Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young People for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: April 4th, 2017
512 Pages
Synopsis: Noemi Vidal is a teen soldier from the planet Genesis, once a colony of Earth that’s now at war for its independence. The humans of Genesis have fought Earth’s robotic “mech” armies for decades with no end in sight.
After a surprise attack, Noemi finds herself stranded in space on an abandoned ship where she meets Abel, the most sophisticated mech prototype ever made. One who should be her enemy. But Abel’s programming forces him to obey Noemi as his commander, which means he has to save Genesis–even though her plan to win the war will kill him.
Together they embark on a daring voyage through the galaxy. Before long, Noemi begins to realize Abel may be more than machine, and for his part, Abel’s devotion to Noemi is no longer just a matter of programming.
I was a big fan of Claudia Gray’s YA paranormal Evernight series and Defy the Stars, which is set in the year 2295, is about as different a departure as you can get, but it is every bit good, if not even better! To be honest, the first few chapters were a little slow for me and I was thinking “Oh God! How am I going to get through over 500 pages of this?” There’s a lot of sci-fi technology being introduced, and while I think fans of this genre wouldn’t give it a second thought, for someone like me it slowed the pace down a bit. But then I started getting completely falling for the two main characters Abel and Noemi and from then on, I was completely entranced. Noemi at first comes off as prickly, but she winds up being everything you could want in a heroine. She’s courageous, feisty, loyal, and more than willing to sacrifice herself to save her planet. Abel, definitely starts off as more machine than human and in some ways he appeared to me a sort of space age Pinocchio, but it’s soon apparent that there’s much more to him than meets the eye. He not only develops human emotions, but he displays such a witty sense of humor, that there were several instances that he had me laughing out loud. The relationship between these two go from distrustful enemies, to friends, to the beginnings of a lovely romance. The world-building is breathtaking and combines with very real questions of faith and religion, terrorism, the effects of climate change, colonialism, and the ethics of artificial intelligence and robotic. The ending is a perfect set up for the next book, but it left me wishing that the sequel was coming out now! Defy the Stars is a highly original and beautifully told story that definitely lives up to the hype surrounding it. It will take you on a breathtaking journey across the galaxy, where you’ll discover dark conspiracies, sinister and powerful enemies, and unexpected friends and allies. I highly recommend it for both teens and adults who enjoy an exciting science fiction tale filled with characters you can’t help but fall in love with.
theorangutanlibrarian said:
Ah I can imagine that would slow the pace down for me as well- but I’m glad that in the end it was good!!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
And you know, it was just the first 3-4 chapters. After that it was amazing!
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theorangutanlibrarian said:
Ah awesome- I often have that with these kinds of books, so I’m glad it picks up 🙂
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thesarahdoughty said:
Oooh
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ravenblake99 said:
I can’t wait to read this book! 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts Raven!😊
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Lashaan and Trang (Bookidote) said:
When it comes down to sci-fi novels, it seems like there’s always that chunk of sci-fi info that needs to be gulped in manageable doses before being able to swim among the stars and planets! I’m pretty happy to see how much you enjoyed this one in the end, it really sounds like a nice sci-fi to check out! 😛
– Lashaan
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It really is Lashaan. I think you and Trang might like it!
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Jay said:
You always give the right sorts of details.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you so much Jay!😊
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Reads & Reels said:
Sounds like something I would like and I love the cover!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It is an exquisite cover! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!😊
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Carrie said:
Nice review Kim, great minds think alike. 😉
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vinnieh said:
Nice review Kim.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Vinnie!😊
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vinnieh said:
Anytime sister.
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KrystiYAandWine said:
Great review! This book totally sounds like something I would love! And that cover is just stunning!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Krysti! I think this is definitely for you!😊
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KrystiYAandWine said:
🙂
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Theresa @ TheCalicoBooks said:
Great review! I’ve been hearing so many good things about this book lately. I’m glad you enjoyed it, too!! 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you so much Theresa!☺
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toomuchofabooknerd said:
Ahhh, it’s so cool that you’ve read this already! This is one of my most anticipated reads this month and I can’t wait to get my hands on it, especially after reading your review! I feel like I am really going to love the characters 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I think you will. Most of the reviews I’ve read have been overwhelmingly positive. I’d love to know what you think when you’ve read it!😊
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Trang (Bookidote) said:
YESSS this was on my radar for weeks!! 🙂 So happy to see that one of my favourite blogger loved it 😀 that reassurance bon you know
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Trang! You’re going to LOVE this!😊
xoxo
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The Shameful Narcissist said:
I’m getting more into sci-fi, and this is a pairing that doesn’t seem to be too common (yet hehe). Added for curiosity!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Adrienne, this is very different from what’s out there and I think you’ll love Abel and Noemi!😊
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The Shameful Narcissist said:
I’m slowly going through all of the books on my TBR list by order added and downloading samples. It’s helping to clear some off and helping me decide what I really want to read. It might be a while until I get to this, but eventually I will 🙂
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Pingback: The State of the Reader: 4/12/17 | The Shameful Narcissist Speaks
http://purplefinale.e-whs.tk said:
Hmm it seems like your site ate my first comment (it was super long) so
I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything.
Do you have any suggestions for first-time blog writers?
I’d definitely appreciate it.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to respond but I just found this in my spam folder. Thank you for your kind words. They mean a lot. As far as advice goes all I can say is write about what your passionate about, and interact with other bloggers.😊
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Melanie Noell Bernard said:
Now you only rated this 4.5 stars. What was the qualm that held you back from 5 stars? (I’m curious because I didn’t rate it so highly.)
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I thought it started a little slow and there were for a lot of technical terms which for me, as someone who doesn’t read a ton of science fiction besides dystopian, further slowed things down. But then I became totally invested in both Noemi and Abel and once that happened I was hooked. So you reviewed it too Melanie? I’m popping over to see if I can find it! And thanks for the follow btw!😊
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Melanie Noell Bernard said:
Ah! Yes, I can understand having difficulties with the terminology if one isn’t acquainted with hard sci-fi.
I did review it! I only gave it 3 stars, though. I didn’t personally feel much for either Abel or Noemi. They both felt a little flat to me. There were other reasons, too, but I put those in my review. So I won’t fill this comment. 😉
Thank you for the return follow! I’m looking to find new blogs to follow and new friends to make. 😊
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I just read your excellent review and commented!😊
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Jacqueline @bluejaybooks said:
I agree, the characters were definitely one of this book’s highlights.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Can’t wait for the sequel!
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Jacqueline @bluejaybooks said:
Me neither. 🙂
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