Starside: The instant No. 1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller (Starside Series)

Starside by Alex Aster is an epic adult romantasy and the first book in the Starside Series. From the #1 bestselling author of the Lightlark series, the novel introduces a dangerous world of magic, immortals, powerful swords, deadly quests, and forbidden alliances.

The story takes place in a divided world where Starside is a realm of immortals, gods, and limitless magic, while Stormside is home to mortals struggling for survival and access to that power. Every fifty years, the gates between the two worlds open, allowing fifty challengers to enter Starside on a deadly quest for a magical force capable of healing, granting wealth, or extending life.

The heroine, Aris, is an orphaned blacksmith’s apprentice who enters the deadly competition for one reason: revenge. As a child, she lost her family when a goddess destroyed her village, and now she is determined not to claim the gods’ power—but to destroy them. However, surviving the competition is only the beginning. When Aris claims a legendary magic-infused sword, she becomes both a powerful contender and a target.

As Aris ventures deeper into Starside, she faces ancient creatures, dangerous magic, ruthless immortals, and secrets connected to her past. Her greatest challenge may be trusting Harlan Raker, a mysterious and merciless warrior who once betrayed her but may now be the key to her survival. As hidden truths emerge, Aris must decide whether vengeance is worth the cost—and whether she can change the fate written for her.

With its blend of fantasy adventure, romance, enemies-to-lovers tension, and high-stakes mythology, Starside delivers a sweeping story about power, revenge, survival, and the choices that define a person’s destiny.