These Broken Stars

Author: Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Release Date:  December 10th, 2013

Publisher:  Disney Hyperion  

Genre(s): YA Science Fiction

Pages: 374

*1st book in a series *

~SPOILER FREE~

Summary:

 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.

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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.

Review:

Absolutely dazzling ( pun intended! :) ).  

I’ve never fallen in love with a book that has 2 points of views (first person), but I think I’m in love.  *.*

The best thing about this book? The characters. (It merits a bold ;))   Yes, I love the plot and how it ties into everything, but it’s the characters that carry this entire book.  They are absolutely wonderful. It isn’t just their beautiful chemistry, but it’s also their growth and their personality.  The character development in this book is AWESOME.  I love how they slowly grew to like each other (no insta-love!!), and not only that, but because of each other, and just being around one another, they slowly change. It’s so sweet! <3 I also really like their personalities-esp. Lilac’s.  It’s inevitable that she’s a bit spoiled (I thought those parts were pretty funny- especially when seen through Tarver’s eyes xD), but at the same time she’s very strong and has this resilient quality to her. It’s pretty clear in the beginning of the novel that she has a strong backbone, but the thing that stood out to me is her dignity.  Her strength isn’t raw or rough, but it’s very dignified.  Tarver’s strength, on the hand, is everything Lilac’s is not: it’s raw, it’s rough, and it’s coarse, but there is also hidden gentleness that is a part of his strength.   They, of course, clash, but as the book goes on, it’s so clear that they are just made for each other.  What Tarver lacks, Lilac makes up for it, and what Lilac lacks, Tarver makes up for it- and I think those are the best relationships.  It’s the reason why they have such great chemistry.   ;)

This book is a love story, and despite there being a physical plot, this book is very much heart-driven (relying more on the characters and their relationship(s) than the actual plot).  I find it interesting how the plot (with the whispers) is sort of a side thing-and at the same time, it’s not because the plot is what brings them together. The plot isn’t buried by the romance, but it isn’t exactly balanced out with the romance either.  Actually, I think this is one of the only exceptions where I’d be fine if the romance and the relationship between Lilac and Tarver buried the plot- to be honest I really wanted that! My main reason is that this book is suppose to be about the romance, and the plot is mostly there, I think, to explain to us about the planet and the crash.  I want to know about the crash/planet too, that’s true, but I really, REALLY want Tarver and Lilac to not be rescued and stay on the planet and make a cute life for themselves (D:).

The writing is GORGEOUS! It's very smooth and uniquely each characters'. The two-point of view style works beautifully! Often times, in two person points of view, the voices merge together, and it’s hard to tell who is who; however I never had that problem here.  There is only one time where the voices merge together at the very, very end- but I thought that was so nicely done! It was like they were reading that last part aloud together, and it gave me chills. I also LOVE the descriptions of the planet.  The world-building in this book is phenomenal, and gosh, I was so swept up into it! I felt like I was there traveling through the jungles and plains, and what a wonderful feeling that was ;).  

Final thoughts? The cover is dazzling, the characters are dazzling, the writing is dazzling- this whole book is dazzling! :D Honestly one of the best books I’ve read all year ;) Thanks for reading!:)

Rating: 4 out of 5