Monday, December 9, 2013

Review: These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Release date: December 10, 2013
Amie Kaufman info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Megan Spooner info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Pages: 374
Format: Egalley
Source: Publisher provided through Netgalley
Buy the book: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository
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.
WHAT? I don't even know if I can handle my feelings on this book. Sure, I have an exam in eight hours and should be sleeping, but NO. I had to finish this. And, oh, while it was heartbreaking and emotional and everything terrible and lovely at the same time, it was so worth it. These Broken Stars is a lyrically-written story of survival and love against all odds.

Lilac and Tarver start off as a stereotypical couple, different yet thrown together in tremendous circumstances, you just know how their relationship is going to develop. Sure, that happens, but first you get to know each of them, and neither is how they seem. Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe, her life has been a series of comforts and attention from anyone and everyone. Little does everyone know, she has a talent for mechanics and a deep-set and unmovable strength. You see it in everything she does and every one of her thoughts. Tarver is a war hero, who has been heralded and brought up the ranks in the military for his service in combat, but he is damaged from the loss of his hero, his older brother. He must hide all weakness to stay alive, even when he wants to crumble. Seeing each brought to their limits and getting to know each outside of their relationship makes them rich, vibrant beings that leap off the pages.

So, I did have a hard time getting into the story to begin with, and that is the reason I didn't give this 5 full stars, but once you get to the meat of the story (maybe when the Icarus starts to fall?) you won't want to put this book down. (Honestly, I kind of hate myself for taking that half star away.) Even as much of the story revolves around Lilac's and Tarver's struggle to survive, it is riveting and the pace never feels slow. I found my heart being dragged through the dirt, stepped on, and given a little reprieve, only to be broken yet again--yet I loved every minute of it.

Everything about this book is rather gorgeous. From the obviously amazing title and cover, to the beautiful writing, to the eerily beautiful goings-on of the planet Lilac and Tarver are crash-landed on, to the story in and of itself. I found myself reduced to tears, exclamations of varying happiness and anger (cursing, too, much to my roommate's delight), and, finally, overall satisfaction at a great read. I can't recommend this one enough, and if you're like me and find the beginning slow, give it time. You won't regret it. :)

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