Beloved of Stars by Melissa J Cave
Empire of the Stars #5
Fantasy Romance
November 7, 2026- Self Published
ARC

Review by Angela

I picked up the first book in this series on a whim while skimming through Kindle Unlimited offerings and was hooked. It’s been a long road to happiness for Remin and Ophele. Readers have been through it all, from their initial meeting, wedding, and how they overcame distrust and trauma to trust and fall in love with each other, to them building their dream home and working together to grow a wonderful community. Readers have met Remin’s trusted men and championed them while they stood by Remin’s side and helped him in his objectives. Now it’s all down to this book and finally a resolution to this epic love story.

I don’t want to give away too much of the plot, and I definitely don’t want to spoil, but suffice it to say I was enthralled with this finale. I wasn’t sure which direction this author would go, especially since the last book left off with Ophele being basically kidnapped by the emperor, her absent father. Would Remin immediately attack the palace and take his wife back? What would the fallout of that be? Where does Selene fit into all of this and how does she go forward after all the chips finally fall?

First, you should know this installment is long, right about 755 pages. But it almost has to be with all the plot threads that needed to be wrapped up. This author dives even deeper into the politics of this world, and who Remin can trust and who he can’t. It also finally delves into the relationship between Ophele’s mother and father, and how it fundamentally changed the course of a nation, divided houses and caused Remin’s family to be called traitors and executed. I will say I was anxiously awaiting the climax, and to see Remin figure out a way to reclaim his wife and unborn child, I was on the edge of my seat hoping to see some justice finally find the villains of the story. I was pleasantly surprised by Selene and how diligently she protected her sister.

At times I found myself hoping the story would speed up pacing wise, so I could finally get to the good stuff. Which also means I just read faster. In the end I was so very happy with how this series wrapped up. There were some surprises, and some sad moments, but I am completely satisfied. I see that this author is going to pivot to stories of some of the secondary characters and that makes me happy. I need to follow these characters into the future as they find happiness, while also delving deeper into their backstories and personal grievances with the emperor.

This is a wonderful series, and I’m so glad I stumbled upon it in Kindle Unlimited (or Kindle+ as they are calling it now). Highly recommend.

Final grade- A