Title: These Broken Stars
Author: Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Series: Starbound #1
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Publication Date: December 10, 2013
Pages: 374
Format/Source: ARC/From Publisher, via BEA
Age Group/Genre: Young Adult/Science Fiction
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.
—
A timeless love story, THESE BROKEN STARS sets into motion a sweeping science fiction series of companion novels. The Starbound Trilogy: Three worlds. Three love stories. One enemy. (Cover and synopsis from Goodreads.)
A Perfect Fit…
OMG, you guys, I’m not sure there has ever been another book so geared towards me! Science Fiction? Check. Set in space? Check. Some kind of catastrophic event? Check. Lots of action? Check. Twists and turns? Check. A HUGE twist that makes you swear out loud? Check. ANOTHER twist that makes you swear out loud? Check. Freaky weird stuff happening? Check. Creepiness factor? Check. Romance that’s not too gushy? Check. These Broken Stars has all of the above, plus fantastic writing and complex, interesting characters that make you root for them all the way.
And you can tell that Kaufman and Spooner are good friends, because the writing in this is so seamless that I don’t think anyone would ever be able to tell that it was written by two people. I honestly don’t know how they wrote this, because the writing is just so fluid and consistent throughout. The story is written in dual, alternating points of view and though each character had their own distinct voice, the narration and writing style is just so spot-on that it really feels like it was written by one person. I’m just kind of in awe of this whole book right now.
I loved the mystery throughout the whole book, as well as the romance, as well as the suspense and creepiness that came along with these two characters being stranded on an unknown planet. And being stranded on an unknown planet could be an awesome story on its own, but Kaufman and Spooner take it to the next level and add even more mystery in the storyline. And I love with this romance, it’s not the first relationship for either of these characters. Both have loved and lost before, which is a fresh take on a romance in a YA novel.
My rating for These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner:
In case you weren’t sure already, 5 huge stars, and it has been added to my Favorites shelf on Goodreads. These Broken Stars is a beautifully written suspenseful novel full of romance and action, and will have readers craving the next installment. It’s Titanic meets Lost, set in space, and I personally can’t get enough.
You may also enjoy: Across the Universe │ Glow
Disclaimer: I received this ARC from the publisher, via Book Expo America, in exchange for my honest review. (Thanks, Disney Hyperion!) I was not compensated in any other way for this review.
Dana
December 10, 2013 at 1:09 amI'm glad you loved this one so much. You made is sound like such an awesome book. I've had it on my list for a while now but another favorite book blogger thought it was just meh so I've not been in a rush to read it. Going to have to give it a try now!
Violet - Paper Worlds and Swirls of Ink
December 10, 2013 at 1:35 amI can't wait to read this book! And that cover is gorgeous!
Sarah
December 10, 2013 at 1:16 pmYeah I love the crap out of this book. Read a digital ARC, pre-ordered a hard cover :D
Jessie Marie
December 10, 2013 at 1:52 pmI'm so stinking excited for this book I can hardly stand it. And then I read your review and I want to call off on my first night at my new job so I can stay home to read it since it hits my doorstep tonight. *le sigh* It's okay. I'm happy to be so excited and I'm so glad it hit all of your favorite things. Fantastic spoiler-free review, as always. : )
Brandi Kosiner
December 10, 2013 at 11:21 pmSo glad you enjoyed. I have been avoiding but this is the second positive review today, so rethinking.
Bittner
January 3, 2014 at 2:50 amTitanic meets Lost set in space huh!?! That sounds very interesting! I actually love when you geek out over books! It makes me laugh (with you not at you)!