Review: These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

These Broken Stars (Starbound #1) by Amie Kaufman, Meagan Spooner
December 10th, 2013 · Disney Hyperion
Source: Borrowed ARC from Hannah @ The Girl in a Cafe
Format: ARC
Page Count: 384

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

A timeless love story, THESE BROKEN STARS sets into motion a sweeping science fiction series of companion novels. The Starbound Trilogy: Three worlds. Three love stories. One enemy

Having never read a sci-fi novel, I had no idea what to expect, only that the cover was gorgeous; it sounded great; and it was co-authored, with one half being Australian. I wanted so much to enjoy it and I’m glad to say I did; once I got through those first few chapters, all I wanted to do was snuggle up with a blanket and read.

These Broken Stars is the first book in a trilogy and for once in a long time, I’m glad there’s going to be more. So often, series are stretched out when it isn’t always necessary but I feel that there’s more story to tell so I’m looking forward to that, especially if it means more pretty covers!

As for Tarver and Lilac, they made for some awesome characters. I liked how they worked on their own but also together. The best part though was that I loved their POV’s equally. There was never a time I was wishing for one instead of the other which is rare; usually you don’t get that balance. Sometimes co-authorship doesn’t always work but in this case it did. The transition between the writing worked so well that I had no idea who was who. Being totally clueless has never felt so good!

All in all, apart from a slightly slow beginning and an ending that started to lose my focus a tad, this book was a great start to a previously undiscovered genre. Plus, the (unexpected) creepiness which kept me up reading til late? Definitely a highlight! Pitched as “Titanic in space” (and while I picked up on that slightly), I got more of a Lost vibe. Nonetheless, These Broken Stars was creative in its own rights and like nothing I’ve read before.

3.5/5