These Broken Stars
(Starbound, #1)
By: Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Release Date: December 10th, 2013
Published by: Disney Hyperion
Genre(s): YA Science Fiction
My Review: (4.5/5 stars*)
These Broken Stars is one of the best science fiction novels I've read in years. It's elegantly composed, has a mysteriously eerie undertone, and massive plot twists. The second my eyes landed on the cover I knew I had to have it. More often than not you buy a book for its gorgeous exterior and it disappoints you, but These Broken Stars does the complete opposite and lives up to its pretty package. I fell in love with the style of writing, was won over by the leading characters, and was fascinated to pieces by the plot. Tarver and Lilac are multi-faceted characters full of complexities, and each have damaged pasts. The story is like an intergalactic Romeo and Juliet with many unexpected developments. Just when you think you know what's going on everything changes and you're left speechless. Any novel that makes you believe you've figured out the answers and then eradicates those thoughts is one worth reading. I love being proven wrong and reading something so fantastically unpredictable, and I was given that.
Lilac LaRoux is enjoying a mini vacation aboard the luxurious space ship called the Icarus. It's there that she meets Tarver whose a decorated war hero. Tarver Merendsen can't help the draw he feels for the girl in the green dress, but he isn't aware of the kind of trouble she can bring him. A few nights after their brief encounter the Icarus gets thrown out of hyperspace and is set for imminent destruction. Lilac and Tarver barely escape with their lives and end up crash-landing on a desolate planet with only each other for company. As they venture on to find rescue they discover a terrible secret about the place that they are stranded. Without anyone else they are forced to depend on each other to survive and each day brings them closer together.
From the very beginning I just wanted to know all the answers, and the suspense kills you until you've reached the end. This is a pretty big book and I tore through it in record time, and I enjoyed it so much. The interchanging perspectives between Tarver and Lilac worked effortlessly and beautifully. Of the two Lilac was my favorite, at first she gave the illusion of being weak but once survival mode kicked in she took charge. It takes awhile to get to know the characters but once you do you can't help but like them, and yearn to learn more about them. They're well-developed individuals, These Broken Stars' main focus is on the relationship between the two leads, and how they handle different situations. The secondary story arc is the aberrant occurrences that throw them emotionally and physically into chaos. The romantic angle was lovely, not in any way rushed like most YA, and intense.
The further you journey into These Broken Stars the more likely you are to not want to put it down. It's totally enthralling, exceptionally written, has a standout space setting, and emotionally stunning characters. Everything about this novel distinguishes itself and sets it apart from the usual teen sci fi reads. Kaufman and Spooner are a talented team of writers that you should keep an eye out for. I'm super excited for the second Starbound installment because I don't know where the story's headed next and that's the marvelous thing. Readers who love surprises, wonderfully bizarre turns, dystopia, supernatural elements, and star-crossed romances should pre-order it and grab a copy right away!
These Broken Stars is one of the best science fiction novels I've read in years. It's elegantly composed, has a mysteriously eerie undertone, and massive plot twists. The second my eyes landed on the cover I knew I had to have it. More often than not you buy a book for its gorgeous exterior and it disappoints you, but These Broken Stars does the complete opposite and lives up to its pretty package. I fell in love with the style of writing, was won over by the leading characters, and was fascinated to pieces by the plot. Tarver and Lilac are multi-faceted characters full of complexities, and each have damaged pasts. The story is like an intergalactic Romeo and Juliet with many unexpected developments. Just when you think you know what's going on everything changes and you're left speechless. Any novel that makes you believe you've figured out the answers and then eradicates those thoughts is one worth reading. I love being proven wrong and reading something so fantastically unpredictable, and I was given that.
Lilac LaRoux is enjoying a mini vacation aboard the luxurious space ship called the Icarus. It's there that she meets Tarver whose a decorated war hero. Tarver Merendsen can't help the draw he feels for the girl in the green dress, but he isn't aware of the kind of trouble she can bring him. A few nights after their brief encounter the Icarus gets thrown out of hyperspace and is set for imminent destruction. Lilac and Tarver barely escape with their lives and end up crash-landing on a desolate planet with only each other for company. As they venture on to find rescue they discover a terrible secret about the place that they are stranded. Without anyone else they are forced to depend on each other to survive and each day brings them closer together.
From the very beginning I just wanted to know all the answers, and the suspense kills you until you've reached the end. This is a pretty big book and I tore through it in record time, and I enjoyed it so much. The interchanging perspectives between Tarver and Lilac worked effortlessly and beautifully. Of the two Lilac was my favorite, at first she gave the illusion of being weak but once survival mode kicked in she took charge. It takes awhile to get to know the characters but once you do you can't help but like them, and yearn to learn more about them. They're well-developed individuals, These Broken Stars' main focus is on the relationship between the two leads, and how they handle different situations. The secondary story arc is the aberrant occurrences that throw them emotionally and physically into chaos. The romantic angle was lovely, not in any way rushed like most YA, and intense.
The further you journey into These Broken Stars the more likely you are to not want to put it down. It's totally enthralling, exceptionally written, has a standout space setting, and emotionally stunning characters. Everything about this novel distinguishes itself and sets it apart from the usual teen sci fi reads. Kaufman and Spooner are a talented team of writers that you should keep an eye out for. I'm super excited for the second Starbound installment because I don't know where the story's headed next and that's the marvelous thing. Readers who love surprises, wonderfully bizarre turns, dystopia, supernatural elements, and star-crossed romances should pre-order it and grab a copy right away!
Synopsis:
It's a night like any
other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury
spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest
planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be
alone.
Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.
Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?
Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.
The first in a sweeping science fiction trilogy, These Broken Stars is a timeless love story about hope and survival in the face of unthinkable odds.
Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.
Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?
Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.
The first in a sweeping science fiction trilogy, These Broken Stars is a timeless love story about hope and survival in the face of unthinkable odds.
I. Need. This. Book. I mean intergalactic Romeo & Juliet? Uhm. YES PLEASE!! Awesome review hon(:
ReplyDeleteHappy reading!!!
Jackie
http://nobentspines.blogspot.com/
Thank you Jackie! I completely loved These Broken Stars, and I hope everyone else will as well :)
DeleteI appreciate you stopping by, have a great weekend.
& Happy reading!
-Seirra
Eek! Love the cover! I think I saw this book on Goodreads. :) Great review! Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteCindy @ In This World of Books..
I couldn't resist that cover either, so gorgeous! I hope you get the chance to read it when it comes out!!
DeleteThanks Cindy for checking out my review, I love hearing from you all :)
Enjoy your weekend!!
-Seirra