ARC Review: These Broken Stars (Starbound #1) by Meagan Spooner and Amie Kaufman

These Broken Stars

Authors: Meagan Spooner and Amie Kaufman

Series: Starbound

Pages: 384

Genre: Young Adult - SciFi

Publisher/Source: Disney Hyperion

Release date: 10^th December 2013

Pre-order: Amazon - TBD

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

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.

The first in a sweeping science fiction trilogy, These Broken Stars is a timeless love story about hope and survival in the face of unthinkable odds.

Review: 3 ½ out of 5 stars

How amazing is that cover! I would buy a copy of this book just to have it sitting on display on my shelf, it is stunning and I’m pleased to say the story within is just as great.

At the beginning of the book we meet Lilac LaRoux, the daughter of the richest man in the universe, she is pampered and cherished but whilst holidaying on a newly built spaceship, the Icarus tragedy strikes and the occupants are forced to flee in pods, alongside Lilac was highly decorated soldier Tarver Merendsen who she had previously brushed off and  insulted in order to keep up a façade she has perfected to prevent any repercussions of their interactions from of her cousin who will tattle to her over protective father even though she did find herself drawn to him.

Lilac came across as snarky, strong-minded and spoilt but as we get to know her we also see her strength, determination and loyalty, she didn’t like to show weakness and for that I quite liked her, putting on a front to not only please the public but also her father comes naturally to her so acting herself around Tarver even in the most difficult of situations didn’t come easily to her.

Tarver is a character I would describe as cool, calm and collected; his main objective was to keep them both safe and to seek help which wasn’t always an easy feat with Lilac and her strong will. There is a sweet romance that is slow to develop and enjoyable to read about; what started out as snark between them soon turned into mutual trust and a nice bond and with the whole forbidden love aspect it made it all the more interesting but unfortunately it didn’t leave me weak-kneed or swooning for more.

I found the beginning of the book to be quite fast-paced, it seemed to ebb throughout the middle portion when the characters were making their journey to find the crash site to full-on again towards the end, but there was also a mouth gaping twist towards the end which left me a little baffled; I don’t think it lacked explanation but it did feel weird and I admit there were a few chapters I had to re-read a few times just to get them to make sense, it got a little bizarre at one stage.

The world-building I felt needed more refining but despite this I still found myself immersed in the storytelling and also in the creative and vivid setting, you get a clear picture every step of the way; the author’s detailed imagery put you in the scene.

The writing was superb, the words were crisp and flowed beautifully and the dialogue between the characters was done well, I was glued to the pages wanting more. We also get dual perspectives which I really liked; it’s always nice to get an insight into each of the characters thoughts and actions.

These Broken Stars is a great addition to the sci-fi genre, there were a few edge of your seat thrilling moments but not enough for me to be thoroughly captivated and completely wowed by the story. It is the first book in a trilogy and whilst I thought the story was wrapped up nicely I am still eager to read the other books in the series.

Thank-you to Disney Hyperion for the opportunity to read and review These Broken Stars.

 

About the authors: (Amie Kaufman) I'm a young adult author from Melbourne, Australia, represented by Tracey Adams of Adams Literary. I write fantasy, science fiction and all things speculative.

My favourite procrastination techniques involve chocolate, baking, sailing, my dog Jack, gardening, plotting and executing overseas travel, napping, my music collection and reading. Also my husband. 

Meagan Spooner: Meagan Spooner grew up reading and writing every spare moment of the day, while dreaming about life as an archaeologist, a marine biologist, an astronaut. She graduated from Hamilton College in New York with a degree in playwriting, and has spent several years since then living in Australia. She's traveled with her family all over the world to places like Egypt, South Africa, the Arctic, Greece, Antarctica, and the Galapagos, and there's a bit of every trip in every story she writes.

She currently lives and writes in Northern Virginia, but the siren call of travel is hard to resist, and there's no telling how long she'll stay there. 

In her spare time she plays guitar, plays video games, plays with her cat, and reads.