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After Eden #2
Chasing Stars
The boy Eden loves just saved her life. Now she must save his. To do so she must make a huge sacrifice. Eden can never see her friends or family again, as she travels a hundred years into the future. But the dangerous risk Ryan took to rescue Eden has been uncovered, and now Ryan faces an exile ...which will leave Eden separated from him - the one person she can't live without - and stuck in the future. She must fight to save both of them.
The mesmerising sequel to the author's wonderful debut, After Eden.
The mesmerising sequel to the author's wonderful debut, After Eden.
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
May 18, 2015
A copy of this novel was provided by Bloomsbury Australia in exchange an honest review.
Unfortunately, I was not a big fan of Chasing Stars. I liked its predecessor, After Eden, but the things I really loved about that book were all absent in Chasing Stars.
First of all: nothing really happened. In the first few chapters Ryan is taken into custody because the government of the future thinks he broke a law by going back in time and saving Eden’s life. So all the ‘yay they’re back together’ disappears after only a few scenes. The entire book is Ryan being in custody and then Eden eventually deciding that she is going to save him. Literally, that is all. Those two things.
Looking back on Chasing Stars, I kind of wonder what else happened in the 350 odd pages. We’re introduced to Ryan’s friends from the future, of which only one was interesting and fleshed out. We had the token bitch, and then two geeky twins who had about ten words between them in the entire novel. All Eden does with these friends of Ryan’s is drink, eat, and party. Seriously. That. Is. All. They. Do. Which is fine once or twice but when YOUR BOYFRIEND IS FACING TRIAL – THAT IS NOT OKAY. I mean, Eden was getting plastered almost every night and Ryan was in a jail cell. Caring and concerned girlfriend? Not so much.
And then we have the weird weird weird relationship between Eden and Ryan’s best friend, Pegasus. Seriously freaking weird. They’re all flirty but they claim to be in love with other people. And then Eden MOVES IN WITH PEG, and just somehow becomes comfortable enough with him to strip down to her underwear in front of him – numerous times. Caring and concerned girlfriend? Not so much.
Fast forward repeated and indistinguishable scenes of underage drinking and little world building and we get to the end. Which is left open. After all that. After all the nothing and all the ‘what the hell’ing – we get an open ending? We don’t know where they end up? Or when? We just have to be content with the flipping of a coin and a possible future that we don’t get to see at all?
No. I’m not content with that. Not after liking the first book and pushing myself through this one. I am not content at all. In fact, I am quite disappointed in this sequel altogether.
© 2014, Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity . All rights reserved.
Your Turn: Have you read many disappointing sequels? Do you think it might be a symptom of the new duology phase?
Unfortunately, I was not a big fan of Chasing Stars. I liked its predecessor, After Eden, but the things I really loved about that book were all absent in Chasing Stars.
First of all: nothing really happened. In the first few chapters Ryan is taken into custody because the government of the future thinks he broke a law by going back in time and saving Eden’s life. So all the ‘yay they’re back together’ disappears after only a few scenes. The entire book is Ryan being in custody and then Eden eventually deciding that she is going to save him. Literally, that is all. Those two things.
Looking back on Chasing Stars, I kind of wonder what else happened in the 350 odd pages. We’re introduced to Ryan’s friends from the future, of which only one was interesting and fleshed out. We had the token bitch, and then two geeky twins who had about ten words between them in the entire novel. All Eden does with these friends of Ryan’s is drink, eat, and party. Seriously. That. Is. All. They. Do. Which is fine once or twice but when YOUR BOYFRIEND IS FACING TRIAL – THAT IS NOT OKAY. I mean, Eden was getting plastered almost every night and Ryan was in a jail cell. Caring and concerned girlfriend? Not so much.
And then we have the weird weird weird relationship between Eden and Ryan’s best friend, Pegasus. Seriously freaking weird. They’re all flirty but they claim to be in love with other people. And then Eden MOVES IN WITH PEG, and just somehow becomes comfortable enough with him to strip down to her underwear in front of him – numerous times. Caring and concerned girlfriend? Not so much.
Fast forward repeated and indistinguishable scenes of underage drinking and little world building and we get to the end. Which is left open. After all that. After all the nothing and all the ‘what the hell’ing – we get an open ending? We don’t know where they end up? Or when? We just have to be content with the flipping of a coin and a possible future that we don’t get to see at all?
No. I’m not content with that. Not after liking the first book and pushing myself through this one. I am not content at all. In fact, I am quite disappointed in this sequel altogether.
© 2014, Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity . All rights reserved.
Your Turn: Have you read many disappointing sequels? Do you think it might be a symptom of the new duology phase?
February 16, 2014
4.5*
*Received in exchange for an honest review*
*Thank you, Bloomsbury*
The first thing I did when I neared the end of this book was to tweet Helen Douglas: Was this a duology or was there another book? I was so sad to see that it's a duology. I am not ready to let go of the characters that I encountered in this book. I want to see how characters lives play out. I want to go with them to wherever they go. This series honestly contains the sweetest romance ever. It's one that touched me deeply and it is so evident how much Eden and Ryan care for each other. Although this book isn't crammed with action I really couldn't get enough. Chasing Stars picks up where After Eden left off, with Ryan saving Eden from her death.
There is something so lovely and special about these books. They are fairly simple, time travel focused stories with Eden being forced into the future with Ryan after breaking the time travelling laws. Chasing Stars displays Eden's adjustments to the future. Things aren't as different as she expected, but the slightest thing is enough to give away her true identity. There isn't much interaction from Ryan in this book, but he most certainly takes centre stage. I loved being introduced to his friends from the future. I would love the opportunity to spend more time with his best friend, Peg. There are so many wonderful characters and I would also have loved to have known how a few revelations went down!
I love Helen Douglas' writing style. It's beautiful and flawless - I really can't get enough of it. I am really saddened to see the end of this series but am really looking forward to reading more her work. With characters as beautiful and well rounded as Eden, Ryan and Peg I'm really looking forward to meeting more of her creations. This book is developed beautifully and has such a perfect ending. I just wish I could discover more of this world, although I'm unsure of where it would go. A lovely book, I definitely recommend it for a light and emotion inducing read.
*Received in exchange for an honest review*
*Thank you, Bloomsbury*
The first thing I did when I neared the end of this book was to tweet Helen Douglas: Was this a duology or was there another book? I was so sad to see that it's a duology. I am not ready to let go of the characters that I encountered in this book. I want to see how characters lives play out. I want to go with them to wherever they go. This series honestly contains the sweetest romance ever. It's one that touched me deeply and it is so evident how much Eden and Ryan care for each other. Although this book isn't crammed with action I really couldn't get enough. Chasing Stars picks up where After Eden left off, with Ryan saving Eden from her death.
There is something so lovely and special about these books. They are fairly simple, time travel focused stories with Eden being forced into the future with Ryan after breaking the time travelling laws. Chasing Stars displays Eden's adjustments to the future. Things aren't as different as she expected, but the slightest thing is enough to give away her true identity. There isn't much interaction from Ryan in this book, but he most certainly takes centre stage. I loved being introduced to his friends from the future. I would love the opportunity to spend more time with his best friend, Peg. There are so many wonderful characters and I would also have loved to have known how a few revelations went down!
I love Helen Douglas' writing style. It's beautiful and flawless - I really can't get enough of it. I am really saddened to see the end of this series but am really looking forward to reading more her work. With characters as beautiful and well rounded as Eden, Ryan and Peg I'm really looking forward to meeting more of her creations. This book is developed beautifully and has such a perfect ending. I just wish I could discover more of this world, although I'm unsure of where it would go. A lovely book, I definitely recommend it for a light and emotion inducing read.
March 10, 2025
3.2/5
Quick easy read.
Less confusing than the first book. But I feel like the author is even more our of her comfort zone here than in the previous book.
This sequel is set in the future, and a lot more theory on time travelling is given here as a form of world building. Sometimes it was needed to understand the world and plot better, but at times it felt like random facts were given for the sake of the book having more lore, but it didn't impact the story at all.
For example the fact that in the epilogue of all places, new time travelling theory was revealed (convergence theory, the fact that one of the characters now remembers his youth from both timelines as if they have happened to them.)
The plot seemed a bit off and ridiculous at times as well, but in a less whimsical way than the first book.
Sort of spoilers for the book
"I looked up and down the passageway. There was no one around. 'I have an idea,' I said in a low voice. 'I'm going to head down to the kitchens and say that I've been sent to get lunch for the prisoner. I'll take it up to the holding cell.'"
This just seems so outlandish to me. If there is really such high security, since it's the scandal of the century, then how would this ever work??! But yeah...
Spoilers for the first book
There were also some inconsistencies across the books. In the first book it was explained that no traces were left behind on Eden. As if she was erased from existence. However, in the current book Ryan learns that Eden has drowned in the harbour in Perran?
And there were a few more inconsistencies like that across the book, which should've been picked up by the editors/beta readers, if not the writer.
I love how this book predicted the USA trying to lay a claim to Greenland though.
All in all, a worse read than the first book, but still a nice quick read.
Quick easy read.
Less confusing than the first book. But I feel like the author is even more our of her comfort zone here than in the previous book.
This sequel is set in the future, and a lot more theory on time travelling is given here as a form of world building. Sometimes it was needed to understand the world and plot better, but at times it felt like random facts were given for the sake of the book having more lore, but it didn't impact the story at all.
For example the fact that in the epilogue of all places, new time travelling theory was revealed (convergence theory, the fact that one of the characters now remembers his youth from both timelines as if they have happened to them.)
The plot seemed a bit off and ridiculous at times as well, but in a less whimsical way than the first book.
Sort of spoilers for the book
"I looked up and down the passageway. There was no one around. 'I have an idea,' I said in a low voice. 'I'm going to head down to the kitchens and say that I've been sent to get lunch for the prisoner. I'll take it up to the holding cell.'"
This just seems so outlandish to me. If there is really such high security, since it's the scandal of the century, then how would this ever work??! But yeah...
Spoilers for the first book
There were also some inconsistencies across the books. In the first book it was explained that no traces were left behind on Eden. As if she was erased from existence. However, in the current book Ryan learns that Eden has drowned in the harbour in Perran?
And there were a few more inconsistencies like that across the book, which should've been picked up by the editors/beta readers, if not the writer.
I love how this book predicted the USA trying to lay a claim to Greenland though.
All in all, a worse read than the first book, but still a nice quick read.
November 21, 2014
3.5 Stars
I was actually sad to hear that Chasing Stars is the final book in the After Eden series, making it a duology. It was a far easier read than book one, the storyline moving to Ryan's time with Eden left to navigate his world alone.I found Eden irritating in book one, but without the romance and now that she is on a mission to clear Ryan's name, she's really likable, no one can doubt her determination and tenacity. While Ryan is incarcerated, Eden forms a supportive and loving friendship with Pegasus, or Peg as he's affectionately known. Peg is by far the draw card in Chasing Stars, he's jovial and adds an element of surprise and warmth to the storyline. Fear not, there's no love triangle, instead Peg plays the role of Eden's guide to her new world and introduces readers to a future which is not unlike our own.
I expected Ryan's world to be ridiculous, inter species living among humans, humanity almost all but dead, but surprisingly it was pretty tame. My only complaint was that I expected Ryan's group of friends to be more involved in Ryan's homecoming and freedom, rather than partying and seeing the sights.
Overall, I really enjoyed it, more so than After Eden. But the ending felt incomplete and raises more questions than answers. I'd love to see a novella at least that could give readers closure, about the lives of Connor and Miranda, Pegasus and Ryan's family (including that of his father). Just too many not to produce another book, ending the series with a trilogy and on a final note.
I was actually sad to hear that Chasing Stars is the final book in the After Eden series, making it a duology. It was a far easier read than book one, the storyline moving to Ryan's time with Eden left to navigate his world alone.I found Eden irritating in book one, but without the romance and now that she is on a mission to clear Ryan's name, she's really likable, no one can doubt her determination and tenacity. While Ryan is incarcerated, Eden forms a supportive and loving friendship with Pegasus, or Peg as he's affectionately known. Peg is by far the draw card in Chasing Stars, he's jovial and adds an element of surprise and warmth to the storyline. Fear not, there's no love triangle, instead Peg plays the role of Eden's guide to her new world and introduces readers to a future which is not unlike our own.
I expected Ryan's world to be ridiculous, inter species living among humans, humanity almost all but dead, but surprisingly it was pretty tame. My only complaint was that I expected Ryan's group of friends to be more involved in Ryan's homecoming and freedom, rather than partying and seeing the sights.
Overall, I really enjoyed it, more so than After Eden. But the ending felt incomplete and raises more questions than answers. I'd love to see a novella at least that could give readers closure, about the lives of Connor and Miranda, Pegasus and Ryan's family (including that of his father). Just too many not to produce another book, ending the series with a trilogy and on a final note.
July 20, 2016
Chasing Stars is the sequel to After Eden, and the love established in the first book is quickly put to the test by separation, rival love interests, and a powerful foe. The most compelling aspect of the book is the question of whether their love can survive against some really big odds. I found it fairly hard to tell how things were going to work out until the end, and I think others will as well because the cards do seem stacked against Eden and Ryan more often than not. I did think the action lagged a little in the middle, but it felt like that reflected the characters' emotions, so it was not a huge deal. The SciFi elements felt a little secondary to the relationships in the book, but I enjoyed the author's depiction of the future and there are still some interesting space flight scenes. This was just an okay book for me, mostly because it felt like the story dragged out the biggest plot points for a longer time than necessary. I do think this book would have been more engaging if I had read After Eden right before I picked this up -it was pretty easy to get back into the story as is, but it would have intensified my feelings about the characters and, ultimately the outcome. Language and situations are appropriate for high school readers. I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2017
Honestly, this is such an amazing book an is easy to read whether you have read the first book in the series or not. However, for most of the book the main question going round your head is ‘what is going to happen- to both of them?’ And I was so disappointed by the fact that at the end, it never really answers that question as there is no book after this, just a hanging question. I am only sad about this because I liked the book so much though, and it’s definitely worth reading, if you don’t mind the fact that it ends on a really big question📕📗
July 26, 2020
I have to say that this one was a disappointment for the first half. I could not get the courage to get up from my couch and take it out after i abandoned it halfway through.
Eden gets her boyfriend back but they soon discover that they cannot live in peace. Someone or more specifically a cleaner from the future is after them. They are send to take'em back -both of them-to the future. After they arrive in the future, Ryan is arrested and Eden is left with just a credit card of sorts (which really isn't such a bad thing considering it's a credit card). After a long series of boring events Eden decides to break Ryan out of the prison with the help of his friends (which we all saw coming). All this eventually leads to hem having to escape by again time travel.
Its not that bad really. Its just that if you read After Eden and were thinking you'll find something like it you are going to be disappointed.
Eden gets her boyfriend back but they soon discover that they cannot live in peace. Someone or more specifically a cleaner from the future is after them. They are send to take'em back -both of them-to the future. After they arrive in the future, Ryan is arrested and Eden is left with just a credit card of sorts (which really isn't such a bad thing considering it's a credit card). After a long series of boring events Eden decides to break Ryan out of the prison with the help of his friends (which we all saw coming). All this eventually leads to hem having to escape by again time travel.
Its not that bad really. Its just that if you read After Eden and were thinking you'll find something like it you are going to be disappointed.
September 17, 2024
After loving 'After Eden' I found this book just didn't quite hit the mark for me. It was an easy to read book, with a simple storyline, we pick up in 2012 where Eden is about the be cleaned up after the original mission. Ryan saves Eden and the rest of the book follows the consequences of Ryan travelling back to save Eden. In 350 pages not a lot actually happens, with Eden and Ryan's friends mostly partying, eating and drinking and the end feels incomplete seeing as though this is a duology not a trilogy. I wish something more exciting happened before the last 30 pages or so, because that was really good. It was an easy read and I'm not disappointed to have read it, but I feel like it didn't add to the original in the way I thought it would
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2024
I absolutely loved the first book, it’s currently my top favorite book ever. The last book ended so perfectly I was surprised there is a part two. My expectations were soo high for this book because I loved the last one so much. Now onto the book. Im not sure if I just wanted them to have a happy ending or if I wasnt a fan of this book as much. The book itself was good but the ending wasnt as lovely in this book. It left so many questions and a lot of mystery that felt a tad unnecessary. It was still an amazingly written book and a MUST read if you read the first part. (even if I didnt favor this ending) (I pretend its a choose your own ending tbh)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2026
Chasing Stars delivers a passionate, high-stakes continuation of Eden and Ryan's love story, successfully transplanting it into an engaging futuristic setting. Fans of the first book invested in the central romance will find enough emotional payoff to enjoy the journey. However, its uneven pacing and somewhat open-ended resolution may leave readers craving a more tightly plotted and conclusive arc. It succeeds as a character-driven sequel but falters slightly as a stand-alone narrative achievement.
July 13, 2018
Very good! Great ending because I can now think exactly what I expected to happen.
May 14, 2020
Veryyy slow plot .Boring at several places .Buy it only if you are interested in the sequel of after eden , the ending is good .
Ok ok
Ok ok
August 27, 2020
It took a while to get good and then ended pretty quickly but was a fun story line.
April 27, 2021
This book is one of the book which I am eager to read
December 17, 2014
Time travel! Space travel! And dangerous escapes! Chasing Stars has it all! I don't know if I liked it as much as After Eden, but close enough! Eden and Ryan are lying low in 2012 when another cleaner shows up. She's supposedly there for Travis' body, but it's clear that she's watching Ryan also. Of course, she catches Eden alone and uses her to get to Ryan. However, she's not there to kill him. She wants to take him, and Eden, back to 2123 where he belongs, and where she can't slip and tell anyone about the future. But it's not so simple as that; Ryan has to go to trial for breaking very serious time laws, leaving Eden alone in a new time and a new country.
I loved the 22nd century! It's not super futuristic and bizarre, but like Eden was told a couple of times, it's the small differences that throw you off the most. Chasing Stars does a great job of showing a time travelers struggles to fit into the time, and just going about daily life. When Eden first arrives in New Hampshire, she has nothing. She's given a prepaid card so she can get clothes and food, but even those things are hard to figure out. Fashion is completely different, so she has no idea what's considered casual or formal. Then there's all kinds of weird food items, including cricket salad and seaweed soups. Eden can't even turn on the TV (now called a com-somethingorother). It's all very interesting.
Aside from Eden trying to start a new life in the future, Chasing Stars has a quite engaging plot. Ryan's trial happens, and it doesn't go how anyone hoped, but how I figured it would go or else the book would be very short. Eden has been hanging out with his friends, so with their help they come up with plans to rescuing him. I liked how they actually thought about their plans, and did research instead of just jumping into unknown situations for the sake of time. I did figure out how the final rescue mission would play out, and I'm so glad that I was right. But then it all ends on a cliffhanger and I must know where they go next!
There were two kind of minor things that annoyed me while reading Chasing Stars. The first was that the author messed up on her British versus American English several times. I felt like she did really good at this in the first book when it was set in England, but there were a lot more mistakes now that it was set in America. The second was that everyone is always drinking! They're not getting drunk, but the amount of alcohol flowing really stood out. But eventually one of their rescue plans involves getting someone really drunk, and then pretending to be drunk. I guess all of the drinking was to show that it was a common thing among teens, so that their plans wouldn't be too far of a stretch. It was just distracting though.
In the end, I really enjoyed Chasing Stars. It was a ton of fun and combined two of my favorite things: time travel and outer space! I do wish there had been more romance, since all of this trouble was so that Eden and Ryan could be together. I was glad that no love triangle formed, which would have been easy to do between either two of Ryan's male friends. But it looks like the next book will included more romance and more danger for our starcrossed lovers!
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
I loved the 22nd century! It's not super futuristic and bizarre, but like Eden was told a couple of times, it's the small differences that throw you off the most. Chasing Stars does a great job of showing a time travelers struggles to fit into the time, and just going about daily life. When Eden first arrives in New Hampshire, she has nothing. She's given a prepaid card so she can get clothes and food, but even those things are hard to figure out. Fashion is completely different, so she has no idea what's considered casual or formal. Then there's all kinds of weird food items, including cricket salad and seaweed soups. Eden can't even turn on the TV (now called a com-somethingorother). It's all very interesting.
Aside from Eden trying to start a new life in the future, Chasing Stars has a quite engaging plot. Ryan's trial happens, and it doesn't go how anyone hoped, but how I figured it would go or else the book would be very short. Eden has been hanging out with his friends, so with their help they come up with plans to rescuing him. I liked how they actually thought about their plans, and did research instead of just jumping into unknown situations for the sake of time. I did figure out how the final rescue mission would play out, and I'm so glad that I was right. But then it all ends on a cliffhanger and I must know where they go next!
There were two kind of minor things that annoyed me while reading Chasing Stars. The first was that the author messed up on her British versus American English several times. I felt like she did really good at this in the first book when it was set in England, but there were a lot more mistakes now that it was set in America. The second was that everyone is always drinking! They're not getting drunk, but the amount of alcohol flowing really stood out. But eventually one of their rescue plans involves getting someone really drunk, and then pretending to be drunk. I guess all of the drinking was to show that it was a common thing among teens, so that their plans wouldn't be too far of a stretch. It was just distracting though.
In the end, I really enjoyed Chasing Stars. It was a ton of fun and combined two of my favorite things: time travel and outer space! I do wish there had been more romance, since all of this trouble was so that Eden and Ryan could be together. I was glad that no love triangle formed, which would have been easy to do between either two of Ryan's male friends. But it looks like the next book will included more romance and more danger for our starcrossed lovers!
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
July 17, 2014
Find this review and others on my blog Tea in the Treetops!
I am so glad I picked up Chasing Stars I really enjoyed this one! The first book was a bit average, there was instalove and it was very much a younger teen novel, I also felt that the ending was rushed and it was a bit unsatisfactory. While book 2 suffered from some of the same issues, I really loved the ending of this sequel - I was completely surprised by it and call me sappy but I truly felt it came together beautifully, so it got a big thumbs up from me.
The story continues where After Eden finished and there is a little bit of overlap where it repeats the ending from a different characters point of view so there is no need to go back and refresh your memory of what happened at the end of book 1. Ryan makes an unauthorised jump back in time to stop Eden being killed for knowing too much about the future and being “cleaned up”. The two of them make plans to disappear completely so they can live out the remainder of their lives in peace. Unfortunately things come apart when another traveller from the future comes hunting for Ryan and upon catching them takes both Ryan and Eden back to the future so Ryan can be trialled for illegally traveling back in time and risking the timeline.
The majority of this book is from Eden’s perspective as Ryan is in a holding cell awaiting trial. Eden on the other hand has to come to terms with how different things are in the future and with the help of Ryan’s best friend Pegasus, she makes some friends and comes up with a plan to ensure her and Ryan will get to at least spend the future together.
I think Pegasus is meant to be a bit of a love interest perhaps for Eden in this story, but it is all a little bit awkward because Ryan is still not only in the picture but Eden is constantly thinking about him. I also wasn’t really sure if Pegasus was into her or not. I think it was most likely written in just to provide a bit of tension between the characters and it unfortunately didn’t flow very smoothly.
I had a few issues with the future the main one being that the men in charge of time travel, while not in charge of the government and seemingly separate from the government actually have full judicial control and yet also run penal colonies… does this not seem like a glaring conflict of interest?! I also cannot believe that their is no repeal system and that only 1 person gets to decide both a persons guilt/innocence and also their sentence, I can’t understand why a panel of them wouldn’t be selected for these matters. In any case aside from the judicial system bothering me and the craziness of the media I really enjoyed a glimpse into the future.
Other things I had issue with was that Eden never checked to see what had happened to Connor in this timeline and while she looked up Miranda she never bothered seeking out her relatives. I think this was a little sad and I would have loved a bit more closure on this front.
Aside with the few things I took issue with I found this book a really fun fast read. I was also super impressed with the ending and felt that this book wrapped up the duology beautifully leaving me smiling and feeling complete.
I am so glad I picked up Chasing Stars I really enjoyed this one! The first book was a bit average, there was instalove and it was very much a younger teen novel, I also felt that the ending was rushed and it was a bit unsatisfactory. While book 2 suffered from some of the same issues, I really loved the ending of this sequel - I was completely surprised by it and call me sappy but I truly felt it came together beautifully, so it got a big thumbs up from me.
The story continues where After Eden finished and there is a little bit of overlap where it repeats the ending from a different characters point of view so there is no need to go back and refresh your memory of what happened at the end of book 1. Ryan makes an unauthorised jump back in time to stop Eden being killed for knowing too much about the future and being “cleaned up”. The two of them make plans to disappear completely so they can live out the remainder of their lives in peace. Unfortunately things come apart when another traveller from the future comes hunting for Ryan and upon catching them takes both Ryan and Eden back to the future so Ryan can be trialled for illegally traveling back in time and risking the timeline.
The majority of this book is from Eden’s perspective as Ryan is in a holding cell awaiting trial. Eden on the other hand has to come to terms with how different things are in the future and with the help of Ryan’s best friend Pegasus, she makes some friends and comes up with a plan to ensure her and Ryan will get to at least spend the future together.
I think Pegasus is meant to be a bit of a love interest perhaps for Eden in this story, but it is all a little bit awkward because Ryan is still not only in the picture but Eden is constantly thinking about him. I also wasn’t really sure if Pegasus was into her or not. I think it was most likely written in just to provide a bit of tension between the characters and it unfortunately didn’t flow very smoothly.
I had a few issues with the future the main one being that the men in charge of time travel, while not in charge of the government and seemingly separate from the government actually have full judicial control and yet also run penal colonies… does this not seem like a glaring conflict of interest?! I also cannot believe that their is no repeal system and that only 1 person gets to decide both a persons guilt/innocence and also their sentence, I can’t understand why a panel of them wouldn’t be selected for these matters. In any case aside from the judicial system bothering me and the craziness of the media I really enjoyed a glimpse into the future.
Other things I had issue with was that Eden never checked to see what had happened to Connor in this timeline and while she looked up Miranda she never bothered seeking out her relatives. I think this was a little sad and I would have loved a bit more closure on this front.
Aside with the few things I took issue with I found this book a really fun fast read. I was also super impressed with the ending and felt that this book wrapped up the duology beautifully leaving me smiling and feeling complete.
June 3, 2014
I absolutely loved AFTER EDEN, so I was curious about this book.
Eden and Ryan met while he was trying to stop a friend of hers from discovering a planet, and fell for each other. But when Ryan returned to the future, Eden was killed by a cleaner as a consequence of his failed mission into the past. So he spent months trying to get back in time to stop her death by breaking time travel rules. And he does, but another cleaner follows him back to 2012 to capture him.
All they want is to be together, but the cleaner is willing to do whatever it takes to return Ryan to the future so he can pay for breaking the rules. However, Eden gets taken into the future too.
As soon as they arrive, Ryan is arrested and Eden is sent on her way. But she doesn't know anyone in the future and soon becomes the latest news trend, as well as a pawn in a power struggle that has nothing to do with them. With the help of Ryan's friends, Eden tries to get used to this foreign time...while hoping that justice is served and she can get the boy she loves back.
But things never turn out as planned...
You know, I was really looking forward to this and I actually enjoyed the beginning. I got caught up in Ryan and Eden's story, as they become fugitives. But as soon as they get caught and arrive in the future, something shifted for me. At first, it was only a few things, but before long I started to lose interest in the story and didn't understand a lot of the time Eden spent in the future. Actually, the only reason I kept reading to the end was because I wanted to know how the story was going to end.
Unfortunately, everything that made AFTER EDEN such a compulsive and wonderful book wasn't captured in this one. I didn't care as much about the characters, the world, or the unfolding events. There was something missing. I just wasn't hooked this time around, which is a real shame. :(
Chasing Stars turned out to be a well-written book that didn't capture the awesomeness of the first instalment. I really wanted to love it, but I just couldn't.
Eden and Ryan met while he was trying to stop a friend of hers from discovering a planet, and fell for each other. But when Ryan returned to the future, Eden was killed by a cleaner as a consequence of his failed mission into the past. So he spent months trying to get back in time to stop her death by breaking time travel rules. And he does, but another cleaner follows him back to 2012 to capture him.
All they want is to be together, but the cleaner is willing to do whatever it takes to return Ryan to the future so he can pay for breaking the rules. However, Eden gets taken into the future too.
As soon as they arrive, Ryan is arrested and Eden is sent on her way. But she doesn't know anyone in the future and soon becomes the latest news trend, as well as a pawn in a power struggle that has nothing to do with them. With the help of Ryan's friends, Eden tries to get used to this foreign time...while hoping that justice is served and she can get the boy she loves back.
But things never turn out as planned...
You know, I was really looking forward to this and I actually enjoyed the beginning. I got caught up in Ryan and Eden's story, as they become fugitives. But as soon as they get caught and arrive in the future, something shifted for me. At first, it was only a few things, but before long I started to lose interest in the story and didn't understand a lot of the time Eden spent in the future. Actually, the only reason I kept reading to the end was because I wanted to know how the story was going to end.
Unfortunately, everything that made AFTER EDEN such a compulsive and wonderful book wasn't captured in this one. I didn't care as much about the characters, the world, or the unfolding events. There was something missing. I just wasn't hooked this time around, which is a real shame. :(
Chasing Stars turned out to be a well-written book that didn't capture the awesomeness of the first instalment. I really wanted to love it, but I just couldn't.
May 11, 2015
This review is also posted at http://readingnookandcranny.blogspot....
I haven't read After Eden in quite some time, so I will a little lost in the beginning. But honestly, it doesn't seem to really take anything away from the story not remembering the predecessor. Ryan returns to the past/Eden's present after returning to his time at the end of the first novel. He is determined to try to save Eden's life when a cleaner from the future comes back and kills her.
But Ryan's interference to save her life comes at a cost. When he does manage to save Eden, and returns to the future with her in toe, he is taken in for breaking the law. This second novel in the duology follows the fall out of Ryan's decision, and is, for the most part, kind of a snooze feast.
For one thing, the future one hundred years from now hardly seems to have changed much. The vocabulary remains the same, which I find hard to imagine. And even though they have developed time travel and FTL drives, every day life seems mostly unchanged. Considering how much has changed in the last one hundred years up until now, I find this very hard to believe as well. Thus, the futuristic setting is little more than a backdrop for Douglas, which seems like such a waste.
Then there is the plot itself. While, if I recall correctly, I wasn't all that impressed with Eden's and Ryan's romance in the first novel, this novel feels even more dry. Eden spends her time "acclimating" by hanging out with Ryan's friends, having parties on yachts, and getting rather coozy with not one but two other guys. All the while, Ryan is locked up awaiting trial. The only part of the novel that really grabs my attention is the last little bit, and even then the plot feels like it's tossed together at the last minute, and the resolution feels highly improbable.
I love me a good final frontier/space opera novel, but this series simply does not deliver. It is more geared towards readers looking for a romance story with a bit of a twist.
I haven't read After Eden in quite some time, so I will a little lost in the beginning. But honestly, it doesn't seem to really take anything away from the story not remembering the predecessor. Ryan returns to the past/Eden's present after returning to his time at the end of the first novel. He is determined to try to save Eden's life when a cleaner from the future comes back and kills her.
But Ryan's interference to save her life comes at a cost. When he does manage to save Eden, and returns to the future with her in toe, he is taken in for breaking the law. This second novel in the duology follows the fall out of Ryan's decision, and is, for the most part, kind of a snooze feast.
For one thing, the future one hundred years from now hardly seems to have changed much. The vocabulary remains the same, which I find hard to imagine. And even though they have developed time travel and FTL drives, every day life seems mostly unchanged. Considering how much has changed in the last one hundred years up until now, I find this very hard to believe as well. Thus, the futuristic setting is little more than a backdrop for Douglas, which seems like such a waste.
Then there is the plot itself. While, if I recall correctly, I wasn't all that impressed with Eden's and Ryan's romance in the first novel, this novel feels even more dry. Eden spends her time "acclimating" by hanging out with Ryan's friends, having parties on yachts, and getting rather coozy with not one but two other guys. All the while, Ryan is locked up awaiting trial. The only part of the novel that really grabs my attention is the last little bit, and even then the plot feels like it's tossed together at the last minute, and the resolution feels highly improbable.
I love me a good final frontier/space opera novel, but this series simply does not deliver. It is more geared towards readers looking for a romance story with a bit of a twist.
July 7, 2014
Original Link to the review at my blog Le' Grande Codex - here
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After Eden, the first book of the duology was in itself a complete story and according to my opinions 'Chasing Stars' wasn't needed at all. But then I saw it on netgalley (this is the e-arc review) and I thought, why not? Lets see where Douglas goes with this because I absolutely loved After Eden. But this finale disappointed me a bit.
Eden and Ryan are separated for majority of the story when another cleaner comes and blackmails them both into going back to the future. But there Ryan is arrested and Eden is sent off free into this future. I liked that Douglas explored this sci-fi and very unique future. The only thing that I liked about this book was the future and its many facets..... And then Eden meets Ryan's friends but only Pegasus is fleshed out and evolves throughout while the others serve only as mentions.
For someone as resourceful as Eden, she comes across slightly as an idiot this time. Boyfriend is facing a major trial, that would very much decide his life and she is getting drunk and partying with his friends almost every time. And only springs into action when the bad happens to whisk Ryan out of jail and run away. And there they go running away and we really don't get to see what happens to the others in their attempted escape. So no I was disappointed because it lacked what After Eden had and of course the presence of so many loose ends.
"A slightly disappointing escape to the future"
July 20, 2014
So absurd I couldn’t be bothered to finish it. I can’t quite remember the first book, but I apparently liked it enough to give it 3 stars. Perhaps I was having an off day?
All I know now is that the heroine is so ridiculously stupid it can’t be real. She hears the villain mention something about the Isles of Scilly, so in order to help her boyfriend escape from this villain, she takes him straight to the Isles of Scilly. And then has the fucking nerve to be all ‘OMIGAWD! I totally forgot she mentioned this place.’
So obviously, being the brains of this relationship, boyfriend gets them out of there asap. He tells her to STAY AWAY from her house because Ms Villain will most likely be watching the place, and girlfriend is like ‘Ok, whatever you say!’ The minute boyfriend’s back is turned, what does she do?
I won’t even bother saying it.
And just to prove that everyone in this book has a serious case of dumbass-ity, they kidnap the heroine and take her to the future because she knows too much. If it was me, I would leave this kind of idiocy in the past and forget it ever existed, but that wouldn’t make a very good story. So what they do instead is take her to the future, give her a credit card, and boot her out of the building to fend for herself. Huh? She’s too dangerous to leave in her own time, but it’s ok to let her wander about willy-nilly in the future where she knows nothing? And these are the GUARDIANS OF TIME? I’m doubtful they could guard their own posterior.
I’m afraid that was all the brain torture I could handle.
Just…I don’t know…
Go read something else. I heard shampoo bottles are quite riveting compared to this.
All I know now is that the heroine is so ridiculously stupid it can’t be real. She hears the villain mention something about the Isles of Scilly, so in order to help her boyfriend escape from this villain, she takes him straight to the Isles of Scilly. And then has the fucking nerve to be all ‘OMIGAWD! I totally forgot she mentioned this place.’
So obviously, being the brains of this relationship, boyfriend gets them out of there asap. He tells her to STAY AWAY from her house because Ms Villain will most likely be watching the place, and girlfriend is like ‘Ok, whatever you say!’ The minute boyfriend’s back is turned, what does she do?
I won’t even bother saying it.
And just to prove that everyone in this book has a serious case of dumbass-ity, they kidnap the heroine and take her to the future because she knows too much. If it was me, I would leave this kind of idiocy in the past and forget it ever existed, but that wouldn’t make a very good story. So what they do instead is take her to the future, give her a credit card, and boot her out of the building to fend for herself. Huh? She’s too dangerous to leave in her own time, but it’s ok to let her wander about willy-nilly in the future where she knows nothing? And these are the GUARDIANS OF TIME? I’m doubtful they could guard their own posterior.
I’m afraid that was all the brain torture I could handle.
Just…I don’t know…
Go read something else. I heard shampoo bottles are quite riveting compared to this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2015
I read After Eden quite some time now and for some reason never got around to Chasing Stars. It’s always a worry when it’s been a while since you’ve read the first book in the series. Some sequels jump straight into the action with no recap about what had happened prior to the book. I didn’t feel like Chasing Stars did that. I immediately knew what had gone on and was ready to follow Eden and Ryan once more. Chasing Stars is a decent sequel. It’s not a book that I found overly memorable, but I really did enjoy reading it.
In After Eden, Eden and Eyan first meet when Ryan is trying to stop Eden’s friend from discovering a planet. Ryan is from the future. Eden is killed by a cleaner (someone that ‘cleans’ up mistakes) as a result of Ryan failing the mission. Chasing Stars centres around Ryan wanting to make it up to Eden, so he uses time travel once more to go back in time and stop her death. Ryan is breaking all sorts of time travel rules, therefore Eden and Ryan find themselves in more trouble with cleaners and court cases. Eden and Ryan just want to be together, but it’s not as easy as they’d hope it to be. Eden finds herself leaving her friends and family in order to be with Ryan.
Chasing Stars was really intriguing, but for some reason I didn’t find it as compelling as After Eden. It took a while to build up the tension and then it didn’t captivate me. I still liked the characters and was intrigued enough to see how it ended, but I wasn’t as invested as I was in the first instalment.
This is a duology and I think it ended well. There are some unanswered questions, but not really in a frustrating way. I’m pleased with how it ended and I’m happy I read it!
In After Eden, Eden and Eyan first meet when Ryan is trying to stop Eden’s friend from discovering a planet. Ryan is from the future. Eden is killed by a cleaner (someone that ‘cleans’ up mistakes) as a result of Ryan failing the mission. Chasing Stars centres around Ryan wanting to make it up to Eden, so he uses time travel once more to go back in time and stop her death. Ryan is breaking all sorts of time travel rules, therefore Eden and Ryan find themselves in more trouble with cleaners and court cases. Eden and Ryan just want to be together, but it’s not as easy as they’d hope it to be. Eden finds herself leaving her friends and family in order to be with Ryan.
Chasing Stars was really intriguing, but for some reason I didn’t find it as compelling as After Eden. It took a while to build up the tension and then it didn’t captivate me. I still liked the characters and was intrigued enough to see how it ended, but I wasn’t as invested as I was in the first instalment.
This is a duology and I think it ended well. There are some unanswered questions, but not really in a frustrating way. I’m pleased with how it ended and I’m happy I read it!
Want to read
October 31, 2016Review by: Hannah A. 9th grade
Grade range: 8th grade and up
Genre: Science Fiction
Literary Merit: Good
Characterization: Good
Review:
The planet Eden was never discovered, Earth and the human population have been saved, Orion has returned to his own time, and Eden is safe, or so she thinks. In this sequel to After Eden, Eden has been killed by the time mission’s cleaner and her aunt’s boyfriend, Travis. After hearing news of this Orion returns to 2012 to save Eden and ends up sacrificing his life in his own time to be with her but, their peace doesn’t last for long. Another cleaner is sent to bring both Eden and Orion back to the future where Eden will be forced to stay to prevent any further damage and Orion will be put on trial for breaking the Temporal Time Law. Chasing Stars follows Orion’s trial, how Eden adapts to her new life in the future, and all the struggles that she, Orion, and their friends go through to reunite them.
This book was very well written, full of suspense, some surprising turns and beautiful details. When it comes to characterization the characters were realistic, likable for the most part, but not always relatable with how extreme they are. The plot was well paced, interesting, and had good emotional appeal. This was my first experience with science fiction and it did a good job of keeping me interested. The best part to me was how well the characters were able to change plans and come up with new ideas when situations didn’t go as planned. I would recommend this book to lovers of romance and science fiction books, especially time travel related and futuristic ones.
Grade range: 8th grade and up
Genre: Science Fiction
Literary Merit: Good
Characterization: Good
Review:
The planet Eden was never discovered, Earth and the human population have been saved, Orion has returned to his own time, and Eden is safe, or so she thinks. In this sequel to After Eden, Eden has been killed by the time mission’s cleaner and her aunt’s boyfriend, Travis. After hearing news of this Orion returns to 2012 to save Eden and ends up sacrificing his life in his own time to be with her but, their peace doesn’t last for long. Another cleaner is sent to bring both Eden and Orion back to the future where Eden will be forced to stay to prevent any further damage and Orion will be put on trial for breaking the Temporal Time Law. Chasing Stars follows Orion’s trial, how Eden adapts to her new life in the future, and all the struggles that she, Orion, and their friends go through to reunite them.
This book was very well written, full of suspense, some surprising turns and beautiful details. When it comes to characterization the characters were realistic, likable for the most part, but not always relatable with how extreme they are. The plot was well paced, interesting, and had good emotional appeal. This was my first experience with science fiction and it did a good job of keeping me interested. The best part to me was how well the characters were able to change plans and come up with new ideas when situations didn’t go as planned. I would recommend this book to lovers of romance and science fiction books, especially time travel related and futuristic ones.
April 29, 2014
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) and Netgalley.)
Ryan is back, and Eden is glad that she isn’t dead, but how long will it be before someone comes back from the future to deal with Ryan, and the fact that he shouldn’t be in 2012?!
This was an okay story, but I lost interest.
Eden once again came across as a little stupid, and she kind-of irritated me at points. She hadn’t even considered that someone might get sent back in time to clear up after Travis, or that someone might come back after Ryan! She was also a little clueless at other points, and it did start to annoy me.
The storyline was okay, but I lost interest. The initial start of the story was okay, and it was quite exciting when it appeared that someone had come back from the future, and was chasing Ryan and Eden, after that though it became pretty dull. I don’t want to say too much because of dropping spoilers, but the story just lost the little bit of tension that it had at this point, and I really lost interest.
There was a tiny bit of romance, but not a lot, so if you’re looking for a love story, this isn’t really it.
The ending was okay, but I was just glad that it was over to be honest. I still don’t really see how Ryan and Eden can get away with what they got away with, without anyone ever coming after them again though, so I’m not really sure that the ending was all that final really.
Overall; okay sequel, but I lost interest,
6 out of 10.
Ryan is back, and Eden is glad that she isn’t dead, but how long will it be before someone comes back from the future to deal with Ryan, and the fact that he shouldn’t be in 2012?!
This was an okay story, but I lost interest.
Eden once again came across as a little stupid, and she kind-of irritated me at points. She hadn’t even considered that someone might get sent back in time to clear up after Travis, or that someone might come back after Ryan! She was also a little clueless at other points, and it did start to annoy me.
The storyline was okay, but I lost interest. The initial start of the story was okay, and it was quite exciting when it appeared that someone had come back from the future, and was chasing Ryan and Eden, after that though it became pretty dull. I don’t want to say too much because of dropping spoilers, but the story just lost the little bit of tension that it had at this point, and I really lost interest.
There was a tiny bit of romance, but not a lot, so if you’re looking for a love story, this isn’t really it.
The ending was okay, but I was just glad that it was over to be honest. I still don’t really see how Ryan and Eden can get away with what they got away with, without anyone ever coming after them again though, so I’m not really sure that the ending was all that final really.
Overall; okay sequel, but I lost interest,
6 out of 10.
June 30, 2016
Source: bloomsbury via netgalley
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free.
3.5 stars (liked it a lot)
I didn't remember the first one so I was very confused until about 4% in. Then I slowly started to get a handle on things... But I knew that I enjoyed the romance and the characters in the first book, so I wanted to stick with it.
Side note: I am also very confused because I got this on netgalley, but goodreads says it was published two years ago...
I was glad that I stuck with it because I got very into the story at about 20%. I liked meeting Ryan's friends in the future. Eden's transition was hard to watch because suddenly she was in the spotlight, in a new time, knowing hardly no one, and they had Ryan locked up awaiting trial.
Peg was my favorite of Ryan's friends, and he was a good friend to Eden, helping her adjust and helping her plan for her and Ryan to be back together.
The love story was still present, but it took a backseat to her planning, adjustment and the action of trying to free Ryan after he's sentenced to work in the moon mines for the rest of this life.
The ending was interesting and fit, but not sure if they will have more of a story, or if that was the final piece. I think I am okay either way...
Bottom Line: Slow to start but became a nice
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free.
3.5 stars (liked it a lot)
I didn't remember the first one so I was very confused until about 4% in. Then I slowly started to get a handle on things... But I knew that I enjoyed the romance and the characters in the first book, so I wanted to stick with it.
Side note: I am also very confused because I got this on netgalley, but goodreads says it was published two years ago...
I was glad that I stuck with it because I got very into the story at about 20%. I liked meeting Ryan's friends in the future. Eden's transition was hard to watch because suddenly she was in the spotlight, in a new time, knowing hardly no one, and they had Ryan locked up awaiting trial.
Peg was my favorite of Ryan's friends, and he was a good friend to Eden, helping her adjust and helping her plan for her and Ryan to be back together.
The love story was still present, but it took a backseat to her planning, adjustment and the action of trying to free Ryan after he's sentenced to work in the moon mines for the rest of this life.
The ending was interesting and fit, but not sure if they will have more of a story, or if that was the final piece. I think I am okay either way...
Bottom Line: Slow to start but became a nice
August 17, 2014
After reading After Eden last year and enjoying it, I knew I had to get my hands on Chasing Stars and find out what was in store for Eden and Ryan next.
Chasing Stars was a fantastic sequel that I enjoyed just as much as After Eden. Chasing Stars starts off with Eden trying to escape from Travis – who’s trying to kill her – and Ryan travels back in time (illegally) to save her. Eden and Travis find themselves in trouble when someone from the future comes looking for Ryan and brings them both back with her. Ryan is facing some serious charges for travelling back in time to save Eden, so Eden realises it’s now her turn to save Ryan.
I was actually quite excited to get to see Ryan’s future. I loved learning about his world; the foods they ate; what they did for fun and how everything worked. It was fascinating. I also really loved meeting Ryan’s friend Peg. He was so helpful and hilarious and really looked out for Eden.
Eden and Ryan’s relationship is adorably cute and I just wanted everything to work out for them. They’re both really great characters.
I don’t usually like open endings, but it definitely worked for Chasing Stars. There are so many possible opportunities of where Ryan and Eden could end up and I actually found myself happy with it.
Overall, Chasing Stars was a great sequel to After Eden and a great end to the duology.
Chasing Stars was a fantastic sequel that I enjoyed just as much as After Eden. Chasing Stars starts off with Eden trying to escape from Travis – who’s trying to kill her – and Ryan travels back in time (illegally) to save her. Eden and Travis find themselves in trouble when someone from the future comes looking for Ryan and brings them both back with her. Ryan is facing some serious charges for travelling back in time to save Eden, so Eden realises it’s now her turn to save Ryan.
I was actually quite excited to get to see Ryan’s future. I loved learning about his world; the foods they ate; what they did for fun and how everything worked. It was fascinating. I also really loved meeting Ryan’s friend Peg. He was so helpful and hilarious and really looked out for Eden.
Eden and Ryan’s relationship is adorably cute and I just wanted everything to work out for them. They’re both really great characters.
I don’t usually like open endings, but it definitely worked for Chasing Stars. There are so many possible opportunities of where Ryan and Eden could end up and I actually found myself happy with it.
Overall, Chasing Stars was a great sequel to After Eden and a great end to the duology.
June 15, 2014
4*
*Received in exchange for an honest review - may contain spoilers*
*Thank you, Net Galley*
Chasing Stars picks up where After Eden left off, with Ryan saving Eden from her death. It did take me a while to remember the previous story but the beginning chapters recalled my memory of how much I had loved the previous story. The rest of the book focuses on Ryan being arrested for breaking time travel rules and Eden trying to rescue him so they can be together again and enjoy life in Ryan's time.
The romance aspect of the story between Ryan and Eden is lovely to read although I was sure another love triangle was going to form with Peg. I'm glad it didn't as this seems very formulaic for YA novels and this had already been done in the previous novel 'After Eden'.
I also thought Lyra was working against Eden, Peg and her friends as she was portrayed as the mean girl, bitchy character. I believed that she was feeding information to the reporters but again this plot did not occur within the story and Lyra actually played a major part in helping Eden towards the end of the story.
I just read that this book is going to be the last in this very short series which is disappointing as I think it had the potential for at least one more book thus making it a trilogy rather than a duology. I will definitely be watching out for other works by Helen Douglas.
*Received in exchange for an honest review - may contain spoilers*
*Thank you, Net Galley*
Chasing Stars picks up where After Eden left off, with Ryan saving Eden from her death. It did take me a while to remember the previous story but the beginning chapters recalled my memory of how much I had loved the previous story. The rest of the book focuses on Ryan being arrested for breaking time travel rules and Eden trying to rescue him so they can be together again and enjoy life in Ryan's time.
The romance aspect of the story between Ryan and Eden is lovely to read although I was sure another love triangle was going to form with Peg. I'm glad it didn't as this seems very formulaic for YA novels and this had already been done in the previous novel 'After Eden'.
I also thought Lyra was working against Eden, Peg and her friends as she was portrayed as the mean girl, bitchy character. I believed that she was feeding information to the reporters but again this plot did not occur within the story and Lyra actually played a major part in helping Eden towards the end of the story.
I just read that this book is going to be the last in this very short series which is disappointing as I think it had the potential for at least one more book thus making it a trilogy rather than a duology. I will definitely be watching out for other works by Helen Douglas.
August 15, 2014
I think the concept itself could have been good if it was portrayed in a different way. I felt that the characters where bland and underdeveloped, and on the whole very unrealistic. Eden went on and on about her friendship with Conor and Miranda and then her new friendships with Peg, and yet when she leaves she doesn't give any of them a second thought, not mentioning missing any of them and not really caring. Ryan seemed to be okay with leaving his parents and brothers behind when he went back to the past which was obviously unreal. I have to say the only character I was content with was Lyra because she was consistent throughout the book. The ending could have salvaged the book and series but unfortunately it didn't. Some people may think it cute, but it honestly made me exasperated. Who flips a coin to decide which era to live in?! Again very unrealistic.This book was not a page turner, and the only reason I am giving it 3 stars was because of the concept and her actual style of writing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2014
2.5 stars
*I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK&ANZ)*
Ryan saved Eden's life but a cleaner has been sent from the future to investigate Travis's death. A series of events mean that both Ryan and Eden have to travel to the future where Ryan is put on trial and potentially faces being sent to a prison camp on the moon.
I can't actually decide whether or not I like this book.
Parts of it were sweet but others were annoying. It wasn't particularly gripping and was slightly predictable.
I did feel sorry for Eden being stuck in the future on her own while Ryan was on trial and thought she coped rather well.
I liked the sciencey aspects and the fact that part of New York was underwater so people could go scuba diving there.
Overall this was an okay read.
*I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK&ANZ)*
Ryan saved Eden's life but a cleaner has been sent from the future to investigate Travis's death. A series of events mean that both Ryan and Eden have to travel to the future where Ryan is put on trial and potentially faces being sent to a prison camp on the moon.
I can't actually decide whether or not I like this book.
Parts of it were sweet but others were annoying. It wasn't particularly gripping and was slightly predictable.
I did feel sorry for Eden being stuck in the future on her own while Ryan was on trial and thought she coped rather well.
I liked the sciencey aspects and the fact that part of New York was underwater so people could go scuba diving there.
Overall this was an okay read.
July 20, 2014
Sequels often worry me, can it life upto the original? Chasing Stars managed to keep me just as hooked as After Eden and leaves me wanting more.
Time travel is such an open playing field with rules that are allowed to be wibbly wobbly. Chasing Stars isn't over the top or locked into any strict laws. The world, technology and characters are engrossing, inviting and enjoyable.
Eden and Orion are back and then back to the future with this seat of your flight suit adventure. There are new sights, new characters to love and some villains to hate. Add a trail, escapes, and possible love interests and you have a book that will keep you hooked to the last page.
Grab Chasing Stars for a rain afternoon or a few hours in the sun, wherever you read it be prepared to devour this gem in a single sitting.
Time travel is such an open playing field with rules that are allowed to be wibbly wobbly. Chasing Stars isn't over the top or locked into any strict laws. The world, technology and characters are engrossing, inviting and enjoyable.
Eden and Orion are back and then back to the future with this seat of your flight suit adventure. There are new sights, new characters to love and some villains to hate. Add a trail, escapes, and possible love interests and you have a book that will keep you hooked to the last page.
Grab Chasing Stars for a rain afternoon or a few hours in the sun, wherever you read it be prepared to devour this gem in a single sitting.
July 17, 2016
Ryan went back in time to save Eden’s life, and now it’s Eden’s turn to save his. In book two of the After Eden series, Ryan has returned to 2012 to save Eden and risked his own life. Eden will now leave her friends and family and travel 100 years into the future to save his.
Sixteen-year-old Eden knows there will be no going back on this. She will have to decide who is friend and who is foe plus figure out customs, clothing, and more in the future.
It’s always difficult to judge a book in a series when you haven’t read any of the others, but Chasing Stars is interesting and compelling. It makes me want to go back and read book one. I think that there is enough action (and space and time travel) to keep all interested.
This would be a good series for the science fiction fans. And older middle grade readers could read this one.
Sixteen-year-old Eden knows there will be no going back on this. She will have to decide who is friend and who is foe plus figure out customs, clothing, and more in the future.
It’s always difficult to judge a book in a series when you haven’t read any of the others, but Chasing Stars is interesting and compelling. It makes me want to go back and read book one. I think that there is enough action (and space and time travel) to keep all interested.
This would be a good series for the science fiction fans. And older middle grade readers could read this one.
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