Reviews

Girl Made of Stars by Ashley Herring Blake

reeyabeegale's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5 stars

This book, it was full of symbolism — the deviousness of the world we live in, hidden through poetic phrases.

What drew me into this book besides the intriguing plot was the use of “astrology”, specifically zodiac signs. I’m a Gemini myself (though I am not literally a half of a twin like Mara and Owen). I enjoy the use of metaphors to describe the bond of the twins, the special connection they share.

I love feminist books, I like to think I partake on the women empowerment movement. I just love everything about it; it makes me confident and strong, but not so much to the point where I feel entitled for everything that has something to do with gender equality and tackling on the misogynistic norm of the world.

Girl Made of Stars, though a good book, is honestly hard to review. No words can perfectly amount to what I felt throughout this story. It was heartbreaking, and at some point, emotionally draining. I can’t imagine living and sharing the same blood with someone who is and had been accused of sexual assault.

I cannot pretend that I know how the characters feel, I’ve never had to go through something like that and I never wish to —both for myself and for anyone. I can only empathize, but I can’t tell if what they did or how they acted was right or wrong, I am not in the right position to do so.

I felt bad when truths started spilling out, I already knew none of the attackers would be held accountable. It was something evident towards 3/4 of the book. There’s nothing I hate more than denying justice to something or someone that is clearly a victim of self-serving actions. However, the Author’s note helped a bit in explaining to its readers why the books was written the way it was. It was written so, not to give false hopes nor to discourage that when bad things happen, it will be fixed but rather show everyone that the world is messed-up and ugly. Happiness is a struggle, a constant battle between us and the people who are out to destroy it.

It was honest in a lot of ways, and it’s something that will stick with me for a long time.

Trigger Warning: Rape / Sexual Assault

joyceeeee_k's review against another edition

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4.0

*tw for rape/sexual assault*

this book was so raw, real and unflinching. all the more reason why it’s such a captivating read. ashley herring blake’s writing pained me in the absolute best way possible. girl made of stars is one of those books i feel as if everyone should read. although it’s heart wrenching, there’s also a sense of hope throughout mara’s story that genuinely made me tear up at certain points.

ambereen's review against another edition

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  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0


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emilye3's review against another edition

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5.0

This book was heartbreaking and raw. It was also a very timely book. Highly recommend.

jillianjesreader's review

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challenging emotional reflective sad tense 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

3.75

lysandtell's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring tense 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? No

3.25

kvreadsandrecs's review against another edition

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5.0

Holy WOW. What? This book is SO good. I loved every star metaphor and I loved the ending and the pain and the sheer utter haunting feeling you get when reading. It’s twisty and perfect and holy goodness, why aren’t more people talking about this?

brianna3645's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

cosmopolitan's review against another edition

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5.0

this is just a really good book. it took me through everything. i cried. it does have some issues but overall i really liked it.

cosmossol's review against another edition

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5.0

Someone should have told me starting this at 4am was not a good idea *sobs*