Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - The Sun Is Also a Star

Two teens from vastly different backgrounds meet by chance on the day one of them is about to be deported to Jamaica. Discussions of home, identity, fate, and science ensue. Romance can be super hit or miss with me. This one was a huge hit. I loved the characters, the naration looking at the lives of side characters, and the handling of intersectionality. The discussions about destiny were fun too. This book takes a strong look at racism, being a first generation American, Korean American experience, and being an illigal immigrant (I want to specify that this family was documented. They came over on a visa and stayed last the Visa's end date). I highly recommend giving this a read.

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brittishliterature's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted 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

3.0

I might have liked this more as a middle or high schooler. A book about first love and all the naivety that accompanies it. Much of the romance aspect felt a bit cheesy and unrealistic because of the time frame, but I enjoyed Natasha and Daniel as individuals and the way their meeting revealed different aspects of their personalities. I also appreciated the realistic inclusion of struggles of racism, immigration, and family, which helped balanced out the cheesy romance.

As a book it was pretty okay, the writing felt just a little flat for me so I’d probably enjoy the movie more (and I will be watching it, of course ❤️).

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rbacon's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

A modern romance, set in the space of one day. Quite intense, with emotions running high most of the way through the book. Also I really enjoyed the random factual chapters that just give you some background science knowledge. To be honest, I preferred the ending in the film, like I just wanted more from that epilogue. But maybe that's how Nicola wanted to leave us.

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claudiamacpherson's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Sun Is Also a Star centers primarily on a single day in New York City, when cynical science-nerd Natasha Kingsley meets hopelessly romantic poet Daniel Bae. The story is told through the points of view of not only Natasha and Daniel, but also many of the side characters, illustrating the interconnectedness of cause and effect. As Natasha desperately tries to find a way to save her family from being deported that night, Daniel is preparing for a college interview for Yale, where his parents expect him to pursue the American Dream via the pre-med track. When the two are thrown in each others' paths by coincidence (or is it fate?), neither is prepared for the connection that they feel. Over the course of the day, Natasha and Daniel get to know each other, share family difficulties and their experiences of being an immigrant and a first-generation American, respectively, and clash over their opposing approaches to life. Natasha is ever the pragmatist while Daniel is a dreamer, but together they confront the themes of family and fate, science and the sublime.

I adore happy endings, and though this one was a little ambiguous, it was definitely positive. Throughout this book I loved watching each tiny twist of fate (or coincidence) that bound Natasha and Daniel together, and the final twist was the perfect end to a great book!

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sheryl_macca's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I had the misfortune of finding myself in a hospital waiting room for 6 hours but thankfully on my way out of my front door I picked up this book. A book that I knew little about, written by a new-to-me author that turned out to be the perfect length for my 6 hour wait. It was also so compelling that those 6 hours were actually enjoyable and flew by.

The Sun Is Also A Star is essentially a romance, an innocent but mature and intense romance that takes place in just one day between teenagers on the brink of college applications. One a Jamaican born undocumented immigrant with a passion for science, observable facts and multiverses, thenothernan American born Korean poet in love with love, fate and destiny.

This beautiful romance is also a vehicle for exploration of complex and powerful themes. Nicola Yoon's blending of these many issues, layers and challenges with the emotions of 'what is meant to be' and first love is seemless.

The weight of cultural expectation, the power of racial identity, the burden of stereotypes, the empowerment in choice and opportunity, the realisation of who you're parents are beyond their roles as parents, the American dream. Self realisation, self control, self esteem and letting yourself go.

This book is a wonderful whirlwind of pure fiction and an intelligent insight into the real lived experiences of first and second generation immigrants.

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kaylasonlyheart's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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