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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, th ...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, th ...more
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Hardcover, 393 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 connectio ...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 connectio ...more

The Stars We Steal starts off with Leo, the heir to a derelict spaceship, trying to avoid the fate of having to marry for money. She's resourceful and smart, coming up with her own water-filtration system that could make money for her family while saving her from a marriage of convenience. But then it slowly devolves into a pointless YA romance, childish and overdramatic, and by the end, I lost all respect for Leo and this story.
Leo pines for her ex-fiancé, who she broke up with years ago. Now h ...more
Leo pines for her ex-fiancé, who she broke up with years ago. Now h ...more


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Edit: This book is free on KU! I definitely recommend it for anyone who likes K-dramas and reality TV, as this book is packed with drama!! ❤️🤗
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 g ...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 hav ...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 hav ...more

Jan 07, 2019
Tucker (TuckerTheReader)
marked it as not-released-tbr

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

2.5 stars. I went into this book expecting a great story and fantastic queer representation. What I got was a somewhat entertaining story and queer characters that were clearly not researched well, if at all. I liked the political aspect of the story, though, I would have liked to have seen Leo actually do something about other ships starving to death rather than just saying she cared about the issue. The story was entertaining enough to keep me reading, but I wasn’t wowed especially as a big Ja
...more

Alexa Donne's books are instant buy for me. I love how even if the characters are in the center (which I appreciate as a character-driven reader), the plot is flesed out well enough to understand what's going on and the two mix together naturally. Plus her writing style is easy to read.
The only thing I want to complain about is how one of the characters said he can't fall in love, because he is asexual. I'm convinced he is indeed ace [edit: yes, he is aro ace], too, but that's just not what it ...more
The only thing I want to complain about is how one of the characters said he can't fall in love, because he is asexual. I'm convinced he is indeed ace [edit: yes, he is aro ace], too, but that's just not what it ...more

May 05, 2019
Eliza ☽
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- ...more
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- ...more

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 thi ...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 thi ...more

Apr 09, 2020
Alaina
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
2020-ng,
fantasy,
romance,
sci-fi,
books-i-own,
lgbtqa,
retellings,
audiobook,
fiction,
young-adult
THIS WAS SO GOOD!
Ahh, I am so happy (like beyond happy) that I finally dove into The Stars We Steal. It was such a fun audiobook to listen to and it didn't hurt that it was also a retelling either. From the first moment that we met, I fell in love with Leonie (aka Leo) and Elliot. Heck, I knew that they were meant to be together from the moment they reunited.
Man, I love LOVE. Besides the romance and necessary drama, I enjoyed the twists and turns in this one as well. Not completely shocked about ...more
Ahh, I am so happy (like beyond happy) that I finally dove into The Stars We Steal. It was such a fun audiobook to listen to and it didn't hurt that it was also a retelling either. From the first moment that we met, I fell in love with Leonie (aka Leo) and Elliot. Heck, I knew that they were meant to be together from the moment they reunited.
Man, I love LOVE. Besides the romance and necessary drama, I enjoyed the twists and turns in this one as well. Not completely shocked about ...more

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 teen ...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 teen ...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 material (
...more

DNF at 45% pg 180
I'm quite sad about this if I'm honest, I don't think i've DNF'd a book in a very very long time, however I'm nearly at the halfway point and I am literally having to force myself to read this. The only reason I persisted is because I was taking part in a group Buddy Read and really wanted to finish it.
Firstly I want to point out, that these are just my opinions and not facts and what I like/don't like other people may dislike/like etc... we all different opinions when it comes ...more
I'm quite sad about this if I'm honest, I don't think i've DNF'd a book in a very very long time, however I'm nearly at the halfway point and I am literally having to force myself to read this. The only reason I persisted is because I was taking part in a group Buddy Read and really wanted to finish it.
Firstly I want to point out, that these are just my opinions and not facts and what I like/don't like other people may dislike/like etc... we all different opinions when it comes ...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 forc ...more

I don't know you at all anymore. And I don't care to. —Leo
...more
...more

I hate to leave such a low star-rating review, but unfortunately this book just didn’t do anything for me. Like a few of the other reviewers have mentioned, this book places too much emphasis on telling the reader what is happening rather than showing. This makes it difficult for the reader to feel engaged with the story and results in making the book boring. This problem was made worse by the serious lack of quality dialogue between characters and made the majority of the characters seem totall
...more

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 w ...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 w ...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

I loved this book so much its been a long time since I have read a sci regency type romance and I really loved this one it had its ups and downs but it was all worth it the ending was so very good one of the best I have read in awhile. I really loved the characters especially Leo and Elliot even if their romance was a rocky one it was just so good by the end I really liked the perfect ending. What I really liked about Leo was her strength of character and the fact she could still be vulnerable I
...more

This was an exciting YA science fiction novel that totally delighted me! This novel is a retelling of Jane Austin’s Persuasion, though it can still be enjoyed by someone (like me, gasp!) that has never read Persuasion.
These characters won me over fairly quickly. Leo especially was a character that I was drawn to. She was such a relatable character and I found myself rooting for her instantly. This book has a really great cast of characters that will make you feel a gamut of emotions. Some chara ...more
These characters won me over fairly quickly. Leo especially was a character that I was drawn to. She was such a relatable character and I found myself rooting for her instantly. This book has a really great cast of characters that will make you feel a gamut of emotions. Some chara ...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 thei ...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 thei ...more

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.
...more

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

Jul 26, 2018
Vicky Again
marked it as 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?!)

DNF on page 324 (of 389 pages total)
**unmarked spoilers ahead, so please beware**
"The Stars We Steal," published in February 2020, is a Young Adult/YA sci-fi romance, and the second book by Alexa Donne.
I love watching Donne's YouTube/AuthorTube channel, and I really wanted to love "The Stars We Steal." I read her first novel, "Brightly Burning," with the same high hopes. Sadly, I was unable to finish either book. I hit a hard DNF point in "The Stars We Steal," and could barely force myself to s ...more
**unmarked spoilers ahead, so please beware**
"The Stars We Steal," published in February 2020, is a Young Adult/YA sci-fi romance, and the second book by Alexa Donne.
I love watching Donne's YouTube/AuthorTube channel, and I really wanted to love "The Stars We Steal." I read her first novel, "Brightly Burning," with the same high hopes. Sadly, I was unable to finish either book. I hit a hard DNF point in "The Stars We Steal," and could barely force myself to s ...more

I have not read The persuasion before, so I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. At least, the description looked promising : a princess, a couple matching month, an ex who came back with a change of status, I was convinced!
However, the book didn't live up to my expectations. There were many points that I've found annoying and prevented me from enjoying it as much as I wanted, though the first part was nice.
So, first of all, the setting of the book. It was supposed to be a space r ...more
However, the book didn't live up to my expectations. There were many points that I've found annoying and prevented me from enjoying it as much as I wanted, though the first part was nice.
So, first of all, the setting of the book. It was supposed to be a space r ...more

The cover art and description made this book sound right up my alley. I wasn’t expecting this to be a complete favorite, but thought it would be a nice read. It had fine moments throughout, but the last fourth of the book was so poorly done. The beginning and middle had build ups and enough drama to be ok, but the last part of the book was so bad. Trying to be spoiler free here, but it was so poorly done and ridiculous, it was like the author was like oh well here’s the last part of the book let
...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 shape 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 ...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 shape 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 ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Challenge Corner: The Stars We Steal by Alexa Donne -> Starting April 7th, 2020 | 10 | 7 | Apr 10, 2020 09:25AM | |
YA Buddy Readers'...: The Stars We Steal by Alexa Donne - Starting February 19, 2020 | 5 | 10 | Feb 22, 2020 10:51AM | |
Goodreads Librari...: Combine books? | 1 | 31 | Dec 20, 2018 04:56PM | |
COVER | 1 | 7 | Dec 12, 2018 10:11AM |
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