Two words describe this book: delicate and beautiful.
Both the main and side characters were written beautifully. They definitely grow on you as the story goes by. I love the representation that Ravenna has invested in our girl Auryn—yes, she has limitations but not once did that deter her from her identity. Her kindness and compassion towards others, tinged with naivety, made her a very refreshing character to bond with.
Total opposite of Auryn, of course, is Resh' Agarm our immortal god of war. I love his overprotectiveness toward Auryn and the fact that she challenges it every single time. The shoes for example. Even the clothing he wears contrasts sharply with Auryn's and I love that representation Ravenna has achieved. Something you least expect may be what you need the most.

This world was beautiful and dark simultaneously. There's unique ancient magic, dark monsters being unleashed, found family dynamics and I absolutely enjoyed how much spotlight the side characters got. There were some characters I loved from the get-go, and others that eventually grew on me—that was an amazing journey for me.

Until her body trembled and the starlight in her voice fractured into bliss. Not to own. Not to keep. But to be mine. My altar, My shore. My peace...And I would rather burn for eternity than harm the one thing that ever made me feel whole. - Breath of Starlight

Tropes:
Absolute Yearning
Slow Burn Romance
Powerful but soft FMC
Hairbraiding
Found Family

This was an absolutely beautiful read, which may very well turn into one of my most favorite books ever. It was written so beautifully that it is honestly hard to compare it to anything else. It was whimsical, lyrical, and I couldn't put it down. It I had to compare it to anything, I would say it was a cross of old fantasy mixed very much with whimsical language. On top of this gorgeous writing, the lore behind it is fantastical. It is well thought out and very in depth, and it was some top tier world building!

Auryn is a soft but powerful woman. She may be one of my most favorite soft FMC's in the whole world. I am usually driven to powerful and strong (physically) like that of Orka from Shadow of the Gods. But this woman is true to herself. She is an extremely mysterious characters, and I loved getting to know more and more about her slowly. She is driven by many things but one of her centering points is Kailorien.

Kailorien is ...hard to describe. He is the embodiment of yearning, loving, and protecting. It was absolutely amazing to read about his vulnerability to things outside of his control. This is often reflected in his need to protect Auryn but struggling when she uses her magic and depletes herself. One of the most interesting things is seeing how Kailorien grows and changes through the book.

Not only did I love the two main characters, but I fell so hard for the side characters as well, especially Thessia. She is the strong, loyal side character who really becomes a dear friend to Auryn.

Basically to summarize, I loved this book so much that either A) I want to reread it again right now or B) I won't be okay for a while because now I have to live with the fact that it's already done with.

recently I had the opportunity to beta read a captivating fantasy novel Breath Of Starlight that revolves around the character Resh Agar. Throughout the story, Resh faces a series of intriguing twists and challenges, particularly in his relationship with Auryn, a character who profoundly impacts his life, turning his world upside down—both figuratively and literally.
The narrative beautifully explores the development of trust and understanding between Resh and Auryn, as they navigate their unique connection and uncover her true identity. This relationship is marked by a slow burn that adds depth to their interactions, contrasted with darker moments that enhance the story's intensity. Overall, this novel stands out as a distinct and engaging fantasy read, offering a fresh perspective within the genre.

The way Ravenna writes is melodic, lyrical, and forces you to slow down and savor it. You really get to know and understand the world and the characters. There's a lot of lore, a lot of information on who the characters are and why they are the way they are. Auryn, the FMC is a fallen star with a disability. She is small, fragile, but so strong in other ways and I love watching the world and people transform around her. Resh’Agar is our God of War MMC. He is relentless, strong, a weapon in human form. Other characters you meet along the way are incredible. My favorite being Thessia. You'll just have to read the book to find out why.

Names play a large role within this story and I fully believe that names help shape a person into who they are which translates really well throughout this story. If you're looking for a book you can chew through in a day or two and hits all the usual romantasy points, this is not the book you're looking for. This story is a journey, an epic fantasy. It is very character driven with a lot of world building and lore surrounding its people, beliefs, customs, and history. There are also several intense points, a lot of screaming at the MMC, and some spicy scenes that are more emotionally charged than graphically displayed.

There aren't enough words to fully describe how much I enjoyed this story. I cannot wait to dive into book 2 to find out what happens and has happened (IYKYK- just hoping for the best for my kindles sake 🤣). When I say I felt all the feels in this book- I cried, I laughed, I was so giddy I kicked my feet, I was at the edge of my seat, I was screaming.

I really hope you give it a try. If you don't make it to the last 10-15% of the book you're missing out on one of the most insane parts of the book - IMO.

Breath of Starlight was... BREATHTAKING.

5 stars (really, it's like 5,000 stars)

I knew I was going to love this book on the first page. It starts with gorgeous prose that conjures the same emotions and sense of place as The Wheel of Time series' beginning chapters.*

We start with the flow of the Nine Rivers - more metaphysical, like Yggdrasil, then physical, like the Two Rivers from the inspiration source. The intro is lovely and strange, offering up descriptions of seasons (the Cycles) that are harsh and foreign to ours. From the beginning, you are lost in this world and often don't get the clues you need until much later... but that is the fun of fantasy, right? (I LOVED this... every lightbulb moment was unbelievably satisfying!)

I wont spoil the book, because it is an absolute joy to live in, but I will say a few things about the characters to help those still torn about whether to read this book or not (spoiler alert: read the d@mn book)!
- Auryn is a fabulous FMC! She is peculiar - to the reader AND the others in the book (especially the ones too closeminded to see her value). It's fabulous. Think: River Tam (strangeness) plus Arwen (demeanor) plus Galadriel (look)! She has the perfect balance of self awareness and naiveté that makes her believable and lovable.
- Our MMC Resh is fascinating: a warrior / god (ish) who believes his only purpose in life is battle. He is both a servant to and prisoner of his people, and his self doubt - a perfect foil to Auryn's confidence - is a large portion of tension in the novel. Watching his journey was a genuine pleasure.
- Side characters are sublime, especially Thessia. You will fall in love with her.

This book is the perfect blend of plot, character, unique magic, and setting - truly a masterclass in fantasy writing. The romance is complimentary to the overarching plot and critical to the characters' development. So well done!

If you like any of the below, READ THIS BOOK:
- Epic fantasy romance
- Incredible world building
- Slow burn
- Disability rep (FMC + author)
- Fated mates
- Touch him/her and die
- Unique magic system (both hard and soft magic, IYKYK)

Ok go read it. And I'll wait here, patiently, so we can talk about it together!

Thank you to the author for an advanced copy of the book. My opinions are 100% my own.

Dear Ravenna,

I think back to the day you reached out and asked me to read your book it feels, now, like being invited to really understand what the reader x author relationship could be! You have changed my world for reading indie.

My first experience with your story, reading as a beta reader before you began querying and ultimately chose the path of self-publication, already left a lasting impression on me. But returning to it after your revisions, after the shifts in point of view, the refinement of voice, was something even more powerful. Both versions carried heart, but the evolution between them revealed just how deeply you understand your story and your characters.

At the center of it all is the relationship between Kail and Auren, and what you’ve created between them is something truly special. Their connection is not simply romantic. It feels intentional, layered, and deeply rooted in care. There is a reverence in the way Kail treats Auren, in the way he teaches her not just how to be loved, but how to be cherished without losing herself. You allow her to exist in that delicate balance, soft yet strong, small yet fiercely independent and it makes her feel all the more real. She carries a whimsical spirit, a sense that she moves not with the current but against it, carving her own path in a way that feels both gentle and defiant. Not infantile or childish.

I also deeply appreciated your portrayal of neurodiversity and disability. There is a sincerity and respect in the way you approach these elements, weaving them into the narrative without reducing them to defining traits. Instead, they become part of a fuller, richer identity, adding depth rather than limitation. It left me ready and excited to continue into Sokar, to see how these threads grow and expand as the story unfolds through your many planned books!

Your worldbuilding is another strength that stands out. You strike a careful and impressive balance, never overwhelming the reader with excessive detail, yet always providing just enough to anchor us fully in the world. There’s a confidence in the way you reveal information, allowing the setting to breathe and unfold naturally. It creates a sense of immersion that feels effortless, where the reader is both grounded and constantly wanting more.

And then there is your prose! Lyrical, evocative, and deeply intentional. You have a remarkable ability to control emotional pacing, to pull the reader into moments so fully that we find ourselves holding our breath without realizing it. There’s a rhythm to your writing that lingers, that settles into the reader long after the page is turned. I aspire to be this way, but I don’t think my writing is nearly this.

Even in the more intimate moments, that same level of care is evident. The emotional weight you give to those scenes takes them beyond mere physicality. they become extensions of the character’s connection, deepening the bond between them rather than interrupting it. Everything serves the story, reinforcing the trust and vulnerability that define Kail and Auren’s relationship.

Thank you, with everything for reaching out and trusting me to be apart of your journey. I hope this review reflects how I truly feel about you as a person and your books.

Beautifully written, lyrical and a great use of emotive language. A slow burn of epic proportions that boils into a destroy-the-world-for-you vibe. I love the fact that with everything stacked against Auryn. She will go above and beyond loyalty or duty to save those she cares about. The tortured MMC Resh is protective and surprisingly tender towards Auryn when you least expect it as the reader. This story emotionally destroyed me in the best possible way and is my first God-tier read of 2026.

I can honestly tell you I’ve never read anything like this before in my life! This book gave me a completely new reading perspective that I wasn’t expecting and am entirely grateful for. The writing is lyrical and passionate with amazing world building that manages to set every scene perfectly without going over the top with detail. Ravenna knows how to make everything you read not only beautiful and intoxicating but also devastating and heartbreaking at times. This book is a prime example of romance not needing to be the forefront of a story. The writing does a great job of balancing everything together but also elevating it to keep you coming back for more! This book took me on an epic journey that I NEVER EVER wanted to leave. This is a book I’ll be recommending for a very long time and has definitely made it on to my rereads list.

Breath of Starlight is a beautiful story about friendship, duty, disability, and most of all love. This story is lyrical and at times even poetic, Ravenna is such a talented wordsmith! There is deep world building here, this world has a rich history and I believe we've only touched the surface of the lore and what makes up this world. What personally drew me on the most though was the wonderful characters! And not just Auryn and Resh but especially side characters like Thessia and Zarrek! Everyone in this story is so unique and human, they can act flawed and make mistakes but they're always acting in the way they believe is best at the time. If you love romantasy and epic fantasy this is THE epic romantasy that needs to be on your TBR stat!