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mytileneve's review
Oh my God!!
This book was extremely captivating from the very first chapter. The switching perspectives from 'NOW' to 'THEN' keep the mystery and intrigue alive throughout the whole novel and they keep you reading so you find out what the massive event that caused such a change in these characters' lives is. And the plot-twist at the end will leave you speechless!
This book follows our main character Ellory throughout her last high school years, unveiling two timelines 'NOW' and 'THEN' until they eventually converge and we finally find out the monumental event that split her life in two before/after-type periods. The story is centred around Ellory and her girl squad: Ret, the leader; Jenni, the wannabe, and Bex, the mediator; and the dynamic between them that gets more and more strained until it eventually leads to 'The Fall'. It reminded me a lot of Pretty Little Liars, 13 Reasons Why and Before I Fall (so if you're a fan of any of those I recommend picking this up) but it's definitely it's own unique story and not a repeat of those.
The action is not at all predictable and it keeps you guessing with twists and turns and characters who only ever reveal half the information. I would recommend this for the older side of the YA community, rather than young teen readers (it's marketed as 14+) as it touches on (not very in-depth) some serious topics such as unhealthy friendships, substance abuse, negligent parents etc. The characters are all complex and flawed and they lie and deceive and judge and make the wrong choices for the right reasons. This book will keep you hooked from the very beginning!
The only two things I wish were better is the diversity (with the exception of a couple of characters, including one of the main 4 girls, no one else is said to be of a different race, sexuality, ability/disability) and the bit of insta-love at the beginning (though this did not bother me that much as the story is not meant to be focused on the way the MC and the love interest met and rather explores their relationship from then on. It's not bad insta-love by any means but it was slightly bordering on cliché just a bit. A slower approach would have been better imo). However, these two aspects while I wish they were better, did not take that much away from the novel and I still enjoyed it greatly.
Overall, a wonderful debut novel! I hope to see more from Kit Frick in the future, hopefully with a bit more diversity and representation, but as far as storytelling goes, she is doing an amazing job! I would recommend picking this up!
This book was extremely captivating from the very first chapter. The switching perspectives from 'NOW' to 'THEN' keep the mystery and intrigue alive throughout the whole novel and they keep you reading so you find out what the massive event that caused such a change in these characters' lives is. And the plot-twist at the end will leave you speechless!
This book follows our main character Ellory throughout her last high school years, unveiling two timelines 'NOW' and 'THEN' until they eventually converge and we finally find out the monumental event that split her life in two before/after-type periods. The story is centred around Ellory and her girl squad: Ret, the leader; Jenni, the wannabe, and Bex, the mediator; and the dynamic between them that gets more and more strained until it eventually leads to 'The Fall'. It reminded me a lot of Pretty Little Liars, 13 Reasons Why and Before I Fall (so if you're a fan of any of those I recommend picking this up) but it's definitely it's own unique story and not a repeat of those.
The action is not at all predictable and it keeps you guessing with twists and turns and characters who only ever reveal half the information. I would recommend this for the older side of the YA community, rather than young teen readers (it's marketed as 14+) as it touches on (not very in-depth) some serious topics such as unhealthy friendships, substance abuse, negligent parents etc. The characters are all complex and flawed and they lie and deceive and judge and make the wrong choices for the right reasons. This book will keep you hooked from the very beginning!
The only two things I wish were better is the diversity (with the exception of a couple of characters, including one of the main 4 girls, no one else is said to be of a different race, sexuality, ability/disability) and the bit of insta-love at the beginning (though this did not bother me that much as the story is not meant to be focused on the way the MC and the love interest met and rather explores their relationship from then on. It's not bad insta-love by any means but it was slightly bordering on cliché just a bit. A slower approach would have been better imo). However, these two aspects while I wish they were better, did not take that much away from the novel and I still enjoyed it greatly.
Overall, a wonderful debut novel! I hope to see more from Kit Frick in the future, hopefully with a bit more diversity and representation, but as far as storytelling goes, she is doing an amazing job! I would recommend picking this up!
chroniclesofabookreader's review against another edition
3.0
See All the Stars is a YA contemporary with mystery elements centered around a girl who loses her small group of friends and is forced to survive her final year of high school alone after the events unfolded. The sequence and layout of the story worked really well to add to the suspense of what happened by leading the reader on the journey of seeing the before and after, and slowly revealing the event that tore everyone apart. I loved the exploration into the toxic, dependent dynamic the four girls had and how it rang true to the types of relationships girls can form with one another, and watching it unfold was as enjoyable as it was difficult to watch.
While I enjoyed the story's layout and how it helped to spice up the mystery, I struggled with connecting to the characters and maintaining interest in finding out what happened. The plot's pacing sagged quite often and didn't hold my interest, making it all too easy to put it aside after only a chapter or two. Even though I really wanted to know what happened between them and why Ellory was experiencing what she was, I couldn't be convinced to read continuously or voraciously. The writing, for a debut, was strong and I enjoyed the complexity to the connections these girls fostered—both good and bad—but something was missing to make me feel as if I couldn't put it down. Maybe there were too many unnecessary scenes that didn't anything add to the overall story, or enough substance or hidden clues in these scenes to add to the story itself, but as the story went along it slowly became more difficult to read through them to get to the parts that did add depth and background.
I am but one person and you could very much enjoy this story as I wish I could've so I recommend giving it a try. See All the Stars had such potential, and I think Kit Frick will be an author to watch out for. I look forward to seeing how her writing develops and grows in her next book and the one after that.
**Received an early copy; this had no bearing on my opinions**
While I enjoyed the story's layout and how it helped to spice up the mystery, I struggled with connecting to the characters and maintaining interest in finding out what happened. The plot's pacing sagged quite often and didn't hold my interest, making it all too easy to put it aside after only a chapter or two. Even though I really wanted to know what happened between them and why Ellory was experiencing what she was, I couldn't be convinced to read continuously or voraciously. The writing, for a debut, was strong and I enjoyed the complexity to the connections these girls fostered—both good and bad—but something was missing to make me feel as if I couldn't put it down. Maybe there were too many unnecessary scenes that didn't anything add to the overall story, or enough substance or hidden clues in these scenes to add to the story itself, but as the story went along it slowly became more difficult to read through them to get to the parts that did add depth and background.
I am but one person and you could very much enjoy this story as I wish I could've so I recommend giving it a try. See All the Stars had such potential, and I think Kit Frick will be an author to watch out for. I look forward to seeing how her writing develops and grows in her next book and the one after that.
**Received an early copy; this had no bearing on my opinions**
kellylynnthomas's review
5.0
This book emotionally destroyed me, but in a good way?
The story follows Ellory Holland, a high school senior, who has returned to Pine Brook High School after a tragic event that's only hinted at. The narrative switches between the past and the present, as details of the past are slowly revealed.
It's a tightly-plotted, engaging emotional thriller that's well worth reading, even if YA isn't your usual genre. It explores themes of friendship, high school relationships and romance, and how both of these things can become toxic. Ultimately, though, it's a story of redemption and hope.
Highly recommended!
The story follows Ellory Holland, a high school senior, who has returned to Pine Brook High School after a tragic event that's only hinted at. The narrative switches between the past and the present, as details of the past are slowly revealed.
It's a tightly-plotted, engaging emotional thriller that's well worth reading, even if YA isn't your usual genre. It explores themes of friendship, high school relationships and romance, and how both of these things can become toxic. Ultimately, though, it's a story of redemption and hope.
Highly recommended!
kristijanareads's review
4.0
Nmg da dam manje of 4 zvjezdice jer sam zadnjih 150 strana procitala u jednom dahu. Predvidljivo but i liked it
abbi_reads's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
While the ending of the book is worth the wait, it took forget to get into and I felt like there wasn’t much plot for a lot of it. While I would recommend other books by this author, this one wouldn’t be my go to.
b00knerd's review
5.0
Before Ret, I was basically invisible.
With Ret, I was somebody.
Lets meet the characters:
Ellory- She is our main character. The artist. The shy, kind and easily influenced one.
Ret- The leader, the it-girl, the girl everyone wants to be. You get it.
Jenny- the wannabe, poser of sorts, snob, suck-up
Bex- The mediator, problem solver, peacemaker.
This novel had so much depth and beauty in every chapter. Now being an adult this novel makes you go back in time and think of the raw beauty of childhood and what mistakes will be made and how it will shape your future. My mind is still in a jumble of what I just read that I'm not sure how to put it into words. My favorite read so far.
See All the Stars is told through Ellory's perspective. We follow her and her best friends through high school years, going from two timelines 'NOW and 'THEN' eventually colliding into the epically tragic finale of finding out what really happens, which is referred to as 'the fall' I had my guess on what was going to happen and of course I was right but the author through in a HUGE mind blowing twist that left me utterly speechless.
Overall I loved this novel more you can imagine. I was hesitant to read this because it is a YA novel but this wont disappoint.
Thanks to NetGalley & everyone!!!
With Ret, I was somebody.
Lets meet the characters:
Ellory- She is our main character. The artist. The shy, kind and easily influenced one.
Ret- The leader, the it-girl, the girl everyone wants to be. You get it.
Jenny- the wannabe, poser of sorts, snob, suck-up
Bex- The mediator, problem solver, peacemaker.
This novel had so much depth and beauty in every chapter. Now being an adult this novel makes you go back in time and think of the raw beauty of childhood and what mistakes will be made and how it will shape your future. My mind is still in a jumble of what I just read that I'm not sure how to put it into words. My favorite read so far.
See All the Stars is told through Ellory's perspective. We follow her and her best friends through high school years, going from two timelines 'NOW and 'THEN' eventually colliding into the epically tragic finale of finding out what really happens, which is referred to as 'the fall' I had my guess on what was going to happen and of course I was right but the author through in a HUGE mind blowing twist that left me utterly speechless.
Overall I loved this novel more you can imagine. I was hesitant to read this because it is a YA novel but this wont disappoint.
Thanks to NetGalley & everyone!!!
pixteas's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I am shock. This book was a crazy experience- I'm an oblivious reader so while I guessed some aspects, the ending and reveal to me came as a complete shock. The ending has two twists. While the first twist was predictable, I never thought about the second twist. It was a total surprise for me and finally was a factor that made me like this book even more. I think I need to go re-read this book knowing the information that I do now hahah.
What I really liked about this book was the writing, I really loved a lot of the quotes and one-liners from this book. There were some really cool analogies used all throughout the book, relating the friendship group to planets orbiting around the sun that I really loved. I really loved also, the way this book deals with healing, the importance and sometimes toxicity of friendships in high school and the complications of trying to move on and not only that but also saying goodbye even though you would do anything to go back to the days where things were "normal" which I found relatable. The writing style of the "then" and "now" chapters made the chapters were fast and engaging whoever I did find some of the middle act drama, building to be repetitive and dragged out at some points which sometimes took me away from the story. I did enjoy however, each character's complexities, they were all flawed struggling teenagers that actually felt like teenagers and I always enjoyed reading those high school dynamics and I think this book does this very well :) This book has a lot of lessons and shows an effect on how decisions can change lives forever
What I really liked about this book was the writing, I really loved a lot of the quotes and one-liners from this book. There were some really cool analogies used all throughout the book, relating the friendship group to planets orbiting around the sun that I really loved. I really loved also, the way this book deals with healing, the importance and sometimes toxicity of friendships in high school and the complications of trying to move on and not only that but also saying goodbye even though you would do anything to go back to the days where things were "normal" which I found relatable. The writing style of the "then" and "now" chapters made the chapters were fast and engaging whoever I did find some of the middle act drama, building to be repetitive and dragged out at some points which sometimes took me away from the story. I did enjoy however, each character's complexities, they were all flawed struggling teenagers that actually felt like teenagers and I always enjoyed reading those high school dynamics and I think this book does this very well :) This book has a lot of lessons and shows an effect on how decisions can change lives forever
ahmad_adnan's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I am really torn by this very well written YA book.
The story follows Ellory, a high school senior, she had four best friends that they spend most days together since years ago with their own distinguished personality and brilliant futures ahead, but small secrets starts to come out and one accident at the end of their junior year which makes their life never the same.
The book written in chapters back and forth between junior and senior years, and the chapters were fast and engaging.
The only issue i faced with this book that i figured out what will happen very early on, although I enjoyed it, but that will take alot from the experience, since it depending totally on the build up to that point, however, i am definitely picking up another book for this author.
Recommended
emmagilmour's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
featherface's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0