Starside Book Launch with Alex Aster

Schedule

Thu Apr 02 2026 at 07:00 pm to 10:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

The First Parish in Cambridge, Unitarian Universalist | Cambridge, MA

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Meet the mind behind the epic fantasy, emotionally devastating slow-burns, and worlds where trust is lethal.
About this Event

Enemies-to-lovers readers, this one’s for you. ⚔️

Join us for an epic book launch evening celebrating , the highly anticipated adult romantasy from #1 New York Times bestselling author Alex Aster.

Expect deadly magic, blood-soaked swords, immortal enemies, and a romance that burns slow and hot. Alex will take the stage for a conversation about crafting a divided world of gods and mortals, writing high-stakes enemies-to-lovers tension, and bringing a cinematic fantasy to life. Then stick around to meet Alex and snap a professional photo.

Leave with a pre-signed, deluxe limited edition copy of Starside complete with stenciled edges, illustrated endpapers, a special hardcover case design, and jacket effects.If you live for epic fantasy, emotionally devastating slow-burns, and worlds where trust is lethal, you won’t want to miss this. The gates are opening—are you ready to enter?

EVENT DETAILS

  • 6:30 PM: Doors Open – Settle in to your seat at The First Parish in Cambridge and get ready for a great discussion!
  • 7:00 PM: Discussion Begins Alex will dive into Starside.
  • 8:00 PM: Snapping Pics, and Salutations – Meet the author and snap a photo.
  • 10:00 PM: Event Wraps Up – Thanks for joining us!


Tickets are limited, so grab yours soon! If the event sells out, you can join the Eventbrite waitlist by selecting “Reserve a spot” followed by “Join Waitlist”. Should any spots open up, you’ll have 24 hours to register before we offer it to the next person.

PHOTO LINE GUIDELINES
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered: photos will be taken by a professional photographer and shared with you via QR code. So that everyone has time to say hi, no selfies please.

Tickets include a presigned copy of the book. No additional signing/personalization will take place.


ACCESSIBILITY

Guests who would benefit from priority seating or any additional assistance are encouraged to reach out in advance — just email us at [email protected]. We're more than happy to make arrangements to ensure you feel comfortable and supported.

We’re always learning and looking for ways to make our events more accessible. If you have suggestions or feedback, we’d love to hear from you!


DIRECTIONS TO FIRST PARISH IN CAMBRIDGE

📍 3 Church Street, Cambridge, MA

First Parish in Cambridge is located just a block from the Harvard Square MBTA Red Line T stop, right in the heart of Harvard Square. The historic building is at the corner of Church Street and Massachusetts Avenue.

By Public TransitTake the Red Line to Harvard Square Station. Once off the train:

  • Use the main exit toward Harvard Square.
  • Cross Massachusetts Avenue and walk along Church Street.
  • First Parish is located at 3 Church Street, directly across from the Harvard Coop.Parking Options NearbyParking in Harvard Square can be tight, but here are some convenient options close to First Parish:
  • On-Street Parking includes limited metered spaces available throughout Harvard Square.
  • Charles Square Garage at the Charles Hotel, 5 Bennett Street, Cambridge. Contact the garage at 617 491-0298 for current rates and hours of operation, or visit www.harvardsquareparking.com.
  • University Place Garage at 124 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge. Contact the garage at 617 491-0801 for current rates and hours of operation.
  • To save time, consider using a parking app like SpotHero or ParkWhiz for more options, availability and pricing.


BOOK PICKUP POLICY

If you purchased a book with your event ticket but can’t make it to the event—and don’t request a refund—we’ll happily hold your book for pickup for up to 30 days after the event date.

We’ll be in touch via the email you provided at checkout to help coordinate pickup. After 30 days, if we haven’t heard from you or made other arrangements, we’ll consider the book abandoned property and may donate it or return it to inventory so it can find a new home.

Thanks so much for your understanding and for supporting our events—we love doing this with you!


Please Note: Entry with large/oversized bags will not be permitted at this event.


Event Photos

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alex Aster is a #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author whose books have sold millions of copies and have been translated into over twenty languages. She studied creative writing at the University of Pennsylvania, lives in New York, and is never too far from a coffee shop.

ABOUT STARSIDE

From Alex Aster, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Lightlark series, comes her first adult romantasy. Enter the world of Starside, where swords wield magic and power is not inherited...but claimed.

Hundreds of years ago, a brutal war split a land in two. Starside is the realm of magic and immortals—the descendants of the gods, living in a power-rich paradise. Stormside is where mortals fight for scraps of that magic.

Every fifty years, the gates between them open, and fifty challengers are allowed to journey across Starside on a deadly quest to access a pool of magic that can heal, grant wealth, or extend life. Everyone has their reasons for entering, but Aris has only one: vengeance. As a child, a goddess set fire to her village, killing her family. Aris isn’t after the gods’ magic—she’s going to K*ll them.

First, she must survive the Culling, the king’s deadly competition to choose his fifty challengers. An orphaned blacksmith’s apprentice, Aris doesn’t have the superior weapons of the heirs from the Great Houses. But the greatest swords—ones that contain power—are not inherited or bought, they are claimed, by both sides. And when Aris claims a great sword, it makes her not just a real competitor—but a target.

Getting past the gates is only the beginning. Starside is deadlier than it seems. If the ancient creatures, magic-wielding beasts, and bloodthirsty immortals weren’t dangerous enough, a new peril has even immortals fearing what rises from the ground at night. With a blade most would K*ll to claim, Aris can’t trust anyone. Especially not Harlan Raker, the merciless and mysterious king’s guard who betrayed her years ago—and who may now be the key to her survival.

But Aris is hiding a secret tied to her family’s death. And when it’s revealed, not even the gods will be able to stop what’s coming…



Event Photos

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Start your day with expertly crafted espresso drinks, artisanal pastries, and more. In the evening, the bar comes alive with wine, cocktails, sweet treats, charcuterie plates, and more. Enjoy seating indoors or on our covered patio.

To stay in the loop, visit the e and look for events listed under “George Howell Coffee & Wine Bar” at our Lovestruck Books & Cafe location!


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PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO

Your presence at the Lovestruck Books & Cafe event acknowledges that you have been informed of the potential to be documented as part of a video or photo release, and that you grant permission for your likeness to be included in publication of any footage.

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Where is it happening?

The First Parish in Cambridge, Unitarian Universalist, 1446 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 43.45

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