Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Review: For Darkness Shows The Stars by Diana Peterfreund

Title: For Darkness Shows The Stars
Author: Diana Peterfreund
Source: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult/Sci Fi
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
Add to your Goodreads shelf
Caution: May contain spoilers

...
It's been several generations since a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, decimating humanity and giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.


Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family's estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot's estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth--an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go.

But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret--one that could change their society . . . or bring it to its knees. And again, she's faced with a choice: cling to what she's been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she's ever loved, even if she's lost him forever.

Inspired by Jane Austen's "Persuasion", "For Darkness Shows the Stars" is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.

~synopsis from Goodreads

My Thoughts:

This one I was surely in eager anticipation for from the very instant my eyes caught sight of that gorgeous cover. I know one should not judge a book by it, but you cannot help but lust for this cover. Finding out it was inspired by Persuasion, my favorite Jane Austen story and one of my top three favorite movies of all time? That certainly fixed this one in the ‘must get my hands on’ category. I got my hands on it, and could hardly step away from it without getting sad because I wanted to keep reading.

The characters in this novel didn’t waver from their inspiration. Elliot was a heroine to root for, and Kai was a love to pine for. We find out bits and pieces of their past through letters they sent to each other. There was this knothole in the barn they would hide them in. Seeing as they were from different ranks in society, her being a Luddite and him being a Post, their friendship wasn’t favorably looked upon. It was their rankings that lead to him leaving and her staying four years ago. The Kai from her childhood is now completely indifferent to her. Which is a devastating blow to Elliot, who still cares for him.

Following this story was very easy for me since I am familiar with the original (having read the book last year, and seen the movie many times). It flowed nicely from one moment to the next. There’s just something about the character Elliot North (and Anne Elliot alike) that you cannot help but love. The character of Ro, she felt real. Not like the whole characters leap off the page and it feels real, but just that she was REAL, she was more than just a secondary character.

For Darkness Shows The Stars lived and breathed Jane Austen… and in just the right way. It wasn’t forced or exact or stiff. And while there were numerous similarities to the original novel, it still had a lot of unique scenes. Although the author had to exclude a few things from Persuasion, it was still an astonishing work. You guys know how I’m not a fan of reading in the third person, but with this story it worked. Diana Peterfreund’s writing was gorgeous. SIMPLY GORGEOUS. This book I know for a fact I will read again and again and again.


My Rating:

Exceptional: Stay up until at least 1 AM

14 comments:

  1. I keep thinking that I had better read Persuasion before I read this one but the more I think about it the more I just want to get stuck into this story. I can just imagine how exciting it will be with the two different societies and the fact that Kai comes back completely different!

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    1. If you want to get a feel for Persuasion without reading the book, check out the movie. As far as books-to-movies go, that one is very good. You'd love it regardless! I liked anticipating how the author was going to parallel certain scenes. :)

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  2. Persuasion is my second favourite Jane Austen and I love Diana Peterfreund's female characters. I'm so excited to read this one; I'll be starting it today!

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    1. Yay! You will enjoy it. I still need to read her Secret Society Girl series. :)

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  3. Ooh, now I'm even more intrigued by this one! That cover is just out of this world. I haven't read Persuasion, and I usually try to read the book one's based on before reading a retelling or one that's inspired by the original...same as reading a book before seeing a movie. I still need to read several classics for your challenge (I've read one so far, I'm clearly failing this challenge lol) so maybe I'll add Persuasion to the list and by the time the library gets For Darkness I'll be able to read it!

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    1. I love this cover so much. ^_^ That's not a bad idea to read it for the challenge! I really enjoyed Persuasion because I adored the movie and the story. The movie was splendid. Reading classics can be so difficult at times, but it is rewarding when you find a great one. :)

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  4. I'm so nervous to read this one because I'm scared it will ruin Persuasion and I love Persuasion! But I keep seeing glowing reviews for it so I guess I should just read it. Right?

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    1. I think you would enjoy it! It's not an exact parallel, but has its similarities. It's sci-fi, and has a lot of heart, and an interesting back story. Elliot North to me feels just like Anne Elliot. I say you should! :D

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  5. I have heard mixed reviews about this one, but your review has renewed my faith- thanks for the great review!

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    1. I'm so happy to hear that! I hope you read this one and enjoy it. ^_^

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  6. I'm glad to hear that you liked this one! I can't wait to read it. It sounds absolutely amazing and I love the cover. Thanks so much for the review! :)

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    1. You're going to love it. The cover is awesome! Thanks for stopping by! :D

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  7. Super glad you loved this one, Jess! I know how psyched you were to read it. It really really made me want to read Persuasion! I loved Elliot and thought she was a fab character, too.

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    1. I was pretty psyched. :P I hope you can read Persuasion! Elliot was amazing. :)

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Thank you for commenting and happy reading!