Reviews

Scorched by Starlight by Sara Ivy Hill

pagirl's review against another edition

5.0

Jaya and Kyaal

Another fun addition to the series. Jaya is tough, athletic, and sassy. She's been a caretaker her whole life, but finally does something for herself. It's fun watching Kyaal's character stop glaring and start admitting his feelings.

emma_poesy's review

3.0

i enjoyed this one more - it was a good change of pace with the plot having nothing to do with the priest cult, and i liked the MMC (even tho he did some really shitty things in the last 1/3 of the book). the thing still bothering me is the relationship between the brothers and how they won't talk to each other. 
at this point i'm questioning why i didn't give up on the series *smh*

katiekeske's review

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.5

This is my favorite in the series so far. The two characters had great chemistry, bantering, and steamy scenes together. Both characters are well-developed. I love that the heroine is a tall, capable woman, and the hero wants her but also wants to give her a chance to fall for him and choose him herself. 

There's survival and adventure while the two explore the desert planet. There's some angst over the heroine's genetic disease and the choice that she'll make.  The story hits you with a full range of emotions. 

I have to say I really enjoyed this up until

the "third act break-up" as it's called. When he finds out that she could have been cured by leaving with the swarm, he gets really angry and says some really terrible things. Things had been going so well that it was really a drastic reaction that put me off greatly.

Of course things work out happily, but I just hated that scene. It was too much for me. I wouldn't have been as forgiving as Jaya. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness

Moderate: Death of parent, Medical content, and Medical trauma

Minor: Pregnancy

dianawolfess's review

adventurous emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Stars: 5

FMC: Jaya

MMC(s): Kyaal

Tropes: Alien abduction, breeding, fated mates, lost in the wilderness, hurt/comfort, marking, primal play, royal hero, pregnancy, primal chasing

> Reviewer add: 

Perspective: Dual

Plot or character driven: Both

Spicy scenes breakdown:

> Present? Yes

> Detailed? Yes

> Multiple, with only one character? No. 

> Multiple, with both/multiple characters? Yes

> Personal favorite? The tickling scene. 

> Anything else to note?

Burn speed: Fast

Can this be read as a stand-alone: Yes, but it’s going to be easier to understand if you read the whole series. 

Re-Readability: High.  I finished this once this month and I’m debating a second time.

Content/Trigger Warnings/Enticements: Yes, please check the author’s website.

“I could give you my body instead of my planet, if you prefer.  If you’d find that more rewarding.” 

Jaya is looking to experience all of life that she can when she runs into Kyaal, who already knows that she’s his fated. She thinks he hates her, but the moment they’re alone, she starts to find out more, and then their adventure begins. 

This one stayed with me for a long time.  I read it earlier this month and there isn’t a day that’s gone by that I haven’t thought about it.  I did not like Jaya or Kyaal as much as I enjoyed Bree and Thren (from book 2, Stained by Starlight). However, given the amount of time this book has been on my mind since I read it, I can’t honestly give it anything less than a five. I loved Jaya’s adventuresome spirit, even if I can’t share her reasons why (spoilers, yo). And Kyaal is – more emotionally balanced than his two brothers that we’ve met so far.  He feels more like an older brother in his emotional grounding, and then more like a younger man in the fact that he’s still in love, he can still feel wonder.  And there was one particular point where I wanted to smack the stuffing out of both of them (IYKYK), but what I suspected would happen did happen (hello, mystery, it is me). Also Charlotte and Syllia. 

Throughout this month, I’ve tried to pinpoint why this book has stayed so heavy on my mind, but I have yet to pinpoint why.  It isn’t frustration, but it is something that I have missed.  I’ll update this when I figure it out. 

Until then, this feels less like the teeth of Alioth and more like the gentle warmth of a summer’s day in her light. Much like Kyaal remarks about the beauty of Alioth’s warmth and the welcoming of it, this novel feels like a reflection of that sentiment, with all the accompanying highs and lows of family. And I’m glad we get to see this added facet of Alioth and of Chanish’s sons. 

madita12's review

lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

accordingtobecs's review

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

4.0

kenznelz's review

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

books2graham's review

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

One thing I loved most about this book aside from the heartwarming romance and banter, was the striders! I loved the relationship between Jaya and Charlotte. I even loved how Charlotte made it to the epilogue too! Kudos to the author for making a giant spider, sweet and loveavle!

raeganbillinger's review

adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

brl5189's review

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.25