An alternate history trilogy that combines history, magic, technology and fated lovers. Taking place in an England where the Romans were not defeated and driven out of Londinium, and the Britons are in control outside of the walled city where magic and the gods still rule. While the citizens inside the walls have advanced technology, they are highly monitored and fearful of the Britons who live outside the walls. The Britons were never converted to Christianity, so magic and the gods still hold sway, as do their clans and kings. Cassandra is finishing school and will soon be married to a man she was matched to as a 12 year old. However, her involvement with a classmate, Devyn, will completely change the course of her life and reveal to her the secret that her parents and the government have been keeping from her. Add into this a mysterious illness striking many citizens, Cassandra finds that the life she expected to have is no longer the one that she wants.
I love British history and was immediately drawn into this alternate history that combines magic, science fiction and one of my favorite tropes, fated lovers. The combination of the high tech along with the ancient magic of the Britons and tying in the history of the Plantagenets, all into a wonderfully paced story of an individual wanting to choose her own future, was a winner for me. I really enjoyed reading this story and many times thought I knew where the story was heading only to be completely surprised at the twists and turns and that ending was just WHAT HAPPENED!?!!!
I can certainly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dystopian stories that combine magic, science, political machinations and a fight for your individual freedom of choice. The world building is fantastic and so interesting to think about how this society could have come about, plus the characters of Cassandra, Devyn and Marcus are ones that you want to root for, so they can find their true path. I am so looking forward to the next book in the trilogy to find out what happens to all these great characters.

I had an enjoyable time reading this and it held my attention the entire way through that I finished it within the day! I enjoyed every page and thought that the plot/story was very unique. Would recommend to anyone!

This book was definitely not what I was expecting...I had read the synopsis a while ago, so when I started reading about a girl in this high tech city I was quite surprised: The book takes place in an alternate future where there is magic and advanced technology.

The main character Cassandra lives in a walled in city with advanced technology where magic is forbidden. She is a naive, straight forward girl who always follows the rules called “the code.” When she meets fellow classmate Devyn she feels a strange connection, and she breaks the rules to save him. Devyn starts to show her that there is a lot she doesn’t know about her seemingly perfect life and she might not be who she thought she was!

This book took me a few chapters to get into but then I really enjoyed it and couldn’t wait to see what happens next! I can’t wait for the next book especially after that ending!! 🙀

I actually really enjoyed this book. I think it’s a fun take on a Dystopian what could have happened if... plot.

So we have Cassandra who lives in a Romanesque world where Rome never fully fell. We have Celts, Britons, Shadowers, and the Romans... the author includes the Americas, Africa, Asia etc. all in this world too so it feels real and not siloed. So Cass is adopted and she knows it, but she’s living a charmed elite life and is engaged to the societies golden boy. There’s lots of Arthurian legend, and British history thrown into this story. I think if someone isn’t as familiar with the history as I am, they might find it weird and confusing. Talking about the War of the Roses (the Rose Kings), and the tudors (spelled in the book as tewdwr), the Lady of the Lake etc., I found all really neat!

This world is also futuristic and there’s a lot of technology going on. Here’s where things got a little muddled for me, and maybe not enough research went into it, or just not enough room in the book to explain it. The people live by a code, and there are code breakers/hackers... this code not only is a code of conduct but it’s also technical code. I wasn’t always sure if I was interpreting that correctly, still not 100%, and it’s rather confusing.

Also... Yes this book has a lot going on!! There’s magic in this world and out three main players all have it. It’s forbidden, it’s been suppressed, and it all comes out in the end.

Speaking of endings, I was suuuuuuper annoyed about this cliffhanger we have going on. I mean kudos really since I now HAVE to read the second book! This is definitely a 4 star read for me, I knocked of a star for the tech confusion and because sometimes the story meanders a bit.


Thank you Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for my eArc copy, in exchange for my honest review!

I wouldn't recommend this. I got about halfway through before giving up. I'm sure it's perfect for some people but it just wasn't for me.

Clara O’Connor’s Secrets of the Starcrossed was a book I couldn’t put down until it was done! I already preordered the 2nd and 3rd book in the series but honestly cannot wait. I felt the emotional connection between Cassandra and Devyn-the fear, the love, the anger-all in a backdrop that is just as intriguing. The book is able to combine magic and technology, an alternative history and a dystopian landscape to make the reader interested in the entire world along with the main characters. Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins One More Chapter for a copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review! I can’t wait for the other books!!

This book really caught my attention. I love historical fiction with a fantasy twist.

The first book of the new series: Secrets of The StarCrossed: The Once and Future Queen was unbelievably good. I did not want it to end and I seriously can not wait for the second book.

I really loved Cassandra how she developed really well throughout the book. You see all sides to her. I loved Devyn too and how he comes across as mysterious and broody at first.

The plot is just brilliant and I love the historical aspect of it and how London may have been if the Roman Empire never fell. Also the whole magic system was awesome. I love Cassandras abilities.

The world building was of course stunning and I really liked the use of the old names throughout England, used during the Roman Empire.

I could not put it down! Please hurry with book two!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an advanced copy of Secrets of the Starcrossed in exchange for an honest review.

I've gotta be honest, it took me a couple WEEKS to get through the first 4-5 chapters of this book, which is normally not my reading style at all. I think that the description of the book is not super accurate, and I was looking for components that weren't really present at all. Once I got into the swing of this novel though, instead of the ones the blurb compares it to, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. In fact I devoured the rest of the book.

Cassandra is a strait-laced obeyer of societal norms, and the story follows her through her first off track choice into her full realized potential. While the blurb brings in the Grishaverse, the story and world this reminds me the most of is Divergent. Cassandra and Devyn are basically going through a very strict society with divergent traits, but in this story they are magical.

I agree with some of the other reviewers who have said that there are large sections that are just info dumps, and often these were a bit hard to follow, but the story is also clearly a set-up for a longer series. The magic system and government were unique in this book (which is hard to do nowadays), so I think the explanations were effective in that I couldn't have understood the story without the context. Hopefully, the narrative aspect takes off in future books now that the world has been mostly established.

The romance in this book was sweet, confusing, and a bit immature, but that felt organic between Devyn and Cassandra. I never really felt like there was a love triangle with Marcus, and I'm glad that plot device wasn't too heavy handed. I generally like a fair bit of romance mixed into my fantasy reads, but this really wasn't the proponent of the story, and I was barely on board until the middle of the book. The beginning of their relationship starts at the open of the novel, like they have barely ever interacted before, and it felt like there was no rhyme or reason why Cassandra was attracted to Devyn. As the story played out I felt like I understood her motivations more.

Overall, I am looking forward to future stories about our main players, and seeing Cassandra grow, perhaps a bit more independently from her male counterparts. Maybe a stronger female friend character? I will absolutely be looking for future books to continue on!

First book in a while that I actually wanted to put down. I found it too slow to start and only really started enjoying it more about 70% of the way through. If I was someone who could actually DNF a book I think this may have been one as it took me too long to get into it.
I had chosen to read the book as I liked the idea around the continuation of the Roman Empire but again there were elements that didn’t seem to work or flow too well including some of the place names which wouldn’t have come into place had the Romans still ruled. This may just me being picky as an ex history student.

I need the second instalment now! Clara O'Connor has a new fan in me because WOW. In a dystopian world where the Roman Empire never fell, Cassandra finds herself thrust into a world of diplomacy, danger and magic. There is a strong romance element in this and it's quite possibly one of my favourite relationships. The intersection between the Roman world and modernity is handled impeccably and there is huge detail in the world building. An entire alternative history was invented for this world and it has a serious bearing on the plot. There is a definite critique of the surveillance state, especially in relation to consumerism, something we can clearly see in our own world only adding to the experience of this book. I will definitely be keeping up with this series and I'm so happy I found it.

One teeny tiny critique is a repeated reference to 'Hades'. As this book takes place in a Roman world it should really have been 'Pluto'. I'm not entirely sure if this was done intentionally or not but every other reference was accurate, this was just a small detail that would pull me out of the plot whenever I came across it. However given the amount of mythologies this book blends together, it does an excellent job at maintaining accuracy.

This is the downside to reading Arc's, I have no idea how long I have to wait before I get to read the next one!

This is a fantastic start to a new YA trilogy, I usually shy away from comparison's to the bigger series for fear of disappointment, but Secrets of the Starcrossed definitely packs a punch. The story is set is an alternate history where the Roman empire didn't fall and continued to grow from strength to strength, resulting in a world that is recognisable but not not familiar. There is the perfect mixture of romance, action and world building for a first book. I also couldn't fault the pacing, by chapter 2 I was so engrossed in the storyline I read it in one sitting. AND THAT ENDING!

Highly recommended, for fans of dystopian YA.

What if history were just a little different? What if the Roman Empire never fell? Clara O’Connor’s SECRETS OF THE STARCROSSED gives us that scenario and takes us to Londinium where a fragile peace endures and a successful merchant’s daughter is betrothed to the most eligible bachelor in the city. But are they meant to be together or is there something far more political and devious going on?

Cass was supposed to marry Marcus, but she never planned on falling in love with Devyn or to begin to believe in his quest for a girl with magic in her blood.

What starts out as a fascinating tale of an alternate history, young love and standing against all odds gets a little lost along the way as bits and pieces become a little choppy as it takes on a futuristic feel. Cass is naïve, she is entitled and has lived her life in a shell of obedience to all her parents ask of her. Then her eyes are opened by Devyn and from then on, she does become a better character to follow,

I’m not quite sure I believed in the insta-love or the differences in the Devyn Cass thought she knew and the real Devyn. Moments of greatness mixed in with moments that seem to be too drawn out, make for an uneven flow. Still, this is a good tale to escape into for a brief time, just not a great tale.

I received a complimentary ARC edition from One More chapter! This is my honest and voluntary review.

Give me the next book already! Amazing. Best young adult fiction I’ve read in a really long time. I loved the fact the main character was slightly older (not a teenager).

Londinium has been built within its own Roman walls for security, its grown upwards instead of out and still maintains its Roman features with a hint of Roman ‘modern day’ technology. It’s such a brilliant idea. Every week criminals face trial in the Roman amphitheatre where they must plead guilty or not guilty to breaking the ‘code’. If they fall to their knees then the Roman citizens of londonium must place their votes. I loved the setting and descriptions of the sentinels and Roman architecture and the forum where Cassandra studies.

This is a coming of age story with a magical and historical twist - Cassandras character is likeable and goes from being a self absorbed socialite to becoming a brave woman in the events of the book. Would really recommend this to anyone who enjoyed The Hunger Games or Eve of Man books. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I very much enjoyed this fantastical tale. It cleverly blends a futuristic, dystopian society that is technologically superior to our own but is set in a timeline where London is ruled over by a patriarchal Roman elite. There were some clever touches, London was slightly skewed but still recognisable. The Elite have to pass Citizenship exams (offering echoes of the Roman past) and English history is on different timeline.

The story came alive with Devyn and Cass' burgeoning and forbidden relationship, thwarted by her family and the man to whom she has been promised in marriage. The Celtic magic and way of life that is in direct opposition to the brutal patriarchal society offers a tantalising glimpse of what might be.

The book ends on a cliffhanger and I will definitely be buying the second in the series to find out what happens next.

In a world where the Roman Empire never fell, Cassandra must choose between the Code or Chaos once an illness enters her city.

To begin with, I was first intrigued by this book because of the title. "Once and Future Queen", to me, felt like a nod to Arthurian Legend. I was excited about discovering the twist in this "Secrets of the Starcrossed", but, alas, as one should not judge a book by its cover, one should not do so over the title as well.

For the sake of complete honesty, I was confused within the first few pages. The book takes place in an advanced city modeled after the Roman Empire. The worldbuilding of such a place would have been interesting, considering that I haven't come across many books with a twist like that, but a lot of things got lost in translation. There's a historical context to Cassandra's world, of course, and maybe I'm not that versed in European history, but I thought it could have been developed in simpler terms. Or, rather, less layered as to not overwhelm the reader entering this new world.

Another thing that made it difficult for me to get into the book in the early chapters was Cassandra herself. I am always looking for strong, complex female characters, and I thought the "Once and Future Queen" would fall into that category. Unfortunately, I felt like Cassandra was a little bland. She was most interesting to me when she was interacting with other characters. As such, I was excited when Devyn first started engaging with Cassandra.

However, as love-at-first-sight and love triangle tropes go, I was disappointed by the setup. Devyn and Marcus are great characters, but the potential romance with Cassandra felt flat, too. Too sudden or too cliche.

I gave this book two stars because I saw the potential within the pages. The idea behind this series IS interesting and I hope the books that follow will have found a solid foundation to build off that potential.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an eARC of this book!

I really enjoyed this book, it was a little slow to start and was predictable but it was fun and I found myself wanting to pick it up and finish it whenever I had to put it down. I really liked the main character, Cass, and I enjoyed her character arc. I’m definitely gonna pick up the next one because that ending left me reeling and I want to know what happens next! There were a few issues I had with this book, however. I did find at some points the writing became a little muddled and I had to read over parts to try and understand what was happening, and for that reason I give it 3 stars.

3.5 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this book! My opinions are my own.

When a book is advertised with 'it's a cross between 2 well-loved other books!' I always get a bit wary. This book is supposed to be for fans of The Hunger Games and the Grishaverse books. While I love both of these, what really captivated me and made me want to read Secrets of the Starcrossed was, firstly, the beautiful cover, and more importantly, the fact that this book is about a world where the Roman Empire still exists and where the magic of the Britons is forbidden. I couldn't wait to dive right in!

We meet Cassandra, a young and beautiful member of the elite class in the city of Londinium. She is ready to graduate and, after one year of freedom, marry the perfect match that has been made for her. His name is Marcus and he is the son of one of the powerful men in the city. Cassandra has everything she could ever wish for and is on her way to living a carefree life.
That is, until she notices one of her classmates dealing with some forbidden technology. Technology that can bring chaos to The Code. Technology that could get him killed if the authorities would find out about it. On a whim, Cassandra decides to help Devyn, her classmate, and gets sucked into a side of Londinium she has been too ignorant to see. Her world gets turned upside down as she learns things about herself she never thought possible.

I truly enjoyed this book! The combination of the Roman Empire, the Celtic magic and a dystopian setting was very original. Except for some of the names and offices I missed the real feel of Rome though. There was not much influence from the city of Rome in Londinium and honestly, if you just changed some of the names the story could have stayed the same and I would not have thought of the Roman Empire at all.
I did love the aspect of the Britons and how they still own their own lands and haven't been made a part of the empire. Throughout the book their history is revealed little by little. They remain a mysterious people, even at the end of this book. I'm hoping to find out more about them and their magic in book 2 and 3!

The story in itself doesn't feel very original. A privileged girl finds out her world isn't all rainbows and butterflies and falls in love with a mysterious rebel boy, while she's supposed to marry someone else. I mean, the use of these tropes is not necessarily a bad thing. There's a reason they're so popular, of course! They need strong characters though to distinguish themselves from all of the other books with the same underlying story. I felt that there could have been better character development and a better reason for Cassandra to a, have been so ignorant all her life, and b, to change all of a sudden. Falling in love with Mr. Mysterious, even if they have some kind of special bond, just doesn't cut it for me.

Having said that, I don't mean to discourage people to read this book! I still very much enjoyed it. For me it was a quick read with likeable characters and enough mystery to keep me intrigued. I will definitely read the upcoming sequels, especially after this nice little cliffhanger at the end!

It's so disappointing to say that this book was underwhelming. It didn't live up to its expectations at all and I found it a puzzling read that seemed to go on for way too long.

The world was an intriguing factor but it just seemed a bit messy in its execution. It seemed to include too many elements; mismatched and confusing. I wasn't really sure whether it was a dystopian world or a historical setting or a fantastical Britain. Its great that all of those things were combined but it didn't work out smoothly. I wanted so much more from the world too but I must admit that I did enjoy the Celtic elements and the mention of Wales (Cymru).

The characters had potential but they infuriated me too much. Cassandra was your typical girl who discovers the world around her isn't quite what she seems and Devyn was your average mysterious boy with a possible bad streak but good heart. I don't know, I think I just didn't connect with them enough which meant that I didn't connect with the story.

Overall, I think this story just wasn't for me. It seemed a bit too messy and moved along too slowly. I did enjoy the cliffhanger ending but I don't think that's enough to make me want to read on.

Thank you for the ARC copy.

Yes! This book is just everything!
I’m not great at figuring out what I thought but here I go attempting it anyways. I will try and do this review based on 4 things characters, plot, pace and world building.

Characters-
Our main character Cass or Cassandra. She is kind of okay at the beginning but she comes into her own about half way through.
Devyn ❤️ oh he is just yum! But also in saying that he had a lot of annoying traits that I guess all mysterious characters have. Doesn’t say much, keeps important info to himself, you know what I mean. All the usual stuff.
Marcus...I think he was almost my favourite and most hated character all at the same time. Not going to say much as I don’t want to spoil but I would describe him as a yo-yo character. Like seriously dude... make up your mind.

I think a great thing about this book is that the side characters though they don’t show up often also became interesting parts of the plot. Can’t really go into much details about them as it’s spoilery 😬

Plot-
I loved everything about the plot. The magic element mixed with a tech element was super interesting. Kinda making it a mix between old and new. It’s hard to explain too much about it but I think the author did a wonderful job of mixing them together, and making them enemies. Whilst having sooo many questions for us as readers to make us question things from the beginning. We have mystery, identity crisis, a love story but it’s also something else. Just a fantastic ride.

Pace-
The writing style of this one was wonderful! I think with so many things happening in each and every chapter it was hard not to get swept up in it all. It was easy to follow for the most part. The only thing that sometimes stood in the way was the political side of the story.

Which brings us to the last factor

World building-
I really like the concept of an alternate history of Rome. The Roman Empire never fell! It’s a great world to build on. There is tension between the cities and the ancient kingdoms that surround them. The ancient kingdoms are known as Celts or Britons, the city we are being told the story from is Londinium.
I will say there is A LOT of background told about the history of what happened and why they are in a walled city but I’m not sure some of the depth was necessary. I think it definitely was still really easy to follow without completely grasping the background information. Which is great! You can enjoy the book if you like politics in a book or not. 🤷‍♀️

Anyhow I have rambled on quite a bit!
In conclusion I like this book and give a big 5 STARS! ⭐️ can’t wait to read the next one🤞

Set in a dystopian Roman empire world but with modern technology. Cassandra is betrothed to Marcus but Devyn believes she is his soul mate. Cassandra must choose between her family's happiness or her own.

I had high hopes for this book. I was drawn into reading it from the description. I liked the plotline. The setting got a little confusing but, to be fair, a good dystopian does get a little confusing because it's not the norm. I enjoyed the characters, they were all likeable. I liked everything about the book, I just didn't love it.