These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Series:  The Starbound Trilogy #1

Author: Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Genre: YA sci-fi

Publisher: Disney Hyperion December 10th 2013

Pages: 374 (paperback)

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Swift Synopsis:

Lilac LaRoux is daughter of the richest, and arguably, the most powerful man in the entire universe. Tarver Merendsen, on the other hand, fits on the other end of the spectrum: he comes from a simple family, but has risen the ranks to become a war hero. However, when the ship Icarus crashes with both of them on it,  they are forced to come together when they are seemingly the only survivors.  Can they find a way off the planet - or is it better to stay?

Non-spoiler Review

These Broken Stars is a difficult novel to review without spoilers, but we’ll try our best. It’s also difficult not to fangirl over, and, maybe as an afterthought, it’s also difficult to get out of your mind.

Put simply, The Broken Stars is a stunning book. It has lyrical writing that transports you to another world. With only two characters on a deserted planet, you’d wonder how on earth Spoonman (Kaufman + Spooner. Saves us saying Kaufman and Spooner) manage to keep someone riveted for 374 pages, but they do. If you don’t like romance, sci-fi, YA and a futuristic society, if anything, we recommend reading the book for the writing.

The characterisation was also lovely. We guess, with mainly two characters, it’s easier to explore them in depth, and it really shows, because Lilac and Tarver really develop as human beings. You see their flaws AND their strengths, which is like you or me.  Yes, there will be chemistry between Lilac and Tarver, but we love how it starts slow and steady and isn’t instant love at first sight. It makes the characters more believable and 3D.

The only thing we have to complain about is the lack of sci-fi elements. Read the blurb and already sci-fi jargon is thrown in (hint: hyperspace) AND the book is listed under YA sci-fi. We open up the pages expected to be overwhelmed with incomprehensible language and wicked technology. Needless to say, there was barely any sci-fi. Hyperspace, terra-forming, Tarver’s gun, and a couple more, and that’s it. They were casually mentioned and weren't explored at all.

Take for instance, Tarver’s gun. We  imagined it as your average gun and didn’t get the sense this was some pretty awesome technology. The way this universe was described, the Icarus could basically be the Titanic except it floats in space. Yes, the first page mentioned hover trays and holograms but that’s the point, these things were mentioned. They weren’t described, explained or given more attention to.

Otherwise, this book is a polished gem that you need to read!

Favourite Quote:

Spoiler Review

Don’t you just hate Lilac? At the beginning anyway. And that’s what made her such a delightful character to read. She was snobby and obnoxious, especially when she was tramping across the planet in high heels and a dress.  We just wanted to yank those shoes from under her and throw it at her inflated ego.  But afterwards, watching her grow up to become a fierce independent spirit was a reward. The ending where she stood up to her father - that was Lilac at her best.

We mentioned in the non-spoiler review that Lilac’s and Tarver’s characterisation were amazing. However, everyone else felt like stock characters. Lilac’s father and his corporation are villains but we didn’t get that feeling. LaRoux Industries had trapped energy forms and tortured them (for who knows how long!) but not much hate was elicited from us. Simon - especially - felt like an unneeded addition to the book; we understand he’s there to propel the love story forward, but we felt he was too underdeveloped. However, Tarver made up for Simon's flatness, and overall, the book is an incredibly fantastic book to read!

Rating!! (Out of 5 stars)

Any thoughts? Please feel free to comment below!