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A review by laurel00
Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This is the third book I read for a book club with a friend of mine, and I don't know how, but we continue to choose the most amazing, devastating, heartbreaking stories. All I knew about this before going into it was that the plot was hard to explain, but that I simply had to trust that it would blow my mind—which it absolutely did!
I think, more than anything, Aoki has a truly beautiful writing style. I was brought to tears on so many different occasions throughout my reading experience—at times in very public spaces, might I add—and every single time I could not keep them in. There is just something about her prose that is so touching, it sounds almost lyrical, which paired so perfectly with the overall theme of music and song. In books where there are multiple storylines, I will always favour one over the others, and sometimes even get a bit annoyed when I have to slog through the chapters of my least favourite POV character. But with this book, I became deeply emotionally connected to every single character and every single storyline. There was never a dull moment, and I felt so personally invested in everything that was happening, which is a testament to Aoki's true talent as a writer.
This definitely has one of the more interesting plots that I've come across—which is getting more and more difficult to do in a publishing industry that seems to prioritize specific tropes and character dynamics. And I loved the way that we were introduced to all the world building. As complex and unique as it is, I never felt confused or unsure or lost in the story. I immediately connected to every person's struggles and journey and I loved every moment of it.
I also think this works so well as a genre-bending story. It definitely is fantastical and has a strong sci-fi element which would appeal to SFF readers, but it is very much based in a contemporary world with characters that feel real and relatable. Whether you are looking for romance or emotional devastation or an analysis of the human condition or a high-stakes other-worldly journey, you will find it in this novel.
Definitely worth the read!
I think, more than anything, Aoki has a truly beautiful writing style. I was brought to tears on so many different occasions throughout my reading experience—at times in very public spaces, might I add—and every single time I could not keep them in. There is just something about her prose that is so touching, it sounds almost lyrical, which paired so perfectly with the overall theme of music and song. In books where there are multiple storylines, I will always favour one over the others, and sometimes even get a bit annoyed when I have to slog through the chapters of my least favourite POV character. But with this book, I became deeply emotionally connected to every single character and every single storyline. There was never a dull moment, and I felt so personally invested in everything that was happening, which is a testament to Aoki's true talent as a writer.
This definitely has one of the more interesting plots that I've come across—which is getting more and more difficult to do in a publishing industry that seems to prioritize specific tropes and character dynamics. And I loved the way that we were introduced to all the world building. As complex and unique as it is, I never felt confused or unsure or lost in the story. I immediately connected to every person's struggles and journey and I loved every moment of it.
I also think this works so well as a genre-bending story. It definitely is fantastical and has a strong sci-fi element which would appeal to SFF readers, but it is very much based in a contemporary world with characters that feel real and relatable. Whether you are looking for romance or emotional devastation or an analysis of the human condition or a high-stakes other-worldly journey, you will find it in this novel.
Definitely worth the read!