Author: Melissa J. Cave
Series: Empire of the Stars #2
Genre: Romance/Politics/Fantasy
Publisher: Owl and Bear, LLC
Publication Date: April 11, 2025
Edition: Ebook
Source: NetGalley
Pre-Order: Amazon US
Synopsis:
A bloody summer ends in a dangerous harvest in Stardust Child, book 2 of the Empire of the Stars. Having come to terms with their marriage, Remin and Ophele face new challenges as Lord and Lady of the Andelin Valley, where the monstrous devils have wreaked havoc on their land.
A perilous journey. Haunted by the terrible losses of his people, Remin is determined to unravel the mystery of the devils, even if it means gambling himself, his friends, and his future to destroy them forever.
An untried ruler. No one realizes how unprepared Ophele is to take his place, as she takes her first steps into court politics and the complex duties of a duchess, struggling beneath the weight of her secrets and her divine inheritance as a Daughter of the Stars.
A treacherous world. From the distant capital, the Emperor wages an undeclared war on House Andelin, and every new arrival in Tresingale might conceal a foe. As Remin’s knights move to counter him, they discover old enemies with new ambitions that may threaten their hard-won home.
An epic story of courage, sacrifice, and the legacies of love. To protect their home and people, Remin and Ophele must embrace the burdens of their birthright in battles of the heart that will echo through the history of the Empire.
A perilous journey. Haunted by the terrible losses of his people, Remin is determined to unravel the mystery of the devils, even if it means gambling himself, his friends, and his future to destroy them forever.
An untried ruler. No one realizes how unprepared Ophele is to take his place, as she takes her first steps into court politics and the complex duties of a duchess, struggling beneath the weight of her secrets and her divine inheritance as a Daughter of the Stars.
A treacherous world. From the distant capital, the Emperor wages an undeclared war on House Andelin, and every new arrival in Tresingale might conceal a foe. As Remin’s knights move to counter him, they discover old enemies with new ambitions that may threaten their hard-won home.
An epic story of courage, sacrifice, and the legacies of love. To protect their home and people, Remin and Ophele must embrace the burdens of their birthright in battles of the heart that will echo through the history of the Empire.
Another installment to this cozy fantasy romance. Remin and Ophele are so precious. I love seeing how much they've grown together.
This book high lights more of Ophele's time before she met Remin, and how her foster family treated her after her mother's death. Knowing what shaped her and why she is as timid as she is really helps in under standing her motivations in the previous book. While I already felt it was pretty clear that she was abused, I didn't think it could be this bad. The gaslighting and under handed comments were bad enough.
The character who's had the most development is Remin, he's open to trusting people more, and I love how sweet and tender he is with Ophele. I did like that more of this book showed more of his heroism and what it's like outside the walls of the city. The 'devils', I'm still straggling with picturing them. But I am glad that the local threat of mystical beasts had more focus in this book. In the previous one they felt more like a far away threat in a way.
The additional POVs in this book have me very curious for the rest of the series. Lady Verr, and the Emperor himself. I do wonder to a degree if the Empress had her hands in what happened to both Remin and Ophele. The Emperor clearly hates his wife, as it states in the prologue, and I do wonder if he had wanted to marry someone else and if that person had been Ophele's mother. As for Lady Verr, I have no idea what her goals are, but at the moment I
don't fully trust her. She is up to something, but I don't think it's
to hurt anyone. I think it's something selfish. I hope that this will be answered in the next book. Which I am very excited to read.
This is a book is a great balance of romance and political intrigue. It is refreshing reading a romance between to people who undoubtedly unflinchingly love each other. I want this to become a trend again where love and compassion between characters is at the forefront.
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