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My Review:Title: These Broken Stars
Author: Amie Kaufman, Meagan Spooner
Series: Starbound #1
Published by: Disney Hyperion
Release Date: December 10, 2013
Format: Kindle Book
Pages: 384
Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Space Opera
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2021 Backlist Reader Challenge, Lenoreo's 2021 COYER Fall
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ B&N ✩ Google ✩ Kobo ✩ iBooks ✩ IndieBound ✩ Book Depository
My rating:
Blurb: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.
4.5 stars — Wow. That was nothing like what I was expecting. I mean, I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that.
I was sucked in almost immediately. The first few chapters had a bit of a Titanic retelling feel, but that’s as long as that lasted (obviously). All the same, it was a great way to get thrown into the plot, and see our characters in truly terrifying circumstances.
While I enjoyed and was intrigued by both Tarver and Lilac right from the start, I wasn’t expecting how deep they would both be. Lilac has this outer shell of spoiled princess, and while she is somewhat sheltered, she’s also hiding pain and isolation. I kind of appreciated that she could be all of that. And she just grew so much as the story went on. We got to see just how strong her backbone is — how brave she could be.
And Tarver had an air of cynicism to him, but he also felt *so* much because of his unique position as someone lower class who is thrust into the upper echelons. I loved how he had this balance of his soldier side — which was super competent and observant and practical — with his poetic side. I wasn’t expecting it, but I loved everything I learned about him that was a direct result of his family.
And together they were SO MUCH. They have this immediate attraction and connection, which they both put barriers up against. So then there’s all this conflict and push and pull — they knew how to get under each other’s skin in good and bad ways. But you could see them getting closer, even as they fought it. And while I can’t go into any more thoughts because I really don’t want to ruin anything, I really loved the highs and lows of their relationship.
And while characters and relationships are my bread and butter with books, this book also had a fantastic mystery/plot side to it. I got so spooked by those whispers, and everything that was going on on that planet. I honestly wasn’t expecting a lot of it. I had some theories, but I’m not sure I ever really got there. I was sucked in, and I loved it.
The ending felt like it came up fast, but then I wonder if that’s because it ended at 90% on my Kindle (because of preview of next book), and so I was primed for more story, you know? I’m curious how the rest of the series is going to play out, especially given Lilac and Tarver aren’t the next MCs.
COYER Scavenger Hunt #50: Read a book that is currently on the review linky for this COYER — #78 from Berls.
COYER Community: I started buddy reading this one with Lillian @Mom With a Reading Problem, but she got busy and I ended up finishing way before her. We both loved it though (she rated it 5 stars), and it surprised us.
I have always loved this cover and you have me wanting to read it now. Probably won’t. but still!