About the Book:
Title: The Stars Between Us
Author: Cristin Terrill
Page Length: 400
Publication Date: Aug. 2, 2022
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Synopsis: There’s always been a mystery to Vika Hale’s life. Ever since she was a child, she’s had an unknown benefactor providing for her and her family, making sure that Vika and her sister received the best education they could. Now, Vika longs for a bigger life than one as a poor barmaid on a struggling planet, but those dreams feel out of reach. Until one day Vika learns that her benefactor was a billionaire magnate who recently died under suspicious circumstances, and Vika has shockingly been included in his will. Invited to live on a glittering neighboring planet, Vika steps into a world she can hardly believe is real.
The only blight on Vika’s lavish new life is the constant presence of Sky Foster, a mysterious young man from Vika’s past who works for her benefactors. She doesn’t like or trust Sky, but when she narrowly escapes an explosion and realizes someone is targeting the will’s heirs, Vika knows Sky is the only one who can help her discover the identity of the bomber before she becomes their next victim. As Vika and Sky delve into the truth of the attacks, they uncover a web of secrets, murder, and an underground rebellion who may hold the answers they’ve been looking for. But Sky isn’t who he seems to be, and Vika may not escape this new life unscathed.
In The Stars Between Us, Cristin Terrill sweeps readers away to a Dickensian-inspired world where secrets are currency and love is the most dangerous risk of all.
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My Review:
I so wanted to love this one, but unfortunately, it wasn’t my favorite read. It has a great premise, and I love the cover. However, the story fell a bit flat for me. I wanted more world-building, and I didn’t love the protagonist Vika or the romance.
The setting of the story is fascinating, and I liked how the two contrasting worlds were presented, but I wanted more. I feel like there was so much more to explore. That being said, there were some major disparities between social classes and planets, which I found interesting, and I like how the author created such a unique dystopian society. There are some strong social messages throughout the story specifically connected to the setting that I appreciated.
Vika wasn’t my favorite character, which is disappointing since she’s the protagonist. She comes across as very selfish, vain, and judgmental, though she does change as the story progresses. I think making her unlikable was purposeful, so that you could see how much she learned and grew, but I never really got past her poor behavior and words.
The love story was just ok for me too, which surprised me because it’s usually my favorite part of the story. I feel like Vika could do no wrong in Sky’s eyes, and she walked all over him. Personally, I think he’s too good for her. I think some readers who enjoy sci-fi or dystopias with mystery and an enemies-to-lovers romance will enjoy the book. It just wasn’t the book for me. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Rating:
thank you for the lovely review julie!! ❤️ i was pulled in by the gorgeous cover of this book but i think i’ll have to give it a pass based on your comments—flat romances are one of my pet peeves 😔
Thanks, Abby. 🙂