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storyhooked's review against another edition
4.0
If you’re looking for an atmospheric read for winter that’s not holiday themed, look no further!
phoenix2's review against another edition
2.0
A Wilderness of Stars is a YA story by Shea Ernshaw. And just like her previous YA works, this one ends with a huge, unpredictable twist, which was probably the best part of the whole book. It had, also, a nice idea of a story, but it felt like it was rushedly written. Thus, if it had been more thoughtfully developed, the book would have been more enjoyable.
Another problem that I've found with the book was the characters. The main lead, Vega, was making one wrong decision after another, which was illogical. Yes, she is underaged, but some basic survival instinct must have been in her nevertheless. However, she kept putting herself in dangerous situations, which would have been avoided easily. Not to mention that she kept asking people about the Architect, even though she was warned by everyone that she shouldn't!!
So, yes, the idea was there and it was interesting, but the execution was bad.
Another problem that I've found with the book was the characters. The main lead, Vega, was making one wrong decision after another, which was illogical. Yes, she is underaged, but some basic survival instinct must have been in her nevertheless. However, she kept putting herself in dangerous situations, which would have been avoided easily. Not to mention that she kept asking people about the Architect, even though she was warned by everyone that she shouldn't!!
So, yes, the idea was there and it was interesting, but the execution was bad.
greta123's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
readingwithtay's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5
3.5
One thing about Shea’s writing is it’s always so atmospheric and she has a way of surprising me with the plot. This was no exception but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I have previous books. It was still good but I felt like the genre was everywhere. Is it dystopian, Sci-fi, romance, mystery? It’s kind of all over the place. It also left me unsatisfied with the ending. I’ll still read everything she writes this one just missed the mark for me.
One thing about Shea’s writing is it’s always so atmospheric and she has a way of surprising me with the plot. This was no exception but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I have previous books. It was still good but I felt like the genre was everywhere. Is it dystopian, Sci-fi, romance, mystery? It’s kind of all over the place. It also left me unsatisfied with the ending. I’ll still read everything she writes this one just missed the mark for me.
westiemamajd's review against another edition
3.0
I Love Shea Ernshaw's other works, but this one just didn't do it for me. It starts out with Shea's masterful world building. Until we leave the valley. They characters had no depth. The plot dragged on with nothing big really happening. The relationship was rushed. The twist was good. It got me, but in the end I felt like I was given an incomplete manuscript. It felt more dystopian. I love dystopian, but it needed more of something to make it shine because the plot was good, it just never went anywhere.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
5.0
I made a mistake today. This book has been on my wishlist ever since it was announced. I was incredibly happy when it arrived, but it never was the right moment to read it. And I actually thought that today was the right moment. I wanted to read this. I was ready to read this. I thought. I was wrong. I was currently not in the right emotional state to read this. But the moment I discovered that I was already way too invested.
This book is actually for most of the book, if not all of the book, quite depressive. That's not a negative thing. Especially because the author does an amazing job describing the emotions, setting the atmosphere and making us feel what the characters feel and making us understand why characters do what they do. It's just, when you're already not feeling too great this is not the kind of book you want to burden your heart with.
For a very long time it's a little unclear what is going on exactly. We get glimpses of an origin story and we of course have a heroine knowing that she needs to go find the architect so he can bring her to the sea, but that's actually all the information we get. I can imagine that for some readers finally being able to understand the world and what has happened takes a long time. I kinda liked that the author basically forced us to just enjoy the journey.
I also really loved the romance in this book. It was the kind of romance that develops time-wise very fast and yet we understand that there is this deep connection, that they've both been through things no one else can understand, that there is something bringing them together and that it's almost impossible for our characters to fight that. And yet throughout the book you feel that this romance might not get a happy end.
So, amazingly well written book, but a book I shouldn't have read right now.
This book is actually for most of the book, if not all of the book, quite depressive. That's not a negative thing. Especially because the author does an amazing job describing the emotions, setting the atmosphere and making us feel what the characters feel and making us understand why characters do what they do. It's just, when you're already not feeling too great this is not the kind of book you want to burden your heart with.
For a very long time it's a little unclear what is going on exactly. We get glimpses of an origin story and we of course have a heroine knowing that she needs to go find the architect so he can bring her to the sea, but that's actually all the information we get. I can imagine that for some readers finally being able to understand the world and what has happened takes a long time. I kinda liked that the author basically forced us to just enjoy the journey.
I also really loved the romance in this book. It was the kind of romance that develops time-wise very fast and yet we understand that there is this deep connection, that they've both been through things no one else can understand, that there is something bringing them together and that it's almost impossible for our characters to fight that. And yet throughout the book you feel that this romance might not get a happy end.
So, amazingly well written book, but a book I shouldn't have read right now.
mariellerie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Loved the slow, winding, atmospheric mood and pacing, which made the final twist all the more satisfying. The prose was gorgeous. I’ve read Shea Ernshaw’s Winterwood before, and AWOS is another wonderful display of her writing style. Although this doesn’t book doesn’t have magical elements, it feels like there could be.
My gripes are with characterization. Noah’s character felt a little thin; I think the book would’ve benefited from having some chapters in his POV instead of just Vega’s. Vega’s anxious thoughts and rumination were relatable, but repetitive. And the romance felt awkward and forced.
Really want to rate this higher bc the last third of the book was really enjoyable, if not gut-wrenching. I’d pick up the sequel if she ever writes one.
My gripes are with characterization. Noah’s character felt a little thin; I think the book would’ve benefited from having some chapters in his POV instead of just Vega’s. Vega’s anxious thoughts and rumination were relatable, but repetitive. And the romance felt awkward and forced.
Really want to rate this higher bc the last third of the book was really enjoyable, if not gut-wrenching. I’d pick up the sequel if she ever writes one.
arielleb148's review against another edition
5.0
i could’ve made a list of a million ways i thought this book would end, but the actuality wouldn’t have been on it.
holy fucking shit. holy fucking shit??? i think this tops addie larue as the best book ending i’ve ever read. and by best, i do mean the most heartbreakingly beautiful, gut wrenching, and soul-destroying. will i ever be happy again? no ❤️
this was amazing. oh my god. oh my god oh my god oh my god. i loved it. but i hated it. ouch
vega…noah…my sweet angels…
how does this book not have higher ratings??? how did this not win every single award?????
i loved how you didn’t Realize until the very end of the book. and then it hits you, and then you sob
i genuinely just need to stare at my wall and Process what the fuck i just read
read this book rn or you’re ugly
holy fucking shit. holy fucking shit??? i think this tops addie larue as the best book ending i’ve ever read. and by best, i do mean the most heartbreakingly beautiful, gut wrenching, and soul-destroying. will i ever be happy again? no ❤️
this was amazing. oh my god. oh my god oh my god oh my god. i loved it. but i hated it. ouch
vega…noah…my sweet angels…
how does this book not have higher ratings??? how did this not win every single award?????
i loved how you didn’t Realize until the very end of the book. and then it hits you, and then you sob
i genuinely just need to stare at my wall and Process what the fuck i just read
read this book rn or you’re ugly