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ames_mac's review
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
baratheonbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Death, and Drug use
ariina's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
racheldida's review
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
klaproos's review
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
stephaniexpink's review
2.0
really mixed feelings about this.
-writing is very clunky and not very subtle. a lot of deadwood language that I think takes away from any deeper meanings. there’s a lack of consistency with the writing style and I think the first half really just was the two characters thinking about how much they loved each other over and over. it did get a bit repetitive bouncing across timelines just for the same thing to be said constantly. there were themes in this book that had the potential to be explored completely differently, but instead felt rushed. a bit predictable as well; not sure if that was intended but I did just find there to be no nuance with this book.
on the other hand, regardless of technicalities, the whole concept of female obsession & betrayal is always really interesting to read; it was fun to read about rich girls and their completely out of touch realities. i know I’m picking out a lot of negatives but I did find it to be compelling at times.
the cover is beautiful and I enjoyed the premise, i just honestly feel like it had a lot more potential.
-writing is very clunky and not very subtle. a lot of deadwood language that I think takes away from any deeper meanings. there’s a lack of consistency with the writing style and I think the first half really just was the two characters thinking about how much they loved each other over and over. it did get a bit repetitive bouncing across timelines just for the same thing to be said constantly. there were themes in this book that had the potential to be explored completely differently, but instead felt rushed. a bit predictable as well; not sure if that was intended but I did just find there to be no nuance with this book.
on the other hand, regardless of technicalities, the whole concept of female obsession & betrayal is always really interesting to read; it was fun to read about rich girls and their completely out of touch realities. i know I’m picking out a lot of negatives but I did find it to be compelling at times.
the cover is beautiful and I enjoyed the premise, i just honestly feel like it had a lot more potential.
isabelllla_'s review
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
liteartha's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
pegasusgm's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
annamickreads's review
5.0
There's just something about toxic codependent relationships of young women that is incredibly compelling with the layers pulled back on the page! I really enjoyed "Stargazer" and here's why.
Set in Canada during the late 1990s, "Stargazer" follows two young women: Diana Martin, who is intense and awkward and has been aggressively bullied (to the point of physical harm) by her older brother, Keith. Then there's Aurelle Taylor, the daughter of famed eccentric fashion designer Marianne Taylor, who frequently uses Aurelle as her muse. The two girls are wealthy and neighbors but don't become friends until Diana's brother Keith dies in a freak accident.
Growing up, Diana has been desperate to be a member of the Taylor family, where Marianne especially is a loving, doting mother. When Diana's own family retreats from her life following Keith's death, Marianne suggests that she comes over to hang out with Aurelle, and so, their friendship is born.
While this book has been described as a thriller its VERY slow burn, but I appreciate immensely the little hints of Diana's intensity that dawn on the reader. Initially, Diana idolizes Marianne and wishes she were her own mother, but after a conversation where she overhears Marianne say she hopes that Aurelle and Diana "spend time apart," Diana turns on Marianne, with Aurelle caught in between as a perpetual sort of muse for her art projects.
Aurelle, in the meantime, drowns in her popularity; she longs deeply to be anonymous but, after briefly escaping her mother's artistic vision, finds herself captured on canvas by Diana in a sort of revenge. The portraits of Aurelle aren't flattering as Aurelle ends up on a drug/depressive spiral under the weight of everyone else's gaze.
Typically, I think, one would expect the tug-of-war to be between Aurelle and Diana, especially as they melded into one person, with Diana craving the fame/family/support Aurelle has and Aurelle desperate to be a "nobody" where she can't be exploited for cash. I thought the subversion of Aurelle being more of a chess piece in both Marianne and Diana's lives was interesting, especially thinking about that quote "people hate what they can't control."
If you're looking for something complex, slow, thoughtful and a little atmospheric (it's primarily set in Canada with the backdrop of mountains at a college), you might like this one!
Set in Canada during the late 1990s, "Stargazer" follows two young women: Diana Martin, who is intense and awkward and has been aggressively bullied (to the point of physical harm) by her older brother, Keith. Then there's Aurelle Taylor, the daughter of famed eccentric fashion designer Marianne Taylor, who frequently uses Aurelle as her muse. The two girls are wealthy and neighbors but don't become friends until Diana's brother Keith dies in a freak accident.
Growing up, Diana has been desperate to be a member of the Taylor family, where Marianne especially is a loving, doting mother. When Diana's own family retreats from her life following Keith's death, Marianne suggests that she comes over to hang out with Aurelle, and so, their friendship is born.
While this book has been described as a thriller its VERY slow burn, but I appreciate immensely the little hints of Diana's intensity that dawn on the reader. Initially, Diana idolizes Marianne and wishes she were her own mother, but after a conversation where she overhears Marianne say she hopes that Aurelle and Diana "spend time apart," Diana turns on Marianne, with Aurelle caught in between as a perpetual sort of muse for her art projects.
Aurelle, in the meantime, drowns in her popularity; she longs deeply to be anonymous but, after briefly escaping her mother's artistic vision, finds herself captured on canvas by Diana in a sort of revenge. The portraits of Aurelle aren't flattering as Aurelle ends up on a drug/depressive spiral under the weight of everyone else's gaze.
Typically, I think, one would expect the tug-of-war to be between Aurelle and Diana, especially as they melded into one person, with Diana craving the fame/family/support Aurelle has and Aurelle desperate to be a "nobody" where she can't be exploited for cash. I thought the subversion of Aurelle being more of a chess piece in both Marianne and Diana's lives was interesting, especially thinking about that quote "people hate what they can't control."
If you're looking for something complex, slow, thoughtful and a little atmospheric (it's primarily set in Canada with the backdrop of mountains at a college), you might like this one!