These Broken Stars (Starbound, #1) in What's the Name of That Book???

Oct 08, 2014 Emma rated it liked it

Shelves: bea

Tarver Merendsen would be quite happy to be anywhere but on board the Icarus. Being on the luxury spaceliner is certainly easy with finely appointed public areas and beautiful people everywhere. But it is also claustrophobic with cameras and gossips everywhere eager for a sighting of the famously young and heroic Major Merendsen. If Tarver had known his actions on Avon would lead to this kind of attention he might have made very different decisions while dealing with the rebels on the terraforme Tarver Merendsen would be quite happy to be anywhere but on board the Icarus. Being on the luxury spaceliner is certainly easy with finely appointed public areas and beautiful people everywhere. But it is also claustrophobic with cameras and gossips everywhere eager for a sighting of the famously young and heroic Major Merendsen. If Tarver had known his actions on Avon would lead to this kind of attention he might have made very different decisions while dealing with the rebels on the terraformed planet.

As the daughter of the richest man in the universe, Lilac LaRoux knows all about terraforming new planets and the unrest that sometimes come with colonization. She knows more about space travel and technology than is seemly for a girl of her station. She also knows that it would be very, very unwise to have anything to do with an upstart military man like Tarver. So Lilac does what she always does and pushes him away.

Unfortunately that doesn't matter much when the Icarus is pulled out of hyperspace and crashes.

Suddenly Lilac and Tarver are thrown together on a seemingly abandoned planet.

With no one but each other, this unlikely pair builds a grudging respect and even friendship. As their relationship turns into something more than either could have imagined, Lilac and Tarver's dreams of a life together are derailed by the strange mysteries on the planet and the impending threat of rescue in These Broken Stars (2013) by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner.

These Broken Stars is the first book in Kaufman and Spooner's Starbound trilogy (which functions as a set of companion books each featuring different narrators).

This book is written in alternating first person narrations as Tarver and Lilac tell their story.

The dual narration structure is used to excellent effect here to highlight Tarver and Lilac's changing opinions of each other as well as to examine key plot points from multiple views. Although Tarver and Lilac's voices are not always as distinct as they should be, the narrative is done so well that it is a minor problem at best.

The bond between the characters builds organically to create a romance with an extremely solid foundation based on mutual respect as well as affection. Unfortunately despite these stellar protagonists and a strong plot, the latter part of the novel does drag in places. Ultimately, however, the story does build to a stunning conclusion that will leave readers eager to see more of the world Kaufman and Spooner have created.

These Broken Stars is an atmospheric sci-fi story with hints of mystery and romance. Tarver and Lilac are both self-aware characters with as much agency as spunk. Lilac, a tech-smart girl, is a particularly satisfying character to watch as she comes into her own after the crash of the Icarus. An excellent and action-packed novel for science fiction fans.

Possible Pairings: Avalon by Mindee Arnett, Magisterium by Jeff Hirsch, Alienated by Melissa Landers, Across a Star-Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund, Across a Star-Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund, Across the Universe by Beth Revis, Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

*A copy of this book was acquired for review consideration from the publisher at BEA 2013* ...more

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Apr 26, 2022 Nadine in NY Jones rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance, fantasy-and-sci-fi, young-adult, multiple-authors, just-for-the-cover, lily, sf-romance

This was exactly what I wanted it to be: a YA SFF adventure and romance featuring two amazingly attractive young people who are the only survivors of a ship wreck. They trek across an abandoned planet, sniping at each other all the while, but the planet is mysterious and they face unexpected complications. And of course, it gets cold, and they have very little shelter, so they are forced to share a blanket, for warmth. But they hate each other. Wink wink. You know how that goes. Yes, forced prox ...more

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May 22, 2012 Debbie Barr rated it it was amazing

More like 4.5 stars but honestly I thought this was a really fantastic book. I love the new sci-fi (but not dystopian sci-fi) trend in YA, and THESE BROKEN STARS encapsulates much of what I like about the genre. The storyline is an odd-but-somehow-it-works mix of Titanic, Star Trek, and a little bit of Cast Away all thrown together with a romance I could actually believe in and some really interesting twists and turns along the way. The book ended with some questions left unanswered that I would ...more

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Apr 04, 2017 Grillables rated it liked it

Shelves: sf-fantasy, romance, ya

More romance than sci-fi adventure, a little to my disappointment. A good read, with an interesting twist. I was just primed with a bit of misinformation which I think colored my read.

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Nov 09, 2012 Liz rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4-star, young-adult, sci-fi

I’m always really pumped when I hear about an upcoming YA book that takes place in or involves outer space. There’s not a lot of pure science fiction in YA lit, so more of it is always welcome. As a bonus, These Broken Stars was getting rave reviews from bloggers long before it released and has a gorgeous cover. Kaufman and Spooner’s debut proved to be an inventive story that was packed with adventure and romance.

Read my full review here:
http://www.consumedbybooks.com/2013/1... ...more

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Dec 14, 2013 Laurie rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2014

This was ok. I did like the two characters, but the book was all consistent tone if high tension and struggle. I understand that fit the situation, but it was exhausting to read.

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Aug 07, 2017 martha rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: year-2017

Somehow both boring and melodramatic. Kept reading hoping there'd be a reasonably interesting sci-fi concept payoff but it was all hand wavey deus ex machina nonsense. ...more

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