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Starside by Alex Aster

Starside

502 pages

5/5*Cover of "Starside"

Romantasy

Formats Available: physical book, Libby eBook, Libby eAudiobook


Hundreds of years ago, a brutal war split a land in two. Starside is the realm of magic and immortals — the descendants of the gods, living in a power-rich paradise. Stormside is where mortals fight for scraps of that magic.

Every fifty years, the gates between them open, and fifty challengers are allowed to journey across Starside on a deadly quest to access a pool of magic that can heal, grant wealth, or extend life. Everyone has their reasons for entering, but Aris has only vengeance. As a child, a goddess set fire to her village, killing her family. Aris isn’t after the gods’ magic — she’s going to kill them.

First, she must survive the Culling, the king’s deadly competition to choose his fifty challengers. An orphaned blacksmith’s apprentice, Aris doesn’t have the superior weapons of the heirs from the Great Houses. But the greatest swords — ones that contain power — are not inherited or bought, they are claimed, by both sides. And when Aris claims a great sword, it makes her not just a real competitor — but a target.

Getting past the gates is only the beginning. Starside is deadlier than it seems. If the ancient creatures, magic-wielding beasts, and bloodthirsty immortals weren’t dangerous enough, a new peril has even immortals fearing what rises from the ground at night. With a blade most would kill to claim, Aris can’t trust anyone. Especially not Harlan Raker, the merciless and mysterious king’s guard who betrayed her years ago — and who may now be the key to her survival.

But Aris is hiding a secret tied to her family’s death. And when it’s revealed, not even the gods will be able to stop what’s coming…


So, I have been in a bit of a book slump for some reason. This book had been popping up constantly in my Goodreads feed, and I decided to give it a shot. There is something to be said about a book that draws you in by page 2. This was THAT book for me. Alex Aster, you made a masterpiece when you wrote Starside.

 I had been hunting for the perfect enemies-to-lovers that was specifically Romantasy. Little did I know, I needed enemies to lovers to enemies, again! The banter and tension between Aris and Harlan Raker had me at the edge of my seat the entire book. I usually do not make the time to finish an entire book in a day, but I knocked Starside out within a few hours!

This book is for all of my romantasy guys and girlies who need something to fill their time while they wait for ACOTAR books 6 and 7! If I could give this book infinity stars and put it in a frame of honor in my library, you bet I would be doing that. 

-Samantha