Starside (Deluxe Limited Edition): An Enemies-to-Lovers Romantasy About a Quest for Vengeance Through a Dangerous Land of Magic (Starside Series)

4.17.26 - Initial thoughts while reading: I am questioning the inspirations. It appears to take a lot from Callie Hart's Quicksilver. I.E. Saeris... Aris.... Both FMC's know their way around metals and forges because the local blacksmith with a hidden background took them in. And the concept of the "god swords". 4.20.26 - I ate it up at the end. From the beginning to probably half if not 3/4 of the book, I wanted something that gave me the "WOW" factor. I did love the build between Raker and Aris - their continuous banter is comical, the shift from undesired partners to a bonded duo was chefs kiss and the spice? Yes, it was definitely a slow burn but when the spice hit.... it was the perfect amount like the first lick of an ice cream cone on a hot summer day. But that ending? I'M PISSED. WHAT DO YOU MEAN I HAVE TO WAIT FOR BOOK 2? WHAT KINDA CLIFFHANGER WAS THAT.

Starside delivers a brutal and high-stakes fantasy with a romance that simmers, snaps, and then sets everything on fire. I went in expecting deadly trials and magic. I stayed for the banter between Aris and Harlan. Alex Aster knows exactly how to keep you hooked and turning the next page. Aris enters the Culling with one goal in mind. She wants revenge against the gods who destroyed her life. She is willing to claw her way through anything and anyone to get it. The trials are ruthless! I loved how unforgiving they felt because it gave Aris a believable character growth arc. There is no safety, no moment where you can relax, and no guarantee that anyone will make it out alive. Every challenge pushes Aris harder. Watching her adapt, survive, and fight back made her easy to root for. She is stubborn, driven, and sometimes frustrating. Her determination carries the story forward. Harlan Raker is where this book really takes off. He walks into the story like a threat and never really stops being one. The layers of his character start to build the longer he stays on the page. He is powerful, calculating, and completely fixated on Aris. His obsession with Aris had me grinning every time he showed up. Their dynamic is packed with tension, banter, and jealousy. He respects her strength, challenges her, and trains her. All while casually reminding her that he could destroy her if he wanted to. What a man! The cliffhanger plot twist at the end reframes their connection and raises the stakes. What starts as a hot romance is going to be a much bigger story in the sequal. I loved how messy and complicated their relationship became because it fits the world they are living in. Their romance is built on power, betrayal, attraction, and survival. I can't wait to see what happens when their cat and mouse game continues. The world building adds depth without slowing things down. The creatures feel dangerous, the magic system is easy to follow, and Starside itself feels alive. Every new setting brings a different kind of threat which keeps the pacing relentless. I never felt like the story dragged or lost focus. That is a difficult feat in a fantasy that has many layers! The audiobook made the experience even better. Vanessa Moyen and Anthony Palmini both commit to their characters and keep the feeling of immersion strong. They stick to voicing their characters across perspectives which I loved. The tension, humor, and intensity all came through clearly. Their voice acting was top notch. My only real complaint is the payoff when it comes to the spice. After all that tension and build up, the moment finally arrives and it feels too short. I wanted more time in and out of the cave. The short time spent on the spice does not ruin the experience, but it does feel like a missed opportunity. The cliffhanger with Aris's stubborn quips and Harlen's obsession with her sets up the next book perfectly. The stakes are higher, the dynamic between Aris and Harlan is more complicated than ever, and the direction of the story feels big and dangerous. I am already looking forward to seeing how everything plays out because there is no way I am walking away from the world of Starside now.

Amazing book!!! One plot twist I didn’t see coming, but the other I sort of did. Wonderfully well written, kept me turning pages for hours!!