Early Reader Review: Beneath These Cursed Stars by Lexi Ryan

Source: From Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

Beneath These Cursed Stars by Lexi Ryan

Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date:  July 30, 2024

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lexi Ryan comes a romantic fantasy in which a human princess armed with death’s kiss and a fae shifter on the run become unlikely allies when a mission to assassinate an evil king collides with a fatal prophecy.

Princess Jasalyn has a secret. Armed with an enchanted ring that gives her death’s kiss, Jas has been sneaking away from the palace at night to assassinate her enemies.

Shape-shifter Felicity needs a miracle. Fated to kill her magical father, she’s been using her unique ability to evade a fatal prophecy.

When rumors of evil king Mordeus’s resurrection spread through the shadow court, Jasalyn decides to end him once and for all. Felicity agrees to take the form of the princess, allowing Jas to covertly hunt Mordeus—and starting Felicity on the path that could finally take her home.

While Jasalyn teams up with the charming and handsome Kendrick, Felicity sets out to get closer to the Wild Fae king, Misha. Kendrick helps Jasalyn feel something other than anger for the first time in three years, and Misha makes Felicity wish for a world where she’s free to be her true self. Soon, the girls’ missions are at risk right alongside their hearts.

The future of the human and fae realms hangs in the balance as fates intertwine. Between perilous tasks, grim secrets, and forbidden romances, Jasalyn and Felicity find that perhaps their stars are the most cursed of all.

Review: 

I have not read Lexi Ryan's other books and did not realize that this was the start of a spin-off series. So, I am a bit bummed that there were some big spoilers in this book to the prior series. Take that as a fair warning if you plan to pick this one up.

This book is a dual point of view, Felicity and Jasalyn. Jas had a horrific time in the dungeons, and she is obviously dealing with some trauma, but she has given up something to gain power over her enemies and is doing ok. 

Felicity is running from her past and they just keep showing up. Now they need her power, which is to take on the body and dreams of others so that she can take the place of Jas. Jas and Felicity trade places both in an attempt to help Kendrick attack the reigning seven in the human realm. 

OK, so there was a lot just there even to wade through... and I am with you, really confused. While I enjoyed this book, there was a lot of world building that was completely left out because of the prior series. The magic, the systems, the politics, were all left unexplained for the most part. It is also important to note that this is not a standalone - it ends on a pretty big cliffhanger, a few actually. Can you see them coming... kinda, but also some were so left-field. 

Overall, I liked the two POVs, I liked the overall plot and pacing, but it fell a bit flat on the explanations for me. I wanted to learn more, and probably could have had I don't more research into where this book fell in her overall series. If you are looking for something that has drama and mystery in addition to magic and crazy overlapping worlds, this could be for you.