From goodreads:
It’s a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.
Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.
Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?
Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.
—A timeless love story, These Broken Stars sets into motion a sweeping science fiction series of companion novels. The Starbound Trilogy: Three worlds. Three love stories. One enemy.
Review…
As with most books, I read them knowing very little and sometimes I don’t even read the entire blurb, sometimes it’s just the first line and that’s it. What I look for are: what genre or sub-genre does it fall in to on Amazon and the average rating.
These Broken Stars had an average of 3.97 stars on goodreads which is really good and on Amazon it falls under Science Fiction and Fantasy. In my book it’s all one big WIN.
However…
It started off slow and had a hard time connecting with Lilac and Tarver. Not to mention, the beginning felt a bit insta-lovey which is a complete turn off to me and sometimes it’s difficult for me to overlook. And when I say insta-lovey, I mean that they have this attraction to each other immediately but they don’t act on it because of politics. *sigh of relief* Thank goodness. Also, it’s light on the element of sci-fi.
But on the flip-side…I really loved this book.
Let me explain.
Think Titanic meets Castaway meets 2001: A Space Odyssey because once I became engaged in this story, that’s how it played out in my head.
One of the best parts of the book is being stranded on an alien planet! Both Tarver and Lilac became unlikely partners because they had to flee the unsinkable Icarus. They didn’t want to but ultimately they had to rely on each for their survival. It’s that very journey of survival that I absolutely enjoyed.
And lastly, I loved the bit about the whisperers. That gave me anxiety and kept me on the edge of my seat every time they made their presence known. *shudders*
“For a moment the image before us is frozen: our world, our lives, reduced to a handful broken stars half lost in uncharted space. Then it’s gone, the view swallowed by the hyperspace winds streaming past, blue-green auroras wiping the after-images away.
Until all that’s left is us.”
At the end of TBS there’s a preview of This Shattered World (Starbound, #2) and OHMAGAWD it’s gonna be good. Quite possibly even way better than this one! 
I didn’t read this but I listened to the audiobook which was better. This book was meant to be listened not read, in my opinion. It felt really relaxing and the narrators were good too. You can actually feel the galaxy and the foreign ambience HAHAH
Chyna @ Lite-Rate-Ture recently posted…Sorry but I’m judgemental
I have yet to take a chance on audio books and I’m guess TBS was a book I should have started with!
I think that the second book will blow me away. Seriously. I read the sneak peek of book 2 and I wanted more! *grabby hands*
I’m relieved to hear that although the insta-love trope popped up in the early chapters, that it pretty much went bye-bye as the story progressed. I’m a reluctant SciFi reader, but I do like the sound of “Titanic meets Castaway meets 2001: A Space Odyssey.” Happy Friday!
Carmel @ Rabid Reads recently posted…Audiobook Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Carmel…that was the only way I could think of to describe the book! *snickers* I do enjoy SciFi…always have and I’m guessing that has something to do with watching Star Trek with my dad when I was a kid. *shrugs* Anyway, it turned out good in the end and that’s all I ask for out of a book!
Aw, sorry this wasn’t a 4-5 star read for you. I really enjoyed this because it seemed like all the characters had depth, flaws and quirks. I loved the setting as well–it was different and yet the authors made it seem realistic and very vivid. Personally, I connected with both the characters almost instantly–I actually liked the first part a lot better than the end.
Anyway, lovely review, Cristina!
Aimee @ Deadly Darlings recently posted…A Deadly Christmas: Liz Czukas
Thanks Aimee!
Don’t get me wrong, I did love it a lot but whenever I think there might be a hint of insta-love…I immediately get bothered by it. And there was so much about the book that I did love, like a lot and I can’t wait to read the second book! ♥
While I’m sorry to hear you didn’t quite like this one as much as you would have hoped to, I’m glad that you ended up enjoying it and that you’re intrigued enough to read the sequel. Thanks for sharing Cristina, and, as always, fabulous review! ♥
Zoe @ Stories on Stage recently posted…All the Bright Places
Thanks Zoe!!! ♥ I wasn’t in love with it but eventually I was hooked and the sneak peek to book 2 has me thinking I’m gonna love that story!
I really WANTED to like this one. That cover won me over instantly, so I tried reading it. More than once, actually. I even tried the audiobook AND the physical book. I just couldn’t get into it. I only made it to probably chapter 3 and just gave up.
I know it’s totally me because everyone else seems to really like it… I just have so much trouble with sci-fi books in general, and for some reason the gorgeous cover just wasn’t enough to make me read this one. I’m so bummed. Glad to see you enjoyed it though! I know every book can’t be for every person, but when you want to like a book and just CAN’T it’s a huge letdown. Great review! 
Lisa @ Lost in Literature recently posted…Audiobook Review: Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Thanks Lisa!!! Isn’t the cover stunning?? It really is but sometimes a cover isn’t enough to draw everyone in…so I get that it didn’t work for you. I heard so much about this book and held off reading it until the second book was closer to being released but it didn’t blow me away. I loved so many parts of it and other parts were just meh. *shrugs* Anyway…I will let you know how the second book turns out! ♥
This book is intriguing but it’s too bad it wasn’t that good. I heard so much about it. I know that one day I should try. thanks for the review.
Melliane recently posted…Midnight’s Eve Giveaway Hop – (concours)
It’s not that it was bad but I think I was expecting more and maybe I will get that in book 2!
Sorry you didn’t love this one, I’ve been debating on reading it myself. The cover is gorgeous and keeps catching my eye & begging me to read it! Great review & hope that book #2 is fabulous!!
There’s a lot about the story that is good and done really well but a few things kept me from loving it. I think book 2 will be more my speed and who knows, maybe you’ll love TBS…a lot of people rated it 5 stars!
I’m so excited you finally read this book Cristina, their love definitely had a classical feel about it and I loved how it was a slow burn romance. If you enjoyed the whispers in this one, you’re in for a treat with even more world building in the next book. I can’t wait for you to meet Jubilee and Flynn! Lovely review!
Jeann @ Happy Indulgence recently posted…Giveaway & Review: Symbiont by Mira Grant
Thanks Jeann!!! ♥ I should be starting it in a few days once I’m down with the book I’m on now and I can’t wait. I’m dying for Jubilee and Flynn because I’ve only heard amazing things about this book!
Like you, I had a problem with the romance at first because they were insanely attracted to each other and had a lame excuse for not acting on their desires. I wish they hadn’t felt that for each other at first because it would have been interesting to see how a relationship would develop from two people who didn’t want anything to do with each other. But yes, aside from that, this was an amaaaazing book. You need to read the second book because the general feedback is very very positive!
Faye at The Social Potato
Faye M. recently posted…ARC Review: Transcendent by Lesley Livingston
Faye you said it perfectly! That was my biggest call-out about this book but overall I did enjoy it a lot. And I’m reading book 2 in a day or so…can’t wait!!
We’re honest we each other, huh? So…I didn’t like this book. At all. Actually DNFed. x) I REALLY didn’t like the MC, slowness, lack of secondary characters and interesting events and action. It was all meh then please-make-it-stop to me. But I’m glad you enjoyed!!!! And nice honest review!!
Lola @ Hit or Miss Books recently posted…Review: City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments, #4) by Cassandra Clare
Thank you Lola! ♥
Yesssssssssssssssss! We can always be honest with each other!!!
This book was definitely hyped up and I had put it off for so long but when I started reading it, I wasn’t overly impressed. I didn’t mind the lack of secondary characters because it had the whole castaway element that I enjoyed but there was something that didn’t work for me. *shrugs*
I usually don’t read synopses either haha Only look out for the gender and see my friends ratings on GR!
I agree with you, this one had a slow start for me too (I even switched from the print to the audio form to push through it faster), and it did annoyed me for Lilac and Traver intalusted over each other – I know is super common but still, everytime Traver thinked about Lilac as the most beautiful/attractive woman ever I rolled my eyes.
It also started working better for me once they get stranded on the alien planet, and the whisperers were so creepy! I think the audio format made it even more creepy for me.
Hope you enjoy the next one too!
Deyse @ Bound with Words recently posted…Breathe, Annie, Breathe – Miranda Kenneally
We are totally on the same page about this book. I enjoyed the second book a lot more and I will curious to see what the final book will bring. And YESSSS to being stranded, that made the story so much more compelling.
The cover is so catchy.. it’s actually one of my favorites – I’m a bit behind on this series, but I read mixed reviews about it. I shall check it out for myself soon and give it a go, I hope it sounds as lovely as your review
Benish recently posted…Frostfire by Amanda Hocking ♥ Review
Thanks! ☺️ I love the cover too!! It takes a bit to get into it but once you do…it’s good!!