These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Release Date: December 10, 2013
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Series: Starbound, Book 1
Rated: YA 14+
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Buy: Amazon ● The Book Depository
Goodreads ● Website (Kaufman) ● Website (Spooner)

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.

The first in a sweeping science fiction trilogy, These Broken Stars is a timeless love story about hope and survival in the face of unthinkable odds.

These Broken Stars? I'm in awe. Literally: jaw-dropped-eyes-wide-in-shock awe. This book was SO freakin' amazing! I fell in love with the characters from page one, and found myself flipping pages, longing to go back to the book when I couldn't. I was hooked into this fantastic world of romance, and intrigued by the deadly mystery.
It's no surprise when I say that I was desperate to get my hands on this book. When Disney-Hyperion – oh sweet, kind Disney-Hyperion – actually managed to send me a copy for review, I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to finally read this book. It's one of the most talked about books this year, as well as the book that has everyone squealing over the cover. Isn't it absolutely gorgeous? I'm not just talking about the cover– the story and characters are amazing as well, and you will not be disappointed.

❝It takes me a few seconds to understand what he means. He's watching me, brows lifted, expectant.
Then it hits me. He doesn't know who I am.❞

–p.  20 (ARC* copy)

*text is subject to change in the final copy

The chemistry between these two characters is TO DIE FOR. I love how it isn't insta-love and there's no dreaded love-triangle that comes up (thank goodness). In fact, their characters, aside from a very flirty conversation at the start, it turns into "hate" for the both of them.
I will admit, that with Lilac I was torn between liking and hating her at first. She seemed a little whiny – during Tarver's perspective definitely – and really spoilt. Then again, I loved reading her side of the story, and how much tension there was between her different lifestyles as well as her somewhat-secretive skills and past. Her character development was really well done, and in the end I fell in love with her. Tarver I adored from the get-go. He's charming, he's sweet and his character has good moral values, not lost his head amongst the world of glitz and glamour. I also enjoyed his backstory and the memories that unfold along the way about his past and his family.

I also really enjoyed the switch in perspectives. It really helped to build up the suspense in the novel as well as understand each character so much better. There's also these little interview bits between each chapter which I found really foreshadows what's to come. It's interesting to see how as the story plays out the interviews become more gripping as the action builds up and Tarver is asked about what happened when they crashed on the planet.

❝"You next encountered her...?"
"The day before the accident."
"What were your intentions at that stage?"
"I had none."
"Why not?"
"You're joking, right?"
"Major, we aren't here to entertain you."
"I found out who she was. That it was over before I even said hello."❞

–p. 13 (ARC* copy)

*Text is subject to change in the final copy

The world building is unquestionably breathtaking. I was completely sucked in by the gorgeous descriptions that Kaufman and Spooner have created. When a setting is done justice, the whole book becomes ten times better. The characters and storyline is already fabulous, so you can only imagine how much MORE fabulosity there is when there's a fantastic world that has you captivated. I mean, it's hard enough to describe the world we live in, but to actually create a new one? I've so much respect for authors who write fantasy and dystopian or science-fiction, because creating a world that should seem believable is a tough job as I can imagine, but these two have done it so flawlessly that it seems almost effortless!
Do be prepared for some HOLY MOTHER OF GOD moments, because these do happen quite often in the book. The pace at the start is quite slow, but this get like pushed into high-action after things start to crumble away and all hell breaks loose. What I liked was that it didn't stay on that high note and settled back into a slower pace, because then there was a lot more room for surprises with every plot twist and turn.

It's taken me a while to write this review, but it is only because I find that the books that I love the most I often find it the hardest to review. These Broken Stars is one of the best books I've read, not just from 2013, but in YA. This collaboration between Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner is beyond brilliant, and I'm desperate for the next instalment!

**Thank you so much to Disney-Hyperion for sending an ARC copy for review!**

If you like this, try...

• Across the Universe by Beth Revis ● Goodreads
• For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund ● Goodreads