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lcmarie19 's review for:
Lost in Starlight
by Sherry J. Soule
**This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for my honest review**
Rating: 3.5 stars
Very reminiscient of Alienated by Melissa Landers, Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. One of those books I love, the other two I absolutely am not a fan of. This book shares qualities from all three of them, which is why I found it so difficult to rate/review this. On initial thoughts, I want to say I didn't like this book because it reminds me of two books/series that I simply think are poorly written. On the other hand, there are a lot of good things about Lost in Starlight that I can't judge it unfairly because of what it reminds me of.
First off, this is not an original story. At least not to me. I predicted everything that happened. From Sloane and Devin to her father to every single one of Hayden's actions and reactions. I think that's one peeve for me with this book -- there were no surprises. I wasn't shocked. I wasn't taken off guard or thrown for a loop. This book felt very safe to me.
With that being said, I still thought it was interesting. Playing it safe isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially the first book of a potential series. The first book has to set up book two. Which is what I think Soule was doing. Or at least I hope so.
Let's talk world building -- it was good, but it was a little weak for me. I didn't necessarily gather that anyone was really an alien. Just a byproduct of a science experience. It didn't feel sci-fi to me, just paranormal. Which is fine, but I feel like the world is way bigger than what is given to me in book one. But then again, like I've stated, book one could just be setting everything up. The concept of hybrids is great, but their way of life and customs aren' very believeable. I didn't feel anything when Hayden and Sloane were threatened and captured. I just didn't feel the cause and effect added up enough for their to be as big of an outcry that occurred in the book. There were instances between Sloane and Devin that just didn't make any kind of sense to me. Her reactions to his blatant sexual assault throughout the entire book were completely unbelieveable for me. You have someone invading your personal space, touching your body, and you do nothing because you "work with him" on the school paper? Illogical. And Sloane appeared to be smarter than that. When dealing with Devin, she felt dumbed down a lot.
Characters? They were decent. Hayden was pretty good. Sloane was good. Zach was even tolerable. The supporting characters, to me, were pointless. Other than the antagonists. Sloane's friends weren't memorable. Neither were her parents and Hayden's parents. Even though, I saw what happened with Sloane's dad coming from a mile away. I really did like that Soule didn't make Sloane your typical thin, blonde hair, blue eyed girl. She was unique and representative of the common teenage girl. Mad respect for that.
There could have been more in depth development between Sloane and Hayden, especially considering how intrusive she was on Hayden's life initially. It just went quite fast for me. And then to have what occurred at the end take place like that? It was an up and down rollercoaster that lead to an unnecessarily flatline. Hayden went from zero to 100 back to zero and I couldn't follow why. I mean, he explains why, but even so... it didn't leave me satisfied -- at least until book two.
Now for everything that I loved. Soule does a great job emoting. She created some nice "feels" moments throughout the books, when it came to our two lead characters. I will say that they were really cute together. And it was nice to witness Hayden being himself. That was the only time that I believed their relationship -- when they were in it. I didn't like the lead up and I didn't like the lead out. But the in? That was really good.
There is an amazing concept with fantastic potential in this book, but right now, I'm not enjoying the execution. Too much reminded me of other books, including the dialogue. I know that you can't always be 100% original, but it was just too close for me.
With that being said, I did enjoy reading the book. I did like the concept, and I do see the potential for greater things. Everything is on the precipice of being better than it is currently, and that is why I'm giving this book the rating that I did. I did like it, but I'm hypercritical because it could be way better than it is. I'm not invested in this world yet, but I could be. With the proper tweaks.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Very reminiscient of Alienated by Melissa Landers, Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. One of those books I love, the other two I absolutely am not a fan of. This book shares qualities from all three of them, which is why I found it so difficult to rate/review this. On initial thoughts, I want to say I didn't like this book because it reminds me of two books/series that I simply think are poorly written. On the other hand, there are a lot of good things about Lost in Starlight that I can't judge it unfairly because of what it reminds me of.
First off, this is not an original story. At least not to me. I predicted everything that happened. From Sloane and Devin to her father to every single one of Hayden's actions and reactions. I think that's one peeve for me with this book -- there were no surprises. I wasn't shocked. I wasn't taken off guard or thrown for a loop. This book felt very safe to me.
With that being said, I still thought it was interesting. Playing it safe isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially the first book of a potential series. The first book has to set up book two. Which is what I think Soule was doing. Or at least I hope so.
Let's talk world building -- it was good, but it was a little weak for me. I didn't necessarily gather that anyone was really an alien. Just a byproduct of a science experience. It didn't feel sci-fi to me, just paranormal. Which is fine, but I feel like the world is way bigger than what is given to me in book one. But then again, like I've stated, book one could just be setting everything up. The concept of hybrids is great, but their way of life and customs aren' very believeable. I didn't feel anything when Hayden and Sloane were threatened and captured. I just didn't feel the cause and effect added up enough for their to be as big of an outcry that occurred in the book. There were instances between Sloane and Devin that just didn't make any kind of sense to me. Her reactions to his blatant sexual assault throughout the entire book were completely unbelieveable for me. You have someone invading your personal space, touching your body, and you do nothing because you "work with him" on the school paper? Illogical. And Sloane appeared to be smarter than that. When dealing with Devin, she felt dumbed down a lot.
Characters? They were decent. Hayden was pretty good. Sloane was good. Zach was even tolerable. The supporting characters, to me, were pointless. Other than the antagonists. Sloane's friends weren't memorable. Neither were her parents and Hayden's parents. Even though, I saw what happened with Sloane's dad coming from a mile away. I really did like that Soule didn't make Sloane your typical thin, blonde hair, blue eyed girl. She was unique and representative of the common teenage girl. Mad respect for that.
There could have been more in depth development between Sloane and Hayden, especially considering how intrusive she was on Hayden's life initially. It just went quite fast for me. And then to have what occurred at the end take place like that? It was an up and down rollercoaster that lead to an unnecessarily flatline. Hayden went from zero to 100 back to zero and I couldn't follow why. I mean, he explains why, but even so... it didn't leave me satisfied -- at least until book two.
Now for everything that I loved. Soule does a great job emoting. She created some nice "feels" moments throughout the books, when it came to our two lead characters. I will say that they were really cute together. And it was nice to witness Hayden being himself. That was the only time that I believed their relationship -- when they were in it. I didn't like the lead up and I didn't like the lead out. But the in? That was really good.
There is an amazing concept with fantastic potential in this book, but right now, I'm not enjoying the execution. Too much reminded me of other books, including the dialogue. I know that you can't always be 100% original, but it was just too close for me.
With that being said, I did enjoy reading the book. I did like the concept, and I do see the potential for greater things. Everything is on the precipice of being better than it is currently, and that is why I'm giving this book the rating that I did. I did like it, but I'm hypercritical because it could be way better than it is. I'm not invested in this world yet, but I could be. With the proper tweaks.