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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Keeper of Stars is a masterpiece. If you like The Notebook or love stories like that, you’ll absolutely love this story. This story broke me and then pieced me back together by the very end.
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was a huge surprise. Expecting a personal, existential account of living in a world filled with uncertainty, I instead found that alongside one of the more engaging love stories I've read recently. The first half of the book bombards the reader with information, introducing the characters and both main settings in detail within the first 100 pages, including the development of the main interests falling in love and a background on all the side characters. Despite this, the portrayal of the female love interest struck me as very much the "manic pixie dream girl" trope. The narrative follows a poor, charismatic boy who becomes infatuated with a unique city girl, standing out from everyone else around him. Their relationship, built on a foundation of shared traumatic experiences, rushes through a summer romance without providing enough time to fully understand the characters, leaving us with what feels like a hastily formed couple. The story itself is captivating but seems to require either an extension of 200 pages or a deeper exploration of the "one that got away" trope without forcing the characters into a whirlwind romance. It delves into the notion of childhood friends growing apart, realizing as adults they shared a deep emotional connection but little else.
The author's writing notably excels when dealing with more mature themes, suggesting the story could have been more impactful without the necessity of instant love between the characters. This approach would have allowed a subtler exploration of their feelings, which may not have been fully realized in their youth. The beginning of the central conflict feels underwhelming, with no surprises due to the initial overload of information. However, as the adult aspects of the narrative are well developed, I found myself increasingly rooting for the main couple towards the end. The prologue and epilogue leave much to interpretation, offering a bittersweet freedom to imagine how Ellie and Jack may have spent their final days together, though I wished for more concrete details about their life after marriage.
From a thematic perspective, Jack and Ellie's professions poetically encapsulate their love story, as mirrored in the book's title, "Keeper of the Stars." Jack's life by the water, quietly observing the stars, reflects his introspective nature until he falls for Ellie, a distinguished astronomer. Their unique, once-in-a-lifetime love could be seen as the true "keeper of the stars," anchoring her in the small town for the longest time. Despite the writing's lack of patience at times, I admired the book's ambition and found the ending particularly satisfying, embodying what I believe the book aimed to achieve.
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
The story was good, and I agree with other reviewers that it was reminiscent of Nicholas Sparks’ work. I could easily see this becoming a movie.
However it was also a bit dull and predictable. I found it needed the writing advice “show, don’t tell” and it could have benefited from another round of editing.
However it was also a bit dull and predictable. I found it needed the writing advice “show, don’t tell” and it could have benefited from another round of editing.
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Hallmark movie in book form.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced