The Stars Are Dying

Nytefall, Book 1

By: Chloe C. Peñaranda

Narrated by: Corvin King, Jacci Prior

Long-listed, Barnes and Noble Best New Books of the Year, 2024

The Serpent & the Wings of Night meets Shadow and Bone in a seductive, star-crossed, dark romantic fantasy loosely inspired by the Greek myths of Astraea.

"The brightest star needs the darkest night."

Astraea is a prisoner of her own mind, the past sliding from her grasp like water. But she knows she must escape the tyrannical king who holds her captive and find her clouded memories once again. This quest leads her to the Libertatem, a succession of trials hosted by the king in which five human lands compete for a cycle of safety from the vampires seeking blood, claiming souls, and savaging after dark.

But even winning the Libertatum will not keep Astraea safe from vampires. She’s made a bargain with Nyte, the beautiful, deadly vampire who stalks her dreams and haunts her waking hours. He promises to keep her safe, but she knows she cannot trust him, cannot trust his lies, even as she finds herself drawn deeper and deeper into his seductive embrace.

Caught between Nyte and her own mysteries, Astraea must decide if winning the Libertatem for her kingdom is worth her life, or if protection—and the answers to her past—really are her strongest desires.

A Macmillan Audio production from Bramble Books.

©2023 Chloe C. Penaranda (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Well

Really enjoyed this audio the story line was good got me out of my slump and the narrators chefs kiss 😘 now have to wait for the next 🤦🏻‍♀️

5/10 - not my favorite but had potential

I have a few thoughts of this book and sadly not all are great.

1. This book had A LOT of potential however it’s an 18 hour listen and in my opinion nothing really exciting happened until about 3 hours left of listening..

2. I sadly couldn’t stand the female narrators voice. Very monotone and one note. Males voice I was used to already due to listening to another audiobook narrated by him!

3. I wish I loved this book as much as the other reviewers because I was excited to hear it contained mythical creatures like Fae, vampires and celestial’s! I understand the beginning of the book we’re being introduced the characters, their backstories but it just dragged on… and on… I YERNED for more action!

4. Honestly.. not sure I can continue on to the other books if voiced by the same female narrator (strictly an audio girly) which is disappointing because I’m hoping book 2 is more adventurous now that we ended the first book with a somewhat exciting scene.

Delivered on the Story

Really enjoyed the audiobook! I felt like the story really delivered on the back cover copy. You got a lot of star crossed, lovers, trials, and an incredibly interesting slobber romance. Unique characters! Highly recommend, listening rather than reading.

Great narration!

I really enjoyed the story as a whole and the narration was so good! They did excellent casting the voice of all the male characters.

Epic Poetic & Actual Star Crossed Lovers

This takes Star crossed lovers to a whole new level! A one of a kind story. Narrators did a great job, the voice of Nyte is intoxicating:)

I love to duet narration

.I initially struggled to get through the physical copy, so I decided to try the audiobook—and it completely transformed my experience. While it still took some time to fully capture my attention, by the end, it was absolutely worth it. Having the audiobook was a significant advantage, and I highly recommend it. The duet narration was fantastic, adding depth to the story. Plus, the second book is even better! Trust me, push through this one and move on to the sequel—you won’t regret it.

Meticulous world building…

Love the slow burn, drawn out story. These books are long, only because they include so much detail. The author was meticulous with the world building. I hear the second book is even better, which makes sense. The first book is laying the foundation and the second book includes the meat! The third is likely the conclusion. So excited for this adventure! It’s so hard to find a series that captures your attention and makes you want more! The narrators are also amazing!!

Almost didn’t finish

This book definitely has a unique storyline. I think it just took a little too long to get where it was going. Every time I thought the FMC was gonna grow a pair she kept losing them. I also feel like she’s an unreliable narrator. And for the first like 30% of the book, I had no idea what was going on in the story just felt like it was missing something. Eventually, the dot slightly started to get connected, but then you just continuously find out you’re being mislead to. I don’t really care for that. I was excited for the games and trials, but they were also kind of letdown. Anyways, I won’t be continuing the series.

what are you waiting for!? spend that credit!!!!

This one is a true enemies to lovers and it broke my heart over and over and over again. My new favorite romantasy! If you haven't already, I highly reccomend all the girlies read it! Gods Nyte is soooooo amazing/terrifying.....

I love the twists

Romance aside the twists in the book and the cliffhanger left me so mad but so happy it shows that a good author can make you feel so many different things I loved the twists some I expected and some caught me off guard I loved it