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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
This was a fun read and I liked all the elements of the plot. The ending was not unpredictable and a little rushed. Leo was a strong heroine, having to worry about the family's dwindling finances because no one else was. I didn't like Eliott much, he kept going hot and cold towards Leo. Daniel was super nice, I hope things go well for him.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was pitched as Persuasion in space, but that's an oversimplification. It's definitely based on Austen, in both plot and the combination of wit and social commentary, but it had enough twists to keep me guessing right until the end how it would work out! Leonie (Leo) is instantly charming and likable, and her connection with Elliot Wentworth is believable and deep. Full of all the hidden secrets and social coincidences one loves about Austen, we also see an unexpected post-climate-change future that really drives home "the more things change, the more they stay the same."
Unfortunately, that future is also a weakness. I wanted more explanation of how things ended up this way (although to be fair, there are hints), and more importantly, how exactly the fleet was working if they weren't using Leonie's invention, which I assumed would be the only would you could live for long in space.
The other thing that made this 4 stars instead of 5 for me was that the plot toward the end turns on an instance of characters making assumptions instead of just having a conversation, which is one of my least favorite tropes. That said, I'm still enamored of the characters after reading the book, so I recommend it for some great angsty romance with a little sci-fi thrown in.
Note for parents: these are rich, bored teens, so casual drinking abounds and having sex is assumed (but implied, not explicit).
Unfortunately, that future is also a weakness. I wanted more explanation of how things ended up this way (although to be fair, there are hints), and more importantly, how exactly the fleet was working if they weren't using Leonie's invention, which I assumed would be the only would you could live for long in space.
The other thing that made this 4 stars instead of 5 for me was that the plot toward the end turns on an instance of characters making assumptions instead of just having a conversation, which is one of my least favorite tropes. That said, I'm still enamored of the characters after reading the book, so I recommend it for some great angsty romance with a little sci-fi thrown in.
Note for parents: these are rich, bored teens, so casual drinking abounds and having sex is assumed (but implied, not explicit).
I loved this book so much its been a long time since I have read a sci regency type romance and I really loved this one it had its ups and downs but it was all worth it the ending was so very good one of the best I have read in awhile. I really loved the characters especially Leo and Elliot even if their romance was a rocky one it was just so good by the end I really liked the perfect ending. What I really liked about Leo was her strength of character and the fact she could still be vulnerable I found her to be a character that so she well rounded and a well written character. I also really liked Elliot once more was found out about him and why he was acting like he was what I loved most about him was his love for Leo and even with all the things that happen throughout the story he realizes just what was most important than what he set out to do before. I really loved the plot of this it was a sci regency romance with a bit of mystery and a few other things like an old flame coming back into the MC's life and how Leo never stopped loving him he didn't stop loving her either it takes awhile for the both of them to realize this I really liked how the story ended it had the best endings I have read in quite awhile. so overall I loved this book and will read more by this author for sure.
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
there’s potential
I DEVOURED this book and was hooked from the start. I really liked this and in terms of conflict, it was nothing TOO crazy. I expected it to be a bit more complicated based on the first few chapters but the simplicity I think worked for me.
I didn't dislike the romance of the 2 MCs but I didn't love it. I wasn't really that attached to them and Elliot's feelings for Leo wasn't really prominent to me.
I didn't dislike the romance of the 2 MCs but I didn't love it. I wasn't really that attached to them and Elliot's feelings for Leo wasn't really prominent to me.
DNF 100 pages in.
The cover is a lie. The book wasn't what I hoped. From the 100 pages i read the protagonist was constantly pining for her lost love and moaning about her sister being interested in him instead. Get a grip girl and move on! I think the author was trying to make the main character into some kind of inventor but it wasn't that impressive. A water filtration system? Something more creative would have been appreciated. The whole thing about the people on other ships starving was ok but the protagonist didn't seem to care that much. She didn't spring into action at all. The writing was average and not very interesting to read. I didn't care about the characters or their situation at all.
The cover is a lie. The book wasn't what I hoped. From the 100 pages i read the protagonist was constantly pining for her lost love and moaning about her sister being interested in him instead. Get a grip girl and move on! I think the author was trying to make the main character into some kind of inventor but it wasn't that impressive. A water filtration system? Something more creative would have been appreciated. The whole thing about the people on other ships starving was ok but the protagonist didn't seem to care that much. She didn't spring into action at all. The writing was average and not very interesting to read. I didn't care about the characters or their situation at all.
NOT WHAT I EXPECTED.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
Wow, I was disappointed with this read. It wasn’t the romantic bachelor-esque sci-fi book set in space. It was hardly a romance, and mostly teenagers sitting around talking about their problems while they go on dates. I think this actually needed more romance and less of Leo constantly denying even the smallest interactions.
*sigh*
I liked the main character, Leo. She was stubborn and caring, with a dash of ingenuity. I wish she would have stood up for herself a bit more, but I could at least keep reading this book because I enjoyed her voice.
There was definitely a lot of angst between Leo and Elliot. Not as flirtatious / lovers to enemies to lovers angst as I was hoping. You could feel the connection and chemistry they had though. I liked their interactions and wish they had more quiet romantic moments together! The last few in the closing scenes were tender and sweet and I wanted mooooore.
Side characters were a bit all of the place. I liked the vast majority of them and what they brought to the story. Good friends, siblings, and companions throughout. I could do without Leo’s awful Dad though. Why is there always a parent forcing a teen to marry? You’re the one who messed up? I don’t know, maybe I think this has been over-played one too many times (in YA novels).
The setting was awesome. I loved the idea of all of these people from Earth living in different ships and still following the same kind of dystopian setting of their cultures. If there were even more ships we could have visited and seen it would have been even better. I liked learning the intricacies of each ship, captain, and function as a whole.
At the end there was actually some drama and things happening. I liked that everyone got a happy ending and pieces of the story were wrapped up well for a standalone.
Overall audience notes:
- Young adult sci-fi / romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: kisses; hints of overnight, but very glossed over with no detail
- Violence: near drowning
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
Wow, I was disappointed with this read. It wasn’t the romantic bachelor-esque sci-fi book set in space. It was hardly a romance, and mostly teenagers sitting around talking about their problems while they go on dates. I think this actually needed more romance and less of Leo constantly denying even the smallest interactions.
*sigh*
I liked the main character, Leo. She was stubborn and caring, with a dash of ingenuity. I wish she would have stood up for herself a bit more, but I could at least keep reading this book because I enjoyed her voice.
There was definitely a lot of angst between Leo and Elliot. Not as flirtatious / lovers to enemies to lovers angst as I was hoping. You could feel the connection and chemistry they had though. I liked their interactions and wish they had more quiet romantic moments together! The last few in the closing scenes were tender and sweet and I wanted mooooore.
Side characters were a bit all of the place. I liked the vast majority of them and what they brought to the story. Good friends, siblings, and companions throughout. I could do without Leo’s awful Dad though. Why is there always a parent forcing a teen to marry? You’re the one who messed up? I don’t know, maybe I think this has been over-played one too many times (in YA novels).
The setting was awesome. I loved the idea of all of these people from Earth living in different ships and still following the same kind of dystopian setting of their cultures. If there were even more ships we could have visited and seen it would have been even better. I liked learning the intricacies of each ship, captain, and function as a whole.
At the end there was actually some drama and things happening. I liked that everyone got a happy ending and pieces of the story were wrapped up well for a standalone.
Overall audience notes:
- Young adult sci-fi / romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: kisses; hints of overnight, but very glossed over with no detail
- Violence: near drowning
The Stars We Steal is a good story, but a little typical and predictable. It did not add anything new to YA. The first chapter kept emphasizing that The Stars We Steal is set in space, but setting is not enough to make this book shine. The romance plot was weak and I was more interested in some of the subplots, but Donne never went into them in detail. I would have preferred learning much more about the black market and getting the water-filtration system up and running than more scenes with Elliot or Daniel. There were a lot of moments where I rolled my eyes and sighed because Donne was trying to hard and it was not working.
The Stars We Steal lost a full star in the rating because it insists that situations cannot be handled unless drunk. Everyone was drunk all of the time and Donne kept reminding me about it. I have never seen so much alcohol present and commented on in a book. This is a YA book and I have been really excited with how a lot of new releases are handling alcohol and sex (no peer pressure, people can feel comfortable saying no, etc.) and this book did not have any of the positive messaging that the others did. I was so disappointed and it made me quite upset. The alcohol does not add anything to the story and it actually made me worry about Donne because of the amount of drunkenness is in this book.
The characters fall flat. They are rather one dimensional. There is no real growth and things go up and down throughout the story only to plateau in a happy resolution. Again, the focus is on the romance and the characters get left behind. I don't know if it can really be called a romance. I didn't really feel the chemistry between the main couple. Their emotions kept going back and forth and in the end it is all wrapped up in a nice bow. The relationship just did not feel real.
I did not have high expectations going into The Stars We Steal; it was just a new YA to read. I am glad though, because it really disappointed me. All aspects of The Stars We Steal fell flat and the heavy reliance on drunkenness to help situations made it so much worse. There are better books out there to read. The Stars We Steal has completely turned me off this author. To end on a positive note, I will say that this book was quick and easy to read. Doable in one sitting for a voracious reader.
The Stars We Steal lost a full star in the rating because it insists that situations cannot be handled unless drunk. Everyone was drunk all of the time and Donne kept reminding me about it. I have never seen so much alcohol present and commented on in a book. This is a YA book and I have been really excited with how a lot of new releases are handling alcohol and sex (no peer pressure, people can feel comfortable saying no, etc.) and this book did not have any of the positive messaging that the others did. I was so disappointed and it made me quite upset. The alcohol does not add anything to the story and it actually made me worry about Donne because of the amount of drunkenness is in this book.
The characters fall flat. They are rather one dimensional. There is no real growth and things go up and down throughout the story only to plateau in a happy resolution. Again, the focus is on the romance and the characters get left behind. I don't know if it can really be called a romance. I didn't really feel the chemistry between the main couple. Their emotions kept going back and forth and in the end it is all wrapped up in a nice bow. The relationship just did not feel real.
I did not have high expectations going into The Stars We Steal; it was just a new YA to read. I am glad though, because it really disappointed me. All aspects of The Stars We Steal fell flat and the heavy reliance on drunkenness to help situations made it so much worse. There are better books out there to read. The Stars We Steal has completely turned me off this author. To end on a positive note, I will say that this book was quick and easy to read. Doable in one sitting for a voracious reader.