These Broken Stars

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, what a story. Where to begin?

This is the story of Lilac, spoiled rich girl and daughter of the richest man in the known universe. It is also the story of Tarver, young soldier decorated for valor in war and now expected to be the symbol of military strength and honor for the rich and powerful. They are aboard a luxury liner spaceship which crashes when yanked out of hyperspace unexpectedly. Due to some quick thinking, they alone survive the crash and must make the journey from their landing site to the crash site in order to send an SOS signal.

The best thing about this book is the way the relationship between the characters change and grow. They begin as enemies with preconceived notions about each other. Along the journey, circumstances and companionship shape them into friends and then lovers. Lilac is a rich girl, but knows she is spoiled. She also feels caught in a life she doesn't want but feels she can't escape. She is proper and well-bred, controlled by a father she idolizes. She is trapped.

Tarver, on the other hand, feels equally trapped. The military is his own "rich father." He feels a burden towards his family to excel and succeed. He also feels demeaned by the society in which he is required to function; there is the classic pull between the experienced soldier and the unwilling, attractive, hollow icon.

This plot and world building are epic. The world is revealed to us as readers as it is revealed to the characters. It is complicated and broad, and goes beyond human understanding in unpredictable ways. There are shocking twists and beautifully emotional reactions. The pacing, although it seems to slow down at about 75% through, actually does not. It simply takes a different focus. The ending is a complete and fulfilling conclusion to an epic story.

The book in audio is narrated from two points of view by Cynthia Holloway and Johnathan McClain. Sarge Anton narrates the part of the interrogator. Holloway and McClain are fabulous and only enhance the story as true voice actors.

These two authors have managed to inject honesty and reality into a story of total fiction. The characters are endearing, the story epic, and the world realistic while fantastical.

Incredible. Amazing. Best of 2014. I cannot rave enough about this book. Just read it.

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