The Black Stars

The Planet Thieves #2

by Dan Krokos

Mason Stark has a problem with minding his own business. This worked to his advantage when he stole back his world from the alien Tremist. Now Mason is called upon to use that very curiosity as a spy at the Tremist school for soldiers. At least his best friend, Merrin, daughter of the Tremist king, is there to keep an eye on him. Mason s bound to find trouble, but with the Tremist working on a secret weapon, trouble may come looking for him instead.

In this stellar follow-up to "The Planet Thieves," Dan Krokos imbues "The Black Stars" with all the tension and action that made his first middle-grade novel a gripping tale."

Genres: Science Fiction, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Aliens, Adventure, Space, Action

Hardcover

First published May 1, 2014

Reviews

[Γιώτα Παπαδημακοπούλου · Rating 4 out of 5]

Είναι, πραγματικά, πολύ κρίμα που αυτή η σειρά δεν προχώρησε κι άλλο, ενώ, ξεκάθαρα, είχε πολύ καλές προοπτικές και μια συνεχή κλιμάκωση της δράσης, της έντασης και των ανατροπών που την συντηρούσαν, πράγμα που αποδείχθηκε περίτρανα στο βιβλίο αυτό, το οποίο, ωστόσο με άφησε με μια αίσθηση μη ολοκλήρωσης.

[Susan Forsgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new, never ending action, Science Fiction series that will keep the reader wanting more.

[Uzair · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was honestly a chore to read. Very unlike the first book.
Details to come. OwO

I was about to say the book left me wanting but then the big reveal happened and. . . . . . Yikes.
Still not as good as the first but at least it's finally exciting. It lacks something though. That spark , that undescribable quality that makes a book compelling. When I write it's there only when I'm in the heat of the moment , a new idea in my head , and only then.

I realize the last book had way too much going (and all of it was good ) to foreshadow or create a buildup for this book but that doesn't excuse the fact that the world building felt forced , less fun , oh and there was a lot of repetition. The Rhadgasts have a very distinct colour scheme and there's only so many times you can listen to red and purple before it gets boring.
The mother . . Thing let's say in order to avoid spoilers was once again very forced. I was happy for the excitement but it kinda came outta no where and undermined sentiments and character development from the first book.



The human brain is a stupidly endearing thing.
>Be me
>Call The Planet Thieves one of your favorite books
>Do not realize , until after many re-reads of the first and while you're halfway through your read of the second that:
The antagonists , The Tremist , are a word play on Extremist.
And
The Tremist homeworld , Skars , is literally just the word scars.
One letter changes and my highly complex human brain , that's been through millenia of evolution goes:
Haha Skars exotic.

I called the illusion s every time , so boring.

Broxnar is evil , called it.

Dialogue feels bad

Whole thing feels forced.

No point in bringing the whole team out because "Mason needed them" when they did nothing except get Tom caught and retreat.
Simply for forwarding the plot.

Mason's destruction of the fang born ship was such crap

[Zander · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite series, I thank the author of this book for having the inspiration for it

[Joe Kessler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is kind of an odd sequel. In place of the action-packed military sci-fi of the first book, the child cadets are now back at their academy, resulting in more of a classic boarding school adventure (with an eventual return to combat at the end). It's a little like Ender's Game crossed with Harry Potter, especially once the students start poking around outside of class hours to uncover a deadly conspiracy. There's a fair degree of clunkiness along the way, but it's still overall a fun time. If author Dan Krokos ever returns to this series -- which still has plenty of dangling plot threads -- I'll definitely be reading on.

[Larissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

" By the power of protagonism every other character in this book that's not named Mason Stark shall remain useless. They shall not see or do anything during the entire book, they are not important in any way for any plot point and yet they must remain close to the protagonist and witness his grandeur."

- The Author

[Aviva Minster · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know he never published book 3 and this is 3 years and I write this 3 years after it was published

[Megs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few major plot holes. Could have been better. Still enjoyed it.

[Sofia.G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the way it ended with the wondering.

[Becky S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great kid science fiction.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eu AMEI, não entendo porque mais pessoas não conhecem ele.

[Raffael Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best book that i ever read, its amazing and thrilling!

[Jada · Rating 3 out of 5]

An even better plot, and somehow more intense, with a sad ending that doesn't wrap up anything.

[Gina Stamm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this as much as the first. Great story and characters. Wondering where the next book is though. Left this one on a cliffhanger and ... 6 years since its publishing and no book three!

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually read series out of order, but I had to return the first book to the library, so Here I am finishing the second book! I enjoyed the characters. Mason Stark, has become an intergalactic hero at the ripe old age of 12! He is accompanied by a group of friends from Earth Space Academy located on Mars. Now he is being whisked away to The Tremist School for soldiers, with just one of his friends...Tom. What will happen to them? Lots of action, new friendships made, and the terrifying enemy aliens. But...are they really aliens?

[William Bentrim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Black Stars by Dan Krokos

This is one of the better YA SciFi stories I have read recently. Mason Stark is a teen hero who finds living up to his reputation can provide some problems.

Mason and his team of ESC cadets find themselves wrapped up in another interstellar war. If a back story had been provided it would be a lot clearer as to why the team feels how they feel. The lack of a back story is the biggest flaw in this otherwise excellent teen tale.

The characters are interesting, they exhibit the arrogance and stupidity of teenagers and they pay for it. Of course they don't pay as high a price as real kids do if they behaved the same way. The arrogance and stupidity comment is based on my own behavior growing up and should not be applied to kids today unless the shoe fits.

I enjoyed the story, there were some inspiring heroics and a entertaining plot.

I highly recommend the book.
Web Site: http://dankrokos.tumblr.com/

[Drucilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid read, but it feels like another book was shoved into the last third. It's soooo rushed and if you think about it, doesn't feel particularly strong, narratively speaking. It was cool to learn more about the Tremist culture and it'll be interesting to see where the series goes from here (especially after that ending).

[Gabriel Nobles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for my son, but enjoyed it myself. In retrospect I can say I would have enjoyed it as an adult reader, even without the motive of finding clean starwars-esq. fiction for my son.

I simple love adventures set in space. This had all the elements that most kids and kids-at-heart will love. Read and enjoy.

[Ross Wetzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable book, even with having not read the first in the series. The story flows well and the pacing is consistent. Interesting dynamics between Humans and Tremists. Tremists having stolen Earth to their Solar system. The uneasy truce between them is on the verge of crumbling.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picks up where The Planet Thieves ends then rockets into another rollicking sci-fi adventure.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for Booklist Online: http://www.booklistonline.com/The-Bla...

[Emily Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was better then I thought it was going to be, plus I like the art.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprised how much I'm enjoying this series!

[Logan Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but not as great as book 1. Good twist in middle and end.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 The plot is still improbable, but I enjoyed it anyway.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

current treadmill book...