I first read this book in 2023 but didn’t manage to write a proper review so I’m writing it now on re-read and kind of mashing up my first and second read thoughts. Sorry if it’s a mess! 🤭

TL;DR: I loved this more than I thought I would! With three perspectives to contend with, I was worried that I’d find certain perspectives more boring than others but I ended up feeling incredibly invested in all three sisters, their tasks and their romances too. There is plenty of courtly political drama, expected and unexpected betrayals, tenuous romantic bonds, and fragile friendships but through it all, it’s always about family and loyalty. After that absolutely WILD ending, I can’t wait to pick up the next book in the series ASAP. 💜

I re-read this to refresh my memory before continuing with the series to complete it. I’m so glad that I did because there was a lot that I forgot and on re-read I noticed big hints about what was to come by the end of the book. I’m happy to say I loved this as much as I did the first time. There’s nothing particularly groundbreaking or necessarily new about the plot, world-building or tropes but this is one of those fantasies that sucks you in and fully immerses you in the action and lives of the characters. I loved it and I’m not someone who normally gravitates to or enjoys politically driven royal dramas!

In this fantasy world, the magic revolves around the stars. I found this aspect particularly delightful because I don’t think I’ve read a book where not only the magic system is based on understanding the constellations and wishing on stars but so is the religion. With four nations to learn about—Bessemia, Friv, Temarin, and Cellaria—I’m happy to say that the world-building wasn’t too much too fast. There is a wide cast of characters to remember but with the way the author writes the three perspectives, it’s surprisingly easy to recall who’s who and what’s what. Even if you’re a newbie to the fantasy genre, I don’t think you’ll be overwhelmed because the world isn’t much different to ours (only the addition of magic). The author also gave enough about each country to set them apart although I think only one country stood out the least and that’s ironically (or not) the seat of the Empress: Bessemia.

The plot is fairly standard for royal + fantasy-type plots. Three princesses are raised to help their mother overthrow everyone so she can become the all-powerful ruler of Vesteria. What sets these princesses apart is that they’re star-kissed triplets believed to have been born from quite literally wishing upon a star and this makes them a little bit mysterious. I loved following all three perspectives although one sister tried me more than the others and between the first and second time I read this, Daphne still managed to successfully irritate me. 🤭 On my first read, Sophronia was my favourite and that’s still true but now Beatriz is on par with her. That said, all three princesses are tough, sharp-witted, and undeniably dangerous in their own ways. I loved Sophie’s soft heart, Beatriz’s sense of adventure, and Daphne’s dogged determination. All three were so good at adapting to the reality of their situations and it was admirable! There will be readers who say that Sophie and Triz were unbelievably naive considering they were raised to be cutthroat heartless killers, and while I do agree about the naivete, I didn’t find it unbelievable. They were raised by the most heartless, cruel, and despotic mother who couldn’t have made it more clear how little she cared about them outside of fulfilling her plans. However, being trained to handle tricky and dangerous situations does not make it easy to “copy/paste” practice to reality when a situation ends up being worse or completely different to what’s expected. Not to mention being human and having emotional and mental influences affect and change what you’d do in an ideal simulation. That said, I think the character whose growth I appreciated the most was Sophie’s. The further away from her mother’s clutches, the more confident she becomes and I loved seeing her find her voice and power.

Surprisingly, I also found myself endeared to all the Princes the triplets are betrothed to. Pasquale, Leopold, and Bairre were interesting characters on their own although I wish that we would have got more insight about Pasquale and Bairre! Much like Sophie, Leopold’s growth was also admirable and my favourite. I can’t deny he was a total numpty in the beginning and he hadn’t completely shed that mantle by the end but he did finally grow up to see how his lack of care and misplaced trust in others practically destroyed his country. That said, I think I’m as invested in the outcomes for all three of these princes as I am for the princesses and I hope that all of them will remain safe! 🥺

It would be remiss of me to not mention THAT FREAKING ENDING because… What the actual forkery, Laura Sebastian?!?!?! The level of speechlessness that the final chapter put me in was astounding. I’m still in disbelief over what happened but I think what made it worse was how it felt too much like a throwaway scene. I mean, hats off to the author for creating one helluva shocking cliffhanger ending and (most importantly) following through with that forkery. 🤯 I was undeniably shooketh and shaken! That said, I can’t help but wish that we got just a little bit more from a certain character before those events take place. It would’ve been upsetting but perhaps a little less so… (maybe I’m kidding myself!)

Overall, what a great start to an intriguing, intense and exciting YA fantasy. I’m excited to finally finish the series this year. I have a feeling intense is going to be an understatement? 🤭

Have you read Castles in their Bones or is it on your TBR?

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