Starside: A Novel

Phoenixfemme

Enemies to…well, still enemies.

"⭐️ Overall Rating: 5⭐️ 🌶️ Spice: 2🌶️ 📱 Kindle Unlimited: No. But you can buy an ebook version 📚 Stand-alone/Series: series 🗣️ POV: Aris 👫 Main Couple: Aris/Rakker 🔥 Trope(s): hidden identity, one bed, one horse, forced proximity, 2 people stuck together on an adventure, broody untouchable kings guard MMC, reckless woman on a mission FMC, enemies to lovers, slloooowwww burn Wow. Okay. So many feelings about this book. First, it was fantastic. I flew right through it because of the intense action and edge of my seat suspense. Loved the characters, the tragic backstories, how they hated each other literally until the end (and honestly still do). Given Rakker’s part in Aris’s past, I really didn’t think he could redeem himself. But he did. Synopsis: Aris is a woman who grew up in the human realm. Most of the human realm is poor and doesn’t have food or resources. She lost her family at a young age, was struck by lighting when she was a kid which gave her a silver tattoo, and ended up getting adopted by the town blacksmith. Every 50 years the gates open to Starside, where the immortals and gods live. There is a challenge where the first 50 people to get to the Land of the Gods alive can obtain a chalice of magic, which can do basically anything (make you immortal, make your land fertile forever, heal the sick, etc). Aris decides that she’s going to enter the challenge with the intent of getting through to the end then seeking revenge by killing the gods for killing her family. She makes it through the initial few challenges, makes some friends, loses some friends, and ultimately ends up paired with Harlan Raaker, the king’s guard. Raaker is known for taking out whole armies without getting blood on his armor. Untouchable, magic sword, loner, just out there slicing people down and making his way through. No sweat. He ends up paired reluctantly with Aris because she has a map, and her sword is rare like his (their swords are matched). They hate each other pretty much the entire journey. Raaker doesn’t want to be close to anyone in any capacity. Aris doesn’t like him because he was part of her capture years ago which almost killed her, and he doesn’t remember it. Close proximity works its magic, and they begin to not hate each other as much. There are some really great scenes in a cave, bathing in mountain streams, one horse, one bed, he saves her constantly, she saves his life a few times. There is one spicy scene toward the end that I rate about 2🌶️. Disappointed this was the only scene and it took so long to get there. Like they didn’t even really talk to each other for 150 pages. This is definitely more of an action/adventure first, romance second type book. It was there, but the plot was the focus. There were so many opportunities where something more could have built between them but it was just like no, I just remembered I hate you, or him immediately being really cruel, and it was over. Cliffhanger! Was not expecting that ending. I need a support group to talk about this with. Good grief. Glad the next book is coming out soon. Highly recommend, overall really enjoyed it. ["

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April 26, 2026 Verified Purchase

Cara Barbardo

Great start to Aster’s debut adult Romantasy!

"4.5/5 ⭐️ I was a bit hesitant going into this book as I have not read anything by Alex Aster previously. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. Starside was quite the ride with jam packed action and twists. The story is immersive and driven by a strong plot with a romantic subplot. I felt like the world was vibrant descriptive and intricately crafted without being overly complicated. The magic system of swords having power was unique and interesting. I do wish we could have gotten more of the bonded creatures within the story and more time with the dragon. With its true enemies to lovers where the MCs thoroughly hate each other, yet having ALL the slow burn tension was absolutely delicious! Aris is resilient and fueled by her rage. In her moments of doubt and weakness she uses that rage filled vengeance to “figure it out”, pick herself up and push full steam ahead. Raker is everything I want in a broody secretive and lethal MMC. The angst and tension between these two was sizzling. But when it hit, it was electrifying. Overall, I loved this book; and after that WTH ending, I’ll be anxiously awaiting Stormside to see where this story takes us. ["

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April 24, 2026 Verified Purchase

Krisseh

I need more than 5 stars!!

"I didn't even realize how much I was missing this kind of romantasy until I finished Starside... As Alex Aster's first adult romantasy, she absolutely nailed it!! The tone, tension, the worldbuilding!! It all feels elevated while still delivering everything I love about the genre. The worldbuilding completely pulled me in... Just when I thought I understood how everything was going to play out, new layer were peeled back and flipped my assumptions upside down. It kept me on the edge of my seat and the world it created so alive and expansive! I actually did an immersive read with the audio book along with the physical book and it made the experience even more intense. Being able to hear Raker and Aris made the experience 10x better! Aris is a remarkable character; fierce, determined and incredibly powerful. Even if she doesn't fully realize it. Her growing and strengthening while navigating the journey made this book impossible to put down! I felt her trauma right there in those pages. And Raker? The tension! The tension between him and Aris is UNREAL. This is a true SLOW BURN and I'm here for every, SINGLE, SECOND... The payoff was so worth it. The chemistry builds throughout the entire story and when it finally hits? It hits ! This adds so much intensity to the story! The plot was gripping! filled with danger, twists and just enough mystery to keep me constantly guessing. (and occasionally getting upset I didn't guess things sooner) The ending!!! I'm still recovering... I need the sequel immediately because I am not ready to leave this world or these characters behind. If you love romantasy with high stakes, layered with worldbuilding and unforgettable tension, this is absolutely the book for you!!! ["

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April 27, 2026 Verified Purchase

Julie Mc

So ready for what comes next!

"Aris, a blacksmith’s apprentice is just scraping by in Stormside, where life is harsh and magic is almost nonexistent for people like her. Her only real chance at something more comes during the Culling, when a handful of mortals are chosen to cross into Starside and compete for access to power. Aris doesn’t enter for glory, power, or survival though. She enters because she wants revenge on the goddess who destroyed her home and took everything from her. Once she makes it through, nothing about Starside is as simple as she expected. The magic comes with a cost, the dangers are constant, and the people around her are just as threatening as the world itself. She ends up crossing paths again with Raker, someone from her past she does not trust but cannot avoid. As the trials unfold and darker forces start to surface, Aris is forced to navigate shifting alliances, deadly creatures, and the reality that getting what she came for might change her in ways she never expected. I absolutely ADORED Starside. It did take me a little bit to get into at the beginning, but once it picked up, it never slowed down. From that point on, it was nonstop. I felt like I was either on edge or holding my breath the entire time. It managed to be exciting and genuinely terrifying all at once, which is not easy to pull off. Aris completely made this book for me. I loved her. She felt so real in the way she struggled with herself. She tried to tell herself one thing, but always circled back to the truth, even when it was hard. It felt like she was constantly being dealt a bad hand, whether it was her circumstances, the gods, or especially Raker. And speaking of Raker, I still do not fully know how I feel about him, which honestly made things even more interesting. That ending completely got me. I knew something was off, but I did not see it playing out the way it did at all. It caught me off guard in the best way. This one ended up being a full five stars for me, and I am already ready for whatever comes next. ["

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April 26, 2026 Verified Purchase

Lisa Gainers

Amazing So worth the wait!!!

"This book is exactly what I want in a fantasy read. We follow a group of competitors battling to win a challenge that only happens every 50 years, and I was hooked from the start. The world-building is rich but easy to follow, striking the perfect balance without feeling overwhelming. The FMC faces constant obstacles but never gives up, making her incredibly easy to root for. I loved the quest-style journey, meeting both allies and enemies along the way, plus the creative (and sometimes scary) creatures and yes, there are dragons. The twists completely caught me off guard, and I was left speechless by the ending. Now I have so many questions I can’t wait to see answered in book two. It’s a slow burn, but done well! The romance never overshadows the plot, which I appreciated. Overall, Alex Aster’s writing is smooth, engaging, and so easy to get lost in. ["

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April 3, 2026 Verified Purchase