Friday, July 12, 2013

Brad About Books: For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

Read on July 2, 2013
FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS
Published: June 12, 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (Harper)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 402 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: Stars, #1

It's been several generations since a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, decimating humanity and giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.

Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family's estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot's estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth--an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go.

But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret--one that could change their society . . . or bring it to its knees. And again, she's faced with a choice: cling to what she's been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she's ever loved, even if she's lost him forever.

Inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion, For Darkness Shows the Stars is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.



For Darkness Shows the Stars is an absolutely fantastic and gorgeous tale that grabbed me and never let me go. Riveting and marvelous!

I'm a huge fan of anything sci-fi or futuristic, and For Darkness Shows the Stars has easily become one of my new favorite reads. The world-building? Phenomenal. World-building is a huge part of a story for me - it usually is the biggest part of a book for me. And the way that this world lives after the Reduction (where humans made perfect are wiped out after a malfunction) is brutal, terrifying, yet - in some weird way - beautiful. This world is a frightening place to live in, but Peterfreund's prose describing the world was absolutely excellent.

That's another thing! The writing? Gorgeous. I was immediately captivated by this novel, and I never, for one second, wanted to put it down. I was so enchanted and enthralled by For Darkness Shows the Stars - the concept was utterly unique and epic, and it's one of the most original books I've ever read. And even though this novel is inspired by Persuasion by Jane Austen (which I have not read), For Darkness Shows the Stars is one of a kind and a marvelous gem. I'm gushing about this book like crazy, and I can't stop! A new favorite book.

And the relationship between the characters is outstanding. Elliot and Kai have a love that soared once, was cut off, and is blooming once more. It was so interesting to see how they perceive each other years after they've been separated. And luckily, it's not insta-love. They don't fall in love immediately again, because they have both become different people over time. The chemistry and relationship between these two is unstoppable and fiery - I can't even with this book. It's fantastic!

Overall, For Darkness Shows the Stars shines bright among a dark world that had captured me wholly and  left me with so many emotions. Dynamic, explosive, and one of a kind, For Darkness Shows the Stars is the next big thing!

M Y    R A T I N G


1 comment:

Thank you so much for stopping by! I read every comment and truly appreciate them. I would love to hear your thoughts! If you leave a comment, I'll be sure to leave a comment back on your blog ASAP! -Brad