You’ve seen the TikToks. The aesthetic edits with the dripping gold, the talk of star-crossed lovers, and that one specific scene that supposedly broke everyone's heart. If you've been anywhere near the "Romantasy" side of the internet lately, you know that Fallen Stars by Imani Erriu is basically the book equivalent of a viral song you can’t get out of your head.
But here’s the thing. There is a lot of confusion floating around about this book. Is it out? Is it being rewritten? Did the ending change?
Honestly, it’s a bit of a mess if you’re just jumping in now. Imani Erriu didn't just write a sequel; she’s basically lived through a total publishing overhaul. The transition from being a self-published "indie" darling to a traditionally published powerhouse with Penguin Random House has changed the game for the Heavenly Bodies series.
The Fallen Stars Reality Check
Let’s get the basics out of the way. Fallen Stars is the second book in the Heavenly Bodies series. If the first book was about the electric, high-stakes meeting between Elara and Prince Lorenzo (Enzo), this one is the "revenge and rescue" arc.
When we last left our protagonists, things were… bad. Enzo is trapped in a deep sleep, stuck between the realms of life and death. Elara is no longer just a girl with a secret; she’s a disgraced queen on the run, dealing with shadows she can’t quite control.
Why Everyone Is Talking About the Rewrite
This is where it gets spicy. If you bought an indie copy of Fallen Stars back in 2022 or 2023, you have a collector's item. But you might also have a story that no longer "counts."
Imani Erriu has been very open about the fact that the traditional re-release (which hit shelves in late 2025) isn't just a grammar check. It’s a massive expansion. We’re talking:
- New POVs: While the original was mostly Elara, the new version brings in voices like Adrian and Merissa.
- The Pirate Arc: There’s a whole seafaring adventure with Adrian that wasn't really a thing in the early drafts.
- Lore Expansion: The Titans—the gods who ruled before the Stars—get a much bigger spotlight.
Some fans are actually kind of torn about this. On one hand, more content is usually better. On the other, some readers on Reddit and TikTok have mentioned that the "vibe" changed when the prose got polished for a mass audience. It’s that classic "I liked their early stuff" indie vs. mainstream debate.
The Plot: More Than Just "Spicy"
Look, people come for the romance, but they stay for the female rage. Elara in Fallen Stars is a vibe. She is vengeful, she is tired, and she is done being a pawn for the Stars.
The story follows her quest to find the lost Titans to wake Enzo. But it’s not a straightforward "A to B" journey. She has to make a bargain with Ariete, the King of the Stars—the very guy she should be trying to kill.
It's a lot.
One thing that really stands out in this sequel is the "Dreamscape." It’s a surreal, dangerous environment that Erriu describes with this lush, almost claustrophobic detail. It's not just a setting; it's a character in itself. The way magic interacts with mental health in this world is also something you don't see in every generic fantasy book. It feels personal.
What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a misconception that Fallen Stars is just a bridge book to get to the third installment. I’d argue it’s the most important world-building chunk of the five-book plan.
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While some reviewers have called the pacing "choppy"—especially with the jump between the Dreamlands and the ocean adventures—this is where the world actually opens up. We move past the royal courts and into the actual history of how the Stars stole power in the first place.
The "Imani Erriu" Signature
Imani’s background is actually pretty cool. She’s from the Lake District in the UK, and you can totally feel that "forest girl" energy in her writing. She’s got a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Manchester Metropolitan University, which explains why her prose feels a bit more "literary" than your average Wattpad-to-Kindle-Unlimited success story.
She’s also a massive fan of The Office and pasta. Relatable? Yes. Does it make her characters better? Probably. There's a humanity to them that keeps the "gods and stars" stuff from feeling too distant.
Actionable Tips for New Readers
If you’re just starting your journey with Elara and Enzo, here is how you should actually handle the Fallen Stars experience:
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- Check the ISBN: If you’re buying a physical copy, make sure you’re getting the 2025 Penguin Random House version (ISBN: 9781039014831). The indie versions are different enough that you’ll be confused when book three comes out.
- Brace for the POV Shift: Book one is very focused on Elara. Book two is an ensemble. Don't be annoyed when the perspective shifts; the side characters (especially Eli and Adrian) are actually the ones holding the keys to the finale.
- The "Mate" Factor: If you’re not a fan of the "fated mates" trope, be warned—it’s heavy here. But the way Erriu writes "soulmates" is more about the burden of the connection than just "love at first sight."
- Follow the Lore: Keep track of the Titans. They seem like background flavor at first, but they are the endgame.
The most important thing to remember is that Fallen Stars is a transition. It’s the moment the series stops being a small-scale romance and starts being a sprawling epic about power, deicide, and what happens when the literal heavens fall.
If you're looking for a clean, simple ending, you won't find it here. But if you want a book that feels like a fever dream in the best way possible, this is it.
Next Steps for Readers:
Check your local library or Barnes & Noble for the B&N Exclusive Edition of Fallen Stars. It includes an exclusive bonus chapter and character art that provides much-needed context for the relationship between the Stars and the Titans before the events of the series. If you’ve already finished the book, start tracking the release dates for Holy Monsters, as the new lore introduced in the sequel suggests a major shift in the "Dark" antagonist's identity.