Book Review: These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Title: These Broken Stars
Series: Starbound, #1
Author: Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Publication Date: December 10, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi, Dystopia
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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.

My Thoughts

Ever since this book's cover was revealed, I was eager to read it for two reasons: the cover (of course) and the synopsis. I was anticipating to finally read this last December 2013, however, I got distracted by other books that I somehow ended up reading this last March. I like the writing but there were things that the book didn't quite answered my questions. Although, I enjoyed reading this very much and I think it was really a good read and adventurous fictional world to be in.

Plot

The story started with a party with Tarver's POV and by the looks of it, he's not the kind of guy who's into these kind of events but was simply forced to because of his achieved status. The idea of the Icarus though had me quite awed and picturing it in my head over and over. Thinking how cool it would be to be on board, yet at the same time it would also be dangerous in case some things happen..and something did. When Lilac and Tarver's pod landed on some strange world or planet, they were forced to help each other in order to survive..even if they don't like to be in the same room or distance. The planet or world was never mentioned WHAT or WHERE (or if that was mentioned, I probably didn't notice) You're left to wondering what or where it is although I strongly think they landed on earth because of the rain and grass and other living thing. Then the spirit-like lights or things that Lilac seemed to be hallucinating and then Tarver. Those things made me confuse and they do play a part in a scene with Lilac..which was also confusing but it was explained. Still, I was very confused at that time.

Characters

There weren't enough characters to discuss aside from Lilac and Tarver because it happens that they were the only survivors after Icarus crashed. Lilac's a strong girl but sometimes her "strong" personality gets irritating when she refused help from Tarver even when it's so obvious she needs help. But she's really smart and I was surprised that she knows how to connect wires and fix this and that despite the status in life she's in. Tarver's a headstrong character but I think he quickly assumes things like with Lilac while they were still on board the Icarus and kind of think that she's some snob rich girl. His cold attitude while they were trying to survive was just rude. And he and Lilac fight a lot which was frustrating but later on they got adorable and sweet and romantic. Not that I mind much because it was nice having the two of them together happy and understanding.

Conclusion

The ending was edgy for me. To think that this is a trilogy but every book has different main characters. These Broken Stars ended unsatisfying for me because of the heated talk between Lilac and her father and Tarver trying to do something. I wish the POVs will be like Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles that even with different main characters in every book in the series, the previous characters still gets their own POV and appearance. I still like this and I do plan on rereading too.

My Rating:

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Book Review: Cress

Title: Cress
Series: Lunar Chronicles, #3
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publication Date: February 04, 2014
Genre: Young Adult, Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Retelling
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In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.

My Thoughts

Marissa Meyer has done it again. Another read from the Lunar Chronicles series, another great journey to this futuristic fairytale retelling and new characters to have a thrilling adventure with. Cress introduces us to a few new characters and we get a glimpse of someone for the next and last book in the quartet, Winter. I have once again loved the third installation and the events during the last few chapters made me want the next book ASAP.

Cress was a lovable main character just like Cinder and Scarlet. She's awkward and oblivious that I find it funny and cute. And one can't help not to fall for Captain Carswell Thorne. In this book, we get a new side of him that we haven't seen in Scarlet. In book two, he's usually the sarcastic and charming one, here, he's still that but there's more of him that I didn't expect to see. The rest of the characters still amaze me with their determination to stop Levana and fight her and the evil Lunars. It's just sad that there were so many traps and some of the characters got harmed and kidnapped. Ever since the first book, I can't seem to stop worrying for them. They've already been through so much that I can't wait for the last book so that there's finally an end to Levana's cruelty.

There was never a dull moment when I read Cress, same goes for the books before it, and I've been enjoying every moment. Except for the sad parts, they weren't enjoyable, they were worth the tears. Very good book, loved it and I'm very much excited for Winter.

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Book Review: Scarlet

Title: Scarlet
Series: Lunar Chronicles, #2
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publication Date: February 05, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Retelling
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Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

My Thoughts:

I am so in love with this book and I regret that I didn’t plan on reading this right after I read Cinder. I wasn’t sure at first what to feel for this (before I read it) because it’s from another character’s POV and I’m not used to changing POVs in fantasy books. I’m used to them when I’m reading contemporary but fantasy (or any other genre aside from contemporary)? No. I wanted to remain in Cinder’s head (even with Emperor Kai) and I wasn’t ready to let go just yet. To my utter surprise, Scarlet sure had me wrapped around its pages. The POV? Different POVs which I’m thankful for because there’s enough screen time for the characters and the events circling around them. It’s not also written in a messy way because I’ve encountered books with multiply POVs, and in third person, that ends up having their readers confused with the flow.

I have loved Scarlet as much as I loved Cinder. I love how these heroines can be badass without kicking butts every single time. Sure they have kicked some but their badassery (not really a word) wasn’t determined on their physical strengths. It was more on the way they think and their determination to fight. I wish there was more about Scarlet’s grandma because she seemed to know a lot, especially on what happened to Princess Selene. Cinder and Carswell tag-team was so fun to read especially Carswell Thorne’s personality. And then we have Wolf who, from the start, already caught my interest from the start due to his shyness. In the end, he’s still managed to keep me interested. Wolf and Scarlet though, I love them so much together that right now, I’m wanting more of them!

I’m excited to start Cress but at the same time, I want to reread this and go on Scarlet’s journey again.

My Rating:

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Book Review: Cinder

Title: Cinder
Series: Lunar Chronicles, #1
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publication Date: January 03, 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Retelling
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Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

My Thoughts

Wow. I had a lot of jaw-dropping moments when I read this book. I got intrigued by this after watching vlog reviews and I’ve read some good feedback from my friends here. The cover’s really pretty and I love the font so I didn’t hesitate to grab a copy from the bookstore and purchase it. Eager to read what’s it about and finish with hopes of having a happy read.

This has been pretty notable and it didn’t disappoint. Cyborg heroine, androids, a great twist of a renown fairy tale with an alien-like villain in a very sci-fi community. The ending left me in an anxious state for what’s gonna happen next.

I love Cinder, the cyborg mechanic and protagonist of the story. I find her determined and actually adorable once she started having feelings for Prince Kai. There’s also quite a bit angst and sadness in this considering it’s a forbidden attraction. I also loathe her stepmother and older stepsister while I love the young stepsister. Some characters are likable, like Iko and Dr. Erland, even Prince Kai. Though I don’t know much about that doctor yet but I’m glad he’s willing to help Cinder. There are heart-tugging scenes too especially during those disease moments with Cinder and Peony. It broke my heart. Some parts I had my guesses and some of them were right but some weren’t. Still, even with my right guesses, the scenarios still had me in surprise. Especially the Princess Selene issue. I definitely want to read more!

I like a book that makes me sad and happy and this one did it. Can’t wait to read Scarlet soon!


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