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michalice's review
2.0
I really don't know where to start with this review. I picked up Counting Stars as I had heard some good things about it, and it's also set in my city. It's the first book I have read by the author, Keris Stainton, so I had no idea what to expect.
After finishing Counting Stars I am still torn about my review. I did enjoy reading it, and learning a lot about the different places in Liverpool I have not visited, although I do only go there for book shopping. But as a story it didn't really do anything for me.
I initially found it hard to relate to the characters, with so many perspectives to keep track of it took me a while to pin down the name with the character, the job, the personality. Once I had it all organised in my head I did find it a bit easier to keep them separate, but it still didn't help in my enjoyment of the book. I liked the characters and thier personalities. I thought it was amazing how quickly they welcomed Anna into their small group and found the aftermath of a drinking session hilarious. However I think a few things that Anna did for her vlog could have been handled differently. She should never have broken thier trust and thier confidence to the whole world
I expected a big adventure for Anna, moving to a new place, a job, and new friends, which I thought was extremely brave of her, but it didn't really become an adventure, and it sort of felt normal, everyday life (excluding Molly's antics) and it held no interest to me. I continued to read, waiting for something spectacular to happen and I just didn't get it.
Final Verdict
Although I wouldn't really say I was blown away with Counting Stars, I did like the writing and the idea behind it. So this gets a mixed review and rating from me.
After finishing Counting Stars I am still torn about my review. I did enjoy reading it, and learning a lot about the different places in Liverpool I have not visited, although I do only go there for book shopping. But as a story it didn't really do anything for me.
I initially found it hard to relate to the characters, with so many perspectives to keep track of it took me a while to pin down the name with the character, the job, the personality. Once I had it all organised in my head I did find it a bit easier to keep them separate, but it still didn't help in my enjoyment of the book. I liked the characters and thier personalities. I thought it was amazing how quickly they welcomed Anna into their small group and found the aftermath of a drinking session hilarious. However I think a few things that Anna did for her vlog could have been handled differently. She should never have broken thier trust and thier confidence to the whole world
I expected a big adventure for Anna, moving to a new place, a job, and new friends, which I thought was extremely brave of her, but it didn't really become an adventure, and it sort of felt normal, everyday life (excluding Molly's antics) and it held no interest to me. I continued to read, waiting for something spectacular to happen and I just didn't get it.
Final Verdict
Although I wouldn't really say I was blown away with Counting Stars, I did like the writing and the idea behind it. So this gets a mixed review and rating from me.
powisamy's review against another edition
RTC
Readers have been talking about Keris Stainton for the longest time so when I started to read Counting Stars, I was excited to read it. While I wasn't blown away by Counting Stars, I will read more from Keris Stainton in the future.
As I have just finished university, I have always wanted to read some more books centred around those who did not go to university or more about adult life. Reading a YA book seemed like the perfect opportunity.
I felt like it made the book more mature and the main character seems like she is growing throughout the story and through adulthood. They make mistakes and they have to deal with the consequences that come with that.
This happens especially towards the end and I have to admit that I didn't really love the ending, and it dampened how I was overall. The story seems to go far away from the story that had been going and I just didn't love it.
I have to admit that I did enjoy the setting as it is set in Liverpool. With the London centric narrative, reading about this city was a nice change and I liked seeing the city come alive in the book.
I also liked the YouTube element in the book. When it first came out, they mentioned that it was quite accurate and it did feel like that from an outsider perspective. I feel like it also tackled issues of overstaring on the Internet and the impact that it can have on daily life.
A lot of the book obviously takes place around friendship and relationships of all shapes and sizes which I really loved. Especially towards the end, the complexities of the relationships are tested and I liked that it dealt with that element.
I also really loved the writing and the humour throughout. The characters were really relatable and I genuinely really found the humour to be funny. It also made me really want to read more about Keris Stainton in the future!
The Verdict:
Counting Stars balances hard issues with a light tone that makes a really compelling read.
Readers have been talking about Keris Stainton for the longest time so when I started to read Counting Stars, I was excited to read it. While I wasn't blown away by Counting Stars, I will read more from Keris Stainton in the future.
As I have just finished university, I have always wanted to read some more books centred around those who did not go to university or more about adult life. Reading a YA book seemed like the perfect opportunity.
I felt like it made the book more mature and the main character seems like she is growing throughout the story and through adulthood. They make mistakes and they have to deal with the consequences that come with that.
This happens especially towards the end and I have to admit that I didn't really love the ending, and it dampened how I was overall. The story seems to go far away from the story that had been going and I just didn't love it.
I have to admit that I did enjoy the setting as it is set in Liverpool. With the London centric narrative, reading about this city was a nice change and I liked seeing the city come alive in the book.
I also liked the YouTube element in the book. When it first came out, they mentioned that it was quite accurate and it did feel like that from an outsider perspective. I feel like it also tackled issues of overstaring on the Internet and the impact that it can have on daily life.
A lot of the book obviously takes place around friendship and relationships of all shapes and sizes which I really loved. Especially towards the end, the complexities of the relationships are tested and I liked that it dealt with that element.
I also really loved the writing and the humour throughout. The characters were really relatable and I genuinely really found the humour to be funny. It also made me really want to read more about Keris Stainton in the future!
The Verdict:
Counting Stars balances hard issues with a light tone that makes a really compelling read.
bianca89279's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 - 4 stars
Finally, a new adult novel that wasn't terrible! This was a realistic, cute without being overly sacharine-y and, most importantly, without the over-the-top dramas that are so prevalent in the NA genre. Or was this a Young Adult novel? I still get mixed up about these two subgenres. But anyway, that's not terribly important.
This is a coming of age novel, where 18-year-old Anna is terribly excited about leaving her parents' home and moving to the big city to start a new job. Her roommates are all very interesting and very nice people.
Anna's excitement is not long lived as she has to overcome a big disappointment. Alongside her, Alfie, Molly, Nina and Sean, her roommates, are all having their own struggles and issues to deal with.
I won't say too much more about the plot as I don't want to give away spoilers.
Counting Stars was a quick, enjoyable, competently written novel.
I've received this novel via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Cover: 4.5 stars
Finally, a new adult novel that wasn't terrible! This was a realistic, cute without being overly sacharine-y and, most importantly, without the over-the-top dramas that are so prevalent in the NA genre. Or was this a Young Adult novel? I still get mixed up about these two subgenres. But anyway, that's not terribly important.
This is a coming of age novel, where 18-year-old Anna is terribly excited about leaving her parents' home and moving to the big city to start a new job. Her roommates are all very interesting and very nice people.
Anna's excitement is not long lived as she has to overcome a big disappointment. Alongside her, Alfie, Molly, Nina and Sean, her roommates, are all having their own struggles and issues to deal with.
I won't say too much more about the plot as I don't want to give away spoilers.
Counting Stars was a quick, enjoyable, competently written novel.
I've received this novel via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Cover: 4.5 stars
katyla's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book in general, I liked the character development and the main character is likeable. It's a fairly easy read with a generally happy ending --- however I read this when it came into our school library, where I work, and I have to say I'm not convinced it is appropriate for younger readers - should perhaps say 'For Mature Readers/Older Readers' I think. More like a Chick lit in the way it reads and the sexual content and language. A good one for a weekend or a beach holiday.
emmagray13's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.25
marnieluna's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
darkclouds's review
5.0
4.5 stars. Absolutely fantastic! Great exploration of relationships, and relatable tale about growing up and moving on. Packs a punch with a mix of emotions and drama with fab diversity. Great characters, hilarious and everything tied up real nice at the end!
One of the best books contemporaries I've read, and really glad this was my first Keris Stainton novel. Her writing is absolutely exquisite and engaging and I can't wait to see her next masterpiece.
One of the best books contemporaries I've read, and really glad this was my first Keris Stainton novel. Her writing is absolutely exquisite and engaging and I can't wait to see her next masterpiece.
suprminny's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
felfiramoon's review
4.0
Actual rating 4.5
Truthful, honest, hard to read at times but something I wish I had been published when I first left home. The ups and downs of things not going the way you think and how you are the adult now and you have to figure it out. Just brilliant.
Truthful, honest, hard to read at times but something I wish I had been published when I first left home. The ups and downs of things not going the way you think and how you are the adult now and you have to figure it out. Just brilliant.