A review by halierivers
The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Oh man, this book got me emotional in the best/worst way. 

Firstly, let me address what I didn’t see ANYWHERE else and had to hunt down myself - one of the POV’s is not in American-Standard English. It’s written with Trinidad Folk Language/Grammar as one of the MC’s is from there. It took me a few chapters to move past this, as it is quite jarring, but your brain picks up smoothly after that. 

Secondly, THIS WAS SO SAD AND SO GOOD? Ughh I just am so glad I read this and thank the Muses that this book exists for teens and adults out there who stumble upon it. It’s about love, rejection, grief, death, and spirituality. And on top of that, we have a cast of (mostly) wholesome, loving, supportive parents which we do not see enough in media. 

Lastly, the ending was not my favorite. But it makes sense with the story. I just wish it were drawn out a bit more bc I didn’t feel like I got to really say goodbye to these amazing characters. 
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