Monday, November 18, 2013

Blog Tour Review: These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner


Today I'm really excited to be part of the blog tour for These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. Be sure to read past the review to check out all the other tour stops, plus enter the giveaway!

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner 
Series: Starbound #1
Published: December 10th, 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
384 pages (e-ARC)
Genre: Young adult science fiction/romance
Acquired this book: From the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Warning: May contain spoilers
{GoodReads || Buy this book: Amazon || Book Depository || Chapters/Indigo}

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.



My initial thoughts when I first discovered These Broken Stars: OMG LOOK AT THE GORGEOUS COVER. *pets computer screen* Then when I finally got over the stunning cover and read the synopsis: OMG TITANIC IN SPACE. My inner 13-year-old had a squee-filled meltdown.

While I was drawn in by the ‘Titanic in space’ concept, there was so much more that kept me fascinated with These Broken Stars from beginning to end. I’ve read quite a bit of science fiction this year, and very few - if any - come close to having such an original premise paired with incredible characters, world building, and writing.

I adored Lilac and Tarver, separately and together. Tarver especially piqued my interest from the first page, and I was curious to learn more about him. Lilac wasn’t what she seemed at all. It was easy to assume she was a spoiled little princess, and in some ways she was, but she was also smart and resourceful. I really felt for her because she had what seemed like the perfect life on the outside, but really she was trapped. Because of who her dad was and the fact that she was in the public eye, there was a lot expected of her, and much of it was unfair. She never knew if people liked her because of who she was or because of her name - not that it really mattered anyway since her actual world was pretty small and consisted of bodyguards and family members. So as the story progressed, she was always surprising me with how tough she was; I half expected her to play the damsel in distress and make Tarver save her, but they did equal amounts of saving each other. She got stronger and stronger as the story went on, and I admired and respected her a lot for how strong, resilient, and capable she was.

I loved Tarver for his bravery and strength, and his patience with Lilac, even during the moments she didn’t necessarily deserve it. Watching them go from disdain to curiosity to a tentative alliance to so much more was frustrating, funny, heartwarming, and beautiful. They were a great match - both hardheaded, determined, and incredibly strong. And because it happened slowly, organically, it felt completely genuine and believable.

I loved the dual POVs and the fact that they were in first person present tense. I thought it might get confusing, but it didn’t. It gave great insight into Lilac and Tarver's thoughts, feelings, and motives. They had such distinctive voices that it was never a problem, and I never got confused. The dual POV didn’t fall into the trap of basically repeating things from each perspective, which I appreciated. That gets boring quickly and is unnecessary, but I felt like each time we switched perspectives, we got something fresh - literally a new point of view.

I feel like there’s not much I can say about the actual plot without getting into spoiler territory. I can say this though: the story as a whole wasn’t what I was expecting. It’s largely a tale of survival on a strange, uninhibited planet, but there’s much more. And the ‘more’ is mysterious and creepy, and as it all unfolded I was totally enthralled. There are so many twists and turns - one in particular I want to talk about because it broke my feels into a million pieces and I had to send a semi-hysterical text to one of my best friends just to get through it - but I know I can’t because it's a massive spoiler. I’ll just say that it was unexpected and incredible and pretty much genius on the authors’ part. 

These Broken Stars is one of the best science fiction books I’ve ever read. It was original and fascinating and creepy and heartbreaking and romantic and intense and beautiful. It broke my heart and put it back together again, and I know Lilac and Tarver will stay with me for a very long time.


a Rafflecopter giveaway




Visit each stop for more exclusive These Broken Stars content and additional chances to earn prizes!
Monday, 11/11 The Midnight Garden
World-Building for the Future
Tuesday, 11/12 Love is Not a Triangle
Author Interview
Wednesday, 11/13 The Perpetual Page-Turner
Using Technology to Write with a Partner
Thursday, 11/14 Good Books and Good Wine
Audiobook Sample + Narrator Interview
Friday, 11/15 The Starry-Eyed Revue
Character Interview with Tarver
Monday, 11/18 Cuddlebuggery
Author Interview
Monday, 11/18 Review Stops:
Tuesday, 11/19 Books With Bite
Amie & Meg's Favorite Things
Wednesday, 11/20 Xpresso Reads
Establishing Characters with Role-Playing
Thursday, 11/21 Great Imaginations
Co-Authoring Books
Friday, 11/22 Nawanda Files
Lilac's Gorgeous Dress: A Look at These Broken Stars' Cover Art
Monday 11/25 Promo stops (fun facts about the book!)


Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner are longtime friends and sometime flatmates who have traveled the world (but not yet the galaxy), covering every continent between them. They are sure outer space is only a matter of time. Meagan, who is also the author of the Skylark trilogy, currently lives in Asheville, NC, while Amie lives in Melbourne, Australia. Although they currently live apart, they are united by their love of space opera, road trips, and second breakfasts.

Visit the These Broken Stars website for the latest news on the series and follow the authors on Twitter at @AmieKaufman and @MeaganSpooner. You may also sign up for their newsletter as well! These Broken Stars will be available in North America on December 10, 2013.

If you pre-order the book from Malaprop's Bookstore, you can also get a collectible TBS poster autographed by the authors!

 
Have you read These Broken Stars? What did you think? If you haven't, does it sound like something you'd be interested in? Are you as drawn in as I was by the concept of Titanic in space? Are you a sci-fi fan?

9 comments:

  1. Titanic IN space? How cool is that?!? I have an ARC of this book but still haven't gotten around to reading it, but it sounds really, really good. I got into sci-fi YA with Beth Revis's series, so I still feel like a newbie, but I've heard so many amazing things about this one that I can't let my newness hold me back!

    I didn't read your whole review so I wouldn't be spoiled, but I'm so glad you loved it! Hopefully I can get to it soon. :)

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  2. I didn't read the entire review because I'm STILL torn about mine and trying to just SAY how this book made me feel. And failing. Ugh. I don't think I'll ever have the words. But you did such an amazing job of explaining why it's such a fantastic book! It's definitely one of THE BEST science-fiction books I've EVER read, as well.

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  3. I'm seeing so many great reviews for this book. Lucky you got to be part of the tour :)

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  4. This book didn't blow me away, but I definitely enjoyed it. The world building was very interesting. Glad you liked it so much, Marie!

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  5. I enjoyed reading this! And I love the fact that you use baby penguins for half stars :D.

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  6. I've been seriously into the sci-fi space books lately. I'm not sure why... I just finished Mothership, Cinder and Scarlet, I guess I'm just really looking forward to reading more!

    **Rachelle**

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  7. Although i have wanted to read this book for almost a year now, this article has excited me even more! I cannot wait until it is released.

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  8. I love the Titanic in space note! I can totally see that. Is it me, or are sci fi books better with dual pov. It could be just me. Anyway, can't wait to read this. Saw it at the local bookstore and fangirled.

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  9. I absolutely loved this one as well! It was such a refreshing read when I read it a few months ago (ARC!!). Though now the wait is going to be FOREVER. I am desperate for book 2.

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Thanks for visiting Ramblings of a Daydreamer! I love hearing what you have to say, and I appreciate every single comment. I hope to see you here again soon! ♥
~Marie

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