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The Esteria #1
Flame and Starlight
Alys grew up hearing stories about the Fae that were hunting her; dark, powerful creatures that could live forever. Her mother warned her about them, moving them from city to city, always trying to stay one step ahead.
But Alys always thought they were merely the ramblings of an eccentric woman and let her guard down once her mother was gone. Left on her own, she’s found, marked, and taken.
Asher is tall, dark, and handsome…and Fae.
He claims he took Alys from the human world for her own safety but she doesn’t trust him or the dangerous feeling he stirs inside of her. As he pushes, she pulls, refusing to be used as a pawn in whatever game he’s playing.
Forced to live under the same roof as her captor, Alys soon learns there’s more to the story, discovering the disturbing truth about her connection to Asher. When the opportunity to leave presents itself, it won’t be easy for her to walk away. Faced with an impossible decision, she’ll have to choose what life she wants to lead, and who she wants to lead it with.
But Alys always thought they were merely the ramblings of an eccentric woman and let her guard down once her mother was gone. Left on her own, she’s found, marked, and taken.
Asher is tall, dark, and handsome…and Fae.
He claims he took Alys from the human world for her own safety but she doesn’t trust him or the dangerous feeling he stirs inside of her. As he pushes, she pulls, refusing to be used as a pawn in whatever game he’s playing.
Forced to live under the same roof as her captor, Alys soon learns there’s more to the story, discovering the disturbing truth about her connection to Asher. When the opportunity to leave presents itself, it won’t be easy for her to walk away. Faced with an impossible decision, she’ll have to choose what life she wants to lead, and who she wants to lead it with.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 19, 2021
311 people are currently reading
8240 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews
October 20, 2021
If I could give this zero stars I would. An utter insult to the reader’s intellect.
Whole concepts were blatantly ripped off from books like ACOTAR and FBAA. The author didn’t even try to hide it or box it up differently.
More sparks fly between two wet matchsticks than the two MCs, but fear not, insta-love is your saviour.
Worldbuilding was severely lacking.
Certain plot lines could have been interesting but were severely underdeveloped.
The internal monologue of the MC matches that of a 12-year-old. No decisions are thought out, and there was no rhyme or reason to anything happening in this novel.
Severe inconsistency issues when it comes to beliefs or things we are told. (It’s all telling, zero showing btw.) Nothing happening is ever really explained. Things do not tie together.
Being British is almost fetishised but in a very cliche/degrading manner. One minute we are told Alys perfected the local accent in the two years she was there, the next her British friends are making fun of her strong American accent.
This is a strong case of a pick me girl, woe is me the poor American having moved to my dream country where I found my true family but the boy I like won’t look at me. Then she gets swept off her feet by a poor man’s Rhysand 2.0.
There was no plot. The book did not follow any conventional (or even obscure/experimental) story building structure. And even the smut at the end was underwhelming.
I have read better fan fiction written by literal children.
This whole thing reads like a rough first draft someone hit publish on too early.
I wish I could say something positive about this book but there really isn’t anything. Any concept that could be interesting and could have made this story was completely ignored by the author.
Quite frankly, I am not even mad I wasted my time on this. I am just extremely disappointed.
I wish I could say this was a good bad book or bad good book. Unfortunately it’s just bad. So much so that I am truly questioning where all these 4 and 5 star reviews are coming from. Then again, to each their own.
If you’re still reading and want my advice… DO NOT waste your time and money on this. Go read an ACOTAR fanfic on AO3. Chances are it will be much much better.
Edit: the cover is pretty, though.
Edit 2: I’m back because I realised the fact that this was published just makes me angry. Let me tell you just a few similarities off the top of my head with existing big name books:
Concept akin to Starfall✔️
Winter Solstice being celebrated ✔️
Night Court ✔️
Love interest is the High Lord of the Night Court ✔️
Love interest can control/hide things with shadows which are semi sentient ✔️
Wings that can appear and disappear at will ✔️
Touching wings is erotic/intimate ✔️
You mature into your powers ✔️
Evil Autumn Court where everyone has red hair ✔️
Autumn Court has fire magic ✔️
Winter Court ✔️
Mates ✔️
Bond is formed through blood exchange ✔️
Love interest makes MC his queen/declares his love for her in a way that is obvious to everyone but her ✔️
MC is descendant from a deity ✔️
MCs eyes glow white during arousal/sex ✔️
MC feels/senses emotions of others when touching them and later even when not ✔️
Dagger from special wood that’s the only thing that can kill them ✔️
I could go on…
Whole concepts were blatantly ripped off from books like ACOTAR and FBAA. The author didn’t even try to hide it or box it up differently.
More sparks fly between two wet matchsticks than the two MCs, but fear not, insta-love is your saviour.
Worldbuilding was severely lacking.
Certain plot lines could have been interesting but were severely underdeveloped.
The internal monologue of the MC matches that of a 12-year-old. No decisions are thought out, and there was no rhyme or reason to anything happening in this novel.
Severe inconsistency issues when it comes to beliefs or things we are told. (It’s all telling, zero showing btw.) Nothing happening is ever really explained. Things do not tie together.
Being British is almost fetishised but in a very cliche/degrading manner. One minute we are told Alys perfected the local accent in the two years she was there, the next her British friends are making fun of her strong American accent.
This is a strong case of a pick me girl, woe is me the poor American having moved to my dream country where I found my true family but the boy I like won’t look at me. Then she gets swept off her feet by a poor man’s Rhysand 2.0.
There was no plot. The book did not follow any conventional (or even obscure/experimental) story building structure. And even the smut at the end was underwhelming.
I have read better fan fiction written by literal children.
This whole thing reads like a rough first draft someone hit publish on too early.
I wish I could say something positive about this book but there really isn’t anything. Any concept that could be interesting and could have made this story was completely ignored by the author.
Quite frankly, I am not even mad I wasted my time on this. I am just extremely disappointed.
I wish I could say this was a good bad book or bad good book. Unfortunately it’s just bad. So much so that I am truly questioning where all these 4 and 5 star reviews are coming from. Then again, to each their own.
If you’re still reading and want my advice… DO NOT waste your time and money on this. Go read an ACOTAR fanfic on AO3. Chances are it will be much much better.
Edit: the cover is pretty, though.
Edit 2: I’m back because I realised the fact that this was published just makes me angry. Let me tell you just a few similarities off the top of my head with existing big name books:
Concept akin to Starfall✔️
Winter Solstice being celebrated ✔️
Night Court ✔️
Love interest is the High Lord of the Night Court ✔️
Love interest can control/hide things with shadows which are semi sentient ✔️
Wings that can appear and disappear at will ✔️
Touching wings is erotic/intimate ✔️
You mature into your powers ✔️
Evil Autumn Court where everyone has red hair ✔️
Autumn Court has fire magic ✔️
Winter Court ✔️
Mates ✔️
Bond is formed through blood exchange ✔️
Love interest makes MC his queen/declares his love for her in a way that is obvious to everyone but her ✔️
MC is descendant from a deity ✔️
MCs eyes glow white during arousal/sex ✔️
MC feels/senses emotions of others when touching them and later even when not ✔️
Dagger from special wood that’s the only thing that can kill them ✔️
I could go on…
July 24, 2021
Dnf 50% in
Absolutely I compared this to Acotar the whole time how could you not. Intimate wings with size ratio, self sacrificing High Lord of the Night court, fighting leathers, night bellowing around him, bastered born, geez even the title.
The world building started off okay then cut off completely. There was just no depth in this world, no creatures, or politics, or anything to set it apart from any other fantasy. Everything was vague and forgettable. Which yes I only got halfway thru.
But for weeks Aly's just accepted things, didn't ask about her father, why does everyone hunger for her. In the real world that would eat me alive and I wouldn't sleep till I had some answers.
I couldn't anymore. I have read all this before many times and it gets old.
Absolutely I compared this to Acotar the whole time how could you not. Intimate wings with size ratio, self sacrificing High Lord of the Night court, fighting leathers, night bellowing around him, bastered born, geez even the title.
The world building started off okay then cut off completely. There was just no depth in this world, no creatures, or politics, or anything to set it apart from any other fantasy. Everything was vague and forgettable. Which yes I only got halfway thru.
But for weeks Aly's just accepted things, didn't ask about her father, why does everyone hunger for her. In the real world that would eat me alive and I wouldn't sleep till I had some answers.
I couldn't anymore. I have read all this before many times and it gets old.
February 26, 2022
Dnf
**I'm here to update this bc now I see all the drama and I'm gased that this is all being called out lmao. Also, he's literally the High Lord of the Night Court???? Tf 🤣
Honestly, I really did try to give this a shot. I picked it up a few weeks ago and noticed the similarities straight away and I sort of just forgot about the book after that.
When I picked it up this time I honestly felt like I was reading a weird love child of ACOTAR and From Blood and Ash.
I understand taking inspiration but this felt like the exact same thing !!!
0\10 for originality.
**I'm here to update this bc now I see all the drama and I'm gased that this is all being called out lmao. Also, he's literally the High Lord of the Night Court???? Tf 🤣
Honestly, I really did try to give this a shot. I picked it up a few weeks ago and noticed the similarities straight away and I sort of just forgot about the book after that.
When I picked it up this time I honestly felt like I was reading a weird love child of ACOTAR and From Blood and Ash.
I understand taking inspiration but this felt like the exact same thing !!!
0\10 for originality.
August 5, 2021
This is literally a Poundland rip off of ACOTAR by Sarah J Maas. She’s not even trying to hide it. Pure plagiarism, it’s actually disgusting. The writer of this is a genuine disgrace.
Weepy British wannabe meets ….. high lord of the night court, cloaked in sentient shadows, wings, good friends with winter, dark brooding figure covered in tattoos… Rhysand?, you ask, nooooo! It’s Asher, of course!
Zero plot. Instalove. Just horrid.
Go and read Sarah J Mass and discover a truly wonderful piece of ORIGINAL writing!!
Weepy British wannabe meets ….. high lord of the night court, cloaked in sentient shadows, wings, good friends with winter, dark brooding figure covered in tattoos… Rhysand?, you ask, nooooo! It’s Asher, of course!
Zero plot. Instalove. Just horrid.
Go and read Sarah J Mass and discover a truly wonderful piece of ORIGINAL writing!!
February 28, 2022
I’m going to use this chance to let out my thoughts, this book should not have been published. I’m ashamed i had to hold back my thoughts before to not hurt an author but this book was copied from acotar and it was really bad.
July 15, 2021
A gorgeous adult fae fantasy with a dark and delicious hero reminiscent of ACOMAF’s Rhysand and a heroine who knows her own mind but not yet the extent of her own power.
January 24, 2022
Flame and Starlight is the first book in The Esteria series. It introduces you to Alys and Asher. She used to live in America but now lives in Yorkshire. Well, that is until she was kidnapped by Asher and brought to Esteria. The world she apparently was born in but never remembered.
Now these two had some sort of chemistry that was easy to spot from afar. Of course, I had a feeling that they would be potential mates. Or maybe that was just me hoping for it all. After they the tension started bubbling between them, well, it was easy to see where things were heading. Or maybe, just maybe, I was full of hope all over again.
Let's just say that the romance didn't disappoint. The only thing that did was my mind though. Mostly because I knew the drama was coming and I just didn't want it to. Unfortunately, it came, and I just knew where things were heading off to. Ugh.
Long story short, I have a feeling these two are going to have an interesting reunion in the next book. I'm intrigued to see daddy dearest from her eyes as well. Oh, and to see who is actually betraying her about all of this. I hope I don't have to wait long.
Now these two had some sort of chemistry that was easy to spot from afar. Of course, I had a feeling that they would be potential mates. Or maybe that was just me hoping for it all. After they the tension started bubbling between them, well, it was easy to see where things were heading. Or maybe, just maybe, I was full of hope all over again.
Let's just say that the romance didn't disappoint. The only thing that did was my mind though. Mostly because I knew the drama was coming and I just didn't want it to. Unfortunately, it came, and I just knew where things were heading off to. Ugh.
Long story short, I have a feeling these two are going to have an interesting reunion in the next book. I'm intrigued to see daddy dearest from her eyes as well. Oh, and to see who is actually betraying her about all of this. I hope I don't have to wait long.
February 28, 2022
Do not read this book.
September 27, 2021
This was just ACOMAF but worse.
August 2, 2021
Great idea, bad execution
The author clearly has a plan for the story, but it's just such poor writing and execution. I will say the plan was a bit too similar to A Court of Thorns and Roses, and not in the inspiration way. It's more of a fan fiction knock off plan, but that doesn't mean it can't go into a new direction and be good in the second book. The first book though, yikes on the copying. The first 3 chapters were so bad in writing I wanted to give up, and I honestly should have. The writing didn't improve, it was simply a tell all. The author never "showed" anything. Alys had an emotion, instead of describing anything to give that emotion, the author would just simply tell. If it had just been for characters that would be fine, but it was for EVERYTHING. I'm curious if the author is actually from England, because the dialogue was rough and cheesy to read. This book was recommended on Tik Tok as a similar NA book to ACOTAR, and based on the reviews so far people love it. I just couldn't get through the writing to find anything enjoyable.
The author clearly has a plan for the story, but it's just such poor writing and execution. I will say the plan was a bit too similar to A Court of Thorns and Roses, and not in the inspiration way. It's more of a fan fiction knock off plan, but that doesn't mean it can't go into a new direction and be good in the second book. The first book though, yikes on the copying. The first 3 chapters were so bad in writing I wanted to give up, and I honestly should have. The writing didn't improve, it was simply a tell all. The author never "showed" anything. Alys had an emotion, instead of describing anything to give that emotion, the author would just simply tell. If it had just been for characters that would be fine, but it was for EVERYTHING. I'm curious if the author is actually from England, because the dialogue was rough and cheesy to read. This book was recommended on Tik Tok as a similar NA book to ACOTAR, and based on the reviews so far people love it. I just couldn't get through the writing to find anything enjoyable.
October 8, 2021
This is a Dollar Tree knock off ACOTAR. That is all.
July 30, 2021
If you’re going steal ideas at least make the story interesting and the characters likeable.
October 19, 2021
OH MY GOD THIS BOOK IS SO BAD I’M FUMING
I normally attempt to make my reviews insightful (and coherent) but I don’t think that is possible for this book so I apologize in advance.
Every single aspect of this book was torn straight from the pages of another, with absolutely no attempt at hiding it. I can’t wholly complain about this though; I did read it due to its likeness to ACOTAR and FBAA. However, this book crossed the line of inspiration, and I found myself constantly appalled that the author did not use in text citation.
The dialogue was so forced and unnatural, seeming as if its only purpose was info dumping. It felt lazy and poorly written. The narrative was overly specific yet simultaneously hollow, including details that just felt unnecessary (like describing how she threw something in the bin or the size and sturdiness of a table???). Maybe I’m just dumb and completely missed the intellectual integrity of this book, but a lot of it felt juvenile and as if it was simply added to meet a word count. It was just so poorly written, I’m not entirely sure how I managed to finish it.
And the love interest, oh my goodness. I hate him, which is confusing since he is literally (a Walmart version of) Rhysand, Azriel and Casteel (…and Tamlin). And the MC… she’s actually an idiot. There were so many decisions made that just didn’t make sense and were obviously just tools to progress the plot (I use the word plot lightly, since there was NONE).
The end was SO infuriating. The book just randomly ended at the FIRST sign of conflict. I wasted hours of my life and feel like I only read the first quarter of a (very badly written) book. NOTHING HAPPENED. There was no world building or character development, no plot or conflict; I’m genuinely confused how this book is 300 pages.
I want to say DON'T READ THIS, but I think for my own sanity it would be beneficial to discuss this book with someone (maybe a therapist, but I'm not picky).
Read at your own risk!!!
I normally attempt to make my reviews insightful (and coherent) but I don’t think that is possible for this book so I apologize in advance.
Every single aspect of this book was torn straight from the pages of another, with absolutely no attempt at hiding it. I can’t wholly complain about this though; I did read it due to its likeness to ACOTAR and FBAA. However, this book crossed the line of inspiration, and I found myself constantly appalled that the author did not use in text citation.
The dialogue was so forced and unnatural, seeming as if its only purpose was info dumping. It felt lazy and poorly written. The narrative was overly specific yet simultaneously hollow, including details that just felt unnecessary (like describing how she threw something in the bin or the size and sturdiness of a table???). Maybe I’m just dumb and completely missed the intellectual integrity of this book, but a lot of it felt juvenile and as if it was simply added to meet a word count. It was just so poorly written, I’m not entirely sure how I managed to finish it.
And the love interest, oh my goodness. I hate him, which is confusing since he is literally (a Walmart version of) Rhysand, Azriel and Casteel (…and Tamlin). And the MC… she’s actually an idiot. There were so many decisions made that just didn’t make sense and were obviously just tools to progress the plot (I use the word plot lightly, since there was NONE).
The end was SO infuriating. The book just randomly ended at the FIRST sign of conflict. I wasted hours of my life and feel like I only read the first quarter of a (very badly written) book. NOTHING HAPPENED. There was no world building or character development, no plot or conflict; I’m genuinely confused how this book is 300 pages.
I want to say DON'T READ THIS, but I think for my own sanity it would be beneficial to discuss this book with someone (maybe a therapist, but I'm not picky).
Read at your own risk!!!
July 22, 2021
I am so damn confused. Can't decide if I liked it or completely hated it. At first it was interesting, then it was slow burn and then it got weird and confusing. I can't relate to Alys at all and I couldn't figure out her character. About Ash... at first he had that cool mysterious vibe but it didn't last. I couldn't stop comparing him to Rhys because of the whole "High Lord of the night court" title. I am sorry there's only one and that's Rhysand.
Read
February 2, 2023Too old for this book
This was pretty boring and tedious to finish but I did it anyway. The story was typical fantasy but the dialogue felt immature like the Twilight series. The main characters were insufferable. The nickname little Duck and Princess grated on me. I was not invested in the characters and skimmed a lot.
This was pretty boring and tedious to finish but I did it anyway. The story was typical fantasy but the dialogue felt immature like the Twilight series. The main characters were insufferable. The nickname little Duck and Princess grated on me. I was not invested in the characters and skimmed a lot.
February 28, 2022
I have removed my original review. The author has plagiarized work and profited off of it and I refuse to support their work any further or provide positive feedback.
November 4, 2021
Disponible a partir del día 21/07/2021 en Amazon🖤
He tenido la grandísima suerte de recibir una copia avanzada de este libro por parte de la autora, Dana Isaly, y solo puedo decir: WOW!
Es un romance fantasía que me ha enganchado desde el primer capítulo!
La mayoría de las que me seguís en booktok sabéis que no acostumbro a leer fantasía, ya que normalmente hay 500 páginas únicamente describiendo el mundo en el que te encuentras y eso me deja KO. Os puedo asegurar que este libro NO ES ASÍ! La descripción es paralela a la historia de Alys (nuestra protagonista), lo cual hace que todo sea mucho más ameno y un libro fantástico para los lectores que quieran adentrarse en el romance fantasía o aquellos que llevan años leyendo este género!
Os lo recomiendo a todos 🥰
5/5⭐️
3.5/5🌶
He tenido la grandísima suerte de recibir una copia avanzada de este libro por parte de la autora, Dana Isaly, y solo puedo decir: WOW!
Es un romance fantasía que me ha enganchado desde el primer capítulo!
La mayoría de las que me seguís en booktok sabéis que no acostumbro a leer fantasía, ya que normalmente hay 500 páginas únicamente describiendo el mundo en el que te encuentras y eso me deja KO. Os puedo asegurar que este libro NO ES ASÍ! La descripción es paralela a la historia de Alys (nuestra protagonista), lo cual hace que todo sea mucho más ameno y un libro fantástico para los lectores que quieran adentrarse en el romance fantasía o aquellos que llevan años leyendo este género!
Os lo recomiendo a todos 🥰
5/5⭐️
3.5/5🌶
August 26, 2021
This books was terrible.
1) it was so inconsistent.
2) the plot was all over the place. I’m still not sure what was going on.
3) it had ideas that could of been good but no follow through. Something that seems important is just thrown at us with no explanation (sometimes never to be brought up in the book again.
4) the characters are flat and very one dimensional. They had no real personality traits other than cruel (we were never explained why he was cruel) vs. clumsy/body issues/self loathing (you named it…she suffered from it).
5) the romance aspect was garbage. Hot garbage. One minute they are at each other’s throats and the next they are sleeping together.
Don’t waste your time.
1) it was so inconsistent.
2) the plot was all over the place. I’m still not sure what was going on.
3) it had ideas that could of been good but no follow through. Something that seems important is just thrown at us with no explanation (sometimes never to be brought up in the book again.
4) the characters are flat and very one dimensional. They had no real personality traits other than cruel (we were never explained why he was cruel) vs. clumsy/body issues/self loathing (you named it…she suffered from it).
5) the romance aspect was garbage. Hot garbage. One minute they are at each other’s throats and the next they are sleeping together.
Don’t waste your time.
January 6, 2022
It started out alright but as soon as any plot got introduced, this book turned so inconsistent and the plot was all over the place. The MC could not make up her mind about anything it seemed and things were tossed in randomly with no rhyme or reason. The characters were incredibly flat and one-dimentional, and it seemed like it was trying so hard to be ACOTAR but failing miserably. I love me a fae novel, but this was just... hard to slog through.
September 27, 2021
This reads like ACOMAF fan fiction. It’s got really similar characters. Really similar. And I don’t mind reading books like that at times but there wasn’t much of a plot either. It kinda felt like author insert fanfic where a human girl is actually half fae and meets Asher/Rhysand. It’s a portal fantasy and I love those.
But I’m not gonna complain too much because as much as I love Sarah J Maas - her books rip off other books and authors as well. You can’t write a morally grey hero without comparisons to ACOTAR or FBAA and that’s just not fair because they aren’t the only ones around and they certainly weren’t first.
I think my biggest problem was there was not much happening in the plot and the book was 300 pages.
If you’re in the mood for a book similar to a court of mist and fury I would give this one a shot. You might love it or you might not. I’ll be looking for the second book when it comes out.
Free on kindle unlimited.
But I’m not gonna complain too much because as much as I love Sarah J Maas - her books rip off other books and authors as well. You can’t write a morally grey hero without comparisons to ACOTAR or FBAA and that’s just not fair because they aren’t the only ones around and they certainly weren’t first.
I think my biggest problem was there was not much happening in the plot and the book was 300 pages.
If you’re in the mood for a book similar to a court of mist and fury I would give this one a shot. You might love it or you might not. I’ll be looking for the second book when it comes out.
Free on kindle unlimited.
February 28, 2022
I love Alys and Ash so much 😭😭😭
January 6, 2022
A 50-50 bet.
• THE FIRST HALF :-
“This baby was born with magick in her blood. She was born with fire in her fingertips and starlight in her eyes.”
The prologue lures you in with a short excerpt of a mother cautioning her young daughter about the world of fae by narrating a straight out of fantasy tale, but that moment comes to an abrupt halt since next two chapters are an utter bore. I didn't really care for that part since it didn't give much insight into Alyssandra's life in the mortal realm since it was only ever about work or hanging out with her friends.
That's until she met Asher.
• THE SECOND HALF:-
“My name is Asher. And you are in Esteria. Welcome home, Alyssandra.”
Ruler of the Night Court, Asher is a high-born fae feared and respected by many. Being brought to this whole new world of faeries which was, up until this point, only a fictional tid-bit from her childhood days gone by, freaks Alys out. If that wasn't enough, fate delivers her another blow when she finds out that she's already made an enemy out of someone she's never even heard about.
Now the second half was QUITE redeeming. And honestly? I'd come to expect this one to be a let-down but the latter half came as a pleasant surprise. I truly enjoyed the world-building and Asher's court sounds so enchanting that I could drool. Alys, by herself was very 2D but once Asher and her got together, Alys for her much needed character development.
“If this is what you wanted, little duck, you only had to ask.”
It cliche but I'm here for it. Haven't read neither ACOTAR nor FBAA yet, but one thing I'm glad for is that I can enjoy this one without having to subconsciously compare it with those two booktok hits. Flame and Starlight makes for a nice read maybe if you haven't read the afore mentioned novels because Asher-Alys duo have a really good chemistry going on. After that last POV surprise at the end, I'm definitely continuing this series.
August 25, 2021
It's noticeable with the descriptions, dialogue, etc. that this is a new author but I will say that I enjoyed the plot and was left with a lot of questions that I want answers to, so it was overall an OK first book in a new series. I will continue with it once the sequel is released.
With that being said, let's get into my dislikes.
-Essentially no world-building. This story could have been better if it had been more dependent on its setting, as we are introduced to an entirely different realm with zero information on where the FMC has found herself within the first 15% of the book. The reader has no idea how this new realm is mapped/shaped. We are introduced to two separate Courts, the Night Court (where most of the story takes place) and the Winter Court. Spent days visiting the High Lady at the Winter Court with no background on what it looked like, how the Fae differed from those from the Night Court. Same with the Night Court. Given very little info on what Esteria is.
-Too fast-paced. No build up. i.e. the FMC Alys getting her Fae powers from one moment to the next and then suddenly she is flying on her first attempt just days after getting her wings. I think this could've done well in a sequel with a lot more time focused on her gaining command of her wings and how to put them into action. The sexual tension between the two MCs could've been prolonged. This story takes place in the span of a month, and in that time we have Alyssandra
It's just a lot. I would have liked seeing all of that happen but at a much slower pace and with more description.
So far, the reader is left with no real connection to any of the supporting characters. Emric is perhaps an exception to this but there was nothing unique to him to make him memorable. We have the FMC's half-sister, Aoife, coming back into the story at the near end. I look forward to this development in the upcoming sequel and seeing how their relationship has changed between these two former friends.
Something else that I disliked was how Alys seemed to be alright with being a captive. She didn't question why she needed to be away from the world she grew up in, she just went right along with her captor and was 1000% cooperative from the get-go. She accepted it with no real questions/no real desire to go back home to her friends.
There's similiarties to two other very well-known books (as mentioned by other reviewers). I personally can look past this because there are enough differences between those two series and Flame & Starlight to set them apart. Is this story original? Well, I mean, that would be questionable.
With that being said, let's get into my dislikes.
-Essentially no world-building. This story could have been better if it had been more dependent on its setting, as we are introduced to an entirely different realm with zero information on where the FMC has found herself within the first 15% of the book. The reader has no idea how this new realm is mapped/shaped. We are introduced to two separate Courts, the Night Court (where most of the story takes place) and the Winter Court. Spent days visiting the High Lady at the Winter Court with no background on what it looked like, how the Fae differed from those from the Night Court. Same with the Night Court. Given very little info on what Esteria is.
-Too fast-paced. No build up. i.e. the FMC Alys getting her Fae powers from one moment to the next and then suddenly she is flying on her first attempt just days after getting her wings. I think this could've done well in a sequel with a lot more time focused on her gaining command of her wings and how to put them into action. The sexual tension between the two MCs could've been prolonged. This story takes place in the span of a month, and in that time we have Alyssandra
"I suddenly knew I would do anything for him. I would fight for him. I would die for him. I would do anything I had to do to stay here forever."
It's just a lot. I would have liked seeing all of that happen but at a much slower pace and with more description.
So far, the reader is left with no real connection to any of the supporting characters. Emric is perhaps an exception to this but there was nothing unique to him to make him memorable. We have the FMC's half-sister, Aoife, coming back into the story at the near end. I look forward to this development in the upcoming sequel and seeing how their relationship has changed between these two former friends.
Something else that I disliked was how Alys seemed to be alright with being a captive. She didn't question why she needed to be away from the world she grew up in, she just went right along with her captor and was 1000% cooperative from the get-go. She accepted it with no real questions/no real desire to go back home to her friends.
There's similiarties to two other very well-known books (as mentioned by other reviewers). I personally can look past this because there are enough differences between those two series and Flame & Starlight to set them apart. Is this story original? Well, I mean, that would be questionable.
June 6, 2024
I'll write down my thoughts later, since I'm currently on the road, but I am shocked. Just. Shocked.
February 25, 2022
Dana plagiarizes her books. I wont be supporting now or in the future.
December 30, 2021
When I said I wanted a book like ACOTAR, I didn’t mean the exact same thing…
July 19, 2021
I was lucky to receive an e-ARC of this book and I loved it!
The first paragraph had me wondering if the MC was based off me as she literally does exactly what I do in those situations😅😂
This is a New Adult fantasy book that sets up the rest of the series beautifully and the slow burn turning to spice was 👌👌
If you loved ACOTAR then this is a perfect more modern story that you will also love although it’s different in a way that makes it feel more mature!
This is going to become a book I regularly put in my recommendations on TikTok!
The only thing I didn’t love was the initial dialog in the first few chapters, it felt a bit forced but this didn’t last and didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment!
That ending though!! I need the next one!!
The first paragraph had me wondering if the MC was based off me as she literally does exactly what I do in those situations😅😂
This is a New Adult fantasy book that sets up the rest of the series beautifully and the slow burn turning to spice was 👌👌
If you loved ACOTAR then this is a perfect more modern story that you will also love although it’s different in a way that makes it feel more mature!
This is going to become a book I regularly put in my recommendations on TikTok!
The only thing I didn’t love was the initial dialog in the first few chapters, it felt a bit forced but this didn’t last and didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment!
That ending though!! I need the next one!!
November 22, 2021
2.5/5 ⭐️
This book is the Walmart version of ACOTAR 🙃. Flame & Starlight had potential, but in all honesty completely missed the mark for me. It was way too fast paced, & I felt as though there was an extreme lack of detail in almost every aspect of the book…I was just really confused.
This book is the Walmart version of ACOTAR 🙃. Flame & Starlight had potential, but in all honesty completely missed the mark for me. It was way too fast paced, & I felt as though there was an extreme lack of detail in almost every aspect of the book…I was just really confused.
July 28, 2021
This gave me ACOTAR vibes and I’m fucking here for it.
Self sacrificing main protagonists who doesn’t understand the strength of her godly power - check ✅
Broody and sexy High lord of night court who hides his emotions but then only confided into the mc and to then be willing to die for her - check ✅
One bed trope - check ✅
Tending to each others wounds - check ✅
18+ with some lovely, passionate sex scenes - check ✅
Betrayals - check ✅
🌶/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Self sacrificing main protagonists who doesn’t understand the strength of her godly power - check ✅
Broody and sexy High lord of night court who hides his emotions but then only confided into the mc and to then be willing to die for her - check ✅
One bed trope - check ✅
Tending to each others wounds - check ✅
18+ with some lovely, passionate sex scenes - check ✅
Betrayals - check ✅
🌶/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
July 28, 2021
The quality is fine, I loved the writing, but this just felt like copycat Rhysand and night court, etc. I didn’t get far before I stopped. That’s really the only reason I DNF’d it, cause I enjoy her writing and I liked her other book. This just felt too much like ACOTAR for me. I know the story is different but there were similar concepts
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