Forget Onyx Storm—This Fantasy Series Is What You Need to Read Next

Alright, so this review is for Reign of Stars and Fire, the eighth book in The Broken Kingdoms series by L.J. Andrews.

Always get the content warning out of the way first:

The 4th book continues to be the one I was personally triggered by with the content warnings but there tends to be theme within the series, that highlights the terrible actions of very bad men and the lengths to which they will go to be cruel.

Now that we have handled the common sense stuff...

Listen, I know everyone is all “Onyx Storm this, Fourth Wing that”… but let me just say....

There were moments in this book where I physically could not stay on the page—I was jumping ahead, needing to see what happened because the suspense was just too much. And of course, that meant I had to go back and reread everything I skipped because I refused to miss a single detail.

Like every book in The Broken Kingdoms world so far, this one starts with a smaller story unfolding before the bigger picture begins to take shape.

Once again, we’re focused on The Ambassador, Ari, and Saga—the Serf who became so much more. Picking up right where book seven left off, this book takes us on a wild ride as Ari and Saga find their way toward each other once again.

This book was, without a doubt, a ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ read—not just because I love Ari and he is one of the main focuses, but for so many other reasons. A few of my other fave characters made their way into things. One of those people being Calista. She and Ari have stayed being my favorite characters. Ari will forever give me ARIES vibes and as a double libra I will always love on some Aries.

Calista like:

Both Ari and Calista hold to a constant ability to ignore titles and simply be who they are no matter the circumstance which makes me love them both - that much more.

ALSO Calista:

Calista, who has shown her face in many of the previous broken kingdoms books is a fate worker and has the power to write new stories into fate. She does not particularly love participating and makes sure to let everyone know she would rather be anywhere else. Another one of her charms and why I love her so.

We also see the arrival of the other kings and queens of the realms. Valen and Elise, Kase and Malin. The never ending entertainment that is all their royal guards and kinsmen.. The amount of humor and overall joy I got from this book was next level. By now, we know these characters deeply, and while there are a few new faces sprinkled in, this is where you truly see how they’ve all grown—how they fight for each other, how they choose each other.

The plot kept shifting—not in a way that was chaotic or hard to follow, but in a way that gripped me and didn’t let go until I hit the last page. My absolute favorite part of this book? Seeing the evolution of relationships—watching how far they’ve come. The way L.J. manages to shift perspectives so smoothly, allowing us to experience the same events through different eyes, is such a brilliant way to bring depth to each character.

As someone who is Autistic, I think this series is so special to me because it embodies my ultimate fantasy—not the magic or the gifts, but the friendships. The real ones. The ones that don’t waver. To experience these bonds as if they’re my own is something truly special that I haven’t had in my own world. And honestly? I think a lot of readers will relate to that. It isn’t just the romance that feels like a fantasy—it’s the feeling of being part of something bigger. A full life. To be surrounded by people who love you unconditionally, even knowing all parts of you? That is the kind of fantasy that sticks with you.

The romance in this book was top-tier. The slow build of Ari and Saga’s relationship is what makes it so good. To understand them. To watch them grow toward each other. Their love story is powerful.

CAN I JUST SAY IT IS SO HOT HE CALLS HER " SWEET MENACE" LIKE 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

Some of my favorite quotes from the book: "She challenges you for she is safe with you" "If I am your every sunrise, then you are my every sunset"

"He'd been ruined by a woman, and it would not surprise me if he battered hundreds from his rage with me"

Every step crafted a bond between two fated kingdoms with friendship and unity. "

An enemy with a world to lose was the most dangerous foe of all"

No one has ever taken the place where I hold you in my heart." - If someone said this to me I would lose all composure. Stop.

If you’re someone who doesn’t have a lot of connections outside of your books—or maybe you’re just shy and find it hard to connect with others—this series will speak to you. The characters don’t leave you behind. They stay with you. And they (for the most part) find happiness. And in a world where we often see bad things as the end result, we could all use more books like this.

I want to say this is the best book in the series. This is when it all starts to come together, and it is so damn satisfying. Definitely one of my top 10 books of the year so far. And if a book has me skipping pages just to ease my own anxiety? Yeah, it’s a good one.

BONUS CONTENT: This is a link on LJ ANDREWS site - I would stop reading once you get to THE ILLUSIONISTS, THEN I would read that part after book 9. I began to read it then saw a name mentioned i havent seen or heard of and immediately clicked out - So just stop before that point, and you wont see names you havent been introduced too just yet. BONUS CHAPTER CLICK HERE

Have you read any of The Broken Kingdoms series?

What are your thoughts?

Come chat with me on Threads and let me know!