Vika Hale longs for a better life than that of a barmaid on a struggling planet, but her dreams have always seemed out of reach despite the mysterious benefactor who bankrolled her education. When the elusive billionaire dies and names Vika in his will, she’s whisked away to a glittering and glamorous new world as the ward of his heir. Suddenly, her wildest dreams don’t seem so impossible.
Plot
Based on the plot summary of this book, I was expecting a romance-based story with elements of science fiction and maybe a few high-tension scenes, but I was completely taken by surprise! While there is definitely romance in this story, it’s much more action-heavy than I expected. And the unexpected twists, even those just in the first few chapters are sure to take even the most perceptive reader by surprise.
Characters
The point of view of the story alternates between Vika, a young girl who is unexpectedly promised to the son of the richest man she knows, and Sky, a charismatic stranger who enters Vika’s life unexpectedly. I enjoyed Vika and found her relatable, especially given the extraordinary circumstances she’s put in. But I do feel like the author could have added even more tension by keeping Sky’s perspective secret.
Setting
One of my favorite things about reading a good science fiction novel is getting immersed in a world of high-tech and completely unique environments. And this book definitely had an enjoyable world with some cool technology to explore. However, it all felt very familiar to other SciFi books, movies, and shows I’d watched. I kept waiting for some sort of flashy element of this world to make it stand out, but unfortunately, that didn’t come.
My Recommendation
The Stars Between Us is author Cristin Terrill’s third young adult novel. The story is a great blend of science fiction and romance and balances moments with action with tender character development. The protagonist, Vika, is a relatable touchstone through an exciting plot. While the setting was well-made, I had hoped to see something unique to the genre. I’d recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of both romance and science fiction.
