The Star Dwellers by
David Estes
My rating:
5 of 5 stars
After rescuing her father and younger sister, Adele is forced to leave her family and Tristan behind to find her mother in the cruel and dangerous realm of the star dwellers.
Amidst blossoming feelings for Adele, Tristan must cast his feelings aside and let her find her own way amongst the star dwellers, while he accompanies Adele's father to meet with the leaders of the moon dwellers and decide the fate of the Tri-Realms.
Will Adele be able to rescue her mother and make it back to the Moon Realm before the President and the sun dweller soldiers destroy her family?
Can Tristan convince the moon dweller puppets of the error of their ways?
Was Adele's lost kiss with Tristan her one and only chance at love?
In her world there's only one rule: Someone must die.
Aaah, finally! The Star Dwellers tour is stopping here today! I'm going to post the first review for the tour and I know I am very meaaaaaann because my review contains a lot of spoilers :( So, please proceed with caution. :)
Review:
Disclaimer: This review is originally written as a beta review and I have modified it as I read the final version. But since I read the ARC with a speed of Usain Bolt, I might have missed a few changes here and there.
Another disclaimer: Spoilers are everywhere since, like I said before, this review was intended as a beta review.
Well, here comes one more disclaimer: Following the rules of math, the actual rating is 16-stars because the beta version is twice better than The Moon Dwellers and the final version is twice better than the beta version. :)
So...everybody's familiar with KFC's "Original Recipe" of 11 secret herbs and spices? Now, I think David Estes has found 11 secrets to write a smashing Young Adult hit.
1. Double POV
2. Dystopian setting
3. Admirable bromance
4. Sweet and innocent young love
5. Mr Nice guy hero
6. Kick-ass heroine
7. Charming secondary characters
8. Witty and humorous lines
9. Fast-paced and action-pack story
10. Heart-wrenching flashbacks and background stories
11. Narration in present tense
Wow, Mr David Estes, just wow! I couldn't believe how much you have grown as an author in just a few short months. If I don't give this book the five stars it deserves, then I'm just a mean, sadistic, I-like-to-watch-the-world-burns reviewer.
My comments (not necessarily in chronological order of this book);
***SPOILERS AHEAD***
[1. We get to learn more about what had happened right before and right after Year Zero, how the technology was build to sustain life underground.
2. When Tawni tells her story of how she had been bullied in school because of her parents. This is genius because, one, it emphasizes the realistic impact of her parents' doing in her life (or so it seems like), how while she used to live in wealth, she had been treated badly in her school days. Second, it highlights the strength of Cole and Tawni's friendship.
3. Ben's words, "You're thinking about this all wrong. You're an idea, Tristan. The idea that someone from the Sun Realm could be on the side of the people in the Lower Realms; the idea that someone from within the highest government ranks is helping the Moon and Star Realms; the idea that injustice will not go unpunished. If we can get the moon dwellers to believe in that idea, maybe, just maybe, we can unite the people". Well, it gave me goosebumps. Definitely one of the best quotes in the book.
4. The (still) awkward metaphor. "If we were sandwich, the shooter would be the meat in the middle, or the cheese perhaps. I'm the top layer of bread and her friends are the bottom crust". Okay, maybe the author intended the line to be humorous in nature but for me, it was just tad strange?
5. Hallucination within hallucination, I'd been fooled by it like Adele. Very, very clever writing and imaginary here.
6. "Something about how you want to kiss her and hug her and marry her"
"Dork."
"Butt monkey."
I can't stop myself from laughing. "Butt monkey? Really, Roc?"
"I never said I was mature"
Roc!!!!! <3 br="br">
*Pushes Tawni out of the way*
You're belong with meeeeeeeeeee!!!
7. I still can't understand how Maia is among of the Resistance council members given her young age. I'm eager to learn more about her.
8. "The General is her. The General is my mom" Opps, I think I might have dropped my jaw on the floor. Well played, David, well played.
9. Anna's diary and Mep's background story deserve short novellas. They were mentioned at the right time and very heart-breaking. I wished to read more about them.
10. "I'm confused-so freaking confused that if my mom suddenly turned into a dog and started licking my face it would make just as much sense." Can't.stop.laughing.
11. Roc's drawing. Briefly mentioned, yet a very heart-wrenching moment.
12. It's good to FINALLY find an Asian in YA books despite Han's brief cameo. Novels with dystopian, post-appocalyptic, world-has-coming-to-the-end setting, yet everyone who survived are white and American are just too many, not realistic and don't forget subtly offensive.
13. "Roc's looking at me strangely, like I'm a weird new animal species who's just demonstrated a bizzare mating ritual." Can't.stop.laughing.again.
14. While the revelation of Trevor and Brody true identity had taken me by surprise, I wanted to know more about where does Trevor's undivided loyalty to Anna had come from. Why he chose to obey Anna who is a moon dweller rather than the other generals who are from The Star Realm like Trevor himself?
15. "...but violence just keeps finding me, time and time again. I'm a magnet for it." Sure, Adele is devastated but I think we all had enough with self-blaming heroines in YA. Adele is better than that.
16. "So Brody saved them from Brody? Are there two Brodys? Wait...what?" Can't.stop.laughing.#3.
17. Well, the part where Roc decided to tell Elsey about his real father seems unnecessary and out of place.
18. The last flashback where Adele's family is back in Subchapter 14 made me lose my dignity by shedding a few tears.
19. WHAT IS IT THAT TRISTAN WANTS TO TELL ADELE RIGHT FROM THE FIRST BOOK? This drives me innnnnnnnnnssssssaaaaaaaaaaannnneeeee!!!! Why would you be this cruel, Mr David Estes? Sob2. Just tell me that Tristan is indeed a woman so that I can put a stop to this agony! (hide spoiler)]
1. We get to learn more about what had happened right before and right after Year Zero, how the technology was build to sustain life underground.
2. When Tawni tells her story of how she had been bullied in school because of her parents. This is genius because, one, it emphasizes the realistic impact of her parents' doing in her life (or so it seems like), how while she used to live in wealth, she had been treated badly in her school days. Second, it highlights the strength of Cole and Tawni's friendship.
3. Ben's words,
"You're thinking about this all wrong. You're an idea, Tristan. The idea that someone from the Sun Realm could be on the side of the people in the Lower Realms; the idea that someone from within the highest government ranks is helping the Moon and Star Realms; the idea that injustice will not go unpunished. If we can get the moon dwellers to believe in that idea, maybe, just maybe, we can unite the people". Well, it gave me goosebumps. Definitely one of the best quotes in the book.
4. The (still) awkward metaphor.
"If we were sandwich, the shooter would be the meat in the middle, or the cheese perhaps. I'm the top layer of bread and her friends are the bottom crust". Okay, maybe the author intended the line to be humorous in nature but for me, it was just tad strange?
5. Hallucination within hallucination, I'd been fooled by it like Adele. Very, very clever writing and imaginary here.
6.
"Something about how you want to kiss her and hug her and marry her"
"Dork."
"Butt monkey."
I can't stop myself from laughing.
"Butt monkey? Really, Roc?"
"I never said I was mature"
Roc!!!!!
*Pushes Tawni out of the way*
You're belong with meeeeeeeeeee!!!
7. I still can't understand how Maia is among of the Resistance council members given her young age. I'm eager to learn more about her.
8.
"The General is her. The General is my mom" Opps, I think I might have dropped my jaw on the floor. Well played, David, well played.
9. Anna's diary and Mep's background story deserve short novellas. They were mentioned at the right time and very heart-breaking. I wished to read more about them.
10.
"I'm confused-so freaking confused that if my mom suddenly turned into a dog and started licking my face it would make just as much sense." Can't.stop.laughing.
11. Roc's drawing. Briefly mentioned, yet a very heart-wrenching moment.
12. It's good to FINALLY find an Asian in YA books despite Han's brief cameo. Novels with dystopian, post-appocalyptic, world-has-coming-to-the-end setting, yet everyone who survived are white and American are just too many, not realistic and don't forget subtly offensive.
13.
"Roc's looking at me strangely, like I'm a weird new animal species who's just demonstrated a bizzare mating ritual." Can't.stop.laughing.again.
14. While the revelation of Trevor and Brody true identity had taken me by surprise, I wanted to know more about where does Trevor's undivided loyalty to Anna had come from. Why he chose to obey Anna who is a moon dweller rather than the other generals who are from The Star Realm like Trevor himself?
15.
"...but violence just keeps finding me, time and time again. I'm a magnet for it." Sure, Adele is devastated but I think we all had enough with self-blaming heroines in YA. Adele is better than that.
16.
"So Brody saved them from Brody? Are there two Brodys? Wait...what?" Can't.stop.laughing.#3.
17. Well, the part where Roc decided to tell Elsey about his real father seems unnecessary and out of place.
18. The last flashback where Adele's family is back in Subchapter 14 made me lose my dignity by shedding a few tears.
19. WHAT IS IT THAT TRISTAN WANTS TO TELL ADELE RIGHT FROM THE FIRST BOOK? This drives me innnnnnnnnnssssssaaaaaaaaaaannnneeeee!!!! Why would you be this cruel, Mr David Estes? Sob2. Just tell me that Tristan is indeed a woman so that I can put a stop to this agony!
***SPOILERS FINISHED***
Overall, this still earns the top spot for the best dystopia I've read this year. Granted, this book doesn't have sophisticated word building that usually makes reviewers have this knee-jerk reaction to give such books a 5-stars rating. But The Star Dwellers simply serves its purpose you see...to actually entertain readers while delivering good life lessons at the same time .
View all my reviews
About the Author:
 |
| Hey, new official photo! Me likey |
David Estes was born in El Paso, Texas but moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when he was very young. He grew up in Pittsburgh and then went to Penn State for college. Eventually moved to Sydney, Australia where he met his wife. A reader all his life, he began writing novels for the children's and YA markets in 2010. He´s a writer with OCD, a love of dancing and singing (but only when no one is looking or listening), a mad-skilled ping-pong player, and prefers writing at the swimming pool to writing at a table. Author of the Evolution Trilogy Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads
Tour Schedule:
Follow the tour!
Oct 1st
Maghon http://www.magluvsya03.wordpress.com
Author Info, Book Blurb, Cover & Giveaway (paperback)
Oct 2nd
.- Terri My Book Boyfriend. http://Mybookboyfriend.blogspot.com
Excerpt 1
Oct 3rd
.- Zuleeza http://zue-leysza.blogspot.com.au/
Review & Giveaway
Oct 4th
Alana http://darkobsessionchronicles.blogsp...
Interview and Character Bio (Adele)
Oct 5th
.- Rachel http://www.moosubi.blogspot.com/
Guest post 1
Oct 6th
.- Kayleigh http://k-booksxo.blogspot.co.uk/
Review & Giveaway
Oct 7th
.- Roxy Kade http://roxykade.blogspot.com.-
Excerpt 2
Oct 8th
.- Alana http://www.passionatebookdivas.com/
Character Bio (Tristan)
Oct 9th
.- Martha http://theshortone08.blogspot.com/
Review
Oct 10th
.- Katrina http://www.athousand-lives.blogspot.c...
Character Guest post 2
Oct 11th
.-Jennifer http://randomjendsmit.blogspot.com
Review
Oct 12th
.- April Http://myparanormalbookreview.blogspo...
Characetr Bio (Tawni)
Oct 13th
.- Marni http://wordtodreams.blogspot.com/
Guest post 2
Oct 14th
.- Shieka http://doctorsnotes-shy.blogspot.com
Review
Oct 15th
.- Tana http://tana-someofmyfavoritebooks.blo...
Excerpt 3
Oct 16th
.- The Cover Contessa http://thecovercontessa.blogspot.com
Interview & Review
Oct 17th
.- Laurice http://lauricewithlove.blogspot.com/
Character Guest Post 1
Oct 18th
.- Marissa http://beneaththemoonandstars.blogspo...
Character Bio (Roc)
Oct 19th
.-Think http://thinksbooks.blogspot.com
Review and closing giveaway TMD &TSD paperback
Giveaway
If you noticed, there will be a The Star Dwellers paperback to be won at the first stop (from Maghon's blog) but just to increase your chance to get this awesomesauce, I'm hosting an e-book giveaway here at my stop (yay!). Open INTERNATIONALLY. :)
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