Book Review: THE STARS ARE DYING by Chloe C. Peñaranda

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book. The blurb is intriguing but it barely scratches the surface of all this book has going on. When you’re dropped into the story, Astraea is a prisoner in all but name. Everything about her life is strictly controlled by a man she believes to be her savior, at least in a sense. You quickly learn that she doesn’t remember her past or where she comes from but you know she’s something more than the human she thinks she is. 

It took me about five chapters to feel like I finally understood the “rules” of this author’s fantasy world. The lore is expansive. However, because your understanding of the world is limited by a character who doesn’t have her memories, you end up finding that there is much more going on than you initially thought. If there was a motto for this book, it would be: Everything is not as it seems. 

Packed with twists and turns, this book will keep you guessing on just about everything right up to the last chapter. The only hangup I had is there were two major plot twists that I correctly predicted less than 50% of the way through the audiobook. I thought one of them was incredibly obvious. When Astraea figures it out, she says something to the effect of, “I don’t know how I didn’t see it,” and I actually replied out loud, “No joke, lady.” That being said, it didn’t deter me from the story at all. 

Astraea isn’t the standout hero when you first meet her you immediately get the impression that she’s not weak or helpless either. She’s smart, loyal, and caring. The girl can also wield a blade so watch out. The romance between Nyte and Astraea is alllllllllll angst and heat. You have no clue if he can be trusted but there is an undeniable edge of passion and danger to his every word. So, of course, we’re drawn to him. Nyte is the proverbial shadow daddy, both in his morally grayness and in that he actually controls shadows. I’m here for it. All the way. The spice is high high HIGH tension but when it comes time for the deed itself, the scenes are a mix of fade-to-black and very mild (3 out of 5 chili peppers). 

The review copy of this book was supplied by the publisher because the audiobook edition and a special hardcover edition are both being released on October 8, 2024. In fact, before being chosen to review the audiobook for release day, the fancy pants hardcover had already made it onto my radar. It’s gorgeous and I love the bare book cover art. 

The male narrator, Corvin King, has a wonderful voice for fantasy novels. He has an almost inhuman sound to the way he reads this book. Nyte’s voice is often described as silvery throughout the book and that couldn’t be a more fitting description for the narrator’s performance. However, his vocal performance doesn’t differ much between characters so it can sometimes be confusing, such as when there are multiple men in a scene. At times, it can be hard to discern who is speaking when. 

The female narrator, Jacci Prior, is a perfection for reading fantasy. Her vocal performance is a solid balance between strong and vulnerable for a character that’s mighty without really knowing it. This is a narrator I will be adding to my watch list for spending monthly Audible credits. 

We have bonus scenes! The audiobook and special edition hardcover both come with two bonus scenes at the end that I think you will love. I’m not going to say what they’re about or who they star because I don’t want to spoil anything. 

The author’s writing style lands comfortably in the sweet spot of approachable romantasy. It reads casually like an urban fantasy, it has the big world atmosphere of an epic fantasy, plus an extra-heavy dose of star-crossed lovers vibes. Overall, The Stars are Dying was a beautiful read and I will definitely be picking up the next book (and one of those special edition hardcovers, if we’re being honest). I suspect these characters still have a lot to reveal given that massive cliff of an ending we were left hanging off of.

Morally Gray Shadow Daddy
Alphahole Antihero
Reincarnated MC
Soulmates
Lost Memories
Secret Identity
Unknown Power
Chosen Family
Destiny / Chosen One
Emotional Scars
Fish Out of Water
Fae
Vampires
Trials for Survival

Bestselling author JENA GREGOIRE was born and raised in New Hampshire, USA, and despite her abhorrence for any season which dares to drop to a temperature below seventy degrees, she still currently resides there with her two children and several furbabies. Always a passionate reader, her love of urban fantasy books inevitably morphed into a love of writing them. She is currently working on the Hellfire series and the Executioner series, Hellfire world spinoff series.

See More of My Reviews
BookMojo | Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

CHLOE C. PEÑARANDA is the Scottish USA Today bestselling author of The Nytefall Trilogy and An Heir Comes to Rise series. Tucked away in her home in a quiet pocket of Scotland with her three dogs, when the real world calls…she rarely listens.