These Broken Stars

Friends, if you like science fiction and romance and this book isn’t already on your Christmas list, please add immediately. It’s GOOD. Describing These Broken Stars is a bit difficult but think of taking Doctor Who, The Titanic, and your favorite YA contemporary romance, putting them all in a

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huge bottle, and shaking it like there’s no tomorrow. The result of that experiment would be similar to the final outcome of These Broken Stars.

I will admit that this book started a little slow for me. At the beginning, we’re introduced to Tarver, the soldier, and Lilac, the high society girl and daughter of the biggest corporation’s front man. Their encounters together do not go well, to say the least. The story starts aboard the Icarus, a luxury spaceship(this is the Titanic part). When the ship is pulled out of hyperspace, Lilac and Tarver are the ones who survive in an utility escape pod and land upon an unknown planet, where they have to survive and attempt to find a way to be rescued. The opening of this book was a little lackluster for me, but once Tarver and Lilac landed on the planet, I was hooked.

These Broken Stars has some of the best world-building I’ve ever seen in a science fiction book. World-building in sci-fi can be hit-or-miss for me. It’s generally not a big focus to begin with, to be completely honest, but if it’s too technical I get overwhelmed, and if there’s gaping logic flaws it pulls me out of the story. I loved finding out about Tarver and Lilac’s world though, and I looked forward to it the way I seldom do in stories like this. Hyperspace, flora and fauna growth. . . it’s all my FAVORITE things about the genre.

The characters are what make this story for me, though. I LOVE, love romances from two different social classes. I think it might be my favorite trope ever as far as love stories go, and this one was no exception. Even though Lilac begins as the rich girl who has no survival skills and is quite rude to Tarver, I really liked her from the beginning. And the reason for that is even when she was being whiny and cruel, she was determined. She was never the type of character to give up, and I really admired her. And while she might not have been survival-savvy, she proved over and over again she was smart–really intelligent, not just the daughter of an intelligent man.

Tarver is your ultimate no-nonsense soldier. I would say that even though at the beginning he’s a much more likable character, he’s also more mysterious. As their journey continued, though, and there were glimpses of Tarver’s past, I really began to feel for his past and what he had been through. The same with Lilac. I LOVED the romance in this because yes, part of it was because they were together with no one else, but through the glimpses of their past I felt I really got to SEE how compatible they were together. It was the perfect slow burn with their back stories being revealed slowly but steadily.

Spooner & Kaufman KILL the way they write reveals. Upon first landing on the planet, of course there’s tons of questions about if there’s other life forms and the history of the planet and such. I have to say the way the mystery is built and then slowly revealed just goes to show how good the writing actually is. One of my pet peeves, which I feel happens most often in science fiction, is when authors build up all these mysteries and just hold off plot reveals to build suspense. That works for awhile, but there comes a tipping point where it’s frustrating, not exciting. That never happened here. From about 20% in, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

And of course, I won’t give anything away, but THAT ENDING!!! This book has one of my favorite endings I’ve read since Parallel(which I declared my favorite ending ever). I’m not sure if These Broken Stars quite lives up to that, but it’s close. I loved how everything came together in the end and the way the story wrapped up.

Final Impression: Other than a slow start, this book was flawless. One of my favorite romances, using one of my favorite romantic tropes, really stole the show. Even so, it didn’t make the rest of the book suffer by any means. The world building, the writing, the slow burn, ALL were fabulous. I’m putting a finished copy on my wishlist STAT

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This book was such a surprise in so many ways: the great writing, the literally out of this world scenario, the strong characters with fabulous chemistry and their tough journey, the distinctive and beautifully woven POVs, and lastly, that plot twist towards the end that got me screaming!

The story

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starts off in a spaceship, where the protagonists, Lilac and Tarver, first meet, but Lilac can’t get involved with boys and drives Tarver away for his own good, until they end up stuck together in a planet with no one else in sight, and where extremely strange things happen.

What a joy to read a book basically about two characters doing their best to survive in an unknown place, under the worst conditions, and not exactly getting along for like half of the time, and yet they know that they need each other and I loved every minute of it. This just proves how remarkable these characters are, because seriously, they own this book. I can’t even pick a favorite---Lilac, Tarver, Lilac, Tarver, I really can’t.

Lilac can seem a little bit annoying in the beginning but she’s not really being herself then, she only acts that way with Tarver to protect herself---and him---and I was totally able to put myself in her ridiculous shoes and understand the situation. The thing is, she needs Tarver to survive, and yet she thinks he hates her, thinks that he hates everything she is and represents, hates being stuck in that planet with her, hates having to take care of her, because she’s the rich girl and he’s the poor soldier who will get into a lot of trouble if something happens to her under his watch, so for a while she acts the part of the cold heiress who couldn't care less and oh my goodness kids! Just kiss, already!

I enjoyed the whole mystery surrounding the planet and the visions, although I’m still not sure what to think about the plot twist I mentioned before, that shocking, heartbreaking event and its outcome. Honestly, I wish it hadn't happened, but in a way I get why the authors did it. My problem is that it took me a while to get used to the idea and to love the character again---I guess I was feeling exactly the same way as Tarver.

In the end These Broken Stars wrapped up nicely and I'm so glad I decided to read it.

(Electronic ARC provided by NetGalley)

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The plot of this book has been used a thousand times, from The African Queen to The Titanic. Yet still we don’t grow tired of it.

Basically, it concerns an uptown girl, who has been living in her white bread world, and who never had a backstreet guy (it seems her daddy never told her why). But

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she’s getting tired of her high class toys, and all those insipid uptown boys. But the downtown man knows that when his ship comes in (or goes down), she’ll understand what she’s been missing, and then he’ll win.

Wait! That could almost be a song!

More specifically, Lilac LeRoux is the only daughter of the richest man in the universe. Her life consists of parties and fancy clothes and shoes, and scorning those beneath her. She is aboard the new and allegedly indestructible luxury space ship Icarus, and happens to meet Tarver Merendsen, handsome but lower-born, who gets to mingle with the likes of her on the upper deck because he is a war hero.

When the space liner crashes, Lilac and Tarver end up seemingly alone on a brave new world, and must learn to survive with each other, and in harsh alien surroundings.

Discussion: Yes, the plot is as old as the hills, but in the right hands it never gets tiring, and these two women definitely have the skill to bring this story to life. In a good twist on the usual story, there is An Astonishing Event that takes place near the end. And it does end, even though it is the first of a planned trilogy. So you don’t even have to continue on with the series, and yet I definitely plan to do so!

Evaluation: Nice treatment of an old theme. And Tarver is, of course, “swoon-worthy.” Can’t wait for the next installment.

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I got a copy of this book to review through NetGalley(dot)com. It was a very well done young adult science fiction with action, adventure, mystery, and romance. It was super hard to put down. The second book in this series will be titled This Shattered World, will follow a new star-crossed couple,

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and is set to release in late 2014.

Lilac LaRoux is the daughter of the richest man in the universe and has a strangely in-depth knowledge of electronics. Tarver Merendsen is a young and very highly decorated war hero. When disaster strikes they find themselves in the same escape capsule and sole survivors of a horrible disaster. They think they are alone on this planet they’ve crashed on, but things aren’t adding up. As more and more strange things start happening, Lilac and Tarver know one thing is true, if they ever escape from this planet they will be very different people from whom they were when they arrived.

This is an incredibly gripping and compelling novel about space travel gone very wrong. It is also a sweet star-crossed romance about two people who find out that a person is much more than the initial impressions you get from them.

The writing is spectacular, very lush and descriptive. The scenes really come alive and the characters are incredibly engaging. I enjoyed the writing style a lot and was impressed at how lyrical the writing was.

Most of the story revolves around Lilac and Tarver. Lilac is a rich girl, but she has more depth to her than that. She has an unprecedented amount of knowledge around hyperspace travel and is incredibly adept with electronics. However, she is not a survivalist. When she meets Tarver on the spaceship she is drawn to his openness and sense of humor. When she first finds herself stranded with Tarver, her only thought is to protect this man from the wrath of her father.

Tarver is a decorated war hero, who is drawn to Lilac’s openness and beauty. That is until he finds out who she is and realizes he doesn’t have a chance in hell, at least he doesn’t think so. He alternates between impressed with Lilac’s skill and frustrated with her attitude. He is a skilled survivalist and definitely a hero at heart. He was a bit too goody, goody for me. Yet, he was still an engaging and complex character.

The mystery behind the planet they land on is fascinating. Lilac is being haunted by images and voices from dead people that were on the ship. At first Tarver thinks she’s nuts, but when one of these voices saves their lives...he begins to reconsider. Watching Lilac and Tarver unravel the mystery behind this planet and the implications on the universe as a whole was really fun. Seriously this was some edge of the seat stuff here and made the book very hard to put down.

The book was well written and well suited to young adult readers. There is implied sex, some gross stuff (especially when they raid the ship for supplies), but it is all well done and all appropriate for a young adult age range.

The story is tied up very nicely, in a way that will leave readers feeling happy and good. The writing was fantastic and the book was a joy to read. There is a heavy science fiction element to the story, but it’s lighter than a hard core sci-fi novel, so it’s easily accessible for a wider range of readers.

Overall a fantastic young adult science fiction novel. There are a lot of elements to the story that are well balanced. There is adventure, survival, mystery, science fiction, and romance elements. The characters have to solve a rather large mystery to survive their crash and be rescued. There is also quite a bit of star-crossed romance, but it was very sweet and well done. I really enjoyed this novel and can’t wait to see what This Shattered World will be like. Highly recommended to fans of young adult books, especially science fiction.

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This was an interesting Sci-fi take. I really liked the romantic aspect, and the descriptions were great. I liked and equally didn't like the mysterious part of this book. It took too long to get to the point, I almost couldn't stand it! Once I figured it out, I had more questions than answers.

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Some will be resolved with a sequel, I guess. But others could've been resolved in the ending. I also like the interrogations that happen between each chapter and the duel first person POVs. Also, there is a completely heartbreaking scene towards the end of the book that almost makes you break down. Overall it was an action packed, mysterious, and romantic journey in a futuristic setting. I can't wait to see the what happens next!

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Ok, just finished it. Writing off the top of my head. How to review this book without saying the wrong things, and saying all the great things. I give it 5 stars. I finished it in 2 days, while keeping pretty busy with end of semester papers and assignments. Two nights of late night reading.

Let's

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get the negatives out of the way first. I can understand why some people will not enjoy this story. It is somewhat claustrophobic. There are only two characters through about 90 percent of the book. Each chapter alternates between the two characters narrating the story. The personality of the two characters, think of stubborn people you know, kind of boring, but kinda realistic. For about 50-60 percent of the book not too much happens. The two have crash landed on a deserted planet and spend days hiking across it to reach possible rescue sites. Think about a long hike with 2 strangers; daily activities are somewhat predictable and repetitious.

Now, the interesting parts. There are several mysteries to be solved. How will these two strangers relate to each other in the days of rugged survival conditions. What are the secrets of this planet that seem to have been touched by civilization, yet seems completely deserted. Why is rescue so long delayed. Will they be treated as heroes or traitors when rescue finally arrives.

There was an unusual narrative trick employed by the author. At the end of each chapter was a flash forward to conversations with one of the characters in the future. I was annoyed with this whole idea and refused to read it. I was worried it would give me spoilers. So I read the whole book while trying to avoid these short paragraphs at the end of each chapter. After coming to the end of the book, I went back and read each of the flashforwards and found them entertaining. The book is not filled with humor. It is a pretty serious book, with bits of sly humor. The flashforwards were very funny when put in context with the chapter just past. I think they would be fine for most people to read as they come up. I enjoyed them alot by not seeing them until I had read to the end and knew what was coming.

Now the hard part, who is the likely audience for this book. This is not space war, though one of the two characters is a combat solder on leave. This book is not for people who are squeamish or want only happy stories. Many characters die in the first few pages, and what the two main characters are put through is very rough. There is not much space travel, it is only at the beginning and end of the book. It is mostly about survival in rugged conditions, mysteries to be solved and a slowly building romance.

Well, I hope my review is sufficiently mysterious. I came to this book knowing it was very highly rated and not much else about it. I am glad I did not know anything, the slow reveals of each mystery is a major part of the fun of this read. I am glad others recommended it, and it earned its 5 stars with me.

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Original Review @ BooksTurnsBrains.com

These Broken Stars is the first in a new science fiction trilogy that follows Lilac and Tarver—they’re from opposite ends of society. Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe, and while Tarver is a decorated soldier, he comes from nothing.

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When the ship they’re on crashes onto a seemingly uninhabited planet, they must work together to find a way back to their world. Of course that’s easier said than done, and as they make their way across the planet they uncover their feelings for one another, as well as the secrets the planet has been hiding.

The Story & Plot Pacing

I really enjoyed the story itself, however the pacing wasn’t always quick enough for me. There’s a lot of day-to-day trekking involved in the story, and while that’s necessary, I almost felt like either it could have been streamlined a little bit, or something needed to be added to give an extra smidge of tension and action. Not to say that I didn’t enjoy it, though. There were a few scenes that were explosive (literally and figuratively) that made me gasp and left my jaw dropped.

One thing that I loved was how the chapters were broken up with bits of an interrogation that Tarver is clearly going through after getting off the planet. On one side this reassures the reader that at least Tarver is clearly getting to go home. What’s interesting is that you have this knowledge in the back of your head while reading about all these things that happened to them. There are moments where it seems impossible for them to make it home, and yet you know they do. You really get to see Tarver and Lilac overcome some interesting obstacles.

The Characters

These Broken Stars is told from alternating perspectives—we get to hear from both Lilac and Tarver. This was great in the sense that you really get to know the characters and their motivations/aspirations. My only real issue I had was that their voices were a little too similar—the style wasn’t different enough. If I was to pause while reading, when I came back to it later I didn’t always remember who was speaking until there was a clear context clue.

Otherwise I found both Tarver and Lilac engaging. They’re extremely well developed. You learn about their histories and how their experiences are directly impacting the choices they make on the planet. Between that and watching them get to know one another, I really loved everything about them. They’re both strong, believable characters, and that’s exactly what I want when I pick up a new book.

If anything, as I said earlier, I wish there had been a more about the whispers. I found them very interesting… and I just wanted more of them. I’m hoping that they’ll be explored more in one of the next books in the trilogy—by the way, can I just have them now? Please?

In the end…

I picked up These Broken Stars because I heard someone describe it as “Titanic in space.” The reality is that it’s so much more than that. While there were a few things pacing-wise I didn’t like, overall this book was a fantastic read, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a strong, YA science fiction novel. I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next books, and I’ll easily be picking up a hard copy to add to my shelves on December 10th.

Have you read These Broken Stars? Let’s chat! Tell me your thoughts below in the comments!

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Other reviews have described THESE BROKEN STARS as Titanic in space, and while in the beginning that is a very accurate comparison of the setting and characters, a more fitting description of the entire book would be Titanic in space meets Robinson Crusoe.

Less than 10% of THESE BROKEN STARS takes

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place on the Icarus spaceship, the majority occurs after it crashes into a deserted planet leaving rich Lilac stranded with soldier Tarver. As these two are forced to survive together on a dangerous, uninhabited planet, a tender romance blossoms. There is no insta-love, but rather respect born from mutual reliance and sacrifice, and eventually a deeply bonded love.

The strange phenomenon they encounter and the mystery of why the planet was abandoned is equally as exciting as the romance. It was unpredictable and full of twists that made the ultimate revelation all the more rewarding. And while this is a SF book, those elements are very light so even SF phobic readers will be transported by this romantic survival story. I can't wait for the next book in the Starbound trilogy which takes place 6 months after this book and will feature a new couple.

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“I was super excited to read These Broken Stars, there was so much hype with this book coming out. I was expecting a crazy, good book. It was really good but I felt like I read this story before or something very similar. It had a Under The Never Sky feel to it, not a bad thing. I just enjoy

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reading books that are original and not anything that I've ever read before.

I loved the name Lilac, so pretty! She was a great character with a bit of stubbornness in her. Tarver had the "I don't care attitude" but really was madly in love with Lilac. I love those kind of romances, you have to actually build up a relationship and get to know the other person. I'm not a fan of the whole instant love theory. There was some really sweet moments between the two of them and I found myself catching my breath at times.

Some parts were definitely a little weird to me but I just went with it. Maybe in the next book I will understand a little better and it will all make sense. The sci-fi part of this book was just amazing. The cover is absolutely beautiful, it was the main reason why I wanted to read it!
”

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They are not supposed to be together. Lilac and Tarver come from very different worlds but both are on the Icarus spaceship flying through space. Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the world. Her father prevents her from attachments to any young man. Tarver is a highly decorated soldier

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who has risen through the ranks from humble beginnings. So, when they are stranded on an uninhibited planet after the Icarus crashes, they must rely on one another for basic survival. Despite an initial attraction from a chance encounter on the ship, they bicker and argue as they decide how to make the best of being stranded. They realize they must work together to figure out what they need to do to be rescued. Neither will show their true feelings after the unfortunate shipboard encounter that left Tarver humiliated by Lilac. She’s not as callous as her actions imply and her intentions were not meant to be cruel, but to save him from her father’s vengeance. The tension between the two sizzles with sexual attraction and readers who like a good romance will not be disappointed. The ending is unexpected and strains credibility but the strength lies in the relationship that develops between the two characters. Kaufman’s plot is captivating and her characters are likeable and memorable. One is reminded of the lovers in the movie Titanic, whose attraction also burned so intensely, despite their backgrounds.

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Tarver Merendsen, a decorated soldier aboard the interstellar spaceship Icarus finds himself drawn to Lilac LaRoux, daughter of the richest and most powerful man in the universe. However, despite significant scientific and technological advancements, society in this futuristic universe has reverted

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to the Victorian, resulting in the resurgence of class systems (as well as top hats). Lilac knows too well what her father will do if she finds love below her station, and she cruelly rejects his advances to save both of their skins. When the “unsinkable” Icarus disastrously drops out of hyperspace, Lilac and Tarver crash land on a partially terraformed mystery planet - and they seem to be the only survivors. As the pair navigate the unfamiliar territory, they find themselves drawn together by their shared tragedy. And when they begin to see and hear things that couldn’t possibly be real, they’ll need to rely on each other to uncover the terrifying history of their new surroundings.

When I first read a synopsis of this book, I thought that it sounded like a pairing of Titanic and Blue Lagoon. And while the book certainly contains elements of both, These Broken Stars is a wholly unique, engaging story with far more depth and intrigue than this mash-up would suggest. The story would appeal to fans of historical drama, romance, dystopian or science fiction, and telling the story from both Lilac and Tarver’s points of view could make this one appealing to boys as well as girls. A promising start to a new trilogy; Kaufman and Spooner spin a captivating tale and leave the reader wanting more. Recommended.

I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Disney-Hyperion and to NetGalley for the advance copy!

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NOTE: I received the eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm stunned. I'm mesmerized. I can't breathe! These Broken Stars has simply left me brokenhearted. Why? Because it's over, that's why. The amazing story, the incredible characters... and it's over. And I'm suffering from a

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severe depression because of it. Do you know how awfully difficult it is to find a book that really speaks to your heart? Do you? I know, and I also know the after effects. Above mentioned depression is certainly one of them. Then there's also sadness, and later on comes hope. Yes, hope. Because I realized a new companion novel in this series is coming out in 2014 and I cannot wait for it!

Amie Kaufman seems to be a new blinding star in the family of awesome writers. I have to be-fan her, that's for sure, because she definitely deserves it. Not only has she worked hard on These Broken Stars, but she's also made the book impossible to let go of! And to think that she's gifting us with two more stories to come? Well, that's what I call a present!

Anyway, I suppose you gathered exactly how much I liked These Broken Stars. The story was unique to me, as I haven't read many universe related novels. There was an unforeseen adventure that took my breath away in it's complicated simplicity. And of course there was romance, but it wasn't the real driving force of the events. It became a larger part of the story towards the very end, but definitely not before. Still, there were sparks that had me giggling and wishing for Lilac and Tarver to just kiss already! Then there was the mystery of the planet where all events take place - it had a certain note of paranormalcy that had me chewing my nails in anticipation for what would happen next.

Now onto the characters.

I loved Lilac from the moment I met her. Sure, she was a somewhat spoiled brat, but she was also kind and sensitive in her heart. She had to keep her real self hidden deep inside for fear her father might hurt whomever decided to take a peek of the real girl behind the pretense, so most of the time her behavior was that of the 'expected', of the norm for her position in society. I was really impressed by her, for wanting to protect Tarver, even though it meant being rude to him and pushing him away. Then when they 'landed' on that planet, she had to suck it up and be bold and brave and to trust Tarver. Not an easy task when still trying to pretend that she hated him. I really truly loved that girl. She stood up for herself and for the one she loved and I could only admire her.

Then there's Tarver. He was a sweetheart, a poet, a boy turned man in the nick of time. Totally swoon-worthy on his own - but when you add the Major uniform with medals and such and the character of a survivor... Yum! He wasn't your average guy either - he'd gone through family tragedy, through war that jumped him from a soldier to an Officer, and then he crashed on a forsaken planet with the only company of a bratty girl, whose father more or less owned the universe. It was obvious that Tarver was extremely well trained to survive whatever situation he may get stranded into - he was realistic, he knew how to look for food, he could recognize a planet's state of terraforming right away, and he could lie his way out of any question.

In other words, These Broken Stars can only make you eager to read more of the wonderful world Amie Kaufman has created. I didn't want the story to end, and I'm certain any reader who decides to pick this book up would feel the same way too.

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This was an awesome audiobook! Wonderfully unpredictable space opera/lost-in-space romantic drama with high fashion. If you like books by Jack McDevitt or enjoyed Beth Revis' "Across the Universe" series then this is your next pick. I can't wait to see what these two authors come up with next.

Lilac and Tarver meet on an interstellar voyage with 50,000 other passengers. Lilac, the only daughter of the wealthiest and most powerful man in the universe, and Tarver, a young and well decorated war hero with little social status, come from two very different worlds. Before they have a chance

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to get to know each other however, Lilac mercilessly removes all hope of any kind of future relationship. They were both set to carry on with their own lives until an unthinkable tragedy happens, and as a matter of life or death they are forced back together again. They find themselves stranded on an alien planet, and both need to play a part if they are to stay alive.

This story has elements of science fiction, fantasy, and ultimately a love story, which would be sure to keep the interest of a teenage reader. While a few aspects of this story are predictable, the authors surprise the reader with some unexpected and shocking twists which makes one forget, or at least forgive, any predictability. Readers will be sure to anticipate the next book in this trilogy.

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These Broken Stars is a sneaky novel. In the beginning, it appears to be a standard science fiction young adult romance and coming-of-age story. Lilac is a snob with hidden depths, and Tarver has the ability to empathize with her and overlook her ruder behaviors. Naturally, they each have vital

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skills and knowledge that help them both survive the crash and beyond. It is a given that they will fall for each other, especially because their differences are so pronounced.

The romance may be predictable, but the story of their survival on the planet is anything but that. Ms. Kaufman and Ms. Spooner hide details of their futuristic world in the internal and external dialogues, forcing readers to pay close attention for snippets of information that will help them process this unfamiliar world. Yet, through a careful scrutiny of the dialogue, readers become thoroughly enmeshed in the story and in Tarver’s and Lilac’s fates. Readers learn more about them, and they both become something other than words on a page. Lilac is no longer the poor little rich girl, and Tarver is not someone with a chip on his shoulder. It is a symbiosis that befits a science fiction novel but also creates a fairly unique reaction to the story as it unfolds.

Ms. Kaufman and Ms. Spooner know how to use plot twists. They deftly weave the unexpected into their story and have no qualms about doing so. The dangers change so often, and neither authoress is shy about killing off characters. The fates of Lilac and Tarver are never 100 percent certain. While readers know that they will fall in love, they are less confident about whether both characters will make it to the end of the story alive. To say that such ambiguity provides a rush is an understatement.

Cynthia Holloway, Johnathan McClain and Sarge Anton work very well together narrating this intricate story. Ms. Holloway in particular masterfully adopts Lilac’s changes in tone and attitude as she evolves from spoiled rich heiress to someone much more humble and human. Sarge Anton, as the mysterious interrogator, has the perfect amount of wry hostility and disbelief as he seeks to wrestle the answers from Tarver. It is Johnathan McClain, however, who steals the show. His version of Tarver is everyone one would hope it would be. He exudes Tarver’s confidence, his homespun background, and his intelligence. He is also adroit at allowing cracks to filter into his performance so that readers can also catch glimpses of Tarver behind his war hero façade, the one who remains utterly devoted to his parents and the manners he learned at their hand. The trio brings this witty and intriguing story to life, drawing out readers’ emotions and holding captive their interest.

With elements of Star Trek, Doctor Who, and Star Wars, These Broken Stars is bound to attract a myriad of fans. The science is solid, the descriptions are luscious, and the dialogue is snappy. Most importantly, the story never drags into the melodramatic. The world inhabited by Lilac and Tarver may be mostly unfamiliar, but there exists a sense of realism and familiarity that keeps the story grounded. Yet, it is in the unfamiliar which builds up suspense and captures a reader’s interest. The fact that anything can and does go within the narrative is a refreshing bit of freedom within a novel that could have very easily fallen prey to the stereotypical and trite. Instead, These Broken Stars is an exciting, romantic, unpredictable, and trippy glimpse into a potential future in which humans are no longer limited to just one planet of which there is always consequences.

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Oh my god I loved this book. I almost glanced over it because of the cover (I tend to not trust teen novels with girls in pretty dresses because said heroine turns out to be an awful angsty teenage brat) but thank god I didn't listen to my inner book cover security system.

Major Tarver

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Merendsen(okay I may or may not have docked a point because of his name) and Lilac LaRoux have crash landed in an uncharted planet in a space pod barely detached in time from the fallen spaceship Icarus. Lilac having come from a very prestigious society has no clue as to what the first rules of survival in the unknown are so she really has to depend on Tarver's knowledge from the army and learn to trust him with her life until rescue comes for them. Tarver on the other hand has the skills and abilities to survive but because of an altercation on the Icarus just hours before it's demise, has to put up with Lilac and her naivete. But when days go by and nothing turns up they begin leaning on each other mutually for support and it may or may not turn into something more...so read the book if you want to know XD

ANYWAYS so like I said...I hate his name, it's so annoying to read out loud that I almost just skip it anytime I have to. But that's probably the only biggest concern I have about it. There are some loose ends that I felt weren't tied up very nicely but I heard this is going to be a series so hopefully at some point they are acknowledged. I'm still not a fan of the ever changing points of view thing, I feel like if an author wants to make us see things from all perspectives then they should use third person but in this case I believe the authors each took on a different perspective when writing the book and it shows because of the different prose...I guess...I felt that I was reading as the book went on. So that last point could be something good or something bad...mostly good I hope?

Anyways, I liked the fact that it was not a straight up romance novel because I would have gone insane if it were 374 pages of their lustful interactions. Spoiler alert : They don't even kiss until page 235 so that was a plus
The interrogations with Tarver (ugh I even hate typing his name) were interesting but the only thing I feel like they accomplished was basically telling us that they were definitely going to be rescued or something like that.

I really liked it though. Sci-fi eeee enough to keep me interested with a little something mixed in for the hopeless romantics. It took me a while but I figured out what I reminded me of: Titanic mixed in with After Earth (that one movie with Will Smith but with a better plot). Like I said and I'll never stop saying it I really liked it.

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When I began These Broken Stars I had a brief worry that Lilac and Tarver, the two main characters, were too perfect for me to find interesting, but that dissolved within the first few pages of the book as their story made me forget my own reality and held me rapt. Icarus, the immense luxury

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spaceship they and thousands of others are riding through hyperspace begins to break apart and within moments pleasure is replaced by panic and chaos as crowds of passengers struggle against each other to locate their designated escape pods.

Both Lilac and Tarver have hidden depths and more dimension than I gave them credit for at first. Lilac is the gorgeous daughter of the richest, most powerful man in the galaxy, but that father has a tyrant’s control over every aspect of her life and contrary to her pretty girl image she’s worked hard to develop mechanical skills. As a soldier Tarver is far below Lilac in social status, but in spite of growing up without privilege he’s earned esteem as a war hero. His job means he’s spent lots of time in some of the galaxy’s most rugged outposts, but he also writes poetry.

In the evacuation crush Lilac and Tarver end up alone together in a bare bones escape pod meant for crew, crashing on a strangely terraformed planet--strange because there are no people in sight and who would go to the trouble and expense of creating an Earth-like environment only to abandon the project? Though they had an initial flirtation on the ship their feelings quickly changed to an intense dislike and now Lilac and Tarver are completely dependent on each other for survival as they journey across the planet on their own with minimal equipment and provisions, hoping to find other survivors or rescuers or the planet’s elusive inhabitants.

It’s a compelling adventure and beautifully written with some surprises, at least for me, in the plot. The point of view alternates between Lilac and Tarver, and I enjoyed the character development that allowed. First novels in series of this sort sometimes leave readers on edge with cliffhangers, but the ending of These Broken Stars is perfectly balanced. There’s enough resolution for some satisfaction/relief but I’m still very eager to see how the story continues in the next book.

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Seemingly star-crossed lovers, Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen, find themselves having to survive on an abandoned planet after the luxurious spaceship known as the Icarus crashes. From two completely different worlds - Lilac who's had everything at her fingertips thanks to her well-known,

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business savvy father and Tarver whose family is relatively average but has risen up in the military after stellar service - these two teens must embark on a perilous journey in an unknown world, in an attempt to return home. They encounter many surprises along the way, however, both external and internal - ones that catch the reader off guard as well! [At least for me. :)...]

Told in alternating viewpoints as well as an extended flashback, this love story/space opera is definitely worth the read. The more recent influence of romance and psychology on science fiction has greatly increased my appeal for the genre. I love space operas!! I appreciated the writing style as well as the pace of the plot in this novel. Both main characters were fully developed, and I could enter into the lives/perspectives of each. Very good, emotional read!

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So it seems that this year I am being dragged kicking and screaming onto the sci-fi bandwagon. But then, if this is what I can expect from YA sci-fi, I guess I won't put up too much of a fight. From the lovely cover to the skillful world building, These Broken Stars hit the mark for me.

The audio

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narration by Cynthia Holloway, Johnathan McClain, and Sarge Anton was masterfully done, pulling the reader into the story and bringing that world to life around them. I'm sure their job as narrators was made much easier by the lovely and expressive writing. I am surprised that this was a debut for this author. This is one of my favorite audio narrations of 2013 and I was thrilled to end the year with such a brilliant audiobook.

Sci-fi is not usually a genre that I gravitate to, so I was surprised that I was so quickly wrapped up in this story. I think that says a lot about the character building as well as the slow building relationship between the two main characters which kept me engaged. Although most of the story was a LOTR-esque trek through a deserted Middle Earth, I never lost interest or was bored by the journey. I remained invested in these characters and what their eventual fate would be.

I’ve seen this book described as being similar to Titanic, and I can definitely see where the two characters had a bit of a Jack & Rose feel and similarities in their backgrounds, but I think that These Broken Stars is more than just a reimagining of Titanic. Their struggle to survive and persevere against what seemed like impossible also drove the story. I don’t feel that the plot relied solely on the romance to move it forward. It was certainly not a fast paced read, but I enjoyed the slow and steady pacing.

I will say that some specific plot twists seemed a little farfetched and the ending left me with more questions than answers, but these things did not affect my overall enjoyment of the book. I'm hoping that many of my questions will be answered in the upcoming books in this series. This definitely deserves a spot on my "Best of 2013" list! I would highly recommend the audio format to anyone considering reading These Broken Stars.

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These Broken Stars is an excellently written science fiction young adult novel that stands on its own. With its strong characterization and appeal to both the younger and older (me!) crowd, I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series. I will say, however, I was not a *huge* fan of the ending.

As Young Adult SciFi goes, this one is pretty good. The badly named Icarus is the biggest, baddest spaceship of all times, so you know things are not going to go well.

The story is dramatic and entertaining. Part extremely high-tech and part pretty old-fashioned, low-tech go nicely together. Still,

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the middle part of the book dragged on too long and lost my interest a few times. Suspension of disbelief is necessary, but there was not so much required that it disturbed the flow of the story.

The romance was predictable, and I am not a fan of these love/hate clichéd romances but this one was no worse than most, and the solid writing made it better than some. I liked the characters, and that one of them turned out to have a lot more backbone that you'd think. Of course, that in itself is a cliché, but an entertaining one.

The chapters are interspersed with dialogue of one of the protagonists being interrogated. These bits are very short and intriguing. We know that at least one of the main characters lived to tell the tale, but the fate of the other is vague.

This is a fun way to while away a few hours, but not so outstanding that I'll remember the story a few books from now.

I was given a copy of this book for review.

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Aboard the luxury spaceliner Icarus, Tarver Merendsen feels out of place among the wealthy and elite. His claim to fame, he is a military hero at the age of 18. After a brief and embarrassing encounter with a beautiful, red-head in blue, Tarver is left feeling even more apart the before. When the

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Icarus is suddenly pulled out of hyperspace, Tarver and the red-haired beauty are the only survivors. Now Tarver must save her and himself against almost unthinkable odds. If you like the movie Titanic, you will love this book. It is like Titanic-In-Space. The characters are enjoyable and the plots twists abound.

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It took me a long time to listen to this audiobook, not for lack of trying, I just felt like it moved so slowly through the beginning. In an effort to get through some of the ARCs I have racked up, I started listening to this again while working and it seemed to be the time and place for it. At

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about the 50% mark it really started picking up in the plot and the romance and I wanted to hear more.

These Broken Stars is about Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen, a right girl from a well-to-do family and a decorated soldier, they couldn’t be more different and now they are stranded on a planet together without communication to their homes and people that know them. The plot is told in an alternating point of view from Tarver to Lilac with interspersed with tracks of someone questions Tarver later on about the events that occurred.

The story is ripe with detail and vivid imagery of the places they have been and things that are happening around the characters. Tarver and Lilac are both interesting characters and the alternating point of views give light into both their thinking and feelings, which are deep for a young adult read (I felt). I really enjoyed the characters and their growth throughout the book.

The sci-fi genre that this book falls into is both accurate but also a little strange. Yes they start in space and there is much talk about Terra-forming planets, but deep down this is a romance with sci-fi aspects really. The romance is beautiful and was wonderful to listen to.

Since this was an audiobook, I have to note the readers – they were wonderful! Cynthia Holloway, Johnathan McClain and Sarge Anton were so great. The emotion they read with was very refreshing and made the characters really come alive while they are fighting for survival.

Overall, I give this book a 4 star rating, but only because of the slow start that I had with it. I felt that the beginning of the book before Lilac and Tarver are stranded was too slow in this audiobook format; maybe reading it would have had a different impact on me.

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This book is every bit as earth-shattering as I’ve heard from others.

HO-LY.

The dynamic between Lilac and Tarver is one of my favorites–yeah, I’m a sucker for the hate-to-love relationships. But theirs was especially hilarious in their

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opposition toward each other, and so heart wrenchingly beautiful in their love for each other.

Thank the stars it had the ending it did, because the story was winding down and BAM! I was thrown into SHOCK because something horrific happened and I wanted to DIE. My heart felt like it was being twisted and warped and I just about burst into tears! This is a story I was more than emotionally invested in and the story ended with a smile on my face:)

The world-building in this book is out of this world! Sometimes I have a hard time imaging things in sci fi, but this was SO well done and I felt like this setting really exists. Bravo on your excellent work, ladies–I’m in love with this story and I can’t wait for the rest of this series!



5/5 STARS;)

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