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Dark Star
Would immortals prove to be better rulers than human beings? Agaroth, the creator god of Antora, believed they would but didn’t account for their arrogance, power lust, and rivalry. Antora is a small planet with four kingdoms. Each immortal king is accompanied by a consort, three of whom are carefully selected by Agaroth for their feminine graces to provide some balance to the patriarchal system. Unfortunately, he allowed his jealous brother to choose the fourth, who selected Hexia, a dark star, for his own nefarious agenda to rule Antora through her. With her sorcery, cruelty, and ruthless ambition, Hexia wastes no time launching a path of destruction. An ancient prophecy spoke of Zyah, born human but of angelic heritage. Is she the key to restoring peace in a climate of treachery and turmoil as the immortals vie against one another for supremacy?
365 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2021
About the author
Jane C.R. Reid
11 books57 followersJane is a British novelist who is passionate about writing. Her aim is not just to entertain but also to inspire and provoke thought about life’s dilemmas and challenges through fiction. Spanning multiple genres, including contemporary, historical, fantasy, romance, paranormal, and alternate dimensions, her works are renowned for their layered characters, immersive worlds, drama, intrigue, and lyrical prose.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 1, 2026
Huge in scope and wonder
This is a colourful, imaginative, and ambitious high-fantasy novel. The worldbuilding and lore are genuinely excellent, rich, creative, and clearly the result of a great deal of thought and care.
The premise alone is compelling, and once the narrative gains momentum, it becomes difficult not to want to know what happens next.
That said, I did struggle at times with the structure and pacing, particularly the frequent and rapid shifts in point of view. Chapters are short and often jump between perspectives quickly, which occasionally disrupted my immersion. Just as I began to emotionally connect with a character or situation, the focus would shift elsewhere.
Spending slightly longer with certain viewpoints, especially in the early stages, might help anchor the reader more firmly and deepen emotional investment.
The opening portion of the book also felt slower than it needed to be, not because of a lack of interest, but because the narrative is doing a lot of groundwork at once. With so many perspectives introduced early, it took time to orient myself and feel settled in the story.
Once this foundation is laid, however, the pacing improves significantly and the story begins to flow with much greater urgency and tension.
Overall, this is a highly imaginative and well-constructed story with a strong sense of identity. With a bit more breathing room for character development and a slightly smoother balance between momentum and perspective shifts, it could be even more impactful.
This is a colourful, imaginative, and ambitious high-fantasy novel. The worldbuilding and lore are genuinely excellent, rich, creative, and clearly the result of a great deal of thought and care.
The premise alone is compelling, and once the narrative gains momentum, it becomes difficult not to want to know what happens next.
That said, I did struggle at times with the structure and pacing, particularly the frequent and rapid shifts in point of view. Chapters are short and often jump between perspectives quickly, which occasionally disrupted my immersion. Just as I began to emotionally connect with a character or situation, the focus would shift elsewhere.
Spending slightly longer with certain viewpoints, especially in the early stages, might help anchor the reader more firmly and deepen emotional investment.
The opening portion of the book also felt slower than it needed to be, not because of a lack of interest, but because the narrative is doing a lot of groundwork at once. With so many perspectives introduced early, it took time to orient myself and feel settled in the story.
Once this foundation is laid, however, the pacing improves significantly and the story begins to flow with much greater urgency and tension.
Overall, this is a highly imaginative and well-constructed story with a strong sense of identity. With a bit more breathing room for character development and a slightly smoother balance between momentum and perspective shifts, it could be even more impactful.
March 25, 2026
A Shifting Mosaic of Immortal Ambition
Dark Star by Jane CR Reid carries the weight of a slow-drip tragedy, where the collapse of a paradise feels less like a sudden explosion and more like the steady erosion of a cliffside. It is a story that lingers in the quiet, tense spaces between grand betrayals and the heavy silence of fallen kingdoms.
The narrative’s impact is driven by the internal fragility of its supposedly "superior" beings King Zetzus, for instance, serves as a poignant anchor; his struggle is defined by a tragic susceptibility to enchantment that costs him his divinity and his throne. This vulnerability in the face of Hexia’s calculating malice underscores the book’s central theme: that even immortality provides no shield against one’s own character flaws.
Reid’s prose is atmospheric and deliberate, carefully building a world of "rainbow reflections" and "fiery skies". The pacing is a patient slow burn, prioritizing the philosophical weight of the characters' choices and the telepathic bonds with their guardian cats over rapid-fire action.
I would recommend this book if you enjoy intricate, high-concept world-building over relentless plot momentum, or if you prefer exploring the psychological depths of mythical archetypes rather than traditional hero tropes.
Dark Star by Jane CR Reid carries the weight of a slow-drip tragedy, where the collapse of a paradise feels less like a sudden explosion and more like the steady erosion of a cliffside. It is a story that lingers in the quiet, tense spaces between grand betrayals and the heavy silence of fallen kingdoms.
The narrative’s impact is driven by the internal fragility of its supposedly "superior" beings King Zetzus, for instance, serves as a poignant anchor; his struggle is defined by a tragic susceptibility to enchantment that costs him his divinity and his throne. This vulnerability in the face of Hexia’s calculating malice underscores the book’s central theme: that even immortality provides no shield against one’s own character flaws.
Reid’s prose is atmospheric and deliberate, carefully building a world of "rainbow reflections" and "fiery skies". The pacing is a patient slow burn, prioritizing the philosophical weight of the characters' choices and the telepathic bonds with their guardian cats over rapid-fire action.
I would recommend this book if you enjoy intricate, high-concept world-building over relentless plot momentum, or if you prefer exploring the psychological depths of mythical archetypes rather than traditional hero tropes.
January 23, 2026
This book pulled me into its world very quickly. The idea of immortal rulers and the dangers of absolute power is handled in a really imaginative way. Hexia is a strong and chilling antagonist, and the prophecy surrounding Zyah kept me turning pages. A solid start to what feels like an epic fantasy series.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews