These Broken Stars - A Book Review

THESE BROKEN STARS
- Authors: Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner 
- Publishing date: November 25, 2014
- Tags: YA, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Dystopian

These Broken Stars... well, I went in to this novel completely blind as to what it was about, as I avoided spoilers like the plague. Someone had previously said that this was basically like Titanic in space. While this is semi-accurate, it does not entirely describe what this book brings to it's readers.

These Broken Stares is a dual-point YA novel, set in a futuristic world where space travel is very normal, and space ships are as big and grand as your luxury cruise ships. I'll be honest - that's pretty much what I envisioned, except floating around in space...

The story follows Lilac, a rich daughter of one of the most powerful men in the 'galaxy', and Tarver, an 'war' hero, whose worlds come crashing together (lol) in an unexpected way. The story is rather unique and interesting, and it did capture my attention enough to have me read it in a few days, and as always with honest reviews, I will let you know that it was up and down in tempo of the story and so I struggled, though only a little.

Lilac and Tarver are both interesting characters, as they both come from entirely different backgrounds and each have very different motivating factors throughout the story. They interacted well at some times, where the dialogue was quite cute and witty, but at others I felt like rolling my eyes and giving them both a good talking to. You know how you do that sometimes with YA protagonists? Like: COME ONE, stop being so silly. READ THE ROOM! Well, I do...

Anyway, the story goes to places you would never expect, with a bit of paranormal mystery woven into what I expected to be sci-fi. This aspect I actually really enjoyed, as it was rather unique and I hadn't really read anything like that before. Some of the settings are also really cool and I enjoyed they way it was described as it really brought it to life for me.

Another interesting part of this book was the beginnings of each chapter, where you see Tarver being interviewed after everything has happened, so small bits of information is divulged to you slowly, which I greatly enjoyed!

FAVORITE QUOTE

MY RATING

- 3.5/5 stars - it was a good read, it entertained me, had interesting characters, and I would pick up the next book for sure. Would I recommend this? YES. :)

DESCRIPTION (as at Amazon.com)
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.

Pick up your own copy here: These Broken Stars 

Popular Book Releases of January 2016

Woah woah, shut the front door... it's the end of January already?? 
Well it is, and January had a LOT of stunning book releases. So if you're looking for something great to read, well look no further - here are some of releases from January 2016:

Passenger
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Release date: January 5, 2016
Tags: YA, Science Fiction and Fantasy 
Relevant books: N/A 

In one devastating night, violin prodigy Etta Spencer loses everything she knows and loves. Thrust into an unfamiliar world by a stranger with a dangerous agenda, Etta is certain of only one thing: she has traveled not just miles, but years from home. And she's inherited a legacy she knows nothing about from a family whose existence she's never heard of. Until now.

Nicholas Carter is content with his life at sea, free from the Ironwoods-a powerful family in the Colonies-and the servitude he's known at their hands. But with the arrival of an unusual passenger on his ship comes the insistent pull of the past that he can't escape and the family that won't let him go so easily. Now the Ironwoods are searching for a stolen object of untold value, one they believe only Etta, his passenger, can find. In order to protect her, Nick must ensure she brings it back to them-whether she wants to or not. 


Together, Etta and Nicholas embark on a perilous journey across centuries and continents, piecing together clues left behind by the traveler who will do anything to keep the object out of the Ironwoods' grasp. But as they get closer to the truth of their search, and the deadly game the Ironwoods are playing, treacherous forces threaten to separate Etta not only from Nicholas but from her path home forever.

Truthwitch
Author: Susan Dennard 
Release date: January 5, 2016
Tags: YA, Romance, Science Fiction and Dystopian 
Relevant books: This is the first book of the Witchlands series 

On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a "witchery," a magical skill that sets them apart from others.

In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble--as two desperate young women know all too well.

Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It's a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially amongst the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.

Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the invisible ties that bind and entangle the lives around her--but she cannot see the bonds that touch her own heart. Her unlikely friendship with Safi has taken her from life as an outcast into one of of reckless adventure, where she is a cool, wary balance to Safi's hotheaded impulsiveness.

Safi and Iseult just want to be free to live their own lives, but war is coming to the Witchlands. With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and ship's captain) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must fight emperors, princes, and mercenaries alike, who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.

Never Never (part 3 of 3)
Author: Tarryn Fisher and Colleen Hoover
Release date: 16 January, 2016
Tags: YA, Romance, Suspense 
Relevant books: Never never parts one and two

Together, Silas Nash and Charlie Wynwood must look deeper into the past to find out who they were and who they want to be. With time ticking down, the couple are in a race to find the answers they need before they lose everything. Can they regain what they once had? And will it restore who they once were?






Night Study
Author: Maria V. Snyder 
Release date: January 26, 2016 
Tags: YA, Science Fiction and Fantasy 
Relevant books: The study series by Maria V. Snyder 

Ever since being kidnapped from the Illiais Jungle as a child, Yelena Zaltana's life has been fraught with peril. But the recent loss of her Soulfinding abilities has endangered her more than ever before. As she desperately searches for a way to reclaim her magic, her enemies are closing in, and neither Ixia nor Sitia is safe for her anymore. Especially since the growing discord between the two countries and the possibility of a war threatens everything Yelena holds dear.  

Valek is determined to protect Yelena, but he's quickly running out of options. The Commander suspects that his loyalties are divided, and he's been keeping secrets from Valek…secrets that put him, Yelena and all their friends in terrible danger. As they uncover the various layers of the Commander's mysterious plans, they realize it's far more sinister than they could have ever imagined.

The Siren
Author: Kiera Cass
Release date: 26 January, 2016
Tags: YA, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Romance, Fairytales and Folklore
Relevant books: Standalone - author of the Selection series 

Kahlen is a Siren, bound to serve the Ocean by luring humans to watery graves with her voice, which is deadly to any human who hears it. Akinli is human—a kind, handsome boy who's everything Kahlen ever dreamed of. Falling in love puts them both in danger . . . but Kahlen can't bear to stay away. Will she risk everything to follow her heart?

The Siren was previously self-published; this brand-new edition has been completely rewritten and redesigned.

Cruel Crown

Author: Victoria Aveyard
Release date: January 5, 2016
Tags:
Relevant books: This is a novella for the Red Queen series 

Two women on either side of the Silver-Red divide tell the stories no one else knows.

Discover the truth of Norta's bloody past in these two revealing prequels to #1 New York Timesbestseller Red Queen.

Also includes an exclusive excerpt of the hotly anticipated second book in the Red Queen series! Glass Sword transports readers to the world of Silver tyranny, a Red dawn rising, and one girl's resolve to break down the system that will hold her back no longer.

Queen Song
Queen Coriane, first wife of King Tiberias, keeps a secret diary—how else can she ensure that no one at the palace will use her thoughts against her? Coriane recounts her heady courtship with the crown prince, the birth of a new prince, Cal, and the potentially deadly challenges that lay ahead for her in royal life.

Steel Scars
Captain Farley exchanges coded transmissions with the resistance as she travels the land recruiting black market traders, smugglers, and extremists for her first attempt at an attack on the capital. She was raised to be strong, but planting the seeds of rebellion in Norta is a tougher job than expected—until she stumbles upon a connection that may prove to be the key to the entire operation: Mare Barrow.

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SO, I hope you were able to find something that looked like something you might enjoy. I will be posting reviews on each of these books in February for more information! 

Don't Look Back - A Book Review

DON'T LOOK BACK
- Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publishing date: March 17, 2015

Don't look back - this is one of few stand-a-alone novels that has been brought to us by the one and only amazing JLA. If I don't say it enough, I'll say it again - I love everything this woman writes, including this book.

Don't look back is mystery YA novel which follows the story of a young teenager, Samantha, who loses her memory after a traumatic accident, where her best friend Cassie goes missing. She doesn't know what happened, so the readers also don't know. What makes her story so interesting is that she doesn't know who she is, who her family is, and most importantly who her real friends are.

This idea of following a character who is struggling so much with her identity because of her memory loss is a super interesting characteristic of this book, and melds in really well with the mysterious story that unfolds throughout.

Another great aspect, as JLA does so well in all her novels, are the other characters present. Sam has a lot of interaction with her brother's best friend, Carson. These interactions are very interesting to say the least, specifically because of the nature of their relationship prior to her memory loss - which IMO is one of the most fascinating parts of this novel.

As the story of "the night" unfolds for Sam, we learn how she lost her memory, what happened to her missing friend Cassie, and who is responsible for this. Sam starts to think it was her fault, so is she right or wrong? Will she get her memories back? Is she the same person she was before she lost her memories? Read to find out, because it is totally worth the read!

A very easy 4/5 stars to give - keeps you interested, there are laughs and tears right to the very end, and Sam's story is a mystery you can't wait to unravel!

Let me know what you though if you've read it, or after you go away and read it, because why wouldn't you?

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Read the synoposis (as at Amazon)

"Samantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all - popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend. 

Same has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece back together her life from before, she realizes it's one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took "mean girl" to a whole new level, and it's clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She's getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she's falling hard for Carson Oritz, a boy who has always looked out for her - even if the old Sam treated him like trash. 

But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that aren't just buried deep inside of Sam's memory - someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Same wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?


Pick up your own copy here: Don't Look Back