dynamic between the quirky, intelligent, clumsy, and humble FMC, Wren, pitted against the stiff, tormented, broody MMC Griffin, was everything I've been wanting and more. Their interactions were so well executed. He was overprotective, but not overbearing. She was naive, and soft, but cunning and smart (Using her knowledge of science and mathematics, to get herself and Griffin out of some pretty perilous situations). And the way this story unraveled, from her kidnapping, to her being saved over and over by Griffin (which every time had my heart racing), to be captured and her saving them both was such a smooth and seemless story. The moments she showed vulnerability to the moments she developed her strength with Griffin's help and support was beautiful done. I adored the personal moments they had together, the moments they opened themselves up to one another. Those moments were so beautiful, I could feel it in my own chest. But what had me throughout the story was her LOL quips. So many one-liners and funny asides that I was grinning ear to ear, as well as LOL'ing. There were so many quotable moments in this book. (I have so many highlights from passages)
"Wonderful. So we had Captain Creepy and his protege, Creepy Junior. The family business, apparently."
and
"I was pretty sure I'd forgotten how to inhale somewhere between 'we're about to [blank]' and 'oh, look, a shiny rock.'"
Just to name a few.
I have already preordered Stargazer , which releases on Sept. 1st, and I am so ready for Book 2 "The Skybreaker".
And honestly, I absolutely loved this book. I have been seeking a book that would give me the same vibes I had felt when reading Silversmith. And after reading almost over 100 since then, none has ever come close… until Stargazer. The writing was fun and beautiful and gripping. The pacing was steady when it needed to be and intense when it needed to be. The development of the characters and their relationships felt real and natural. (But if you're looking for spice, you won't find it here, but doesn't mean that you won't feel their attraction!)
I will always love a broody, but soft-hearted MMC. And the dynamic between the quirky, intelligent, clumsy, and humble FMC, Wren, pitted against the stiff, tormented, broody MMC Griffin, was everything I've been wanting and more. Their interactions were so well executed. He was overprotective, but not overbearing. She was naive, and soft, but cunning and smart (Using her knowledge of science and mathematics, to get herself and Griffin out of some pretty perilous situations). And the way this story unraveled, from her kidnapping, to her being saved over and over by Griffin (which every time had my heart racing), to be captured and her saving them both was such a smooth and seemless story. The moments she showed vulnerability to the moments she developed her strength with Griffin's help and support was beautiful done. I adored the personal moments they had together, the moments they opened themselves up to one another. Those moments were so beautiful, I could feel it in my own chest. But what had me throughout the story was her LOL quips. So many one-liners and funny asides that I was grinning ear to ear, as well as LOL'ing. There were so many quotable moments in this book. (I have so many highlights from passages)
"Wonderful. So we had Captain Creepy and his protege, Creepy Junior. The family business, apparently."
and
"I was pretty sure I'd forgotten how to inhale somewhere between 'we're about to [blank]' and 'oh, look, a shiny rock.'"
Just to name a few.
I have already preordered Stargazer , which releases on Sept. 1st, and I am so ready for Book 2 "The Skybreaker".
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am so glad I found this book! I finished it in just a few sittings, staying up much later than I should have just so I could keep reading. Couldn’t put it down!
I really loved the FMC in this book. She was much different from any other FMCs I’ve come across. Her sarcasm was really well written (and hilarious), and she was most importantly not afraid to show or use her intellect. Rather than a blade, she used her wits and mind to get herself out of sticky situations. I really admired her for that. I found myself relating to the themes that surrounded her, including past trauma, feeling judged and out of place, and wanting to be useful. She was really well written all around.
I also really loved the MMC in this book. He was also very different from any other MMCs I’ve read. I was genuinely shocked by some of the things he said to Wren out of anger towards the beginning of the book. I had never read anything like it. Totally unexpected, in a very interesting way that kept me hooked and invested. I found myself feeling like he was saying those things to me, and it made me feel everything Wren must have been feeling. What a testament to the writing. His anger and everything surrounding his character was very well written.
The celestial themes throughout were interesting and very detailed. I am in awe of the stars myself, so I liked those moments in the book.
Overall, this book had refreshing takes on a familiar genre that made the story interesting and oftentimes even thrilling. Loved it. Very much looking forward to the next books in the series!
Thank you to the author and publishing team for allowing me to read a free Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of The Stargazer. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really loved the FMC in this book. She was much different from any other FMCs I’ve come across. Her sarcasm was really well written (and hilarious), and she was most importantly not afraid to show or use her intellect. Rather than a blade, she used her wits and mind to get herself out of sticky situations. I really admired her for that. I found myself relating to the themes that surrounded her, including past trauma, feeling judged and out of place, and wanting to be useful. She was really well written all around.
I also really loved the MMC in this book. He was also very different from any other MMCs I’ve read. I was genuinely shocked by some of the things he said to Wren out of anger towards the beginning of the book. I had never read anything like it. Totally unexpected, in a very interesting way that kept me hooked and invested. I found myself feeling like he was saying those things to me, and it made me feel everything Wren must have been feeling. What a testament to the writing. His anger and everything surrounding his character was very well written.
The celestial themes throughout were interesting and very detailed. I am in awe of the stars myself, so I liked those moments in the book.
Overall, this book had refreshing takes on a familiar genre that made the story interesting and oftentimes even thrilling. Loved it. Very much looking forward to the next books in the series!
Thank you to the author and publishing team for allowing me to read a free Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of The Stargazer. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
I loved this book, and kept finding moments to dip into it until I finished. Wren is a fantastic blend of naive and innocent and whipsmart and radical. I loved her relationship with Griffon, an equally complicated character.
The worldbuilding was just complex enough to be interesting without being overwhelming. Nice bit of intrigue and adventure and some very high stakes.
My favorite parts were the slow burn--the romance evolved slowly and organically and viscerally. Wren's intelligence and knowledge paired well with Griffon's fighting skills and competence. If I could have, I would have rolled right into the next book!
This story is great for fans of begrudging partnership, a protective male protagonist and a brilliant female protagonist, found family, ride-or-die friendships, quests, corrupted worlds, and deep, slow-burn romances.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The worldbuilding was just complex enough to be interesting without being overwhelming. Nice bit of intrigue and adventure and some very high stakes.
My favorite parts were the slow burn--the romance evolved slowly and organically and viscerally. Wren's intelligence and knowledge paired well with Griffon's fighting skills and competence. If I could have, I would have rolled right into the next book!
This story is great for fans of begrudging partnership, a protective male protagonist and a brilliant female protagonist, found family, ride-or-die friendships, quests, corrupted worlds, and deep, slow-burn romances.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An immersive, fast moving fantasy romance that grabs hold from the very first chapter. Wren is a standout heroine, sharp tongued, clever, and genuinely human, prone to messy decisions and real emotion in a way that sets her apart from the usual fantasy lead. Griffon is her perfect match, guarded and morally grey, revealing just enough about himself to keep you guessing without giving the game away. Their slow burn simmers with tension that never feels forced, even as the shadows of his past linger unresolved.
The world building takes a chapter or two to settle into, but the details unfold naturally, so by the time the full picture of the Sideri and the Citadel comes together, you're already fully absorbed. The story rarely slows down, sweeping across sunken cities, falling airships, and foreign courts with steady momentum. A vivid, witty, wonderfully inventive opener that leaves you counting down the days until the sequel.
The world building takes a chapter or two to settle into, but the details unfold naturally, so by the time the full picture of the Sideri and the Citadel comes together, you're already fully absorbed. The story rarely slows down, sweeping across sunken cities, falling airships, and foreign courts with steady momentum. A vivid, witty, wonderfully inventive opener that leaves you counting down the days until the sequel.
August 27, 2026
I would love to thank the author and the publishing company for this arc. I received it for free and all thoughts are my own.
This was a fun adventure book! I loved Wren, she was such a good FMc and I loved her inner dialogue, it was very entertaining. She’s so witty, funny, silly, relatable, and also adorable. Evren said she wanted a FMC her daughters could look up to, and honestly she nailed it.
The story line moved quickly and it was a very easy read. Oh! And short chapters, which I absolutely love. Although I do sometimes get into trouble with those, I.e. returning to work from my lunch break late because I thought I could read one more. 😊
All in all this was an enjoyable book. I’ve been reading some dark stuff recently and this was a lovely little pallet cleanser.
This was a fun adventure book! I loved Wren, she was such a good FMc and I loved her inner dialogue, it was very entertaining. She’s so witty, funny, silly, relatable, and also adorable. Evren said she wanted a FMC her daughters could look up to, and honestly she nailed it.
The story line moved quickly and it was a very easy read. Oh! And short chapters, which I absolutely love. Although I do sometimes get into trouble with those, I.e. returning to work from my lunch break late because I thought I could read one more. 😊
All in all this was an enjoyable book. I’ve been reading some dark stuff recently and this was a lovely little pallet cleanser.
Review of advance copy
***Thank you to Evren Marlow & Book Sirens for the ARC. All opinions are my own.***
This was a master class in world-building and character voice.
Wren stood out to me as one of the best FMC's I read this month. I loved her sass, her sense of wonder, and her unflappable determination. And Griffon held his own alongside her, offering the perfect juxtaposition between her naivety & his jaded outlook of the world.
From the lore of the Sideri to the beautiful settings of each location, the entire world was well thought out. Every scene was executed perfectly, balancing pacing with world-building, providing enough to engage the reader and also give them glimpses of the rich universe.
Evren Marlow is an author to keep your eye on because they have an incredible talent for story-telling.
This was a master class in world-building and character voice.
Wren stood out to me as one of the best FMC's I read this month. I loved her sass, her sense of wonder, and her unflappable determination. And Griffon held his own alongside her, offering the perfect juxtaposition between her naivety & his jaded outlook of the world.
From the lore of the Sideri to the beautiful settings of each location, the entire world was well thought out. Every scene was executed perfectly, balancing pacing with world-building, providing enough to engage the reader and also give them glimpses of the rich universe.
Evren Marlow is an author to keep your eye on because they have an incredible talent for story-telling.
Review of advance copy
My only regret is that I read this book too early and now I have to wait to find out what happens next! I absolutely flew through this book and didn’t want it to end.
I really like the two main characters, it was so refreshing to have an FMC who isn’t a fighter but a thinker. The two characters really complement each other. I love Griffon’s protectiveness and the slow burn of their relationship. Finally, a slow burn that lasts more than one book!
I can’t wait to learn more about Wes’s backstory and discover what powers she might have. Really excited for the next one!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really like the two main characters, it was so refreshing to have an FMC who isn’t a fighter but a thinker. The two characters really complement each other. I love Griffon’s protectiveness and the slow burn of their relationship. Finally, a slow burn that lasts more than one book!
I can’t wait to learn more about Wes’s backstory and discover what powers she might have. Really excited for the next one!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
Wonderful! I feel like this was written just for me. Wren, the FMC is beautifully sarcastic and honestly hilarious. Her brain is her weapon even though she doesn’t think of it like that. Griffon is mysterious and dangerous, but Wren eventually brings out another side, and it is worth the wait to see it. Their story is wrapped up in an awesome epic adventure under the stars. I highly recommend this book, and hope that the sequel is “almost done” soon!
I received this ARC from Book Sirens and the author, and am leaving my feedback voluntarily.
I received this ARC from Book Sirens and the author, and am leaving my feedback voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
5 infinity stars. This book could’ve been over 1000 pages and I would’ve gladly read each and every one. Multiple plot points and endless adventure.
Wren with her intelligence, wit, quick banter, yet absolutely zero common sense. Relatable character and fits the sunshine persona so well. Griffon the grumpy one. Hardened by a life of violence, but opens up for Wren.
I’m excited for the second book. I’ve already begun to tell my friends about this book. I even plan on getting myself a little trophy copy. My favorite read of 2026 thus far.
Wren with her intelligence, wit, quick banter, yet absolutely zero common sense. Relatable character and fits the sunshine persona so well. Griffon the grumpy one. Hardened by a life of violence, but opens up for Wren.
I’m excited for the second book. I’ve already begun to tell my friends about this book. I even plan on getting myself a little trophy copy. My favorite read of 2026 thus far.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Such a fun read! It took me a little longer to get into it than I would usually like, but it was a good story! The characters were interesting and all complemented each other well. I do think it was a fairly short read and quicker build in their relationship than what you normally see- but that isn't necessarily a bad thing! I'm excited to see how it continues to play out in the future, and I hope we see Salma again. (This was an unpaid ARC provided by the author!)
September 9, 2026
I enjoyed this read and felt the plot continued moving forward with enough new information to keep me compelled and wanting to find out where the story went.
However, there were times that those reveals moved a little slow and made it so I didn't necessarily feel like I had to see what happened next. I did really enjoy the characters and the perspectives and personalities they brought to the story.
However, there were times that those reveals moved a little slow and made it so I didn't necessarily feel like I had to see what happened next. I did really enjoy the characters and the perspectives and personalities they brought to the story.
Review of advance copy
Stargazer captivated me from page one it was hard to put the book down. The descriptions of inner doubt of the MFC Wren and the beautiful scene set before me were amazing. I loved the growing adventures and the humor in times of crisis
I can't wait to see what comes next.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
I can't wait to see what comes next.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy
This was a pleasantly surprising read that I finished in 2 days - I couldn't put it down. I quickly became attached to the characters and the storyline. It was interesting, unexpected, and relatable all at once. There is a beauty to it. I am looking forward to book 2.
Full disclosure: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Full disclosure: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews