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Starian Cycle #5
The King's Mage
"It's inevitable. We love, it burns us, we love again. Or we don't, and we wither on the vine."
Emile de Guillory swore off love the night his wife died in his arms. Bazyli Drakos loves too deeply, despite what he stands to lose. The night of Prince Adrien's marriage to Isiodore de Mortain, Bazyli finds Emile poisoned in the royal gardens. He takes him back to his home in the lower city, where Bazyli and his silent demon nurse Emile back from the brink of death. What begins as an uneasy alliance turns into something more as Bazyli and Emile work to uncover the assassin who poisoned Emile that night--an assassin who can hide behind any face, even those Emile trusts the most.
But can Emile learn to open his heart again, and will anyone be waiting for him if he does?
Emile de Guillory swore off love the night his wife died in his arms. Bazyli Drakos loves too deeply, despite what he stands to lose. The night of Prince Adrien's marriage to Isiodore de Mortain, Bazyli finds Emile poisoned in the royal gardens. He takes him back to his home in the lower city, where Bazyli and his silent demon nurse Emile back from the brink of death. What begins as an uneasy alliance turns into something more as Bazyli and Emile work to uncover the assassin who poisoned Emile that night--an assassin who can hide behind any face, even those Emile trusts the most.
But can Emile learn to open his heart again, and will anyone be waiting for him if he does?
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 16, 2021
11 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Iris Foxglove
27 books186 followersIris Foxglove is the shared pen name of Avon Gale (she/her) and Fae Loxley (he/him). Avon and Fae met in fandom in 2019, and began writing fanfiction together in 2020 during lockdown. They eventually decided to collaborate on original fantasy fiction, and haven't looked back since.
They write queer fantasy with an emphasis on biological imperative, natural power exchange dynamics, complex worldbuilding and unforgettable characters.
You can follow Iris on twitter @irisfoxglove, or sign up for Iris' newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hrhA6z
Iris also has a brand-new Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/irisfoxglove
Iris' Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
You can also follow the authors individually on Twitter and Facebook:
Avon Gale
Twitter: https://twitter.com/avongalewrites
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/2p8hz4fv
Fae Loxley
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Fae_loxley
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/mrxt2fnn
They write queer fantasy with an emphasis on biological imperative, natural power exchange dynamics, complex worldbuilding and unforgettable characters.
You can follow Iris on twitter @irisfoxglove, or sign up for Iris' newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hrhA6z
Iris also has a brand-new Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/irisfoxglove
Iris' Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
You can also follow the authors individually on Twitter and Facebook:
Avon Gale
Twitter: https://twitter.com/avongalewrites
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/2p8hz4fv
Fae Loxley
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Fae_loxley
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/mrxt2fnn
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
October 24, 2021
I haven't liked Emile in previous books, he's a jerk but as always, some characters just need a little bit explaining to forgive them.
I wasn't expecting this book, I had no idea that it came out so it was a lovely surprise. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would and it had a very nice plot that concluded the issues that this series faced.
The kink was actually good, it wasn't too much for my tastes and it also played an important part to make the story going.
What I didn't get crazy about: I always feel with this series, except with book # two, that the relationships begin in a way and end in another, what I mean is that the characters together have a personality at the beginning and at the end have another one, so it throws me off always, but not enough to make me stop reading it, so that's something.
This series is fun, light and easy to read, where you have magic and kink intertwined and a lot of hot characters, so if you are in a mood, start this series. 😉😉💗
I wasn't expecting this book, I had no idea that it came out so it was a lovely surprise. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would and it had a very nice plot that concluded the issues that this series faced.
The kink was actually good, it wasn't too much for my tastes and it also played an important part to make the story going.
What I didn't get crazy about: I always feel with this series, except with book # two, that the relationships begin in a way and end in another, what I mean is that the characters together have a personality at the beginning and at the end have another one, so it throws me off always, but not enough to make me stop reading it, so that's something.
This series is fun, light and easy to read, where you have magic and kink intertwined and a lot of hot characters, so if you are in a mood, start this series. 😉😉💗
October 3, 2021
I received an ARC from the author - thank you!
I'm obsessed with this series, so I devoured this in one sitting. I absolutely loved this one and would say it's my favorite, if only because I was super intrigued by Emile and how he'd end up someone I would care about...and honestly, that wasn't easy, since he did a lot of terrible things in book one and I still feel so bad for Sabre for everything he went through. That being said, I loved Bazyli from the first and he was a perfect match for the very complicated and not always easy to like Emile. I'm a sucker for dark characters and complex arcs that aren't redemption but are more...second chances, I suppose, and I really think that is what this book is. Emile isn't really redeemed, but he's more understandable as a character once you spend some time in his POV, and he does end the book as a different, gentler man than he started. The scene at the end
Bazyli, oh, Bazyli. I love you?? My heart broke for him when he told Emile about the lyre and why he didn't have one anymore. I want only good things for you, Baz. Also I love how he was such a snarky bitch on occasion and how much Emile was into it. And I especially loved all the flower magic. I can kill plants by looking at them too long, so I'm super jealous I do not have a Baz of my own to keep my wife's poor plants alive.
The writing was great and I adore the worldbuilding and how the d/s dynamics are so integral to the story without overwhelming it. Honestly I almost skipped this series because I thought it would be too much like omegaverse (not my thing) but it really isn't -- the d/s stuff really adds to the complexities of the storyline, and I appreciated seeing a bit more kink in this one (Bazyli's enjoyment of being shown off, rawr) since that's a particular strength of this series. I appreciate that while it's total fantasy in terms of the biological imperative aspect, there's enough realism in it to make those scenes shine.
Satisfying ending to a series that is refreshingly unique and highly enjoyable. Looking forward to Marius' book coming up! And I loved Silver, the sleep-deprived royal tailor, so here's hoping we get some more of him, too!
I'm obsessed with this series, so I devoured this in one sitting. I absolutely loved this one and would say it's my favorite, if only because I was super intrigued by Emile and how he'd end up someone I would care about...and honestly, that wasn't easy, since he did a lot of terrible things in book one and I still feel so bad for Sabre for everything he went through. That being said, I loved Bazyli from the first and he was a perfect match for the very complicated and not always easy to like Emile. I'm a sucker for dark characters and complex arcs that aren't redemption but are more...second chances, I suppose, and I really think that is what this book is. Emile isn't really redeemed, but he's more understandable as a character once you spend some time in his POV, and he does end the book as a different, gentler man than he started. The scene at the end
Bazyli, oh, Bazyli. I love you?? My heart broke for him when he told Emile about the lyre and why he didn't have one anymore. I want only good things for you, Baz. Also I love how he was such a snarky bitch on occasion and how much Emile was into it. And I especially loved all the flower magic. I can kill plants by looking at them too long, so I'm super jealous I do not have a Baz of my own to keep my wife's poor plants alive.
The writing was great and I adore the worldbuilding and how the d/s dynamics are so integral to the story without overwhelming it. Honestly I almost skipped this series because I thought it would be too much like omegaverse (not my thing) but it really isn't -- the d/s stuff really adds to the complexities of the storyline, and I appreciated seeing a bit more kink in this one (Bazyli's enjoyment of being shown off, rawr) since that's a particular strength of this series. I appreciate that while it's total fantasy in terms of the biological imperative aspect, there's enough realism in it to make those scenes shine.
Satisfying ending to a series that is refreshingly unique and highly enjoyable. Looking forward to Marius' book coming up! And I loved Silver, the sleep-deprived royal tailor, so here's hoping we get some more of him, too!
October 1, 2021
A really enjoyable book! The plot was fun, and the central relationship was wonderful! I loved learning more about Emile and the people around him, and Baz was particularly lovely, learning about his demon was amazing, and the flower magic was still wonderful. Watching their relationship blossom was quite wonderful. There was a lot of sweetness and their scenes together were absolutely lovely.
September 24, 2021
Seriously amazing! I’ve craved Emile’s book since book 1, and seeing him get his happy ending with Baz was fantastic.
January 18, 2023
The good
+ The little girl demanding Emile's attention so he could order her parents to let her have sixteen puppies
+ Emile's delight in Baz's surly attitute towards service
+ Baz's prickliness and his soft heart
+ Expressing feelings through flowers
+ Baz always being honest about the meaning of the flowers
+ Their stilted confessions of their feelings
+
The neutral
o The number of side characters was really high. But it's probably my own fault I couldn't keep up, as I only read book 2 and 5 in the series
o This book has POV chapters from characters who are not the main characters
o I didn't read Emile's backstory, but I know this was supposed to be a redemption arc. And I think it was only halfway there. He's still cruel and didn't change all that much (only make promises, but the outcome was never shown)
The bad
- I felt a lot of things were left unresolved or open-ended. What was Baz's visit to his friends like? Would Emile risk getting a bit closer to Adrien now that the threat was over? What was going to happen to ? Why did choose Baz? And now that the threat was gone, were they going to tell Baz's real story, or just keep pretending he was a war prize?
As I said, I only read book 2 and 5 of the series. I think I liked book 2 better than this one, but I still had a good time with this one. I enjoyed Baz's prickliness and the flower magic. The way they always expressed Baz' and his demon's feelings so honestly was perfect. I have no idea if this book is better or worse when having read the other books in the series, but I enjoyed it my way and I'd recommend it.
+ The little girl demanding Emile's attention so he could order her parents to let her have sixteen puppies
+ Emile's delight in Baz's surly attitute towards service
+ Baz's prickliness and his soft heart
+ Expressing feelings through flowers
+ Baz always being honest about the meaning of the flowers
+ Their stilted confessions of their feelings
+
The neutral
o The number of side characters was really high. But it's probably my own fault I couldn't keep up, as I only read book 2 and 5 in the series
o This book has POV chapters from characters who are not the main characters
o I didn't read Emile's backstory, but I know this was supposed to be a redemption arc. And I think it was only halfway there. He's still cruel and didn't change all that much (only make promises, but the outcome was never shown)
The bad
- I felt a lot of things were left unresolved or open-ended. What was Baz's visit to his friends like? Would Emile risk getting a bit closer to Adrien now that the threat was over? What was going to happen to ? Why did choose Baz? And now that the threat was gone, were they going to tell Baz's real story, or just keep pretending he was a war prize?
As I said, I only read book 2 and 5 of the series. I think I liked book 2 better than this one, but I still had a good time with this one. I enjoyed Baz's prickliness and the flower magic. The way they always expressed Baz' and his demon's feelings so honestly was perfect. I have no idea if this book is better or worse when having read the other books in the series, but I enjoyed it my way and I'd recommend it.
October 28, 2021
I have been looking forward to this book ever since I found out the KING, of all people, was getting his own book. His own romance! His OWN HEA. KING EMILE DE GUILLORY.
From what we know of the king in the first book, is that King Emile went a bit mad after the death of his beloved wife, and is no stranger to putting anyone to death if they wrongly cross his path. This is our first impression of Emile, where he orders Sabre de Valois, his traitorous mother, and his younger teenage sister to hang at the gallows. He spared Sabre’s life, but only just.
Our impression of Emile softens somewhat throughout the series, like when he allows Devon to live, or when we see through his son, Adrien,
that Emile does care for him. Even the Emile who dotes on Laurant’s sister, Rose, is quite different than the man we thought we knew in book 1. But it is with this book that the perception of Emile is shifted the most.
And namely because he starts the book poisoned and dying in the royal garden on the palace grounds after Adrien and Isiodore’s wedding.
Content notes include attempted murder, death, mentions of blood magic, and violence.
The books in this series definitely should be read in order. We first meet Baz in the previous books, and he is Hektor’s older brother. Baz was the first son of the Archmage and when it was deemed that the flower demon Baz summoned as a child was too weak, Baz was returned to the brothels. He has spent his teenage and adult years working at the brothels, but he never fails to look after his younger brother and wishes to keep him safe. Always.
Now away from Mislia and the Archmage, and Hektor being well looked after by his new found family, it seems that Baz is adrift. But then one night he finds a man dying in the royal palace gardens. Baz, MY LOVE, has a good heart, and not knowing the man is the gardens is the king and someone who once wanted all Mislians dead, Baz takes the man into his care and nurses him back to health.
There are not enough words to describe how precious Baz is and how much I love him??!! If there is one person to make the king open up his heart for love again, I definitely understand why it had to be Baz.
And look, I had my misgivings about the king throughout the series but I really warmed up to him! Emile grew on me. I wonder how it is his mother never called him to task though when he kinda…went and started ruling with a heavy hand in the kingdom. But who am I to judge the woman and her poet. The royal family dynamic is weird and everyone is kept at a distance, I suppose. Although, I would’ve loved to see this horrid poet in the books instead of just being talked about by Emile and Adrien. Who is this wretched, rhyming man??
But in any case, I ADORE Emile and Baz in this book. I love their dynamic and, I don’t know. Their relationship warms my heart.
It’s interesting to see how the Mislian dynamic with a demon works here. We see evidence of how there isn’t just one way when it comes to romantic relationships involving a demon, Mislian or not. We see in book 2 with Devon, Sebastien, and the very wise Sariel, Sariel is an active participant in their relationship. Then there’s obviously the young and budding one with Rose, Hektor, and his fox demon Flick that must be…interesting whenever something romantic happens?? And then there’s Summer and Tanis from book 3 that is another example who are very much in love with each other.
How Emile and Baz engage with their romantic relationship while Baz’s demon is present in Baz’s mind is different than the other demon relationships we’ve seen. It’s all explained at the end, but it’s once again something new and I love that we can see how these relationships work so differently throughout the books with the different characters.
I loved seeing all the characters again and I LOVED how this book ends with everything coming full circle, back around to a moment that can only be worked out between Sabre and the King. I wept. I WAS DOING SO WELL. How dare the authors make me emotional right at the end!! But it was a wonderful, and fitting moment to end the series, and I can’t wait to read more books from this world.
One interesting thing about this book is how many assassination attempts there are on Emile’s life. The assassin is, without a doubt, the most persistent person I’ve ever read. I think how this gets resolved is quite fitting and I like it. At first I was hesitant on the assassin getting his own POV chapters throughout the book, but they’re honestly not very long at all, and I think it helps round out his story.
The book does end with an excerpt from Marius’s book with a man only called Ranger, and I am so excited!!! I’ve been waiting for Marius’s book ever since we saw him from his brother Devon’s perspective in book 2 and THE TIME HAD COME. I love how the authors can convince me to entirely change my mind about characters and give them a much deserved happy ending, and I am so ready to see how Marius escapes a bounty on his head and gets his HEA!!
From what we know of the king in the first book, is that King Emile went a bit mad after the death of his beloved wife, and is no stranger to putting anyone to death if they wrongly cross his path. This is our first impression of Emile, where he orders Sabre de Valois, his traitorous mother, and his younger teenage sister to hang at the gallows. He spared Sabre’s life, but only just.
Our impression of Emile softens somewhat throughout the series, like when he allows Devon to live, or when we see through his son, Adrien,
that Emile does care for him. Even the Emile who dotes on Laurant’s sister, Rose, is quite different than the man we thought we knew in book 1. But it is with this book that the perception of Emile is shifted the most.
And namely because he starts the book poisoned and dying in the royal garden on the palace grounds after Adrien and Isiodore’s wedding.
Content notes include attempted murder, death, mentions of blood magic, and violence.
The books in this series definitely should be read in order. We first meet Baz in the previous books, and he is Hektor’s older brother. Baz was the first son of the Archmage and when it was deemed that the flower demon Baz summoned as a child was too weak, Baz was returned to the brothels. He has spent his teenage and adult years working at the brothels, but he never fails to look after his younger brother and wishes to keep him safe. Always.
Now away from Mislia and the Archmage, and Hektor being well looked after by his new found family, it seems that Baz is adrift. But then one night he finds a man dying in the royal palace gardens. Baz, MY LOVE, has a good heart, and not knowing the man is the gardens is the king and someone who once wanted all Mislians dead, Baz takes the man into his care and nurses him back to health.
There are not enough words to describe how precious Baz is and how much I love him??!! If there is one person to make the king open up his heart for love again, I definitely understand why it had to be Baz.
And look, I had my misgivings about the king throughout the series but I really warmed up to him! Emile grew on me. I wonder how it is his mother never called him to task though when he kinda…went and started ruling with a heavy hand in the kingdom. But who am I to judge the woman and her poet. The royal family dynamic is weird and everyone is kept at a distance, I suppose. Although, I would’ve loved to see this horrid poet in the books instead of just being talked about by Emile and Adrien. Who is this wretched, rhyming man??
But in any case, I ADORE Emile and Baz in this book. I love their dynamic and, I don’t know. Their relationship warms my heart.
It’s interesting to see how the Mislian dynamic with a demon works here. We see evidence of how there isn’t just one way when it comes to romantic relationships involving a demon, Mislian or not. We see in book 2 with Devon, Sebastien, and the very wise Sariel, Sariel is an active participant in their relationship. Then there’s obviously the young and budding one with Rose, Hektor, and his fox demon Flick that must be…interesting whenever something romantic happens?? And then there’s Summer and Tanis from book 3 that is another example who are very much in love with each other.
How Emile and Baz engage with their romantic relationship while Baz’s demon is present in Baz’s mind is different than the other demon relationships we’ve seen. It’s all explained at the end, but it’s once again something new and I love that we can see how these relationships work so differently throughout the books with the different characters.
I loved seeing all the characters again and I LOVED how this book ends with everything coming full circle, back around to a moment that can only be worked out between Sabre and the King. I wept. I WAS DOING SO WELL. How dare the authors make me emotional right at the end!! But it was a wonderful, and fitting moment to end the series, and I can’t wait to read more books from this world.
One interesting thing about this book is how many assassination attempts there are on Emile’s life. The assassin is, without a doubt, the most persistent person I’ve ever read. I think how this gets resolved is quite fitting and I like it. At first I was hesitant on the assassin getting his own POV chapters throughout the book, but they’re honestly not very long at all, and I think it helps round out his story.
The book does end with an excerpt from Marius’s book with a man only called Ranger, and I am so excited!!! I’ve been waiting for Marius’s book ever since we saw him from his brother Devon’s perspective in book 2 and THE TIME HAD COME. I love how the authors can convince me to entirely change my mind about characters and give them a much deserved happy ending, and I am so ready to see how Marius escapes a bounty on his head and gets his HEA!!
October 17, 2021
These books keeping getting better. Finally we get to see what's going on behind Emile's frosty eyes. Baz gets answers to his demon and his powers. There are lots of flowers, an assassin, and a 13 year old that shows everyone up.
August 1, 2025
I was finishing book 4 when I realized I actually do need to read book 5 immediately, thanks. Being that my plane was already starting to move, I had to quickly get myself to Amazon. I learned that day that “ready to open” at 46% does mean that the whole book has been downloaded, and the rest is just the cover to be downloaded.
January 20, 2024
This was my fav book in the series, and I definitely need more of King Emilie!! He's by far my favourite character, loved his humour too much lol
September 1, 2025
The plot was really bad but this was way more fun than I thought it would be! & i adore Bazily
December 9, 2021
I didn't want to like this book at all. I've hated Emile since book 1. He pushed his son away, he barely saved Sabre, his answer to anyone he has kind of a suspicion about is to hang them. He was so irredeemable to me I almost skipped this one.
Until I saw he was being paired with Baz. So naturally I dove right in. I'm a sucker for any of these characters with a demon. Baz' demon is quieter than the other ones. She speaks in flowers and is so sweet. When I found out who she is I was shocked.
I did end up liking Emile. He was kind of sweet. He came of as a jerk for a reason and I understand why now.
I received a copy of this book from GRR and this is my honest review.
Until I saw he was being paired with Baz. So naturally I dove right in. I'm a sucker for any of these characters with a demon. Baz' demon is quieter than the other ones. She speaks in flowers and is so sweet. When I found out who she is I was shocked.
I did end up liking Emile. He was kind of sweet. He came of as a jerk for a reason and I understand why now.
I received a copy of this book from GRR and this is my honest review.
January 5, 2022
“I think love makes us better people. I think you’ll be a better person because of him.”
Brief summary
Emile, the king, gets poisoned at his son’s wedding. Bazyli finds him and rescues him. They end up falling in love.
This book was so much fun to read. I adored the banter between the main characters and their connection and romance made the book a very enjoyable reading experience for me.
Emile hasn’t been the nicest person ever in the previous books in this series so I liked seeing him turn into a nicer human being and how his character progressed during the book, it was really fun to read about.
I really loved the world building in this book. I thought it was a lovely way to wrap a lot of the ungoing storylines in the book and it did a really good job at continuing the exploration into the world the book is set in.
Also, the kink in this book was super hot and I really loved it, damn that so lovely to read about.
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.
Brief summary
Emile, the king, gets poisoned at his son’s wedding. Bazyli finds him and rescues him. They end up falling in love.
This book was so much fun to read. I adored the banter between the main characters and their connection and romance made the book a very enjoyable reading experience for me.
Emile hasn’t been the nicest person ever in the previous books in this series so I liked seeing him turn into a nicer human being and how his character progressed during the book, it was really fun to read about.
I really loved the world building in this book. I thought it was a lovely way to wrap a lot of the ungoing storylines in the book and it did a really good job at continuing the exploration into the world the book is set in.
Also, the kink in this book was super hot and I really loved it, damn that so lovely to read about.
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.
June 13, 2022
The Starian Cycle series is so riveting. The world building is just amazing. I love the author, Iris Foxglove, take on the BSDM/omegaverse world. Oh did I mention how the characters are absolutely amazing?
April 1, 2024
What the heck did I just read? Ok, so, I picked this up on another reader's recommendation for Fantasy Bingo to fulfill the Druid square. They said you could jump in at any point in the series, and while this is true, I do think you miss out on significant story development if you don't start at the beginning.
This DID have a main character (or at least their...demon, sort of) that did nature magic in that they were an herbal healer and manifested plants/flowers. Ok.
However, I had no idea I was getting a M/M BDSM romance thing. It was... alright? Not usually totally up my alley. It reminded me a bit of TJ Klune's Ravensong, but with less emotional connection to the characters and of TJ Klune's The Lightning-Struck Heart, but without the over-the-top humor and sex jokes. More for the stereotypical fantasy setting featuring a lot of alt lifestyle setups than for the writing style.
This is the 5th book in the series and I've never read anything else by the author(s). While you definitely can read this as a standalone, not having a history or the background of all the characters and what's gone on before definitely makes this less engaging I imagine. There was quite a lot of past plot the authors tried to give you the in-world summary on, but it's not the same. If you really are interested, just start at book 1, don't jump in midstream.
I'm not sure how much I bought into the insta-relationship aspect of the book, especially given both main characters' backstories. I also had some major "what" moments with some of the spicy scenes. Honestly, I wondered a few times if they initially meant for Baz to be female and then retrofitted this to be M/M romance primarily because of some of the physics? mechanics? of some of the descriptions.
I don't know if I liked this 5th book in the series enough to go back and read from book 1, but it was quick reading at least and we're going to say it fulfilled the Druid square!
This DID have a main character (or at least their...demon, sort of) that did nature magic in that they were an herbal healer and manifested plants/flowers. Ok.
However, I had no idea I was getting a M/M BDSM romance thing. It was... alright? Not usually totally up my alley. It reminded me a bit of TJ Klune's Ravensong, but with less emotional connection to the characters and of TJ Klune's The Lightning-Struck Heart, but without the over-the-top humor and sex jokes. More for the stereotypical fantasy setting featuring a lot of alt lifestyle setups than for the writing style.
This is the 5th book in the series and I've never read anything else by the author(s). While you definitely can read this as a standalone, not having a history or the background of all the characters and what's gone on before definitely makes this less engaging I imagine. There was quite a lot of past plot the authors tried to give you the in-world summary on, but it's not the same. If you really are interested, just start at book 1, don't jump in midstream.
I'm not sure how much I bought into the insta-relationship aspect of the book, especially given both main characters' backstories. I also had some major "what" moments with some of the spicy scenes. Honestly, I wondered a few times if they initially meant for Baz to be female and then retrofitted this to be M/M romance primarily because of some of the physics? mechanics? of some of the descriptions.
I don't know if I liked this 5th book in the series enough to go back and read from book 1, but it was quick reading at least and we're going to say it fulfilled the Druid square!
October 20, 2021
This series is just pure fun, now. I like how it doesn't take itself too seriously, and the characters are allowed to have silly dialogue that serves no purpose except to put a smile on the reader's face.
I really enjoyed the perspective switch in this book. Suddenly looking at this familiar setting from the eyes of someone who was at times an enemy or at best a scary figure of authority in previous instalments was really fascinating, especially with the character growth that we see Emile go through. His arc is really satisfying to read, second possibly only to Devon's in book 2.
Baz is just an absolute sweetheart of a character and deserves all the flowers and gardens in the world. I really enjoyed reading about his unusual brand of magic, and their romance as a whole!
This book also seems to have set the groundwork for a pretty significant plot point to come later in the series, so I'm looking forward to travelling back to Mislia at some point and seeing all that play out.
A lovely light read (er, still with kink warnings though - this is still Staria).
I really enjoyed the perspective switch in this book. Suddenly looking at this familiar setting from the eyes of someone who was at times an enemy or at best a scary figure of authority in previous instalments was really fascinating, especially with the character growth that we see Emile go through. His arc is really satisfying to read, second possibly only to Devon's in book 2.
Baz is just an absolute sweetheart of a character and deserves all the flowers and gardens in the world. I really enjoyed reading about his unusual brand of magic, and their romance as a whole!
This book also seems to have set the groundwork for a pretty significant plot point to come later in the series, so I'm looking forward to travelling back to Mislia at some point and seeing all that play out.
A lovely light read (er, still with kink warnings though - this is still Staria).
December 30, 2021
King Emile de Guillory knew he would never find someone else to love after his wife died in his arms. By contrast, Bazyli Drakos loves very deeply. On the night of Prince Adrien’s marriage, Bazyli finds Emile dying of poison in the garden. Not knowing who he is, he brings him to his home in the lower city. There he and his silent demon nurse Emile back to health. Emile wants Bazyli to help him uncover the assassin. It seems he can take on any face, including those they love and trust.
It was a beautiful thing to watch these two find something more with each other. Emile grew and changed. He had previously been unlikeable but this book explained the reasons for his actions. He is still the king and as such remains arrogant but Bazyli seems to temper that arrogance. Bazyli’s ability to produce flowers that express emotion was amazing. His demon turned out to be so much more than expected. The plot was intriguing and the resolution was unexpected. It made for some great reading and left us feeling Emile might become a better king.
It was a beautiful thing to watch these two find something more with each other. Emile grew and changed. He had previously been unlikeable but this book explained the reasons for his actions. He is still the king and as such remains arrogant but Bazyli seems to temper that arrogance. Bazyli’s ability to produce flowers that express emotion was amazing. His demon turned out to be so much more than expected. The plot was intriguing and the resolution was unexpected. It made for some great reading and left us feeling Emile might become a better king.
December 29, 2021
The authors of the Starian Cycle are incredible. After watching them redeem Devon, I didn't think they could write anything to surpass that story. I WAS WRONG. If you have read this series from the start (and you should, because the books each build on the previous ones). you probably have a pretty low opinion of King Emile. Cold, impersonal, torturer, murderer, mad (?). He pushed away his own son and left him to feel 'less.' But here we get to see a different side of the king, and we get to see others (not knowing him) offer him kindness. I still found it hard to easily forgive his actions, but his efforts to make amends softened my heart. And Baz was just a sweetheart. Absolutely loveable. This has been such a great series and I am glad there is at least one book left. I am not ready to say good-bye.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
January 27, 2022
4.75 ⭐
This book wasn't scorching hot like book 1, didn't have the atmospheric and somber tone that made book 2 so beautiful, and didn't have the adventure of book 3. But it was a great finale. I don't know if this is meant to be the last book, but it felt like it.
There are lots of threads that are not tied off into a pretty bow, which is just fine. We got all the closure we needed with Emile and Sabre.
There is something about this author's writing that is just so captivating to me. I usually don't read a series back to back to back, but I could not put this one down. There were times during this book that I wished the story were a bit BIGGER, or that the threat's felt a bit more serious. Despite that, I really enjoyed my time with it and am eager to pick up other books written by this author.
This book wasn't scorching hot like book 1, didn't have the atmospheric and somber tone that made book 2 so beautiful, and didn't have the adventure of book 3. But it was a great finale. I don't know if this is meant to be the last book, but it felt like it.
There are lots of threads that are not tied off into a pretty bow, which is just fine. We got all the closure we needed with Emile and Sabre.
There is something about this author's writing that is just so captivating to me. I usually don't read a series back to back to back, but I could not put this one down. There were times during this book that I wished the story were a bit BIGGER, or that the threat's felt a bit more serious. Despite that, I really enjoyed my time with it and am eager to pick up other books written by this author.
December 5, 2021
As always with this series, there’s plenty of intrigue to meld with the romance and kink, and it all comes together pretty seamlessly. I liked Bazyli (Baz) a lot: he’s seriously compelling and deserves all the happiness. That said, I sometimes had trouble squaring the Emile I knew (and didn’t love, to be honest) from the previous books with the one we get here— I understand the concept in theory: readers get to know him better and see him in a different light, and I felt a bit of that, but not enough to shake all the lingering effects of my previous impressions. Still, overall, like all the books in this series, a really immersive read!
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 21, 2021
Loved this book too! A nice ending to the series, and it looks there will be a couple other works about some characters that appeared in the series but we were left wondering about. Marius in one work, and apparently Charon and Yves in the other. So I'm looking forward to it. Also I would love something about Silver, because he sounds quite interesting!
This book featured the King and Hektor's brother, Baz. I loved them and liked learning about them and the lives they've lived. Overall I enjoyed reading this series, a lot more than what I was initially expecting. I felt like this series got better with every book as I became more familiar with the world and its characters .
This book featured the King and Hektor's brother, Baz. I loved them and liked learning about them and the lives they've lived. Overall I enjoyed reading this series, a lot more than what I was initially expecting. I felt like this series got better with every book as I became more familiar with the world and its characters .
January 21, 2024
The romance part of this was well done. Baz learning to love, him being who he was but also relaxing enough to allow his true nature, his words to Emile, him asking if he can love, they were all good. Emile learning of his people, letting go of grief, his conversation to Sabre, those things stand out. Him and Adrien are finally making steps forward. But even that felt too little. But also many things in these books happen in background, even between two books it feels like I skipped scenes and missed things. The smut also feels rushed. With these books it feels like they are missing good 50 pages added depth and resolution and more time for romance to feel solid.
December 31, 2021
No need to worry that the author ran out of steam in this last book in the series. The high quality of all the other books is still on full display here. This is a mystery as we follow Bazyli's and Emile's efforts to find out who tried to assassinate Emile on the night of the wedding of Adrien and Isiodore (yay!). The stealth ability of the assassin makes for a truly creepy tale where everyone is a suspect. This is an author I will be following into whatever comes next. Great characters, thorough and detailed world building and great plots with lots of twists and turns.
October 18, 2021
Absolutely feel-good
This whole series has been a delight. It is impossible to read these words and not be swept away in all of the snark and masterfully crafted characters as they deal with these fantastic things. The world is engaging and innovative and very attractive.
Truly a wonderful and uplifting final piece of the tapestry that has been woven with these amazing characters. Cannot wait to read whatever else the authors have planned, they have made a fan for life.
This whole series has been a delight. It is impossible to read these words and not be swept away in all of the snark and masterfully crafted characters as they deal with these fantastic things. The world is engaging and innovative and very attractive.
Truly a wonderful and uplifting final piece of the tapestry that has been woven with these amazing characters. Cannot wait to read whatever else the authors have planned, they have made a fan for life.
November 23, 2021
This amazing series concludes on the perfect note. Foxglove has an amazing talent for humanizing characters so that their ending is well-deserved (whether for good or for bad). Even though the "bigger picture" issue is all but solved in book 4, the events in this story wrap everything up so that all the major players in this series can ride off into the sunset with their happily ever afters.
I'd love to return to this world, and I'm looking forward to the promised spin-off series.
I'd love to return to this world, and I'm looking forward to the promised spin-off series.
December 15, 2021
Emile’s story
This is not a book that I was expecting from this series. That’s not to say this is a bad thing. Far from it. One of the things that I have really enjoyed about this series is the variety of people who have found love. Too often I have read romance series where each book isn’t all that much different from rest. This series has an absolutely awesome overall story as well. You definitely need to read these in order.
This is not a book that I was expecting from this series. That’s not to say this is a bad thing. Far from it. One of the things that I have really enjoyed about this series is the variety of people who have found love. Too often I have read romance series where each book isn’t all that much different from rest. This series has an absolutely awesome overall story as well. You definitely need to read these in order.
December 30, 2021
At last, we get Emile's story!
Beautifully written,this had me hooked straight from the beginning.I loved Baz straight away,but,I'll admit,even though I was really looking forward to reading his story,it took me a little while to warm up to Emile.
Their blossoming romance is an absolute delight to read!
I'm really looking forward to reading more books in this series.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
Beautifully written,this had me hooked straight from the beginning.I loved Baz straight away,but,I'll admit,even though I was really looking forward to reading his story,it took me a little while to warm up to Emile.
Their blossoming romance is an absolute delight to read!
I'm really looking forward to reading more books in this series.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
December 31, 2021
Reading about King Emile in the first book of the series I wouldn’t have thought he would have such a wonderful HEA. His and Baz’s connection feels so real and I loved the way they come together and hearing about Emile’s reasons for some of his earlier decisions. This is another beautifully written piece of the wonderful world in the Starian Cycle series and I still want more.
January 6, 2022
Omg I loved this book. Completely devoured this book in one day. Iris Foxglove is definitely one of my favorite authors now. I loved finally getting King Emile’s side of the story. Loved getting to know Baz too, where he can be himself. I absolutely love this series and highly recommend it to anyone that loves a great MM series.
January 24, 2022
I actually loved this one. The de Guillory’s are probably my favorite characters, and I loved the dynamics between Emile and Baz. I thought Emile was meant to have another love interest at first, but his story with Baz felt natural, and I read it a lot faster than I read most of the other books. This is one of my favorites out of the series.
February 21, 2022
There was more push and pull between these two than all the other books combined. Thank goodness for that! Still just missing a little something for me to give it 4 stars. I don't know what it was, but maybe it was just the assassin plotline that I wasn't completely sold on. How did he keep getting away? Only to basically turn himself in at the end.
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