(Starbound, #1)
Release Date: December 10, 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion; 384 pages
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.
That being said, this book was pretty special. Before I get in to too many details I will say that I was a little bored with the beginning but it seems to be a trend with me. The beginning is where we're being introduced to characters, their back-stories and just building up for the fantastic story that's to come. I guess I'm one of those people who just want to get past that and get to the good stuff. Let me tell you, the good stuff did not disappoint. In fact, there was a point in this book that I was so furious that I nearly stopped reading. I did stop reading for a few hours because I needed to cool off but I came back to the book and I'm so glad I did. Also, one of the best parts of this book were the little interrogation pieces before each chapter; it was really interesting and I found myself getting really excited about reading the next one. Tarver has one hell of a sarcastic personality and they always put a smile on my face.
Things got really interesting when they were no longer on the ship; once it was just them on a deserted planet it got real interesting. Could you imagine just seeing them out there together? Without even knowing anything about the characters you see this young man who is clearly military and this young diva whose wearing some crazy expensive heels and an equally expensive ball gown type dress stomping through the woods? You would certainly do a double take, right? Especially if it's two of the most talk about people - one for her family and one for his heroism.
The one thing that I loved most about this book was the mystery behind it. Lilac was hearing voices that Tarver couldn't hear; he actually thought she was starting to hallucinate and maybe going slightly crazy (you can't really blame her if she was though). Then hearing voices changed from seeing things that weren't really there or seeing people who weren't really there. The problem was these weren't hallucinations but the bigger question was what were they? The longer they were on the planet the worse they became. It was creepy and yet addicting because I was dying to know what was going to happen next, what she might hear or see next and each time it never disappointed. Then, without sharing spoilers, there was something that happened that I really couldn't wrap my head around. I had no idea how it was possible and I wanted to know how it was happening but I couldn't figure it out. By that point I didn't care because it was happening and that's all that mattered to me.
I like how this trilogy is actually going to be of three different 'couples' set in the same place and I'm curious to see if characters will over lap. I love series because I connect with characters and one book is never enough and while that's usually the case and I could always use more of Tarver and Lilac; not having another book with them is fine. I'm satisfied with what I got with These Broken Stars and I feel like their story was told and I'm eager to find out whose story we'll be joining next.
Also, Lilac was fantastic. If you look at the Lilac that we meet in the beginning of the book to the Lilac we see at the end of the book you'll be scratching your head wondering how it's the same person. Trust me, I'm doing the same thing but it's amazing to see the growth that's taken place in such a short period of time. In fact, the last couples of chapters made me REALLY respect the heck out of her.
Thank you so much to Wendy from The Midnight Garden for allowing me to be a part of this tour. Thank you so much to Disney Hyperion for allowing me the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. If you're a fan of Sci-Fi, this is one book you won't want to miss. I definitely think fans of Beth Revis' Across the Universe trilogy will love this 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!
Tour Schedule
Visit each stop for more exclusive These Broken Stars content and additional chances to earn prizes!
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:
Ex-Libris Kate, Step Into Fiction, Books and Other Happily Ever Afters, Musings of a YA Reader, Ramblings of a Daydreamer, Curling Up with a Good Book
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!)
The Flyleaf Review, YA Romantics, WhatchYA Reading?, Scott Reads It!, My Friends are Fiction, Books and Whimsy, Michelle and Leslie's Book Picks, Forever 17 Books, Cecelia Bedelia, Another Novel Read, In Bed with Books, Falling for YA, Forever Literary, Effortlessly Reading
Visit each stop of the tour for more opportunities to win amazing TBS prizes.
Great review. I really loved the whole book. I really enjoyed the interrogations too. And it's amazing where Lilac started and ended. Had no idea how the series will continue but it sounds really cool.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds pretty exciting. I like outer space and exploring new planets. I think it'd be quite an adventure. I'm not so sure how I'd feel about it in that fancy dress in high heels too, not quite so fun lol!
ReplyDeleteuhh i can't wait, seriously. your review is just making me even more excited.
ReplyDeleteI like how I've heard this series will be. Apparently each book of the trilogy is a different 'couple' but in the same world. So I'm hoping (and assuming) we'll see character overlays? That would be awesome. But you're so right - the growth we witnessed in Lilac was just awesome.
ReplyDelete