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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
UM SINCE WHEN DOES GR SAVE REVIEW DRAFTS??!?! Huge fucking thanks to that because I accidentally clicked out of my other window and I have a massive headache so I was about to lay my head down and weep, lol. Yasssssssssssssssssssssssssss.
3.5
Man am I bummed about this, you guys. For those of you who didn't know, this is a loose science fiction re-telling of Persuasion by Jane Austen. I personally have never read it before but I HAVE read and loved For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund which was also inspired by the book. After finishing that I watched the movie from 2007 just to see how the Austen version went. Basically, this story is one of the move FRUSTRATING (but ultimately rewarding) cases of slow-burn/second chance romances that you will ever see in your entire life.
This version had a LOT of potential and I still think that a lot of people will really like this. I personally think that I would have liked it more if it had even been a duology. Even though the world building and plot were pretty well formed and made sense, there was still so much MORE that could have been delved into if there had just been even one more book.
The concept of this book is that the inhabitants of Earth who had the means to do so, left in a fleet of space ships based on different nationalities after another Ice Age came on and froze the planet solid. Our main female protagonist, Leo, is considered a princess even though her family is just about destitute an the title is only really that--a title. Her aunt, who is captain of a much larger ship that is doing really well and has quite a bit of wealth, allows them to dock there.
She is about to be hosting an event called the Valg Season which allows young people from all the different ships a chance to come together to find a suitable partner from a different bloodline. Surprise, surprise, Leo's old love (who she had been engaged to for a hot second years ago before she was talked out of it by her father, aunt, and cousin because he was poor) shows up. Only now, he's got money and is suddenly the heir to a ship. The two are at each others throats understandably after what happened in the past and there is a lot of tension due to a number of different things that go down.
As much as the small snippets of them reconnecting had my stomach fluttering, I wanted more. More, more, more. There wasn't enough of them reconnecting because too many other things were going on with different political aspects involving her aunt's ship and the fleet in general. I didn't learn nearly enough of what their past was like, or even who they had been as people to compare to the people they had grown to be in each others' absence. Again, if this had been more than one book, I think everything could have been executed perfectly with a better balance between the two things. Either way, it was still a quick read and I did still enjoy myself.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. ♥
For more of my reviews, please visit:
3.5
Man am I bummed about this, you guys. For those of you who didn't know, this is a loose science fiction re-telling of Persuasion by Jane Austen. I personally have never read it before but I HAVE read and loved For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund which was also inspired by the book. After finishing that I watched the movie from 2007 just to see how the Austen version went. Basically, this story is one of the move FRUSTRATING (but ultimately rewarding) cases of slow-burn/second chance romances that you will ever see in your entire life.
This version had a LOT of potential and I still think that a lot of people will really like this. I personally think that I would have liked it more if it had even been a duology. Even though the world building and plot were pretty well formed and made sense, there was still so much MORE that could have been delved into if there had just been even one more book.
The concept of this book is that the inhabitants of Earth who had the means to do so, left in a fleet of space ships based on different nationalities after another Ice Age came on and froze the planet solid. Our main female protagonist, Leo, is considered a princess even though her family is just about destitute an the title is only really that--a title. Her aunt, who is captain of a much larger ship that is doing really well and has quite a bit of wealth, allows them to dock there.
She is about to be hosting an event called the Valg Season which allows young people from all the different ships a chance to come together to find a suitable partner from a different bloodline. Surprise, surprise, Leo's old love (who she had been engaged to for a hot second years ago before she was talked out of it by her father, aunt, and cousin because he was poor) shows up. Only now, he's got money and is suddenly the heir to a ship. The two are at each others throats understandably after what happened in the past and there is a lot of tension due to a number of different things that go down.
As much as the small snippets of them reconnecting had my stomach fluttering, I wanted more. More, more, more. There wasn't enough of them reconnecting because too many other things were going on with different political aspects involving her aunt's ship and the fleet in general. I didn't learn nearly enough of what their past was like, or even who they had been as people to compare to the people they had grown to be in each others' absence. Again, if this had been more than one book, I think everything could have been executed perfectly with a better balance between the two things. Either way, it was still a quick read and I did still enjoy myself.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. ♥
For more of my reviews, please visit:
The Stars We Steal has the same problem other books set in space in the far future face: the majority of them seem to deal with the same problems we deal with, in 2019.
In this book, people of earth wait for the planet to thaw while in space and life seems to be pretty much the same there as it is here. 170 years in space and humanity seems to have made no progress at all in the way people think apparently.
Giant spaceships in space for almost 200 hundred years? Totally cool.
Gay people? Nah.
"I'm so sorry my family is so awful. I don't know what's wrong with them - there are plenty of gay people on the Scandinavian."
Yes, 200 years in space, and there's a spaceship called the Scandinavian and the fact that there are gay people needs to be noted. Still. I get what the author tried to do but setting this in space kind of overrides everything else. There's a Snowpiercer element to the book, spaceships are divided between the extremely poor and the wealthy who still refer to themselves as kings and queens. The majority of the people have to starve for the elite to live like Kings in space, literally. And even though this book focused on the romance part, that was what I was wanted to read about the most. But our heroine, Leo is self-centered, a little kid with a meaningless title that has brief moments of compassion but those quickly vanish into space.
Throughout the book I kept yelling in my head, YOU GUYS ARE IN SPACE AND PEOPLE ARE DYING SO YOU CAN DRINK CHAMPAGNE AND BURN YOUR BACON WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU.
Why set an entire plot in such a specific environment when the said environment has little to no impact on the plot? This could have been set on a dystopian future and it would have probably worked better.
Immediately following a cyberattack by the starved people of this migrated population, the main characters spent their day talking about ball gowns and digital beach parties. Yes, digital beaches in space, while the majority of the population had to starve. I pretty much checked out at that point but I was curious to see which direction it would go. Well.. maybe I was not the right reader for this one.
In this book, people of earth wait for the planet to thaw while in space and life seems to be pretty much the same there as it is here. 170 years in space and humanity seems to have made no progress at all in the way people think apparently.
Giant spaceships in space for almost 200 hundred years? Totally cool.
Gay people? Nah.
"I'm so sorry my family is so awful. I don't know what's wrong with them - there are plenty of gay people on the Scandinavian."
Yes, 200 years in space, and there's a spaceship called the Scandinavian and the fact that there are gay people needs to be noted. Still. I get what the author tried to do but setting this in space kind of overrides everything else. There's a Snowpiercer element to the book, spaceships are divided between the extremely poor and the wealthy who still refer to themselves as kings and queens. The majority of the people have to starve for the elite to live like Kings in space, literally. And even though this book focused on the romance part, that was what I was wanted to read about the most. But our heroine, Leo is self-centered, a little kid with a meaningless title that has brief moments of compassion but those quickly vanish into space.
Throughout the book I kept yelling in my head, YOU GUYS ARE IN SPACE AND PEOPLE ARE DYING SO YOU CAN DRINK CHAMPAGNE AND BURN YOUR BACON WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU.
Why set an entire plot in such a specific environment when the said environment has little to no impact on the plot? This could have been set on a dystopian future and it would have probably worked better.
Immediately following a cyberattack by the starved people of this migrated population, the main characters spent their day talking about ball gowns and digital beach parties. Yes, digital beaches in space, while the majority of the population had to starve. I pretty much checked out at that point but I was curious to see which direction it would go. Well.. maybe I was not the right reader for this one.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rep: midsized female MC, lesbian Russian female side character, asexual male side character, married MLM side couple.
CWs: Alcohol consumption (some underage), past death of parent, fatphobia/body shaming, misogyny, murder, sexism, brief mention of past sexual encounter.
CWs: Alcohol consumption (some underage), past death of parent, fatphobia/body shaming, misogyny, murder, sexism, brief mention of past sexual encounter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content
I just finished this lovely little book. It was almost all I wanted with some minor issues. It is a book about true love, wealth and power. I hope you enjoy my review of ‘The Stars We Steal’ by Alexa Donne.
‘The Stars We Steal’ by Alexa Donne is a romance set in space. Actually is it a retelling of ‘Persuasion’ by Jane Austen, so it is ‘Persuasion’ set in space. However I haven’t read ‘Persuasion’ myself so I don’t know how many similarities there really are.
Nonetheless, in ‘The Stars We Steal’ we follow Leo Princess of Kolburg. Her family is in financial problems and her father wants her to marry rich in order to save the family. But things get complicated when Leo’s first love and ex-fiancée who in the past was deemed unfit for marriage now returns as the heir to a wealthy space ship.
Overall I really enjoyed reading this book. I read it in four days which says something. There were so many great scenes between Leo and Eliot both cute and some one the verge of being mean. But it isn’t strictly a romance novel it also has elements of political schemes, lies and betrayals. I also like how it plays with the themes of power, wealth, social rank and true love.
Even though I adored this book I “only” gave it 3.5 stars. It has to do with some of the issues I had with it. First, this story is set in space. Normally I avoid books set in space because the space simply scares me. However after reading this book’s synopsis I couldn’t not read it. All things considered I don’t feel like it fulfilled its full potential being set in space. There was space walking and other cool science-fiction-space-things but for the most of the book I almost forgot it was set in space…
Second, I believe the feud between Leo and Eliot could have been a bit more dramatic. Yes I like drama. Everything in moderation though ;). If I was Eliot I might would have been a bit more hostile towards Leo.
Third and last, the ending. The book finished way to soon/abrupt if you ask me. I wanted more! More Leo and Eliot! No really the book is only about 400 pages so there was space enough for a few more scenes to round it up better. Especially in regards to the political plot. It felt left too unsolved. I wouldn’t have minded some more political drama either ;).
But the book is really cute and exciting with great characters. Characters you love to love and characters you love to hate. One thing I believed was quite funny was that one of the space ships was called The Scandinavian and hosted people from Denmark, Norway Sweden, and Findland. Since I am from Denmark I thought that was really cool. There was also several Danish words used. Every time Denmark is mentioned internationally we get really excited because we are such a small country. :))) Although I must tell you Alexa Donne, Findland is NOT a part of Scandinavia. But it is a part of the Nordic countries together with Iceland!
‘The Stars We Steal’ by Alexa Donne is a romance set in space. Actually is it a retelling of ‘Persuasion’ by Jane Austen, so it is ‘Persuasion’ set in space. However I haven’t read ‘Persuasion’ myself so I don’t know how many similarities there really are.
Nonetheless, in ‘The Stars We Steal’ we follow Leo Princess of Kolburg. Her family is in financial problems and her father wants her to marry rich in order to save the family. But things get complicated when Leo’s first love and ex-fiancée who in the past was deemed unfit for marriage now returns as the heir to a wealthy space ship.
Overall I really enjoyed reading this book. I read it in four days which says something. There were so many great scenes between Leo and Eliot both cute and some one the verge of being mean. But it isn’t strictly a romance novel it also has elements of political schemes, lies and betrayals. I also like how it plays with the themes of power, wealth, social rank and true love.
Even though I adored this book I “only” gave it 3.5 stars. It has to do with some of the issues I had with it. First, this story is set in space. Normally I avoid books set in space because the space simply scares me. However after reading this book’s synopsis I couldn’t not read it. All things considered I don’t feel like it fulfilled its full potential being set in space. There was space walking and other cool science-fiction-space-things but for the most of the book I almost forgot it was set in space…
Second, I believe the feud between Leo and Eliot could have been a bit more dramatic. Yes I like drama. Everything in moderation though ;). If I was Eliot I might would have been a bit more hostile towards Leo.
Third and last, the ending. The book finished way to soon/abrupt if you ask me. I wanted more! More Leo and Eliot! No really the book is only about 400 pages so there was space enough for a few more scenes to round it up better. Especially in regards to the political plot. It felt left too unsolved. I wouldn’t have minded some more political drama either ;).
But the book is really cute and exciting with great characters. Characters you love to love and characters you love to hate. One thing I believed was quite funny was that one of the space ships was called The Scandinavian and hosted people from Denmark, Norway Sweden, and Findland. Since I am from Denmark I thought that was really cool. There was also several Danish words used. Every time Denmark is mentioned internationally we get really excited because we are such a small country. :))) Although I must tell you Alexa Donne, Findland is NOT a part of Scandinavia. But it is a part of the Nordic countries together with Iceland!
This was very cute, its supposed to be a retelling of Persuasion by Jane Austen (Which I have not actually read...dont kill me)
But, based on what I read about Persuasion it does a good job.
I rated it lower than my usual 5 (Cause Im a softie when I rate) because it was fluff. The world and the ideas were so cool, and expansive that I really would have liked it to veer from the retelling.
Its a good book, and Brightly Burning by Donne is also of the same world (also a retelling) from what I understand.
I would like to carry this further. Its such a good Idea.
Anyways, thats my biggest complaint, literally that I wish it hadnt been a retelling
But, based on what I read about Persuasion it does a good job.
I rated it lower than my usual 5 (Cause Im a softie when I rate) because it was fluff. The world and the ideas were so cool, and expansive that I really would have liked it to veer from the retelling.
Its a good book, and Brightly Burning by Donne is also of the same world (also a retelling) from what I understand.
I would like to carry this further. Its such a good Idea.
Anyways, thats my biggest complaint, literally that I wish it hadnt been a retelling
3.5 stars. If you're a Jane Austen or Persuasion purist, you're not going to like this book. But, it is kind of the fun, fluffy romance in space that I needed right now. Definitely more of [b:The Selection|10507293|The Selection (The Selection, #1)|Kiera Cass|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1322103400l/10507293._SY75_.jpg|15413183] in space.
It has some of the same superficial beats to the original story, but I don't feel like the feeling of the original story or the personalities of the original characters are very well translated. A lot of the tension in the original novel comes from all of the things that aren't said and in this book, there is a lot more communication between the MC's. Not that this really clarifies motivations for them or anything- all of that miscommunication is still there, it's just frustrating through dialogue, rather than through silent yearning. Pick your poison. The characters in this retelling are all just a little more vindictive, which is a bit disappointing. Leo (Anne Elliot) was not a limp noodle by any means, but I got definite I'm-not-like-other-royalty vibes from her. First of all, I wish she would've made some active choices to bring change to the fleet, and second, I wish she would've done so without Wentworth's input. It wasn't necessarily condescending, but it felt that way sometimes. Just a bit more agency from her in that regard would've gone a long way. Also, mild spoiler: I can't really believe the big revolution that they were looking for was more space capitalism. Like, you're in space! You can definitely dream of space socialism, at least.
The added extra plots absolutely made it more YA-y and action-y, which is what the author was going for, but cheapened it. Although if you're not going to go campy when doing Austen in space, when can you?
It has some of the same superficial beats to the original story, but I don't feel like the feeling of the original story or the personalities of the original characters are very well translated. A lot of the tension in the original novel comes from all of the things that aren't said and in this book, there is a lot more communication between the MC's. Not that this really clarifies motivations for them or anything- all of that miscommunication is still there, it's just frustrating through dialogue, rather than through silent yearning. Pick your poison. The characters in this retelling are all just a little more vindictive, which is a bit disappointing. Leo (Anne Elliot) was not a limp noodle by any means, but I got definite I'm-not-like-other-royalty vibes from her. First of all, I wish she would've made some active choices to bring change to the fleet, and second, I wish she would've done so without Wentworth's input. It wasn't necessarily condescending, but it felt that way sometimes. Just a bit more agency from her in that regard would've gone a long way. Also, mild spoiler:
The added extra plots absolutely made it more YA-y and action-y, which is what the author was going for, but cheapened it. Although if you're not going to go campy when doing Austen in space, when can you?
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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
1.5/5 stars
I feel like there's a lot I can handle in terms of trashy novels. Infodumping, cool. Instalove, ok. Love triangles, no plot, chosen one, blah blah blah. But I can not, I CAN NOT take these melodramatic attempts at the Bachelor that are caused by miscommunication of all FLIPPING THINGS while we are constantly reminded that people are literally DYING and the only solution is to run the flipping black market. I just read The Wives by Tarryn Fisher and whilst that was more technically underdeveloped than this novel, it did not entice such anger and frustration from me that caused me to literally scream out my hatred over what's happening and my utter utter distaste for it.
I just wanted a fun, light hearted good time with a cute romance but all I got was a bunch of entitled (LITERALLY TITLED) teenagers who refuse to behave in any logical way in the most infuriating game of 'what am I not going to communicate next' UGH
I feel like there's a lot I can handle in terms of trashy novels. Infodumping, cool. Instalove, ok. Love triangles, no plot, chosen one, blah blah blah. But I can not, I CAN NOT take these melodramatic attempts at the Bachelor that are caused by miscommunication of all FLIPPING THINGS while we are constantly reminded that people are literally DYING and the only solution is to run the flipping black market. I just read The Wives by Tarryn Fisher and whilst that was more technically underdeveloped than this novel, it did not entice such anger and frustration from me that caused me to literally scream out my hatred over what's happening and my utter utter distaste for it.
I just wanted a fun, light hearted good time with a cute romance but all I got was a bunch of entitled (LITERALLY TITLED) teenagers who refuse to behave in any logical way in the most infuriating game of 'what am I not going to communicate next' UGH
Originally reviewed on Cyn's Workshop
This novel is reminiscent of Persuasion, The Great Gatsby and Wuthering Heights, where the scorned lover leaves and returns with a vast fortune.
The story offers much political upheaval, using the return of the scorned lover to evaluate social standing. In space, matchmaking it done for politics, power, and financial security. Princess Leo, who hates the princess title, is forced to participate in the quadrennial matchmaking ceremony for financial security since her family is going broke. It is a far cry from what she wants, to marry the boy she let walk away and prove herself as an inventor. It speaks to the inconsequential and archaic use of titles, on how little they matter.
This novel also works well on criticizing the class standing and the unfairness of it as well as the result: rich getting richer off the back of the middle and lower class who continue to get poorer and suffer. It makes for a relevant read as it analyzes class status, ripping and exposing the flaws that are detrimental to society.
Having a protagonist who is also curvy and inventive is also a nice break from the traditional narrative. Leo has such a great personality. Elliot, on the other hand, lacks the charisma For the first half of the novel. It is understandable for him to be angry and hateful but he is not even a little likable so the reader has a hard time connecting to him.
Overall, characterization aside, it is a compelling novel with a strong female protagonist.
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | | Goodreads+ | LinkedIn
This novel is reminiscent of Persuasion, The Great Gatsby and Wuthering Heights, where the scorned lover leaves and returns with a vast fortune.
The story offers much political upheaval, using the return of the scorned lover to evaluate social standing. In space, matchmaking it done for politics, power, and financial security. Princess Leo, who hates the princess title, is forced to participate in the quadrennial matchmaking ceremony for financial security since her family is going broke. It is a far cry from what she wants, to marry the boy she let walk away and prove herself as an inventor. It speaks to the inconsequential and archaic use of titles, on how little they matter.
This novel also works well on criticizing the class standing and the unfairness of it as well as the result: rich getting richer off the back of the middle and lower class who continue to get poorer and suffer. It makes for a relevant read as it analyzes class status, ripping and exposing the flaws that are detrimental to society.
Having a protagonist who is also curvy and inventive is also a nice break from the traditional narrative. Leo has such a great personality. Elliot, on the other hand, lacks the charisma For the first half of the novel. It is understandable for him to be angry and hateful but he is not even a little likable so the reader has a hard time connecting to him.
Overall, characterization aside, it is a compelling novel with a strong female protagonist.
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | | Goodreads+ | LinkedIn