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halynah's review against another edition
4.0
Unusual and original book with great characters and peculiar romance - an excellent reading experience. I had to take away one star, because the pacing was somewhat slow in places and some dialogues were unnecessary, but the book is definitely worth attention.
abaugher's review against another edition
4.0
Good alien invasion story! Liked the style of the infection, and the response of the young people involved. So, this isn't really about the invasion so much as it is about teamwork, strategy, and youthful innovation, cooperation, and improvisation.
beautifuldissonance's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not sure I have anything coherent to say about this book yet as I've just finished, but I really enjoyed reading it. It took a while for me to it, the first chapter I was quite lost and confused, but it came together quickly after that. The character's were wonderful and I laughed and cried along with them. Plus the story was... Not original exactly as there were familiar elements from other sci-fi, but written from a perspective that gave it a very different feel. I would definitely recommend this book!
surreptitiously's review against another edition
4.0
I was absolutely floored. The plot is complex but not overly-complicated. A bit far-fetched? Maybe, but the narrative voice does a great job convincing you otherwise. The prose is incredibly detailed, (admittedly) sometimes beyond my attention span, especially with regards to technical aspects. It's obvious Host did quite a bit of research, and paints a vivid portrait of the world and action. The characters are realistic: flawed teenagers with unique skills and distinct weaknesses. They become caught up in their own trappings sometimes and need to be brought back to reality.
Host does a great job with representation and dealing with themes parents often frown about being in YA fiction but are important for the young adult audience to experience in literature; specifically sex and LGBT themes. I was happy that these topics were treated with a sense of normalcy and that sex wasn't portrayed as this magical, life-altering special thing that's incredibly romantic and perfect and not at all awkward for weird. (Destroying the imagined construct of intimacy is important to me, obvs.>.>)
I didn't really have much internal dialogue while reading this because its greatness just seems to speak for itself, but the thing that stuck out the most was Madeline's role as the typical "special interest" character around whom the novel revolves. This is common in fantasy YA novels; one character has the Special Power and thus, it is their Ultimate Destiny to save the world...as a teenager. I find this archetype to be overdone and frustratingly annoying because it becomes a ridiculous, Mary Sue-type premise: one teenager realizes his/her power and is also smart, insanely capable, and lucky against all odds...but they have an obligatory side-kick or two to keep their carefully flawed (but mostly perfect!) personality in check. There is no such thing in [b:And All The Stars|13411999|And All the Stars|Andrea K. Höst|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1348833505s/13411999.jpg|18675643], despite Maddie having the most potential power. In fact, she acknowledges her shortcomings and extols the strength of her friends working as a functional team and not the individual parts. It never becomes her sole destiny to defend the world; she plays her part alongside everyone else.
Overall amazing read.
My review is based from the ARC I received from NetGalley...quite a long time ago.
Host does a great job with representation and dealing with themes parents often frown about being in YA fiction but are important for the young adult audience to experience in literature; specifically sex and LGBT themes. I was happy that these topics were treated with a sense of normalcy and that sex wasn't portrayed as this magical, life-altering special thing that's incredibly romantic and perfect and not at all awkward for weird. (Destroying the imagined construct of intimacy is important to me, obvs.>.>)
I didn't really have much internal dialogue while reading this because its greatness just seems to speak for itself, but the thing that stuck out the most was Madeline's role as the typical "special interest" character around whom the novel revolves. This is common in fantasy YA novels; one character has the Special Power and thus, it is their Ultimate Destiny to save the world...as a teenager. I find this archetype to be overdone and frustratingly annoying because it becomes a ridiculous, Mary Sue-type premise: one teenager realizes his/her power and is also smart, insanely capable, and lucky against all odds...but they have an obligatory side-kick or two to keep their carefully flawed (but mostly perfect!) personality in check. There is no such thing in [b:And All The Stars|13411999|And All the Stars|Andrea K. Höst|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1348833505s/13411999.jpg|18675643], despite Maddie having the most potential power. In fact, she acknowledges her shortcomings and extols the strength of her friends working as a functional team and not the individual parts. It never becomes her sole destiny to defend the world; she plays her part alongside everyone else.
Overall amazing read.
My review is based from the ARC I received from NetGalley...quite a long time ago.
livarleth's review against another edition
5.0
This is definitely a new favourite of mine! I have never read anything quite like it. Full of surprises and the most real characters I have seen in a while.
I definitely need to check out her other stuff :)
I definitely need to check out her other stuff :)
bmg20's review
3.0
Most dystopian's tend to be the story of what came after, of how the Earth had changed and how lives were transformed. In 'And All The Stars' we get a glimpse into the inner-workings of the change while it's actually happening and affecting people now. Strange clouds have spread across the skies of the city and sparkling dust is emanating from them.
'The rest, from just below her collarbone down, was an unbroken dark blue, studded with motes of light. Galaxies, nebulae and fiery novae. They weren't on the surface of her skin, but seemed to float below it, as if she had become a window on a night sky at the centre of the universe.'
As time progresses, Madeleine's symptoms begin to show: from extreme hunger cramps, all-over body aches, and then the velvet begins appearing on her skin. She has no idea why this is happening and who is behind all of it but she's determined to survive this.
The story incredibly original and the writing was extremely well-done and descriptive. Unfortunately I still felt that things weren't as clear as I would have liked and I felt myself getting completely lost in the story. Highly original story that focuses more on friendships than relationships and just so happens to be a stand-alone novel. Recommended for fans of dystopians with a sci-fi twist.
'The rest, from just below her collarbone down, was an unbroken dark blue, studded with motes of light. Galaxies, nebulae and fiery novae. They weren't on the surface of her skin, but seemed to float below it, as if she had become a window on a night sky at the centre of the universe.'
As time progresses, Madeleine's symptoms begin to show: from extreme hunger cramps, all-over body aches, and then the velvet begins appearing on her skin. She has no idea why this is happening and who is behind all of it but she's determined to survive this.
The story incredibly original and the writing was extremely well-done and descriptive. Unfortunately I still felt that things weren't as clear as I would have liked and I felt myself getting completely lost in the story. Highly original story that focuses more on friendships than relationships and just so happens to be a stand-alone novel. Recommended for fans of dystopians with a sci-fi twist.
la_tinax's review against another edition
Ammetto di volere questo libro solo per la copertina fantastica.. **
nssutton's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book so hard, I am still thinking about it days later. I knew nothing about it going in, except that it was a Cybils finalist. It went in directions I hadn't expected and ultimately moved me when I wasn't expecting to be moved.
A large part of the story seems like wish fulfillment -- of course a group of teens would find each other once aliens invade, take residence in a hooked-up, abandoned hotel, and maybe a few would even fall in love with each other. But once the secret at the beginning of the third act, I was hooked. It instantly became one of my favorite YA love stories, embedded here in this strange blue and green stardusted ailen book.
Suddenly, I looked at Madeline and her Musketeers a little differently, a little more endearingly. How can you not love a main character who takes time from being a badass during the apocalypse to draw her new friends? Or her cross dressing movie star uncle? Or the one who gives up everything -- everything -- to save the day?
A large part of the story seems like wish fulfillment -- of course a group of teens would find each other once aliens invade, take residence in a hooked-up, abandoned hotel, and maybe a few would even fall in love with each other. But once the secret at the beginning of the third act, I was hooked. It instantly became one of my favorite YA love stories, embedded here in this strange blue and green stardusted ailen book.
Suddenly, I looked at Madeline and her Musketeers a little differently, a little more endearingly. How can you not love a main character who takes time from being a badass during the apocalypse to draw her new friends? Or her cross dressing movie star uncle? Or the one who gives up everything -- everything -- to save the day?
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
2.0
I think this is just a classic case of a book and person not mixing well.
This story wasn't bad, I just couldn't get into the writing style. It was a very formal style that may work for some but just kept me from really getting beyond the page. I never felt like it came alive - it was just words on a page to me.
This story wasn't bad, I just couldn't get into the writing style. It was a very formal style that may work for some but just kept me from really getting beyond the page. I never felt like it came alive - it was just words on a page to me.
raven_morgan's review against another edition
4.0
I was drawn to this book initially because of the cover, which is dead set gorgeous. Also, because the dystopia/post-apocalyptic genre is still one that draws me, despite the market in YA being somewhat saturated.
There is a lot to praise about this book. The sense of setting is very well grounded - even in the midst of the world falling apart after an alien invasion, it's very recognisably Australian. Sexuality and gender are presented in all of their facets and without ever being an "issue". The protagonist, Madeleine, is well-rounded and feels very real from the moment she steps onto the page.
I did have some issues, however. There are a handful of scenes that feel very rushed - many of the action scenes, in particular - and could have benefited from clearer editing. At times, I didn't quite feel the emotional impact of the events - it felt as though the teens were taking things far too easily, when most people would have been melting down.
I did like the juxtaposition of some of the normal teenage feelings and activities with the apocalyptic scenario - it made total sense to me that teens would be fighting for their world, while still doing the normal things like developing crushes and navigating their first relationships.
I did feel like the book ended far too quickly, and honestly found that the epilogue was extraneous. I would have preferred for everything to be left hanging a bit, rather than everyone essentially getting their happily ever afters.
Definitely worth a read, especially if you're interested in what's happening in self publishing.
There is a lot to praise about this book. The sense of setting is very well grounded - even in the midst of the world falling apart after an alien invasion, it's very recognisably Australian. Sexuality and gender are presented in all of their facets and without ever being an "issue". The protagonist, Madeleine, is well-rounded and feels very real from the moment she steps onto the page.
I did have some issues, however. There are a handful of scenes that feel very rushed - many of the action scenes, in particular - and could have benefited from clearer editing. At times, I didn't quite feel the emotional impact of the events - it felt as though the teens were taking things far too easily, when most people would have been melting down.
I did like the juxtaposition of some of the normal teenage feelings and activities with the apocalyptic scenario - it made total sense to me that teens would be fighting for their world, while still doing the normal things like developing crushes and navigating their first relationships.
I did feel like the book ended far too quickly, and honestly found that the epilogue was extraneous. I would have preferred for everything to be left hanging a bit, rather than everyone essentially getting their happily ever afters.
Definitely worth a read, especially if you're interested in what's happening in self publishing.