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A review by thechaoticrambler
The Stars are Dying by Chloe C. Peñaranda
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
It honestly felt rushed. The first half is well-paced, but at around the halfway mark, it suddenly feels like the author was rushing to the finish line. The last quarter of the book feels awkward, like it needed more time and refinement; the neck-snapping swings between moods and settings and scenes were jarring and felt like they were definitely missing some cushioning to transition them. There's an entire chapter that is less than one page long situated between a massive revelation and another big revelation, and not only does the contents of the tiny chapter not match the mood for either event, it ends abruptly, as though there was supposed to be more and it was not included. It all gives the feeling that the author wanted to get to the "good parts" and struggled with the in-between parts.
Additionally, many of the characters are not consistent. The female lead in particular is incredibly inconsistent, in the way that she will have a specific thought or feeling about something and a paragraph later, feel something completely different or opposite to that, and then back again. Does she love or hate the male lead? Does she trust him or does she not trust him? Does she want him or is she repulsed by him? That all changes depending on which sentence we're on. Come here, leave me alone, don't ever go away, I wish you would scatter into ashes, stay with me; all on the same page.
That all being said, the parts that are well-written are really good. The world is imaginative, the motivation for the female lead is compelling and tragic, and some of the themes are very well done, particularly the theme of domestic abuse and being stuck in the middle of it. Without spoilers, there are scenes that are so beautifully written and emotions so beautifully captured that it's honestly a shame that the pacing and the breakneck changeups and the character inconsistencies weren't caught in the editing. This book has the potential to be five stars, if not for that.
Additionally, many of the characters are not consistent. The female lead in particular is incredibly inconsistent, in the way that she will have a specific thought or feeling about something and a paragraph later, feel something completely different or opposite to that, and then back again. Does she love or hate the male lead? Does she trust him or does she not trust him? Does she want him or is she repulsed by him? That all changes depending on which sentence we're on. Come here, leave me alone, don't ever go away, I wish you would scatter into ashes, stay with me; all on the same page.
That all being said, the parts that are well-written are really good. The world is imaginative, the motivation for the female lead is compelling and tragic, and some of the themes are very well done, particularly the theme of domestic abuse and being stuck in the middle of it. Without spoilers, there are scenes that are so beautifully written and emotions so beautifully captured that it's honestly a shame that the pacing and the breakneck changeups and the character inconsistencies weren't caught in the editing. This book has the potential to be five stars, if not for that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Chronic illness, Confinement, Sexual content, Torture, Trafficking, Murder, Abandonment
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Slavery