Queen of the Night Sky by. Amalie Howard | Audiobook Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Title: Queen of the Night Sky (Starkeeper, #2)

Author: Amalie Howard

Pages: 480

Listening Hours: 15 hours (approx.)

Narrator (s): Ramiz Monsef; Anais Inara Chase

Format: audiobook (Libby)

Publication Date: 3/16/26

Categories: Romance, Series, Romantasy, Why Choose, Fantasy

The sequel to The Starlight Heir and the epic conclusion to the romantasy duology that Rebecca Yarros calls, “a breathtaking, sexy romantasy full of twists and adventure.”

The Kingdom of Oryndhr has been saved by the will of the Royal Stars. But King Roshan, once Sura’s best friend and chosen love, has changed. She can sense corruption growing in him, and her own magic is being twisted by his command to dangerous ends. As dreams of her strange shadow guardian return in force, she is left unsure of her path—and of her heart.

When an attempt on her life leads to her rescue on the back of an azdaha, the dragon-like creature she once thought a myth, Sura truly finds herself in uncharted territory—in a land far beyond Oryndhyr’s borders. Everlea is full of magic, ruled by the deadly and enigmatic Night King, Darrius. And to Sura’s shock, Darrius is none other than the man in her dreams…and possibly her soul fated mate.

As a prophecy unfolds, the old gods awaken, and a war between kingdoms looms, Sura has no she must fully embrace her destiny as Starkeeper and the entirety of her power before it’s too late. But all power comes at a cost…and darkness has a way of slithering into the smallest spaces.

Content Warning: death, violence

+ I read The Starlight Heir (book one) in the beginning of last year so I’m not going to lie, I didn’t remember the characters much. I had to read my review of book one to jog my memory but I didn’t feel hampered by now remembering everyone and everything that happened. This story takes place right after the events of book one and I did have some questions about a mysterious character, but he definitely shows up in this conclusion.

+ Sura is powerful now that she is by Roshan’s side as his intended bride, but as he is trying to get the business of ruling his kingdom under control – he in turn is starting to control Sura. There is an amnesia trope in this story which I didn’t mind.

+ There were hints of a possible love triangle in book one, but it comes to fruition in this book. I will say though, the author did let the relationship build with the mystery man, Darrius, until she brought back Roshan in to make it a Why Choose romance. Darrius is the Night King, he is a shadow daddy and he has a beast inside him. And honestly, with the way Sura is, I felt like it fit her to be in a throuple with both men. She loves both of them, and they love her, and I like how they were just open to it instead of competing for her. There is some hot spice, but surprisingly it’s mostly at the end of the story.

+ I did enjoy the politics between the different kingdoms. There are secrets, and a betrayal I wasn’t expecting at all. I thought getting to know Everlea and the Night King was very interesting. I also like the world building and how the world opened up outside of Oryndhr.

+~ The narrator for the female voices did a beautiful job. But the male narrator I had some issues with in that he sounded so dramatic that I kept giggling when his voice came on! I think he did a pretty good job as Roshan, but when he was Darrius – oh my…it was too much, too cartoonish? I couldn’t stop laughing which made it worse during the spicy scenes! 😅

Final Thoughts:

I thought this was a good conclusion to the duology. There was action, the world opened up, secrets, betrayals, romance and some very spicy scenes. The narrators for the most part did a great job – I just wish the male voice for Darrius wasn’t so exaggerated, but I still enjoyed the story.

Read if you like:

Why Choose spicy romance
world-building
betrayal

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

The Starlight Heir by. Amalie Howard | ARC Review – 3.5 stars

Book Review | The Beast of Beswick – 4.5 stars

Dhampira by. Amy Pennza | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Title: Dhampira (#1)

Author: Amy Pennza

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 496

Publication Date: 6/16/26

Publisher: Ace

Categories: Romantasy, Why Choose, LGBT+

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Ace for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A long-lost noble of the ruthless vampire court discovers she might not need to choose between her two suitors in this blood-pounding new romantasy from the USA Today bestselling author of the Bitten and Bound series.

Corinthe has spent a lifetime longing for excitement outside her sleepy human village. As a dhampir born of a human mother and vampire father, her unique abilities make her desired by those who lurk across the Feyline—the boundary that keeps the magical realm in perpetual twilight where vampires hold dominion. To stay safe, she’s concealed her supernatural strength and taste for blood from her human neighbors, but when her yearning for excitement accidentally exposes her gifts, she is captured to sell to the highest bidder.

Terrified, she expects the worst. But rescue comes in the form of Vander, a handsome stranger who whisks her from the auction stage and across the Feyline . . . where he reveals himself to be a vampire knight of King Rasimir’s court. Notorious for his cruelty, the deranged king is determined to extend his rule to the farthest reaches, and Vander has been tasked with delivering Corinthe to him.

Now a pawn in the vampire court, Corinthe learns that Rasimir intends to marry her off to the arrogant Prince Lorcan and exploit her daywalking abilities for his own gain. But a wedding isn’t the only obstacle in her path to freedom. While Vander burns with dangerous charm, Lorcan watches her with hungry eyes. And both men claim they can help her—if she can trust them.

Content Warning: violence, death,

World Building: Corinthe is rescued by a vampire, Vander, and her world is changed forever. The world in Dhampira is full of fantasy and different species like vampires, werewolves, witches, trolls, pixies, elves and so much more. Even though it’s full of these species and creatures, I didn’t feel like there was heavy world-building. There is magic use in this story which was interesting but also at times confusing, because it had to do with root words. But the world itself was straightforward where there is a land called Nocta ruled by a vampire king, and there is a secret rebellion against him.

Characters: I did find Corinthe interesting – she learns more about her past when she is brought to Nocta. She has to learn to deal with the vampire king, who is going mad, but also she is arranged to be married to Prince Lorcan. Lorcan and she don’t really get a long at first but that changes later on. She’s more friendly with Vander, who is the captain of the guard and who she shared a journey with to Nocta. Both men play a significant role in her growth, they train her and they both feel something for her. I do wish there was more depth to some of the characters like Vander, or we got to learn more about Corinthe’s mom. At the end we get to meet some important werewolves and witches but maybe there will be more in the second book.

Romance: This is a Why Choose romance, and Corinthe is very open to her situation with Vander and Lorcan. Vander is playful and mischievous, much more light-hearted. Lorcan is closed-off, more cold. I do think the love confessions came a bit too quick, it was at the end of the story, but I feel like maybe it could have waited? Would have loved more of a build-up. But I’m happy it works out for all parties involved. Because it’s a Why Choose romance, the spicy scenes are quite spicy if you aren’t into threesomes.

Story: There are some vampire politics, a secret rebellion, and lots of training for Corinthe but for some reason, but I do wish I felt the danger more from the king. The story moves quick but it does have the usual romantasy tropes. I do wish to learn more about the werewolves and the witches.

Final Thoughts:

This story has a lot of the romantasy elements and tropes – magic, politics, rebellion, different creatures and species, a spicy why choose romance and for the most part I enjoyed it. I would like to learn more about the world – the elves, werewolves and witches but hopefully in the books to come.

Read if you like:

why choose romance – spicy

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Never List by. Jade Presley| Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Title: The Never List (Never List, #1)

Author: Jade Presley

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Pages: 417

Publication Date: 4/1/25

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Reverse Harem, Why Choose

The four princes of Lumathyst need a mate, and everyone wants a chance…except for her.

Threatened by invaders, the kingdom of Lumathyst is on the verge of chaos, and no one can stop it. Unless the four immortal god-princes find their fated mate―and safeguard the throne―Lumathyst will fall.

Five women have tried. Five have failed. And tonight in the royal city, the princes need to find their Chosen and hope she can survive the transformation that will make her immortal.

Only Rylee Gray wasn’t supposed to be here. She snuck in for her own dark reasons―and now they claim they’ve found their perfect match. Her. Of course, they have no idea she’s concealing a secret big enough to damn them all.

The four princes have no choice. They’ll use every delectably wicked skill they have to make Rylee fall for all of them…or watch their kingdom collapse.

Content Warning:

+ One woman, Rylee Gray, is chosen by one of the four Lumathyst princes, to go through a trial and see if she can survive turning immortal. Though this had more smut than plot, I did appreciate that Rylee did face some challenges on her journey to becoming the chosen one.

+ If you like smut, this one has a lot of it. It’s a “why choose” trope or basically reverse harem. There is one of her and four of them and Rylee enjoyed ALL of them. Literally. Sometimes two at the same time. So smut lovers this one is for you!

+ I did like the twist at the end. Throughout this story Rylee is sort of looking for her lost sister. I say sort of because it’s the princes who are supposedly looking for intel on her. There is more information about her at the end of the story.

~ I think Rylee spent the most time with Kal, who became my favorite only because she took time bonding with him and I felt out of all the guys – the romance between them is genuine. All the other guys were rushed. I think her favorite is Jax, but though there was tension between them from beginning to end, her moments with him (and the others) were rushed.

~ This was heavy on the spicy scenes and I thought the world-building was too light. Also she’s going through a trial with each prince to see if at the end she is “the one”. She’s with them for a mont but she fell for each prince fairly quick and there were no challenges there except for Jax and his dad, who constantly gave her problems. I mean I’m glad they all love to share her and she loves to be shared – but I wanted a bit more depth with the story.

~ I didn’t really connect to Rylee, i just wanted more from her character but I did think Mirren was a fun character. Would have liked to know Rylee’s friends bit better too.

Final Thoughts:

Even though this was more smut than plot, I read it fairly quick just because I wanted to see the difference in the princes and how she interacted with them. Unfortunately she didn’t spend lots of time with them equally – which is why I like Kal the best but I feel like that wasn’t fair to the other guys. I would have loved more world-building, more time with each prince and more from Rylee’s character. If you like spicy, reverse harem romances without heavy world building, then you will enjoy this one.