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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
adventurous
emotional
sad
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
One of the best Star Wars books I have ever read.
3.5 Stars
So actually I finished this on Saturday (about four days ago), but I just didn't have to time remove it from my status lol. (It also took so much longer to read because well, just been so ridiculously busy :( )
I am a MASSIVE fan of Star Wars - I love all the films to pieces, and have been in a totally Star wars mad phase since the most recent movie came out. Reading this took me back to this world. I really love this world. So much, yet, I am not exactly versed in the universe, which is why I totally want to read more of the expanded universe.
Lost Stars though was really interesting in the sense that, I was expecting - well, I don't know what I was expecting, but I was expecting something like the movies, only this wasn't like that. Not really. And truthfully, I don't know how I feel about it. I know I'm not overwhelmed but it, but I'm also not underwhelmed.
W H A T I T H O U G H T
Romance
This was the main focal point of the whole story. The romance between two Imperial officers (in a manner of speaking, their statuses change throughout the story). A romance that defies any loyalty to any side of the war. It was cute, sweet, and very strong, I'll give it that. So that's the pro. The con, is that it overtook most of the plot. The events that took place didn't matter as much. It was how Thane and Ciena overcame any obstacle that got in the way - in particular, their changing alliances, their loyalty to their causes, and also to each other - and still managed to love each other.
The Story & Time Period
Set a little before Star Wars Episode 4, all the way through those first three movies, through to a short period after Episode 6. Firstly, I really loved seeing those original movies, being told from a different perspective. Thane and Ciena both, since they were young, admired and dreamed of piloting the biggest ships in the galaxy by being part of the Imperial military. And so the story follows their journey, follows Ciena's supreme oath to the Empire, and Thane's somewhat fluctuating alliances. They age throughout the book. So the pro here is, that I really enjoyed seeing it from the Imperial side. The con is, there were too many events. There didn't seem to be any focus in the story except the romance to give the book much focus. So I didn't really enjoy it as much. I really wanted more of the action.
But I will say, I really liked the way Gray worked in the themes of loyalty, allegiance, politics, idealism - and in particular, I love the ending, you can really see the lead up to Star Wars Episode 7.
The Action
Plenty of it happening! But strangely, is it just me or did it feel like it dragged a little? Each major scene - like the destruction of the first Death Star, the Battle of Yavin, and the destruction of the second Death Star - was great! Plenty of things happening, and yet...it was as though extreme excitement was never achieved? There were other significant events, like when both Ciena and Thane were tested for their loyalty to each other, and to the Empire. Those were great. I like that it wasn't just a story of the original three movies, retold. Ciena and Thane have their own stories outside of those movies. I just wished that there was less focus on the romance. I will say though, that my favourite, absolute favourite scene in the whole book was at the end, involving Ciena and a Star Destroyer - that was GREAT, I love how her character really shines in that moment, up until it's a little spoilt by the arrival of Thane (but actually, that was also mostly okay with me too).
The Characters
Ciena and Thane were both pretty well fleshed out. Though I think a first person pov would have been better for this story, because the third person shift didn't really do their feelings much justice. At the same time, it wasn't really a story killer. I really love how Gray emphasised on Ciena's loyalty. I feel the conflict that swirls inside of Ciena as she questions the Empire - though her doubts aren't as pronounced as Thane's. We do catch and hear glimpses of old favourites - Princess Leia, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Orlando (Was it Orlando, I've blanked on his name) Calrissian - so that was fun! But there are only a handful of other characters that stand out. Most of them die.
O V E R A L L
This was interesting. Loved diving into the world again. Loved seeing it from another pov. Gawd, now I'm craving Star Wars again, even though this wasn't exactly the most interesting expanded novel story I've read. But it was alright! I think I do really like Ciena and Thane even though I think the whole story felt like it took a bit too long (then again, I took so long reading it because I have been so busy!!)
So actually I finished this on Saturday (about four days ago), but I just didn't have to time remove it from my status lol. (It also took so much longer to read because well, just been so ridiculously busy :( )
I am a MASSIVE fan of Star Wars - I love all the films to pieces, and have been in a totally Star wars mad phase since the most recent movie came out. Reading this took me back to this world. I really love this world. So much, yet, I am not exactly versed in the universe, which is why I totally want to read more of the expanded universe.
Lost Stars though was really interesting in the sense that, I was expecting - well, I don't know what I was expecting, but I was expecting something like the movies, only this wasn't like that. Not really. And truthfully, I don't know how I feel about it. I know I'm not overwhelmed but it, but I'm also not underwhelmed.
W H A T I T H O U G H T
Romance
This was the main focal point of the whole story. The romance between two Imperial officers (in a manner of speaking, their statuses change throughout the story). A romance that defies any loyalty to any side of the war. It was cute, sweet, and very strong, I'll give it that. So that's the pro. The con, is that it overtook most of the plot. The events that took place didn't matter as much. It was how Thane and Ciena overcame any obstacle that got in the way - in particular, their changing alliances, their loyalty to their causes, and also to each other - and still managed to love each other.
The Story & Time Period
Set a little before Star Wars Episode 4, all the way through those first three movies, through to a short period after Episode 6. Firstly, I really loved seeing those original movies, being told from a different perspective. Thane and Ciena both, since they were young, admired and dreamed of piloting the biggest ships in the galaxy by being part of the Imperial military. And so the story follows their journey, follows Ciena's supreme oath to the Empire, and Thane's somewhat fluctuating alliances. They age throughout the book. So the pro here is, that I really enjoyed seeing it from the Imperial side. The con is, there were too many events. There didn't seem to be any focus in the story except the romance to give the book much focus. So I didn't really enjoy it as much. I really wanted more of the action.
But I will say, I really liked the way Gray worked in the themes of loyalty, allegiance, politics, idealism - and in particular, I love the ending, you can really see the lead up to Star Wars Episode 7.
The Action
Plenty of it happening! But strangely, is it just me or did it feel like it dragged a little? Each major scene - like the destruction of the first Death Star, the Battle of Yavin, and the destruction of the second Death Star - was great! Plenty of things happening, and yet...it was as though extreme excitement was never achieved? There were other significant events, like when both Ciena and Thane were tested for their loyalty to each other, and to the Empire. Those were great. I like that it wasn't just a story of the original three movies, retold. Ciena and Thane have their own stories outside of those movies. I just wished that there was less focus on the romance. I will say though, that my favourite, absolute favourite scene in the whole book was at the end, involving Ciena and a Star Destroyer - that was GREAT, I love how her character really shines in that moment, up until it's a little spoilt by the arrival of Thane (but actually, that was also mostly okay with me too).
The Characters
Ciena and Thane were both pretty well fleshed out. Though I think a first person pov would have been better for this story, because the third person shift didn't really do their feelings much justice. At the same time, it wasn't really a story killer. I really love how Gray emphasised on Ciena's loyalty. I feel the conflict that swirls inside of Ciena as she questions the Empire - though her doubts aren't as pronounced as Thane's. We do catch and hear glimpses of old favourites - Princess Leia, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Orlando (Was it Orlando, I've blanked on his name) Calrissian - so that was fun! But there are only a handful of other characters that stand out. Most of them die.
O V E R A L L
This was interesting. Loved diving into the world again. Loved seeing it from another pov. Gawd, now I'm craving Star Wars again, even though this wasn't exactly the most interesting expanded novel story I've read. But it was alright! I think I do really like Ciena and Thane even though I think the whole story felt like it took a bit too long (then again, I took so long reading it because I have been so busy!!)
One of the best Star Wars books I've ever read. Was a total surprise for I did not think it would be anywhere near this good. Really hope to see more of Thane Kyrell and Ciena Ree.
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
fast-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
Honestly, I think this book deserves all the hype it gets. It’s interesting and puts a good twist on the traditional tropes. The audiobook narrator was incredible, and the music and sound effects added to it. I know Claudia Gray has mentioned a sequel before, and I hope we get one! I honestly think this was creative, and it’s incredible as a work of sci-fi, not just as a Star Wars book. It’s not my introduction to the EU, but I see why people suggest it as a starting point. Overall, I really enjoyed this.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
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:
Complicated