ARC Review: "Stardust Child" by Melissa Cave ★★★★★

ARC Review: Stardust Child by Melissa Cave (Empire of the Stars #2)

Melissa Cave has done it again! A stupendous continuation of her fantasy series with more monsters, war, romance, teamwork and personal growth. Fans of the manga Under the Oak Tree will love this saga!

It was a sight so novel, so shocking, that even the Knights of the Brede weren’t sure how to handle it. Except for Sir Miche of Harnost, who could not stop laughing.
Remin was smiling.
He was as aware as anyone else of this uncomfortable state of affairs. He had been called Grimjaw since he was sixteen. But all it took was a look from Ophele to make him feel like the world was made of blue skies and birdsong.

[Contains some spoilers]

PLOT SUMMARY
Directly following the events from the previous book, Traitor Son, the Duke and Duchess of Andelin, 24-year-old Remin Grimjaw and 18-year-old Ophele (Remin the enemy of and Ophele the illegitimate daughter of the Divine Emperor respectively). Their marriage is now a blissful one (the enemies became lovers, I repeat the enemies became lovers) and with Ophele’s upcoming birthday and the harvest, things could not be better for them both.

Unfortunately, Andelin is overrun by monsters they call devils, who come in swarms with no purpose but to slay all in their path. With only the means to defend themselves against them, Ophele determined to be as helpful as always, takes it upon herself to interview and investigate soldiers who have witnessed them to find their origin to discover more about the threat. Remin plans to take an expedition to explore this. But there seem to be more types of monsters, the likes of which they have never seen before.

All the while, Ophele struggles to overcome the past to become a better present. Burdened by guilt, unable to see her worth, she does not want hallows (soul-sworn knights who will permanently be by her side). She harbours this secret that she is the Emperor’s illegitimate daughter, which threatens to come to light. For how would Remin, renowned for his ruthlessness, react if he discovered this? Would he still consider her the best thing that ever happened to him, or see her as the weapon he always feared that would bring about his greatest downfall? And what of the further secret: that her family is responsible for what happened to his?

Remin was trying to be many things too, Ophele realized as she watched and listened. She had heard Sir Edemir and Sir Justenin scolding him for not behaving like a nobleman. His soldiers expected him to be their general. The world expected a hero. Sousten Didion expected a legend.
Remin was all those things. But more than any of those other grand titles and accomplishments, he was a good man.

This is told from the third-person past-tense POV of Remin and Ophele, with occasional sections from the perspectives of Emperor Bastin Agnephus, Miche, Master Didion, Sir Leonin, Sir Justenin, and Lady Verr.

OVERALL OPINIONS
I am honoured to have had the chance to be a beta reader for this as I adored the first one so much and able to provide some input to this book.

Remin and Ophele are back and stronger than ever yet with the ever-looming threat of secrets coming to light, this kept me more on the edge of my seat than the last one. Beloved characters like Wen and Miche return, with the introduction of new characters like Madam Sanai who runs the bathhouses but is also a warrior, Lady Verr a widow, Ophele’s new hallow knights (Leonin and Davi), and Selene (Crown Princess, daughter of the Emperor) adding an intriguing new dynamic.

From tourneys to treacherous mountains to court, this fantasy romance is so captivating and witty while also being serious and hopeful. There are so many layers to the novel: mystery, history, politics, wars, friendship, love, and of course loss.

Consider me both highly and emotionally invested in reading this saga. Indeed, I would like to see anyone try and prize this masterpiece from my fingers! Returning to this is like embracing an old friend, enveloped in warmth and comfort. And now I am eagerly awaiting the next one.

Cave’s literary style is thoroughly amusing and engaging, fully immersing the reader in another world entirely. Her descriptions are rich in detail, and not a single moment is dull. Indeed, interestingly while the narrative for Book 1 was told from Remin and Ophele’s POV, they aren’t the only ones in Book 2: a wider range of characters get their own perspective, and it is absolutely fascinating seeing our favourite main couple through their eyes!

A favourite moment is from the perspective of the master of architecture, Sousten Didion:

“That’s what you meant, about making the house my size, and this…the warmth of the wood? So it’s ours?” At last, the duke understood.
“Yes,” Sousten breathed, with the euphoria of an artist who had at last communicated his vision to the world. And to this man, of all people, who Sousten had believed had not one ounce of poetry in his wooden soul.

I love the imagery used here. Didion is happy that Remin understands his vision for Remin and Ophele’s home and often considers Remin wooden – which is true because, especially since before knowing Opele, he was rigid and insensitive. The metaphor of the wood and word choice is perfect because the warmth of wood could be equated to the warmth of Remin. He is now softening thanks to his new wife. It’s not just the physical comfort of their home, but the softened emotional connection between them both now. This is just so beautiful!

Moreover, Cave’s humour is just as excellent as before, with more scenes between Remin and Ophele that make me chortle (Ophele’s sheep impersonation making Remin for the first time in ages laugh, or the scene in the woods where “squirrels” keep hitting Remin with hazelnuts and he realises Ophele had done it and he chases after her). It’s so sweet, he’s healing her inner child! I well and truly had hysterics, and I am obsessed with them both even more in this novel! Of course, I love how loving and devoted they are too. I like that Remin and Ophele are similar in the sense that they both feel that people do things for them, and need to be strong in front of others:

It reminded him of what Ophele had said, about how they had made an oath to share all of their joys and sorrows. Well, he owed her the full measure of this joy. All his life, by nature and necessity, Remin had been a wolf. For her, he would try to become a little more like a lamb.

A few other honourable mentions include the goose scene (poor Leonin!), Wen’s yelling (of course), the usual wholesome and funny banter between the knights as they harmfully tease Remin about his newfound happiness:

“That flower which has held an exceptional charm for His Grace, as of late…” “…though I would hesitate to name the precise nature of its charm, Sir Tounot…” “Keep hesitating,” Remin advised, and made them both burst into laughter. Even Juste was smirking at the sunset.

And let’s not forget my favourite, Miche, who goes and Sherlock Holmes-es some things! We love this man too. Respectfully, though, how dare you Melissa with Master Eugene!!!

Give me book 3 posthaste haha! And I beseech you to read this masterpiece!

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<< Positives >>
🠚 A stunning book cover! I love the choice of images behind her silhouette as it is their home and the mountain where the devils are, subtle hints to the main plot elements (Book 1’s cover includes an owl in a tree, symbolising when Remin first meets Ophele and sees her as an owl in the tree and the building)
🠚 The gesture of the blessing of the star is really cool "he touched chest, forehead, cheeks," - I can visualise the star shape!
🠚 Any qualms I had with Book 1 were quickly covered in this book: for example, Ophele’s birthday is in this one, there is far more of Sir Justenin and Ophele is becoming a much stronger person.
🠚 The excellent blend of charming, funny and detailed descriptions
🠚 The spice is even more swoon-worthy!
🠚 Extra POVs to see Remin and Ophele through fresh pairs of eyes
🠚 Book 1’s Plot Summary at the beginning, exceptionally helpful to those who need a refresh
🠚 The character glossary at the end is an excellent resource
🠚 The inclusion of a map!

<< Negatives >>
🠚 There were a few moments where I thought the pacing could have been slowed down like finding out about the donkey or sped up like parts of the tourney.

CHARACTERS
-ˋˏ ꒰ Ophele꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ I adore Ophele and we get to see a lot more about what happened to make her the timid woman she is. She is always trying so hard to prove herself useful and worthy which pays off, but it’s heartbreaking she feels that way in the first place.
I did hope the first book would have had her confidence grow quicker but I understand it’s a gradual process. She is starting to become a stronger character especially with Remin’s presence which is very wholesome to see. I hope we get even more moments with her boldness in the next books.

But she could not think of her own feelings. She was Remin’s duchess and must protect his dignity.
She must not blush.
She must not stammer.

-ˋˏ ꒰ Remin꒱ ˎˊ- ↳ “His Grace Remin, Duke of Andelin, Savior of Lomonde, Vanquisher of Valleth, Shield of Argence, Supreme Sword of the Court of War…” – basically, the finest man ever!!!
Dear, dear Remin being as supportive, protective and adoring as always! And loving Ophele for who she is, wanting to ensure she never copies Lady Verr’s mannerisms as she deems them better than her own. Bless his heart! I giggled at the end when it’s Remin’s 25th birthday and everyone is trying to manoeuvre his presents around without his knowing.

He would do this again and again, as many times as it took to teach his body that he was hers, his heart, his breath, his voice, his body, he would deny her nothing, not even the smallest measure of his pleasure and love. It was a miracle to know his heart was safe when it rested in her.

FAV QUOTES
• Ophele was the peace he had dreamed of, without even knowing it. It soothed something deep in him to watch her look at the world with her clear, clean eyes. He would go through that hell all over again, if only he could watch her enjoy the peace afterward. The world needed lambs to make the work of wolves worthwhile.
• As the duchess was one of the most pleasing objects currently available to look at, naturally Sousten’s eyes found her often, and so he had observed the growing care with which the duke served her supper, the frequency with which his eyes sought her, the way he bent his head to listen to her, as if every word she spoke wafted forth with music and sunshine. All indications of a man absolutely sick with love.
• “Lady Verr.” His hand flicked an order to rise. “I am pleased by such diligence. You will serve Her Grace well.” Mionet heard the unspoken *or else*.
• He and his men had been wracking their brains for months, trying to think of a way to find the devil’s dens, and this infuriating little creature had gone behind his back and done it!
• The bare thought of his wife made Remin simultaneously want to laugh and shake her, bursting with pride at what she had done and intense irritation that she had kept it to herself to the final hour. It was both unbelievable and entirely in character that she would have been working quietly at something like this for weeks without breathing a single word about it to anyone.
• He cut the insult off and looked automatically behind him as a nut swished by his ear. After many years spent as the target of arrows, he was good at guessing an object’s origin from its trajectory, and was shocked to find Ophele standing a few yards behind him, one hand extended in an underhand toss, caught dead to rights and guilty as sin. Her hand rotated upward to point at the trees overhead. | “It was the squirrels,” she said. That was a lie. An outrageous, shameless, boldfaced lie. Remin started for her and Ophele gave a little shriek and started running. | “So you were on their side all along?” he demanded, fighting not to laugh as he gave chase. He was ridiculously pleased that Ophele would play such a prank. “You will pay for this treachery, wife.” | “Only if you catch me!” she called, clutching her skirts as she raced through the trees.
• The headboard was the most curious object of all of them, and she turned over to examine it, a panorama of the Andelin Valley…there in the forest was the feathery little head of an owl, peeking out of the leaves. A love-note from Remin, carved into their bed, where it would last the rest of their lives. Ophele drew a shuddering breath. Oh, how she missed him. And perhaps he had known she would. For in the carved mountains to the right stood the last and mightiest of the beasts: an Andelin bear, hump-shouldered and immense, gazing fearless over his domain. Watching over her, as she slept.
• “That is why [Remin] is not here. And you should wonder at the mercy of the stars that he is not, or you would be dangling off the sides of the gatehouse tonight, where you could examine the devils in greater detail than you would enjoy.”
• So often he had likened her to a garden, the rich and lovely soil of his planting, his place of perfect peace. He had wanted to protect her, to build high walls around her so she would never know any of the terrible things in the world. But it had been too late for that before he ever met her. Maybe what she needed instead was for him to make a safe place for her and help her grow, as he did everything else in his valley. He found that he liked the idea.
• They would both grow, in the years to come. There was no such thing as a finished person. Remin knew he had changed because of her, and they would continue to tend each other and grow together all their lives. He thought maybe that was what it meant, to be married. And that was just about the finest thing he could imagine. • He had never known he wanted this so much. Not just to possess a woman, but to be possessed by her. To be claimed as thoroughly and eagerly as he claimed her. • “Look,” she said as he straightened beside her, pointing to the mirror in the corner, the two of them resplendent in red and gold. Her eyes were filled with admiration as she looked up at him. “My husband is so handsome.” He could count on one hand the number of times she had called him husband.
• There were so many stories about Remin Grimjaw, so many names for him. Remin who had no House, the son of traitors. Sir Remin, the savior of Lomonde. Supreme Sword of the Court of War. Vanquisher of Valleth, Shield of Argence. Remin, the Duke of Andelin, with his Knights of the Brede. But here in the cookhouse, surrounded by his people, he was just their young lord.

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I was a beta reader for this book. I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and I’d like to thank Melissa Cave and Reedsy for the opportunity. This has not affected my opinion in any way.

Many thanks to Melissa Cave for sending me the book mail!

“Stardust Child” is out April 11th!