For Darkness Shows the Stars (For Darkness Shows the Stars #1) by Diana Peterfreund
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.
Publishes in US: June 12th 2012 by Balzer + Bray
Genre: YA science fiction
Source: library
Series? Yes.
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I was confused at first by all the terminology and the groups of people. Even though the synopsis tells a bit, I still was floundering. But the letters between Elliot (also confused me a bit, because she is a girl) and Kai when they were children cleared up some of it. It also served the purpose of setting up their history together, the friendship that spanned years and even though there was a difference in class, they still were smart and had many similarities. After a while though, I began to get tired of the letters, I think mostly because I just don't normally do that format, and skimmed them.
Even with the initial confusion, the writing was good, and Elliot's voice really got me. I wanted for her to succeed, and I admired the responsibility she felt toward those under her in class, to make sure they were fed, and how she truly cared about them as people.
But like Ashley at Nose Graze said better than me... Not a lot happened, it was a lot of talk about what should be right, and if Elliot is doing the right thing, or if she is doing what got the previous generations in so much trouble. And the romance... Kai is pretty mean to Elliot when he comes back, and there is just no justification for that. The things he said about her and her family when she is doing the best she can... Maybe the lit feeling and some of Kai's actions are because of the Persuasion influence and I just don't get it because I have never read it... I don't know.
But I surely cannot deny the chemistry between Kai and Elliot. In their clipped conversations and meetings, it is igniting, and I have to remind myself how mean he was. That he is seeing a 14 year old--which was another thing I hated, but had a feeling that the triangle and age gap is also an Austen influence. I had to remind myself that he was either leading on an innocent and sweet girl, or Elliot would get her heart broken in those moments.
So, even for the world building that confused me, the romance that at the same time enthralled me and that I hated, and the lit feeling, I still couldn't put it down. I had to know what would happen, and I couldn't look away.
For everything that was wrong with this book, the ending was right. It touched me and almost made me cry how everything came together when I didn't see how it possibly could. I will be reading the next one!My question to you, my lovely readers:
Go with the one you love or save servants?
This is one of the hyped books that I'm yet to read. I've heard some great things about it and even though it sounds confusing I can't wait to read it. Great review :)
ReplyDeleteWell I knew something wasn't quite right with this book because you didn't rate it. I am glad that despite the confusion, lack of movement that the ending was good. Great review:)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Persuasion either, and I think that this retelling seems to be one of those where it's better if you've read the original. So it'll probably be a while before I read this one! Great review!
ReplyDelete-Taylor @ Reading is the Thing
I hate being confused in books. But I have to admit, this books still interests me.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...I've heard the writing is really good, and I'm an Austen fan, but I'm not sure this is the book for me. Kai sounds awful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts.
Kai's Persuasion counterpart (Captain Wentworth) was, by no means, as cruel as Kai was and for that alone, I couldn't like this book. I see a lot of comments speculating that For Darkness Shows the Stars is better read if you've read Persuasion. For me, it was the opposite. My utter love of Persuasion made me extremely frustrated with FDStS. I won't be reading the sequel.
ReplyDeleteSuper detailed and unique world building can be tricky esp if the author makes up hard to pronounce words, the distinct world building can easily get in the way of making the story relatable.
ReplyDeleteFor everything that was wrong with this book, the ending was right. - at least it got redeemed somehow.
Okay I actually just started this book and Now you have me on my toes. I'm only like 30 pages in, but I have had some confused moments already. Great review!
ReplyDeleteJanina @ Synchronized Reading
Gah, I'm probably one of the very few who still need to give this a go! I admit that I have high hopes for it, so it's great that you enjoyed it, even if things were confusing in the beginning. That cover is so beautiful, too. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI think I felt like you. Yes good, but sure not much happened
ReplyDeleteHappy to see that despite the things that you have issues with, you enjoyed the ending! In relation to your question, I don't know - I'd prefer to do both - to save people as well as to go with the one I love - can I get the best of the best for all outcomes involved? ;)
ReplyDeleteI was one of the few that didn't love this one. It was an intriguing story, but I didn't really connect with it and it was too slow paced for me. I'm glad that in the end you did enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! This one sounds like it had some issues but was overall an entertaining story, which is good. Ehhh the age thing sounds like it could be very awkward.
ReplyDeleteAlise @ Readers In Wonderland
Okay, I've been wanting to read this one a lot and the issues you had didn't dissuade me. I think it speaks a lot that you couldn't put it down despite the issues. It only makes me more curious! :)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the cover of this book. But the summary just sounds SO confusing! And it's mostly told in letters? I would probably skim over it too, quite frankly. Thanks for the honest review!
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I'm with you on skimming over letters if there are too many of them in a book and that name for a girl would have irked me. I'm not sure that I would have enjoyed this one. Can't we choose both love and saving LOL? Great review! Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.
ReplyDeleteI loved this book I read in it in one night. Stayed up until 3 in the morning. I had to find out what was going to happen between Kai and Elliot. I like the world Diana created for us. The to main character were so stubborn I wanted to slap them both sometimes. I really wanted more romance between the two. Maybe some kissing nothing to bad. But I still thought what they had was sweet. I am going to keep my eyes out for more of Diana's work.
ReplyDeleteIrene (Mixed Media Graphics)
Love. I would feel sorry for the servants and try to help them, but love would always win out. I am selfish that way.
ReplyDeleteNice review! I'll take it into consideration before I read my copy.
Heather
I have heard a lot of mixed things about this one. Glad it held your attention even though you had some issues.
ReplyDeleteTeresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives
I have this one to read but after your review maybe I'll pass
ReplyDeleteAww, sorry you were let down a bit by this one. I can see why you would think the world building was a bit confusing though, because it took me a bit to fully grasp it, as well. But I'm glad to hear you thought it was still good enough to check out the sequel!
ReplyDeleteI had a lot of trouble with the worldbuilding as well and I didn't think Kai was nearly as swoonworthy as Captain Wentworth. Persuasion is so much better-I highly recommend it (also it's not very long!)
ReplyDeleteThis is one of those books I feel like I'm the only one who still hasn't read it. I'm glad you managed to enjoy it overall but sorry to hear you had some issues with the world-building. I hate feeling confused for too long when I'm reading, ugh. Thanks for the insightful review though!!
ReplyDelete