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2.58k reviews for:
These Broken Stars. Lilac und Tarve
Stefanie Frida Lemke, Meagon Spooner, Amie Kaufman
3.85 AVERAGE
2.58k reviews for:
These Broken Stars. Lilac und Tarve
Stefanie Frida Lemke, Meagon Spooner, Amie Kaufman
3.85 AVERAGE
I am not generally a science fiction fan, but a survival love story set in space? For me, "These Broken Stars" by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner was too good an opportunity to pass up.
Tarver Merendsen is a decorated war hero from humble origins, thrust into a spotlight he doesn't want. Lilac LaRoux is already used to the spotlight, but as the daughter of the richest man in the universe, she hasn't had to work for anything in her life. When the luxury space liner they're traveling on crash lands on a foreign planet, Tarver and Lilac must rely on each other if they're going to get home alive.
Can I gush about the character development before I get to the romance? Because it was grand. I don't care that there are only two characters in almost the entire story. Doesn't matter. When you can read a whole novel almost entirely devoted to the same couple and still be disappointed that book two doesn't focus on them some more, you're looking at good writing. Both protagonists were so clearly influenced by their histories, even after they'd been separated from everything they knew. And though I may be in the minority here, I respected the decision not to add in too many random other people throughout the book. Much more realistic given the survival story premise.
The take on alien races within "These Broken Stars" was another thing I loved. Aliens is only an appropriate term here because this group is foreign and other to Tarver and Lilac, but I still appreciated that neither side was an aggressor. There isn't much I can say without risking spoilers, but I thought the conflict between what these aliens wanted and how they had to get it was refreshingly handled.
And, because I can't--read, don't want to--skip the romance, let me just say I loved that too. This is definitely a slow burn sort of book, but dear God, the ending. I read the last 75-100 pages with my heart in my throat. As a final teaser, I'll also say that the last chapter made me want to cheer. Sadly, day jobs tend to frown on hollering, fist-pumping employees.
If you like your sci-fi light but well-developed, give "These Broken Stars" a read. Different characters or not, I know I'm eager for the sequel.
Tarver Merendsen is a decorated war hero from humble origins, thrust into a spotlight he doesn't want. Lilac LaRoux is already used to the spotlight, but as the daughter of the richest man in the universe, she hasn't had to work for anything in her life. When the luxury space liner they're traveling on crash lands on a foreign planet, Tarver and Lilac must rely on each other if they're going to get home alive.
Can I gush about the character development before I get to the romance? Because it was grand. I don't care that there are only two characters in almost the entire story. Doesn't matter. When you can read a whole novel almost entirely devoted to the same couple and still be disappointed that book two doesn't focus on them some more, you're looking at good writing. Both protagonists were so clearly influenced by their histories, even after they'd been separated from everything they knew. And though I may be in the minority here, I respected the decision not to add in too many random other people throughout the book. Much more realistic given the survival story premise.
The take on alien races within "These Broken Stars" was another thing I loved. Aliens is only an appropriate term here because this group is foreign and other to Tarver and Lilac, but I still appreciated that neither side was an aggressor. There isn't much I can say without risking spoilers, but I thought the conflict between what these aliens wanted and how they had to get it was refreshingly handled.
And, because I can't--read, don't want to--skip the romance, let me just say I loved that too. This is definitely a slow burn sort of book, but dear God, the ending. I read the last 75-100 pages with my heart in my throat. As a final teaser, I'll also say that the last chapter made me want to cheer. Sadly, day jobs tend to frown on hollering, fist-pumping employees.
If you like your sci-fi light but well-developed, give "These Broken Stars" a read. Different characters or not, I know I'm eager for the sequel.
I cannot stop thinking about this book. I finished it over a week ago and I find my thoughts trailing off into this story so much. It was so beautifully written and well balanced and I love it!
As far as I can tell, this was Amie Kaufman's first book. She co-wrote this book with Meagan Spooner. And boy did they create a masterpiece! I knew I would most likely love it as I loved The Other Side of the Sky duology that they wrote together. Also, I've loved other books Kaufman has written with other authors. However, I didn't expect to love it this much!
The story follows two characters. One, Lilac, is the daughter of the richest man in the galaxy. The second, Tarver, is a soldier who has been promoted quickly to a Major because he is a war hero. They both live in very different worlds and lead very different lives.
In this story, they end up thrown together in an escape pod landing on an unidentified planet. They have to try to work together while also trying to find a way to be rescued. There is something strange about the planet they are on and part of their journey is discovering why exactly this planet is so different than others.
Their relationship is very tumultuous as they have had a few previous encounters that weren't great. Hearing their witty banter and straight up insults is quite hilarious. You transition between the two points of view throughout the story.
The genre would probably be young adult science fiction romance. There was very mild cursing and some build ups to intimate scenes. However, the scenes were not described. I am extremely excited to read the rest of the books in the series and see what other magic Kaufman and Spooner have in store!
As far as I can tell, this was Amie Kaufman's first book. She co-wrote this book with Meagan Spooner. And boy did they create a masterpiece! I knew I would most likely love it as I loved The Other Side of the Sky duology that they wrote together. Also, I've loved other books Kaufman has written with other authors. However, I didn't expect to love it this much!
The story follows two characters. One, Lilac, is the daughter of the richest man in the galaxy. The second, Tarver, is a soldier who has been promoted quickly to a Major because he is a war hero. They both live in very different worlds and lead very different lives.
In this story, they end up thrown together in an escape pod landing on an unidentified planet. They have to try to work together while also trying to find a way to be rescued. There is something strange about the planet they are on and part of their journey is discovering why exactly this planet is so different than others.
Their relationship is very tumultuous as they have had a few previous encounters that weren't great. Hearing their witty banter and straight up insults is quite hilarious. You transition between the two points of view throughout the story.
The genre would probably be young adult science fiction romance. There was very mild cursing and some build ups to intimate scenes. However, the scenes were not described. I am extremely excited to read the rest of the books in the series and see what other magic Kaufman and Spooner have in store!
I laughed and screamed and cried. This was wonderful.
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Hmmmm... This book was so unique. It is a survival story mixed with slight romance and the twilight zone. I thought the story itself was great. I absolutely adored Tarver. He truly stole my heart. He was so strong, sure, and sassy. You can throw in sexy if you want too, lol. Lilac grew on me. I didn't like her for half of the book, but she redeemed herself in may ways.
I did cry, which I wasn't expecting. Kaufman did a great job with how these characters dealt with emotions. I think that was my favorite part of the book. I didn't give it 5 stars because I felt the ending just stopped. Everything ended so abruptly. I would have liked an epilogue or something.
The next book seems interesting but doesn't have anything to do with these two characters. It's on the back-burner for now.
I did cry, which I wasn't expecting. Kaufman did a great job with how these characters dealt with emotions. I think that was my favorite part of the book. I didn't give it 5 stars because I felt the ending just stopped. Everything ended so abruptly. I would have liked an epilogue or something.
The next book seems interesting but doesn't have anything to do with these two characters. It's on the back-burner for now.
This futuristic world was fantastic. The characters were developed slowly enough that I really felt a connection to each of them but not so slowly that I was bored. I had sympathy and frustration for both of them at points in the book. I was imagining the "creatures" these two came across in today's world - what kind of cat might that be? A cougar? Or by that time would it have evolved into another species? I was drawn into this brand new planet, seeing it's beauty in my mind.
It was a love story for the future and I loved it. I was rooting for them in the end and I believe it was wrapped up beautifully. I only wish there was an epilogue at the end of the book to tell us a bit about their life together and family!
It was a love story for the future and I loved it. I was rooting for them in the end and I believe it was wrapped up beautifully. I only wish there was an epilogue at the end of the book to tell us a bit about their life together and family!
I feel like I've seen this cover a lot, and I randomly decided to read this book one day. Because of the cover, which is really cool. Also, I finished Hunted by Meagan Spooner recently, and I really liked it, so I wanted to check out some of her other books. This seemed like a good choice, and it really was!
I liked it, and the planet they land on is really creepy and deserted. I thought Lilac and Tarver were an interesting pairing, and while she was lucky to have crashed on a random planet with Tarver, he probably wished he was with someone else. At least for a while, but Lilac does prove herself. I found Lilac to be much more interesting than Tarver, and there were times where I wanted more of Lilac and less of Tarver. He was a lot more bland than I would have liked.
Something I thought was interesting was how everything was wrapped up pretty well. I mean, this is the first book in a trilogy, so it's not the last we've heard of this world. But it makes me wonder what's going to happen in the next two books. Part of me feels like their story is over, which makes me especially curious as to how their story will play out in the next book. I was not expecting their story to be so resolved at the end of the book, I really wasn't. Maybe Tarver will be less bland in the books to come.
The planet they crash on is super-weird, and the fact that it was essentially abandoned was also weird. I wanted to know more about why people were sent there, and what their life was like on that planet before things went bad. Why would Lilac's dad be involved with setting up on life on this planet? So he could have more power and control? That seems likely, considering Lilac's monologue at the end of the book, but I'm still curious about what's really going on with him. I have the feeling he's up to something, and that something is not good.
My Rating: 4 stars. I really liked These Broken Stars, and I think it's a good read-alike for Across The Universe by Beth Revis.
I liked it, and the planet they land on is really creepy and deserted. I thought Lilac and Tarver were an interesting pairing, and while she was lucky to have crashed on a random planet with Tarver, he probably wished he was with someone else. At least for a while, but Lilac does prove herself. I found Lilac to be much more interesting than Tarver, and there were times where I wanted more of Lilac and less of Tarver. He was a lot more bland than I would have liked.
Something I thought was interesting was how everything was wrapped up pretty well. I mean, this is the first book in a trilogy, so it's not the last we've heard of this world. But it makes me wonder what's going to happen in the next two books. Part of me feels like their story is over, which makes me especially curious as to how their story will play out in the next book. I was not expecting their story to be so resolved at the end of the book, I really wasn't. Maybe Tarver will be less bland in the books to come.
The planet they crash on is super-weird, and the fact that it was essentially abandoned was also weird. I wanted to know more about why people were sent there, and what their life was like on that planet before things went bad. Why would Lilac's dad be involved with setting up on life on this planet? So he could have more power and control? That seems likely, considering Lilac's monologue at the end of the book, but I'm still curious about what's really going on with him. I have the feeling he's up to something, and that something is not good.
My Rating: 4 stars. I really liked These Broken Stars, and I think it's a good read-alike for Across The Universe by Beth Revis.