What do you think?
Rate this book
Starworld
Sam Jones and Zoe Miller have one thing in common: they both want an escape from reality. Loner Sam flies under the radar at school and walks on eggshells at home to manage her mom’s obsessive-compulsive disorder, wondering how she can ever leave to pursue her dream of studying aerospace engineering. Popular, people-pleasing Zoe puts up walls so no one can see her true self: the girl who was abandoned as an infant, whose adoptive mother has cancer, and whose disabled brother is being sent away to live in a facility. When an unexpected encounter results in the girls’ exchanging phone numbers, they forge a connection through text messages that expands into a private universe they call Starworld. In Starworld, they find hilarious adventures, kindness and understanding, and the magic of being seen for who they really are. But when Sam’s feelings for Zoe turn into something more, will the universe they’ve built survive the inevitable explosion?
352 pages, Hardcover
First published April 16, 2019
46 people are currently reading
7331 people want to read
About the author
Audrey Coulthurst
4 books1,380 followersAudrey Coulthurst is the author of critically acclaimed novels for young adults, such as the Of Fire and Stars series and Starworld (co-authored with Paula Garner). After studying music history and composition as an undergraduate and earning a Master’s degree in Book Publishing, she somehow ended up leading a double life working in finance by day and writing novels by night. Audrey was a Lambda Literary Fellow in 2013 and a Publishers Weekly Flying Start in 2016. Her debut novel Of Fire and Stars was named to the Kids’ Indie Next List, received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, and was listed among Vulture’s 38 Best Queer YA Novels in 2018. Audrey grew up riding horses in the Willamette Valley, made most of her best friends while living in Austin, spent five beautiful years enjoying ocean views in Santa Monica, and currently lives in Oregon with her family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews
April 6, 2019
I read this book from start to finish in just over 3 hours because I got so sucked into the story. I feel like I have whiplash 😳 review to come later when I’ve had more time to actually process what I read!
March 15, 2019
4.5/5 Stars
This story is hopeful, bittersweet, hard-hitting, and affirming all at once. The friendship betweeen Zoe and Sam leaves my heart soaring ❤
Also, this book contains:
▪︎ queer rep (note: this is not an f/f romance)
▪︎ mental health rep (OCD & anxiety)
▪︎ adoption rep
▪︎ developmental disability rep
(And it was all handled extremely carefully, IMO, which I appreciate.)
This story is hopeful, bittersweet, hard-hitting, and affirming all at once. The friendship betweeen Zoe and Sam leaves my heart soaring ❤
Also, this book contains:
▪︎ queer rep (note: this is not an f/f romance)
▪︎ mental health rep (OCD & anxiety)
▪︎ adoption rep
▪︎ developmental disability rep
(And it was all handled extremely carefully, IMO, which I appreciate.)
March 12, 2019
* I was sent an ARC copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review *
The ending fell flat because what was being worked up to flopped and didn’t happen.
The ending fell flat because what was being worked up to flopped and didn’t happen.
August 28, 2023
*Thank you to both NetGalley and LibraryThing for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!*
Actual Rating: 2.5
Hm. I’ve got mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I absolutely LOVE the premise and the idea of all the characters. On the other hand, actually reading the book was a lot less enjoyable for a number of reasons.
First though, a blurb. Starworld is written in two main perspectives. There’s Sam Jones, who lives an invisible life at school and relies on her one and only friend, Will. Her mom has OCD, and after her parents' divorce, it only got worse—Sam has no idea how she could ever leave home and pursue her dream of studying aerospace engineering. Then, there’s Zoe. Zoe is popular and loved by everyone, but her life isn’t as great as it seems to be. She was abandoned as a baby, her adoptive mother has cancer, and her brother is being sent away to a facility. As Zoe and Sam’s lives collide unexpectedly, they find themselves creating a whole new universe where they can escape from the real world, and they dub it—Starworld.
So, I LOVE the idea of Starworld. I jumped into the story imagining flowing colors and adventures and excited to read outlandish descriptions. Unfortunately, the way Starworld was written in the same way I used to roleplay in Harry Potter forums. Like this: *hugs* *coughs on dust* And by being written this way, Starworld just seemed unremarkable and amateurish; I found myself cringing too often—the texting and writing style was reminiscent of what I typed as a ten-year-old.
Other than that, the plot seemed a little flat. There were some ups and downs, but once again, it felt very childish when they were based on silly misunderstandings.
I also think the characters could have been explored more in general; Will was a character that I already loved. Yet, even as the best friend, he barely got any screen time! Overall, I think more intimate interactions between Sam or Zoe and OTHER characters could have helped this book a lot and given us a clearer picture of how these characters lived in their environment, not just with each other.
Overall, this was still a fun little read, and giving it two stars definitely feels really low, but it was the writing style of Starworld itself (in its texting format) that disappointed me so much I wouldn’t feel comfortable giving it a three.
Actual Rating: 2.5
Hm. I’ve got mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I absolutely LOVE the premise and the idea of all the characters. On the other hand, actually reading the book was a lot less enjoyable for a number of reasons.
First though, a blurb. Starworld is written in two main perspectives. There’s Sam Jones, who lives an invisible life at school and relies on her one and only friend, Will. Her mom has OCD, and after her parents' divorce, it only got worse—Sam has no idea how she could ever leave home and pursue her dream of studying aerospace engineering. Then, there’s Zoe. Zoe is popular and loved by everyone, but her life isn’t as great as it seems to be. She was abandoned as a baby, her adoptive mother has cancer, and her brother is being sent away to a facility. As Zoe and Sam’s lives collide unexpectedly, they find themselves creating a whole new universe where they can escape from the real world, and they dub it—Starworld.
So, I LOVE the idea of Starworld. I jumped into the story imagining flowing colors and adventures and excited to read outlandish descriptions. Unfortunately, the way Starworld was written in the same way I used to roleplay in Harry Potter forums. Like this: *hugs* *coughs on dust* And by being written this way, Starworld just seemed unremarkable and amateurish; I found myself cringing too often—the texting and writing style was reminiscent of what I typed as a ten-year-old.
Other than that, the plot seemed a little flat. There were some ups and downs, but once again, it felt very childish when they were based on silly misunderstandings.
I also think the characters could have been explored more in general; Will was a character that I already loved. Yet, even as the best friend, he barely got any screen time! Overall, I think more intimate interactions between Sam or Zoe and OTHER characters could have helped this book a lot and given us a clearer picture of how these characters lived in their environment, not just with each other.
Overall, this was still a fun little read, and giving it two stars definitely feels really low, but it was the writing style of Starworld itself (in its texting format) that disappointed me so much I wouldn’t feel comfortable giving it a three.
May 20, 2019
Despite running in very different circles in school, Sam Jones and Zoe Miller have more in common than they think: they both want to escape the difficulty that is their home lives. Sam is a quiet loner, content to spend Sundays with her best friend, Will. She loves the stars, but isn't sure she'll ever be able to study them, thanks to her mom, whose life is ruled by obsessive compulsive disorder. Ever since her Dad moved overseas, the burden of caring for her Mom falls squarely on Sam. Meanwhile, at school, Zoe seems carefree and popular. But her charisma hides her secrets: she struggles with the fact that she's adopted. She also has a mom in remission from cancer and a disabled younger brother who is the main focus of her parents. When the girls have a chance meeting at school, they exchange phone numbers, and suddenly find themselves bonding over text messages and a land they've created together: Starworld. Starworld gives Zoe and Sam the escape from reality they both so desperately need. But can it survive all the outside influences and stress each are facing?
"If I have a superpower, it's invisibility. Like the perpetually overcast skies of Portland in winter, I'm part of the background -- a robot with a disappearance drive, the dullness against which everyone else shines." ~Sam
This was an interesting and somewhat different YA novel. I enjoyed the story of two brave girls battling tough circumstances. Boy, poor Zoe and Sam certainly had the weight of the world on their shoulders. I really liked both of our main characters. The book tells the story from each of their perspectives, making it easy to know each girl. I found myself a bit more aligned to Sam--probably because she was queer and shy (like drawn to like, right?). As other reviews have mentioned, some of the book is in texting format, as Sam and Zoe fall into Starworld. Being far removed from teenagehood myself (sigh), I will admit that I did sometimes sort of "fast read" or skim those sections. I appreciated them--because Starworld meant so much to these girls and their friendship--but the text-speak wasn't always the easiest to read and digest.
I had picked this up thinking it was a love story, but it's not a true romance, though there's love in other forms. There's some great representation in this book: a queer character in Sam, plus discussion of adoption, mental illness (OCD and anxiety), disabilities, and more. All were very well treated too, I felt.
The book felt a little slow at times. It felt a little repetitive in its insistence on Zoe feeling different due to being adopted. Still, I was very drawn to Sam and Zoe's story. There was a strength in each of them, and I was intrigued to see what was going to happen. Sam's arc as she struggled with her romantic feelings was especially strong and wonderfully done.
Even though much of the book is serious, it's also very funny at times, with some excellent quotes and zingers. (I really did love Sam and her sense of humor; she was right up my alley.)
"I hate using phones for their original intended purpose. It's like Alexander Graham Bell wondered, Hey, what could maximize the awkwardeness of human-to-human communication? And then answered himself by giving us the ability to speak to one another through stupid disembodied little boxes."
I mean, right? One of the best quotes ever.
So, overall, this book is really a love story of friendship and triumph. It's very easy to root for the characters and get caught up in their lives. I was often just aghast at how much these poor girls had to go through. If you're not necessarily used to text-speak, it may give you a pause, but Starworld is a big part of the book (obviously!) and it's woven well into the story. This was a different and intriguing read, and I'm glad I picked it up. 3.5+ stars (rounded up to 4 here).
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Librarything in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).
"If I have a superpower, it's invisibility. Like the perpetually overcast skies of Portland in winter, I'm part of the background -- a robot with a disappearance drive, the dullness against which everyone else shines." ~Sam
This was an interesting and somewhat different YA novel. I enjoyed the story of two brave girls battling tough circumstances. Boy, poor Zoe and Sam certainly had the weight of the world on their shoulders. I really liked both of our main characters. The book tells the story from each of their perspectives, making it easy to know each girl. I found myself a bit more aligned to Sam--probably because she was queer and shy (like drawn to like, right?). As other reviews have mentioned, some of the book is in texting format, as Sam and Zoe fall into Starworld. Being far removed from teenagehood myself (sigh), I will admit that I did sometimes sort of "fast read" or skim those sections. I appreciated them--because Starworld meant so much to these girls and their friendship--but the text-speak wasn't always the easiest to read and digest.
I had picked this up thinking it was a love story, but it's not a true romance, though there's love in other forms. There's some great representation in this book: a queer character in Sam, plus discussion of adoption, mental illness (OCD and anxiety), disabilities, and more. All were very well treated too, I felt.
The book felt a little slow at times. It felt a little repetitive in its insistence on Zoe feeling different due to being adopted. Still, I was very drawn to Sam and Zoe's story. There was a strength in each of them, and I was intrigued to see what was going to happen. Sam's arc as she struggled with her romantic feelings was especially strong and wonderfully done.
Even though much of the book is serious, it's also very funny at times, with some excellent quotes and zingers. (I really did love Sam and her sense of humor; she was right up my alley.)
"I hate using phones for their original intended purpose. It's like Alexander Graham Bell wondered, Hey, what could maximize the awkwardeness of human-to-human communication? And then answered himself by giving us the ability to speak to one another through stupid disembodied little boxes."
I mean, right? One of the best quotes ever.
So, overall, this book is really a love story of friendship and triumph. It's very easy to root for the characters and get caught up in their lives. I was often just aghast at how much these poor girls had to go through. If you're not necessarily used to text-speak, it may give you a pause, but Starworld is a big part of the book (obviously!) and it's woven well into the story. This was a different and intriguing read, and I'm glad I picked it up. 3.5+ stars (rounded up to 4 here).
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Librarything in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).
April 24, 2019
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight .
Starworld is a sweet book, told from the points of view of Sam and Zoe. (And incidentally, written by two authors whose work I rather enjoy.) There were definitely wins for me, with a few reservations, so I am just going to break it down as such!
The Wins:
•Holy emphasis on family! This is beautiful, frankly. The times I felt the most emotion while reading is while these two young women were interacting with (or speaking about) their families. Having them be able to open up to each other about struggles they felt unable to share with anyone else was really sweet. And goodness, the sheer love that radiated from their respective family units had my heart melting over and over again. I found that they were all so relatable, as they had their own problems (some very severe) but tried desperately to work together to make things better.
•The characters were quirky and adorable and seemed really relatable. They were both trying to come to terms with so, so much life upheaval. And not just your typical "growing up" stuff, though that was part of it for sure. Sam is dealing with an absent father, a mother with a mental illness, a best friend who's starting to move on a bit without her, and well, feelings for Zoe. Zoe has a whole host of family situations from a special needs brother, a mom who's just gone through cancer treatment, and the fact that she's adopted. Not to mention, a boyfriend she doesn't seem so keen on, and friends who she has been distancing herself from. So when their worlds collide, it makes sense that they'd gravitate toward each other. Which leads to my next point...
•Zoe and Sam leaning on each other was lovely. Really, it is incredible that they were able to find solace in this imaginary world they created. And that they could trust each other with this stuff that was both too big to handle alone, yet too hard to open up to anyone else about.
The Reservations:
•The actual "Starworld" was a little hokey. Look, I am all for them having this cute little inside world. But I don't know that I needed to read all the texts about it? In role-play-speak no less? At first I thought it was a little cheesy, but after that wore off, I just was mostly bored and just skimmed those parts. 🤷♀️
•I didn't really love the ending. I mean, I guess I hoped the story would go in a different direction? And maybe that's on me, but... my opinion stands. And I'll give you the least spoilery version possible, still under spoiler tags because I personally hate spoilers but... I feel like this one is kind of big for people who were hoping for certain things from the book, so.
Bottom Line: Super sweet in terms of family and friendships, but lacking in a couple areas as well. Overall though, I was glad I read it.
Starworld is a sweet book, told from the points of view of Sam and Zoe. (And incidentally, written by two authors whose work I rather enjoy.) There were definitely wins for me, with a few reservations, so I am just going to break it down as such!
The Wins:
•Holy emphasis on family! This is beautiful, frankly. The times I felt the most emotion while reading is while these two young women were interacting with (or speaking about) their families. Having them be able to open up to each other about struggles they felt unable to share with anyone else was really sweet. And goodness, the sheer love that radiated from their respective family units had my heart melting over and over again. I found that they were all so relatable, as they had their own problems (some very severe) but tried desperately to work together to make things better.
•The characters were quirky and adorable and seemed really relatable. They were both trying to come to terms with so, so much life upheaval. And not just your typical "growing up" stuff, though that was part of it for sure. Sam is dealing with an absent father, a mother with a mental illness, a best friend who's starting to move on a bit without her, and well, feelings for Zoe. Zoe has a whole host of family situations from a special needs brother, a mom who's just gone through cancer treatment, and the fact that she's adopted. Not to mention, a boyfriend she doesn't seem so keen on, and friends who she has been distancing herself from. So when their worlds collide, it makes sense that they'd gravitate toward each other. Which leads to my next point...
•Zoe and Sam leaning on each other was lovely. Really, it is incredible that they were able to find solace in this imaginary world they created. And that they could trust each other with this stuff that was both too big to handle alone, yet too hard to open up to anyone else about.
The Reservations:
•The actual "Starworld" was a little hokey. Look, I am all for them having this cute little inside world. But I don't know that I needed to read all the texts about it? In role-play-speak no less? At first I thought it was a little cheesy, but after that wore off, I just was mostly bored and just skimmed those parts. 🤷♀️
•I didn't really love the ending. I mean, I guess I hoped the story would go in a different direction? And maybe that's on me, but... my opinion stands. And I'll give you the least spoilery version possible, still under spoiler tags because I personally hate spoilers but... I feel like this one is kind of big for people who were hoping for certain things from the book, so.
Bottom Line: Super sweet in terms of family and friendships, but lacking in a couple areas as well. Overall though, I was glad I read it.
March 27, 2019
This book wasn't bad, but it didn't really live up to my expectations.
I was so ready for this to be all about a girl obsessed with outer space!! And like, it was, but also it was really more just a standard contemporary but with less romance and not much outer space in it at all.
The concept was really good though, and quite unique which I enjoyed.
The characters were okay, but neither of them felt super unique? Which I was especially surprised by, because there were two different authors I expected totally different character voices, but they just blended together a bit for me which made the first person perspective hard.
But both of their family lives were super interesting to read about, and that was definitely my favourite aspect of the book.
Here's to hoping my next book has more rockets in it!!
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with a review copy! All opinions are my own.
I was so ready for this to be all about a girl obsessed with outer space!! And like, it was, but also it was really more just a standard contemporary but with less romance and not much outer space in it at all.
The concept was really good though, and quite unique which I enjoyed.
The characters were okay, but neither of them felt super unique? Which I was especially surprised by, because there were two different authors I expected totally different character voices, but they just blended together a bit for me which made the first person perspective hard.
But both of their family lives were super interesting to read about, and that was definitely my favourite aspect of the book.
Here's to hoping my next book has more rockets in it!!
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with a review copy! All opinions are my own.
May 17, 2019
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Starworld was really cute dammit. Yet, it somehow made me feel disappointed in how it ended? Not quite sure what the whole plan was here but damn, it just fell completely flat. I was underwhelmed and I'm not okay with this.
In this book, you will meet Sam and Zoe. I honestly really enjoyed their characters and was amazed with how two writers made everything flow nicely throughout the book. These two just sort of clicked with one another and it was nice to just sit back and watch what would happen. Well, until it ended and now I don't know what day, month, or year it is.
Throughout the book, you will definitely hit some bumps along the road of their adventure. I definitely wished things went differently in this book. Yes, with the ending but with other stuff as well (which I don't want to spoil dammit). Overall, I still enjoyed this book but hoped for a different outcome.
Starworld was really cute dammit. Yet, it somehow made me feel disappointed in how it ended? Not quite sure what the whole plan was here but damn, it just fell completely flat. I was underwhelmed and I'm not okay with this.
In this book, you will meet Sam and Zoe. I honestly really enjoyed their characters and was amazed with how two writers made everything flow nicely throughout the book. These two just sort of clicked with one another and it was nice to just sit back and watch what would happen. Well, until it ended and now I don't know what day, month, or year it is.
Throughout the book, you will definitely hit some bumps along the road of their adventure. I definitely wished things went differently in this book. Yes, with the ending but with other stuff as well (which I don't want to spoil dammit). Overall, I still enjoyed this book but hoped for a different outcome.
June 18, 2019
Personally, I hadn't heard of Starworld till I was sent a review copy (thank you so much to the publisher!) But when I saw that beautiful cover, I couldn't resist diving in straight away. After reading the blurb, I had also assumed that Starworld featured a f/f and would therefore be a great Pride Month read.
Because of this assumption, I ended up being quite disappointed with the book.
Starworld is not a romance, it's a story in which a teenage girl (Sam) falls in love with her beautiful, kind and unfortunately, straight friend (Zoe). I don't generally include spoilers like that in reviews, but I just wanted to warn anyone who made the same assumptions I did. And TBH, I did find Zoe's heterosexuality to be quite a plot twist. The first couple of hundred pages of the book see Zoe falling out of love with her boyfriend (and repeatedly rejecting his sexual advances) and forming such an intimate friendship with Sam, it just felt natural to me that the two would get together in the end. I've never used the term "queer baiting" before, and I can't say it's a concept I'm super familiar with . . . but I'm pretty sure the "will they / won't they" story line with Sam and Zoe is queer baiting.
That being said, I did really enjoy reading about Sam and Zoe's friendship. The two characters are such opposites, yet they come together and grow close, bonding over their mutually difficult home lives. Sam struggles with anxiety, confusion over her sexuality, and her mother's OCD. Zoe experiences feelings of intense inadequacy after being abandoned by her birth mother, whilst also dealing with her adopted mother's breast cancer and the tough decision that her family makes in sending her severely disabled brother to a care facility. Honestly, it almost felt like there was too much going on in the story issue wise, it felt a bit chaotic at times.
I feel like I've been quite negative in this review, but a lot of that is purely because of how disappointed I was with its ending. If I had been more aware that Starworld is a story about family and friendship, and definitely not romance, I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more. If I'd written a review when I was half way through the book, I would have easily given it 3, or maybe even 4 stars, but the ending just made me feel like I'd wasted my time on Starworld.
Because of this assumption, I ended up being quite disappointed with the book.
Starworld is not a romance, it's a story in which a teenage girl (Sam) falls in love with her beautiful, kind and unfortunately, straight friend (Zoe). I don't generally include spoilers like that in reviews, but I just wanted to warn anyone who made the same assumptions I did. And TBH, I did find Zoe's heterosexuality to be quite a plot twist. The first couple of hundred pages of the book see Zoe falling out of love with her boyfriend (and repeatedly rejecting his sexual advances) and forming such an intimate friendship with Sam, it just felt natural to me that the two would get together in the end. I've never used the term "queer baiting" before, and I can't say it's a concept I'm super familiar with . . . but I'm pretty sure the "will they / won't they" story line with Sam and Zoe is queer baiting.
That being said, I did really enjoy reading about Sam and Zoe's friendship. The two characters are such opposites, yet they come together and grow close, bonding over their mutually difficult home lives. Sam struggles with anxiety, confusion over her sexuality, and her mother's OCD. Zoe experiences feelings of intense inadequacy after being abandoned by her birth mother, whilst also dealing with her adopted mother's breast cancer and the tough decision that her family makes in sending her severely disabled brother to a care facility. Honestly, it almost felt like there was too much going on in the story issue wise, it felt a bit chaotic at times.
I feel like I've been quite negative in this review, but a lot of that is purely because of how disappointed I was with its ending. If I had been more aware that Starworld is a story about family and friendship, and definitely not romance, I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more. If I'd written a review when I was half way through the book, I would have easily given it 3, or maybe even 4 stars, but the ending just made me feel like I'd wasted my time on Starworld.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2019
*is wondering why she thought this was going to be a lesbian romance*
*is thinking about Zoe possibly being asexual*
Zoe doesn't think about sex or how attractive she finds somebody while talking about how much she loves romance. That's what allosexual people do, right? I might be reading into it though.
*is wondering why she didn't see the thing coming*
*is thinking about Zoe being adopted and her feelings about it*
My dad was adopted and never wanted to meet his birth parents. I understand that its his decision to make but I always felt like there was a piece of me missing. Its my history too. For Christmas, I got myself a DNA kit. The ethnicity results were enough to fill the hole that was missing. (99.3% european). I've never actually stopped to think what actually being adopted would be like.
*is glad at all the Doctor Who references included*
*likes seeing 2 teens whose home lives are far from normal*
*likes that it was set so close to home*
*is thinking about Zoe possibly being asexual*
Zoe doesn't think about sex or how attractive she finds somebody while talking about how much she loves romance. That's what allosexual people do, right? I might be reading into it though.
*is wondering why she didn't see the thing coming*
*is thinking about Zoe being adopted and her feelings about it*
My dad was adopted and never wanted to meet his birth parents. I understand that its his decision to make but I always felt like there was a piece of me missing. Its my history too. For Christmas, I got myself a DNA kit. The ethnicity results were enough to fill the hole that was missing. (99.3% european). I've never actually stopped to think what actually being adopted would be like.
*is glad at all the Doctor Who references included*
*likes seeing 2 teens whose home lives are far from normal*
*likes that it was set so close to home*
April 21, 2018
*loves this book so much* :D :D :D
January 27, 2020
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this novel!
Rating: 3 stars
Rep: questioning/sapphic MC, mental illness (OCD & anxiety) and disability.
Trigger warnings: cancer, talks on mental illness and disability, miscarriage, divorce.
First off, this is in no way a happy book, and I'll be honest, the reason it's taken me so long to read and review is that I haven't been in the right frame of mind to read about the heavy topics this book brings up. The novel deals with things like; adoption, miscarriage, divorce, having family members with mental illness/disability, questioning who you are and your place in the world.
First off, things I liked:
-The friendship that Sam and Zoe form was amazingly done, I loved their connection, the way they created a safe place within "Starworld" that they could retreat when life got too tough.
-I loved the writing style and the fact that this book is dual perspective.
Things I didn't like:
-I'm really on the fence about the way the disability and mental illness rep was handled. As I'm not own voices for the disability rep, I don't feel confident enough to talk in-depth about how Zoe's brother, Jonah, was portrayed. However, I am OV for mental illness rep and Sam's attitude and overall inner thoughts towards her mother were hard to read at times. I totally get where Sam was coming from, how hard it can be, but I still didn't like the way she treated her mum.
-This book didn't feel like it had a distinctive plot to me. It's mainly character-driven (which I love), but I also need to feel like I'm going somewhere while reading, I need a destination in mind, I didn't feel like this had that. Also, the ending was very disappointing to me personally.
Overall, I'm very happy I had the opportunity to read this and I will 100% be reading more by these authors in the future, this one just wasn't for me.
Rating: 3 stars
Rep: questioning/sapphic MC, mental illness (OCD & anxiety) and disability.
Trigger warnings: cancer, talks on mental illness and disability, miscarriage, divorce.
First off, this is in no way a happy book, and I'll be honest, the reason it's taken me so long to read and review is that I haven't been in the right frame of mind to read about the heavy topics this book brings up. The novel deals with things like; adoption, miscarriage, divorce, having family members with mental illness/disability, questioning who you are and your place in the world.
First off, things I liked:
-The friendship that Sam and Zoe form was amazingly done, I loved their connection, the way they created a safe place within "Starworld" that they could retreat when life got too tough.
-I loved the writing style and the fact that this book is dual perspective.
Things I didn't like:
-I'm really on the fence about the way the disability and mental illness rep was handled. As I'm not own voices for the disability rep, I don't feel confident enough to talk in-depth about how Zoe's brother, Jonah, was portrayed. However, I am OV for mental illness rep and Sam's attitude and overall inner thoughts towards her mother were hard to read at times. I totally get where Sam was coming from, how hard it can be, but I still didn't like the way she treated her mum.
-This book didn't feel like it had a distinctive plot to me. It's mainly character-driven (which I love), but I also need to feel like I'm going somewhere while reading, I need a destination in mind, I didn't feel like this had that. Also, the ending was very disappointing to me personally.
Overall, I'm very happy I had the opportunity to read this and I will 100% be reading more by these authors in the future, this one just wasn't for me.
May 4, 2019
Talk about being completely blown away by a book that you expected to be a nostalgic whimsy read! Y'all, this book was EPIC and I LOVED it. I loved the synopsis and have a particular weakness for a dual POV book with two authors that each write one of the characters, so this was one I was really looking forward to and it did not disappoint.
The basic story is that two girls from opposite ends of the social spectrum end up involved in each other's life, and it quickly becomes a profound relationship for both of them. The thing that struck me most about this plot-line was how COMPLETELY relatable it was. Some of my most intense and important female friendships have sprung from some of the hardest moments of my life, where I just happened to reach for a tether at the same time as the other girl did - and it turned out we grabbed the same line.
The other thing that I found so noteworthy about this book was how complicated, messy, and REAL it was. I have a gripe with books that add in timely subject matter just so they can say they've included it. It feels as though some authors have a checklist next to them, and they just write a sentence, i.e. "And Lindsey had anxiety.", check off "Anxiety Disorders," and then somehow want to claim that they're hip to the difficulties and have representation in their works. HOWEVER, as messy as these girls' lives were, none of it felt contrived. And when you break it down, they're dealing with a lot: divorce, adoption, LGBTQ+, disability, anxiety disorders, cancer, abandonment, etc. Not once did I feel like a situation was created to fit one of these issues -= it just felt like reading about two girls that I probably knew in high school and had no idea the lives they were actually living.
Lastly, the way their relationship was formed and the beautiful world they created was so amazing. It felt really reminiscent of The Bridge to Terabithia, and this + the nostalgia of creating my own imaginary worlds as a kid made this such a fun part of the story. I loved the silliness of their dragon companion, and was especially tickled that he was fueled by Taco Bell hot sauce. (If you know me at all, you know I **love** me some Taco Bell!)
Okay, so as it turns out I have one more thing ... it's somewhat of a spoiler, so I don't really want to lay it out here - but suffice it to say that I was hovering at 4 stars until the ending of the book. And it skyrocketed to 5 stars because of how the authors chose to end the book, which made it an even better representation of so many relationships I've had.
Read the book, y'all. Share it with your girlfriends. Share it with your teen patrons. Share it with your kids. Just. Read it.
The basic story is that two girls from opposite ends of the social spectrum end up involved in each other's life, and it quickly becomes a profound relationship for both of them. The thing that struck me most about this plot-line was how COMPLETELY relatable it was. Some of my most intense and important female friendships have sprung from some of the hardest moments of my life, where I just happened to reach for a tether at the same time as the other girl did - and it turned out we grabbed the same line.
The other thing that I found so noteworthy about this book was how complicated, messy, and REAL it was. I have a gripe with books that add in timely subject matter just so they can say they've included it. It feels as though some authors have a checklist next to them, and they just write a sentence, i.e. "And Lindsey had anxiety.", check off "Anxiety Disorders," and then somehow want to claim that they're hip to the difficulties and have representation in their works. HOWEVER, as messy as these girls' lives were, none of it felt contrived. And when you break it down, they're dealing with a lot: divorce, adoption, LGBTQ+, disability, anxiety disorders, cancer, abandonment, etc. Not once did I feel like a situation was created to fit one of these issues -= it just felt like reading about two girls that I probably knew in high school and had no idea the lives they were actually living.
Lastly, the way their relationship was formed and the beautiful world they created was so amazing. It felt really reminiscent of The Bridge to Terabithia, and this + the nostalgia of creating my own imaginary worlds as a kid made this such a fun part of the story. I loved the silliness of their dragon companion, and was especially tickled that he was fueled by Taco Bell hot sauce. (If you know me at all, you know I **love** me some Taco Bell!)
Okay, so as it turns out I have one more thing ... it's somewhat of a spoiler, so I don't really want to lay it out here - but suffice it to say that I was hovering at 4 stars until the ending of the book. And it skyrocketed to 5 stars because of how the authors chose to end the book, which made it an even better representation of so many relationships I've had.
Read the book, y'all. Share it with your girlfriends. Share it with your teen patrons. Share it with your kids. Just. Read it.
January 3, 2019
Well, looks like 2019 will be the year I don't waste time on books I'm not enjoying.
I DNF'd this one at page 102. Although, I did skip to the end and read most of the last 50ish pages so get the idea of where everything went. And yknow what, I'm totally fine that I gave up on this one. This is one I requested because I loved another book I read by Audrey Coulthurst, and I saw that this one looked sapphic... and well, It didn't pull through the way I'd hope. I'd say this definitely features a girl who loves another girl, but it isn't the sapphic book that would make you feel good. So if you're looking for that feel-good gay romance, I'd maybe look elsewhere.
This book does cover lots of important issues that are super relevant, though, as well as it's a story about finding yourself. We follow both Sam and Zoe within their own chaotic family worlds, and they form a bond over texting, in their world they call "Starworld."
*cringes at how deep it tries to make this kind of texting*
In theory, this sounds like my kind of story. And yknow what, I totally get the escape a fantasy world brings. But even after 100 pages, there was... no plot? It was character driven, and driven by their Starworld. But their Starworld consisted of random texts about a Dragon named Humphrey and some Taco Bell and hot sauce?
Okay, I mean there was more to it than that, but that's basically what you get with the first 100 pages. Which isn't enough to draw me into the allure. And then there's the fact that immediately in the first chapter, I already disliked the Sam's POV. It had a strong case of "I'm special, because I'm not like everybody else" and there was too much of a stand-off attitude towards any of the "normal" people.
I'm not going to say you shouldn't give this one a chance, though. There's some issues touched on here that might be exactly what someone needs to read. I can't speak to how great the representation is, since I neither have disabled family members to this extent nor did I finish the book to see how well it's handled, but we see intersections not typically seen.
Thanks to the publisher for sending me an arc for an honest review!
Review can also be found on my blog!
I DNF'd this one at page 102. Although, I did skip to the end and read most of the last 50ish pages so get the idea of where everything went. And yknow what, I'm totally fine that I gave up on this one. This is one I requested because I loved another book I read by Audrey Coulthurst, and I saw that this one looked sapphic... and well, It didn't pull through the way I'd hope. I'd say this definitely features a girl who loves another girl, but it isn't the sapphic book that would make you feel good. So if you're looking for that feel-good gay romance, I'd maybe look elsewhere.
This book does cover lots of important issues that are super relevant, though, as well as it's a story about finding yourself. We follow both Sam and Zoe within their own chaotic family worlds, and they form a bond over texting, in their world they call "Starworld."
*cringes at how deep it tries to make this kind of texting*
In theory, this sounds like my kind of story. And yknow what, I totally get the escape a fantasy world brings. But even after 100 pages, there was... no plot? It was character driven, and driven by their Starworld. But their Starworld consisted of random texts about a Dragon named Humphrey and some Taco Bell and hot sauce?
Okay, I mean there was more to it than that, but that's basically what you get with the first 100 pages. Which isn't enough to draw me into the allure. And then there's the fact that immediately in the first chapter, I already disliked the Sam's POV. It had a strong case of "I'm special, because I'm not like everybody else" and there was too much of a stand-off attitude towards any of the "normal" people.
I'm not going to say you shouldn't give this one a chance, though. There's some issues touched on here that might be exactly what someone needs to read. I can't speak to how great the representation is, since I neither have disabled family members to this extent nor did I finish the book to see how well it's handled, but we see intersections not typically seen.
Thanks to the publisher for sending me an arc for an honest review!
Review can also be found on my blog!
January 26, 2019
What an adorable story.
Starworld is the first novel I’ve read by either author, and I must say I am pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed it much more than I though I would.
The fantastical elements of ‘Starworld’ as designed by Sam and Zoe were outstanding. And the care and sensitivity with which each of their family’s issues were covered was masterful. The authors were clearly well-researched and informed.
The relationship between Zoe and Sam was also beautiful. With some people you just click, they become a part of you. And it’s hard to let that go if things go awry.
Sam’s chapters were hilarious. And whichever author wrote her ‘voice’ has a wicked sense of humour. And much love goes out to the creation of a cool and arty, yet socially awkward nerd girl.
I especially enjoyed the ending and how not everything was tied up in neat little bows - because life never turns out that way. 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Audrey Coulthurst, Paula Garner, Candlewick Press and NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Starworld is the first novel I’ve read by either author, and I must say I am pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed it much more than I though I would.
The fantastical elements of ‘Starworld’ as designed by Sam and Zoe were outstanding. And the care and sensitivity with which each of their family’s issues were covered was masterful. The authors were clearly well-researched and informed.
The relationship between Zoe and Sam was also beautiful. With some people you just click, they become a part of you. And it’s hard to let that go if things go awry.
Sam’s chapters were hilarious. And whichever author wrote her ‘voice’ has a wicked sense of humour. And much love goes out to the creation of a cool and arty, yet socially awkward nerd girl.
I especially enjoyed the ending and how not everything was tied up in neat little bows - because life never turns out that way. 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Audrey Coulthurst, Paula Garner, Candlewick Press and NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 10, 2019
If you read the description of this book and get all excited by the potential lady loving lady vibe, do not pick up this book. I feel like I've been queer-baited into reading this, and it made me super angry.
I gave two stars because I did enjoy the writing and the storytelling and I absolutely loved Sam as a character. Mental and physical disabilities were portrayed really well and I was impressed by that. The queer-baiting is something I just couldn't get over, though.
I gave two stars because I did enjoy the writing and the storytelling and I absolutely loved Sam as a character. Mental and physical disabilities were portrayed really well and I was impressed by that. The queer-baiting is something I just couldn't get over, though.
February 3, 2019
Sapphicathon: Read a book with a cover you love & Read a book where the romance isn't the focus
storytime: i was robbed of the 2 days it took me to read this
storytime: i was robbed of the 2 days it took me to read this
Read
February 23, 2019DNF at 23%. I just couldn't get into this book at all. I think it will have a very specific audience that will love it, but I am not that audience. I found it kind of depressing and quirky and other than the very pretty cover, I don't really have anything positive to say about it and I really couldn't make myself read anymore. I found Sam incredibly off-putting. I found the writing in her chapters especially were just not my style.
October 3, 2018
4.5
I got this book as an arc and did not know what to expect
wowie
I got really into this book until it depressed me like a truck to the face.
I enjoyed the characters and Sam and Zoe were so amazing but the ending just killed me.
A lot of it killed me
the premise over all was so cute and sweet and friendshipy that I fell in love but it also broke my heart at the end. I know this is a stand alone but it left me with a want for more of the starworld created. Thinking back I enjoyed it and it depressed me but it was an enjoyable story about friendship It did however cover some tough topics, mental illness, OCD, adoption, and a couple more but I don't regret reading
I got this book as an arc and did not know what to expect
wowie
I got really into this book until it depressed me like a truck to the face.
I enjoyed the characters and Sam and Zoe were so amazing but the ending just killed me.
A lot of it killed me
the premise over all was so cute and sweet and friendshipy that I fell in love but it also broke my heart at the end. I know this is a stand alone but it left me with a want for more of the starworld created. Thinking back I enjoyed it and it depressed me but it was an enjoyable story about friendship It did however cover some tough topics, mental illness, OCD, adoption, and a couple more but I don't regret reading
August 30, 2019
This is tricky to write, because practically for the past evening and right up until I finished this book about 15 minutes ago, every fibre of my being was wholly invested in both of these girls, their alternate world of escapism that they created, their unique relationship that was blooming between them both, the hope that both of them grew to develop, their sense of identity that both grew into...
Yet, after everything, I can't help but feel disappointed? I mean I love Audrey Coulthurst's Of Fire and Stars and absolutely cannot wait to read her Inkmistress and newly released Of Ice and Shadows, so maybe I was expecting Sam and Zoe to have more of a Mare and Denna type relationship?
I mean, don't get me wrong though, their friendship was absolutely adorable and completely heartfelt, I just feel amazed that Zoe was able to confide so much in Sam without establishing any sense of feelings for her? I mean, Zoe had refused to open up to her own closest friends because she feels like all of their lives are perfect, compared to her own sense of not being wanted by her birth mother, not being the miracle child that her little brother is, not belonging anywhere - then in sweeps the amazing Sam with her fantastical imagination, I mean I felt right away how much Sam was instantly head over heels mad for Zoe, I mean she creates these gorgeous interactions between them both, Starworld (title significance on point, my heart!), where they create worlds and galaxies fuelled by a love of escapism and a dragon named Humphrey. I utterly loved their escape from reality into their intergalactic realm, and I absolutely adored the seemingly robotic at heart Sam, I loved how she spoke in integers, I mean she reminded me of a female and far less obnoxious Sheldon Cooper!
However, as I reflect about Starworld, I feel that despite Zoe divulging everything that there is to know about her troubles family and her seemingly lack of significance in life, despite her saying how much she loves her brother (and struggles to come to terms with his disability, saying to the reader and Sam that she laments not being able to have friends over, doesn't like the idea of him going to a specialist care home, but knowing her life can resume some sense of being), I feel that Zoe just took Sam for granted!
I'm going to a bit spoilery now, so if you haven't read this novel yet and don't want to be spoilt, then by all means don't read on.
I just don't understand how Zoe didn't see the kiss coming! I think, okay I know that Zoe didn't ever say she was straight or bi or anything, and I mean I tell my friends that I love them, because I do - but what I don't do is do what Sam did and blurt it out right in the middle of one of their Starworld escapades!
It's no wonder Sam was compelled to think that maybe the girl that she found herself pouring her heart out to, creating these worlds and even drawing a majestic bird image for her Zoe's brother, might feel the same way!
I will admit though that the friendship was beautiful, I mean it's what had me so invested throughout! Zoe finds herself opening up to Sam, and vice versa too, I think Sam is able to address the fact that her mum's OCD is not a traditional way of living, and I just thought it was super cute that Zoe makes symmetrical numbered biscuits for Sam as a peace offering for when the former's friends start making fun of Sam and her seemingly freakish ways. Like, I personally thought Zoe's friends were so self indulgent, only wanting to have parties and get hammered and worry about what their wearing to the dance (okay I'm pointing fingers here because Zoe's best friend did try to help her and I think she may have meant well initially, but still!). Also, I didn't see Zoe stand up for Sam when her friends were making fun and that just wasn't nice at all!
Despite my seemingly disgruntled tone, Starworld is a story that will definitely stay in my mind for a while to come! And now I'm even more excited to return to my favourite gay Princesses, Denna and Mare!
Yet, after everything, I can't help but feel disappointed? I mean I love Audrey Coulthurst's Of Fire and Stars and absolutely cannot wait to read her Inkmistress and newly released Of Ice and Shadows, so maybe I was expecting Sam and Zoe to have more of a Mare and Denna type relationship?
I mean, don't get me wrong though, their friendship was absolutely adorable and completely heartfelt, I just feel amazed that Zoe was able to confide so much in Sam without establishing any sense of feelings for her? I mean, Zoe had refused to open up to her own closest friends because she feels like all of their lives are perfect, compared to her own sense of not being wanted by her birth mother, not being the miracle child that her little brother is, not belonging anywhere - then in sweeps the amazing Sam with her fantastical imagination, I mean I felt right away how much Sam was instantly head over heels mad for Zoe, I mean she creates these gorgeous interactions between them both, Starworld (title significance on point, my heart!), where they create worlds and galaxies fuelled by a love of escapism and a dragon named Humphrey. I utterly loved their escape from reality into their intergalactic realm, and I absolutely adored the seemingly robotic at heart Sam, I loved how she spoke in integers, I mean she reminded me of a female and far less obnoxious Sheldon Cooper!
However, as I reflect about Starworld, I feel that despite Zoe divulging everything that there is to know about her troubles family and her seemingly lack of significance in life, despite her saying how much she loves her brother (and struggles to come to terms with his disability, saying to the reader and Sam that she laments not being able to have friends over, doesn't like the idea of him going to a specialist care home, but knowing her life can resume some sense of being), I feel that Zoe just took Sam for granted!
I'm going to a bit spoilery now, so if you haven't read this novel yet and don't want to be spoilt, then by all means don't read on.
I just don't understand how Zoe didn't see the kiss coming! I think, okay I know that Zoe didn't ever say she was straight or bi or anything, and I mean I tell my friends that I love them, because I do - but what I don't do is do what Sam did and blurt it out right in the middle of one of their Starworld escapades!
It's no wonder Sam was compelled to think that maybe the girl that she found herself pouring her heart out to, creating these worlds and even drawing a majestic bird image for her Zoe's brother, might feel the same way!
I will admit though that the friendship was beautiful, I mean it's what had me so invested throughout! Zoe finds herself opening up to Sam, and vice versa too, I think Sam is able to address the fact that her mum's OCD is not a traditional way of living, and I just thought it was super cute that Zoe makes symmetrical numbered biscuits for Sam as a peace offering for when the former's friends start making fun of Sam and her seemingly freakish ways. Like, I personally thought Zoe's friends were so self indulgent, only wanting to have parties and get hammered and worry about what their wearing to the dance (okay I'm pointing fingers here because Zoe's best friend did try to help her and I think she may have meant well initially, but still!). Also, I didn't see Zoe stand up for Sam when her friends were making fun and that just wasn't nice at all!
Despite my seemingly disgruntled tone, Starworld is a story that will definitely stay in my mind for a while to come! And now I'm even more excited to return to my favourite gay Princesses, Denna and Mare!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2019
To be honest the cover is pretty but overall I am not too sure about this book. I kind of feel as though I’m stuck between deciding if I like it, or if it wasn’t interesting at all.
I think the premise of this story was good but at the same time this was really overdone. Let’s think of all the issues one person can have and let’s double it and give it to these two characters. It gave it an unrealistic feel and it carried on through the plot of the story as well.
The pace of the story was really slow. And I mean really slow. At points I found myself daydreaming about pizza before I had to refocus and dive back into the story again.
I really did find myself relating to Sam or Zoe at all. I thought they were a little bland.
While I write this I really struggle to think of something that was a plus for me… maybe I really wasn’t a fan of this book after all…
I think the premise of this story was good but at the same time this was really overdone. Let’s think of all the issues one person can have and let’s double it and give it to these two characters. It gave it an unrealistic feel and it carried on through the plot of the story as well.
The pace of the story was really slow. And I mean really slow. At points I found myself daydreaming about pizza before I had to refocus and dive back into the story again.
I really did find myself relating to Sam or Zoe at all. I thought they were a little bland.
While I write this I really struggle to think of something that was a plus for me… maybe I really wasn’t a fan of this book after all…
August 2, 2019
Thank you so much to Walker Books for providing me with a copy of Starworld, in exchange for an honest review.
Starworld was such an emotional read, and it left me feeling quite sad at the end. I think that made me like it even more though. So often things are wrapped up in a nice happy ending and that's usually so far from real life that it feels fake.
Both Sam and Zoe are living lives they're struggling with, and don't feel like they can talk to other people about. It's hard enough for Sam just to navigate school life, and Zoe has always felt as though she needs to portray herself as the perfect girl. When Zoe asks Sam if she can borrow one of her paintings for a play she's part of, they strike up an unlikely friendship. As a way to escape the pressure of their every day life, they create "Starworld", a text story they invent as they go along. As Starworld takes shape, their friendship grows and they try and help each other with some of the things they don't feel comfortable sharing with their other family and friends.
The story that unfolded was heartbreaking on so many levels. From the pain of Zoe's brother needing to go into care, to Sam's struggle to know how to help her mother and the trigger for her mother's OCD, to the ultimate ending of the book, were all devastating. The writing was incredible and easy to read, so I flew through the pages and found myself really enjoying it. As well as crying, there were parts that made me laugh out loud and smile like a goof. There were some really interesting plot twists and this is one I'll think about for a long time.
MY BLOG ~ INSTAGRAM
Starworld was such an emotional read, and it left me feeling quite sad at the end. I think that made me like it even more though. So often things are wrapped up in a nice happy ending and that's usually so far from real life that it feels fake.
Both Sam and Zoe are living lives they're struggling with, and don't feel like they can talk to other people about. It's hard enough for Sam just to navigate school life, and Zoe has always felt as though she needs to portray herself as the perfect girl. When Zoe asks Sam if she can borrow one of her paintings for a play she's part of, they strike up an unlikely friendship. As a way to escape the pressure of their every day life, they create "Starworld", a text story they invent as they go along. As Starworld takes shape, their friendship grows and they try and help each other with some of the things they don't feel comfortable sharing with their other family and friends.
The story that unfolded was heartbreaking on so many levels. From the pain of Zoe's brother needing to go into care, to Sam's struggle to know how to help her mother and the trigger for her mother's OCD, to the ultimate ending of the book, were all devastating. The writing was incredible and easy to read, so I flew through the pages and found myself really enjoying it. As well as crying, there were parts that made me laugh out loud and smile like a goof. There were some really interesting plot twists and this is one I'll think about for a long time.
MY BLOG ~ INSTAGRAM
December 3, 2019
Review to come.
October 27, 2021
*hopes you enjoy this book as much as I did*
Full review to come at kaitgoodwin.com/books! 😊
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Storygraph
Full review to come at kaitgoodwin.com/books! 😊
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Storygraph
December 26, 2019
2.5 stars.
My main problem with this one was that the two characters seemed too similar that I kept forgetting who’s who, who has a brother, whose mother had cancer, etc. It hindered my enjoyment too much to give this book a higher rating.
Also, the Starworld bits were too cliche. And when that’s the main thing the book is about, it’s difficult to turn a blind eye.
But overall, I’m glad I returned and finished this book seven months after starting it 🙈
My main problem with this one was that the two characters seemed too similar that I kept forgetting who’s who, who has a brother, whose mother had cancer, etc. It hindered my enjoyment too much to give this book a higher rating.
Also, the Starworld bits were too cliche. And when that’s the main thing the book is about, it’s difficult to turn a blind eye.
But overall, I’m glad I returned and finished this book seven months after starting it 🙈
July 10, 2019
“I can’t say I understand life’s random twists and turns, or what meaning to ascribe to them, if any, but I will always be thankful for the detour that brought you to me. You will always have a place in my heart.” –Starworld, Audrey Coulthurst & Paula Garner
✨
Sam and Zoe live in very different worlds. Told through both their points of view, Sam is an artistic introvert who finds it difficult to deal with socializing and Zoe is the girl who seemingly has it all. When Zoe asks Sam for a favor, they cautiously come together. As their texts increase, they expand the world they create together and name it Starworld and it transports them away from the pain and struggle of daily life.
✨
This story is a beautiful one of a high school friendship with real family and social struggles. There is so much amazing representation—from LGBTQ+ characters, to neurodiversity rep, adoption rep, divorce rep, cancer, OCD. It’s a heartbreaking story that’s almost too much at times, but that’s what makes Starworld so poignant. A touching story that may have made me cry just a little bit. *runs off to tear up in the corner again*
✨
Sam and Zoe live in very different worlds. Told through both their points of view, Sam is an artistic introvert who finds it difficult to deal with socializing and Zoe is the girl who seemingly has it all. When Zoe asks Sam for a favor, they cautiously come together. As their texts increase, they expand the world they create together and name it Starworld and it transports them away from the pain and struggle of daily life.
✨
This story is a beautiful one of a high school friendship with real family and social struggles. There is so much amazing representation—from LGBTQ+ characters, to neurodiversity rep, adoption rep, divorce rep, cancer, OCD. It’s a heartbreaking story that’s almost too much at times, but that’s what makes Starworld so poignant. A touching story that may have made me cry just a little bit. *runs off to tear up in the corner again*
May 6, 2020
This was a really lovely read and I definitely think more people should check it out.
The representation in this book is really good. Its LGBT, there is also rep for OCD, disability and cancer.
As someone who has lived with OCD, I think the rep was pretty good. I liked how the perspective wasn't from someone who lived with the illness but from the perspective of a family member. I think that was really insightful of how challenging it can be. Although some times, the mum was presented as the enemy, which I wasn't keen on.
I think it was really well written. It was really sweet.
I don't want to give too many spoilers, but I quite liked the ending. It was realistic, which I think is important in YA fiction.
If you are looking for a quick to read YA contemporary which deals with lots of difficult subjects, I think you'll love this book.
Overall, this book was a very pleasant surprise. I highly recommend this book!
TW: OCD, miscarriage, anxiety, disability and cancer
The representation in this book is really good. Its LGBT, there is also rep for OCD, disability and cancer.
As someone who has lived with OCD, I think the rep was pretty good. I liked how the perspective wasn't from someone who lived with the illness but from the perspective of a family member. I think that was really insightful of how challenging it can be. Although some times, the mum was presented as the enemy, which I wasn't keen on.
I think it was really well written. It was really sweet.
I don't want to give too many spoilers, but I quite liked the ending. It was realistic, which I think is important in YA fiction.
If you are looking for a quick to read YA contemporary which deals with lots of difficult subjects, I think you'll love this book.
Overall, this book was a very pleasant surprise. I highly recommend this book!
TW: OCD, miscarriage, anxiety, disability and cancer
November 14, 2019
Sam, the school outcast, suffers under the rigidity of her mom’s OCD. Pretty, popular Zoe struggles with her mom’s cancer, her severely disabled brother’s violence and her feelings of abandonment from her adoption. The two grow close through fantasy texts they call STARWORLD.
Paula Garner and Audrey Coulthurst teamed up, each writing a different POV, to write STARWORLD. Zoe and Sam were well-developed and easy to champion. Both girls were parentified, Sam due to her mother’s mental illness and Zoe because Jonah needed so much care.
STARWORLD has more subplots than an actual plot. One central theme is Sam’s crush on the heterosexual Zoe.
I’m a breast cancer survivor and a pet peeve I had was Zoe’s mother was said to be in partial remission, which isn’t a phrase used in breast cancer. We don’t use remission but NED No Evidence of Disease because breast cancer can come back at any time, even twenty years down the road.
My other issue was after being confronted Sam’s mother’s immediate ability to let go of her stronghold on Sam. Though her OCD wasn’t cured, given the severity of her issues she would have needed meds and/or therapy.
STARWORLD is an okay read with likable characters.
Paula Garner and Audrey Coulthurst teamed up, each writing a different POV, to write STARWORLD. Zoe and Sam were well-developed and easy to champion. Both girls were parentified, Sam due to her mother’s mental illness and Zoe because Jonah needed so much care.
STARWORLD has more subplots than an actual plot. One central theme is Sam’s crush on the heterosexual Zoe.
I’m a breast cancer survivor and a pet peeve I had was Zoe’s mother was said to be in partial remission, which isn’t a phrase used in breast cancer. We don’t use remission but NED No Evidence of Disease because breast cancer can come back at any time, even twenty years down the road.
My other issue was after being confronted Sam’s mother’s immediate ability to let go of her stronghold on Sam. Though her OCD wasn’t cured, given the severity of her issues she would have needed meds and/or therapy.
STARWORLD is an okay read with likable characters.
May 29, 2020
It was so beautifully written, and hopeful yet heartbreaking at the same time. I cried 6 or 7 times while reading this book, but finished it with a smile on my face. I have a feeling this book is going to stick with me for a while.
December 9, 2020
Wonderfully written.the story is compelling from start to finish. It is funny and captivating.definitely a must read for me
Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews