Review: These Broken Stars (Starbound #1) by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Title: These Broken Stars (Starbound #1)
Author: Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Release Date: December 10, 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
My rating: 5 stars!

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.

Disclaimer: After more than two months of not writing a review and blogging I'm not sure I'd be able to give justice to any good books I've read much more to something totally as spectacular as These Broken Stars. So this review might be a little bit rusty but hopefully it would be convincing enough to make you want read this book - because this book is seriously fan-freaking-tastic! See, it made me want to blog/review back. That should say a lot! Lol!

***

I've been waiting for this book since May last year! And alas, after waiting for 17 months (Yes, I counted it! Oh well, I should probably make it only 15 months since I received the ARC two months ago! Heh.) I was finally able to read it and boy, did it not disappoint! The wait is totally worth it and I can say that this is definitely one of my best reads this year. Tarver, Lilac and their world universe is one of the most original concept I have ever come across reading and it has captivated me from the very first start until the end. Reading These Broken Stars is one hell of a freaking experience.

The combination of well-rounded characters, magnificent world-building, and thrilling but oddly creepy (the voices, yeah?) plot is what made this book such a fantastic and amazing read. I have to admit, I was fooled a little when I was only starting it because it totally reminds of Titanic and I thought it would just be like that. But boy was I wrong because in a blink of an eye it showed me just how far and deep it could go. It was more complex that I could have ever expected.

Lilac and Tarver are from two different worlds. Lilac, the daughter of the richest man in the universe and Tarver, a young war hero who came from a middle class family. It was fascinating witnessing how fate brought this two together and was put together in drastic and survival situations and having them learn to get over their prejudice to each other then trust and then soon fell in love with each other. 

The development of each character were very well crafted and presented. I especially loved how Lilac grew throughout the story from the naive, spoiled, daddy's girl to someone who'd learned to make a camp and light a fire by herself, question her life and beliefs, braved a room full of dead rotting bodies alone for days to get the things they needed and who'd sacrifice herself and her happiness to ensure he wouldn't suffer. I'd come to really loved her character as the story went on. Tarver, on the other hand, I adored him instantly (well, yeah, I'm that shallow) but I think I just easily saw through him. Behind the tough soldier mask was just a boy with soft heart and tender feelings. I loved his relationship with his family and how much he treasured them. I think he's even more sentimental than Lilac. Haha! And he writes poems! That pretty much sums everything up. The romantic development between the two was very well written, it didn't feel forces or too fast but slow and realistic. And definitely swoon-worthy. 

As for the world building, the idea of a space ship that could travel light-year fast and of super advance technologies that enables one to teraform planets and move from one to another was very interesting and quite honestly, a little bit terrifying too. But I definitely enjoyed exploring it here and hopefully more on the next books. And for the plot, it was impressive and very entertaining, there were no dull moments. I loved seeing what Lilac and Tarver would do to survive each day and what things they'd discover along the way. The twists and turns were thrilling and exciting and at some point it even felt quite scary and sinister especially with the voices and visions! a! You guys have to look out for that but that's one of my favorite things in this book.

So there you go! With impressive concept, thrilling plot, fantastic characters, brilliant world-building and oh so swoon-worthy romance, this will definitely be shelved on your best reads this year. This would work not just from romance junkies but to those who love sci-fi and actions as well. This is a must read! I highly recommend this. 

Thank you Disney Hyperion for providing a copy of this book.