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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
4/5
Really enjoyed reading this. After taking a step back from reading a lot of Star Wars this was refreshing. I loved the story and the literal star-crossed lovers as well as a bigger introduction to the Star Wars universe.
Really enjoyed reading this. After taking a step back from reading a lot of Star Wars this was refreshing. I loved the story and the literal star-crossed lovers as well as a bigger introduction to the Star Wars universe.
The lion king 1.5 of Star Wars Novels?
Despite my review title, I enjoyed this one very much.
From the outset, I liked the story and characters. I believed the decisions they made based on their past experiences and thought the tone was just right. The two leads backstories and relationships were handled perfectly, much better than a similar story line in the prequels.
As I got deeper into the book, I was a little worried that it was beginning to be too convenient that characters were in specific places, just at the right time, to experience iconic events from ESB and ROTJ. Due to good plotting and writing and it became a non-issue for me.
I did, however, keep asking myself, where have I experienced an entertaining retelling of a story through different characters perspectives? Lion King 1.5 was my answer!
EDIT Forest gump of star wars movies
I am currently enjoying Bloodlines by the same author as part of Nerdist book club and added this book in between to fill in the weekly gaps as soon as i realised I like Claudia Gray's take on Star Wars. I'm now not sure which I like best as they are aimed at different audiences and both being good.
I also read the Manga versions of Lost stars in conjunction with the audio-book however the manga is in a different order so you should at least read the novel to about halfway before starting the manga (of skip chapters 1 and part of chapter2 in vol1, start at where it says '14 years ago'). I did see a few differences between the novel and the manga especially in Vol2 regarding a scene with a knife. this took me by surprise.
The manga is great in its own way, the artwork is excellent but its no substitute for experiencing the novel.
I'd recommend getting the audio-book and the manga for the Lost Stars ultimate experience.
Despite my review title, I enjoyed this one very much.
From the outset, I liked the story and characters. I believed the decisions they made based on their past experiences and thought the tone was just right. The two leads backstories and relationships were handled perfectly, much better than a similar story line in the prequels.
As I got deeper into the book, I was a little worried that it was beginning to be too convenient that characters were in specific places, just at the right time, to experience iconic events from ESB and ROTJ. Due to good plotting and writing and it became a non-issue for me.
I did, however, keep asking myself, where have I experienced an entertaining retelling of a story through different characters perspectives? Lion King 1.5 was my answer!
EDIT Forest gump of star wars movies
I am currently enjoying Bloodlines by the same author as part of Nerdist book club and added this book in between to fill in the weekly gaps as soon as i realised I like Claudia Gray's take on Star Wars. I'm now not sure which I like best as they are aimed at different audiences and both being good.
I also read the Manga versions of Lost stars in conjunction with the audio-book however the manga is in a different order so you should at least read the novel to about halfway before starting the manga (of skip chapters 1 and part of chapter2 in vol1, start at where it says '14 years ago'). I did see a few differences between the novel and the manga especially in Vol2 regarding a scene with a knife. this took me by surprise.
The manga is great in its own way, the artwork is excellent but its no substitute for experiencing the novel.
I'd recommend getting the audio-book and the manga for the Lost Stars ultimate experience.
My enthusiasm for this tapered off about half way through. I was underwhelmed by it's breezy characters and prose. I think this one starts better than it middles.
I will say it's worth it for the end, but honestly if you're not into Star Wars, I can't imagine you liking this. It's a romance novel, but I felt like it wanted to check boxes of landmark events and places rather than tell it's own story.
I will say it's worth it for the end, but honestly if you're not into Star Wars, I can't imagine you liking this. It's a romance novel, but I felt like it wanted to check boxes of landmark events and places rather than tell it's own story.
This is one of those books that pains you at the very end, because it doesn't give you a fulfilling ending. Instead, it chooses to completely ignore the characters that you've been suffering with through the entire book and instead chooses to end with the character who was just the side character, a good side character, but still not who's story I was reading!
I want to know what happened to Ciena and Thane! Did they get to be together? Did Ciena get killed? Did she go back to the empire? The world may never know.
Now onto the real review:
This Star Wars story was very good. Yet, it still made me feel like I was reading Fanfiction, because of the way that it was made. It was an original story, but still followed the entire original trilogy timeline. At some points I was like, "wait. Which movie is this set in?"
On the back it said it would hint at what happened with episode VII and would have Info on episode VI, so I expected it to be set in Episode VI, boy was I wrong! TALK ABOUT MISLEADING, but that's merely nitpicking.
The character development throughout this story is utterly spectacular. I don't want to give anything away, but I truly believe that the fight between Ciena and Thane was heartbreaking and real. It sort of reminded me of Romeo and Juliet mixed with World War 2 in space. Absolutely breathtaking.
Update: April 25, 2016
I bought this book because I loved it so much!
I want to know what happened to Ciena and Thane! Did they get to be together? Did Ciena get killed? Did she go back to the empire? The world may never know.
Now onto the real review:
This Star Wars story was very good. Yet, it still made me feel like I was reading Fanfiction, because of the way that it was made. It was an original story, but still followed the entire original trilogy timeline. At some points I was like, "wait. Which movie is this set in?"
On the back it said it would hint at what happened with episode VII and would have Info on episode VI, so I expected it to be set in Episode VI, boy was I wrong! TALK ABOUT MISLEADING, but that's merely nitpicking.
The character development throughout this story is utterly spectacular. I don't want to give anything away, but I truly believe that the fight between Ciena and Thane was heartbreaking and real. It sort of reminded me of Romeo and Juliet mixed with World War 2 in space. Absolutely breathtaking.
Update: April 25, 2016
I bought this book because I loved it so much!
there's quite a few issues with the pacing and narrative choice.
This book was not the best written book but I give it four stars for giving an interesting perspective into the Star Wars saga. The story became more interesting after the episode 6 portion ended since I didn’t know exactly what would happen but I wanted a better ending for Thane and Cienna. They’re story could have been much better developed.
~ Fantastic Story! ~
This is one of my favorite books of all time for good reason!! Claudia Gray is just an unparalleled Star Wars writer and just truly gets what Star Wars is supposed to be!
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The story is super easy and fun to read and is both easily accessible if you don’t know much about Star Wars and filled with tons of fun Easter eggs and references to excite and delight hardcore fans like me!!
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Thane and Ciena absolutely have my heart and I love them so much! They’re rocky, heart-breaking relationship is like no other and I’ll never get tired of reading it over and over!!
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My April read in 2022 was my third time through and I decided to annotate and tab my paper back copy which was really fun!!
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Amazing story, fantastic characters, and a great, bittersweet ending!! (I really need a sequel though I think it’s probably unlikely that I’ll get one.)
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Highly recommend for any fan of Star Wars or someone who just wants a great read!
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CWs - Sci-fi violence, mild infrequent language, two or three fade to black scenes, some innuendo
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This is one of my favorite books of all time for good reason!! Claudia Gray is just an unparalleled Star Wars writer and just truly gets what Star Wars is supposed to be!
•
The story is super easy and fun to read and is both easily accessible if you don’t know much about Star Wars and filled with tons of fun Easter eggs and references to excite and delight hardcore fans like me!!
•
Thane and Ciena absolutely have my heart and I love them so much! They’re rocky, heart-breaking relationship is like no other and I’ll never get tired of reading it over and over!!
•
My April read in 2022 was my third time through and I decided to annotate and tab my paper back copy which was really fun!!
•
Amazing story, fantastic characters, and a great, bittersweet ending!! (I really need a sequel though I think it’s probably unlikely that I’ll get one.)
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Highly recommend for any fan of Star Wars or someone who just wants a great read!
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CWs - Sci-fi violence, mild infrequent language, two or three fade to black scenes, some innuendo
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I listened to the audiobook of this, which had a very satisfying amount of "pew pews", space ship noises, wookiee sounds, and star wars music.
This book was definitely full of YA cheesiness. It takes place during the first 3 star wars movies from the perspective of 2 people who are a part of the empire. Which I found really interesting.
I thoroughly enjoyed turning my brain off for this.
This book was definitely full of YA cheesiness. It takes place during the first 3 star wars movies from the perspective of 2 people who are a part of the empire. Which I found really interesting.
I thoroughly enjoyed turning my brain off for this.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-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