Reviews with content warning for Pedophilia - Girl Made of Stars

Girl Made of Stars is a timely, powerfully thought provoking, and painfully realistic read. It explores the world we live in, where people can do terrible things and all to often evade all the consequences. However, I did leave the book with a sense of hope, even if buried beneath substantial trauma and pain.

Mara, the main character, felt like a real person with passions, conflicting feelings, and memories that haunt her. She is strong, even if she doesn’t know it, it is rewarding to see her grow throughout the story.

There was one scene in the book that was so disturbing that I needed to put down the book for minute. This scene dealt with SA and pedophilia, so I recommend paying attention to all the trigger warnings before picking up this book.

Girl Made of Stars is a book that will stay with me for a long time, becoming a lasting favorite.

Content Warnings

loverofeels's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional sad

Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

Content Warnings

caughtbetweenpages's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful 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? Yes

3.5

I don't know that I can say I like this book. But I do think it is important, and I wish I'd had it when I was much younger. AHB does a great job of illustrating how rape culture beats down its victims/those most vulnerable in order to protect and coddle perpetrators, and how even those closest to you will sometimes disbelieve you when you challenge their preconceptions about the morality of certain men (yes, women and nonbinary people can also be rapists. But statistically speaking, and in terms of Who Does The Cis-Heteropatriarchy Protect From the Consequences of Their Actions? Yeah.). Definitely proceed with caution with this book if it's one that hits close to home.

Content Warnings

haley_reads_books's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional inspiring 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? Yes

4.0

An Incredibly sad but beautifully written story about two girls who

victims of rape and find comfort in each other.

Really makes you feel for the girls…left me mad, sad, and disappointed. Blake does an beautiful job portraying the conflict and complex emotions of each character. Devastatingly perfect. A stunning story of a brave girl facing unimaginable circumstances. 4 stars because it’s SO SAD.

Content Warnings

elisem04's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective 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

4.0

Content Warnings

emma5019's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

This was an incredible book. I read it all in two days on holiday in Egypt and I am so glad I did. Mara, Hannah and Charlie's story hits so close to home, because it is so personal to them, and yet is so universal for so many young people. I can find myself and my friends in this book, and it made me emotional.

Even the author's note at the end hit hard, discussing how our stories are worth telling, and how in the story we 'wanted' wouldn't have had a Mr Knoll or an Owen, and if it did they would be brought to justice, but that that isn't always the world we live in, and there are many offenders out there who have never been held accountable, which is something we need to acknowledge, rather than always ending stories with justice wrapped up as a nice little package. It also notes that this is something that we need to change, and a fight worth fighting. Throughout the story, there is a theme of choice - in terms of consent and in terms of what happens after when rape or sexual offences do occur, and I found this very good to read.

Overall, this was a very sad but hopeful book, and if you can read it, I would recommend it.

Content Warnings

courtnoodles's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

One of the most important books I've read in a long time. Go in carefully. But if you can, it's a must read.

Content Warnings

More...