A Game of Fallen Stars

By: S.E. Berkeley

Narrated by: Simone Lewis

Ethan is drowning in corporate burnout and heartache. Seeking escape, he retreats to the peaceful isolation of Parkfield, a quiet town in central California, hoping to heal. But his sabbatical takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious creature crashes into his front yard—Star, a being of pure magic, stranded in a world devoid of it.

With no memory of who—or what—she is, Star longs to become human. She forms a human body to live in and, with Ethan's help, starts navigating this modern world. But the closer they get, the more their chemistry intensifies. As passion simmers, their fragile connection is put to the test when an ancient sea monster attacks their cabin, narrowly sparing their lives.

Suddenly, they find themselves trapped in a cosmic horror's twisted game, with Star as the prey. As they flee, hunted by both mythical creatures and a shadowy secret society, Ethan and Star race toward San Francisco for answers. But time is running out. If they don't survive, Star's magic will be consumed by a brutal hunter, gaining unimaginable power.

Ethan faces a choice: run and protect the woman he loves, or fight against impossible odds to save her and stop an ancient evil from rising.

©2025 S.E. Berkeley (P)2025 Tantor Media

This is a slow creeper

This book started off a bit slow for me but my gosh did it have me on the edge of my seat in the end.

I was so happy Ethan finally did something for himself and Andrea is the sister all of us needs. Assertive but loving.

Burnout, Magic, and a Man’s Fight to Protect What Matters

I didn’t expect to get pulled into a fantasy story, but this one surprised me. It begins with a man named Ethan, burned out from corporate life, and then pivots sharply into something cosmic and perilous. The mix of isolation, mystery, and emotional tension works. Star, the other main character, isn’t your typical “magical being”; she’s curious, human enough to care about, but alien enough to keep you guessing.

What I liked most was how the story doesn’t shy away from the masculine struggle, burnout, purpose, the instinct to protect someone you care about, even when it might kill you. Ethan’s fight feels real, not melodramatic. The action ramps up fast once the ancient forces show up, and by that point, you’re invested.

The book blends fantasy, romance, and cosmic horror without losing focus. It’s weird, emotional, and surprisingly intense. If you want something that balances feeling and adrenaline, not your usual “romantic fantasy,” this one hits harder than you’d think.