Author: Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Format Acquired: Hardcover
Publication Date: December 10 2013
Publishing House: Disney Hyperion
ISBN: 9781423171027
Source of Copy: Purchased from Fully Booked
Summary:
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, Tarver and Lilac 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 - 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.
Review:
I initially had a lot of misgivings about this book but I bought it anyway because of the gorgeous cover which, after reading the story is very fitting. Confession time guys, I rated this book based on the summary alone and proudly proclaimed that this book would rate 3 rainbows at most. At MOST. I was actually expecting it to go even lower but I was wrong. I was dreadfully wrong and I love These Broken Stars all the more for shoving that those 3 rainbows back in my face.
Think Titanic but set in space. When the ship Lilac was traveling on - ironically named Icarus, nothing good comes from that name, seriously - crash lands on a seemingly terraformed planet leaving only her and the infuriatingly handsome Tarver alive, she's got no choice but to stick to his side in hopes of surviving. Their goal? To stay alive and hope that they get rescued. But they didn't count on the voices that call to Lilac or the secrets that their journey across the terrains seem to uncover.
Lilac, whom I initially thought I would be annoyed at - because I don't get along well with prissy, spoiled characters - threw me for a loop. She's rich and spoiled and she's basically a prim and proper princess, which we all should expect because she's daughter of the richest man in the universe, but she wasn't annoying. She's smart and pretty like all YA heroines are wont to be but she's got some hidden facets to her personality that I absolutely adored. That scene where she got down on her knees in her gorgeous dress and high heels to tinker with the control panel of an escape pod made me think that well, this chick's pretty cool. She's not only a looker but she's got brains too. (Her ability to walk through a jungle in high heels garners plus point for her. I can't even walk on solid ground in high heels.)
Tarver is an award winning military man. He's handsome and capable and I'm pretty sure I'm in love with him too. He and Lilac are total opposites, which make their interactions highly entertaining. It was amusing to see his confusion, fascination and unbridled interest in Lilac. He's not meant to mingle with the elite upper class but does so and despite being capable of dealing with them expertly, he just doesn't quite fit in and their class standing might have been a point of tension between them.
Panicked crowds, crashing ships and surviving on an unknown planet; these are all situations that Tarver's been trained for and his strength and fierceness and capabilities are all admirable. But while I can say that I liked all of those traits it's their character growth and willingness to change that I approve of best. Lilac's growth was incredible and I found myself adoring her even more for the way she pushed herself to change. The romance was unbearably sweet and real and absolutley swoon-worthy. Tarver and Lilac bickered a lot but once they started to get to know each other that only served to rekindle the attraction they had for each other on the ship.
I'm not exactly a fan of survival stories but I loved These Broken Stars so much. Excellent characters and wonderful character growth and gorgeous prose? Yes please. While there are a few things questionable about the sci-fi aspect I find that I don't really mind and this book deserves 4 freaking rainbows.
Also, Starbound #2 (This Shattered World) comes out November 11 2014 which is a LONG, LONG TIME to wait. It's not a continuation of Lilac and Tarver's story - cue ugly cry - but it's totally fine because HAVE YOU READ THAT SUMMARY? It sound so interesting! I can't wait till November and the moment local bookstores stock it I am totes throwing my money at them and grabbing a copy. The fact that it has some Legend by Marie Lu vibes going on is kind of a plus. I just hope the ending doesn't make me bawl like Champion did. Please. No tears.
Source of Copy: Purchased from Fully Booked
Summary:
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, Tarver and Lilac 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 - 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.
Review:
I initially had a lot of misgivings about this book but I bought it anyway because of the gorgeous cover which, after reading the story is very fitting. Confession time guys, I rated this book based on the summary alone and proudly proclaimed that this book would rate 3 rainbows at most. At MOST. I was actually expecting it to go even lower but I was wrong. I was dreadfully wrong and I love These Broken Stars all the more for shoving that those 3 rainbows back in my face.
Think Titanic but set in space. When the ship Lilac was traveling on - ironically named Icarus, nothing good comes from that name, seriously - crash lands on a seemingly terraformed planet leaving only her and the infuriatingly handsome Tarver alive, she's got no choice but to stick to his side in hopes of surviving. Their goal? To stay alive and hope that they get rescued. But they didn't count on the voices that call to Lilac or the secrets that their journey across the terrains seem to uncover.
Lilac, whom I initially thought I would be annoyed at - because I don't get along well with prissy, spoiled characters - threw me for a loop. She's rich and spoiled and she's basically a prim and proper princess, which we all should expect because she's daughter of the richest man in the universe, but she wasn't annoying. She's smart and pretty like all YA heroines are wont to be but she's got some hidden facets to her personality that I absolutely adored. That scene where she got down on her knees in her gorgeous dress and high heels to tinker with the control panel of an escape pod made me think that well, this chick's pretty cool. She's not only a looker but she's got brains too. (Her ability to walk through a jungle in high heels garners plus point for her. I can't even walk on solid ground in high heels.)
Tarver is an award winning military man. He's handsome and capable and I'm pretty sure I'm in love with him too. He and Lilac are total opposites, which make their interactions highly entertaining. It was amusing to see his confusion, fascination and unbridled interest in Lilac. He's not meant to mingle with the elite upper class but does so and despite being capable of dealing with them expertly, he just doesn't quite fit in and their class standing might have been a point of tension between them.
Panicked crowds, crashing ships and surviving on an unknown planet; these are all situations that Tarver's been trained for and his strength and fierceness and capabilities are all admirable. But while I can say that I liked all of those traits it's their character growth and willingness to change that I approve of best. Lilac's growth was incredible and I found myself adoring her even more for the way she pushed herself to change. The romance was unbearably sweet and real and absolutley swoon-worthy. Tarver and Lilac bickered a lot but once they started to get to know each other that only served to rekindle the attraction they had for each other on the ship.
I'm not exactly a fan of survival stories but I loved These Broken Stars so much. Excellent characters and wonderful character growth and gorgeous prose? Yes please. While there are a few things questionable about the sci-fi aspect I find that I don't really mind and this book deserves 4 freaking rainbows.
Also, Starbound #2 (This Shattered World) comes out November 11 2014 which is a LONG, LONG TIME to wait. It's not a continuation of Lilac and Tarver's story - cue ugly cry - but it's totally fine because HAVE YOU READ THAT SUMMARY? It sound so interesting! I can't wait till November and the moment local bookstores stock it I am totes throwing my money at them and grabbing a copy. The fact that it has some Legend by Marie Lu vibes going on is kind of a plus. I just hope the ending doesn't make me bawl like Champion did. Please. No tears.
Rating:
"Novel Nails" is a feature of the blog that showcases nail art inspired by books and their covers. Nail art will be created by either Michelle or Nicole and will be featured alongside their reviews.
These Broken Stars has a freaking gorgeous cover. How could I not create nail art for it? Plus, it was the perfect opportunity to try out galaxy nails. Yay!
These nails also served as my graduation nails because they matched the blue of my dress.
Here's a list of the nail polish I used to create these babies.
Base: NARS Ethno Run RIGHT
Silver: OPI Haven't the Foggiest
Blue: Orly Sweet Peacock
"Stars": Orly White Tips
Shimmer overlay: China Glaze Fairy Dust
Isn't it just gorgeous?
I love how my NARS base coat, which is a dark shade of blue, looks darker than it really is thanks to the application of the lighter shades.
I used a sponge to apply the silver and blue. I just dabbed the colors onto the opaque base and applied the white dots which are supposedly stars with a dotting tool.
I layered China Glaze Fairy Dust over it. Doesn't it look marvelous? That shimmer is the best.
I'm all matchy with the book now.
So what do you guys think? Yay or nay?
That looks gorgeous! I tried to do Galaxy nails few months ago and actually loved how it turned out! I'm gonna have to do my nails when I read this book as well lol
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's my second time doing galaxy nails, they're super fun to do. :>
DeleteI love the nails! So beautiful, wish I could do something like that!
ReplyDeleteI read this book a while ago and loved it and was disappointed as well when I found out book #2 won't be about Lilac and Tarver. But I still can't wait for it!
Megan @ Books i View
Thank you! And I feel exactly the same. I can't wait for the second book and I hope it's just as good. Fingers crossed. :)
DeleteYour nails look gorgeous! I want to go through all your "Novel Nails" posts now, I've been looking for a blog that featured designs based on books. And a lovely review! You probably know that there's going to be a Lily and Tarver novella by now but AHHH so excited for that and This Shattered World :)
ReplyDelete