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The Stars We Steal
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Engagement season is in the air. Eighteen-year-old Princess Leonie “Leo” Kolburg, heir to a faded European spaceship, only has one thing on her mind: which lucky bachelor can save her family from financial ruin?
But when Leo’s childhood friend and first love Elliot returns as the captain of a successful whiskey ship, everything changes. Elliot was the one that got away, ...more
But when Leo’s childhood friend and first love Elliot returns as the captain of a successful whiskey ship, everything changes. Elliot was the one that got away, ...more
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Hardcover, 400 pages
Published
February 4th 2020
by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
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this book commits a very unfortunate crime against readers, which is it solely relies on a telling narrative, not a showing narrative. meaning the reader is told something happens, rather than shown it.
its an extremely lazy method of writing and honestly drags the story down. it completely ruins any sort of opportunity which may have been present for me to really connect with the characters, especially because the romance is key to the plot. i dont want to be told leo and elliot have a ...more
its an extremely lazy method of writing and honestly drags the story down. it completely ruins any sort of opportunity which may have been present for me to really connect with the characters, especially because the romance is key to the plot. i dont want to be told leo and elliot have a ...more
Dec 12, 2018
Mary S. R.
marked it as to-read
Recommended to Mary by:
more like robbed—and that would be the cover artist, blame them!
I have a very crucial, life-altering question: how can a cover be so perfect? I feel like this should be illegal—no it's NOT fair to steal away people's money like that! *slams hand on desk, shouts* would someone call the authorities!? I'm taking this matter in front of a judge!
Eighteen-year-old Princess Leonie “Leo” Kolburg...(*sniffs* I smell...royal intrigue! *wicked smile*)...heir to a faded European spaceship...(*fumes* you don't set books in space and get away with it! Because then I'd ...more
Eighteen-year-old Princess Leonie “Leo” Kolburg...(*sniffs* I smell...royal intrigue! *wicked smile*)...heir to a faded European spaceship...(*fumes* you don't set books in space and get away with it! Because then I'd ...more
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This is a retelling of Persuasion set in space with a dash of The Bachelor. People from Earth now fly around in spaceships, and those of the nobility have especially luxurious ones. Leonie, aboard The Scandinavian, is such a one, only her family is on the verge of becoming impoverished and she is going to have to take part in the extravagant match-making ceremony called the Valg, along with her sister and cousin, to help save the family ...more
Dec 13, 2018
megs_bookrack
marked it as to-read
Today we celebrate!!!
Thank you so much to HMH Books for Young Readers for my ARC!!
I enjoyed Brightly Burning so much and have been anxiously awaiting this new release from Donne.
Well, today the wait is over, my friends!
This description had me at 'whiskey ship...'
...but GAWDDDD look at that cover!!!
((heart eyes))
Thank you so much to HMH Books for Young Readers for my ARC!!
I enjoyed Brightly Burning so much and have been anxiously awaiting this new release from Donne.
Well, today the wait is over, my friends!
This description had me at 'whiskey ship...'
...but GAWDDDD look at that cover!!!
((heart eyes))
I was really looking forward to this novel but unfortunately, it was far less than what I expected.
This story starts off with a bang (literally) and it's adventure and action right from the beginning. There is little to no introduction regarding the background of the world, the story, or the characters before the reader is thrust into the story.
However, even with the story being introduced amidst action, this novel was mostly....boring for me. None of the characters caught my attention, nor did ...more
This story starts off with a bang (literally) and it's adventure and action right from the beginning. There is little to no introduction regarding the background of the world, the story, or the characters before the reader is thrust into the story.
However, even with the story being introduced amidst action, this novel was mostly....boring for me. None of the characters caught my attention, nor did ...more
May 05, 2019
Tara ☽
marked it as to-read
"A Jane Austen's 'Persuasion' retelling set in space"
Me, sobbing: Just - just please take my money. Take it. All of it. Please. I'm begging you, I need this so badly, just take my money, take it, plea-
Me, sobbing: Just - just please take my money. Take it. All of it. Please. I'm begging you, I need this so badly, just take my money, take it, plea-
THE STARS WE STEAL had the ingredients for Micky kryptonite with space, sci-fi and YA…that was before I even heard it was a retelling of Persuasion, so I was truly sold at that point. The execution didn’t let me down and won’t let fans of the original down if they have an open mind about the age of the characters and an in-the-future interpretation.
Leo was a likeable heroine from early on. She was a feisty, curvy feminist with a little more confidence than the original ‘Ann’. The premise for ...more
Leo was a likeable heroine from early on. She was a feisty, curvy feminist with a little more confidence than the original ‘Ann’. The premise for ...more
3.5 stars-- My abiding experience of this book was as a lot of fun. This is a book that has a lightness of touch that I really enjoyed & I was having a good time the majority of the time I was reading it. That said, I do think there are some short comings for me, some that are unique to me (e.g. I'm realizing that I just don't like it when there's marriage at stake in a YA- feels like it should just be adult at that point) and some that I think stem from using Persuasion as the source
...more
I don't know you at all anymore. And I don't care to. —Leo
This cover is giving me grabby hands syndrome holy shit!
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Full disclosure: I received an advance copy of this book for review from the author, and I am a fan of her YouTube content. However, these are my honest thoughts and feelings on the book.
The Stars We Steal is a fun, soapy YA novel that is Persuasion (Jane Austen) meets The Bachelor in space. Such a great concept! And the execution was good, although in some places it could have been better. I had a really fun time reading this for the most part, and I actually think ...more
Full disclosure: I received an advance copy of this book for review from the author, and I am a fan of her YouTube content. However, these are my honest thoughts and feelings on the book.
The Stars We Steal is a fun, soapy YA novel that is Persuasion (Jane Austen) meets The Bachelor in space. Such a great concept! And the execution was good, although in some places it could have been better. I had a really fun time reading this for the most part, and I actually think ...more
Jul 26, 2018
Vicky Who Reads
marked it as really-want-to-read
oh this sounds good...I must read Persuasion.
it seems all the Jane Austen novels I read are the ones that are never retold hahaha. but also--The Bachelor! (yes please?!)
it seems all the Jane Austen novels I read are the ones that are never retold hahaha. but also--The Bachelor! (yes please?!)
2.5 stars
I had seen this pitched as “the bachelorette in space” and was intrigued, but it was the cover that sucked me in.
I liked Leo? Yes, that is a question. She spends a good portion of the book complaining about royalty and titles, but doesn’t hesitate to use her “power” in the same way the people she’s complaining about do. I did like her tenacity. Her sister comes across as quite flighty and the big cast of secondary characters didn’t do a thing for me...including Elliott.
Plot wise, it ...more
I had seen this pitched as “the bachelorette in space” and was intrigued, but it was the cover that sucked me in.
I liked Leo? Yes, that is a question. She spends a good portion of the book complaining about royalty and titles, but doesn’t hesitate to use her “power” in the same way the people she’s complaining about do. I did like her tenacity. Her sister comes across as quite flighty and the big cast of secondary characters didn’t do a thing for me...including Elliott.
Plot wise, it ...more
This exciting and lovely YA romance/fantasy novel is a retelling of Jane Austin’s Persuasion. The story takes place in space on several ships where the human survivors have taken refuge after the Earth experienced another ice age. They have been in space for over 170 years and in order to avoid inbreeding, the Scandinavian ship hosts a Valg season every five years. Young affluent people come from all ships to meet and hopefully find their future spouse. Princess Leonie Kolburg finds herself ...more
*4.5 stars*
ARC received at ALA from HMH teen.
Summary
Princess Leonie is living aboard the Scandanavian, a spaceship in the fleet of what is left of the human population. Royal only in title, her family desperately needs her to marry for money. Enter the Valg Season - an event held every five years to match all eligible people in the fleet with their future spouses. Leo is desperately looking for a solution for her family that doesn't involve her being married off to the wealthiest suitor, but ...more
ARC received at ALA from HMH teen.
Summary
Princess Leonie is living aboard the Scandanavian, a spaceship in the fleet of what is left of the human population. Royal only in title, her family desperately needs her to marry for money. Enter the Valg Season - an event held every five years to match all eligible people in the fleet with their future spouses. Leo is desperately looking for a solution for her family that doesn't involve her being married off to the wealthiest suitor, but ...more
(3.5 stars)
I'd been SO excitedly waiting for this book to come out, ever since I heard the premise: YA Persuasion in space!! Persuasion is my second favorite Austen novel and I was really curious to see how Alexa Donne, whose first book, Brightly Burning, was Jane Eyre in space, was going to make this work. I had a long conversation with a friend about Persuasion adaptations. How can they be modernized, when the social mores of the Regency era can explain why the two lovebirds don't discuss ...more
I'd been SO excitedly waiting for this book to come out, ever since I heard the premise: YA Persuasion in space!! Persuasion is my second favorite Austen novel and I was really curious to see how Alexa Donne, whose first book, Brightly Burning, was Jane Eyre in space, was going to make this work. I had a long conversation with a friend about Persuasion adaptations. How can they be modernized, when the social mores of the Regency era can explain why the two lovebirds don't discuss ...more
ya know I suppose I'm a total sucker for sci-fi retellings of classics cause the minute I read the blurb I was like "ah yes Persuasion in space HOW BRILLIANT" and now I need to read this asap please
THE STARS WE STEAL pulled me in immediately and wouldn't let me go. I loved its smart, confident heroine and the wonderful blend of Austen-inspired elements in a spaceship setting. This bold new take on a classic love story crackles with romantic tension, delivering a twisty ride full of secrets and betrayals.
UM SINCE WHEN DOES GR SAVE REVIEW DRAFTS??!?! Huge fucking thanks to that because I accidentally clicked out of my other window and I have a massive headache so I was about to lay my head down and weep, lol. Yasssssssssssssssssssssssssss.
3.5
Man am I bummed about this, you guys. For those of you who didn't know, this is a loose science fiction re-telling of Persuasion by Jane Austen. I personally have never read it before but I HAVE read and loved For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund ...more
3.5
Man am I bummed about this, you guys. For those of you who didn't know, this is a loose science fiction re-telling of Persuasion by Jane Austen. I personally have never read it before but I HAVE read and loved For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund ...more
The digital arc of this book was kindly provided by the publisher via Edelweiss+ website in exchange for an honest review.
3,5 stars
I guess "Persuasion" is quite hard to make better or retell because this is the second retelling of it that I read and they're both kind of disappointing. Alex Donne tried to make this story into a more of a mystery which I appreciate but all these weirdly sexual romantic relationships still took the spotlight. I also couldn't make myself like Elliot because he was a ...more
3,5 stars
I guess "Persuasion" is quite hard to make better or retell because this is the second retelling of it that I read and they're both kind of disappointing. Alex Donne tried to make this story into a more of a mystery which I appreciate but all these weirdly sexual romantic relationships still took the spotlight. I also couldn't make myself like Elliot because he was a ...more
I had a lot of fun with this one! I liked the characters and the romance as a whole. I think I kind of wish the setting and world was a bit more explored, though, because I still have questions about it and I feel like it had a lot of potential there, potential that wasn't fully explored.
Full review coming soon :)
Thank you to Titan Books for the review copy of this book. This did not, in any way, influenced my thoughts and rating.
My Blog - Drizzle & Hurricane Books - Twitter - Bloglovin'
Full review coming soon :)
Thank you to Titan Books for the review copy of this book. This did not, in any way, influenced my thoughts and rating.
My Blog - Drizzle & Hurricane Books - Twitter - Bloglovin'
I was lucky enough to read an early copy of THE STARS WE STEAL and devoured it in two days. I love how Alexa Donne used the familiar romance arc from Persuasion but kept it fresh with surprising twists. If you love swoony romance, court intrigue, and beautiful writing, this is for you.
I read this while traveling and think it's the perfect travel book. It made time fly because I was happily entranced by the story and writing. It's also the perfect couch read. Or bed read. Or pool read. Yeah, ...more
I read this while traveling and think it's the perfect travel book. It made time fly because I was happily entranced by the story and writing. It's also the perfect couch read. Or bed read. Or pool read. Yeah, ...more
I rate this book 3.5 stars. I enjoyed this book more than her previous book, Brightly Burning. I think I had to get over the fact that the science fiction was secondary to the romance, and then I enjoyed myself for the back half. But I am a science person so that's why it got docked more for that. But lovers of romance, definitely pick this one up!
I’m a huge fan of YA stories set in space, I feel it’s never used enough so I was excited to get the chance to read this thanks to Titan Books. It’s pegged as a retelling of Persuasion coupled with The Bachelor, which I have both never read and never watched so I went in with a clean slate of what to expect. The cover is truly beautiful and I’m much preferring the UK version that we get!
Humanity has taken to the skies to escape what they have done to the Earth. Relegated to rapidly deteriorating ...more
Humanity has taken to the skies to escape what they have done to the Earth. Relegated to rapidly deteriorating ...more
Oh man...
This was one of my most anticipated reads for this year, but honestly, I’m a little let down.
This book is a retelling of ‘Persuasion’ by Jane Austen with a sci-fi take...apparently.
A) I’ve never read anything by Jane Austen so I can’t comment on that aspect;
2) There was hardly anything sci-fi about this book apart from the fact that the word ‘fleet’ and ship names are mentioned pretty regularly. Also, the most sci-fi part about this book was the epilogue where it’s mentioned that ...more
This was one of my most anticipated reads for this year, but honestly, I’m a little let down.
This book is a retelling of ‘Persuasion’ by Jane Austen with a sci-fi take...apparently.
A) I’ve never read anything by Jane Austen so I can’t comment on that aspect;
2) There was hardly anything sci-fi about this book apart from the fact that the word ‘fleet’ and ship names are mentioned pretty regularly. Also, the most sci-fi part about this book was the epilogue where it’s mentioned that ...more
The Stars We Steal
4 stars
Did I love this? Absolutely.
Do I want to sing it’s praises from the rooftops? As loud as I possibly could.
Would I recommend? Immensely.
There wasn’t a single moment where I wanted to put this one down. It hooked me in from the very beginning. It made me want this world to be real. If I wasn’t reading, all I could think about was the Sofi and Leo and the Vlag tradition due to how fascinating it all was.
The world in itself is SO eccentric and intriguing and I loved how ...more
4 stars
Did I love this? Absolutely.
Do I want to sing it’s praises from the rooftops? As loud as I possibly could.
Would I recommend? Immensely.
There wasn’t a single moment where I wanted to put this one down. It hooked me in from the very beginning. It made me want this world to be real. If I wasn’t reading, all I could think about was the Sofi and Leo and the Vlag tradition due to how fascinating it all was.
The world in itself is SO eccentric and intriguing and I loved how ...more
*3.5 stars*
A story about a Princess in SPACE participating in an event to find a husband and a past love interest with all the angsty vibes. This was 100% up my alley!
Anything royalty related is one of my biggest book weaknesses. When I heard this one was going to be set in space I was extra intrigued. It was a slower build at times and could be frustrating but in purposeful way. The author did a great job and making you feel all of the emotions that Leo was feeling.
This was packed with ...more
A story about a Princess in SPACE participating in an event to find a husband and a past love interest with all the angsty vibes. This was 100% up my alley!
Anything royalty related is one of my biggest book weaknesses. When I heard this one was going to be set in space I was extra intrigued. It was a slower build at times and could be frustrating but in purposeful way. The author did a great job and making you feel all of the emotions that Leo was feeling.
This was packed with ...more
The Stars We Steal is a fun and frothy romance - with just a dash of mystery & sci-fi atmosphere - that fans of The Selection, Kathrine McGee, and The Bachelor tv show will eat up.
While this is set in space, this isn't something I'd recommend to someone looking for a hardcore sci-fi novel - the book is anchored firmly in the world of pretty dresses, makeovers, romance, and melodrama. Readers who are intimidated by sci-fi can safely pick this up without being overwhelmed by aliens and ...more
While this is set in space, this isn't something I'd recommend to someone looking for a hardcore sci-fi novel - the book is anchored firmly in the world of pretty dresses, makeovers, romance, and melodrama. Readers who are intimidated by sci-fi can safely pick this up without being overwhelmed by aliens and ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YA Buddy Readers'...: The Stars We Steal by Alexa Donne - Starting February 19, 2020 | 3 | 6 | 1 hour, 30 min ago | |
| Goodreads Librari...: Combine books? | 1 | 26 | Dec 20, 2018 04:56PM | |
| COVER | 1 | 7 | Dec 12, 2018 10:11AM |
