Scan barcode
burstnwithbooks's review
3.0
Similar to the Never Never aerial (by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher) this story could really serve to be made into one book. I have no idea why the author published them in this manner, but it honestly doesn’t add anything to the story or intrigue and it’s irritating when the entire first book is literally exposition. Still, I’m going to at least try to second part because I am interested to see if the story’s going anywhere.
celinbean's review
3.0
3,5 stars actually. This was a cute and interesting story that i enjoyed very much! The writing was a little messy at times but I'm curious about the next installment. More precisely about the character and the plot development. Also, how gorgeous is the cover?!
triciab04's review
4.0
"He doesn't look like a Drone at all. He looks...he looks like a Felix. He looks like something only he could be in the entire One World, in the universe. All people used to look like that, once, her father had told her. They used to be like that."
No Ordinary Star was a very interesting read! Set in the year 2524, where things are much different than they are now. Boys and Girls grown in labs rather than being born to parents, and being raised separately from one another, each into their predetermined gender roles in life. In a world where there is no hunger or illness anymore, but there's also no wonder, no family, no love.
"It doesn't enter his mind right then that he's been robbed of all of this, of beauty, of life, of the very world for seventeen years."
Felix, an impressive soldier in the Chairman's Army, Astra, a rebel on the run, and Ursa, maybe the last polar bear in existence, band together as reluctant comrades to figure out what is really happening in the world around them, and what has brought them all to this deserted Clockmaster's home full of secrets, treasures, and hopefully answers.
"She knows what they are; at least she thinks she does. They're the most dangerous weapons, and none are supposed to have survived the Revision. But the Rebels had a couple of them, caked in the mud of decades and half burned -they'd been salvaged from the Revision burnings- still she's fairly certain that's what they were.
Books.
"Oh," she gasps.
In here there are thousands of them. A room full of weaponry -illegal weaponry."
I really enjoyed the dystopian world that Frank has created! I am curious to find out even more about it. I feel like we've only just had a glimpse of it here. I like the coming together of these radically different people like Astra and Felix. Astra has been raised by rebels and has a lot more insight into how messed up this world is and exactly what drones like Felix have been missing out on. On the flip side, Felix has been a good little soldier and quickly climbed the ranks of the chairman's army and his knowledge of the inner workings of the whole system is vast. I can't help but think that this will come in very handy later on in the series. Survival in the harsh elements of the Clockmaster's home has kind of forced them to rely on one another just to make it. But there was definitely a sense by the end that they were forming, at least a shaky sort of alliance.
"Why does it feel like it's the greatest felony of all, the biggest crime in the Planet, that this smart, animated little person who's managed to keep herself as well as him alive for days, isn't able to put letters together to read a simple phrase?"
This was a quick read that set an intriguing foundation for this kind of frightening futuristic dystopian world. I am looking forward to seeing how things proceed from here! Also has to be said that this cover is so GORGEOUS!! I might just have to pick up the physical copy to add to my shelves!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
**This book (and its sequel) is currently only $0.99 on Amazon for the Kindle copy right now!
If you're interested, you can get your copy here: https://goo.gl/A4hzKY
No Ordinary Star was a very interesting read! Set in the year 2524, where things are much different than they are now. Boys and Girls grown in labs rather than being born to parents, and being raised separately from one another, each into their predetermined gender roles in life. In a world where there is no hunger or illness anymore, but there's also no wonder, no family, no love.
"It doesn't enter his mind right then that he's been robbed of all of this, of beauty, of life, of the very world for seventeen years."
Felix, an impressive soldier in the Chairman's Army, Astra, a rebel on the run, and Ursa, maybe the last polar bear in existence, band together as reluctant comrades to figure out what is really happening in the world around them, and what has brought them all to this deserted Clockmaster's home full of secrets, treasures, and hopefully answers.
"She knows what they are; at least she thinks she does. They're the most dangerous weapons, and none are supposed to have survived the Revision. But the Rebels had a couple of them, caked in the mud of decades and half burned -they'd been salvaged from the Revision burnings- still she's fairly certain that's what they were.
Books.
"Oh," she gasps.
In here there are thousands of them. A room full of weaponry -illegal weaponry."
I really enjoyed the dystopian world that Frank has created! I am curious to find out even more about it. I feel like we've only just had a glimpse of it here. I like the coming together of these radically different people like Astra and Felix. Astra has been raised by rebels and has a lot more insight into how messed up this world is and exactly what drones like Felix have been missing out on. On the flip side, Felix has been a good little soldier and quickly climbed the ranks of the chairman's army and his knowledge of the inner workings of the whole system is vast. I can't help but think that this will come in very handy later on in the series. Survival in the harsh elements of the Clockmaster's home has kind of forced them to rely on one another just to make it. But there was definitely a sense by the end that they were forming, at least a shaky sort of alliance.
"Why does it feel like it's the greatest felony of all, the biggest crime in the Planet, that this smart, animated little person who's managed to keep herself as well as him alive for days, isn't able to put letters together to read a simple phrase?"
This was a quick read that set an intriguing foundation for this kind of frightening futuristic dystopian world. I am looking forward to seeing how things proceed from here! Also has to be said that this cover is so GORGEOUS!! I might just have to pick up the physical copy to add to my shelves!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
**This book (and its sequel) is currently only $0.99 on Amazon for the Kindle copy right now!
If you're interested, you can get your copy here: https://goo.gl/A4hzKY
claire_luna's review
5.0
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
This novel introduces the reader to a world of unlimited resources and of unbreakable rules, a society in which illness has been vanquished, along with intimacy and family. Add to this terrifying dystopia the harsh yet beautiful landscape of the Arctic circle and main characters so different and yet bound to help each other survive and you can understand why No Ordinary Star is captivating from the first page.
The world is introduced with carefully crafted scenes, with both Astra and Felix illuminating various sides of the 26th century society in which they were raised. The characters are truly alive, their relationship is well written, their dialogues poignant and their development believable. The backdrop of their story is stunning and the description alive with emotion. As a reader you are warmed by references to “old timer” culture (our cultural past), which makes this book even more rewarding. The novel is rather short (150 pages), but the action doesn’t feel rushed- though it definitely leaves you wanting more! The first installment builds up various plot lines that will exciting to follow in the next book(s). The writing style combines beautiful imagery with realistic dialogue, and an immediacy is created through the present tense narration.
I would recommend this to fans of dystopian YA novels, ready to delve into a brave new world with spirited characters and vibrant writing.
This novel introduces the reader to a world of unlimited resources and of unbreakable rules, a society in which illness has been vanquished, along with intimacy and family. Add to this terrifying dystopia the harsh yet beautiful landscape of the Arctic circle and main characters so different and yet bound to help each other survive and you can understand why No Ordinary Star is captivating from the first page.
The world is introduced with carefully crafted scenes, with both Astra and Felix illuminating various sides of the 26th century society in which they were raised. The characters are truly alive, their relationship is well written, their dialogues poignant and their development believable. The backdrop of their story is stunning and the description alive with emotion. As a reader you are warmed by references to “old timer” culture (our cultural past), which makes this book even more rewarding. The novel is rather short (150 pages), but the action doesn’t feel rushed- though it definitely leaves you wanting more! The first installment builds up various plot lines that will exciting to follow in the next book(s). The writing style combines beautiful imagery with realistic dialogue, and an immediacy is created through the present tense narration.
I would recommend this to fans of dystopian YA novels, ready to delve into a brave new world with spirited characters and vibrant writing.
suspensethrill's review
5.0
Let’s all just pause in a moment of silence for how breathtaking that cover is. ❤ I’m always thrilled when I find a book that has the trifecta: gorgeous cover art, a plot that holds my interest from the first chapter, and characters that I forge an early connection with. [b:No Ordinary Star|27419429|No Ordinary Star (No Ordinary Star, #1)|M.C. Frank|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1446553681s/27419429.jpg|47469418] held all three of these fine aspects for me, which is why a 5 star rating was a no brainer upon finishing the first part in the series. For those new to these books, this is a trilogy yet in a much better format. Here you will not find those annoying, unnecessarily long installments intended to draw out a story beyond its shelf life; I have discovered the intention here was to take one continuous story and break it up into three smaller pieces as a means of greater retention of the story for the reader. I found that each segment really holds your attention, while giving your brain a moment to process and re-evaluate what you’ve just read at the end of that part. Now that you have a handle on the trilogy as a whole, let’s dive into the review of part one…
By now I’m sure you’ve picked up that this dystopia has a holiday theme, and while I want to blab so badly, I’m going to avoid talking about specific plot points as to not spoil the read for you. I think the above blurb is beautifully vague, yet draws you in just enough to know you have to experience this read for yourself. I will say that I greatly appreciated the format in which the story is told; we mostly have two points of view that vacillate between “tin soldier” and “match girl”. The reason behind the names becomes apparent as you read, don’t worry, and while we are utterly on the outside at the beginning of the novel, the reader is slowly drawn in to this unfamiliar world as if being let in on a secret plan.
While this segment is mainly the set up for the remaining two pieces of the story, it is neither boring nor an info dump that we see so frequently in YA fantasy books. Here the character development is front and center, and I found it refreshing and unique to be able to focus on the forwarding of the story without silly instalove clouding the picture. Most of the focus is on our two main characters, three if you count my favorite polar bear named Ursa, but we do get an introduction to a few minor characters that I am eagerly anticipating further development in the next two features. Overall, this was a suspenseful and intriguing read that had me constantly trying to figure out what was at play. If you enjoy YA/NA dystopia with an air of science fiction fantasy, but are tired of all the cliche tropes, I encourage you to give this brief series a try. I think you’ll find the subtle, romantic undertones with important, timely messages to be invigorating and cleansing. Highly recommended and stay tuned for my review from the next in the series, [b:No Plain Rebel|30970438|No Plain Rebel (No Ordinary Star #2)|M.C. Frank|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1467968902s/30970438.jpg|48154516]!
*Many thanks to the author for providing my copy; it is a pleasure to be a part of the street team and provide my honest thoughts here!
By now I’m sure you’ve picked up that this dystopia has a holiday theme, and while I want to blab so badly, I’m going to avoid talking about specific plot points as to not spoil the read for you. I think the above blurb is beautifully vague, yet draws you in just enough to know you have to experience this read for yourself. I will say that I greatly appreciated the format in which the story is told; we mostly have two points of view that vacillate between “tin soldier” and “match girl”. The reason behind the names becomes apparent as you read, don’t worry, and while we are utterly on the outside at the beginning of the novel, the reader is slowly drawn in to this unfamiliar world as if being let in on a secret plan.
While this segment is mainly the set up for the remaining two pieces of the story, it is neither boring nor an info dump that we see so frequently in YA fantasy books. Here the character development is front and center, and I found it refreshing and unique to be able to focus on the forwarding of the story without silly instalove clouding the picture. Most of the focus is on our two main characters, three if you count my favorite polar bear named Ursa, but we do get an introduction to a few minor characters that I am eagerly anticipating further development in the next two features. Overall, this was a suspenseful and intriguing read that had me constantly trying to figure out what was at play. If you enjoy YA/NA dystopia with an air of science fiction fantasy, but are tired of all the cliche tropes, I encourage you to give this brief series a try. I think you’ll find the subtle, romantic undertones with important, timely messages to be invigorating and cleansing. Highly recommended and stay tuned for my review from the next in the series, [b:No Plain Rebel|30970438|No Plain Rebel (No Ordinary Star #2)|M.C. Frank|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1467968902s/30970438.jpg|48154516]!
*Many thanks to the author for providing my copy; it is a pleasure to be a part of the street team and provide my honest thoughts here!
meglynw's review
3.0
This was a really interesting beginning to the story. It has a lot of elements that feel like The Giver. The problem I have with it is this: it's 150 pages, and the first of three parts. Why in the world didn't they put all of them together and release one decently sized book?! This literally just feels like the set up for the rest of the story. I am so dissatisfied by it, and it irritates me enough that I might not even bother with the rest of the story, because it doesn't exist in any of my libraries, so I have to spend another $20 for the rest of a story that should have been in one single volume. Super irritating, because it has a lot of potential to be a cool story.
hopereads_'s review
4.0
Fall hard for the Tin Soldier and the Match Girl, in M.C. Frank's No Ordinary Star.
In the year 2524, humans no longer require sleep, live for at least 300 years, and are created through genetic science to be the perfect specimens. However, not all is well...
In this story, the reader is introduced to Felix and Astra, a soldier and a girl, living in the dystopian society on One World. Their stories are not idyllic, yet their futures seemed to be intertwined, and in No Ordinary Star, the reader is privy to some of the ways these two are connected.
The author has created a world in which the reader can truly escape to. The characters mirror one another beautifully, such that Astra's strengths compliment Felix's weaknesses, and vice versa. I really enjoyed the banterous elements of their relationship; they weren't suddenly in love with one another, which not only makes them more believable, but also more relatable. I also appreciated the strength of Astra's character, which opposed other typical Young Adult/Romance novels, where the lead female swoons her way into the lead male's arms. Yes M.C.!
The narrative is fast-paced and exciting, which meant I finished the book much quicker than I normally do! In fact, there were elements of this novel that reminded me of Pullman's Dark Materials trilogy, but a little more adult, which it turns out, is a great genre to explore.
My only significant critique is that some parts of the story-telling seemed to lack enough detail for me, so that I had to go back and re-read passages in order to picture the scene.
Overall, I think No Ordinary Star is an engaging, cliff hanger of a story, that introduces the reader to all of the elements one hopes for in a favourite book. As I finish writing this I'm downloading No Plain Rebel. There's no way I can take a break between the two with No Ordinary Star finishing the way it does. I need to know more about Felix and Astra, The Steadfast Soldiers.
- My Book And I
In lieu of writing this review, the author has kindly sent me a copy of No Ordinary Star.
In the year 2524, humans no longer require sleep, live for at least 300 years, and are created through genetic science to be the perfect specimens. However, not all is well...
In this story, the reader is introduced to Felix and Astra, a soldier and a girl, living in the dystopian society on One World. Their stories are not idyllic, yet their futures seemed to be intertwined, and in No Ordinary Star, the reader is privy to some of the ways these two are connected.
The author has created a world in which the reader can truly escape to. The characters mirror one another beautifully, such that Astra's strengths compliment Felix's weaknesses, and vice versa. I really enjoyed the banterous elements of their relationship; they weren't suddenly in love with one another, which not only makes them more believable, but also more relatable. I also appreciated the strength of Astra's character, which opposed other typical Young Adult/Romance novels, where the lead female swoons her way into the lead male's arms. Yes M.C.!
The narrative is fast-paced and exciting, which meant I finished the book much quicker than I normally do! In fact, there were elements of this novel that reminded me of Pullman's Dark Materials trilogy, but a little more adult, which it turns out, is a great genre to explore.
My only significant critique is that some parts of the story-telling seemed to lack enough detail for me, so that I had to go back and re-read passages in order to picture the scene.
Overall, I think No Ordinary Star is an engaging, cliff hanger of a story, that introduces the reader to all of the elements one hopes for in a favourite book. As I finish writing this I'm downloading No Plain Rebel. There's no way I can take a break between the two with No Ordinary Star finishing the way it does. I need to know more about Felix and Astra, The Steadfast Soldiers.
- My Book And I
In lieu of writing this review, the author has kindly sent me a copy of No Ordinary Star.
noragracereads's review
1.0
**1 star**
Five months ago, I gave this book 4 stars. I'm here today giving it 1 star because I no longer feel obligated to like this book for the sake of the author's feelings. I danced beautiful around the truth in my initial review, and it's sad that I felt like I had to do that.
This is extremely flawed book. I have tried to read it twice and I don't really understand the plot or the world Frank tries to set up. The characters are entirely unlikable, mostly because they're boring. There is an enormous amount of potential in this book but it fails to follow through.
Despite the short length of No Ordinary Star, it's a slow, actionless read. Literally nothing happens. They just get nostalgic about Christmas and hate each other (Astra and Felix). I also found the Christmas theme silly in a post-apocalyptic dystopia.
Ehhhhh. That's all I have to say.
Five months ago, I gave this book 4 stars. I'm here today giving it 1 star because I no longer feel obligated to like this book for the sake of the author's feelings. I danced beautiful around the truth in my initial review, and it's sad that I felt like I had to do that.
This is extremely flawed book. I have tried to read it twice and I don't really understand the plot or the world Frank tries to set up. The characters are entirely unlikable, mostly because they're boring. There is an enormous amount of potential in this book but it fails to follow through.
Despite the short length of No Ordinary Star, it's a slow, actionless read. Literally nothing happens. They just get nostalgic about Christmas and hate each other (Astra and Felix). I also found the Christmas theme silly in a post-apocalyptic dystopia.
Ehhhhh. That's all I have to say.
shelfadmirer's review
4.0
Set in the Arctics, this is a dystopian adaptation and inspired by the short stories of Ray Bradbury. It’s 2425 and Love, Family, Christmas etc are just words with no meaning. The book makes you think about the death of humanity and emotions over time. The characters are relatable because this is the kind of world we think about whenever we imagine the future where science is everything(devoid of love, faith, and hope). Felix is perfect or rather has been made perfect. The match girl is still human, just like any of us and has learned to survive in the perfect world with all her imperfections.
The book is fast-paced and can be finished in one sitting, The language is simple and lucid. It maintains the suspense throughout the book and there is no romance at all. I say this because this is what makes the book different. The characters are trying to embrace the reality and seriousness of the situation and are perfectly inclined towards the work at hand.
The book is fast-paced and can be finished in one sitting, The language is simple and lucid. It maintains the suspense throughout the book and there is no romance at all. I say this because this is what makes the book different. The characters are trying to embrace the reality and seriousness of the situation and are perfectly inclined towards the work at hand.
mybookishlife2's review
4.0
First off, I am going to thank M.C. Frank for sending this to me, once again. I truly appreciate it. Now on to the book review.
I have to be entirely honest, when I started reading this book I had also started another book that was very descriptive so I had to pull myself out of that world to entire this one, and being in 3rd person it was a little difficult, but I did it and I really like this book. I also like how it switches perspectives between Felix and Astra.
No Ordinary Star is really good. It isn’t like a book I have read before. (I know I’ve said this about a few other books, but that is only because I have been branching out a little more, just a little.) No Ordinary Star goes over a span of two days. It leaves off on a cliffhanger that leaves you like, ‘WAIT! It CANNOT end there! I want to know more!’
‘Tin Man’, ‘Drone’, Felix, continues to say how annoying Astra is but I can’t see it. She’s just like anyone else, but then again if you are a ‘Tin Man’ like he is, then I understand, I’m so happy that he finally sees they are not so different. Like thank goodness it gets through his thick metal head!!!! (Okay, I’m in a punny mood today, and all my puns are terrible so please bear with it.)
Astra on the other hand, I like her a lot. (Let me mention this now, I’m perfectly fine with both characters.) She has a back story that I would like to see more of. She is definitely sassy which always is a plus in characters. Although there was a relationship growth it’s not necessarily a huge growth, they both just come to realize that the other person is that bad, which is a major plus.
I hope that just because Felix’s granddad knew Astra’s dad that there’s not going to be some crazy family connection between them.
I have to be entirely honest, when I started reading this book I had also started another book that was very descriptive so I had to pull myself out of that world to entire this one, and being in 3rd person it was a little difficult, but I did it and I really like this book. I also like how it switches perspectives between Felix and Astra.
No Ordinary Star is really good. It isn’t like a book I have read before. (I know I’ve said this about a few other books, but that is only because I have been branching out a little more, just a little.) No Ordinary Star goes over a span of two days. It leaves off on a cliffhanger that leaves you like, ‘WAIT! It CANNOT end there! I want to know more!’
‘Tin Man’, ‘Drone’, Felix, continues to say how annoying Astra is but I can’t see it. She’s just like anyone else, but then again if you are a ‘Tin Man’ like he is, then I understand, I’m so happy that he finally sees they are not so different. Like thank goodness it gets through his thick metal head!!!! (Okay, I’m in a punny mood today, and all my puns are terrible so please bear with it.)
Astra on the other hand, I like her a lot. (Let me mention this now, I’m perfectly fine with both characters.) She has a back story that I would like to see more of. She is definitely sassy which always is a plus in characters. Although there was a relationship growth it’s not necessarily a huge growth, they both just come to realize that the other person is that bad, which is a major plus.
I hope that just because Felix’s granddad knew Astra’s dad that there’s not going to be some crazy family connection between them.