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whatjaninareads's review against another edition
4.0
And The Stars Were Burning Brightly is a beautiful, touching story about a teenage boy who is trying to come to terms with his brother‘s suicide. It speaks of so many important topics - mental health, bullying, sexuality... Both Nate‘s and Megan‘s views were so relatable and heartfelt. I understood Nate‘s wish to find a meaning to Al‘s death just as much as the people who told him to just let it go, and just as much as Meg‘s wish to exhibit Al‘s art in order to remember him. It showed beautifully how everybody deals with grief differently. I really liked how Meg, Nate and Lewi all grew throughout the book and were able to kind of take Al‘s death as a reminder to be yourself even if that makes you stand out. What I didn’t like about this book too much was the love story between Nate and Meg. It didn’t add to the plot, was fairly subtle anyway and the story could just do without it and they could be friends instead.
georgiaahxo's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lucychanning's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Suicide
caryssreads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
erinshinereads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
amyjayexo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
emily_256's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
charlottesomewhere's review against another edition
5.0
This book absolutely broke me. So many emotions. Brilliantly and beautifully written, you definitely want to get yourself a copy of this.
sammiisammii_'s review against another edition
5.0
"Al was special.
Al was talented.
Al had so many dreams ... so why did he do it?
Convinced that his brother was in trouble, Nathan decides to retrace Al’s footsteps. He starts seeking answers but will he be able to handle the truth about Al’s death when he eventually discovers what happened?"
Having read AND THE STARS WERE BURNING BRIGHTLY in October, I've been sitting with it for a while. Partially because I felt it was important not to rush to review, & partially because I was entirely in my feelings. I had just watched the new season of TOP BOY (Ats' storyline was mirroring my work life in ways I wasn't prepared for) & as an educator the pairing of TOP BOY & STARS gave me lot to think about. I teach lots of Nathans & I have taught many Als. Our education system fails boys like them every day. The dismissed bad boys & the overlooked good boys. Nathan's narration allows us to see beyond the behaviour he exhibits, past his rage & coldness, through to his pain & vulnerability. Each chapter also starts with a vignette of Al's perspective; this is genius & you'll see why. Megan's voice highlights that empathy isn't enough if it's not paired with action.
For me, this novel sits perfectly alongside Jennifer Niven & Jandy Nelson - weighty storytelling communicated through poignant prose - yet it's distinctly British. It's gripping & moving with a dynamic plot & characters you care about. As someone who isn't from Manchester, I enjoyed the mancunian setting details Danielle weaves into her writing as much as I love encountering specific corners of Brixton market or roads in Stockwell in the novels I read.
It's unsurprising that Melvin Burgess has written a blurb for this book because in writing STARS, Danielle has written within a tradition of authors who understand that if teenagers can live through certain experiences, they are also capable of reading & deserve the opportunity to read about them too. A lack of censorship does not have to mean a lack of care. Buy this for your classrooms & your libraries. Read the author's letter
Al was talented.
Al had so many dreams ... so why did he do it?
Convinced that his brother was in trouble, Nathan decides to retrace Al’s footsteps. He starts seeking answers but will he be able to handle the truth about Al’s death when he eventually discovers what happened?"
Having read AND THE STARS WERE BURNING BRIGHTLY in October, I've been sitting with it for a while. Partially because I felt it was important not to rush to review, & partially because I was entirely in my feelings. I had just watched the new season of TOP BOY (Ats' storyline was mirroring my work life in ways I wasn't prepared for) & as an educator the pairing of TOP BOY & STARS gave me lot to think about. I teach lots of Nathans & I have taught many Als. Our education system fails boys like them every day. The dismissed bad boys & the overlooked good boys. Nathan's narration allows us to see beyond the behaviour he exhibits, past his rage & coldness, through to his pain & vulnerability. Each chapter also starts with a vignette of Al's perspective; this is genius & you'll see why. Megan's voice highlights that empathy isn't enough if it's not paired with action.
For me, this novel sits perfectly alongside Jennifer Niven & Jandy Nelson - weighty storytelling communicated through poignant prose - yet it's distinctly British. It's gripping & moving with a dynamic plot & characters you care about. As someone who isn't from Manchester, I enjoyed the mancunian setting details Danielle weaves into her writing as much as I love encountering specific corners of Brixton market or roads in Stockwell in the novels I read.
It's unsurprising that Melvin Burgess has written a blurb for this book because in writing STARS, Danielle has written within a tradition of authors who understand that if teenagers can live through certain experiences, they are also capable of reading & deserve the opportunity to read about them too. A lack of censorship does not have to mean a lack of care. Buy this for your classrooms & your libraries. Read the author's letter
annemaried's review against another edition
4.0
cw: suicide and intense bullying
for anyone struggling with their mental health, the author has put resources at the end of this book.
for anyone struggling with their mental health, the author has put resources at the end of this book.