Julia Reviews These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Title/Author: These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Publisher/Year Published: December 10, 2013 by Disney Hyperion
How I got this book: I snagged an early review copy from NetGalley
Why I read this book: The concept seemed really interesting, and it was!
Rating: 4.5 stars

Summary

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.

Where to start with this one? I was lucky enough to snag a review copy of this a few months back and I freaking devoured it. I am pretty sure I read it in one cross country plane ride I was so entranced. I took some notes and sat on this until closer to early December, but I think now is the perfect time to introduce you to this book and pre-order.

Going into this book, I was a littler weary. I actually didn't know much about it form around the net. I literally read the summary, thought "I'd probably like this" and read it. No hype. No expectations. 

Apparently some are calling this "Titanic in space" and I can't agree with that. The only way this book would be like Titanic is if we saw one dinner before the wreck, the ships sinks and we spend the rest of the story learning about how they survived in open waters working together while trying to be rescued. 

This is a survivalist story and if that isn't your thing, this book wouldn't be for you. Fortunately for me, it is my thing and I really liked that aspect. This part of the book combined with its very original plot suck you in. The characters are what keeps you reading.

Lilac and Tarver are awesome. Both are fleshed out and not cardboard cut-outs. In my notes I have the line, "Backstory and depth all leading to awesomeness."  Both are very traditional yet also nontraditional in their gender roles. And you know, that's how people are; that is what makes these characters so relatable. 

The story itself it told in alternate first person pov's jumping between Lilac and Tarver. I usually cannot stand first person, but I think that when it alternates like this and I get two narrators that could potentially negate any unreliable narration I may be getting from the other, I don't mind it. Just like Across the Universe. I loved it there, too. And it really lends it well in this story.

There were some things that didn't work for me. Certain aspects of the plot were just too hard for me to believe or were explained by too much of a convenience or not at all. Maybe these will be addressed later in the series, but I like this a bit more clearer than they sometimes were. It almost has to do with a weakness with the world building, or being able to convey to me what the rules of this world are, so that when they are broken it's more of a shock and less unrealistic. 

But really, overall, I liked this. It was a fun sci-fi romp in space. The characters were interesting  the plot full of twists and turns, and in the combined product is something unique and original. I can't even be mad that it's another series to add to my collection.