These Broken Stars (Starbound)
"One of the most intense, thrilling, and achingly beautiful stories I've ever read."--Marie Lu, New York Times best-selling author of the Legend trilogy
The first in the New York Times bestselling author duo Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner's sweeping science fiction trilogy, These Broken Stars is a timeless love story about hope and survival in the face of unthinkable odds.
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 are the only survivors.
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.
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.
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
hese Broken Stars blew me away. Imagine the Titanic in Space but instead of an iceberg and frozen water, they land on an empty planet with nothing but themselves to rely on. Kind of like Cast Away.
This book was beauty in writing form and I have officially added it to my favorites shelf.
I'm going to backtrack a little and start with my initial impressions. I had been fawning over this book for quite sometime. It's a YA Sci-Fi/Romance and as far as genres go only the really good Dystopian can top that for me. The cover is to die for. It provides the reader a quick sense of the story while remaining aesthetically pleasing. Then add the fact that's part of a trilogy? Perfect. 3 Worlds? 3 Love stories? Oh, I'm definitely in for the entire ride.
The story is told in a mix of 2 different first person POVs along with segmented interrogation from the future. It sounds a little confusing but it flows effortlessly. The interview portions are foreboding, showing bits and pieces of another time outside of the main story line, even though it has the same characters. I wasn't expecting anything like that so it left a lasting impression.
The two main characters are Lilac LaRoux and Major Tarver Merendsen. Neither one of them fell into the usual stereotypes. Tarver is flawed and I couldn't be happier about that. Lilac is also imperfect, a little bitchy at first but so strong willed I couldn't help but like her.
Their back and forth is humorous which provides good balance to the overall tone of dread from the crash.
As witty and comical as the snarky remarks are, it's painful to see how they struggle. Alone, beaten up, hungry, lost, confused, and broken, I hope to never have to experience what they went through.
The scientific elements have been obviously researched. In depth referencing like this is hard to come by now a days. Most people just slap the usual, "It is because it is" excuse and move on, but Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner had explanations for everything possible while still maintaining a mystery for the reader.
The enigma of the planet and the strange debriefing segments had me reeling over what it could be. I was absolutely dying to find out. The secrecy of the plot was another unexpected outcome. Of course, I tried not to reach much into this book so I didn't spoil anything for myself. I hope I didn't spoil anything for you either.
I laughed, I cringed, I cried. What a wonderful way to start off my year.
This book was beauty in writing form and I have officially added it to my favorites shelf.
I'm going to backtrack a little and start with my initial impressions. I had been fawning over this book for quite sometime. It's a YA Sci-Fi/Romance and as far as genres go only the really good Dystopian can top that for me. The cover is to die for. It provides the reader a quick sense of the story while remaining aesthetically pleasing. Then add the fact that's part of a trilogy? Perfect. 3 Worlds? 3 Love stories? Oh, I'm definitely in for the entire ride.
The story is told in a mix of 2 different first person POVs along with segmented interrogation from the future. It sounds a little confusing but it flows effortlessly. The interview portions are foreboding, showing bits and pieces of another time outside of the main story line, even though it has the same characters. I wasn't expecting anything like that so it left a lasting impression.
The two main characters are Lilac LaRoux and Major Tarver Merendsen. Neither one of them fell into the usual stereotypes. Tarver is flawed and I couldn't be happier about that. Lilac is also imperfect, a little bitchy at first but so strong willed I couldn't help but like her.
Their back and forth is humorous which provides good balance to the overall tone of dread from the crash.
"Or else I’m dead, and I’ve ended up in hell after all, and it’s an escape pod with Lilac LaRoux." - Tarver
“Where will I sit?” - Lilac
Sit? Why, on this comfortable chaise longue I’ve carried here for you in my pocket, Your Highness, so glad you asked. - Tarver
As witty and comical as the snarky remarks are, it's painful to see how they struggle. Alone, beaten up, hungry, lost, confused, and broken, I hope to never have to experience what they went through.
The scientific elements have been obviously researched. In depth referencing like this is hard to come by now a days. Most people just slap the usual, "It is because it is" excuse and move on, but Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner had explanations for everything possible while still maintaining a mystery for the reader.
The enigma of the planet and the strange debriefing segments had me reeling over what it could be. I was absolutely dying to find out. The secrecy of the plot was another unexpected outcome. Of course, I tried not to reach much into this book so I didn't spoil anything for myself. I hope I didn't spoil anything for you either.
“If you die,” I whisper, my eyes on his, “then I will too.” - Lilac
I laughed, I cringed, I cried. What a wonderful way to start off my year.
4.5 stars
I did it! I found a book that brought me out of my slump! *fist bump* This book.. *feels* It's been awhile since I have been really moved by a book. A book that makes me feel all the feels. A book that makes me think long after finishing. These Broken Stars is such an amazing book people! One of my all time favorites. Reviewing shall be difficult.
I won't lie, I was pretty intimidated by the hype with These Broken Stars. You know me and how I am with hype; we don't mesh well. So when people started raving about it all over the place, I thought, "Well, shit. There goes that." But it deserves the hype. These Broken Stars has everything that I love most in books. Well rounded, loving, complicated and compelling characters that grow and that I connect with. A realistic relationship; that makes me smile, my heart race; that develops slowly as walls break down. A complex, yet interesting plot; that keeps me on my toes and holds my attention until the very end. Strong writing with beautiful prose. And a closure that satisfies me yet has me yearning for more at the same time.
The writing was phenomenal. I didn't realize until about halfway through that this was written by both Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. They did a great job working together, weaving the story flawlessly. I love/hated the small chapter starters with the interrogation of Tarver. It made me think of how the book was going to end, which was a heartbreaking thought and I was dreading it. It took that mystery out of whether or not they survived and if they were rescued, but added the mystery about the severity of their situation. The interrogation was pretty rough at times. Both characters were very strong, yet vulnerable at the same time. Even though Lilac had more growth to her character, Tarver grew a lot as well.
Honestly, I didn't like Lilac at first. She had this.. aurora around her of arrogance that I really didn't like. But once we get a few more chapters into her POV, we actually SEE her. She is very brave, she's smart and very, very stubborn. There were times I thought she was pretty unreliable; with the hallucinations and "voices". You honestly couldn't tell if she really was seeing and hearing things, or if she was going bat shit. Tarver, is in his element with his Military training. He is probably one of my favorite male leads/love interest (depends on how you want to look at it). You could feel his frustrations with Lilac but his termination to bring both of them to safety was admirable. I loved how much he wanted to get back to his family and how loving he was regarding his brother.
Their romance is very slow to develop and I loved it. You know it'll happen, it's pretty obvious, but you don't know exactly what'll happen, or when. I feared the worst, so my heart was heavy most of the book. I thought they worked perfect together, balancing out their best and worst qualities in the best way. It was just so sweet.
There were quite a few twists and turns thrown in. One wasn't a "twist" per se, but it tore me up. I was tearing up, my heart was racing and I was legit upset. Then Tarver was seeing things and I just.. I couldn't. Things worked itself out --albeit oddly-- which makes me questions more about what exactly was happening on that planet. I have so many questions that I hope will continue to be answered in the next books.
My Peeve-- Hmm.. I wish the ending hadn't been so rushed. It was wrapped up nicely; but there could have been a little bit more elaboration.
Overall- LOVED IT. One of my favorites. Seriously, the book is worth the hype. This is definitely one to buy that goes on the shelf. I can't wait to see what these two bring us next. Highly recommend.
*eARC provided by the publisher for a honest review*
I did it! I found a book that brought me out of my slump! *fist bump* This book.. *feels* It's been awhile since I have been really moved by a book. A book that makes me feel all the feels. A book that makes me think long after finishing. These Broken Stars is such an amazing book people! One of my all time favorites. Reviewing shall be difficult.
I won't lie, I was pretty intimidated by the hype with These Broken Stars. You know me and how I am with hype; we don't mesh well. So when people started raving about it all over the place, I thought, "Well, shit. There goes that." But it deserves the hype. These Broken Stars has everything that I love most in books. Well rounded, loving, complicated and compelling characters that grow and that I connect with. A realistic relationship; that makes me smile, my heart race; that develops slowly as walls break down. A complex, yet interesting plot; that keeps me on my toes and holds my attention until the very end. Strong writing with beautiful prose. And a closure that satisfies me yet has me yearning for more at the same time.
The writing was phenomenal. I didn't realize until about halfway through that this was written by both Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. They did a great job working together, weaving the story flawlessly. I love/hated the small chapter starters with the interrogation of Tarver. It made me think of how the book was going to end, which was a heartbreaking thought and I was dreading it. It took that mystery out of whether or not they survived and if they were rescued, but added the mystery about the severity of their situation. The interrogation was pretty rough at times. Both characters were very strong, yet vulnerable at the same time. Even though Lilac had more growth to her character, Tarver grew a lot as well.
Honestly, I didn't like Lilac at first. She had this.. aurora around her of arrogance that I really didn't like. But once we get a few more chapters into her POV, we actually SEE her. She is very brave, she's smart and very, very stubborn. There were times I thought she was pretty unreliable; with the hallucinations and "voices". You honestly couldn't tell if she really was seeing and hearing things, or if she was going bat shit. Tarver, is in his element with his Military training. He is probably one of my favorite male leads/love interest (depends on how you want to look at it). You could feel his frustrations with Lilac but his termination to bring both of them to safety was admirable. I loved how much he wanted to get back to his family and how loving he was regarding his brother.
Their romance is very slow to develop and I loved it. You know it'll happen, it's pretty obvious, but you don't know exactly what'll happen, or when. I feared the worst, so my heart was heavy most of the book. I thought they worked perfect together, balancing out their best and worst qualities in the best way. It was just so sweet.
There were quite a few twists and turns thrown in. One wasn't a "twist" per se, but it tore me up. I was tearing up, my heart was racing and I was legit upset. Then Tarver was seeing things and I just.. I couldn't. Things worked itself out --albeit oddly-- which makes me questions more about what exactly was happening on that planet. I have so many questions that I hope will continue to be answered in the next books.
My Peeve-- Hmm.. I wish the ending hadn't been so rushed. It was wrapped up nicely; but there could have been a little bit more elaboration.
Overall- LOVED IT. One of my favorites. Seriously, the book is worth the hype. This is definitely one to buy that goes on the shelf. I can't wait to see what these two bring us next. Highly recommend.
*eARC provided by the publisher for a honest review*
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.