Author: Audrey Coulthurst & Paula Garner
Age: Young Adult
Genres: Contemporary, LGBT
Publication Date: April 16th 2019
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Source: Hardcover
Purchase: Hardcover | Kindle | Audible
Synopsis:
In a novel in two voices, a popular teen and an artistic loner forge an unlikely bond — and create an entire universe — via texts. But how long before the real world invades Starworld?
Sam Jones and Zoe Miller have one thing in common: they both want an escape from reality. Loner Sam flies under the radar at school and walks on eggshells at home to manage her mom’s obsessive-compulsive disorder, wondering how she can ever leave to pursue her dream of studying aerospace engineering. Popular, people-pleasing Zoe puts up walls so no one can see her true self: the girl who was abandoned as an infant, whose adoptive mother has cancer, and whose disabled brother is being sent away to live in a facility. When an unexpected encounter results in the girls’ exchanging phone numbers, they forge a connection through text messages that expands into a private universe they call Starworld. In Starworld, they find hilarious adventures, kindness and understanding, and the magic of being seen for who they really are. But when Sam’s feelings for Zoe turn into something more, will the universe they’ve built survive the inevitable explosion?
My Rating:
Quote(s) I Like:
"Because an open door is not an end. It's a detour waiting to be taken." - Zoe
My Thoughts:
Oh my, as much as I enjoyed reading this book in one day, I can only give it a 3.5 star rating. This is a beautifully written contemporary that deals with two very different teens and their family's mental and physical health. The writing of this story was beautiful. It felt like I was watching a movie unfold. Though I enjoyed the characters and the story I just couldn't really connect with them. They were enjoyable to read, but easy for me to forget.
Sam is a quiet girl who loves the stars and art. She prefers to be invisible. Her parents are divorced and her mom has OCD. She's sick of the rules and rituals of her mother. She misses her father and wants to branch out. Sam was a funny character because she was quirky in her own way. She's very much her own person in a strange way. I loved the way she talked with her friend Will and how she interacted with Zoe in a robotic way. I could definitely imagine her character. I enjoyed that Sam was also a lesbian as well as it bought diversity to the story.
Zoe is a "good" girl -- the girl everyone likes, loves and wants to be friends with. However, she is dealing with a lot of hardship. Her mother's cancer and her brother having down syndrome. There is so much she has to do to help out at home and she has no outlet to let out her emotions. Zoe was definitely a sweet girl, but I felt bad with how much stuff she had to deal with emotionally. She is a strong girl, but her strength was also her weakness.
The connection between Sam and Zoe was perfect. They clicked because they were able to relate to one another. I enjoyed the friendship that they formed. I loved how vulnerable they were with one another. I enjoyed the growth they were able to help sprout in each other.
That ending was so sad. I almost cried, but that epilogue saved the day!
Good contemporary that can be read in one sitting. Funny, and heartfelt. Would recommend it.
About the Author
Audrey has a Master’s in Writing from Portland State University and studied with Malinda Lo as a 2013 Lambda Literary Foundation Fellow. She lives in Santa Monica, California.
Giveaway
Ends on May 6th, 2019
Giveaway is open to International
Must be 13+ to Enter
3 Winners will receive a Copy of STARWORLD by Audrey Coulthurst and Paula Garner.
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