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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Closer to a 3.75 on my scale.
An interesting read that's focused more the romance plot than either the science fiction setting or the intricacies of politics, class issues, etc. The writing flows well and you get a real sense of the characters, though at times it feels like they flip their personalities too dramatically or too conveniently (plot wise).
The dialogue is witty and there's a great chemistry between Leo and El. There were certain things built up at the beginning that seemed like fascinating additions to the overall plot, but that were mostly ignored in favor of the main romance.
Everything came together at the end, but it felt a bit hollow and too convenient, even though the hints were there. Might be due to Leo hearing more about the resolutions than being involved.
Would likely read again, with different expectations going in.
An interesting read that's focused more the romance plot than either the science fiction setting or the intricacies of politics, class issues, etc. The writing flows well and you get a real sense of the characters, though at times it feels like they flip their personalities too dramatically or too conveniently (plot wise).
The dialogue is witty and there's a great chemistry between Leo and El. There were certain things built up at the beginning that seemed like fascinating additions to the overall plot, but that were mostly ignored in favor of the main romance.
Everything came together at the end, but it felt a bit hollow and too convenient, even though the hints were there. Might be due to Leo hearing more about the resolutions than being involved.
Would likely read again, with different expectations going in.
Boring and predictable. I wish all the action didn't happen in 40 pages.
Overall I enjoyed reading The Stars We Steal. I had some issues with it that kept me from giving it 4 stars, but I didn’t have any trouble getting through it. I think it is a better book than Donne’s debut “Brightly Burning.” I really love Alexa Donne’s YouTube channel about writing novels. I think I’ve learned more from her than anything or anyone else about writing. This is the main reason I will keep picking up her books.
I’m generally not too into science fiction, especially when it is more gritty/realistic and actually set on space ships, but in The Stars We Steal, I actually did enjoy the sci-fi feel. For pros and cons, it’s pretty easy for me to identify. I enjoyed the fluffy romance, Valg season activities and Persuasion retelling elements. I did not enjoy the political and water filtration parts of the story.
I read this book really wanting just a fluffy, fun romance. I really enjoyed a lot of the Valg dates, that were reminiscent of the terribleness of modern dating and made me laugh. The speed dating in different virtual locations, hilarious! What different people think of as a good activity for a date is inherently funny. I also loved the space walk, which was just so fun and perfect for the world and the game of Marco Polo in the pool. This was fun and romantic and was also a good setup for the climax.
I did not enjoy the political piece of the story. I thought it was too simplistic and not really developed well. I don’t think it was needed in the story either. Just have the conflict be around the romance.
Leo’s invention was equally meaningless to me. I think the main reason is the invention feels so disconnected from Leo and her internal thoughts. She does and thinks nothing in the book that made me think she had a scientific, inventing mind. How did she come up with the idea? Create and trial it? No idea. It felt very tacked on and forced to me. This book also suffers a bit from character soup. Lots and lots of characters. And Daniel’s secret was dumb. It seemed like a way to keep Leo from feeling guilty about her personal choices.
Overall, I liked the romance and Valg season elements. I disliked the political elements
I’m generally not too into science fiction, especially when it is more gritty/realistic and actually set on space ships, but in The Stars We Steal, I actually did enjoy the sci-fi feel. For pros and cons, it’s pretty easy for me to identify. I enjoyed the fluffy romance, Valg season activities and Persuasion retelling elements. I did not enjoy the political and water filtration parts of the story.
I read this book really wanting just a fluffy, fun romance. I really enjoyed a lot of the Valg dates, that were reminiscent of the terribleness of modern dating and made me laugh. The speed dating in different virtual locations, hilarious! What different people think of as a good activity for a date is inherently funny. I also loved the space walk, which was just so fun and perfect for the world and the game of Marco Polo in the pool. This was fun and romantic and was also a good setup for the climax.
I did not enjoy the political piece of the story. I thought it was too simplistic and not really developed well. I don’t think it was needed in the story either. Just have the conflict be around the romance.
Spoiler
I also hugely disliked the black market storyline with Elliot. He was stealing stuff from Leo and her family and selling it. And the characters explanation is basically, “I didn’t know those items were valuable to you, therefore it was okay for me to steal them.” Um, excuse me? Her mother’s dresses and personal heirlooms? But it wouldn’t matter if those things actually did mean nothing to Leo, as they are still her belongings. Stealing is wrong. It made it worse that Donne tried to make the black market storyline heroic and noble. It would have been better without the stealing element, just have people selling their stuff through the black market. And then that storyline isn’t even resolved. And Captain Lind was a laughable melodramatic villain. She did everything short of throwing a puppy out into space whilst cackling and twirling her mustache. As soon as Leo found the note, I knew Captain Lind killed her sister/Leo’s mother. But I wasn’t really invested in the storyline, even though the ending was exciting.Leo’s invention was equally meaningless to me. I think the main reason is the invention feels so disconnected from Leo and her internal thoughts. She does and thinks nothing in the book that made me think she had a scientific, inventing mind. How did she come up with the idea? Create and trial it? No idea. It felt very tacked on and forced to me. This book also suffers a bit from character soup. Lots and lots of characters. And Daniel’s secret was dumb. It seemed like a way to keep Leo from feeling guilty about her personal choices.
Overall, I liked the romance and Valg season elements. I disliked the political elements
Spoiler
and straight up hated the black market storyline <\spoiler>.
*4,5*
Persuasão de Jane Austen mas no espaço?? Nunca imaginei que fosse combinar mas o conceito é incrível e bem escrito.
Combinaram tão bem que dava até pra ter uma continuação se a Alexa tivesse colocado um pouco mais de política intergaláctica no livro e desenvolvido melhor o sub-plot do Elliot. Eu total achei que teria um segundo livro até perceber que era uma recontagem de persuasão, dava pra ter explorado muito mais da parte de política.
Mas o romance é incrível, é o Friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-friends-to-lovers quase perfeito, só senti falta de alguns flashbacks mas fora isso é muito bom.
Persuasão de Jane Austen mas no espaço?? Nunca imaginei que fosse combinar mas o conceito é incrível e bem escrito.
Combinaram tão bem que dava até pra ter uma continuação se a Alexa tivesse colocado um pouco mais de política intergaláctica no livro e desenvolvido melhor o sub-plot do Elliot. Eu total achei que teria um segundo livro até perceber que era uma recontagem de persuasão, dava pra ter explorado muito mais da parte de política.
Mas o romance é incrível, é o Friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-friends-to-lovers quase perfeito, só senti falta de alguns flashbacks mas fora isso é muito bom.
emotional
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had liked the sound of this book before I even knew that it was based upon one of my favourite authors’ work. It peaked my interest with a lovers to haters to lovers plot and it was futuristic and in space. I did enjoy the plot and the characters and I found it a fun read with enough the same and different to keep it fresh.
tropes/tags:
→ upper class fmc x lower class mmc
→ ex-lovers to lovers
→ angst
→ jealousy
→ lots of galas but set in space
→ Persuasion-inspired romance
→ curvy fmc
→ lgbtq+ representation
3.5 stars
I picked up The Stars We Steal on a whim, and was gladly entertained. It begins with our main character Leo looking for a wealthy husband in order to save her family’s ship. There she encounters her ex-fiancé, Elliot Wentworth. I mean, how Persuasion can his name get, right? And I love Persuasion so much so of course, I continued reading. Like the book, Elliot comes back rich and husband-worthy, while Leo has trouble reconciling her feelings.
The book does have a plot beyond romance, but it really isn’t the focus. I’ll warn you beforehand, the book mostly centers on Leo and Elliot’s romance, so if you aren’t into that, don’t read this. But, I do have to give it to Alexa Donne because of the secrets and betrayals that occur in the book. I didn’t expect any of it because I was too engrossed in the romance. Not to mention I love sci-fi, and the world she built was utterly fascinating! It was the one that hooked me from the first chapter, I wanted to know more about the world.
However, I do feel like it ended too early. The resolution felt rushed and underwhelming. I won’t complain if it had 100 pages or so to wrap things up nicely. I was surprised when I turned the next page, and it was already the epilogue. I wasn’t super invested in Leo and Elliot’s chemistry either. Though, I did scream when Leo started reading Elliot’s letter (which was out of character-ish but who cares? I love my Persuasion references).
All in all, not a bad read. TBH, I had low expectations coming into this, but it proved itself wrong! It was an easy and interesting read.
→ upper class fmc x lower class mmc
→ ex-lovers to lovers
→ angst
→ jealousy
→ lots of galas but set in space
→ Persuasion-inspired romance
→ curvy fmc
→ lgbtq+ representation
3.5 stars
I picked up The Stars We Steal on a whim, and was gladly entertained. It begins with our main character Leo looking for a wealthy husband in order to save her family’s ship. There she encounters her ex-fiancé, Elliot Wentworth. I mean, how Persuasion can his name get, right? And I love Persuasion so much so of course, I continued reading. Like the book, Elliot comes back rich and husband-worthy, while Leo has trouble reconciling her feelings.
The book does have a plot beyond romance, but it really isn’t the focus. I’ll warn you beforehand, the book mostly centers on Leo and Elliot’s romance, so if you aren’t into that, don’t read this. But, I do have to give it to Alexa Donne because of the secrets and betrayals that occur in the book. I didn’t expect any of it because I was too engrossed in the romance. Not to mention I love sci-fi, and the world she built was utterly fascinating! It was the one that hooked me from the first chapter, I wanted to know more about the world.
However, I do feel like it ended too early. The resolution felt rushed and underwhelming. I won’t complain if it had 100 pages or so to wrap things up nicely. I was surprised when I turned the next page, and it was already the epilogue. I wasn’t super invested in Leo and Elliot’s chemistry either. Though, I did scream when Leo started reading Elliot’s letter (which was out of character-ish but who cares? I love my Persuasion references).
All in all, not a bad read. TBH, I had low expectations coming into this, but it proved itself wrong! It was an easy and interesting read.
A smattering of characters that will pull you into their world.
Full of twists and turns that disproved any advanced guessing I made.
Full of twists and turns that disproved any advanced guessing I made.