Elara: As an infant, I was abandoned on the steps of a church. My childhood was spent in an abusive foster home. At nineteen, I killed someone.
Not long after, three men in black cloaks kidnap me and whisk me through a magical portal to a world I never knew existed. A world they say is my home. But the enchanting realm of Celestria is in turmoil. A dark enemy has infiltrated the land and is attempting to seize control. The last hope of the people of Celestria is locating Changelings in the mortal world… like me.
Yet an assessment of my magic leads to a shocking revelation. Someone used a powerful spell to suppress my powers. But who? And why?
Prince Kage Dargan: The moment I see her, my world pauses. Though we’ve never met, the girl is familiar to me. Since I was a boy… she has visited me in my dreams.
Even so, I can’t let my guard down around her. The last Changeling I trusted tried to kill me. Besides, my attraction to her is a temptation I can’t risk. My parents arranged my upcoming marriage years ago and breaking that pact could have steep consequences.
Still, I have to wonder why the girl from my dreams has finally appeared. Is it fate? Or something far more sinister?
--------------- This is a NA Dark Fantasy for ages 18+.
I was born in San Francisco, raised in Maui, Hawaii, and now reside with my husband in Las Vegas. I am a dreamer and caffeine addict who loves to laugh and loves to read to escape reality.
One of my greatest satisfactions is creating fantasy worlds filled with adventure and romance. It is the love and incredible support of my family and fans that keeps me going. One day I hope to uncover my magic wardrobe and ride away on a unicorn. Until then . . . I'll keep writing!
Rating: 4.5/5 Spice level: 1/5 🌶 I was pleasantly surprised with this book. The first couple chapters had me a little skeptical, but it quickly picked up the pace! I then proceeded to completely devour this book. Our main character, Elara, finds out she is actually a Changing from Celestria. This place is full of things she never thought were possible. Things such as, magic, portal jumping, and a handsome face at every turn. Her life was never one of happiness and love, but after coming home to Celestria she realizes she is deserving of something good. She is destined for greatness…or at least that’s what the voice inside her head has said. Elara finds her first friend ever coming in the shape of an alluring captain of the guard, Remington. To spice things up even more she can’t help how drawn she is to the devastatingly handsome Prince of Terr, Kage. I love love love Elara as our main character! She’s been through so much and is still as tough as nails. I wouldn’t want to be on her bad side! I personally found all of these characters exciting. They all had great depth to them as well. Now when it comes to relationships I think I’d be fine with either male….I’m also always up for a “why choose” scenario as well. The world of Celestria is captivating. I love the elemental magic system. The powers are very unique and honestly can’t wait to see other powers and magic as the series progresses. This story had me in a chokehold and kept me there throughout the whole read. I’ll be anxiously awaiting the next installment!
I DEVOURED this book! Before I knew it, I was swept away by the characters and the world Cameo Renae built. Also, Remington 🔥😍
Elara finds herself stolen away to Celestria where she finds out she is a Changeling, switched at birth by her Celestrian parents. She is quickly thrown into a conflict between worlds and into the path of Kage, prince of Terr and engaged to be married.
I have so many thoughts, theories, questions, and NEED answers!!! Cameo Renae is an incredible story teller and world builder ❤️ First: thank you from the bottom of my heart for not leaving us on the cliff I thought we were going to end up on. Second: please write fast…I cannot wait to be back in Celestria!!
Huge thank you to the author for sharing an ARC of this story with me ❤️
This page turner will quickly take you hostage and won't let go. It's intriguing and imaginative as the story unfolds with stunning twists.
These characters are phenomenal and you'll be wondering what makes them tick as you cheer them along this unputdownable journey. Magic, mayhem and marvelous entertainment. What more could you dream of? And have you seen the gorgeous cover!?
When a fierce and wounded heroine is taken to a new world you know you're in for a tale that will touch your heart. No one writes like Cameo Renae!
This book was a bit of a rough start for me. I was very interested in the plot but I struggled with the writing in the beginning. It’s marketed as a new adult dark fantasy, and while yes there are adult themes, it came across very young adult in the beginning. However, once Elara arrived in Terr things really started to pick up and get exciting. After that I was hooked.
I loved all of the characters, especially Remington. He’s the sweetest guy and deserves the freaking world. I also can’t wait to find out more about Elara and her past. There are hints here and there but I’m excited to see how the author pulls it all together.
The world of Celestria is unique and magical. I enjoyed the aspect of a world without magic waging war on the magical one.
The ending though! I can’t wait for the next book to see what happens between Elara and Kage.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC to review.
Cameo has delivered a story that you will find hard to put down!!
"I am poison, I am death, I am untouchable"
Love, love, loved this book so much, Those Savage Stars keeps you perched on the edge of your seat with every turn of the page, I was consumed by these characters and felt every angsty feeling it threw out. Elara is feisty and Rem is just **swoon** , a great set of characters I can't wait to read more of!
This is the first book from what I can feel is going to be an amazing series.
OMG! Wow, Cameo Renae has swept us up again in another phenomenal series. I absolutely fell in love with all the characters and just couldn't get enough of them. Straight from the beginning Cameo has her readers sitting at the edge of their seat wondering what's to come next. Each turn of the page had so much drama, that you couldn't help but get entranced with the story. Her world and character building withing this book was fantastic. I can't wait to read more of this series, I loved reading about Prince Kage, Remington and Elara and can't wait to see where their journey takes them.
I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of Those Savage Stars from Booksprout in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Those Savage Stars is great for fans of:
• Strong female main characters • Enemies(ish) to lovers • Fated mates • Touch her and you d!word • High fantasy • The foundations for a found family trope throughout the series
This was an unexpected gem. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and read the whole thing in one go because I just couldn’t put it down. Cameo Renae is a new author to me, but she’s definitely made her mark. Not only is it release day whilst I’m writing out this review, but it’s her birthday, so a massive Happy Birthday to her! Thank you for creating this enticing concept that allowed me to escape and get swept up in Elara and Kage’s minds for a few hours.
It was an incredibly easy read, the world building is fantastic and it just felt effortless to glide through in anticipation of what happens next. A lot of the plot was predictable for someone who has an intense love for the tropes that are in the book, but the storyline had a uniqueness and draws you in completely, so said tropes just feel like a bonus and make it more of a pleasure to read.
I don’t know whether it’s because it was an ARC, but I feel like I need a map of Celestria in my life. We were definitely given a good introduction to the world and its Five Kingdoms, especially when battling with a very action packed plot, but it’ll be great to discover more and the ending of the book definitely created a good avenue for that.
I am really looking forward to seeing where this series goes and whether the rambling notes of predictions I was making on my highlights as I went along come to fruition or not. Those Forbidden Shadows, I am ready for you! I do feel as if the cliffhanger was a kind one, but, either way, I’m super excited to go on this journey with the characters.
I also need Rem and Maeve as my best friends too, not going to lie. I love it when you read a book and just feel comfortable with all of the characters: please don’t break my heart with either of those two, I don’t think I could handle it.
I would highly recommend this for any dark fantasy lovers — Elara is not waiting around for no man to save her, she can definitely protect herself, but you’ll be yearning for her and Kage either way. Now I have yet another fictional couple OTP living in my mind rent free. But we all know I wouldn’t have it any other way.
This is why I read fantasy too much because they will lead you to a world unique to the characters and the story and will captivate you to that happiness and sadness and suspense and to the mystery brewing in there. The story of Celestria felt the same to me and it made me devour the book.
The story has a very fascinating plot, we see a lot of fated mates who are not together at first and there are so many difficulties in their way but this one has a spark to it since the beginning of it. The plot development is interesting and sets a base for the story to move forward and gave a solid pillar to stand on.
Ooooooo and the characters have a freaking fire to them. They are hot, handsome, beautiful, intelligent, and magical. They are a species that can never go unnoticed in any place. Elara is the FMC and I am in awe of her character, she develops so much in her journey throughout the story and is so selfless. I love her character.
Remington is the apple of the eye and has so much to give in the story. He’s one damm friend anybody would want. His character bought calmness to the story and strengthens the plot to keep the interest in the story alive. He can give anybody a run for the money. I want to see more of him or say I want an entire book on him only.
The charming handsome MMC Prince Kage is a very mysterious character, he has his POV but they are very limited to the story right now and it piques my interest that what else he has to offer. I want to know more about him and want more Romance and Spice in the next book. He has a darkness in him that illuminates whenever Elara is present and I love that too much.
The villain had me question a lot of things and seeing how and what he does next will be amazing. There are a lot of theories I made and I am sure some of them are true too because it was not that hard to figure things out but how they will come to light will be entertaining. I want answers.
I also want a few characters to suffer badly, they are irritating flies who can’t take a hint because Ego is bigger and they think they can do anything. I am excited about this long wait for the second book.
I LOVED this book! It is a New Adult fantasy romance.
Similar Book: An Ember in the Ashes
Synopsis: Elara is captured from Earth and brought to a magical realm to discover she is a Changeling with repressed powers.
The world building and pace was very well done. It is more fantasy adventure than romance, but I prefer those kind of books. There is one minor spicy scene and the rest is a slow burn romance. It is told from two different POVs and it leaves off with a cliffhanger. I couldn’t put it down!
This is the first book I read from this author and I will be checking out her YA backlist while I wait for the second book.
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy! 🧝♀️🖤
Given all the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book, I was expecting to be embarking down some deep, dark path wrought with conflict. What I got was mostly the opposite and it was both surprising and appealing.
Elara is a young woman who has been literally beaten down her whole life but hasn’t let it keep her from being a strong person who won’t let it defeat her. She maintains a tenacity, compassion, and decently strong moral compass despite only a small handful of people in her life treat her with a shred of respect or compassion. When we meet her, she’s on the run after having killed someone and immediately after, she’s thrust into the strange world of Celestria. As she learns more about herself, we get glimpses into what shaped her into the person she is. She frankly is a badass, and thankfully a believable one. Many times you come across a YA/NA heroine who is a self-proclaimed badass with apparently the ability to efficiently and effectively kill someone but then are not convinced of this in the narrative. Not the case with Elara. She’s not afraid to stand up for herself or others, and she is a force to be reckoned with in a fight.
As soon as Elara arrives on Celestria, she get wrapped up in the middle of their conflict with a brutal enemy. Because of the mystery around her suppressed powers, she is protected by Prince Kage’s guards and ends up in a right place/right time kind of situation that has her both in a forbidden romance type relationship with the prince as well as a position to help save her new home.
Pacing and character development in this book is on point. As I’ve already said, Elara is both a believable and likable main character who also happens to be a badass. She firmly believes in doing the right thing and is justifiably frustrated by politics and selfish agendas. We get glimpses into Kage’s personality, which really helps give him some good depth and dimension. There are also a couple other side characters that add a lot of depth to the story.
World building is a bit weaker; we haven’t learned much about Celestria and it’s too bad. Granted, the whole book takes place over the course of maybe two weeks, so Elara still doesn’t know much about it either. Descriptions of places, people, and events were enough to give you a general idea, but in a lot of ways Celestria could’ve also just been a different country. I’m hoping we get a bit more in future books so we can see what’s so special about this magical world.
I will say the trigger warnings are justified, though I hope they don’t scare too many people away from the book. A majority of the really bad stuff is brought up as memories or in discussions. There are explicit violent and sexual scenes in the narrative. All said, it was a very engaging story that got me wholly invested in the central characters. I will be anxiously awaiting the next book!
Thank you to the author for gifting me an ARC to review.
Loner Elara is on the run after an incident with her boyfriend when she is kidnapped by 3 mysterious men in hooded cloaks and taken through a portal to the world of Celestria, a world she had no idea existed.
Elara discovers that magic and portal-jumping are real and that she is a Changeling, with suppressed powers, and that Celestria is actually her home. While trying to find answers to all the questions she has, she get caught up in the middle of Celestria’s conflict with a brutal enemy.
Elara is a total badass who takes on everything that is thrown her way, and both Rem and Kage are totally swoonworthy!
The first instalment of the Star Kissed series story is filled with magic, drama, action and romance! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and read the whole thing in one go because I just couldn’t put it down.
I have a strong suspicion about the true identity of Elwyn and I can’t wait for book two to find out if I’m right.
She's done it again!! Once again Cameo has created another amazingly addicting world for us to get lost in! Where to even begin? I love it ALL!!!! These characters, their struggles & connections, the magic & feelings brought on, every surprise this unknown world brings with it, & yes ... even the riffraff too!! Every page took me to a different place, emotion, or sensation up until the very last which has be eagerly awaiting more! Wonderfully done!!
I loved this story. It starts out good and just sucked me in and I could not put it down. A little dark as Elara had a bad childhood, she is still an amazing character and her life goes sideways as the story begins but she is so good. And then meet the other main characters and left wondering and thinking what will happen next. A bit of action, intrigue, crazy characters, a new world, and a mystery or two. Loved it. And cannot wait for the next one.
Another amazing high fantasy story from the mind of Cameo Renae. From the beginning I was invested in Elara and her story. The love triangle between her, Rem and Kage is amazing and conflicted. I can't wait to see how it all plays out. Magic, attraction, jealousy and intrigue all come alive in this story and the characters. Elara has faced much in her 19 years of life and I am excited to learn more about her and her origins. Write quick please, I need to find out what happens next.
I fell for Cameo’s writing way back when Hidden Wings began. I devoured this book at it hasn’t been out for 24 hours! Im not giving anything away. Read it.
i loved this and I couldn’t stop reading as it was so intriguing , interesting and full of twists and turns. The characters are great and you really root for them as they go on their journey. This is full of magic, chaos and well, read it yourself but it’s just so entertaining.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I am keeping this short because I do not want to give anything away, but what I think is important to know is that this is an excellent book that gripped me from the start and didn't let me go until the end, and that ending... oh my... I don't know how I'm going to wait so long for Book 2 to be released.
Amazing Cameo. Those Savage Stars, Star Kissed No 1, is your best so far.
Cameo Renae did it again. Couldn’t put the book down. Fell in love with the main characters and felt every emotion. All I can say is wow can’t wait for the next book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I absolutely love everything this author writes, and this book was no different. It was a slow start but I really enjoyed it. This has a very unique and interesting storyline and I can’t wait to see where she takes it from here. I can’t wait for book 2
DNF I made it to 23% and stopped. I absolutely detest when an author only uses multiple pov to rehash the same scene from another character’s perspective. It’s exhausting and doesn’t actually add anything to the story. In this case it really was unnecessary because his thoughts were exactly what you could deduce from the MFC perspective of the scene.
The story has good bones and decent world building. But for me the way the multiple pov’s used in the book were just too much.
This was an addictive fun read. Tons of action, the pace never slowed down, I laughed out loud multiple times, there was some spice that was 🤌🏻
I am a little conflicted in reviewing this book, because I did enjoy this read but I have a few qualms with it.
The qualms: • Repetition- there is quite a bit. • the word “bitch” - I could not tell you how many times that word is in this book. Everyone is a bitch. It seems it’s the only insult anyone knows? Criminals, captains, guards, the FMC, princes, princesses, kings. EVERYONE calls someone a bitch. And just when you think you won’t see it again you read “that’s the bitch that took off Fred’s finger!” 😅 • Woman hating- it seemed every woman is bad except the FMC. With an exception of one of the love interests cousins, but I want good woman that aren’t the relatives in stories. • Believability- the FMC is 19 living on earth her entire life. She graduated HC where she was bullied HARDCORE, then lives in a tree trunk, then gets captured by 3 nonhuman dudes. And all of a sudden she is the best person to lead a rescue mission of all the important rulers of the kingdom from another planet with some criminals with 5 days of training. 5 DAYS. It would have made more sense if she was say in the earth military for a couple years. She’s a little bit of a Mary Sue character. • World building- I wish it was more fleshed out. Cause it seems super interesting. I wanted more into the magical powers and the different kingdoms.
But I liked everything else! It was just one of those books you can’t put down. I liked the love interests. Rem was the loyal golden retriever that can make you blush, and Kage the dark morally gray prince who’s just misunderstood. I will read book two. It does end on a cliffy. I usually don’t say this about books, but I wished it was longer. I needed more. It seemed to short. The spice was nicely written. Was not gratuitous.
Cameo Renae did it again. This book is phenomenal. Loved the characters. It’s a page turner. Couldn’t put the book down. I can’t wait for the next ARC/ book.
Every guy thinks she’s so hot. Every woman is jealous. Every bad guy tries to kill her. She’s rescued by a handsome ripped dude right in time every single time. She’s got no personality beyond being a good fighter (somehow despite being an abused orphan?) and her life was a living hell with no joy before this. All the worst cliches rolled into one with no unique personality. Oh! And her love interest is a jerk and there’s no relationship building just suddenly he’s in love with her even though she’s a cardboard cut out of a woman.
Cameo really swept me away with this book. Elara is an absolute powerhouse of a character! Despite being subjected to a lifetime of abuse, she remains an inspiring character who refuses to be held back by her past. Her strength of will, compassion, and truly admirable.
Fantastic characters and an intriguing plot that leaves you eagerly waiting for the next installment. If you're a fan of strong heroines romance, and high-stakes action, then this book is definitely for you!
Cole was dead and she was the one who had taken his life. Elara had felt the life drain from his body as they lay on his bed kissing. She didn’t know how she had even done it. Now, she was on the run and when they found her the bullying and abuse she had suffered her whole life would end with her going to prison. Reaching her sanctuary in the dark woods would only give her a short reprieve. She needed sleep. The voice woke her, calling out, “Elara, they are coming, run.” All her life the voice in her head had been calling out warnings or offering soothing words. It was a part of her. Suddenly the air rippled around her. Three figures, draped in dark cloaks, stepped out of nowhere trying to pull her from the tree. Her five years of training under a professional self-defense trainer helped her put up a good fight against the would-be abductors. The police were close by, she could hear the sirens. She quickly realized her choices were slim, go with her abductors or the police.
The three men who had come for her brought her to a strangely beautiful world full of magic. They told her she was a changeling. Why after so many years had they finally come for her? There was magic within her but, but she would need to be assessed first to learn in which of the five realms of Celestria she came from and what her gifts are. A Death Dealer, her gift was very powerful and very deadly, but had been blocked by a strong binding spell. She was told she was part of the Kingdom of Terr. However, at this time that was as much as they could tell her. They have no knowledge of her parentage or how truly powerful she might be. Since she would need a protector until they learned more, Captain Remington, one of the jumpers from the night before and the personal guard of Prince Kade Dargan of Terr would do well. He would be her protector until they learned more about her. Elara had no problem with that he was extremely good looking, only a few years older than her and friendly. However, it seemed even here there would be those who would dislike her on sight. One of them was the prince himself, Kade Dargan, others would soon join this small select group. What was even more strange was the way she was drawn to Kade, in spite of his open hostility towards her. At first, he had appeared to dislike and mistrust her, but he was often there to step in when she was in trouble to help her. This caused trouble with his volatile fiancé, another enemy. There is trouble in this beautiful land, shortly before Elara came to Celestria, the rulers of the five realms were taken captive by the King of Avka, a land without magic. Now the five realms were in the middle of staving off war with the king, who coveted their lands. They couldn’t attack Avka or their rulers would targeted and executed. Though the people of Avka may have had no magic, they did have technology, the means to detect even the slightest bit of magic that entered their lands and had warriors well trained in defensive maneuvers. Thereby, forestalling a full-on attack from Celestria, they had to bring their rulers home first, but so far had had no luck. It appears Elara may have a purpose here after all, since for the most part her magic could not be detect and her fighting skills were some of the best.
From the first page Elara’s plight snagged my interest. A changeling left on Earth, in the hands of brutal foster parents, believing she was another unwanted human child. When she learns of the strange world she was born into, she hopes to learn how to handle the magic that is coming to life within her. The magic that has scared the bejesus out of her and made her a criminal on Earth. There are secrets within secrets, romance and war. She needs to gain the knowledge it requires to bring the magic within her to life, how to control it, and answers to her thousand and one questions she has about her heritage, but maybe most of all find the acceptance that has eluded her for her first Nineteen years of her life. This duology is not one to miss if you love magical fantasy, mysteries, romance, worlds outside of our own or just if you just love a grand tale. Truth is what you think you may know, but it is a winding path that may lead you in the wrong direction and have a totally different face when you have finally reached the end. The last page leaves the reader in suspense and possibly conjuring all sorts of ideas about what may happen next.
Tropes: fated mates, enemy to lover, forbidden romance, love triangle, PNR, royal romance, hidden identity, star-crossed lovers, slow burn romance
Review: This book was my first by Cameo Renae and after reading it, caused to go back and add a ton of her books to my TBR. This is a fated mates book and a hidden identity book but it takes a different turn than normal.
Elara is an orphan girl who accidentally kills her boyfriend with powers she does not understand. She runs and hides for her life after the event and quickly gets found by people like her who want to take her home. I enjoyed Elara’s character so much because she is so unapologetically herself, even when times are tough or when she faces her new Prince.
Prince Kage Dargan is the Prince in charge of Elara’s new home. He is hard and cold but we quickly see he has a soft spot for Elara and her backbone. This book centers around the slow-burn between them and the secrets Kage keeps about how he knows Elara. It also centers around the struggle he faces when he realizes that he cannot pursue her since his father arranged a marriage for him and ending it will put her in trouble.
I appreciated how this book had a strong and independent FMC. Elara quickly asks to be trained as a soldier and puts her skills to use by planning and aiding a mission to rescue the missing royals from each court. The slow-burn between Elara and Kage make her rescue mission a nail-bitter since we toggle between POVs and we also see how Kage becomes super protective of her and unable to let her go anymore.
I personally liked how the romance was slow burn and the bond between them was built up before anything occurs. I think it will make the following books that much more intense!
I also really liked the mystery surrounding Elara’s powers and the power bind that was placed on her…secret heir maybe? The mystery surrounding her placement on Earth without any knowledge of her birth added to the mysterious voice she hears in her head and the plot twists that come up in this book make us think about who she may end up being in this series!
Not sure about you, but I’ve been reading a lot of Fae Romances and many are starting to seem a little repetitive. Those Savage Stars has some elements that make it fresh and new, while still having those tropes we love. This is the first book in the Star Kissed series and does end on a cliffhanger that will make you mad you ran out of pages.
Spice level (1-5): 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Kink level (1-3): ⛓️ in your dreams magic
Elara has grown up in the foster care system always mistreated, bullied and ignored by those around her. She didn’t allow that to deter her, it only made her stronger. One night she is abducted and taken to the Fae world and told “Welcome home.” She learns that not only is she a changeling, she wasn’t even left on Earth properly. Her parents must have really not wanted her to dump her without the proper protocols. This is her fresh start. A place she can belong in and truly call home. She will do everything she can make her place in Fae society. Finding out that her powers have been sealed make her a candidate to go on a special mission. Now if only Prince Kage would stop making things difficult for her all will be copacetic.
I would recommend Those Savage Stars to fans of Fae romances who want a series that isn’t a replica of other books. If you like Fae romances, orphans, love triangles, who hurt her?, mind reading, you touched her you d;e, changelings, grew up with the mortals, engaged love interest, Throne of Glass, tough FMC, I can’t have you but I want you anyways, forced proximity, vile jealous female rivals, hidden powers, unknown lineage, fated mates esque, you’ll love Those Savage Stars. To the fantasy romance readers who love a FMC that can’t keep her mouth shut, this one is for you!
Warning: Reading Those Savage Stars may make you want to get abducted, taken to the Fae world and thrown into a love triangle with a gorgeous Fae Prince and his handsomely kind guard. May make you practice your knife throwing skills. May make you feel like a ninja Fae warrior running obstacle courses. May make you want to be in a love triangle and p;ss off Fae women along the way. Read responsibly.
*I received an Advance Reader Copy for free via Booksprout and I am leaving an honest review of my own volition. All thoughts are my own.*
💫Hidden identity 💫 Overcomer/Survivor bad @$$ FMC 💫Forbidden romance 💫Touch her & 💀, 🔥 the world for her MMC 💫Magic, portals, otherworlds 💫NA dark fantasy 💫political intrigue 💫Slow burn to fore-spice ⚠️Please see TW/CW's!
This is the start of a new series, and the cover absolutely grabbed my attention! I was enthralled by the mystery in the blurb, because you know I can't resist a good mystery! It did not disappoint, although I figured some out early on, but there were still twists & surprises I didn't. Now onward! Elara is a survivor! It broke my heart what she was exposed to, yet she never gave up, diving into books for companionship and adventures. She suffered so much from foster parents to school bullies, and could've given up, but she instead found a mentor that helped her funnel the heartbreak, loneliness, and awful experiences into becoming a scrapper with wicked defense skills. And though she appears hard, she's more of a M&M: Elara has a hard exterior, but still has a soft heart she fiercely protects, and in turn protects underdogs like herself. I loved that her escape from all the exclusion and neglect was books, for I've been there, moving around bunches as a kid. I did the same, I read A LOT and can always connect with characters that have done this. Rem, the handsome soldier and guide to her new existence, is such a cinnamon roll with a heart of gold, who is in the book boyfriend roster now. I adore his sister Maeve, the bff a girl should always have! But then there's the morally gray, touch her and💀Prince Kage, walking a fine line of "heart song" VS honor and duty. However he IS a bit of an ass to begin with, but all in show, because what he does to ensure her well-being and safety will make your heart race! There's a bit of a love triangle, but it shakes out before the end, and that HOOK will leave you wanting more! I flipped the page and nearly threw my kindle! (I need to see that get resolved Cameo!!) Political intrigue, a war brewing, kidnapping, mean girls, conniving, banter, and found family make this a page-turner you'll want to snatch up and disappear into! Impatiently waiting on book 2!!