Title:  Starheart

Author:  Lana B. Knight

Published:  March 11, 2025

Source:  ARC received in exchange for a review

Type:  e-copy

Blurb: 

A GAME OF THRONES MEETS LEGEND OF ZELDA in this adventure fantasy about women’s resilience

In the wake of a tragic accident that claimed her memory and her mother’s life when she was just fourteen, Stella Aresun is haunted by a past shrouded in secrecy. Her attempts to recall the events are met with debilitating headaches and a wall of silence from everyone around her, including her own father.

Eight years later, as she steps into her role as heir, her world is shattered as a coup ravages its way through her home, propelling her into a flight for survival when she’s forced to flee into the world. Stella plunges into the underbelly of society, and in her determination to keep her friends safe, she must decide how far she’s willing to go to secure the future of those she loves and reveal the dark secrets that have been buried in her kingdom and within her for far too long.

Embark on a journey of secrets, betrayal and self-discovery as Stella unearths the secrets at the heart of the kingdom she is next in line to rule.

Check it on Amazon & Goodreads

Introduction

This is your next favourite romantasy. If you have a shelf with all the recent books mixing romance and fantasy, you must have Starheart on there as well. The experience I had reading it was absolutely amazing. I did not expect things to happen the way they did and simply put: I loved it!

Summary

Princess Stella Aresun’s coronation as heir to Elyria is around the corner. Still, she feels trapped in all the court rules, customs and religion. All she desires is to enjoy the life as people outside the palace seem to be doing. Having difficulties remembering her mother’s death, she’s done all in her power to shelter her younger brother and become the future queen her father needs her to be.

The day of her coronation comes and the palace is attacked. She manages to escape, together with her best friend and maid Oatha. With her father nowhere to be found, she tries to survive in a world so different than her life at court.

Characters

Stella is such an amazing your lady. She is devoted to her people and even from the start we know she would be an amazing queen one day. However, living a sheltered life has left her vulnerable to real life situations. She goes through a lot in her journey, she has to use all her skills and learn a lot more. Her character evolves, learns to fight and learns about herself and her origins. I loved her strength and her loyalty.

Her maid Oatha plays a role in guiding her and being a moral support above all else. There is a time for her role, as well as a time and place for some of the other characters that help Stella.

Themes

Finding the strength within to overcome difficulties and never giving up is what screams from the pages of this book. Keeping one’s word, friendship and respect for those less fortunate accompanies the main theme. There are a lot of strong female figures that push through a world ruled by ruthless men, and this is very well included in all chapters.

Writing

What sets apart Lana B. Knight’s story is the plot, in my opinion. The reader may expect a certain outcome, but something else happens. You think you’re there, to the highest point of the action, but you have no idea what’s next. There is a lot of world building, at least in the first half of the book, and a lot of character development. Everything is definitely with purpose. There is action and preparation for an unexpected twist (or several). This is definitely a book well thought.

Reflections

Reading Starheart was definitely an interesting experience. I savoured the pages and I suffered along Stella. With all my appreciation, I must admit there is a lot of information being provided more to the end and I got a bit lost between all the beings and locations. I found this first book as a preparation for what’s to come. It left me wanting more and I hope the author will have mercy on her readers and give us book 2 …tomorrow?

Cover Review: Beautiful! The color combination is so very fitting to the story. We have the gold from Stella’s hair, eyes and the lights surrounding her (read the book, you’ll get it), we have the green from her kingdom. Oh, and the heart, the golden heart …. This is what I call a smart cover!

Conclusion

My biggest congratulations to Lana B. Knight for the beautiful start to the series. Starheart is a book you do not want to miss, if you are a romantasy fan! I am honoured to be part of the people receiving an ARC, so that I can tell you all about a series and an author that will become the next sensation in our book world.

Please read it and please come back and tell me your thoughts! Or at least read it! It brilliant!

Until next time, happy reading!

 About The Author 

I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, and I love to travel the world, eat delicious foods, and explore imaginary worlds from movies and books. I’m an ENFP, a Pisces, and a Gryffindor. I’m most at home when I am surrounded by my friends and family.

My journey into fantasy began with video games like Legend of Zelda and movies such as Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia. I only started reading fantasy books in 2022, though I’ve been a fan of fiction through anime and manga, particularly Dragon Ball, Naruto, and Attack on Titan, since my teenage years.
Fiction is where I live in my head, and I’m thrilled to share my debut fantasy novel, Starheart, with you.