A review by claudiamacpherson
The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Sun Is Also a Star centers primarily on a single day in New York City, when cynical science-nerd Natasha Kingsley meets hopelessly romantic poet Daniel Bae. The story is told through the points of view of not only Natasha and Daniel, but also many of the side characters, illustrating the interconnectedness of cause and effect. As Natasha desperately tries to find a way to save her family from being deported that night, Daniel is preparing for a college interview for Yale, where his parents expect him to pursue the American Dream via the pre-med track. When the two are thrown in each others' paths by coincidence (or is it fate?), neither is prepared for the connection that they feel. Over the course of the day, Natasha and Daniel get to know each other, share family difficulties and their experiences of being an immigrant and a first-generation American, respectively, and clash over their opposing approaches to life. Natasha is ever the pragmatist while Daniel is a dreamer, but together they confront the themes of family and fate, science and the sublime.

I adore happy endings, and though this one was a little ambiguous, it was definitely positive. Throughout this book I loved watching each tiny twist of fate (or coincidence) that bound Natasha and Daniel together, and the final twist was the perfect end to a great book!


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