You Do Know The Story of Icarus, Don't You?

"It’s not just the way she looks—although that would do it all on its own. 
It’s that, despite the way she looks, despite where I found her, 
this girl’s willing to go against the tide."
--Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Genre: YA Science Fiction

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion, 384 pages

Publication Date: December 10th, 2013

Source: ARC received via publisher at BEA
Goodreads

Goodreads Description

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

My Thoughts

I hate when I have no idea how to start reviews…oh, ok well that was easy. You guys, I don’t know where to begin with These Broken Stars. I have been anticipating this book since I heard about is LAST year and it was STILL a year away from publication. All I knew at the time was star-crossed lovers. Space. Survival. Welp, that pretty much sold me. I am a total geek at heart so when I find a fantastic sci-fi book I geek hard. This books was amazing. I’m gonna try and break this down…try being the operative word.

The world building. Amazing. First off, we start on the Icarus, a massive luxury space ship that holds 50.000 people…no, I didn’t type that number incorrectly. We meet Tarver, a war hero, while he is attending a party and there he meets a beautiful girl who he later finds out is the infamous Lilac LaRoux. Can I just say I LOVE saying that name. It just rolls off the tongue and I want my name to be Lilac LaRoux. Anways, due to circumstances we find out later, the Icarus goes down. Tarver and Lilac are forced to make their way and try and find rescue while surviving on this unknown planet. The description of this planet is vivid, lush, and haunting. Something is amiss on this planet and it is difficult to decipher what is actually going on. I loved this element to the story. This foundation of mystery with it being just a bit creepy.

Sidenote—I cannot say enough how absolutely amazing the irony of naming the ship Icarus was to me. I found this absolutely brilliant and I commend the authors for this. I agree with Lilac. How much hubris does one have tempt fate by names a FLYING ship Icarus…honestly…

Tarver and Lilac—LOVE. Tarver is SO a contender for a new favorite book boyfriend. You all know how much I love military men and Tarver is so capable and strong yet also sensitive and deep; he just melts your heart. Lilac is a character that you would hate if you didn’t have her thoughts to read. I love this. Snarky and kind of mean (for a reason, of course) but underneath she is vulnerable and strong. She comes from a life of privilege and I love seeing her grow from a princess to a warrior. I love transformations like this. LOVE. I also LOVE the relationship dynamic that grows from hate. Well, I shouldn’t say hate. Clearly, these two were jonesing for each other since the moment they laid eyes on one another *sigh* but, again, circumstances we learn later, they cannot show their feelings. OH THE ANGST I WAS SCREAMING TO SHUT UP AND KISS ALREADY! The dynamic and build-up is not to be missed and it is just.so.good.

The plot is fan-freakin-tastic. The survival of these two and what they do to rescue each other at certain points is beautiful. The way they grow to adapt and depend on each other depending on their strengths is something I just loved. It wasn’t all sunshine and daisies but reading about their journey made me not want to put the book down…ever…I have been thinking about this book since after I put it down and I just love the story. I want more books now!

The sci-fi element I cannot fully talk about without giving some of the plot away. But know this, it is amazing. I LOVED the ending of the book and how things came together. I had ALL the feels and it was difficult to read at some point because of that shit leaking out of my eyes, the pages kept blurring, how annoying! So good. Meagan and Amie DEFINITELY know how to wrangle in your emotions. It’s just so good!

I seriously want more of this story. I keep thinking about it. I just want more, more, more!

Should You Read This Book? Uh, yes! Even if you’re not a sci-fan, you should. The element isn’t too heavy but the story and romance and characterizations will have you thinking about this book long after you’ve finished reading.