From the Bookshelf of Addicted to YA…

These Broken Stars (Starbound, #1)

Amie Kaufman,

Meagan Spooner

Start date: May 1, 2015

Finish date: May 31, 2015

Discussion: Series

Why we're reading this: It won the poll for the themed BOTM
Theme: Space
[close] It won the poll for the themed BOTM
Theme: Space

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Series

* Continuing Series- Accomplice to the Villain
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last updated Sep 02, 2025 08:28AM

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What Members Thought

Jan 28, 2013 Lauren⁷ 💜 rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy-science-fiction, romance, young-adult-teen-new-adult, cover-i-love, library-has-a-copy

This was what I have mentally dubbed a "creeper book." What does that mean? It means that this was a book that crept up on me with how much I ended up enjoying it. I go into most of the books I read with the reasonable expectation that I'll enjoy the book and if it's part of a series, want to read the rest of the series, but, with few exceptions, I don't go into most books expecting that I'll end up absolutely glued to the pages and enjoying the heck out of said book! This was a really freaking This was what I have mentally dubbed a "creeper book." What does that mean? It means that this was a book that crept up on me with how much I ended up enjoying it. I go into most of the books I read with the reasonable expectation that I'll enjoy the book and if it's part of a series, want to read the rest of the series, but, with few exceptions, I don't go into most books expecting that I'll end up absolutely glued to the pages and enjoying the heck out of said book! This was a really freaking good book! I could tell right off that Amie and Meagan were influenced by Titanic. The name of the spaceliner alone, Icarus, gives it that feel. In the movie, one of the characters states that "not even God Himself could sink this ship." Icarus of the Greek myth demonstrated similar hubris, because in spite of being warned against it, he flies too close to the sun and his wings melt and he drowns in the ocean. And as I recall, the Icarus of the book is said to be an extremely safe ship. Well, hubris always does come back to bite one in the backside. And bite it does with the Icarus plunging out of hyperspace and crashing onto a deserted planet with only Jack and Rose, erm, Tarver and Lilac as the lone survivors. Unlike Jack and Rose, Tarver and Lilac do not fall for one another quickly or easily. Theirs is a relationship that starts out as mutually antagonistic and then they move to grudging respect to even more grudging like to friendship and then, at long last, a very sweet romance. It was a very slow burning romance though. It took a long time for Tarver and Lilac to even kiss, even though there was obvious attraction from the start and I appreciated that. They actually got to know one another first before they got together. It was fun seeing them spark and clash! I always love a good opposites attract romance and that was this in droves! Tarver is a solid and steady war hero who does not think much of flighty, society girl Lilac and Lilac in turn does not think much of baiting and infuriating Tarver. They both quickly reveal themselves to be much more than what their surface shows. And they were a fantastic match! They balanced each other well and I was definitely rooting for them. Tarver was so sexy and everything a girl could want. He definitely lived up to his heroic image. He saved Lilac's life on several occasions. Lilac is the one who does the initial life saving though when she saves both their hides by hotwiring the escape pod so that it releases from the Icarus. (view spoiler) Lilac quickly shows herself to be far more than her society girl image, she's very tough and resilient and there's a great deal going on beneath the surface with her. And the same goes for Tarver, he quickly reveals himself to be much more than a rigid military man. (view spoiler) They were both very well drawn and very well fleshed out characters. We're given a very deep look into who they both are and what makes them tick and why they do what they do. And they open up to one another and show their hurts and sadness. The alternating chapters were a great idea. And the writing flows very smoothly, you can't tell that it was two separate authors writing this book. I don't know how they divided up the writing responsibilities, one wrote all of Tarver's chapters and one wrote all of Lilac's chapters or what, but it works brilliantly. The setting was as great as the characters. The planet they crashed on seems like a normal terraformed planet at first. But, as they go on, it becomes clear that not all is as it seems and that they may not be entirely alone. (view spoiler) The idea of terraforming is a fascinating one and it's pretty well explained. I thoroughly enjoyed the sci-fi elements of this book. Now, you may be wondering why, after I heaped all that praise on this book, did I give this book only four stars? Well, that's a huge spoiler and under the spoiler tag it goes. (view spoiler) Going back to my Titanic comparison, will it all work out for Lilac and Tarver or will it end as tragically as things did with Rose and Jack? I won't reveal that. You'll have to read it and find out. I will say though, that I liked the ending a lot and that it was sweet and fitting. I really wish the next book would focus on Lilac and Tarver, I'm kind of bummed that it won't. But I am excited to meet the new characters and I'm very excited to learn more about the Starbound universe. And hopefully Lilac and Tarver will play a part in the book or at least make a few appearances. And one last thing, the cover is so gorgeous! And it's perfect for the book! Because Lilac is described as looking just like she does on the cover and she's wearing a green dress when they crash. And I would say Tarver on the cover is pretty close to his description in the book. ...more

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Jan 13, 2016 Renuka rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: reread

Reread: Jan 14, 2016

First read: Dec 23, 2013

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 13, 2016 Ariana August rated it really liked it

The only thing keeping me from rating this book 5 stars was that the first 100 pages moved a little too slowly for my taste. However, the writing was excellent and I really enjoyed getting to know both of the MC's and following them on their journey across the strange planet. The sci-fi elements in this book are really intriguing, and kept me guessing until the end. I'll also say that I was happy to discover that the sci-fi elements, while strongly in place, take a backseat to the very well-done ...more

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Feb 23, 2015 Wendy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2015, ya-fiction, trilogy, sci-fi, romance

My star rating:

Plot: 4/5
Pacing: 4/5
Characters: 4.5/5
World: Outerspace 4/5
Romance: 4.5/5

Enjoyment level: 4/5 stars

An enjoyable read. This book was a mix of Titanic and Lost with a setting in space.

1 like · Like · see review

Jul 18, 2013 Courtney rated it liked it

Shelves: teens, netgalley

I give it 3.5 stars. It was a little Serenity meets Lost. I'm not a huge science fiction fan, but this book was more a shipwreck story than anything. Granted, they crashed on a planet instead of an island, but it was a survival story mixed with romance. Lilac LaRoux is the daughter of the most powerful and rich man in the universe. Tarver Merendsen is a decorated war hero from a poor family. When the two first meet aboard the Icarus, there is an instant spark. Unfortunately, Lilac remembers her ...more

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Jul 06, 2015 Kelly rated it liked it

Shelves: ya-botm

This book was better than I was expecting. The love story part followed the typical outline, but the story of the universe they live in was different. It is in the sci-fi vein. I have mostly been reading dystopian-style young adult novels so this was a nice change. The characters were well developed and the writing was enjoyable to read.

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