Star Found
Path of the Stars Book 1
by Therena Carlin
Evie just might be what the world needs to restore balance between the celestials and demons and put an end to the war. Or she might be the very thing which will destroy them all.
***
For a millennium, war has ravaged the Borderlands. The Celestials’ blood wards the only thing that stands between the gateways to the realms and the demons’ conquest to unleash another Time of Chaos.
For this reason, it is forbidden to breed with the demons. Allowing an infernal—half-blood children—to live, is punishable by death.
Serena knows this, but when a mysterious force bonds her with a demon prince, she can no more deny him than she could her own soul. And she will do everything to protect the child born to her and give her a chance at life, even if her own would be forfeit.
***
All Evie ever wanted was to belong, to have a family, and to be normal. But normal isn’t the life of an infernal, let alone one who can’t control her budding magic. Hunted at every turn, she must find a way to either embrace her growing power or be consumed by it—becoming the monster everyone believes her to be, or worse—a weapon for the demon lords.
A fallen star’s magic rips Evie from her life, revealing the dark secrets of her true nature—and the demands of a goddess. She must travel to the Abyss, into the heart of the demon realms, to save her father. Her only hope of success lies in secrecy and learning to trust her awakening magic—the very magic which threatens not only herself, but everyone she loves.
***
Emotional attachments have no place in Cain’s world. He is darkness. He is death. As a demonkin the world hates him, and violence follows him. Never backing from a fight, he embraces this reality. Thriving in it. Strengthened by it. The day will come when he faces the demon who had hurt his mother—and this time he will kill him.
When the fates put Evie on his destructive path, he can’t fight the long-buried emotions she reawakens in his hardened heart. But she comes with the unreasonable demands of a goddess he had sworn to hate.
Will his need for revenge push Evie away forever, or can he overcome the demons of his past to protect their future—and her?
5 out of 5 fairies
If you’re looking for a romantasy that puts a new spin on angels, demons, deities, and the supernatural, then you’re going to want to read this! Carlin does an amazing job building a unique world, with magical beings and characters that you’ll find hard to forget. I love the different planes of existence, and how different beings inhabit different planes. Evie is an interesting character, and although we get to see her story unfold from the start, it felt like she didn’t have quite the same amount of depth as Cain does. It’s clear, though, that the two of them are meant for each other, as they compliment and fit together like two puzzle pieces (even if they come from entirely different walks of life). I enjoyed getting to see everything unfold from multiple POVs, it really helps flesh out the story. The pacing is fairly quick at first, and only slows down slightly once you’re deeper in. I admit by the end I was reluctant to leave the world and characters behind. I cannot wait to see what the next book in the series has in store!
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Therena Carlin (she / her), is an author & artist / illustrator of epic fantasy & romance with a passion for dragons and magic. When not writing or drawing, she can be found reading romantic fantasy novels, playing D&D with friends, or running a campaign for her family — the very campaign which inspired the backstory for Star Found. She loves writing characters who start out as the underdog, outcasts and misfits who are at odds with themselves and their place in the world.
Her books are filled with high stakes, compelling romance, epic battles, and rich world building. As an illustrator she fills her books not only with epic tales, but lots of illustrations of her favourite scenes, creating a rich and vibrant experience for the reader.
Her stories capture the empowering essence of being true to yourself no matter what adversary the world, or your own fears and doubts, may throw at you.