Review: THESE BROKEN STARS by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Title: These Broken Stars

Author: Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Publication date: December 10, 2013

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Source: an ARC provided by the publisher for an honest review

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.

Review:

First line: Nothing about this room is real.

I received this book earlier in the year, putting it off first by it's far off publication date and then my increasing expectations due to raving reviews. But then I read it and I saw beauty.

The characters: Tarver and Lilac were basically our only characters throughout the whole book and I wasn't complaining. They were complex and vulnerable in their own ways, but still strong. We meet them on the ship before the horrific ordeal happens and already, there's tension after she embarrasses him. After, when they're stranded, they don't want to work together, but they eventually do. The tension was perfect. However, the authors were still able to characterize others who didn't even show up, like Lilac's dictator father.

The setting: I've never watched Titanic (go ahead, take away some kind of feminine card), but I imagined the ship they were sailing flying? on to be very similar. Full of gowns, drinks, dancing, jewels, and flirting. We weren't there long though when we suddenly crashed with Lilac and Tarver on a mysterious, potentially lethal planet. Gosh, I love sci-fi. The authors do a great job in setting up an unknown world that makes you incredibly nervous, but very intrigued. You're conflicted in wanting them to explore and to stay away.

The writing: I haven't read many dual-author books, but if they're all written as well as this one, I will gladly try them out every time. Every other chapter is either Lilac and Tarver so I'm guessing each author wrote one. I didn't have a problem telling the narratives apart even though deep down, Lilac and Tarver were so alike despite their statuses.

The story: The authors are also cruel.

I know some bloggers who thought the twist and the ending ruined the whole story, but I thought it was great. Sure, it tore my soul and made me question all of life, but it could be considered a small price to pay for such a great book.

This may be a tiny detail in the midst of things, but I also want to mention the interrogation scenes. Before every chapter, we're given dialogue between Tarver and what we assume to be Lilac's father's men, an interrogation of the events that happened. I looked forward to it every chapter because it showed more of Tarver's snark and provided more to the story.

While it did take me a couple chapters to be invested into the story, it was well worth any wait. The writing, the characters, the setting, the journey...it all came together to give me an incredible sci-fi experience.

Verdict: These Broken Stars came out this week so if you haven't read it yet, GO. Mystery, twists, romance, adventure, survival, FEELS. 

Note: Quotes may have changed from ARC to publication.