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Monday, November 17, 2025
The Scarlet Star (Songs of the Adriels) by Jennifer Kropf | Book Review
The Scarlet Star (Songs of the Adriels)
by Jennifer Kropf
He’s a beast trapped in a palace, and she’s a beauty tangled in his web…
Nineteen-year-old Ryn Electus is captured and brought to the palace for a twelve-week trial period along with three of the fairest maidens in the kingdom to try and ‘steal the heart’ of a young, tormented King with a deadly secret. Unfortunately, the King appears to have no interest in the maidens and keeps getting himself into trouble.
But the King isn’t the only one with a dangerous secret. Ryn has been living in hiding all these years, until she’s dragged from her home and put on a public stage where she finds herself in the crosshairs of the Intelligentsia; a council of sages who serve the seven Celestial Divinities and conspire to destroy people like her. If the sages discover who Ryn really is, she’ll be dead by morning.
Things get even more complicated when Ryn learns what Xerxes is fighting against, the internal wars he’s waging on his own, and why he keeps getting himself into trouble.
However, shortly after Ryn arrives at the palace, an old priestess opens Ryn’s eyes to see the workings of false gods at war who are influencing the kingdom of Per-Siana at every turn, dragging the people into destruction and causing chaos. Ryn is forced to question everything she thought she knew about the gods, until she unexpectedly gains the favour of an ancient god who’s been “silent” for decades; the God Original, the first God, enemy of the Celestial Divinities, who beckons Ryn to shake up the very foundations of the domain.
Thus begins a battle fought in the shadows alongside a war of gowns and politics waged in the spotlight.
Ryn must do everything she can to hide that she’s a descendant of King Xerxes’s enemies, and that she and Xerxes were born as rivals, destined to hate and destroy each other.
She has only weeks to decide which side she’s on.
Inspired by the fairytale Beauty and the Beast and the Biblical story of Queen Esther, this mashup of high stakes, forbidden romance, and dangerous secrets isn’t the fairytale you know.
This book is ideal for fans of The Selection Series by Kiara Cass and A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer and includes gorgeous character illustrations by Kyannah Durocher.
“Beautifully written and instantly immersive. The Scarlet Star entwines a moving portrayal of faith with a plot you won’t be able to put down. I’ll be recommending this one to every romantasy reader who wants a story with substance.” -Rachelle Nelson, award-winning author of Sky of Seven Colors & Embergold.
Disclaimer: I purchased a paperback copy of this book, on Amazon. I also participated in the release blitz in June 2025, and was gifted an eCopy. This does not influence my review in any way. This is just a very happy, satisfying reader experience. Additionally, I borrowed the images used in this post from the author’s FB page, website, and Amazon. Furthermore, I am an Amazon affiliate—I receive a small commission when items are purchased through my links.
It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed reading a book. Any book. The Scarlet Star broke my reading slump. And not only that, but it brought back my hope for reading future books. When I first saw the email for the book blitz, I had to rub my eyes and look again.
Beauty and the Beast meets Queen Esther? Take my credit card! That alone was enough to intrigue me. But also, I’ve been on the search for a good Queen Esther inspired book. Whether it was fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary, derivative retelling—I just wanted to read this kind of story.
Another thing that I was so happy about was how Kropf incorporated Scripture made it even more believable. With Ephesians 6:12 at the heart:
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (NIV)
I didn’t start reading until August, 2025, when my paperback copy arrived. But when I did start reading, I was immediately pulled into the story. Completely captivated with Xerxes’ torment, and Ryn’s first introduction. I have read Kiera Cass’ The Selection, and there is definitely that feel throughout the book.
Side note: I LOVE the character art that is scattered through the pages. Having them there really did bring the story to life as I read it. The paperback is B&W, but the eCopy is in color. Both are gorgeous!
I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone, because I really want someone to open it and fall in love the way I did. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to gush and gab about it! Every moment between the characters, every time the voices in Xerxes’ head start talking—definitely made my skin crawl, but so good!—and every time Ryn learned more about El. It really spoke to my heart and I am so glad for it.
The Scarlet Star highlights the power of prayer and standing strong in the face of evil. I may not face circumstances that Ryn does in this book, but reading her struggles in faith and also her feeling drawn to Xerxes. It is presented in such a way that doesn’t make you cringe. It is ongoing “knowledge” that most Christian inspired books make you cringe. I have not had that experience with any of the ones I’ve read, and this is no exception.
And because it is Queen Esther, you can bet your last penny I was so excited when Xerxes said THE THING.
The Scarlet Star is the first book in Jennifer Kropf’s new series, Songs of the Adriels, so yes—it ended in a cliffhanger. I ended up savoring the book across a few months. I stopped myself ten chapters from the end after speed-read-devouring it, because I was not ready for it to end. I even waited to share this review because I wanted to let the story settle. I even went back and re-read all of my favorite parts.
This was a book I needed, and didn’t know it until it was in my hands. With everything going on in the world, it felt so good to escape into a story that points you to Truth.
I eagerly await the sequel, and the author has revealed the title: The Golden Maiden. With certaintly, I will be reading that when it released. I will also be checking out Kropf’s other books—I apparently own A Soul As Cold As Frost (The Winter Souls Book 1) in eBook. I apprently bought it at some point in 2022, but haven’t read it yet. So I think that will be my next read while I wait.
Have you read this book? If you haven’t, I highly recommend it. Even if Biblical-inspired themes are not for you, I think its a book that can be enjoyed by everyone.
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