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The Stellow Project
When a killer storm unexpectedly hits Manhattan, seventeen-year-old Lilah Stellow’s dad insists that she and her younger sister, Flori, take refuge at their cabin in the mountains. But instead of joining them with the experimental drug that keeps Lilah alive, he disappears just as news reports name him as a prime suspect in an act of ecoterrorism.
As days pass without her medicine, Lilah finds herself teetering on the edge, caring for her sister, and growing increasingly certain they’re being watched. In her search for answers, Lilah is thrown into the center of a mystery involving an off-the-grid research facility and finds herself drawn in by Daniel, an intriguing boy who is the son of the lead scientist. As she dares to seek answers, Lilah slowly realizes that even the best intentions can go horribly wrong.
As days pass without her medicine, Lilah finds herself teetering on the edge, caring for her sister, and growing increasingly certain they’re being watched. In her search for answers, Lilah is thrown into the center of a mystery involving an off-the-grid research facility and finds herself drawn in by Daniel, an intriguing boy who is the son of the lead scientist. As she dares to seek answers, Lilah slowly realizes that even the best intentions can go horribly wrong.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2015
About the author
Shari Becker
7 books18 followersShari Becker was born in Montreal, Quebec, and was raised speaking both English and French. As a child, she spent her summers in the Adirondack Mountains catching fireflies, minnows, and toads. She has an MA from New York University and has worked for Nickelodeon, for Disney-owned companies, and even for an Emmy Award–winning puppeteer. She is the author of two picture books, including Maxwell’s Mountain, a Junior Library Guild Selection and Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book. She now lives in Brookline, Massachusetts, with her husband, their two daughters, and their dog. She loves lakes, but despises the bridges that run over them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
June 9, 2015
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Amazon Publishing , Skyscape, and NetGalley.)
“No one listens,” he said. “No one cares. Only a disaster will make them care.”
This book started out pretty good, but I did lose interest a bit as it went on.
I felt quite sorry for Lilah in this, her life was ruled by her illness, and she was obviously really inhibited by it. The fact that she didn’t even know exactly what was wrong with her, or what medication she was taking was also a little odd.
“It’s hard for us to help you if we don’t know your exact condition, or what you were taking.”
“They came in the mail,” I mumble. “The pills. Dunno where from.”
The storyline in this was about Lilah and her sister, and the question over what exactly their father was doing, and what it had to do with them. I did guess some of the plot points in this book, but not all of them, although the slow pace after the first 18% started to irritate me a bit.
“Maggie said people are capable of unimaginable things.”
There was a little bit of romance in this, but not a lot, and the love interest seemed to annoy Lilah quite a lot when they first met!
“Suddenly his lips are on mine.”
The ending to this was okay, although not everything was tied up, so there much be a sequel in the works. We were left with a bit of an interesting twist towards the end though.
6 out of 10
“No one listens,” he said. “No one cares. Only a disaster will make them care.”
This book started out pretty good, but I did lose interest a bit as it went on.
I felt quite sorry for Lilah in this, her life was ruled by her illness, and she was obviously really inhibited by it. The fact that she didn’t even know exactly what was wrong with her, or what medication she was taking was also a little odd.
“It’s hard for us to help you if we don’t know your exact condition, or what you were taking.”
“They came in the mail,” I mumble. “The pills. Dunno where from.”
The storyline in this was about Lilah and her sister, and the question over what exactly their father was doing, and what it had to do with them. I did guess some of the plot points in this book, but not all of them, although the slow pace after the first 18% started to irritate me a bit.
“Maggie said people are capable of unimaginable things.”
There was a little bit of romance in this, but not a lot, and the love interest seemed to annoy Lilah quite a lot when they first met!
“Suddenly his lips are on mine.”
The ending to this was okay, although not everything was tied up, so there much be a sequel in the works. We were left with a bit of an interesting twist towards the end though.
6 out of 10
August 30, 2015
"This is a disaster-not a teenage my-hair-is-a-mess disaster, but a hard-core we're-stuck-in-the-mountains-in-the-middle-of-a-tornado disaster"Well, this was a blast! The characters both MC and the side characters were good, the plot and world building were awesome, There's not too much of a Romance happening too which is very refreshing for a YA read. The Stellow Project kinda reminds me of Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson, with the experiment and evil scientist and all.
Lilah Stellow isn't a typical kick-ass MC you'll meet in a YA sci-fi fantasy book. She's been in fact, sick her whole life with an unknown pill that's keeping her alive and breathing after her last successful surgery.
"I have crappy lungs, not a-little-wheeze-here-or-there crappy, but full-blown-we'll-take-you-down-if-you're-not-paying-attention crappy."She might have been cared of her whole life but when the situation calls for it, she knows when to take charge.
"Flori and I have to escape ASAP. We can't wait for Daniel. We need our own plan"Here is a young girl who knows how to sort out her priorities - her sister. She doesn't wait around for something to happen, she goes for it.
Beware though that since this is the first in the series. Expect that there will be a lot of world, plot and even character development. There wasn't any resolution included in this book, other might find it disappointing, but I find it rather exciting. Now, I can't wait to start the sequel! It's like this book set-up the stage for the final showdown!
P.S I don't usually read the Acknowledgement part of the book, but since I was so startled with how this book ended, I "accidentally", read it. LOL. I couldn't have find any simpler words to describe this book so I took it out right from the Author's Acknowledgement part.
"As I sit back and reflect on this book and all that went into it, I realize that at its core, it’s a story about family. About the people who love you and protect you whether the sun is shining or the tornadoes are bearing down."I couldn't agree more.
**I received The Stellow Project from Skyscape via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.**
June 24, 2016
3.5 stars.
I received a free digital copy from the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest feedback.
When weird weather suddenly breaks out across New York and climate change seems to come full force, Lilah is shocked when it appears her dad may have something to do with it. Hidden away in a family cottage with her younger sister and then taken into a top secret research facility, Lilah needs to find out what's going on and how to protect herself and your younger sister, and also how her health may be linked to her father's projects.
This book actually surprised me and I ended up quite enjoying it. It was fast-paced and informative for the most part and it really left me constantly wondering what characters I could trust, and who I didn't trust. I definitely got sucked into the story and Lilah had me running along right beside her most of the time.
One of the faults I had with this book was actually Lilah and Daniel's relationship. It was probably just me, and because I never really warmed to Daniel, but I found all of their interactions very forced and I just felt like there was no chemistry between them. It was really the case of Daniel being the only guy around so of course they'd end up in a relationship. I would have been happy enough with Daniel just being a friend. I also didn't like Meena who was a pretty crappy friend all round. Who leaves their friend in the middle of the woods, on their own, with their dad on the run and is just like "sorry, can't talk to you ever again" even though they've nothing to do what's going on. What a cow.
I really liked the revelations at the end, though I definitely guessed them or at least had a strong suspicion, and i would definitely read another book about the Stellow project if one came out.
I received a free digital copy from the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest feedback.
When weird weather suddenly breaks out across New York and climate change seems to come full force, Lilah is shocked when it appears her dad may have something to do with it. Hidden away in a family cottage with her younger sister and then taken into a top secret research facility, Lilah needs to find out what's going on and how to protect herself and your younger sister, and also how her health may be linked to her father's projects.
This book actually surprised me and I ended up quite enjoying it. It was fast-paced and informative for the most part and it really left me constantly wondering what characters I could trust, and who I didn't trust. I definitely got sucked into the story and Lilah had me running along right beside her most of the time.
One of the faults I had with this book was actually Lilah and Daniel's relationship. It was probably just me, and because I never really warmed to Daniel, but I found all of their interactions very forced and I just felt like there was no chemistry between them. It was really the case of Daniel being the only guy around so of course they'd end up in a relationship. I would have been happy enough with Daniel just being a friend. I also didn't like Meena who was a pretty crappy friend all round. Who leaves their friend in the middle of the woods, on their own, with their dad on the run and is just like "sorry, can't talk to you ever again" even though they've nothing to do what's going on. What a cow.
I really liked the revelations at the end, though I definitely guessed them or at least had a strong suspicion, and i would definitely read another book about the Stellow project if one came out.
May 14, 2015
I received this ARC from Skyscape (Amazon Publish) Via Netgalley in return for an honest review
This. Book. Was. SO. Good!
"Something big is coming. I don't know what it is, but I can feel it in my bones...in every breath I take."
Seriously, i read it in a few hours because i couldn't put it down!!
Okay, let's chat about the plot,
Lilah stellow's world is thrown apart during the worst storm she has ever seen.
Afraid and running for safety with her baby sister, Flori, she has no idea what's happening.
The weather changes colours, rain, hail, tornadoes destroy New York.
No warning.
No Escape.
Except she did.
How? Her father told her to leave a few hours before it hit.
How did he know? And more importantly, is he responsible?
On the run, her father a wanted fugitive, everyone is after them.
If that wasn't bad enough, Lilah is deathly ill, the only thing that keeps her alive is a small little insignificant pill.
Insignificant though it might seem, but when they run out, Lilah is not prepared for the consequences.
I REALLY liked this book, it's a freaking good book.
From the moment it began, i was hooked. No joke. You have to read to understand!
Becker's writing style is beautiful...is that a weird thing to say? Because, honestly, she knows how to suck you into a story. Very Alice falling into wonderland.
I saw everything she described, it was awesome.
I liked the fact that she made Lilah really sick. It's very rare for authors to write their protagonists as sickly.
"...I have crappy lungs, not a-little-wheeze-here-or-there crappy, but full-blown we'll-take-you-down-if-you're-not-paying-attention crappy. Breathing seems like the kind of thing that should be so natural you don't have even have to think about it. Not me. I think about it all the time.
She's not afraid in horrifying situations,
"I guess the only benefit of being perpetually afraid you're going to die is that you don't freak out when sh** it's the fan."
Lilah and flori's dad is an environmental scientist. He's the man with all the answers and everyone's hero. The media loves him, his books are best sellers. Until the day he's not.
Now Lilah doesn't know who to trust, she doesn't know why people are stalking her, she has no clue why so many people want her. Why is she so special anyway? Could it be her weird scar?
She meets Daniel, a boy who she hates upon first meeting and turns out to be her possible ally. She doesn't have time for falling in love, she doesn't have time for anything except to find out what the heck is going on!
Okay, so my little peeve in this book is that for the majority of the actual book, we had no answer! Na-da. And then we start getting a bit of answers and the book finishes. Now, that's a bit frustrating, but you know what, I liked this story so much, i think I'll try to ignore it, but Becker...cliffhangers are a usual no-no.
I think this story could develop beautifully, I'm really excited for the next book. I really want to know what the heck is going on! What exactly and how exactly the stellow project came to be, and who the heck is the bad guy!?
Anyhow, I will most definitely be reading the next installment!
Stay Awesome my lovelies!
-The Book Herald
Tweet me @thebookherald
This. Book. Was. SO. Good!
"Something big is coming. I don't know what it is, but I can feel it in my bones...in every breath I take."
Seriously, i read it in a few hours because i couldn't put it down!!
Okay, let's chat about the plot,
Lilah stellow's world is thrown apart during the worst storm she has ever seen.
Afraid and running for safety with her baby sister, Flori, she has no idea what's happening.
The weather changes colours, rain, hail, tornadoes destroy New York.
No warning.
No Escape.
Except she did.
How? Her father told her to leave a few hours before it hit.
How did he know? And more importantly, is he responsible?
On the run, her father a wanted fugitive, everyone is after them.
If that wasn't bad enough, Lilah is deathly ill, the only thing that keeps her alive is a small little insignificant pill.
Insignificant though it might seem, but when they run out, Lilah is not prepared for the consequences.
I REALLY liked this book, it's a freaking good book.
From the moment it began, i was hooked. No joke. You have to read to understand!
Becker's writing style is beautiful...is that a weird thing to say? Because, honestly, she knows how to suck you into a story. Very Alice falling into wonderland.
I saw everything she described, it was awesome.
I liked the fact that she made Lilah really sick. It's very rare for authors to write their protagonists as sickly.
"...I have crappy lungs, not a-little-wheeze-here-or-there crappy, but full-blown we'll-take-you-down-if-you're-not-paying-attention crappy. Breathing seems like the kind of thing that should be so natural you don't have even have to think about it. Not me. I think about it all the time.
She's not afraid in horrifying situations,
"I guess the only benefit of being perpetually afraid you're going to die is that you don't freak out when sh** it's the fan."
Lilah and flori's dad is an environmental scientist. He's the man with all the answers and everyone's hero. The media loves him, his books are best sellers. Until the day he's not.
Now Lilah doesn't know who to trust, she doesn't know why people are stalking her, she has no clue why so many people want her. Why is she so special anyway? Could it be her weird scar?
She meets Daniel, a boy who she hates upon first meeting and turns out to be her possible ally. She doesn't have time for falling in love, she doesn't have time for anything except to find out what the heck is going on!
Okay, so my little peeve in this book is that for the majority of the actual book, we had no answer! Na-da. And then we start getting a bit of answers and the book finishes. Now, that's a bit frustrating, but you know what, I liked this story so much, i think I'll try to ignore it, but Becker...cliffhangers are a usual no-no.
I think this story could develop beautifully, I'm really excited for the next book. I really want to know what the heck is going on! What exactly and how exactly the stellow project came to be, and who the heck is the bad guy!?
Anyhow, I will most definitely be reading the next installment!
Stay Awesome my lovelies!
-The Book Herald
Tweet me @thebookherald
July 25, 2015
The Stellow Project by Shari Becker was one of those books where I read the blurb and immediately thought I needed to read it. I love a great sci-fi and when you mix in solid characters and an “off the grid” research facility…count me in!
Lilah has never been healthy. Since she was a child she has had problems breathing and now at seventeen, she still isn’t able to be without her medication and seems to do better when she is with her family at their cottage, away from the city. When her father calls and tells her to get her sister and her best friend and head to the cottage, she doesn’t really think twice about it. As they are headed out of the city though, they realize just how dangerous things are…not just because of Lilah’s problems breathing.
When they finally make it to the cottage, the girls realize that they just missed a tornado and they are worried about their families. On top of that, Lilah has some time to think and also gets an odd call from her father. She has never had a reason to not trust her dad but as things get weirder for Lilah, she starts to question what is really going on and it turns out, her parents are right at the center of everything.
I really liked seeing how Lilah grew over the span of this book. At first she comes across as a very fragile girl who doesn’t really know how to take care of herself, much less her little sister. She has always blamed her illness for her inability to do anything and eventually she gets called out for it.
As the story moves forward, we find out what Lilah’s parents have been up to. The last half of the book moves fairly quickly and I have to admit, until Lilah and Daniel start to figure things out, I wasn’t sure where Becker was really going to go with the story. I do wish we had found out more about why Lilah’s parents did what they did and what their real endgame was and as I hit the very end, I couldn’t wait to dive into the next book to see what happens next for both Lilah and Flori.
I thought that Becker did a great job of building out the research facility and the mystery around it. There are definitely some more secrets and I hope that we learn more about what Daniel’s mom is trying to accomplish as well.
There is a bit of romance in this book and I thought it was blended in well. Daniel is a solid character and while I wouldn’t say he was super swoony, he was the balance that Lilah needed to realize she is more than just her sickness. As their friendship, and then relationship, begins to develop, Daniel and Lilah lean on each other for courage. It is their relationship that causes Lilah to think twice about what Daniel would have to give up if he helps her so instead, she makes the decision to figure things out with Flori on her own.
Overall this was a great book one. As I mentioned, the beginning felt slow as Lilah tries to figure everything out but trust me, once things hit a certain point, the story picks up and I found myself quickly turning the pages to see what would happen next. If you’re looking for a science fiction story with some action, romance, and some definite twists, check this book out! I am absolutely looking forward to the next book in this series…and although this isn’t listed as a series I am optimistic just based on that ending!
Thank you to the author for the review copy!
Lilah has never been healthy. Since she was a child she has had problems breathing and now at seventeen, she still isn’t able to be without her medication and seems to do better when she is with her family at their cottage, away from the city. When her father calls and tells her to get her sister and her best friend and head to the cottage, she doesn’t really think twice about it. As they are headed out of the city though, they realize just how dangerous things are…not just because of Lilah’s problems breathing.
When they finally make it to the cottage, the girls realize that they just missed a tornado and they are worried about their families. On top of that, Lilah has some time to think and also gets an odd call from her father. She has never had a reason to not trust her dad but as things get weirder for Lilah, she starts to question what is really going on and it turns out, her parents are right at the center of everything.
I really liked seeing how Lilah grew over the span of this book. At first she comes across as a very fragile girl who doesn’t really know how to take care of herself, much less her little sister. She has always blamed her illness for her inability to do anything and eventually she gets called out for it.
As the story moves forward, we find out what Lilah’s parents have been up to. The last half of the book moves fairly quickly and I have to admit, until Lilah and Daniel start to figure things out, I wasn’t sure where Becker was really going to go with the story. I do wish we had found out more about why Lilah’s parents did what they did and what their real endgame was and as I hit the very end, I couldn’t wait to dive into the next book to see what happens next for both Lilah and Flori.
I thought that Becker did a great job of building out the research facility and the mystery around it. There are definitely some more secrets and I hope that we learn more about what Daniel’s mom is trying to accomplish as well.
There is a bit of romance in this book and I thought it was blended in well. Daniel is a solid character and while I wouldn’t say he was super swoony, he was the balance that Lilah needed to realize she is more than just her sickness. As their friendship, and then relationship, begins to develop, Daniel and Lilah lean on each other for courage. It is their relationship that causes Lilah to think twice about what Daniel would have to give up if he helps her so instead, she makes the decision to figure things out with Flori on her own.
Overall this was a great book one. As I mentioned, the beginning felt slow as Lilah tries to figure everything out but trust me, once things hit a certain point, the story picks up and I found myself quickly turning the pages to see what would happen next. If you’re looking for a science fiction story with some action, romance, and some definite twists, check this book out! I am absolutely looking forward to the next book in this series…and although this isn’t listed as a series I am optimistic just based on that ending!
Thank you to the author for the review copy!
June 17, 2015
Thank you to SKYSCAPE and Netgalley for providing a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars
Oh, man. I have to say – the idea behind this story is amazing. There are some absolutely appalling things hinted at in this book that could bring a reader to her knees and almost cross over into horror. Unfortunately, they were never explored.
We’re hurled right into the action at the beginning of the book when Lilah, her little sister, and her best friend are all fleeing Manhattan at her father’s behest in the middle of what appears to be a raging windstorm. Once they finally get out of dodge and arrive at Lilah’s family’s cabin, things go even further south. Her father doesn’t show up when he says he will, and out of nowhere she realizes they’re being followed. Parts of this story were inconsistent – for example, Lilah is 16 years old with a lung condition that she’s taking medication for. Not only does she not know what her condition is, but she has no idea what she is taking for medication. This wouldn’t be a big deal if she wasn’t such a bright sixteen year old, but as the book goes on, we see how curious and resourceful Lilah is, and the fact that she hasn’t been inquisitive about her illness just doesn’t jive with that.
It’s hard to review this book, because at the end of the story, we’ve been given so little information that pertains to the bigger picture; it’s impossible to know the significance of each character. I will touch on the romance between Daniel and Lilah a bit; it seemed to come out of nowhere. They couldn’t stand each other one minute, and then all of a sudden they couldn’t stay away from each other. Having said that, once it was decided there was a romantic connection, I really enjoyed the way their relationship was written. There was a sweetness and innocence to it that was an interesting contrast to what was going on around them.
The pacing with this book was non-stop until it just ended out of nowhere, with nothing resolved. It was very frustrating, because up until that point, this book was a solid four star read. It had so much potential! Unfortunately, nothing was ever fleshed out, and characters disappeared without explanation. The reader is left hanging and wondering who was good, who was evil, and what the hell just happened? If this book is part of a series, I would absolutely read the next one. There are too many loose ends to leave it here. The writing style was wonderful, and I really enjoyed Lilah’s character. But as a stand alone, this book just doesn’t work.
This review was originally posted at Badass Book Reviews.
2.5 stars
Oh, man. I have to say – the idea behind this story is amazing. There are some absolutely appalling things hinted at in this book that could bring a reader to her knees and almost cross over into horror. Unfortunately, they were never explored.
We’re hurled right into the action at the beginning of the book when Lilah, her little sister, and her best friend are all fleeing Manhattan at her father’s behest in the middle of what appears to be a raging windstorm. Once they finally get out of dodge and arrive at Lilah’s family’s cabin, things go even further south. Her father doesn’t show up when he says he will, and out of nowhere she realizes they’re being followed. Parts of this story were inconsistent – for example, Lilah is 16 years old with a lung condition that she’s taking medication for. Not only does she not know what her condition is, but she has no idea what she is taking for medication. This wouldn’t be a big deal if she wasn’t such a bright sixteen year old, but as the book goes on, we see how curious and resourceful Lilah is, and the fact that she hasn’t been inquisitive about her illness just doesn’t jive with that.
It’s hard to review this book, because at the end of the story, we’ve been given so little information that pertains to the bigger picture; it’s impossible to know the significance of each character. I will touch on the romance between Daniel and Lilah a bit; it seemed to come out of nowhere. They couldn’t stand each other one minute, and then all of a sudden they couldn’t stay away from each other. Having said that, once it was decided there was a romantic connection, I really enjoyed the way their relationship was written. There was a sweetness and innocence to it that was an interesting contrast to what was going on around them.
The pacing with this book was non-stop until it just ended out of nowhere, with nothing resolved. It was very frustrating, because up until that point, this book was a solid four star read. It had so much potential! Unfortunately, nothing was ever fleshed out, and characters disappeared without explanation. The reader is left hanging and wondering who was good, who was evil, and what the hell just happened? If this book is part of a series, I would absolutely read the next one. There are too many loose ends to leave it here. The writing style was wonderful, and I really enjoyed Lilah’s character. But as a stand alone, this book just doesn’t work.
This review was originally posted at Badass Book Reviews.
March 10, 2024
Received for review from the publisher. Original review removed.
July 5, 2020
The Stellow Project by Shari Becker was sent to me in exchange for an honest review.
The Stellow Project novel opens with Lilah and Flori Stellow being driven by Lilah’s best friend Meena, to the family cabin in upstate New York to avoid a dangerous storm heading towards their home in Manhattan. Lilah cannot drive due to problems with her lungs especially affected by the different air conditions preceding storms. The storm quickly escalates into a severe tornado which decimates much of New York City. Lilah’s father sends messages that his girl’s should stay put and wait for him. Meena returns to her family to help repair the damage done by the storm. News reaches the Stellow girls that their father is being sought among claims that he may have committed an act of eco-terrorism. As if everything that transpired so far wasn’t enough, Lilah realizes they may be under surveillance themselves, and she is running out of her special medicine. Danger escalates and the girl’s run, but who do you trust when everything you have known isn’t as it seems?
If you read the synopsis on the back cover, the above paragraph leads right into the story you would expect. The science fiction – dystopian type novel starts out really on the good side. The writing is done well, the back story is not just dumped on the reader all at once, but fed little by little so the full extent of the horror of what the Stellow girls have endured sinks in and becomes unavoidable. The details drag the reader in and they are moved along swiftly with the current of events while Lilah tries to determine what is the truth, does the end justify the means when the lines between good and evil become blurred, and…???
If you are reading the sci fi–dystopian novel, the paragraph above is what you get. There is not an ending to that novel and that burns the reader because it was going along so well. However, if you read the The Stellow Project as a psychological expose’ on relationships told within a science fiction – dystopian landscape, then you may find the closure needed while you pine away awaiting a sequel to the sci fi-dystopia novel which you currently cannot be sure is coming. The question with the psychological turn on the novel then becomes - what is the truth and does it make a difference whose truth you find?
Without spoilers, that is as much as I dare say!!!
I originally rated this novel 3 stars because I dislike reading stories that end without really coming to completion, but I really did like what I read up until the last page of this tale. Therefore I increased my rating to 4 stars.
If you would like to read the complete review, including spoilers, head over to thebucketlist-gn.blogspot.com.
The Stellow Project novel opens with Lilah and Flori Stellow being driven by Lilah’s best friend Meena, to the family cabin in upstate New York to avoid a dangerous storm heading towards their home in Manhattan. Lilah cannot drive due to problems with her lungs especially affected by the different air conditions preceding storms. The storm quickly escalates into a severe tornado which decimates much of New York City. Lilah’s father sends messages that his girl’s should stay put and wait for him. Meena returns to her family to help repair the damage done by the storm. News reaches the Stellow girls that their father is being sought among claims that he may have committed an act of eco-terrorism. As if everything that transpired so far wasn’t enough, Lilah realizes they may be under surveillance themselves, and she is running out of her special medicine. Danger escalates and the girl’s run, but who do you trust when everything you have known isn’t as it seems?
If you read the synopsis on the back cover, the above paragraph leads right into the story you would expect. The science fiction – dystopian type novel starts out really on the good side. The writing is done well, the back story is not just dumped on the reader all at once, but fed little by little so the full extent of the horror of what the Stellow girls have endured sinks in and becomes unavoidable. The details drag the reader in and they are moved along swiftly with the current of events while Lilah tries to determine what is the truth, does the end justify the means when the lines between good and evil become blurred, and…???
If you are reading the sci fi–dystopian novel, the paragraph above is what you get. There is not an ending to that novel and that burns the reader because it was going along so well. However, if you read the The Stellow Project as a psychological expose’ on relationships told within a science fiction – dystopian landscape, then you may find the closure needed while you pine away awaiting a sequel to the sci fi-dystopia novel which you currently cannot be sure is coming. The question with the psychological turn on the novel then becomes - what is the truth and does it make a difference whose truth you find?
Without spoilers, that is as much as I dare say!!!
I originally rated this novel 3 stars because I dislike reading stories that end without really coming to completion, but I really did like what I read up until the last page of this tale. Therefore I increased my rating to 4 stars.
If you would like to read the complete review, including spoilers, head over to thebucketlist-gn.blogspot.com.
August 8, 2015
This quick moving, action packed, and captivating book will lead you into a Dystopian world filled with family drama, scientific experiments, and more questions than you started out with.
Right before a horrific storm hits New York City, Lilah Stellow and her sister Flori are tipped off by their father to get out of the city and to safety. Then he disappears. How did he know what was going to happen? Where did their father go? Will they ever see him again?
As things begin to unravel, the reader starts to realize that these two are not your average girls. Their father is being hunted for ecoterrorism, their mother is not in the picture, and it appears that Lilah may have been experimented on by her father. Through a coincidence, the two girls meet Daniel who happens to be the son of doctor/scientist in a “community” near by. He brings Lilah and Flori there after Lilah has an attack and becomes unresponsive. When she wakes up, Lilah realizes that everything she once knew about her life may have been a lie and that this is only the beginning.
With all the twists and turns of a great science fiction book, you will learn more about the Stellow sisters and the super-secret research facility. However, this information only causes more questions for Lilah and forcing her to decide who she can trust.
Throughout the story, the author creates a world that is so engrossing that you will not want to put the book down. Many times, I was shocked at the direction the book was going in. Then something new would be unveiled and it would add yet another element to an already complicated storyline. This book has intrigue, action, and heart. Through it all, the one thing that cannot be questioned is the devotion that the Stellow sisters have to one and other. Their relationship and the others that develop within the book are the true heart and backbone of the novel.
I will say that if you looking for a book that will tie everything in a bow and leave you with all the answers, this is not that book. In fact, you (as do I), have more questions about Stellow girls than when I first started the book. However, after tweeting the author, I have hope that we will be getting more in the future.
- See more at: http://artbookscoffee.com/book-review...
Right before a horrific storm hits New York City, Lilah Stellow and her sister Flori are tipped off by their father to get out of the city and to safety. Then he disappears. How did he know what was going to happen? Where did their father go? Will they ever see him again?
As things begin to unravel, the reader starts to realize that these two are not your average girls. Their father is being hunted for ecoterrorism, their mother is not in the picture, and it appears that Lilah may have been experimented on by her father. Through a coincidence, the two girls meet Daniel who happens to be the son of doctor/scientist in a “community” near by. He brings Lilah and Flori there after Lilah has an attack and becomes unresponsive. When she wakes up, Lilah realizes that everything she once knew about her life may have been a lie and that this is only the beginning.
With all the twists and turns of a great science fiction book, you will learn more about the Stellow sisters and the super-secret research facility. However, this information only causes more questions for Lilah and forcing her to decide who she can trust.
Throughout the story, the author creates a world that is so engrossing that you will not want to put the book down. Many times, I was shocked at the direction the book was going in. Then something new would be unveiled and it would add yet another element to an already complicated storyline. This book has intrigue, action, and heart. Through it all, the one thing that cannot be questioned is the devotion that the Stellow sisters have to one and other. Their relationship and the others that develop within the book are the true heart and backbone of the novel.
I will say that if you looking for a book that will tie everything in a bow and leave you with all the answers, this is not that book. In fact, you (as do I), have more questions about Stellow girls than when I first started the book. However, after tweeting the author, I have hope that we will be getting more in the future.
- See more at: http://artbookscoffee.com/book-review...
June 16, 2015
The description of The Stellow Project made me expect some sort of urban adventure. The story takes place in a small suburb in New York. The writing is good, if a little predictable. I easily saw future plot points and attempts at twists. They were still twisty, and not quite what I expected, but the broad strokes were there.
The teen romance was full of angst, but that was to be expected for a YA story. Since the story begins with the escape from the tornado, you would think it would be full of suspense, but the timing or the pace didn’t feel right to me. This happens through out the story: the timing seems just a little off. I think it kind of works though, since the narrator is supposed to be a YA. Many of us remember that age with the awkwardness and sometimes a feeling of confusion at the world around us.
The chapter structure made for good reading, and many of the chapters ended in a cliffhanger. This book was definitely a page-turner. The story unfolded (mostly) logically with no difficult subjects of themes. The biggest problem was the ending.
This is obviously meant to be a trilogy and the ending of this first book held no answers. It didn’t even have a proper ending. Now, I understand the want for a series book, but to end the story so abruptly, with no finality at all seems to be a cheap construct. I kept trying to flip to the next chapter at the end, only to realize my kindle was already at 100%.
I would likely recommend this book after the entire trilogy is published, as to not frustrate the reader with an incomplete story. Over all, it’s still a three-star read. Thanks to NetGalley for this eARC.
The teen romance was full of angst, but that was to be expected for a YA story. Since the story begins with the escape from the tornado, you would think it would be full of suspense, but the timing or the pace didn’t feel right to me. This happens through out the story: the timing seems just a little off. I think it kind of works though, since the narrator is supposed to be a YA. Many of us remember that age with the awkwardness and sometimes a feeling of confusion at the world around us.
The chapter structure made for good reading, and many of the chapters ended in a cliffhanger. This book was definitely a page-turner. The story unfolded (mostly) logically with no difficult subjects of themes. The biggest problem was the ending.
This is obviously meant to be a trilogy and the ending of this first book held no answers. It didn’t even have a proper ending. Now, I understand the want for a series book, but to end the story so abruptly, with no finality at all seems to be a cheap construct. I kept trying to flip to the next chapter at the end, only to realize my kindle was already at 100%.
I would likely recommend this book after the entire trilogy is published, as to not frustrate the reader with an incomplete story. Over all, it’s still a three-star read. Thanks to NetGalley for this eARC.
June 18, 2015
The Stellow Project is one of those YA stories I wait for. I feel as if I have muttered the question "What if a tornado hits Manhattan" forever? Well it does in this book. It begins with seventeen year old Lilah and her best friend Meena and her little sister Flori trying to escape the city and outrun the scary Weather to Lilah's family cabin in the Adirondacks. In a way, though, this just sets the scene for all the unexpected happenings that come one after another in the next pages: the mysterious green car that seems to be following them, the news report that her environmental scientist father is being sought for eco- terrorism - whoa!, the mysterious research lab compound where she finds herself though it doesn't seem to be on any map, the strange sounds in the night that come from the labs themselves!
Okay, maybe I like Daniel, the lead scientist's son, best. The scenes between Daniel and Lilah are subtle - I love subtlety - but magical. I found myself waiting for those scenes. The ending is one more great happening. It reminded me of The Giver. It doesn't tie the story up- I like that a lot - - but, like Jonah, it gave Lilah and her sister a new courage that came from what Lilah now knew to be true, about the people at the labs, her father, and, most important, herself. In The Giver you knew Jonas could now make it out of the world that was suffocating him. I knew Lilah and Flori were going to make it out of the world that almost did suffocate them. This has mystery, heroism, real first love. I liked it a lot.
From Pat Gauch
Okay, maybe I like Daniel, the lead scientist's son, best. The scenes between Daniel and Lilah are subtle - I love subtlety - but magical. I found myself waiting for those scenes. The ending is one more great happening. It reminded me of The Giver. It doesn't tie the story up- I like that a lot - - but, like Jonah, it gave Lilah and her sister a new courage that came from what Lilah now knew to be true, about the people at the labs, her father, and, most important, herself. In The Giver you knew Jonas could now make it out of the world that was suffocating him. I knew Lilah and Flori were going to make it out of the world that almost did suffocate them. This has mystery, heroism, real first love. I liked it a lot.
From Pat Gauch
May 11, 2015
I was thrilled to receive an ARC of this YA novel which blends mystery, adventure, romance, and science-fiction. I’m not usually drawn to sci-fi, but this is a very accessible story, grounded in the modern reality of climate change with relationships and resilience at its core. I’d compare it to the Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson, who is another YA author writing in multiple genres.
The Stellow Project drew me in with it’s many questions, and it sped along as the danger grew. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but even when I thought I had some of the mystery figured out, I was in for more surprises. Mostly, I didn’t want the story to end. I wanted to stay immersed in Lilah and Flori's lives and unravel the chilling depth of their family mysteries. Will there be a sequel? I hope so!
Yes, I'm biased; I've known Shari for many years. It's always special to read a book by someone you know - to recognize the bits and pieces of their own life and values that are woven into their stories. But as much as I wanted to analyze and savor this story, I finished in 2 days, racing through the suspenseful pages. I recommend it as a fairly "clean" read for younger teens and up - they'll be hooked.
Thanks to Shari Becker and Skyscape for the sneak peek! The book will be released on June 23rd.
The Stellow Project drew me in with it’s many questions, and it sped along as the danger grew. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but even when I thought I had some of the mystery figured out, I was in for more surprises. Mostly, I didn’t want the story to end. I wanted to stay immersed in Lilah and Flori's lives and unravel the chilling depth of their family mysteries. Will there be a sequel? I hope so!
Yes, I'm biased; I've known Shari for many years. It's always special to read a book by someone you know - to recognize the bits and pieces of their own life and values that are woven into their stories. But as much as I wanted to analyze and savor this story, I finished in 2 days, racing through the suspenseful pages. I recommend it as a fairly "clean" read for younger teens and up - they'll be hooked.
Thanks to Shari Becker and Skyscape for the sneak peek! The book will be released on June 23rd.
June 16, 2015
**ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
When I first stumbled upon this book, I skimmed the description. It was late at night, and it sounded interesting- a killer storm hitting a heavily populated area targeted for YA. I love books that involve natural disasters, and survival for young adults (when romance is included, it makes it even better). I had no idea that this book would be so much more than crazy weather (that is included, BTW), but it is. This book is about family, finding love in dark places, surviving, eco-terrorism, learning who to trust in tough situations, and more. Lilah is someone that many can relate to, because she continuously protected and fought for those she loved. She would risk her own life to save her sister, and so would I. It's nice to read a book where you can picture yourself in the situation, even if it's highly unlikely to happen.
I'm really really really hoping that there is a sequel because
This is a great read for anyone, and teaches life lessons at all ages.
When I first stumbled upon this book, I skimmed the description. It was late at night, and it sounded interesting- a killer storm hitting a heavily populated area targeted for YA. I love books that involve natural disasters, and survival for young adults (when romance is included, it makes it even better). I had no idea that this book would be so much more than crazy weather (that is included, BTW), but it is. This book is about family, finding love in dark places, surviving, eco-terrorism, learning who to trust in tough situations, and more. Lilah is someone that many can relate to, because she continuously protected and fought for those she loved. She would risk her own life to save her sister, and so would I. It's nice to read a book where you can picture yourself in the situation, even if it's highly unlikely to happen.
I'm really really really hoping that there is a sequel because
This is a great read for anyone, and teaches life lessons at all ages.
June 18, 2015
I am something of a YA/ dystopian/sci fi fanatic and was thrilled to receive an ARC from NetGalley of The Stellow Project. The story starts off mid-crisis (fleeing a tornado) and from the first sentence of Chapter 1, I was immediately drawn into Lilah and Flori's adventure. The Stellow Project is full of twists, turns and an ever-building suspense that kept me eagerly reading to the conclusion (even when I should have been working, caring for my children or even sleeping). In addition to being a story of mystery and adventure, this is also a story about family loyalty, sibling relationships and about finding one's own inner-strength. Plus there is budding romance, which only ever improves a story! My only complaint is that the cliff-hanger ending left me wanting more. Keep writing Ms. Becker - I am waiting for the sequel!
July 1, 2015
I found this YA novel to be a fresh spin on sci-fi adventure books that are currently on the market. The book takes place in NYC and New York, possibly in the present time. The reader feel as though the storm that takes place at the outset of the book could potentially become a reality one day if global warming continues as it does. From the setting to the main character, Lilah,YA readers can relate to the book on many levels. Lilah starts out unsure of herself and is a worrier. As the book progresses, the reader gets the opportunity to see her gain confidence and to start trusting her instinct. I particularly like the strong bond that the 2 sisters have and how Lilah, being the older sister, is so protective of Flori. This book was a real page-turner. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down and I was left in suspense, wanting more. I really do hope there is a sequel!
September 13, 2015
The heart-pounding first chapter opens with Lilah, her little sister, Flori, and best friend Meena caught in a fierce, killer storm as they make their way from New York City to the family cabin in the Adirondacks. Only later do they learn that the city was hit by massive tornado – a tornado that her father, a research scientist, may be responsible for. Seems impossible, but the world is in the grips of full blown global warming. And the weather, it turns out, may be only the start of their troubles.
Lilah’s dad vanishes, leaving her and her sister on their own until Lilah gets sick and wakes up in the hospital of a covert research facility, a place steeped in secrets and even more danger.
A thrilling first novel that grabbed me by the hair and never let go. I look forward to the sequel.
Lilah’s dad vanishes, leaving her and her sister on their own until Lilah gets sick and wakes up in the hospital of a covert research facility, a place steeped in secrets and even more danger.
A thrilling first novel that grabbed me by the hair and never let go. I look forward to the sequel.
May 18, 2015
Racing from a devastating storm hitting Manhattan, Lilah Stellow and her little sister, Flori, flee to their family’s cabin in the mountains where they wait for their father to join them. Lilah is sick and needs her medicine. Her lungs can’t take the extreme weather. But instead of showing up, their father is accused of causing the storm (ecoterrorism) and has disappeared. Lilah is left to care for herself and her little sister without her lifesaving medication. But when Lilah discovers that the meds were actually making her sick, the mystery surrounding the storm, her father's disappearance, and her illness become just the beginning.
Becker has crafted a fast-paced sci-fi mystery, but also a sweet story of the bond between sisters.
Becker has crafted a fast-paced sci-fi mystery, but also a sweet story of the bond between sisters.
July 31, 2015
I am really surprised this book doesn't have better reviews -- I loved it! The writing was exceptional for a Young Adult book, and the plot was well-crafted and engrossing.
I do agree that the book ended a little abruptly. Obviously this is meant to be part of a series, along the lines of The Hunger Games and Divergent. In my mind, this book is up there with those two in terms of readability and quality.
I will be passing this book to my 13-year old and she will also love it!
I do agree that the book ended a little abruptly. Obviously this is meant to be part of a series, along the lines of The Hunger Games and Divergent. In my mind, this book is up there with those two in terms of readability and quality.
I will be passing this book to my 13-year old and she will also love it!
August 25, 2015
A Real Page-Turner! The Stellow Project drew me in from the first page! I was kept in suspense by the secrecy and strange events surrounding Lilah, her sister Flori, her parents, and the strange facility the girls find themselves in. I loved the plot and the characters, and I didn't have any problems with the ending, which was really about character growth. Yes, there were unanswered questions, but given the author's comments on this page, I'm hoping there will a sequel. Can't wait!
August 31, 2015
I won this book in a goodreads gieaway.
This book started off a bit slow, but it picked right up and became an interesting a fun read. The characters were interesting and well-drawn, and the romance was not overdone and felt sincere. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I am looking forward to the sequel. I recommend this to fans of the Maze Runner and the Hunger Games.
This book started off a bit slow, but it picked right up and became an interesting a fun read. The characters were interesting and well-drawn, and the romance was not overdone and felt sincere. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I am looking forward to the sequel. I recommend this to fans of the Maze Runner and the Hunger Games.
July 9, 2015
Review:
3... 4... 4.5 stars
I received this book from NetGalley for review
I don't know how to rate this book. It was really, really weird. But it was also kind of amazing.
(Full review on Blog)
http://pagestoexplore.blogspot.com/20...
3... 4... 4.5 stars
I received this book from NetGalley for review
I don't know how to rate this book. It was really, really weird. But it was also kind of amazing.
(Full review on Blog)
http://pagestoexplore.blogspot.com/20...
August 25, 2016
This book was okay; it needs some work. First of all, it's a great idea, but it was executed very poorly. It was repetitive, there wasn't a lot of action, and there were many things not resolved- which is unusual for a standalone book. I definitely had higher expectations for this book, and those expectations were not met.
June 23, 2015
What a wonderfully rich history -- listened on audible, and found the story compelling and the writing (and narration) rich and engaging.
June 29, 2015
Review coming soon.
August 25, 2015
I thought this was a great book! I loved that it was about climate change and people who could possibly survive a changed world.
August 8, 2015
Very good. Can't wait for the next installment!
November 6, 2018
I ate this story up with a spoon! I tore through this within a couple of days, and I was aching for answers.
I love YA sci-fi more than almost any other genre. The thing is, readers are quite smart. The science has got to be spot-on or at least believable, and the characters have to be sympathetic (including the adults, although they aren't the main characters).
In this story, so many loose threads were left unaddressed at the end, that I cannot give this book five stars -- although I was sucked into the plot and loved reading it.
I love YA sci-fi more than almost any other genre. The thing is, readers are quite smart. The science has got to be spot-on or at least believable, and the characters have to be sympathetic (including the adults, although they aren't the main characters).
In this story, so many loose threads were left unaddressed at the end, that I cannot give this book five stars -- although I was sucked into the plot and loved reading it.
April 27, 2023
Very interesting
I wasn't sure what to expect from this story. I was blown away by the whole idea of this kind of "research" and experimentation. This was so well-written that I could visualize everything. Wow! Thank you, Shari Becker, for an amazing experience!
I wasn't sure what to expect from this story. I was blown away by the whole idea of this kind of "research" and experimentation. This was so well-written that I could visualize everything. Wow! Thank you, Shari Becker, for an amazing experience!
March 20, 2018
Loved it! I'm really wanting to read the next book to find out what happens with everybody.
June 21, 2019
Incomplete ending
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