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rainbow_grace's review against another edition
5.0
Although reading physical books annoys me, I pushed through because the story was so good. I loved the characters so much. This was practically perfect.
aleroness's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating: 3.5
Was an interesting read. Loved the complexity of teenage life displayed in this, and I loved that they didn't end up together. Kinda cool but left me feeling unfulfilled where I wanted more after the climax.
Was an interesting read. Loved the complexity of teenage life displayed in this, and I loved that they didn't end up together. Kinda cool but left me feeling unfulfilled where I wanted more after the climax.
stories's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This is a tricky one to review. It’s well written and engaging, but it’s neither the story I expected based on blurb, nor the story I wanted.
It’s a good story! Starworld as a concept is incredible authentic, and the power of getting to read text exchanges amongst teens, rather than just offpage summaries was mesmerising.
I don’t know. For me, it’s a sad book, and worse, sad in upsetting ways. It could easily be read as hopeful or inspiring or reassuring, and I can’t predict how anyone else will read it. There’s nothing wrong with the book itself and I read it through in minimal sittings, in the wake of a bunch of half-started books. But I’d have been happier never touching it, and I’m not sure it was worth the energy for me.
It’s a good story! Starworld as a concept is incredible authentic, and the power of getting to read text exchanges amongst teens, rather than just offpage summaries was mesmerising.
I don’t know. For me, it’s a sad book, and worse, sad in upsetting ways. It could easily be read as hopeful or inspiring or reassuring, and I can’t predict how anyone else will read it. There’s nothing wrong with the book itself and I read it through in minimal sittings, in the wake of a bunch of half-started books. But I’d have been happier never touching it, and I’m not sure it was worth the energy for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Terminal illness, Alcohol, Cursing, Grief, Cancer, Abandonment, Ableism, and Miscarriage
Explicit depiction of - OCD including other characters’ frustration with OCD behaviours. - adopted teenager grappling with being adopted - Minor character with significant intellectual disability including off page seizures and off page violent outburst - divorced family including minor mention of court custody from POV of childiceprime5's review against another edition
5.0
So. Many. Emotions. I laughed and got teary eyed (which is a big deal for me, this book may have leveled up my Emotions). This book is about friendship, finding out who you are, seeing yourself as others see you, realizing others don't have the perfect lives we think they do, looking deeper than the surface, and so much more.
I love Zoe and Sam's self image journeys. They both feel something is wrong with them and they have different techniques for coping and navigating their lives. When they meet, they learn about each other and build each other up. They have some bumps along the way and have to find their way back and figure out what works for each of them and their situation.
I read Starworld in 2 days, which is rare for me. I just couldn't stay away. Every time I put the book down, I couldn't stop thinking of their next adventure in Starworld so I just stopped putting the book down. I may need to read it again to help sort out these emotion things. :)
I thought I'd relate more to Zoe since she puts up "walls" (which my mom is always telling me I do), but part of Sam's story hit really close to home. A lot of this book hit close to home and I wasn't expecting it. I wasn't expecting a lot of the heavy topics, but it's clear they did their research and represent these topics well. They even include resources after the story (for OCD, pregnancy loss, disabilities and ableism, adoption and adoptees).
I love Zoe and Sam's self image journeys. They both feel something is wrong with them and they have different techniques for coping and navigating their lives. When they meet, they learn about each other and build each other up. They have some bumps along the way and have to find their way back and figure out what works for each of them and their situation.
I read Starworld in 2 days, which is rare for me. I just couldn't stay away. Every time I put the book down, I couldn't stop thinking of their next adventure in Starworld so I just stopped putting the book down. I may need to read it again to help sort out these emotion things. :)
I thought I'd relate more to Zoe since she puts up "walls" (which my mom is always telling me I do), but part of Sam's story hit really close to home. A lot of this book hit close to home and I wasn't expecting it. I wasn't expecting a lot of the heavy topics, but it's clear they did their research and represent these topics well. They even include resources after the story (for OCD, pregnancy loss, disabilities and ableism, adoption and adoptees).
emilykatereads's review
Well, looks like 2019 will be the year I don't waste time on books I'm not enjoying.
I DNF'd this one at page 102. Although, I did skip to the end and read most of the last 50ish pages so get the idea of where everything went. And yknow what, I'm totally fine that I gave up on this one. This is one I requested because I loved another book I read by Audrey Coulthurst, and I saw that this one looked sapphic... and well, It didn't pull through the way I'd hope. I'd say this definitely features a girl who loves another girl, but it isn't the sapphic book that would make you feel good. So if you're looking for that feel-good gay romance, I'd maybe look elsewhere.
This book does cover lots of important issues that are super relevant, though, as well as it's a story about finding yourself. We follow both Sam and Zoe within their own chaotic family worlds, and they form a bond over texting, in their world they call "Starworld."
*cringes at how deep it tries to make this kind of texting*
In theory, this sounds like my kind of story. And yknow what, I totally get the escape a fantasy world brings. But even after 100 pages, there was... no plot? It was character driven, and driven by their Starworld. But their Starworld consisted of random texts about a Dragon named Humphrey and some Taco Bell and hot sauce?
Okay, I mean there was more to it than that, but that's basically what you get with the first 100 pages. Which isn't enough to draw me into the allure. And then there's the fact that immediately in the first chapter, I already disliked the Sam's POV. It had a strong case of "I'm special, because I'm not like everybody else" and there was too much of a stand-off attitude towards any of the "normal" people.
I'm not going to say you shouldn't give this one a chance, though. There's some issues touched on here that might be exactly what someone needs to read. I can't speak to how great the representation is, since I neither have disabled family members to this extent nor did I finish the book to see how well it's handled, but we see intersections not typically seen.
Thanks to the publisher for sending me an arc for an honest review!
Review can also be found on my blog!
I DNF'd this one at page 102. Although, I did skip to the end and read most of the last 50ish pages so get the idea of where everything went. And yknow what, I'm totally fine that I gave up on this one. This is one I requested because I loved another book I read by Audrey Coulthurst, and I saw that this one looked sapphic... and well, It didn't pull through the way I'd hope. I'd say this definitely features a girl who loves another girl, but it isn't the sapphic book that would make you feel good. So if you're looking for that feel-good gay romance, I'd maybe look elsewhere.
This book does cover lots of important issues that are super relevant, though, as well as it's a story about finding yourself. We follow both Sam and Zoe within their own chaotic family worlds, and they form a bond over texting, in their world they call "Starworld."
*cringes at how deep it tries to make this kind of texting*
In theory, this sounds like my kind of story. And yknow what, I totally get the escape a fantasy world brings. But even after 100 pages, there was... no plot? It was character driven, and driven by their Starworld. But their Starworld consisted of random texts about a Dragon named Humphrey and some Taco Bell and hot sauce?
Okay, I mean there was more to it than that, but that's basically what you get with the first 100 pages. Which isn't enough to draw me into the allure. And then there's the fact that immediately in the first chapter, I already disliked the Sam's POV. It had a strong case of "I'm special, because I'm not like everybody else" and there was too much of a stand-off attitude towards any of the "normal" people.
I'm not going to say you shouldn't give this one a chance, though. There's some issues touched on here that might be exactly what someone needs to read. I can't speak to how great the representation is, since I neither have disabled family members to this extent nor did I finish the book to see how well it's handled, but we see intersections not typically seen.
Thanks to the publisher for sending me an arc for an honest review!
Review can also be found on my blog!
readorrot's review
5.0
This was a beautiful story about friendship and self-love, and it was filled with representation across the board. It hurt my heart in the best way, and I think there are a lot of people out there who are looking for a story like this one--looking to see themselves finally reflected in a book. It was honest and good. Give it a read, and share it with a friend.
librarypatronus's review against another edition
4.0
This was good - I think if I was in the target demographic it might’ve been a 5, but the “Starworld” aspects, while very real to my high school awkward chatting online phase, wasn’t fun for me to read. The rest of the story, though, was compelling and the girls’ varying difficult family lives kept me reading to see how they’d deal. My heart was broken in parts, because I get what it is to be awkward on top of teen angst on top of hard family life.
anjreading's review
4.0
Not paying any attention to the synopsis back whenever I added it to my massive TBR list, I was surprised to find myself reading a YA contemporary instead of fantasy/sci-fi. However, this was a really lovely story about two teens who form a friendship across social strata, helping each other through some really tough home situations. There’s a lot more to it than that, but this was a really good, emotional read.
bluej4yy's review
4.0
3.5 stars
*desperately wants a Sam in my life*
I liked the realness of this book. I can see myself in Sam’s shoes.
The ending kinda fell flat and was a bit disappointing. It seemed to be leading up to something that ended up not happening.
Overall, though, this was a nice escape. I wish I could be taken to Starworld :(
*desperately wants a Sam in my life*
I liked the realness of this book. I can see myself in Sam’s shoes.
The ending kinda fell flat and was a bit disappointing. It seemed to be leading up to something that ended up not happening.
Overall, though, this was a nice escape. I wish I could be taken to Starworld :(
bookish_brooklyn's review
3.0
This is tricky to write, because practically for the past evening and right up until I finished this book about 15 minutes ago, every fibre of my being was wholly invested in both of these girls, their alternate world of escapism that they created, their unique relationship that was blooming between them both, the hope that both of them grew to develop, their sense of identity that both grew into...
Yet, after everything, I can't help but feel disappointed? I mean I love Audrey Coulthurst's Of Fire and Stars and absolutely cannot wait to read her Inkmistress and newly released Of Ice and Shadows, so maybe I was expecting Sam and Zoe to have more of a Mare and Denna type relationship?
I mean, don't get me wrong though, their friendship was absolutely adorable and completely heartfelt, I just feel amazed that Zoe was able to confide so much in Sam without establishing any sense of feelings for her? I mean, Zoe had refused to open up to her own closest friends because she feels like all of their lives are perfect, compared to her own sense of not being wanted by her birth mother, not being the miracle child that her little brother is, not belonging anywhere - then in sweeps the amazing Sam with her fantastical imagination, I mean I felt right away how much Sam was instantly head over heels mad for Zoe, I mean she creates these gorgeous interactions between them both, Starworld (title significance on point, my heart!), where they create worlds and galaxies fuelled by a love of escapism and a dragon named Humphrey. I utterly loved their escape from reality into their intergalactic realm, and I absolutely adored the seemingly robotic at heart Sam, I loved how she spoke in integers, I mean she reminded me of a female and far less obnoxious Sheldon Cooper!
However, as I reflect about Starworld, I feel that despite Zoe divulging everything that there is to know about her troubles family and her seemingly lack of significance in life, despite her saying how much she loves her brother (and struggles to come to terms with his disability, saying to the reader and Sam that she laments not being able to have friends over, doesn't like the idea of him going to a specialist care home, but knowing her life can resume some sense of being), I feel that Zoe just took Sam for granted!
I'm going to a bit spoilery now, so if you haven't read this novel yet and don't want to be spoilt, then by all means don't read on.
I just don't understand how Zoe didn't see the kiss coming! I think, okay I know that Zoe didn't ever say she was straight or bi or anything, and I mean I tell my friends that I love them, because I do - but what I don't do is do what Sam did and blurt it out right in the middle of one of their Starworld escapades!
It's no wonder Sam was compelled to think that maybe the girl that she found herself pouring her heart out to, creating these worlds and even drawing a majestic bird image for her Zoe's brother, might feel the same way!
I will admit though that the friendship was beautiful, I mean it's what had me so invested throughout! Zoe finds herself opening up to Sam, and vice versa too, I think Sam is able to address the fact that her mum's OCD is not a traditional way of living, and I just thought it was super cute that Zoe makes symmetrical numbered biscuits for Sam as a peace offering for when the former's friends start making fun of Sam and her seemingly freakish ways. Like, I personally thought Zoe's friends were so self indulgent, only wanting to have parties and get hammered and worry about what their wearing to the dance (okay I'm pointing fingers here because Zoe's best friend did try to help her and I think she may have meant well initially, but still!). Also, I didn't see Zoe stand up for Sam when her friends were making fun and that just wasn't nice at all!
Despite my seemingly disgruntled tone, Starworld is a story that will definitely stay in my mind for a while to come! And now I'm even more excited to return to my favourite gay Princesses, Denna and Mare!
Yet, after everything, I can't help but feel disappointed? I mean I love Audrey Coulthurst's Of Fire and Stars and absolutely cannot wait to read her Inkmistress and newly released Of Ice and Shadows, so maybe I was expecting Sam and Zoe to have more of a Mare and Denna type relationship?
I mean, don't get me wrong though, their friendship was absolutely adorable and completely heartfelt, I just feel amazed that Zoe was able to confide so much in Sam without establishing any sense of feelings for her? I mean, Zoe had refused to open up to her own closest friends because she feels like all of their lives are perfect, compared to her own sense of not being wanted by her birth mother, not being the miracle child that her little brother is, not belonging anywhere - then in sweeps the amazing Sam with her fantastical imagination, I mean I felt right away how much Sam was instantly head over heels mad for Zoe, I mean she creates these gorgeous interactions between them both, Starworld (title significance on point, my heart!), where they create worlds and galaxies fuelled by a love of escapism and a dragon named Humphrey. I utterly loved their escape from reality into their intergalactic realm, and I absolutely adored the seemingly robotic at heart Sam, I loved how she spoke in integers, I mean she reminded me of a female and far less obnoxious Sheldon Cooper!
However, as I reflect about Starworld, I feel that despite Zoe divulging everything that there is to know about her troubles family and her seemingly lack of significance in life, despite her saying how much she loves her brother (and struggles to come to terms with his disability, saying to the reader and Sam that she laments not being able to have friends over, doesn't like the idea of him going to a specialist care home, but knowing her life can resume some sense of being), I feel that Zoe just took Sam for granted!
I'm going to a bit spoilery now, so if you haven't read this novel yet and don't want to be spoilt, then by all means don't read on.
I just don't understand how Zoe didn't see the kiss coming! I think, okay I know that Zoe didn't ever say she was straight or bi or anything, and I mean I tell my friends that I love them, because I do - but what I don't do is do what Sam did and blurt it out right in the middle of one of their Starworld escapades!
It's no wonder Sam was compelled to think that maybe the girl that she found herself pouring her heart out to, creating these worlds and even drawing a majestic bird image for her Zoe's brother, might feel the same way!
I will admit though that the friendship was beautiful, I mean it's what had me so invested throughout! Zoe finds herself opening up to Sam, and vice versa too, I think Sam is able to address the fact that her mum's OCD is not a traditional way of living, and I just thought it was super cute that Zoe makes symmetrical numbered biscuits for Sam as a peace offering for when the former's friends start making fun of Sam and her seemingly freakish ways. Like, I personally thought Zoe's friends were so self indulgent, only wanting to have parties and get hammered and worry about what their wearing to the dance (okay I'm pointing fingers here because Zoe's best friend did try to help her and I think she may have meant well initially, but still!). Also, I didn't see Zoe stand up for Sam when her friends were making fun and that just wasn't nice at all!
Despite my seemingly disgruntled tone, Starworld is a story that will definitely stay in my mind for a while to come! And now I'm even more excited to return to my favourite gay Princesses, Denna and Mare!