For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund [Joint Review!]

4 out of 5 Robots!

  

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
Series: For Darkness Shows the Stars #1
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Release: June 12, 2012
Hardcover:  402 Pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
My Copy: Publisher
Reviewer: Julia and Shannon
Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

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.

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

Julia and Shannon's Thoughts:

1. What did you think about this book?

Julia: For Darkness Shows the Stars was a pleasant surprise, I had anticipated a book based primarily on a romance, but that isn't the feel I got when I was reading. There is a great romance intertwined with the plot, but I don't think it is what propels the novel forward. Elliot's life on the farm and how she had to deal with her father and those that were in her care is fascinating. The love/hate between her and Kai is just icing on the cake!

Shannon: I also thought it was going to be more of a grand-sweeping romance...and it wasn't.  Not really.  The romance was actually pretty sedated, all things considered, and the plot does focus more on the farm and Elliot's struggles to protect those around her.

2. Are you familiar with Persuasion by Jane Austen, which this novel is based on?  If so, how do you think it compares?

Julia: I am familiar with Persuasion, but I read it over 10 years ago... and though there are many similarities, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this one to all Jane Austen fans. It's an enthralling read, but not enough like the original that all her fans will love it like I did.

Shannon: I'm not terribly familiar with Persuasion, other than have watched the movie a long time ago.  I do think the romance had a particular Austen-ian feel to it in that it is understated yet grand at the same time.

3. Was there anything you disliked about this book?

Julia: It was incredibly slow to start, I didn't get into it until about 20%. Thankful that I kept going because it really paid off, the ending is sweet.

Shannon: I agree that it starts slow.  I also had a hard time following different sects of society, like the Luddities, the Reduced and the CORs.  The other thing was that Kai and Elliot's past is told in a series of letters written between the two.  While I loved this concept, I wish that their relationship showed more of their romance and their feelings for each other.  It would have established a better baseline for their relationship. Elliot kept saying how much she loved Kai, but their letters never really showed that very much.

4. Was this book different than you expected?

Julia: Yes, I thought there would be so much more lovey dovey stuff. I have to say, I wish there would have been a little more, but it was refreshing too.

Shannon: I was not expecting it to have dystopian elements and I was also expecting a larger focus on the romance (again...."sweeping romance" is what I had in mind). 

5. Would you recommend this book?  If so, who would you recommend it to?

Julia: I definitely would. Anyone who loves a sweet, slow paced romance novel with a great plot.
Shannon:  I would too.  I think people that like their books plot first, romance second or a more slower romance. 

Disclosure:  I reviewed a copy free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.