Reviews

Chasseurs d'étoiles by Cherie Dimaline

smalltownbookmom's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

So much more than a YA fantasy book! This was a compelling, continuation of the Marrow thieves story featuring the rag-tag cast of Indigenous characters I fell in love with the first time as they continue to evade capture by authorities looking to use their blood to cure people afflicted with a pandemic like disease.

So much of this dystopian story rings eerily true, from the legacy of residential schools, the history of racial discrimination and ill treatment of Indigenous peoples and of course life during a pandemic. I couldn't put this sequel down and look forward to more should we be so lucky. Much thanks to NetGalley, Libro.fm and the publisher for my review copies!

happyunicorn7's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

bibliophagy's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

this series (marrow thieves + hunting by stars) are some of the most important books i think i have ever read. they remind me of who i am, where i have come from, and who i want to be. such a gift.

hollandaisesause's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective tense 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

4.25

everything that could have possibly gone wrong did, and then Rose was there and Rose, of course, is everything

mcquay123's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

whimsykat's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad tense

3.5

kelseyalwaysreading's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense 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

5.0

ollie77777's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional
  • 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

raechel's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I was surprised to see a sequel to The Marrow Thieves and even more surprised to see it takes place immediately after the ending of the first book. That kind of expediency threw me off, and unfortunately it sets the pace for the entire novel.

We follow French, captured by Recruiters and placed in a school. About half the chapters in this book follow other characters POVs, but we always come back to French and his perspective.  And the novel continues its fast pace, where French learns what happens in the schools and tries to play the system and resist brainwashing. The pacing seemed unrealistic to me, but I think that's because this is YA and many books for this range tend to love at this speed.

I did find this novel easier to read than the first book, but it also feels more heavy-handed, with many scenes happening and being resolved within a few chapters, never to really be looked back on. We don't really sit with anything for too long.

The world this book is set in is, frankly, horrifying. A group of people are being hunted for their literal bone marrow. The majority of the world has been ravaged by plague and is going insane from lack of dreams. But at the same time, so many things are resolved that it doesn't really feel like anything is at stake. And the timelines are a bit wonky.

If you liked the first book, I think you should read this one. But it didn't hit quite as hard this time around.

heythisishilary's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging inspiring reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0