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A review by lenoreo
These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman, Meagan Spooner
5.0
https://celebrityreaders.com/2021/11/23/these-broken-stars-by-amie-kaufman-meagan-spooner/
4.5 stars — Wow. That was nothing like what I was expecting. I mean, I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that.
I was sucked in almost immediately. The first few chapters had a bit of a Titanic retelling feel, but that’s as long as that lasted (obviously). All the same, it was a great way to get thrown into the plot, and see our characters in truly terrifying circumstances.
While I enjoyed and was intrigued by both Tarver and Lilac right from the start, I wasn’t expecting how deep they would both be. Lilac has this outer shell of spoiled princess, and while she is somewhat sheltered, she’s also hiding pain and isolation. I kind of appreciated that she could be all of that. And she just grew so much as the story went on. We got to see just how strong her backbone is — how brave she could be.
And Tarver had an air of cynicism to him, but he also felt *so* much because of his unique position as someone lower class who is thrust into the upper echelons. I loved how he had this balance of his soldier side — which was super competent and observant and practical — with his poetic side. I wasn’t expecting it, but I loved everything I learned about him that was a direct result of his family.
And together they were SO MUCH. They have this immediate attraction and connection, which they both put barriers up against. So then there’s all this conflict and push and pull — they knew how to get under each other’s skin in good and bad ways. But you could see them getting closer, even as they fought it. And while I can’t go into any more thoughts because I really don’t want to ruin anything, I really loved the highs and lows of their relationship.
And while characters and relationships are my bread and butter with books, this book also had a fantastic mystery/plot side to it. I got so spooked by those whispers, and everything that was going on on that planet. I honestly wasn’t expecting a lot of it. I had some theories, but I’m not sure I ever really got there. I was sucked in, and I loved it.
The ending felt like it came up fast, but then I wonder if that’s because it ended at 90% on my Kindle (because of preview of next book), and so I was primed for more story, you know? I’m curious how the rest of the series is going to play out, especially given Lilac and Tarver aren’t the next MCs.
4.5 stars — Wow. That was nothing like what I was expecting. I mean, I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that.
I was sucked in almost immediately. The first few chapters had a bit of a Titanic retelling feel, but that’s as long as that lasted (obviously). All the same, it was a great way to get thrown into the plot, and see our characters in truly terrifying circumstances.
While I enjoyed and was intrigued by both Tarver and Lilac right from the start, I wasn’t expecting how deep they would both be. Lilac has this outer shell of spoiled princess, and while she is somewhat sheltered, she’s also hiding pain and isolation. I kind of appreciated that she could be all of that. And she just grew so much as the story went on. We got to see just how strong her backbone is — how brave she could be.
And Tarver had an air of cynicism to him, but he also felt *so* much because of his unique position as someone lower class who is thrust into the upper echelons. I loved how he had this balance of his soldier side — which was super competent and observant and practical — with his poetic side. I wasn’t expecting it, but I loved everything I learned about him that was a direct result of his family.
And together they were SO MUCH. They have this immediate attraction and connection, which they both put barriers up against. So then there’s all this conflict and push and pull — they knew how to get under each other’s skin in good and bad ways. But you could see them getting closer, even as they fought it. And while I can’t go into any more thoughts because I really don’t want to ruin anything, I really loved the highs and lows of their relationship.
And while characters and relationships are my bread and butter with books, this book also had a fantastic mystery/plot side to it. I got so spooked by those whispers, and everything that was going on on that planet. I honestly wasn’t expecting a lot of it. I had some theories, but I’m not sure I ever really got there. I was sucked in, and I loved it.
The ending felt like it came up fast, but then I wonder if that’s because it ended at 90% on my Kindle (because of preview of next book), and so I was primed for more story, you know? I’m curious how the rest of the series is going to play out, especially given Lilac and Tarver aren’t the next MCs.