Review: These Broken Stars


These Broken Stars
Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Series: Starbound, #1
Released: December 10, 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Rating: 5 stars
Word Rating: Hell yeahs!
Reviewed by: Mel

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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.

“She’s not looking at me and seeing a guy brought up on the wrong type of planet. She’s not seeing a soldier, or a war hero, or an uncultured lout who doesn’t understand how hard this is for her, or an idiot who knows nothing about the right kind of anything.
She just sees me.”

I'm rather surprised by These Broken Stars. Sure, I expected it to be downright amazing but I never knew that it could be this amazing. Beautiful. Heart-warming. Gorgeous. Exquisite. Anymore synonyms for beautiful and hurry-up-and-read-this?

Lilac LaRoux is the daughter of the richest man in the universe; she doesn't get her hands dirty and only ever seems to worry about her appearance. Taver Merendsen is nothing compared to Lilac--he is a young war hero. Yet when a catastrophe strikes and Lilac and Tarver seem to be the only survivors that crashed onto a planet they've never set foot on before. From there on, they need to learn to trust each other and fight against seemingly unlikely antagonists they would have first believed. The journey for help never seemed so long until now.

I did not like Lilac at all in the beginning of These Broken Stars; she's a little typical and oblivious, hidden in her cocoon of wealth. Nevertheless soon later we discover more about Lilac's past and her rich family. We see her in her darkest moments on the planet. We see her slowly learn some survival skills. We see her fall in love with Tarver. And then, without knowing it, we begin to love Lilac's character. She's running in the rain--something she never had seen before--in a big fancy dress, running away from the madness that whispers in her brain. In many ways, Lilac is a strong protagonist, just not exactly the same way we perceived in other science-fiction novels. But above all, I loved Tarver the most. He does have a little bit of snark up his sleeve but he knows what to say out loud and what to keep in his brain. Tarver's charisma is careful, loving and selfless. Plus, he knows how to survive in all types of terrain and how to escape from several wild predators. A gentleman and wild man mixed together if you think about it...

Even though These Broken Stars is a science-fiction novel, it is more prominently a love story with two people from two people with completely different pasts. A little bit typical but the setting and way it was developed was truly magnificent and swoon-worthy. If romance has never been your cup of tea, I still believe this could work out nicely. Lilac and Tarver need to learn to rely and help each other; trust and look out for each other. There's a little hesitation from both the two to cooperate but slowly, Lilac and Tarver begin to realise that they'd be totally dead if they didn't have one and another. They are both survivalists, just in their own ways.

Another key point to why These Broken Stars was so different to every other science-fiction love story out there: the writing. I have never ever ever read such beautiful sentences. It has a unique vibe about it, I cannot exactly what vibes it gave me but there was a hint of a fairytale-ness in there. Which worked easelessly. Also, those interrogation chapters were the best. They were short, a little confusing but we get to understand more of what's happening the further we go into the story.

Cleverly written and a beautifully drawn story, with even better characters, These Broken Stars is one for everyone to try out. An almost flawless read.

15 comments :

  1. SQUEEE glad to hear it was a fantastic read Mel, I really need to pick it up! I really miss your posts btw, going into withdrawal mode on YA Midnight Reads lol. Glad to hear the sci fi and the romance worked out really well. I will be reading this soon!

    Jeann @ Happy Indulgence

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    1. Aww thanks! I came back from my mini hiatus today :)

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  2. It's great that you could resonate with Lilac after some time--they are always some of the best characters. The ones that don't start out too good but end up to be like your soul. Can't wait for this to release! Lovely review Mel :D

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    1. It releases early in Australia, NOV 20th and in US DEC 10th. I don't think you'll be disappointed!

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  3. I've definitely heard this one is similar to the Titanic, but takes place in space instead of the sea. Well, your review convinced me of that! I'm excited to read this one soon. Thanks for the informative review. I'm not usually into total love stories, but in this case there is enough ancillary stuff going on and an exciting setting I think it could still work well for me.

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    1. A lot like the Titanic! Though I love this more I think :) I am not a fan of love stories in a sci-fi world to be so dominating however TBS is a certain exception

      My pleasure.

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  4. This is one of my next reads and I really can't wait now after all these great reviews. I'm looking forward to experiencing the writing for myself. I'm glad you were a fan, Mel! Beautiful review as always. :)

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    1. I can't wait to see what you think! I'm dead certain you'll love this very much. Hope I'm not wrong!

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  5. "Hell yeahs." Mel, ILU. And I loved this book. Like you said about the writing - it was OUT OF THIS WORLD gorgeous. And YES, to us loving Lilac without realizing it. She crept up on me, though I did adore Tarver from the beginning. Such a great read.

    Molli | Books and Whimsy

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    1. The characters that creep up onto you are always the best ones! ^.^

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  6. I'm reading this one at the moment, and almost instantly I could see why all the hype. I'm loving it so far. I thought it would probably be a bit like Across The Universe, but it blows it out of the water. Great review.

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  7. I'm so excited to read this one, I don't think I've seen one negative review. Great writing, characters, and beautiful story...glad you loved it! ~Pam

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  8. I really liked this one too!! I was a bit nervous going into it actually, but it really was a beautiful story. I loved the character growth!! It was so well written. I am definitely looking forward to the companion novels in this series!!

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  9. MEL. OH MEL. This review. I just want to draw hearts and stars around it. I am SO giddy EVERY time someone reads and loves this book like I did. THIS BOOOOOOOK.

    The writing WAS gorgeous. Just so PRETTY and yet also powerful in ways I didn't expect. And oh, how I ADORED Tarver - right away. And I loved watching Lilac GROW and become who she became. Oh, such an amazing story that I will be pushing on people for approximately FOREVER.

    Molli | Books and Whimsy

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  10. I couldn't quite give TBS 5 stars because of the weird paranormal stuff going on. I found it distracting. But I did love it, and I'm glad you did too! Tarver is one of the best ya guys ever, and I really like that it took a while for Lilac to be likeable. It made her real. Can't wait for book #2!

    Mary @ Mary Had a Little Book Blog

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