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Dome 1618 #1
There Once Were Stars
Peace. Love. Order. Dome. That’s the motto that the Order has given the residents of Dome 1618 to live by. Natalia Greyes is a resident of Dome 1618, a covered city protected from the deadly radiation that has poisoned the world outside for four generations. Nat never questioned the Order, until one day she sees a stranger on the outside of her dome. Now Nat wants answers. What else might her government be hiding from the good and loyal people of Dome 1618?
331 pages, Paperback
First published April 26, 2016
9 people are currently reading
2061 people want to read
About the author
Melanie McFarlane
12 books152 followersWhether it’s uncovering the corruption of the future, or traveling to other worlds to save the universe, Melanie McFarlane jumps in with both hands on her keyboard. Though she can be found obsessing over zombies from time to time, Melanie focuses her powers on writing young adult stories to keep the rest of the world up reading all night.
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Visit my website: www.melaniemcfarlane.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
August 23, 2016
Original Post: There Once Were Stars at FLYLēF (www.flylef.com)
IN A FIELD saturated with conventional dystopian novels, There Once Were Stars, by Melanie McFarlane, is a story with a distinctively haunting quality that not only pulled me in, it also left a memorable impression.
In the aftermath of the Cleansing War, the Order has established covered cities to protect survivors from the poisonous radiation left after the war. Natalia Greyes is a resident of Dome 1618. She’s lost both her scientist parents on an expedition outside of the Dome. This solidifies the Order’s propaganda that life beyond the Dome is impossible until she sees Evan—The Outsider. His appearance has Natalia questioning the Order and everything she’s been taught to believe.
When I discovered that Natalie was 18 years old, I was thrilled. Yes! Then I discovered she was child-like. Eek! I really thought that I would be able to relate to a slightly older heroine. I was sadly disappointed. Natalia’s personality was unexpectedly immature with insecurities, self-pity (she cries a lot), and defiance—a combination that just didn't work very well for me. However, as the story unfolded, I did warm up to her. For all her faults, Natalia is admirable in her compassion for others.
The enigma that is Evan draws a curious Natalia to him and an instant attraction begins. However, Natalia’s childhood friend, Jak Manning, is also vying for a place in her heart. I found the flirting between Evan and Natalia fun to read. Though, I always felt that those moments were juxtaposed with more severe scenes in the story, and thus the romantic interludes were a bit awkward. Compound that with an insecure Natalia who seems to doubt Evan’s honest intentions, and it becomes more like an angst teenage affair than a riveting love story.
Despite the uncompelling love triangle and a few other lowlights that have punctuated this otherwise fairly engaging dystopian fiction, Ms. McFarlane delivers one of the most exciting endings I've had the pleasure of reading. The exhilarating conclusion had me racing with Evan and Natalia as they try to save the people in the Dome, even as their progress is thwarted at every turn by an insular government poised to protect itself. Fervent fans of science fiction dystopian will be highly rewarded with this rip-roaring conclusion.
{I received this title in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you, especially to the author and publisher, for kindly giving me an opportunity to review this title.}
May 20, 2016
Review posted on Fafa's Book Corner !
Beware spoilers ahead!
I had heard about this book through Twitter. There was a blog tour going on at the time. It sounded interesting so I added it to my shelf. I came across some reviews that mentioned cluttered writing style. Rather than buy this I downloaded a sample. I didn't enjoy it.
The book begins with Natalia's 18th birthday. Her parents died when they exited the dome due to the radiation. Since then Nat has been living with her grandparents. Now that she is officially an adult she has to start working.
Behind everyone's back she sneaks out and spies on the outer edge of the dome. She wants a better understanding of what happened to her parents. She falls asleep and wakes up to seeing strangers roaming outside of the dome. This shouldn't be possible because of all the radiation.
This was a case of 'It's not you but me'. When I started reading this it felt off. Yes the writing style was a bit of a mess here-and-there. But for some reason it felt really weird to read the sample. I wasn't interested in knowing about Nat's life so I ended up skimming a lot of it. I also found it somewhat boring. I never felt any anticipation when she fell asleep and woke up to strangers. I felt nothing the whole I read and skimmed it. I could not bring myself to read more.
Overall this book was not for me. But I still recommend it. I think it would actually be a good Sci-Fi.
Beware spoilers ahead!
I had heard about this book through Twitter. There was a blog tour going on at the time. It sounded interesting so I added it to my shelf. I came across some reviews that mentioned cluttered writing style. Rather than buy this I downloaded a sample. I didn't enjoy it.
The book begins with Natalia's 18th birthday. Her parents died when they exited the dome due to the radiation. Since then Nat has been living with her grandparents. Now that she is officially an adult she has to start working.
Behind everyone's back she sneaks out and spies on the outer edge of the dome. She wants a better understanding of what happened to her parents. She falls asleep and wakes up to seeing strangers roaming outside of the dome. This shouldn't be possible because of all the radiation.
This was a case of 'It's not you but me'. When I started reading this it felt off. Yes the writing style was a bit of a mess here-and-there. But for some reason it felt really weird to read the sample. I wasn't interested in knowing about Nat's life so I ended up skimming a lot of it. I also found it somewhat boring. I never felt any anticipation when she fell asleep and woke up to strangers. I felt nothing the whole I read and skimmed it. I could not bring myself to read more.
Overall this book was not for me. But I still recommend it. I think it would actually be a good Sci-Fi.
August 18, 2016
There Once Were Stars was a novel that intrigued me as soon as I read the title. I wanted to know more about the book, and coupled with the gorgeous cover it had, it was too hard to resist. On top of that, I was already familiar with the author because I follow Melanie McFarlane’s gorgeous Instagram account. As soon as I saw there was a review tour I rushed to sign up.
I turned out to really enjoy this book. It has a dystopian kind of sci-fi young adult feel but doesn’t really take over the story with the world building. For those readers who want to try some YA sci-fi but don’t want to get too lost in a world completely different from our own, this is the kind of book I would recommend to you. McFarlane did a good job of introducing just enough into the story to know it’s a different time, world and situation without it becoming overwhelming.
In this novel, the main character – Nat – is an orphan. Her parents are deceased and passed away before they could share an important message with her. Nat is turning 18, which is a tricky age for anyone as they suddenly feel thrust into the world. So naturally, she turns to trying to follow in her parent’s footsteps to learn a bit more about them. I think the author handled the theme of loss extremely well. I wouldn’t say that Nat is feeling grief anymore because the time for that has passed seeing as her parents died when she was nine. But she is curious, inquiring and feeling that gap of not having her parents there alongside her when she feels she needs them. I love how well those emotions were translated to me, as a reader.
But sometimes, Natalie seemed to be a bit of naïve main character. She would do a lot of things and make a lot of choices which would hurt those around her, without really thinking about the consequences. And when people got angry, which was only a natural response to the way she was treated, she would be completely surprised by their actions. That kind of felt a bit juvenile to me in some ways, coupled alongside with her habit to kind of throw herself between two boys. That aside, Natalie was a main character easy to like.
The secondary characters in this novel were done pretty well. They supported her, but also had their own role in the plot and managed to follow that through as well. We get to know some of their backstory and why the situation they are facing matters to themselves as well. I liked how we got to see each characters motives and I felt like they were each unique and part of the plot for their own reasons. I really liked that.
The writing style was okay. At times I wished the story was going a little slower and was a little longer. Occasionally, I felt like the sentences were a little choppy. But when it most mattered, the novel was a smooth read and well written.
The best part of the novel for me was the ending. A lot reached the climax it had been bubbling towards. The main characters had a plan that they wanted to follow through with, but it fell apart. And I don’t mean like when one part of the plan goes wrong, they fix it, and then everything’s fine again. It fell to absolute pieces. That hiked up the action and had me racing through :D
A very good read and I’m looking forward to seeing what this author brings to the mix next.
Gif summary:
This review and others can be found on Olivia's Catastrophe: http://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/20...
I turned out to really enjoy this book. It has a dystopian kind of sci-fi young adult feel but doesn’t really take over the story with the world building. For those readers who want to try some YA sci-fi but don’t want to get too lost in a world completely different from our own, this is the kind of book I would recommend to you. McFarlane did a good job of introducing just enough into the story to know it’s a different time, world and situation without it becoming overwhelming.
In this novel, the main character – Nat – is an orphan. Her parents are deceased and passed away before they could share an important message with her. Nat is turning 18, which is a tricky age for anyone as they suddenly feel thrust into the world. So naturally, she turns to trying to follow in her parent’s footsteps to learn a bit more about them. I think the author handled the theme of loss extremely well. I wouldn’t say that Nat is feeling grief anymore because the time for that has passed seeing as her parents died when she was nine. But she is curious, inquiring and feeling that gap of not having her parents there alongside her when she feels she needs them. I love how well those emotions were translated to me, as a reader.
But sometimes, Natalie seemed to be a bit of naïve main character. She would do a lot of things and make a lot of choices which would hurt those around her, without really thinking about the consequences. And when people got angry, which was only a natural response to the way she was treated, she would be completely surprised by their actions. That kind of felt a bit juvenile to me in some ways, coupled alongside with her habit to kind of throw herself between two boys. That aside, Natalie was a main character easy to like.
The secondary characters in this novel were done pretty well. They supported her, but also had their own role in the plot and managed to follow that through as well. We get to know some of their backstory and why the situation they are facing matters to themselves as well. I liked how we got to see each characters motives and I felt like they were each unique and part of the plot for their own reasons. I really liked that.
The writing style was okay. At times I wished the story was going a little slower and was a little longer. Occasionally, I felt like the sentences were a little choppy. But when it most mattered, the novel was a smooth read and well written.
The best part of the novel for me was the ending. A lot reached the climax it had been bubbling towards. The main characters had a plan that they wanted to follow through with, but it fell apart. And I don’t mean like when one part of the plan goes wrong, they fix it, and then everything’s fine again. It fell to absolute pieces. That hiked up the action and had me racing through :D
A very good read and I’m looking forward to seeing what this author brings to the mix next.
Gif summary:
This review and others can be found on Olivia's Catastrophe: http://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/20...
March 14, 2016
There Once Were Stars was a breath of fresh air from all the other Dystopian/Sci-Fi stories I have read lately. It is the first book in a new trilogy. It had all the elements: adventure, mystery, horror, and romance. It was a compelling read that hooked me from the first page and reeled me in! It was mysterious in a way that it never gave answers away immediately and always kept me wondering and guessing if a character was good or bad, why certain things were happening, and what the outcome would be. The world building was phenomenal, the characters were drawn so vividly, and the descriptive writing was done so well, that a movie played in my head. I didn't want to put this book down for one second. I felt like if I did, I was going to miss something important.
To see more of this review, enter a contest from the author, and have a chance to ask her a question visit my website:
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To see more of this review, enter a contest from the author, and have a chance to ask her a question visit my website:
http://www.bookaholicbanter.com
November 19, 2017
Wow! What a rollercoaster. It's safe to say I'm a fan of Dystopian books. I've read some really good ones this year. There once was stars is up there with the best.
I didn't know what to expect with this one, and the synopsis doesn't do this book justice. This book can be read as a standalone. However book 2, Here skies surround us is due out now, and I can't wait to read it!
Nat has lived her whole life inside a Dome. It is a sanctuary from a deadly virus that wiped out life as we know it now. Her parents were scientists, who got wrapped up in the crossfire of the changing world. Nat lives with her grandparents and dreams of the outside world. Her mother left her a journal of her adventures, and Nat lives through her memories. It's her 18th birthday and it's time to contribute to the Dome. Nat doesn't know what she wants to do and is jealous her friends already have their paths mapped out. Nat needs to work out her place in the dome.
Evan is the spanner in the works. He is an outsider and he comes with mystery. He knows Nat before they meet. He is confident and cocky. Nat is drawn to him. She has some big decisions to make.
The dome offers peace, love, and order or so they say, but if you open your eyes to the closer details it may just get you killed.
There once were stars is a suspense mystery novel. It has a love triangle and heart racing moments. There is danger and excitement. This book is an easy 5 stars. I thank Chapter by Chapter for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't know what to expect with this one, and the synopsis doesn't do this book justice. This book can be read as a standalone. However book 2, Here skies surround us is due out now, and I can't wait to read it!
Nat has lived her whole life inside a Dome. It is a sanctuary from a deadly virus that wiped out life as we know it now. Her parents were scientists, who got wrapped up in the crossfire of the changing world. Nat lives with her grandparents and dreams of the outside world. Her mother left her a journal of her adventures, and Nat lives through her memories. It's her 18th birthday and it's time to contribute to the Dome. Nat doesn't know what she wants to do and is jealous her friends already have their paths mapped out. Nat needs to work out her place in the dome.
Evan is the spanner in the works. He is an outsider and he comes with mystery. He knows Nat before they meet. He is confident and cocky. Nat is drawn to him. She has some big decisions to make.
The dome offers peace, love, and order or so they say, but if you open your eyes to the closer details it may just get you killed.
There once were stars is a suspense mystery novel. It has a love triangle and heart racing moments. There is danger and excitement. This book is an easy 5 stars. I thank Chapter by Chapter for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2016
I was super excited about this book when I first saw it on booktube tours mainly because it was a dystopian plot line. I immediately had to sign up for the tour because this genre is something I've really in the mood to read, so I did receive the book in exchange for an honest review! Overall, I felt this book really lived up to what I was looking for in a dystopian novel. The main character in my opinion was a great character perspective to read from even if she was a bit naive and gullible at times. I felt that made sense for the story considering she pretty much grew up living in a dome with no real understanding of the outside world. I also LOVED the outbreak aspect to the story! It really triggered my walking dead feels, and it was easily one of my favorite parts of the book. I think the only real issue I had with the story was the love triangle and instalove aspects. I felt this could have been toned down quite a bit, and I also felt the characters could have used a lot more development for this to really work. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed the story, and I would recommend it if you are interested in getting your hands on something dystopian.
Disclaimer: I received this book one exchange for an honest review.
Disclaimer: I received this book one exchange for an honest review.
August 26, 2016
*This review also appeared on A Leisure Moment (There Once Were Stars*
**I received an e-copy of this book via Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review**
After reading this book, I love the title even more. Natalia Greyes lost her parents nine years ago, and the title ties her to her mother in a wonderful way. Going into the book, I didn’t know what it was about. I haven’t read a dystopian in a while (that's not Siobhan Davis - what can I say? I'm a fan), so I was excited to start it. And after that ending I want to know if there are going to be more books!
Natalia, or more commonly called Nat, had an interesting personality. The book began with her eighteenth birthday, which signified that she had to start trying to find her way in the world—or more accurately, the dome. But Nat had no idea what she wanted to do. There were moments when I thought she acted younger than eighteen; at the same time, she played the part of confused new adult quite well. She barely had control of her emotions, even less so over her place in the dome. She wasn’t my favorite MC, and some of her reactions to situations seemed a bit off, but I would read another book told in her perspective.
I’m a huge fan of love triangle, but this one was a tad different. One of her best friends, Jak, admitted that he had feelings for her, but she made it clear on multiple occasions that she didn’t feel the same way about him. Then, there was Evan. I really liked Evan. When I first met him, I only knew him as the Outsider, but his first encounter with Nat brought me over to his side. I wanted their relationship to turn into something more and enjoyed the dynamic between them. Nat got on my nerves some when she was around Evan, as she didn’t know what to think of him and constantly questioned his motives. Other than that, their relationship was sweet and appropriate for a younger audience.
The world that Nat lived in, Dome 1618, had strict rules and little technology, though it did have some. I liked how the technology was centralized in the Axis, drawing a clear divide between those that didn’t belong on one of the 100 floors. Overall, it reminded me of City of Ember in its feel of how everything worked. Everyone had a job, a purpose, a placement, and a need to make the dome a better place. Also, there was some ambiguity on the outside world. My favorite scenes in the book were when Nat was outside the dome. I loved how she experienced the world beyond with such child-like enjoyment. In my head, the world was beautiful and simple, and it made for wonderful imagery, especially the meadow.
If you’re looking for a quick, dystopian read, I recommend this one. McFarland’s style of writing is light and quick, and the book is definitely fast paced. I have to mention again, are there going to be more books? I still have some questions about what happens next and the domes beyond!
**I received an e-copy of this book via Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review**
After reading this book, I love the title even more. Natalia Greyes lost her parents nine years ago, and the title ties her to her mother in a wonderful way. Going into the book, I didn’t know what it was about. I haven’t read a dystopian in a while (that's not Siobhan Davis - what can I say? I'm a fan), so I was excited to start it. And after that ending I want to know if there are going to be more books!
Natalia, or more commonly called Nat, had an interesting personality. The book began with her eighteenth birthday, which signified that she had to start trying to find her way in the world—or more accurately, the dome. But Nat had no idea what she wanted to do. There were moments when I thought she acted younger than eighteen; at the same time, she played the part of confused new adult quite well. She barely had control of her emotions, even less so over her place in the dome. She wasn’t my favorite MC, and some of her reactions to situations seemed a bit off, but I would read another book told in her perspective.
I’m a huge fan of love triangle, but this one was a tad different. One of her best friends, Jak, admitted that he had feelings for her, but she made it clear on multiple occasions that she didn’t feel the same way about him. Then, there was Evan. I really liked Evan. When I first met him, I only knew him as the Outsider, but his first encounter with Nat brought me over to his side. I wanted their relationship to turn into something more and enjoyed the dynamic between them. Nat got on my nerves some when she was around Evan, as she didn’t know what to think of him and constantly questioned his motives. Other than that, their relationship was sweet and appropriate for a younger audience.
The world that Nat lived in, Dome 1618, had strict rules and little technology, though it did have some. I liked how the technology was centralized in the Axis, drawing a clear divide between those that didn’t belong on one of the 100 floors. Overall, it reminded me of City of Ember in its feel of how everything worked. Everyone had a job, a purpose, a placement, and a need to make the dome a better place. Also, there was some ambiguity on the outside world. My favorite scenes in the book were when Nat was outside the dome. I loved how she experienced the world beyond with such child-like enjoyment. In my head, the world was beautiful and simple, and it made for wonderful imagery, especially the meadow.
If you’re looking for a quick, dystopian read, I recommend this one. McFarland’s style of writing is light and quick, and the book is definitely fast paced. I have to mention again, are there going to be more books? I still have some questions about what happens next and the domes beyond!
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June 27, 2016
Ever since I saw the show called the Dome by Steven Spielberg I have been intrigued by the idea. This book shows me a little of what the world might be like after radiation poisoned the world so many years ago.
Nat’s parents were famous scientists. They died when Nat was nine. She still has some memories and a book her mom wrote of her studies. She used to go outside the dome that they live in with a team. Nat’s mom knew things and studied things. Nat has believed that her mother and father were killed by infected people that still live outside the dome. But Nat, who is a little rebellious, goes to her quiet part of the forest next to the edge of the dome where it is forbidden to go to relax and think of her mom. But she sees 2 men outside the dome. These men aren’t infected and they have seen her. One man was captured.
Natalia is now 18 and is given a job near the Director. He is the head of Dome 1618. She doesn’t know how she got a job there, after all there was evidence that she was in that forbidden spot and she saw the Outsiders. But now she is working in the same group that her parents worked in. She didn’t choose it and she has no desire for science. But the longer she is there the more she discovers that things aren’t what they have always believed. The one man captured, Evan, is there to protect her and get her to safety. He also just happens to kind of fall for her. Nat falls for Evan too. But things don’t always go the way you want things to go and it is a hard road for Nat filled with sorrow, yearning for knowledge of her parents and what is really going on there in Dome 1618.
Ok, now there is a love triangle here. But one of them has found unrequited love. Nat’s grandmother really didn’t like her and my heart went out to Nat with every conversation they had.
The last 20 pages literally had my heart racing and me sitting on the edge of my chair while the action is happening hurrying everyone along and wanting to know if it will end with this book or will there be another. But it finishes really nicely!
My only complaint is that sometimes Natalie was really immature. Other than that, I loved the story and couldn’t read it fast enough!
If you like dystopian stories, dome cities, infected people, viruses, love triangles, trying to find your own way in the world, action and doing what is right no matter the cost than this book might be for you!
Nat’s parents were famous scientists. They died when Nat was nine. She still has some memories and a book her mom wrote of her studies. She used to go outside the dome that they live in with a team. Nat’s mom knew things and studied things. Nat has believed that her mother and father were killed by infected people that still live outside the dome. But Nat, who is a little rebellious, goes to her quiet part of the forest next to the edge of the dome where it is forbidden to go to relax and think of her mom. But she sees 2 men outside the dome. These men aren’t infected and they have seen her. One man was captured.
Natalia is now 18 and is given a job near the Director. He is the head of Dome 1618. She doesn’t know how she got a job there, after all there was evidence that she was in that forbidden spot and she saw the Outsiders. But now she is working in the same group that her parents worked in. She didn’t choose it and she has no desire for science. But the longer she is there the more she discovers that things aren’t what they have always believed. The one man captured, Evan, is there to protect her and get her to safety. He also just happens to kind of fall for her. Nat falls for Evan too. But things don’t always go the way you want things to go and it is a hard road for Nat filled with sorrow, yearning for knowledge of her parents and what is really going on there in Dome 1618.
Ok, now there is a love triangle here. But one of them has found unrequited love. Nat’s grandmother really didn’t like her and my heart went out to Nat with every conversation they had.
The last 20 pages literally had my heart racing and me sitting on the edge of my chair while the action is happening hurrying everyone along and wanting to know if it will end with this book or will there be another. But it finishes really nicely!
My only complaint is that sometimes Natalie was really immature. Other than that, I loved the story and couldn’t read it fast enough!
If you like dystopian stories, dome cities, infected people, viruses, love triangles, trying to find your own way in the world, action and doing what is right no matter the cost than this book might be for you!
May 22, 2016
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
When the novel first started, I was quickly intrigued with where this plot was going. I knew there were going to be many questions along the way to learning about this world. I've never read a book set in a Dome before, and I found it quite interesting. As the story went on, and little by little things started to unfold, the excitement dwelled down. The Order was not intimidating at all, and the big reveal was predictable in my opinion. I wanted it to be a real page turner, with some kick ass action! There was so much potential for that, especially since the writing was well done.
Your main character, Natalia was very headstrong. She wanted the answers to what The Order was hiding, and she would have done anything to do so. Despite not getting much support around her, besides Evan – the Outsider of Dome 1618, who she slowly falls in love with. Natalia never gives up on what she believes in, and that's what makes for a fantastic female protagonist. She was fearless, and I am super sad that I will not be getting to read more of her. There was so much more room for her as a character to grow. This book was just the cusp of who she is, and I would love to see who she will become in the future. SEQUEL PLEASE?!
Like most young adult books, there's always a little romance. Therefore, I didn't care too much about this one. It wasn't exciting and fresh! Evan was no different from your typical love interest. Again, I think there was more room for his character. He was very one noted, most of the time, and was constantly sending “swoon worthy” smirks to Natalia, which did nothing for me. I didn't connect to him, or them as a growing couple what's so ever.
Melanie Mcfarlens debut novel is a unique mix of dystopian and sci-fi. While I wasn't blown away by the story, I do believe many young adult readers might enjoy this very much.
When the novel first started, I was quickly intrigued with where this plot was going. I knew there were going to be many questions along the way to learning about this world. I've never read a book set in a Dome before, and I found it quite interesting. As the story went on, and little by little things started to unfold, the excitement dwelled down. The Order was not intimidating at all, and the big reveal was predictable in my opinion. I wanted it to be a real page turner, with some kick ass action! There was so much potential for that, especially since the writing was well done.
Your main character, Natalia was very headstrong. She wanted the answers to what The Order was hiding, and she would have done anything to do so. Despite not getting much support around her, besides Evan – the Outsider of Dome 1618, who she slowly falls in love with. Natalia never gives up on what she believes in, and that's what makes for a fantastic female protagonist. She was fearless, and I am super sad that I will not be getting to read more of her. There was so much more room for her as a character to grow. This book was just the cusp of who she is, and I would love to see who she will become in the future. SEQUEL PLEASE?!
Like most young adult books, there's always a little romance. Therefore, I didn't care too much about this one. It wasn't exciting and fresh! Evan was no different from your typical love interest. Again, I think there was more room for his character. He was very one noted, most of the time, and was constantly sending “swoon worthy” smirks to Natalia, which did nothing for me. I didn't connect to him, or them as a growing couple what's so ever.
Melanie Mcfarlens debut novel is a unique mix of dystopian and sci-fi. While I wasn't blown away by the story, I do believe many young adult readers might enjoy this very much.
February 24, 2020
Full Review on The Candid Cover
4.5 Stars
There Once Were Stars is a book unlike anything I’ve ever read! This book has a creative science fiction concept and is set in a world kept inside of a dome. The main character is very likeable and intelligent, making this book even better than it already is!
There Once Were Stars is a sci-fi that has such an incredible concept. Basically, there is a society inside a dome, shielded from the outside world. There’s so many elements in the book that make it a good sci-fi, such as the scientist main characters, a virus, and a secretive government. This was my first dystopian/sci-fi in a while, so I’m glad that it was so well done.
The setting in There Once Were Stars is so amazing! As I mentioned before, the book is set in a dome to be protected from the outside world where there is radiation. The way that the world is constructed honestly blew me away. Everything from a single tree that has a hollowed out hole that the government forgot to cut down to a massive building where scientists live and work. I could actually see the world of Dome 1618 when I was reading. The descriptions of the world are just that vivid
The main character in There Once Were Stars, Nat, is very intelligent. She is literally a scientist, which proves how smart she is. Nat is also brave and not afraid to stand up to the government. She contradicts them by not agreeing with their rules and is willing to go out into the outside world to see things for herself. I just found Nat to be really likeable.
There Once Were Stars is a sci-fi with a one-of-a-kind setting inside a dome. The main character is clever and brave and an actual scientist. Fans of books like The Giver will definitely enjoy this book.
4.5 Stars
There Once Were Stars is a book unlike anything I’ve ever read! This book has a creative science fiction concept and is set in a world kept inside of a dome. The main character is very likeable and intelligent, making this book even better than it already is!
There Once Were Stars is a sci-fi that has such an incredible concept. Basically, there is a society inside a dome, shielded from the outside world. There’s so many elements in the book that make it a good sci-fi, such as the scientist main characters, a virus, and a secretive government. This was my first dystopian/sci-fi in a while, so I’m glad that it was so well done.
The setting in There Once Were Stars is so amazing! As I mentioned before, the book is set in a dome to be protected from the outside world where there is radiation. The way that the world is constructed honestly blew me away. Everything from a single tree that has a hollowed out hole that the government forgot to cut down to a massive building where scientists live and work. I could actually see the world of Dome 1618 when I was reading. The descriptions of the world are just that vivid
The main character in There Once Were Stars, Nat, is very intelligent. She is literally a scientist, which proves how smart she is. Nat is also brave and not afraid to stand up to the government. She contradicts them by not agreeing with their rules and is willing to go out into the outside world to see things for herself. I just found Nat to be really likeable.
There Once Were Stars is a sci-fi with a one-of-a-kind setting inside a dome. The main character is clever and brave and an actual scientist. Fans of books like The Giver will definitely enjoy this book.
February 6, 2016
When I read the description of There Once Were Stars, I became very excited to read the story. This sounded like one of those very special stories one hopes an author would write. Still, a part of me was very nervous that it wouldn't come close to my expectations. I am so thrilled to be able to say that McFarlane totally exceeded my expectations. This was the dystopian novel I was hoping for.
I loved the set up, the closed-off, seemingly peaceful and orderly world Nat is born into. Though she does her duty in what first seems the right way of the citizens of the Dome, she still remains her own person who has a mind of her own and won't let anyone change her.
As events unfold, both the drama as well as the tension of a conspiracy reach new heights, and I found myself unable to stop reading until I could find out how it would all turn out. Throw in the frightening element of the "infected," and the range of emotions widen. Though they weren't technically zombies, the scenes with the "infected" particularly fascinated the Walking Dead fan in me. I felt my pulse race as I rushed through the last intense, action-packed chapters, preparing myself for a tragic ending but hoping our protagonist would make it out alive.
This story was fantastic, and I definitely look forward to reading more of McFarlane's works.
I loved the set up, the closed-off, seemingly peaceful and orderly world Nat is born into. Though she does her duty in what first seems the right way of the citizens of the Dome, she still remains her own person who has a mind of her own and won't let anyone change her.
As events unfold, both the drama as well as the tension of a conspiracy reach new heights, and I found myself unable to stop reading until I could find out how it would all turn out. Throw in the frightening element of the "infected," and the range of emotions widen. Though they weren't technically zombies, the scenes with the "infected" particularly fascinated the Walking Dead fan in me. I felt my pulse race as I rushed through the last intense, action-packed chapters, preparing myself for a tragic ending but hoping our protagonist would make it out alive.
This story was fantastic, and I definitely look forward to reading more of McFarlane's works.
July 25, 2016
There Once Were Stars by Melanie McFarlane is an amazing book! It has everything a sci-fi nut wants in it. It has sci-fi, intrigue, suspense, government plot and cover-up, action, adventure, the unknown, creatures, a hint of romance, possibility of death at all times, twists and turns, surprises, and so much more! This book will keep you on your toes! Imagine living in a dome, told radiation outside will kill you if you ventured out. One day you see a stranger out there, and he sees you, the government catches him, and they catch you for seeing him. It is a scary world where anything can happen, and does. LOVED IT! I was given this for a honest review and it in no way effected my rating or review content. It is just great!
June 7, 2016
I have a confession: I love the idea of a worldwide infection that causes mass chaos and disruption. In fiction, I mean. Not in real life. But seriously, I adore disaster scenarios, so I already knew I would like THERE ONCE WERE STARS before going in.
What I did not expect was how much I would love it.
Nat is the best - this girl is all heart and determination with a bit of rebellion thrown in for good measure. She's passionate and I loved learning about this world - the Dome - through her eyes. Every pulse pounding step she took had me on the edge of my seat.
Maybe you thought the YA dystopian, post-apocalyptic world had been beaten to death, but McFarlane proves you wrong with a solid and fantastic plot. Melanie McFarlane has no problems throwing twists and turns, coupled with a heavy dose of drama.
I adore this book. I want more. Can I have more?
What I did not expect was how much I would love it.
Nat is the best - this girl is all heart and determination with a bit of rebellion thrown in for good measure. She's passionate and I loved learning about this world - the Dome - through her eyes. Every pulse pounding step she took had me on the edge of my seat.
Maybe you thought the YA dystopian, post-apocalyptic world had been beaten to death, but McFarlane proves you wrong with a solid and fantastic plot. Melanie McFarlane has no problems throwing twists and turns, coupled with a heavy dose of drama.
I adore this book. I want more. Can I have more?
February 2, 2016
I read ONCE WERE STARS in less than twenty-four hours. The flow and pace kept me hooked and the pages turning. It caught me in the world of the dome and didn’t let me go. I don’t want to spoil but the questions raised were handled so well and kept me reading for the answers.
Loved the sparks between Nat and Evan but more than that I loved Nat’s journey and struggle to be herself in a place where not only the rules but loyalties make it difficult. She was gutsy and vulnerable in a combination I really liked.
There are no easy solutions in Nat’s life and that makes for great reading.
I can’t wait for the next one. Is it here yet?
Loved the sparks between Nat and Evan but more than that I loved Nat’s journey and struggle to be herself in a place where not only the rules but loyalties make it difficult. She was gutsy and vulnerable in a combination I really liked.
There are no easy solutions in Nat’s life and that makes for great reading.
I can’t wait for the next one. Is it here yet?
May 25, 2016
Fabulous! I was intrigued the moment I read the blurb and realized the story centered around a city enclosed by a dome. I'm a fan of dystopian novels, and this story satisfied.
Nat was a likeable character. I was drawn to her from the start. The romantic elements weaved into her storyline were perfect and left me with a smile on my face. Loved the intrigue and adventure. This was a well written novel I highly recommend!
Nat was a likeable character. I was drawn to her from the start. The romantic elements weaved into her storyline were perfect and left me with a smile on my face. Loved the intrigue and adventure. This was a well written novel I highly recommend!
January 20, 2016
I adored this book! It was the perfect balance of adventure and romance. I felt like everything played out nicely. The characters were lovable, the love triangle wasn't obnoxious, and it was everything a good distopian book should be! I would highly recommend this book! (And I don't even really like distopian books! That says something to me!)
July 21, 2016
Full Video Review to come on my booktube channel: youtube.com/kvegirl
Natalie was such an annoying character she could never decide what she wanted and the love triangle was super annoying! They world McFarlane created was a great one and I really enjoyed the unique aspects of this dystopian but the lack of interesting characters and development made this book less than enjoyable!
Natalie was such an annoying character she could never decide what she wanted and the love triangle was super annoying! They world McFarlane created was a great one and I really enjoyed the unique aspects of this dystopian but the lack of interesting characters and development made this book less than enjoyable!
June 9, 2016
Dystopian novels. They are a genre, specifically from the teen section, that I tend to devour. Ever since I read Hunger Games way back before it exploded in popularity, I have been an addict. I cannot get enough of these stories. I just love seeing the various societies that authors have come up with that are supposed to be so ideal, but are really just a disastrous mess.
And there are so many ways!
So naturally I needed to give There Once Were Stars by Melanie McFarlane a read. A society set in our world, but in the future. People live in domes because once upon a time there was a disease so horrible, that the non infected/immune people were brought into the domes while the rest of the world was nuked. Nuking the world meant that the outside was totally uninhabitable, so they had to wait and wait and wait until the earth was ready to be fully inhabited again. The radiation left behind was deadly.
There was more than one of these domes created, however, our story only involves one of them. There appears to be no communication between the domes, or if there had been, it went by the wayside as the years passed. So no one knows anything about any of the other domes. Each dome has its own government set up and its own goals.
Ooooh government....dystopian....dun dun dun.
Nat is our main character. She is just a girl trying to decide what she wants to do for the rest of her life, as she is at the point that she is supposed to choose. Her parents were field scientists that were killed while out on expedition outside of the dome when she was very young, so she has been raised with her parents.
Well never much for following all of the rules, Nat likes to spend time out in the dome forest where she has found a small clearing. She finds solace there. The clearing also happens to be at the very edge of the dome and one day while she is out there...she sees people!
But no one is supposed to be able to live outside the dome!
The outsider gets brought in. Nat's world gets turned upside down.
From there the rest of the story unravels.
I will only tell you this. It does not have any dinosaurs in it. I had a really strange desire that this book have dinosaurs in it for some reason. Like... I really really wanted there to be dinosaurs :(
Anyways, as far as dystopians go, I have read quite a few and could kind of feel where this one was going. It wasn't unoriginal or anything, but it wasn't really original either. It was a fast read though. It pulled you in and made you want to keep going, and that is always important.
When it came to the writing, there were a few times that I felt that it fell a little short. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best either. It, however, does show a lot of promise. I definitely wasn't put off by it. I do think Melanie McFarlane may have a skill with horror writing. I would LOVE to read anything she crafts in that genre. There are some bits in the book where her writing thrived and it was usually in a darker, scarier moment.
I think Melanie McFarlane can only improve and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future. She crafted quite an interesting story in a subgenre that has so many books out there that it is hard to come out with an original. And if she ever writes anything horror (teen or not) you can bet I will be picking that book up to read super fast.
My Rating
3.5 Stars
This review is based on an ARC provided by the publisher through Irish Banana Blog Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Find more of my reviews here:
http://readingwithcupcakes.blogspot.com/
May 11, 2016
I have been looking forward to reading this book since I first heard about it, and then when I saw the cover I was sold. It seems I can never tire of YA dystopian novels! While I enjoyed this read and *liked* it, I didn’t quite *love* it like I was anticipating. However, I am interested in reading the next book in the series when it comes out, so I hope that tells you that it’s worth giving a read!
I liked the idea behind this world in which we find ourselves, and the fact that remaining members of humanity live in domes because the outside world is uninhabitable (so we’ve been told). There was a virus a long time ago, to which a small segment of society was immune, but which ravaged the great majority of humanity. The virus turned “the Infected” into vicious predators and some portion of those who were immune from the virus were killed by these Infected. The remedy the world settled on was basically unleashing nuclear bombs around the globe, after the immune had been secreted away inside these domes. The dropping of the bombs was called “the Cleansing,” because of course all Infected were killed. At least, that’s what all survivors have been led to believe. There are rumors that Infected may still exist, so you’d never want to leave the Dome - if an Infected doesn’t get you, the radiation will. Neat idea, right?
The reason I’d say I liked this novel instead of loving it basically boils down to one thing: the writing. It was just a little…clunky? I don’t know quite the right word, but as I was reading I’d just be jarred by weird dialogue (where it doesn’t quite flow, you can’t quite imagine someone speaking the way it’s been written), frustrated by a lack of details, or thrown off by plot points that felt a bit immature. I don’t mean immature in terms of chronological age, but in terms of a writer who maybe hasn’t had as much experience as others whose books I have loved. I’m not sure if that makes sense to you, but this was really what kept me from giving this book 4 stars. I enjoyed it, and I’d like to see more of the story, I just didn’t love it. Also the characters could be frustrating at times, especially Natalia (Nat). I’m still not sure I like her all that much, even while I feel badly for what she’s been through. Her behavior is immature, and this time I do mean that in terms of age! Also, the romance that develops is a little weird and happens quite quickly. Yes, attraction is something that can be immediate, but taking that instant attraction and immediately getting angry at the person to whom you are attracted because he’s talking to another girl…that strains credulity for me. I guess there may be very jealous people out there who might act this way - it just doesn’t make for a likable or sympathetic character, in my opinion.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this novel and would like to continue with the series, I just didn’t love it as much as I anticipated I would. It is Ms. McFarlane’s first novel, so I think her writing will become more mature and solid as her skills grow and she writes more. I would recommend this book for those who enjoy YA dystopian and quick reads.
Thanks so much to Month9Books, Ms. McFarlane, and Chapter by Chapter for letting me read an early copy of the book and take part in the blog tour!
I liked the idea behind this world in which we find ourselves, and the fact that remaining members of humanity live in domes because the outside world is uninhabitable (so we’ve been told). There was a virus a long time ago, to which a small segment of society was immune, but which ravaged the great majority of humanity. The virus turned “the Infected” into vicious predators and some portion of those who were immune from the virus were killed by these Infected. The remedy the world settled on was basically unleashing nuclear bombs around the globe, after the immune had been secreted away inside these domes. The dropping of the bombs was called “the Cleansing,” because of course all Infected were killed. At least, that’s what all survivors have been led to believe. There are rumors that Infected may still exist, so you’d never want to leave the Dome - if an Infected doesn’t get you, the radiation will. Neat idea, right?
The reason I’d say I liked this novel instead of loving it basically boils down to one thing: the writing. It was just a little…clunky? I don’t know quite the right word, but as I was reading I’d just be jarred by weird dialogue (where it doesn’t quite flow, you can’t quite imagine someone speaking the way it’s been written), frustrated by a lack of details, or thrown off by plot points that felt a bit immature. I don’t mean immature in terms of chronological age, but in terms of a writer who maybe hasn’t had as much experience as others whose books I have loved. I’m not sure if that makes sense to you, but this was really what kept me from giving this book 4 stars. I enjoyed it, and I’d like to see more of the story, I just didn’t love it. Also the characters could be frustrating at times, especially Natalia (Nat). I’m still not sure I like her all that much, even while I feel badly for what she’s been through. Her behavior is immature, and this time I do mean that in terms of age! Also, the romance that develops is a little weird and happens quite quickly. Yes, attraction is something that can be immediate, but taking that instant attraction and immediately getting angry at the person to whom you are attracted because he’s talking to another girl…that strains credulity for me. I guess there may be very jealous people out there who might act this way - it just doesn’t make for a likable or sympathetic character, in my opinion.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this novel and would like to continue with the series, I just didn’t love it as much as I anticipated I would. It is Ms. McFarlane’s first novel, so I think her writing will become more mature and solid as her skills grow and she writes more. I would recommend this book for those who enjoy YA dystopian and quick reads.
Thanks so much to Month9Books, Ms. McFarlane, and Chapter by Chapter for letting me read an early copy of the book and take part in the blog tour!
March 20, 2016
There Once Were Stars is an engaging YA dystopian novel which puts a new spin on familiar dystopian themes.
I liked that the dystopian elements are hidden away at first, and the society Nat lives in appears to be perfect on the outside. It's only when she accidentally breaks rules and runs into hidden rebellions that she realises nothing is as it seems. This meshes nicely with the coming of age tale as Nat learns more about who she is and what she wants from life.
The building mystery is engaging and kept me turning the pages to find out what secrets the government were hiding. This is a fast-paced read, perfect for fans of YA dystopian novels.
I liked that the dystopian elements are hidden away at first, and the society Nat lives in appears to be perfect on the outside. It's only when she accidentally breaks rules and runs into hidden rebellions that she realises nothing is as it seems. This meshes nicely with the coming of age tale as Nat learns more about who she is and what she wants from life.
The building mystery is engaging and kept me turning the pages to find out what secrets the government were hiding. This is a fast-paced read, perfect for fans of YA dystopian novels.
August 26, 2016
Title: There Once Were Stars
Author: Melanie McFarlane
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC, 2016
Genre: YA Dystopian, YA Science Fiction
**I received a copy of this book free from Ebooksforreview.com and the Author in exchange for an honest review**
This review can be found on my Blog, TeacherofYA's Tumblr, and my Goodreads page
My Review:
I know...I'm reading too fast lately to even do a "Currently Reading for Review" post...I just can't help it. Between reading and responding to comments, reading my books, and writing reviews, it is hard to put any other posts up here. I'm trying to...but I used to be able to post an Upcoming Reads post and then finish the book in a couple days. Maybe it's because school is coming up this coming week, and it's making me read faster, or maybe it's the fact that ALL these deadlines are at the end of the month. Be that as it may, here is There Once Were Stars.
Once again, a beautiful cover sucked me in...and an intriguing blurb:
I love a good dystopian novel. I know most of them might sound similar, but the protagonist always has their own battles, and the plot differs enough to where you can enjoy the novel. This novel, while a fun read, was not as involved as I was hoping.
Natalia "Nat" Greyes has a favorite place she goes to in order to reflect: a hollowed-out dead tree the Order has somehow forgotten to tear down. Because, in Nat's world, if it can't contribute, it's useless. The tree should be cut down for other living trees, trees that give oxygen. On her eighteenth birthday, Nat stares at the locket given to her by her angry grandmother; inside, there is a picture of her mother and father, who died during an expedition outside the dome due to radiation poisoning. (Btw, why are all our dystopian heroines orphans? Is that a theme now? But I digress...) As Nat glances over her mother's notebook, she spots a person OUTSIDE the dome. But that's impossible. After the Cleasing Wars to rid the world of the infection, radiation killed and continues to kill anything outside the protective layer of the dome.
When she goes to the edge of the dome, she sees a face she can't place...but before she can see who it is, another Outsider is captured and brought inside. And he's not infected or dying of radiation poisoning. Suddenly she's assigned to the Science department where her parents worked before their deaths. And there she meets the Outsider, Evan, and he tells them all that the air is safe, and it is okay to leave the dome. Where he comes from, everyone has made the transition outside. The Order begins setting up a team to see if this is true, and Nat and Evan are paired together. The mysterious stranger makes Nat feel things she's never felt before, and all after her best friend Jak has confessed his undying love.
But there's more than meets the eye: who was the stranger with Evan that day that Nat recognized but can't place? Amd if there's no radiation, them how did her parents really die? Is the Order keeping secrets from the people? And did her parents know something that might've cost them their lives?
So...it was an okay read. As you can see, the classic tropes are all there:
Girl is an orphan. Girl feels like no one understands her and feels alone in the world.
Her best friend is in love with her, but she isn't sure she feels the same way
A mysterious Outsider makes her get all goo-goo eyed, but she pushes him/he pushes her away
There is a love triangle between Jak and Evan
The government is hiding something
When done right, these elements can still exist and not taint the story. But the story felt rushed, and it was 331 pages. By Chapter Two, everything is in an uproar. We haven't even really been able to get a feel for this world before there is upheaval in Nat's heart. Evan and Nat's relationship feels rushed, even though they go back and forth. I just felt like I was going through the motions on this one, and it might be because I've read it all before. And because of that, I felt like I knew what was happening. And because of that, I just kept going and the pages flew by, and it was over. Maybe because I'm used to dystopian novels developing over a period of several books, this one felt so rushed to me? I don't know. It wasn't bad. But it's unfortunately forgettable. I don't regret reading it. But I doubt I'll remember it several months down the line.
Is It Classroom-Apppropriate?
Actually, it's perfect for the classroom, because it starts, climaxes, and ends in one book, unlike most literature in this genre. So students can read it and understand dystopian lit during a single unit. It could be used as an anchor text for sure. It also would make an easy book for students to pick apart because all the elements of a dystopian story are there, even the love triangle. So yes, it's great for a dystopian unit...and it would be an effective narrative tool.
Age Range:
I would go as low as 13 here. There's nothing profane in this book at all. I can't go based on Lexile scores because Lexile only covers the big publishers, but I can tell you with all confidence that even middle school age kids could follow and enjoy this book. It gets my seal of approval for classroom and young reader use!
End Result:
★★★★☆. It's not bad. But if you're a major fan of dystopian literature and you want something a little different than the standard, this is not for you. I'd recommend it to people who want to try the genre out without committing to reading several books, or to people who love the classic formula for a tried-and-true dystopia.
And you want a DIY dystopia? Just follow the list provided in this review. Fill in names, and a name for your oppressive government, and you're all set!
Author: Melanie McFarlane
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC, 2016
Genre: YA Dystopian, YA Science Fiction
**I received a copy of this book free from Ebooksforreview.com and the Author in exchange for an honest review**
This review can be found on my Blog, TeacherofYA's Tumblr, and my Goodreads page
My Review:
I know...I'm reading too fast lately to even do a "Currently Reading for Review" post...I just can't help it. Between reading and responding to comments, reading my books, and writing reviews, it is hard to put any other posts up here. I'm trying to...but I used to be able to post an Upcoming Reads post and then finish the book in a couple days. Maybe it's because school is coming up this coming week, and it's making me read faster, or maybe it's the fact that ALL these deadlines are at the end of the month. Be that as it may, here is There Once Were Stars.
Once again, a beautiful cover sucked me in...and an intriguing blurb:
Peace. Love. Order. Dome. That’s the motto that the Order has given the residents of Dome 1618 to live by. Natalia Greyes is a resident of Dome 1618, a covered city protected from the deadly radiation that has poisoned the world outside for four generations. Nat never questioned the Order, until one day she sees a stranger on the outside of her dome. Now Nat wants answers. What else might her government be hiding from the good and loyal people of Dome 1618?
I love a good dystopian novel. I know most of them might sound similar, but the protagonist always has their own battles, and the plot differs enough to where you can enjoy the novel. This novel, while a fun read, was not as involved as I was hoping.
Natalia "Nat" Greyes has a favorite place she goes to in order to reflect: a hollowed-out dead tree the Order has somehow forgotten to tear down. Because, in Nat's world, if it can't contribute, it's useless. The tree should be cut down for other living trees, trees that give oxygen. On her eighteenth birthday, Nat stares at the locket given to her by her angry grandmother; inside, there is a picture of her mother and father, who died during an expedition outside the dome due to radiation poisoning. (Btw, why are all our dystopian heroines orphans? Is that a theme now? But I digress...) As Nat glances over her mother's notebook, she spots a person OUTSIDE the dome. But that's impossible. After the Cleasing Wars to rid the world of the infection, radiation killed and continues to kill anything outside the protective layer of the dome.
When she goes to the edge of the dome, she sees a face she can't place...but before she can see who it is, another Outsider is captured and brought inside. And he's not infected or dying of radiation poisoning. Suddenly she's assigned to the Science department where her parents worked before their deaths. And there she meets the Outsider, Evan, and he tells them all that the air is safe, and it is okay to leave the dome. Where he comes from, everyone has made the transition outside. The Order begins setting up a team to see if this is true, and Nat and Evan are paired together. The mysterious stranger makes Nat feel things she's never felt before, and all after her best friend Jak has confessed his undying love.
But there's more than meets the eye: who was the stranger with Evan that day that Nat recognized but can't place? Amd if there's no radiation, them how did her parents really die? Is the Order keeping secrets from the people? And did her parents know something that might've cost them their lives?
So...it was an okay read. As you can see, the classic tropes are all there:
Girl is an orphan. Girl feels like no one understands her and feels alone in the world.
Her best friend is in love with her, but she isn't sure she feels the same way
A mysterious Outsider makes her get all goo-goo eyed, but she pushes him/he pushes her away
There is a love triangle between Jak and Evan
The government is hiding something
When done right, these elements can still exist and not taint the story. But the story felt rushed, and it was 331 pages. By Chapter Two, everything is in an uproar. We haven't even really been able to get a feel for this world before there is upheaval in Nat's heart. Evan and Nat's relationship feels rushed, even though they go back and forth. I just felt like I was going through the motions on this one, and it might be because I've read it all before. And because of that, I felt like I knew what was happening. And because of that, I just kept going and the pages flew by, and it was over. Maybe because I'm used to dystopian novels developing over a period of several books, this one felt so rushed to me? I don't know. It wasn't bad. But it's unfortunately forgettable. I don't regret reading it. But I doubt I'll remember it several months down the line.
Is It Classroom-Apppropriate?
Actually, it's perfect for the classroom, because it starts, climaxes, and ends in one book, unlike most literature in this genre. So students can read it and understand dystopian lit during a single unit. It could be used as an anchor text for sure. It also would make an easy book for students to pick apart because all the elements of a dystopian story are there, even the love triangle. So yes, it's great for a dystopian unit...and it would be an effective narrative tool.
Age Range:
I would go as low as 13 here. There's nothing profane in this book at all. I can't go based on Lexile scores because Lexile only covers the big publishers, but I can tell you with all confidence that even middle school age kids could follow and enjoy this book. It gets my seal of approval for classroom and young reader use!
End Result:
★★★★☆. It's not bad. But if you're a major fan of dystopian literature and you want something a little different than the standard, this is not for you. I'd recommend it to people who want to try the genre out without committing to reading several books, or to people who love the classic formula for a tried-and-true dystopia.
And you want a DIY dystopia? Just follow the list provided in this review. Fill in names, and a name for your oppressive government, and you're all set!
June 14, 2016
There Once Were Stars is set during a time where people live in domes because the outside world had to be bombed in order to destroy a virus that threatened all of humanity. The heroine of our story Natalia Greyes is about to turn eighteen and lives in Dome 1618 with her grandparents. Her parents, who were scientists studying the environment and trying to discover if it was safe to live outside the domes died of radiation while on a mission outside of the domes, or so she has been told. One day while in the Outer Forest sitting in an old hollowed out tree Nat falls asleep and when she awakens she sees two strangers outside of the dome and after one of them gets taken in by the Order (their government/police) everything starts to change.
I haven’t read a dystopian book in quite a while, and felt a little burnt out on the whole genre, but this book definitely changed that feeling for me. The world building was strong and I could “see” everything that was described. It was interesting to read about all the various rules and how everything worked in this society. It’s clear that the government is up to something fishy and I couldn’t wait to find out what. The pacing of the story was fast, and it kept me turning the pages and the author did a good job with building up the mystery of what’s happening outside and inside of the dome.
All the characters were pretty likable, but Nat was my favorite. I love that she questions things and doesn’t just accept what people tell her. I like that she wasn’t afraid to break the rules in the pursuit of the truth. I was a bit put off by the love triangle going on throughout the book, but I tried to not think too much about it because there were other more pressing things to focus on such as what really happened to Nat’s parents, and what secrets the government is keeping from everyone. Not to mention the possibility that the “INFECTED” (people who were infected by the virus and turned into “zombie” like creatures that attack anything that moves) might have somehow survived all the heavy bombing after the domes were built, and managed to survive the radiation that followed too.
Overall I think the author did a fantastic job creating a believable dystopian world, building intrigue and captivating the reader with her story. I haven’t been this into a dystopian book since the Hunger Games and that is saying something. I am already eagerly awaiting the next book in the trilogy and would highly recommend this one to anyone who loves YA dystopian books. Fans of The 100, Under the Dome, Divergent, Wayward Pines, or The Giver should be quite interested in picking up this book and giving it a try.
Thank you to Hannah from The Irish Banana Review (@Irish_Banana) and Month9Books for providing me with an e-copy of the book in return for an honest review.
I haven’t read a dystopian book in quite a while, and felt a little burnt out on the whole genre, but this book definitely changed that feeling for me. The world building was strong and I could “see” everything that was described. It was interesting to read about all the various rules and how everything worked in this society. It’s clear that the government is up to something fishy and I couldn’t wait to find out what. The pacing of the story was fast, and it kept me turning the pages and the author did a good job with building up the mystery of what’s happening outside and inside of the dome.
All the characters were pretty likable, but Nat was my favorite. I love that she questions things and doesn’t just accept what people tell her. I like that she wasn’t afraid to break the rules in the pursuit of the truth. I was a bit put off by the love triangle going on throughout the book, but I tried to not think too much about it because there were other more pressing things to focus on such as what really happened to Nat’s parents, and what secrets the government is keeping from everyone. Not to mention the possibility that the “INFECTED” (people who were infected by the virus and turned into “zombie” like creatures that attack anything that moves) might have somehow survived all the heavy bombing after the domes were built, and managed to survive the radiation that followed too.
Overall I think the author did a fantastic job creating a believable dystopian world, building intrigue and captivating the reader with her story. I haven’t been this into a dystopian book since the Hunger Games and that is saying something. I am already eagerly awaiting the next book in the trilogy and would highly recommend this one to anyone who loves YA dystopian books. Fans of The 100, Under the Dome, Divergent, Wayward Pines, or The Giver should be quite interested in picking up this book and giving it a try.
Thank you to Hannah from The Irish Banana Review (@Irish_Banana) and Month9Books for providing me with an e-copy of the book in return for an honest review.
January 19, 2016
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
What can I say about this book? Well, I will start off by saying, for being a new author; Melanie knows how to capture the reader right away, so much so that I found it hard to put my e-reader down.
I am not going to give a breakdown of the story line (you can read the synopsis above ;0) ) , what I will tell you is that you won’t be disappointed with reading this book. Right from the beginning, you feel for Nat and her struggle with wanting to live her own life, not the life that is expected of her, and how she is dealing with those around once her life starts to change and secrets are revealed. There is a male lead character (who I adore), a love triangle, and numerous secondary characters, that help tie together the story line perfectly…even if there is a secondary character I wanted to slap upside the head!.... but that’s neither here nor there ;0) ….and nope I will not tell you who it is, cuz my fellow readers you will be able to figure out who…..I don’t want to wreck it for you :)
Hope you all enjoy this book as much as I have, and I can’t wait for the second book :)
What can I say about this book? Well, I will start off by saying, for being a new author; Melanie knows how to capture the reader right away, so much so that I found it hard to put my e-reader down.
I am not going to give a breakdown of the story line (you can read the synopsis above ;0) ) , what I will tell you is that you won’t be disappointed with reading this book. Right from the beginning, you feel for Nat and her struggle with wanting to live her own life, not the life that is expected of her, and how she is dealing with those around once her life starts to change and secrets are revealed. There is a male lead character (who I adore), a love triangle, and numerous secondary characters, that help tie together the story line perfectly…even if there is a secondary character I wanted to slap upside the head!.... but that’s neither here nor there ;0) ….and nope I will not tell you who it is, cuz my fellow readers you will be able to figure out who…..I don’t want to wreck it for you :)
Hope you all enjoy this book as much as I have, and I can’t wait for the second book :)
April 27, 2016
I love dystopians. There Once Were Stars was a solid entry in the YA dystopian genre. Nat was easy to root for, as was her romance with one of her two potential beaus. (No spoilers!) I wish there was even more of the danger that was present at the end, as the end was a very fast-paced read. I could picture it as a TV show on The CW or MTV.
I was provided with an early draft of this novel for free for review.
I was provided with an early draft of this novel for free for review.
August 25, 2016
Today is Natalia “Nat” Greyes birthday and she is eighteen. Today is the first day of the rest of her life. Nat starts her new job today but before she has to enter into the adult world Nat is going to visit her special place at the edge of the dome. Nat lives inside of Dome 1618, a covered protected city.
The dome has protected them from radiation poison for many, many years longer than Nat has been alive. Nat has been going to her special place since the day she lost her parents nine years ago. She knows she is breaking the rules by going there and will be severely punished if she is caught. On this day Nat is almost caught when she spots a couple of people on the outside of the dome and one of them is captured and brought inside the dome.
Now Nat has lots of questions as to how are these two guys living on the outside when they are not wearing protective clothing to keep them safe from the radiation poison? Nat has a very inquisitive mind and so is determined to find out. But first she has to get to her new job she doesn’t want to be late on the first day.
Nat doesn’t know what she wants to do with the rest of her life or what job she wants to do unlike her two best friends Zara and Jak so Nat gets to try a few jobs until she finds the right one. But this doesn’t last long before she is uprooted from her apartment where she has lived with her Grandparents since losing her parents. She is taken to work in the Science department where her parents worked and with some of the same people who worked with them as well.
Nat soon learns that there is more going on in the dome than meets the eye. Nat like everyone else has been taught all their lives that the dome is protecting them but that just might not be the exact truth. And what she was told about what happened to her parents all those years ago may not be the truth either.
With her inquisitive mind Nat has a lot of questions as to what is going on but luckily she just may be working in the right department and building and among the right people with all the answers. Nat is a very strong willed person and will not stop until she gets the answers she wants. If she doesn’t it won’t be because she didn’t give it her all.
I knew when I read the summary that I was going to love There Once Were Stars but I didn’t realize just how true that was. Once I started I couldn’t put it down literally. My kindle stayed with me all day until I had turned the last page. I read There Once Were Stars in one day it was that good. I couldn’t believe it when I got to the end. I wanted more. Although lots of questions were answered I still have more. I would like to know more about the virus and how it started. I would like to know more about Nat’s parents her uncle and who they were and what really happened to them. I would also like to know where Nat’s Uncle was all those years.
I would definitely recommended There Once Were Stars to anyone who loves to read dystopian novels. Even if you don’t give it a try anyway who knows you might just like it. It may be a dystopian novel but there is a great under the dome.
The dome has protected them from radiation poison for many, many years longer than Nat has been alive. Nat has been going to her special place since the day she lost her parents nine years ago. She knows she is breaking the rules by going there and will be severely punished if she is caught. On this day Nat is almost caught when she spots a couple of people on the outside of the dome and one of them is captured and brought inside the dome.
Now Nat has lots of questions as to how are these two guys living on the outside when they are not wearing protective clothing to keep them safe from the radiation poison? Nat has a very inquisitive mind and so is determined to find out. But first she has to get to her new job she doesn’t want to be late on the first day.
Nat doesn’t know what she wants to do with the rest of her life or what job she wants to do unlike her two best friends Zara and Jak so Nat gets to try a few jobs until she finds the right one. But this doesn’t last long before she is uprooted from her apartment where she has lived with her Grandparents since losing her parents. She is taken to work in the Science department where her parents worked and with some of the same people who worked with them as well.
Nat soon learns that there is more going on in the dome than meets the eye. Nat like everyone else has been taught all their lives that the dome is protecting them but that just might not be the exact truth. And what she was told about what happened to her parents all those years ago may not be the truth either.
With her inquisitive mind Nat has a lot of questions as to what is going on but luckily she just may be working in the right department and building and among the right people with all the answers. Nat is a very strong willed person and will not stop until she gets the answers she wants. If she doesn’t it won’t be because she didn’t give it her all.
I knew when I read the summary that I was going to love There Once Were Stars but I didn’t realize just how true that was. Once I started I couldn’t put it down literally. My kindle stayed with me all day until I had turned the last page. I read There Once Were Stars in one day it was that good. I couldn’t believe it when I got to the end. I wanted more. Although lots of questions were answered I still have more. I would like to know more about the virus and how it started. I would like to know more about Nat’s parents her uncle and who they were and what really happened to them. I would also like to know where Nat’s Uncle was all those years.
I would definitely recommended There Once Were Stars to anyone who loves to read dystopian novels. Even if you don’t give it a try anyway who knows you might just like it. It may be a dystopian novel but there is a great under the dome.
December 26, 2016
Life in Dome 1618 is structured. People are living in a protected environment because of high radiation levels. A terrible virus and the aftermath of it made life a lot more complicated and the domes are offering security and protection. Nat is eighteen and she has to start working. She's especially good at getting in trouble and she has no idea what she wants to do yet, but there also isn't much time to think about it as someone has made the decisions for her. Her parents were famous scientists who died under suspicious circumstances. Suddenly it is assumed she will work at the same department and Nat doesn't have a say in the matter.
There's an outsider in the dome. His name is Evan and he's a few years older than Nat. He comes from a different dome and is there to gather information. There are a lot of things he isn't telling her and Nat doesn't know if she can trust him. He needs her to work with him though. They're trying to uncover a big secret that the high officials in the dome are trying to hide at all costs. Will they be able to find out what it is and is there a price to pay?
Nat has lost her parents at a young age. She isn't happy, she wants freedom, but instead she's being confined. There are many rules to follow and nothing in the dome really appeals to her. Her eighteenth birthday changes everything as she has to start working. With some help she gets a job at the department her parents were working for and she has the chance to work alongside an outsider. They instantly have a connection, but life in the dome is complicated and Nat can't do what she wants. She's defiant and headstrong and she isn't afraid to speak her mind. I liked that very much about her. She's a great main character and I loved her impulsiveness.
Melanie McFarlane is a good writer. I loved the world building and the setting of the story. Her descriptions are precise and creative. There are creepy tight rules and I could feel Nat's uneasiness and stress. She isn't good at following orders and often makes a mess of things. I liked that she's far from perfect, but whatever happens she keeps going and fights for what she believes in. Bit by bit she discovers what killed her parents. I was intrigued and couldn't wait to find out more. The ending is fitting and I loved it. There Once Were Stars is a great dystopian read. If you like the genre, you will definitely like this book.
There's an outsider in the dome. His name is Evan and he's a few years older than Nat. He comes from a different dome and is there to gather information. There are a lot of things he isn't telling her and Nat doesn't know if she can trust him. He needs her to work with him though. They're trying to uncover a big secret that the high officials in the dome are trying to hide at all costs. Will they be able to find out what it is and is there a price to pay?
Nat has lost her parents at a young age. She isn't happy, she wants freedom, but instead she's being confined. There are many rules to follow and nothing in the dome really appeals to her. Her eighteenth birthday changes everything as she has to start working. With some help she gets a job at the department her parents were working for and she has the chance to work alongside an outsider. They instantly have a connection, but life in the dome is complicated and Nat can't do what she wants. She's defiant and headstrong and she isn't afraid to speak her mind. I liked that very much about her. She's a great main character and I loved her impulsiveness.
Melanie McFarlane is a good writer. I loved the world building and the setting of the story. Her descriptions are precise and creative. There are creepy tight rules and I could feel Nat's uneasiness and stress. She isn't good at following orders and often makes a mess of things. I liked that she's far from perfect, but whatever happens she keeps going and fights for what she believes in. Bit by bit she discovers what killed her parents. I was intrigued and couldn't wait to find out more. The ending is fitting and I loved it. There Once Were Stars is a great dystopian read. If you like the genre, you will definitely like this book.
July 4, 2016
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfer...
2.5 Stars
*I received this book as part of Booktube tours in exchange for my honest review*
VIDEO REVIEW TO COME ON JULY 25TH
Natalia Greyes has lived in Dome 1618 with her grandparents after her parents death 9 years ago. The dome was created to protect it's inhabitants from the radiation outside that has affected the world for the past 4 generations. Natalia has followed the directions of The Order without hesitation, that is until she sees two strangers outside the dome. Now she questions everything she thought she knew.
This is a young adult dystopian novel that has a mix of the Walking Dead thrown in for good measure. I was very excited about this book in the beginning. I thought the concept of the dome was very interesting and I was intrigued to see where the plot would develop to. I wanted to know what the Order was hiding and how their secrets would affect the people inside the dome. My favourite part of the book was definitely the final chapters involving the 'infected' and how they came about. The last 20 pages of the book is when things got truly interesting for me. I think that the world building was well done and I enjoyed the back story provided about the dome and the 'infected'.
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the love triangle or insta-love in this book. I was very frustrated throughout the book with how naive and immature Natalia was. I think she was a very wishy-washy character and her feelings and thoughts flipped way too often in my opinion. Every scene was all about how jealous she was about Evan and it got to the point where it really started to take away from the enjoyment of the story for me. I also did not like Jak whatsoever, the way he treated Natalia just made me angry. I don't think any of the characters had much development through out the story and that was a bit of a let down for me.
Overall, I think a lot of people will enjoy this YA dystopian novel... I just did not enjoy it as much as I think I would have if the love triangles or insta-love was not included.
2.5 Stars
*I received this book as part of Booktube tours in exchange for my honest review*
VIDEO REVIEW TO COME ON JULY 25TH
Natalia Greyes has lived in Dome 1618 with her grandparents after her parents death 9 years ago. The dome was created to protect it's inhabitants from the radiation outside that has affected the world for the past 4 generations. Natalia has followed the directions of The Order without hesitation, that is until she sees two strangers outside the dome. Now she questions everything she thought she knew.
This is a young adult dystopian novel that has a mix of the Walking Dead thrown in for good measure. I was very excited about this book in the beginning. I thought the concept of the dome was very interesting and I was intrigued to see where the plot would develop to. I wanted to know what the Order was hiding and how their secrets would affect the people inside the dome. My favourite part of the book was definitely the final chapters involving the 'infected' and how they came about. The last 20 pages of the book is when things got truly interesting for me. I think that the world building was well done and I enjoyed the back story provided about the dome and the 'infected'.
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the love triangle or insta-love in this book. I was very frustrated throughout the book with how naive and immature Natalia was. I think she was a very wishy-washy character and her feelings and thoughts flipped way too often in my opinion. Every scene was all about how jealous she was about Evan and it got to the point where it really started to take away from the enjoyment of the story for me. I also did not like Jak whatsoever, the way he treated Natalia just made me angry. I don't think any of the characters had much development through out the story and that was a bit of a let down for me.
Overall, I think a lot of people will enjoy this YA dystopian novel... I just did not enjoy it as much as I think I would have if the love triangles or insta-love was not included.
April 26, 2016
After war ravages the planet, survivors are forced to live in domes to protect themselves from radiation. Natalia has grown up with only hazy glimpses of the stars in the sky. The new, orderly society sets rules to protect survivors as scientists work toward improving everyone’s quality of life.
Natalia follows the rules without question until the day she spies someone outside of the dome. After taking a job on the Expedition Team, she finds even more reasons to be skeptical about the lack of a sustainable existence on the other side.
Natalia was a great main character. She was likeable, smart, and loyal. I was also intrigued by the twists and turns of the story — I was never quite sure who was working with Natalia and who was secretly working against her. Eventually, she discovers the truth of what lurks behind the scenes of her seemingly idyllic society, through a combination of clues left by her mother and other scientists. Fans of YA dystopian fiction will enjoy this unique vision of a post-apocalyptic world and the citizens' fight for survival.
Natalia follows the rules without question until the day she spies someone outside of the dome. After taking a job on the Expedition Team, she finds even more reasons to be skeptical about the lack of a sustainable existence on the other side.
Natalia was a great main character. She was likeable, smart, and loyal. I was also intrigued by the twists and turns of the story — I was never quite sure who was working with Natalia and who was secretly working against her. Eventually, she discovers the truth of what lurks behind the scenes of her seemingly idyllic society, through a combination of clues left by her mother and other scientists. Fans of YA dystopian fiction will enjoy this unique vision of a post-apocalyptic world and the citizens' fight for survival.
January 20, 2016
A refreshing take on dystopian, THERE ONCE WERE STARS is a non-stop, action-packed mystery full of twisty turns, heartfelt relationships, and characters that jump off the page. I’ve long ago stopped reading dystopian novels, but the synopsis for THERE ONCE WERE STARS grabbed me from the very first word, and the first few sentences of the novel itself sold me for good. McFarlane delivers on every promise of the premise, taking the reader on and amazing journey with Nat and Evan. From the everyday streets of the dome to its darkest mysteries, every plot twist surprised me. Nat has become one of my favorite heroines of the last few years. Her struggles are real and easy to identify with, and I loved her determination. Overall, 5/5 stars to this wonderful dystopian YA/NA novel! :D
June 29, 2016
THIS WAS SO GOOD! I devoured this book over the course of three days, but it could have been one sitting if I didn't have to take breaks due to the fact I was reading on my laptop. I love the world, I love the plot, I love the character, and I want more! I can't wait to see what comes next from Melanie.
More thoughts coming on April 25th when I post my review as a part of the blog tour for this book.
http://www.bookishhollow.wordpress.com/
More thoughts coming on April 25th when I post my review as a part of the blog tour for this book.
http://www.bookishhollow.wordpress.com/
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