We’re given no time to learn the characters, nevermind the world, before Things Start Happening, which means much of it has no real impact because the reader doesn’t know or understand what a big deal each Thing is – you have to know the status quo to appreciate the Things that wreck it. I’m not sure I’ve ever come across this exact problem before, but When the Stars Alight gets moving far too quickly. I requested an arc of this directly from the author because of the Catherynne Valente comp (and after being assured that yes, there are actual unicorns in it – albeit extremely minor ones), but alas, the book didn’t live up to its beautiful cover. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. Beneath its light, romantic and whimsical veneer, you can expect darkness, brutality and passion. It’s written in lush, lyrical prose full of intricate worldbuilding, courtly intrigue, and magic that seeps through the pages. This gothic fantasy set in a vibrant gaslamp world is a must-read for fans of Catherynne Valente and Angela Carter. But soon it is her heart she must keep from being torn between their centuries-old dangerous rivalry. When diplomacy fails, Laila turns to the king’s suave and manipulative bastard son in the hopes that she can inspire both him and his trueborn brother to go against their father. However, it becomes clear that the heartless demon king does not desire peace at all, only war and conquest. She arrives aiming to establish peaceful contact with the aid of the besotted prince. Eager to discover his origins, Laila travels from her idyllic seaside realm into a land of unspeakable horrors, relying on her wits to survive her journey. Far from the rampaging beast of mass destruction everyone expects-he is monstrously handsome, deviously articulate and alluringly mysterious, a prince among his kind.
That’s why when a demon of apocalyptic legend is presented to her in a block of ice, she feels fascination rather than fright.Ĭuriosity kindles into mutual desire once he breaks free of his captivity. Yet in spite of these fantastical origins, she has never much believed in prophecies. Princess Laila Rose is a fallen star in human form.
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