I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Under Different Stars Series: Kricket Series #1 on 2014-01
Pages: 296
Read it as: eARC
My rating:
Check it out in Goodreads
Synopsis
Kricket Hollowell is normally not one to wish upon stars; she believes they're rarely in her favor. Well versed at dodging caseworkers from Chicago's foster care system, the past few years on her own have made Kricket an expert at the art of survival and blending in. With her 18th birthday fast approaching, she dreams of the day when she can stop running and find what her heart needs most: a home. Trey Allairis hates Earth and doubts that anyone from his world can thrive here. What he's learning of Kricket and her existence away from her true home only confirms his theory. But, when he and Kricket lie together under the stars of Ethar, counting them all may be easier than letting her go. Kyon Ensin's secrets number the stars; he knows more about Kricket's gifts than anyone and plans to possess her because of them. He also knows she's more valuable than any fire in the night sky. He'll move the heavens and align them all in order to make her his own. When everything in their world can be broken, will Kricket rely upon love to save her under different stars?
Under Different Stars was… Different. But very, very enjoyable. At first, I wasn’t very convinced I’d like it, but then things got interesting.
Kricket, a bit abruptly, might I add, finds out she’s actually from another planet [world? Dimension?], and she’s taken home by a trio of super good-looking aliens, among them the more than alluring Trey.
What I really, really liked about Trey was that he had the good sense of not being too much of an asshole. He wasn’t a jerk to Kricket, just stoic, and indifferent before things started getting hot.
And he wasn’t a creeper.
Yay!
The plot revolves around Kricket trying to adapt to Ethar. She has a device implanted in her that allows her to understand Etharians, though we do see a few words like ‘polar’, thrown around quite often. They even have different names for the days of the week.
I could see what the author meant to do, but it was a bit awkward at first, trying to grasp the meaning of all the new words. Some are explained to her, and some aren’t. So we’re left having to guess the meaning from the context. That’s a pretty good technique, but still, there are just too many of them.
At times, it was even funny to read the phrases. I think the main problem comes from the words having little, to no ressemblence to their english counterpart.
Take ‘polar’. Polar is supposed to mean something like ‘sexy’. o.o I just couldn’t make connections, and the language felt off because of that.
The plot is well-constructed, a little weak at times, but interesting enough to keep me coming back for more.
And the romance! Loved how it was handled in this book. Kricket and Trey have chemistry, and the problems that keep them apart, believable.
BUT, one thing that totally spoiled this story for me, was Kricket herself. Don’t get me wrong, she’s smart, strong, witty, and knows how to deal with her situation.
Perfect.
Maybe too much?
I didn’t see one single flaw during the entire lenght of the book. No one dislikes her, and even the villains want to screw her. o.o I love strong MCs. But even strong MCs make mistakes, feel powerless sometimes, are stupid or just plain pathetic at times.
That said, I’m dying to know what happens next. I just hope Kricket’s personality is explored a bit more!
I received this ebook from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review
I’d never heard of this book until now! I have to say, that cover is gorgeous <3 I think it sounds like a pretty interesting book as well. I wonder what I would do if I suddenly found out I wasn't from the earth… it's just a shame about a perfect character. Flaws are things we can relate to!
Olivia recently posted this awesome thing…Recommended Reads: November 2014