Please pardon me while I sweep my shattered emotions up off the floor. These two authors made me fall in love with Lilac and Tarver in These Broken Stars. Their story was a perfect mixture of tragic and beautiful, with the kind of romance that makes me all mushy inside. I was a bit upset when I found out that This Shattered World wouldn't focus on the same characters. Still, I had high hopes that Jubilee and Flynn would soon fill that void with their own gorgeous story. They did, my friends. They definitely did.

Spooner and Kaufman have the tragic love story down to a science. Within the first five or so chapters, I was completely under their spell. Jubilee's hard demeanor, the way she lived her life with detachment, was heartbreaking. As I read, and learned where all of that stemmed from, it was all I could do not to want to hug her tight. She'd probably hate me for that. Then there was Flynn. A member of the rebellion, but with a pure heart and good intentions, he was undeniably likable. When these two met, and their personalities clashed, I just knew there would be sparks. I couldn't wait.

The fact is that these two characters are the exact opposite of one another, yet perfectly matched. Once again I watched as a tragic and beautiful love story unfolded in front of me. I smiled as they stole moments together, was aghast as war threatened to tear them apart, and teared up when things looked bleak. Let me tell you, I was attached to these two wholeheartedly. I'm genuinely sad that their story is over. It was a Romeo and Juliette of sorts. Two souls, two different sides, tragically meant for one another. 

What I loved about this story more than anything though was that it wasn't all romance. Lilac and Tarver's story was very romance heavy. It was just the two of them on a planet, and so their romance was in the limelight during the course of the story. While Jubilee and Flynn definitely have a romance, there is so much more at stake. Lives lie in the balance. Secrets hide just out of reach. It's easy to get lost. Read this! It's worth it.

What I thought was going to be a continuation of the story of Tarver and Lilac ended up being a story about a  different pair of star-crossed lovers. Jubilee Chase, a captain for  the force, and Flynn Cormac, an Avon rebel insurgent, become unlikely partners fighting for the same cause.

First, I have to say that although I was disappointed that the story didn't revolve around two of my favorite fictional characters, I did enjoy this companion novel to These Broken Stars. My only problem was that the sequence between the dual POV in This Shattered World, which I guess are Jubilee's dreams, weren't as compelling or plot-driving as the debriefing sequence between POV switch in These Broken Stars. Because of this, I had a harder time seeing where the story was going. I did enjoy when the two worlds blended together once Tarver and Lilac were introduced into the novel.

Overall, I am anticipating the third installment in this series and am curious to see where the authors take the next novel. I would recommend both These Broken Stars and This Shattered World to my students.

Thanks Disney-Hyperion and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

These Broken Stars surprised me. I'll admit that I was dangerously close to setting the book aside. Just as I was ready to do so, things began to happen - fast.

These Broken Stars is a survival story first, a love story second. Two characters from remarkably different backgrounds are marooned on a mysterious planet, the sole survivors of a huge intergalactic spaceship crash. They must work together in order to survive.

The story is told in alternating points of view of the main characters Tarver Merendson and Lilac LaRoux. Tarver is a decorated military hero who was on board the Icarus as a special guest. Lilac is the pampered heiress and daughter of the richest man in the galaxy, who happened to own the Icarus. Lilac is used to the finer things in life - fashion, parties, and her entourage of admirers and security detail. Interspersed in the narrative is the transcript of the inquiry into the crash with Tarver being interviewed by his superiors, mostly about his relationship with Lilac.

The first person point of view allowed the reader a chance to be inside the characters' heads and to understand their motivations. For example, Lilac comes off as standoffish, almost bitchy, but in her mind she is behaving that way to protect others from the wrath of her father.

I adored Tarver and Lilac. Their skills complemented each other. Tarver is strong, practical and well versed in survival skills. Lilac, despite her upbringing, has some surprising engineering and demolitions skills, prompting me to call her a female version of MacGyver.

The romance aspect was well done. These two characters are on a long journey together and as they continue on their journey, they learn to work together in order to survive. Their friendship blossoms into a romance once they trust each other. No insta-love here.

There are a few interesting twists to the plot, one of which was resolved a little too quickly for my taste, but I am still happy with the outcome.

These Broken Stars was a wonderful, captivating, breathtaking read. This is a must read for young adult readers. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Book Group for a review copy of this book.

Christal and I discuss These Broken Stars at Badass Book Reviews. Check it out!