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The Chaos of Stars

by Kiersten White (Goodreads Author)

3.89 of 5 stars 3.89 · rating details · 110 ratings · 49 reviews

Isadora’s family is seriously screwed up.

Of course, as the human daughter of Egyptian gods, that pretty much comes with the territory. She’s also stuck with parents who barely notice her, and a house full of relatives who can’t be bothered to remember her name. After all, they are going to be around forever—and she’s a mere mortal.

Isadora’s sick of living a life where she’...more

Hardcover, 352 pages

Expected publication: September 10th 2013 by HarperTeen

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Jun 03, 2013 Ashleigh Paige rated it 2 of 5 stars

Recommended to Ashleigh Paige by: Christina, Reut, and Blythe.

Shelves: a-whole-new-level-of-boring, arc, back-in-the-oven-with-you-dear-book, bubblegum-book, could-have-been-so-much-better, crackships-are-setting-sail-here, don-t-need-my-clairvoyance-for-this, e-arc-via-edelweiss, oh-my-god-it-s-so-fluffy, please-no-more-slut-shaming, the-shameful-shelf-of-get-rid-of-it, why-do-i-do-this-to-myself, harperteen, harpercollins

See more of my reviews on Birth of a New Witch! My copy was an ARC I received from the publisher via Edelweiss.

Always trust your friends and never trust your friends. Sounds like nonsense, no? Well, my friends are near-unanimous in disliking White's novels; I myself read three of her books and disliked two, but I'm sure I'd dislike the third if I reread it. When I asked for help deciding what to read one night, Blythe, Christina, and Reut all said to read this. It's their fault this review exist...more See more of my reviews on Birth of a New Witch! My copy was an ARC I received from the publisher via Edelweiss.

Always trust your friends and never trust your friends. Sounds like nonsense, no? Well, my friends are near-unanimous in disliking White's novels; I myself read three of her books and disliked two, but I'm sure I'd dislike the third if I reread it. When I asked for help deciding what to read one night, Blythe, Christina, and Reut all said to read this. It's their fault this review exists and I got to The Chaos of Stars when I did.

Like White's other novels, the prose is juvenile and clunky at times, but it's easy to roll your eyes at the main character and keep reading until you're at the end of the book. If there's anything the author can do, it's write a story that shuts down a reader's brain for a while and goes down almost as easy as a glass of water as long as you don't overthink it (which is why it's such a good thing her books can shut down brain function). If someone is in need of something to read on a long airport flight or get their mind off something going on in their life, this is the kind of book just right for the job.

Now, if your brain works anything like mine, you're probably wondering how two gods bumping uglies produced a human child. It's a good question. What's the answer? There is no answer! Isis and Osiris have human children together every twenty years and that's that. We're asked to accept that and move on. If you can't do that and your brain is still turned on past chapter two, you're going to have a really, really bad time. You're asked to go with it so many times that "just go with it" should be the novel's tagline. Isis may be a goddess of motherhood, among other things, but there are more ways to show it than sticking her in a constant cycle of being pregnant and raising her children.

Isadora may be the most unbearable of White's heroines thus far. Being the child of gods, it's easy to find her anger at them genuine. After all, her parents are going to live forever and they've made it clear she won't because she's not like them. This one genuine trait of hers is bashed into our heads as she tells us multiple times how angry she is with them. What makes her worse than the others is how judgmental she is. She calls her god-brother Horus Whore-us (this is not a joke and the novel really IS that juvenile) almost every time she refers to him and she calls his wife Hathor a drunken floozy.

Come on, she's the goddess of beer and sex. Expecting her to not drink or be sexual is kind of like expecting a man to wake up one day bereft of his penis as if he never had it in the first place: it's not going to happen, so you're getting your hopes up for nothing.

As for a plot, the book doesn't have much of one. Isadora lacks the strength of character to make this a character-driven novel, what little conflict there is gets eliminated within two sentences at the end of the book, the romance is weak, and the twists (one of which is tied to the romance) are very predictable. Really, I saw what was coming with the romance from the very first time Isadora spoke to her love interest Ry. Writers know language matters and that's doubly important here because language is what gives him away.

This being my third strike with White's novels, she's off my TBR for good. Why keep wasting the time and money, after all? One must eventually learn from her mistakes. If readers have disliked her previous novels and want to read this to see if she gets any better, let me tell you this: SHE DOESN'T. My verdict is that only superfans of hers should bother. Others should skip it and spend that money on something better.(less)

15 likes · like · see review

Jun 17, 2013 Stephanie ♥Loves Adrian Ivashkov and Warner!♥ rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone!

Shelves: 2013-release, september-releases, gorgeous-covers, favorites, egyptian-mythology, young-adult, book-boyfriends

First of all, I apologize for the extremely long review but I had so much to say! I hope it doesn't scare people off. *-*

I got this book really early from the lovely people at Edelweiss and HarperTeen. So thank you!
I couldn't believe it at first actually because I hadn't known about this book for very long. I saw it on Goodreads only the week before and my eyes almost fell out of their sockets because of the gorgeous cover (I might even buy the print book once it comes out because I love the cov...more

4 likes · like · see review

Apr 05, 2013 Blythe marked it as to-read-maybe

I will only--and I mean only--be reading this one if it receives four stars or higher from trusted friends of mine.

Rest assured I won't be holding my breath--nor would I release it having not known I was holding it, which is something White's characters seem to have an annoying habit of doing.

5 likes · like · see review

Mar 01, 2013 Elizabeth marked it as to-read

as the human daughter of Egyptian gods.........Egyptian gods.....Egyptian
SOLD!!!!!!!!!!!

photo tumblr_mgsax39Nft1qkcn5ro8_r1_250_zps80cc862d.gif

THE COVER,GORGEOUS COVER!!!!

photo tumblr_inline_mgzxf14yRl1qhnvno_zps0a4067bd.gif

13 likes · like · see review

May 09, 2013 Scott Pilgrim marked it as did-not-finish

Shelves: arc, mythology, fantasy, e-books, edelweiss, big-disappointments

Check out Scott Reads It
I wanted to enjoy The Chaos Of The Stars, I really did. I loved the description and cover for this book but I can't bear to read any more of this drivel. I'm DNFing at 20% for my own sake because this book makes me want to pull out my hair.

Isadora is by far the worst protagonist I've ever read about. Compared to Isadora, Bella Swan is practically literary genius.

Yes Isadora is that bad of a MC. She made we want to cringe and roll my eyes on every single page. She is c...more

8 likes · like · see review

Feb 12, 2013 Ashley (Firestarbooks) marked it as to-read

Egyptian?! HELLA YES! I shall bust out my knowledge of Ancient Egypt from my grade 11 Ancient History class! ;)

GORGEOUS COVEERR!!!! I LITERALLY WANTED TO POST THIS COVER BECAUSE I WANT IT TO PRETTIFIED MY BLOG. Gosh it is magnificent! It is simple, but unique, gorgeous but chaotic! UGHHH! LOVEEEEE!!! BEST COVER I HAVE SEEN IN A LOOOONNNNG TIME!!! It included this MG feel (I can't explain it but I tend to like MG covers better since they are more unique and detail-y beautiful), but it is still YA...more

4 likes · like · see review

Apr 21, 2013 Dark Faerie Tales rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed-by-bridget

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.

Quick & Dirty: Great book filled with mythology, humor, romance, and adventure.

Opening Sentence: When I was a little girl, I still believed I was part of the world’s secret magic.

The Review:

Isadora is your average 16 year old girl except for the fact that her parents are Egyptian gods. Her mother is Isis the goddess of motherhood and her father is Osiris god of the underworld. Even though her parents are immortal Isadora is not. Isadora grew up thinking s...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jun 14, 2013 Maja rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-2013, cover-lust, favorites, harper-teen, just-another-book-crush, reviewed-in-2013, ya

Clearly the gods of beautiful covers feel very benevolent towards Kiersten White. Her Mind Games cover is simply gorgeous, but this one is even better because it’s actually connected to the story. I love the night sky and all those stunning stars…

Okay, moving on to more important matters now.

When I first learned what The Chaos of Stars was about, I was afraid the pitiful sum of my knowledge on Egyptian mythology would cause me to do this book injustice. But instead of making me feel like the id...more Clearly the gods of beautiful covers feel very benevolent towards Kiersten White. Her Mind Games cover is simply gorgeous, but this one is even better because it’s actually connected to the story. I love the night sky and all those stunning stars…

Okay, moving on to more important matters now.

When I first learned what The Chaos of Stars was about, I was afraid the pitiful sum of my knowledge on Egyptian mythology would cause me to do this book injustice. But instead of making me feel like the idiot I am, Kiersten White elegantly took care of that problem by including small mythology lessons with a humorous undertone at the beginning of each chapter. It is through them that I learned who is who and what is what, which helped me feel less lost and enjoy the story more. And what a story it was…

When your mother is a goddess and you an insecure teen, a healthy mother-daughter relationship is simply not in the cards. Isidora is the daughter of Isis and Osiris, but she is not a goddess herself. As a mere mortal, she knows her life will one day end, and she knows her parents could stop it, if only they cared enough to actually try. Feeling hurt and unloved, she decides to leave Egypt, convinced she would never return.

While in San Diego with her favorite brother Sirus and his wife Deena, Isadora finds her first friend and meets a boy she really, really likes. Trouble is, Isadora has long ago sworn off love and she’s determined not to allow romance to enter her life. But Ry refuses to be dissuaded. If friendship is what Isadora wants, he’s ready to be her friend. If it’s a living, breathing restaurant guide she needs, he can become one in a heartbeat. Their friendship and romance were rather enjoyable because I always knew Isadora would come around eventually – that certainty made me smile even when she was being extremely difficult and frustrating. Besides, even though her logic was seriously thwarted, I understood where she was coming from, which is all that really counts.

"He's a show-off, that's what he is. I don't give a mummified cat whether or not he can speak Arabic. I add show-off to my list of reasons why I will never like Ry in a way that would be dangerous. And then I'm mad that I even feel like I need to have a list, which is another thing to put on the list I wish I didn't have to have."

Even with the strong paranormal (umm, mythological?) element, first half of The Chaos of Stars reads very much like a contemporary. Isadora has to learn about the modern world and discover things she’d never had access to, which is especially fun. The second half is a bit more exciting, as Isadora finds herself in the middle of a power play as old as time itself.

The truly brilliant thing about Kiersten White is that she somehow changes her writing style for each new book and/or series. She truly is a writing chameleon, and each time her ideas are unusual and richly imaginative. The Chaos of Stars is by no means free of flaws, but I thoroughly enjoyed it nevertheless. It’s been a long time since I’d felt compelled to finish a book in one sitting so that alone is enough to make me grateful for this reading experience.

(less)

5 likes · like · see review

Apr 16, 2013 Isamlq rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-galley

I liked the bouncy fun feel you get care of the protagonist that's like White's other leads. Those leads are capable of (sometimes) smart observations framed in way that had me laughing despite the drama of the moment.

Plus the surprising adorbs moments between her as new girl in new world with guy who's to hot to be real. But really I liked them and how he's over confident even without meaning to and how she's mean in the intentional way, knocking him down a peg or two (or ten.)

Oh and... awesome...more

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May 17, 2013 Stacee rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: edelweiss, read-in-2013

I'm at a loss as how to rate this book. I struggled with it in the beginning, but continued to read, hoping there would be a redeeming factor.

As always in Kiersten's books, there's multiple things going on. The chapters alternate between dreams/what's actually happening and there's an Egyptian history lesson [I'm guessing they're accurate, but I don't know] before each non-dream chapter. It's just....a lot.

I didn't care for Isadora for most of the book. She's very whiny and sort of mean. I LOV...more

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Mar 21, 2013 Celeste_pewter rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Two-second recap: Teenage woes and ancient cultures collide in Kiersten White’s latest offering, The Chaos of Stars. This is a charming book that proves that even if your parents are thousands of years old, you’re still going to have the same problems as the rest of us!

***

Full review:

Okay, I think it's important that I start off this review by stating that this is a book about teenagers, with Egyptian mythology being used a secondary driving force in their actions, rather than the other way aro...more

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May 09, 2013 Kristen added it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-or-galley, abandoned, dnf

DNF at 28%

When you are reading a book and can't tolerate the MC it might not be worth reading. I so wanted to love this book, I adore the cover and title and love the subject matter but the MC was absent of any and all qualities I enjoy in a MC. She is very selfish, immature and there was nothing redeeming about her to me. Perhaps she grows as the story continues? I hope so but not sure I'll be finding out. Perhaps I'll give this another go if I start to see some positive reviews.

Please see Sco...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jun 10, 2013 Ashley (Loves Books) rated it 3 of 5 stars

***A version of this review will post to Ashley Loves Books at a later date.***

Probably the best thing about this book was the writing itself. Kiersten White has this great tone, this quirky voice and kind of deadpan humor that translates so well on the page. Full disclosure, I do know Kiersten in real life. I’ve had the great pleasure of meeting her on multiple occasions, hanging out a few events and generally being able to call her one of my author friends. She knows me, we converse, etc. I do...more ***A version of this review will post to Ashley Loves Books at a later date.***

Probably the best thing about this book was the writing itself. Kiersten White has this great tone, this quirky voice and kind of deadpan humor that translates so well on the page. Full disclosure, I do know Kiersten in real life. I’ve had the great pleasure of meeting her on multiple occasions, hanging out a few events and generally being able to call her one of my author friends. She knows me, we converse, etc. I don’t mean to say all that as bragging (well…), but I mean it in the way that I know Kiersten’s real life tone and humor. And I love reading her stuff, because I can just hear her reading it to me, perfectly hear her inflections and the way she’ll finish with a great zinger and clap her hands together, then say “anyway…” and transition on. It fits on this page and with her characters so well, and I freakin’ love it.

Probably the biggest downfall of this book is the plotline and action. I feel like most of this was a huge setup. Simply: not too much happens. It’s a lot of backstory, some confusing dream sequences and brief Egyptian mythology tossed in, a steady movement…but nothing really happens. There’s hints, and little conflicts, and some more hints at what’s to come…and suddenly you’re 30 pages from the end before anything happens.

Isadora was the other downfall. I just wanted to kick her in the shins and yell at her to grow up. She was so selfish and self-pitying, so ‘woe is me my life is terrible boo hoo,’ and I just wanted her to LISTEN. How could she grow up the way she did and ignore her dreams?! I get she’s supposed to be the stubborn human child of gods – and sure, that’s tough! But there’s supposed to be a learning curve with a character too, and it just didn’t happen fast enough for me.

The resolution was really good, albeit a bit fast. I seriously felt like this book went like this: nothing nothing backstory nothing nothing dream half a paragraph of mythology nothing nothing Isadora feels bad for herself nothing dream nothing nothing SOMETHIN-end. Yes, the last 30 pages were filled with some pretty great action and revelations, but I just wish they’d come a little more spaced out.

And all right: let’s address the boy, Ry. Because he is so so perfect. And I mean that kind of in the way that he’s too perfect. He just fit a little too well, didn’t really have any downfalls (well…kinda. You’ll understand that when you read it), was generally the boy anyone would want. Aside from his tendency to ignore you and scribble in his notebook when inspiration struck, I mean. At the same time though—Ry is perfect, omg. He was romantic and sweet and kind and if I could meet a perfect boy like him, I will take it!

The Chaos of Stars fell just a little short of my expectations, but still had some redeeming qualities to it. I’m not certain I’d tell anyone to run out and buy it now now now, but I do think everyone should give it a read!(less)

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Apr 23, 2013 Ashley (Nose Graze) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, e-arc

Nose Graze — Young Adult book reviews

I am hugely disappointed by The Chaos of Stars , mainly because I'm a HUGE fan of Egyptian mythology. But the book really fell flat for me. Let me break it down for you:

Isadora, human daughter of Egyptian gods, hates her family because she feels like they use her to generate worship so that they won't die.
Isadora moves to San Diego.
Isadora becomes addicted to sugar and Coke (Coca Cola.. not like... cocaine).
Isadora works at a museum and makes some fri...more

5 likes · like · see review

May 28, 2013 Fiona rated it 2 of 5 stars

A star for themes and ideas that I think are important. A star for readable, if not particularly remarkable, prose.

Minus a lot of stars for execution, and for the presentation of America as a cultural blank slate. I thought we'd learned our lesson about this one? Apparently not. Sometimes I just want to say, "Everybody go away and don't come back until you've read something by Sherman Alexie."

Lovely cover though--great job, design team!

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Feb 11, 2013 Louisa marked it as to-read

COVER PORN.

How beautiful is this?!?! And I haven't even gotten to the fact that there are EGYPTIAN GODS IN THIS! Are you kidding me, September 19 release date?!?!

*DROOLS EVERYWHERE*

11 likes · like · see review

May 14, 2013 Punk Farie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: edelweiss

My Rating – 4 Stars

*I received an advance digital copy of this novel from Edelweiss on behalf of HarperTeen*

This book features one of my favorite topics and automatic go to genres: Mythology (and I tend to have better luck with mythology than fairytale retellings). What’s even better? It’s Egyptian and Greek mythology! (Mainly focusing on Egyptian)

Isadora (don’t call her anything else but Isadora) is the daughter of Isis and Osiris. She grew up on the stories of her parents and aunts and uncles...more

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Mar 03, 2013 Frankie marked it as to-read

Shelves: not-out-yet

How is it that I always adore her covers??
Very excited to read this one!! I hope that she introduces the mythology well; I only know bits-and-pieces of Greek mythology.

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Mar 18, 2013 Sarah marked it as to-read

Shelves: kick-assery, lols

See that pool of drool in the floor? Yeah, that's mine. If you look closely, you can see that it's enough drool to swim in.

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Feb 11, 2013 Elaine marked it as to-read

Shelves: give-it-to-me-now

Oh, PLEASE BE GOOD.
It has Egyptian mythology, a very enticing name and a GORGEOUS COVER.

I need this to be awesome, please?

4 likes · like · see review

Apr 09, 2013 Becca rated it 4 of 5 stars

I give this 4.5 stars. I'm impressed with its originality--ancient gods secretly existing in our modern society. It was a fun, educational story that never failed to hold my attention.

I received an ARC of this story.

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Apr 21, 2013 Stine marked it as to-read

Kind of on the fence about this book, so putting it on the list just in case.

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Apr 10, 2013 Erin M. marked it as to-read

Set in Egypt? That's reason enough to read this but considering the author this makes my must read list.

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Feb 11, 2013 Monaliz marked it as to-read

Wha-wha-- WHAT IS THIS!?! ANOTHER BOOK?! OMG!

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Oct 30, 2012 Averielle marked it as to-read

Want to read so bad. I love the Egyptian gods!!!

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Sep 11, 2011 Brianna marked it as to-read

I'm so glad this will be published =^.^=

1 like · like · see review

May 20, 2013 Kim rated it 5 of 5 stars

Another GREAT book by Kiersten White!!!

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Feb 17, 2013 Sangria marked it as to-read · review of another edition

I want this now!! Ahh!

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Feb 11, 2013 On vacation - Stella ☢FAYZ☢ Chen marked it as to-read

Shelves: books-with-bitchin-covers

This. Cover.

1 like · like · see review

Apr 04, 2013 Dayla rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, edelweiss, need-to-review

I can't write the review for this until August, but I really wish I could write it now! Kiersten White has outdone herself with this beautiful book!

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About Kiersten White

Hi! I'm the New York Times best-selling author of Paranormalcy and Supernaturally. I also give the most awkward hugs in the world. You should probably opt for one of my books over one of my hugs, but then again, maybe you like awkward hugs.

As for me, I like writing flirting scenes, and fighting scenes, and sometimes I write scenes that fall somewhere in between the two, but only if I can't avoid i...more

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Pitch Dark: Dark Days of Fall Sampler: Supernaturally; Fateful; Cold Kiss; A Beautiful Dark; and Eve

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Quotes from The Chaos of Stars

“Oh, shut up. He is not saying that he's too good-looking to be friends with girls. But then again, yesterday at the beach, there were a high percentage of beach beauties sitting very close to us and/or sauntering repeatedly past. And he never looked up once. I snort. "You poor handsome thing. If only you were ugly, then girls wouldn't have to throw themselves at you all the time. I could break your perfect nose for you, if it'd make your life easier.” — 2 people liked it

“I can't seem to keep my heart from leaking out of the cracks, like sand clutched in a fist.” — 2 people liked it

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