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Celestine
CELESTINE, is about fifteen-year-old Celestine Tolland and her parents who, in 1984, were part of a crew of explorers who set off into space. Months after their departure, a virus ravaged the crew of the Phaeacia, killing nearly everyone aboard. The few survivors finally returned to Earth after nearly two years. However, because they were traveling near the speed of light—causing an effect known as time dilation—more than thirty years have passed on Earth. Celestine, who had finished her freshman year in high school in 1984, returns to Earth to begin her senior year in 2022. She is only seventeen, while her former classmates are nearly fifty years old.
Back in her hometown, Celestine faces the same trials that every teen girl faces, but there are many new challenges. In addition to making friends, finding romance, and dealing with mean girls, she has to learn how to navigate social media and the internet, and to avoid suspicious members of the public who fear she is contagious. She also has to deal with survivor’s guilt, living with her foster mother (who also happens to be her childhood friend), therapy, fear of a government conspiracy, and fear of falling ill...
Back in her hometown, Celestine faces the same trials that every teen girl faces, but there are many new challenges. In addition to making friends, finding romance, and dealing with mean girls, she has to learn how to navigate social media and the internet, and to avoid suspicious members of the public who fear she is contagious. She also has to deal with survivor’s guilt, living with her foster mother (who also happens to be her childhood friend), therapy, fear of a government conspiracy, and fear of falling ill...
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2021
14 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Kevin St. Jarre
10 books55 followersKevin St. Jarre earned his MFA in Creative Writing, with a concentration in Popular Fiction, from University of Southern Maine’s Stonecoast program. He's studied at the Norman Mailer Writers Center with Sigrid Nunez and screenwriter David Black.
He has worked as a teacher, a professor, a newspaper reporter, an international corporate consultant, and led a combat intelligence team in the first Gulf War. He is a dual Canadian and American citizen.
His most recent novels are published by Encircle Publications, his Pushcart-nominated short fiction can be found online, and he is a member of International Thriller Writers. Kevin lives on the coast of Maine.
He has worked as a teacher, a professor, a newspaper reporter, an international corporate consultant, and led a combat intelligence team in the first Gulf War. He is a dual Canadian and American citizen.
His most recent novels are published by Encircle Publications, his Pushcart-nominated short fiction can be found online, and he is a member of International Thriller Writers. Kevin lives on the coast of Maine.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 27, 2021
Wonderful combination of a coming of age story and a psychological thriller, with just a touch of science fiction. Celestine, a seventeen-year-old whose space travel aged her two years while fifty years passed on earth, has to figure out cell phones, computers and covid, while dealing with the trauma of losing her parents and fearing for her own life. Great premise. I curled up with up it and read without stopping.
May 26, 2021
This was ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5/5
Celestine follows the story of Cel, a teenager from the 80's who has traveled to space and back; except she comes back to a modern Earth, due to the speed of light traveling. Dealing with the grief of loss, unanswered questions, Covid, new technology, and old acquaintances that are now old enough to be her parents, Cel finds herself in quite the position. Fear of all the unknowns, naturally, proves to be the breaking point for her.
While this book is listed as a sci-fi novel, I would consider it more of a psychological thriller. There are some elements of science fiction introduced at the beginning; however, the book focuses more on the paranoia and depression of a confused teenager. The questions on how this scientific advances work are never quite explained, which makes these elements more like aiding secondary characters who never influence the primary plot.
I did enjoy the way the author portrayed depression and anxiety, as well as grief and PTSD; while it does not look the same for everyone, he did portray it very well.
As for the things I did not like,
- It seems the book could've used at least two more rounds of proofreading for grammar mistakes and typos on the second half of the book.
- The scenes with Jackson in the cabin seemed to drag a bit longer than needed. I found myself struggling to focus.
- The topic of Cel's discovery of her sexuality was nicely introduced, but it wasn't really explored; it would've been best to not add it to the story, as it didn't add anything other than new questions.
- The ending was rushed; in a matter of two chapters, all the issues were solved with the snap of fingers, making the characters lose some credibility.
- The Epilogue isn't actually an epilogue, but an Author's Note. It would serve a better purpose at the beginning of the book, prior to starting the narration.
Overall, it was an entertaining read that was easy to relate to, given the times we are living currently.
3.5/5
Celestine follows the story of Cel, a teenager from the 80's who has traveled to space and back; except she comes back to a modern Earth, due to the speed of light traveling. Dealing with the grief of loss, unanswered questions, Covid, new technology, and old acquaintances that are now old enough to be her parents, Cel finds herself in quite the position. Fear of all the unknowns, naturally, proves to be the breaking point for her.
While this book is listed as a sci-fi novel, I would consider it more of a psychological thriller. There are some elements of science fiction introduced at the beginning; however, the book focuses more on the paranoia and depression of a confused teenager. The questions on how this scientific advances work are never quite explained, which makes these elements more like aiding secondary characters who never influence the primary plot.
I did enjoy the way the author portrayed depression and anxiety, as well as grief and PTSD; while it does not look the same for everyone, he did portray it very well.
As for the things I did not like,
- It seems the book could've used at least two more rounds of proofreading for grammar mistakes and typos on the second half of the book.
- The scenes with Jackson in the cabin seemed to drag a bit longer than needed. I found myself struggling to focus.
- The topic of Cel's discovery of her sexuality was nicely introduced, but it wasn't really explored; it would've been best to not add it to the story, as it didn't add anything other than new questions.
- The ending was rushed; in a matter of two chapters, all the issues were solved with the snap of fingers, making the characters lose some credibility.
- The Epilogue isn't actually an epilogue, but an Author's Note. It would serve a better purpose at the beginning of the book, prior to starting the narration.
Overall, it was an entertaining read that was easy to relate to, given the times we are living currently.
June 15, 2021
I'm sorry that my first word-association with the title was The Celestine Prophecy, which in my opinion was a bunch of New Age hoodoo. Kevin St. Jarre's novel Celestine is anything but.
The premise is a corker: A secret Soviet space mission took off from Kazakhstan in 1984. Among the passengers were a 15-year old American girl named Celestine and her scientist parents. The ship would travel at relativistic speed to colonize a planet orbiting a star many light years away. But a virus kills most of the crew, and they return to Earth. Celestine is one of only six survivors.
She was gone for two years. But because of time dilation, on Earth it is now 2022. Her high school friends are now fifty years old. Her parents died in space. Her "peers" are hooked into their cell phones and social media 24 hours a day, and expect her to be always available. Many of the people in the small Maine town to which she returns fear she could be contagious.
Told in first person from Celestine's point of view, the novel lives up to its promise. The science fiction foundation is solid, but becomes background to the story of Celestine's adjustment to a world that is strange to her but familiar to readers. The Covid-19 pandemic was even worked in at the last minute. And yet it does not descend into young-adult coming-of-age cliché, as it easily could. Celestine is smart, hurt, combative, and savvier than her classmates. Her struggle to adjust to her new reality makes for an engaging, enjoyable story.
The premise is a corker: A secret Soviet space mission took off from Kazakhstan in 1984. Among the passengers were a 15-year old American girl named Celestine and her scientist parents. The ship would travel at relativistic speed to colonize a planet orbiting a star many light years away. But a virus kills most of the crew, and they return to Earth. Celestine is one of only six survivors.
She was gone for two years. But because of time dilation, on Earth it is now 2022. Her high school friends are now fifty years old. Her parents died in space. Her "peers" are hooked into their cell phones and social media 24 hours a day, and expect her to be always available. Many of the people in the small Maine town to which she returns fear she could be contagious.
Told in first person from Celestine's point of view, the novel lives up to its promise. The science fiction foundation is solid, but becomes background to the story of Celestine's adjustment to a world that is strange to her but familiar to readers. The Covid-19 pandemic was even worked in at the last minute. And yet it does not descend into young-adult coming-of-age cliché, as it easily could. Celestine is smart, hurt, combative, and savvier than her classmates. Her struggle to adjust to her new reality makes for an engaging, enjoyable story.
October 3, 2021
Celestine is a YA tale from author Kevin St. Jarre (Aliens, Drywall and a Unicycle, and The Twin) detailing the re-entry of Celestine Tolland back to planet Earth and back into a society that has skipped thirty years ahead of her. In the best of times, teenagers have to navigate a world where they are growing, questioning, and doubting everyone and everything. That is true for Celestine, but in addition, she suffers from prejudice by those who see her as an outcast (and possibly the carrier of a deadly virus), their fear clearly evident to this coming-of-age teen. The uncertainty about her new life back on terra firma only serves to amplify the psychological damage already created by a tragic space trip that has left her parents and friends dead.
Written in a style and language that will resonate with the YA crowd, Celestine gives us food for thought, and gives us hope to root for our heroine.
Written in a style and language that will resonate with the YA crowd, Celestine gives us food for thought, and gives us hope to root for our heroine.
September 18, 2021
Sacha's Book Reviews Blog
This was my fifth book I chose from the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single reviewer for this new book. Though it seemed to be a sci-fi at first (not my go-to genre), the preview and synopsis drew me in to take a chance, and I’m glad I did. This review also appears on Reedsy.
If you're interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid "tips" to review books!) check it out here.
The Premise
In the mid-80s, a group of explorers set off on a secret mission, which ultimately failed after a virus ravaged the crew, leaving only six survivors to return after two years. However on Earth, it's been over 30 years. Teenager Celestine, who accompanied her (now deceased) parents on the mission, is now a high school student in 2022 -- a brand new world bereft of things she once understood.
Alongside the typical teenage angst of complicated female friendships, rebellion against authority figures, and thrilling new romantic experiences; Celestine struggles with survivor's guilt, worry over a government conspiracy, and an intense paranoia that she will fall ill -- and worse, make others ill.
The Pros & Cons
This was a rare genre mishmash that somehow manages to pack many elements together, and still execute it successfully.
The sci-fi intro quickly pivots to the throes of first love, an introspective history lesson, and a women’s fiction drama — all wrapped up in a young adult coming-of-age thriller.
In a post-COVID world (*notably: the author rewrote to suit this*), a protesting public is suspicious of the returning space travellers, whom they fear to be contagious. Celestine is fortunate to find new friends at all, and clings desperately to her new clique like a lifeline.
But, having crash-landed into a new decade, she is awash with unfamiliarity.
I was some sort of caveman-spaceman. Honestly, who could’ve predicted someone would invent a world-wide system of linked computers so children could watch porn, adults could flirt with strangers, people could shop at two o’clock in the morning for stuff they didn’t need, and so that an entire subculture could be created that shared cute photos of their cats?
The author’s cheeky references shed light on the strangeness of the modern world as Celestine grapples with new technology and a distinctly different sociopolitical outlook on life:
We’re lucky to live here. We have all the food we need, shelter, it’s a relatively safe place. If you work hard, you can go far in life.
Her belief system is met with ridicule, as her peers explain that she is “sickeningly positive”; they all know that life is “rigged” to serve the rich, the world is a “cesspool”, and “the man” won’t let you win.
Along with these provocative political diatribes, there was also a wide range of emotions bubbling to the surface as we feel every nuance of Celestine’s uncertainty, fear, anger, and grief:
When your mom dies, it’s as if this pleasant hum that you’ve heard all your life goes silent, and the sudden quiet is staggering.
Therapy plays a critical role in Celestine’s journey to recovery and self-acceptance, and leaves a lasting message as the novel achieves its climax.
Conclusion
I enjoyed the unpredictable ride of this thought-provoking and emotional exploration of our changing world, though at times it left me feeling unsettled — but that was the point. With such a complex character like Celestine, and an interweaving story that you couldn't really figure out where it was heading, it sometimes felt like the reality TV that bothered Celestine so much because she couldn’t understand why we keep watching when there is no cohesive plot.
While there is, most definitely, a core story humming beneath all of these elements to tie a profound plot together, it’s one of those novels where you’ll sit for some time afterwards, trying to come to terms with what you just read. I can see this sparking intense book club debates, and being adapted into a film. I highly recommend to any reader, but it will be particularly impactful among a young adult audience.
___________
This review also appears on my blog. Visit to read more of my reviews: Sacha's Book Reviews Blog
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May 18, 2021
For this and more reviews, check out my blog!
I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story is about Celestine, who departed earth in 1984 together with her parents as part of a secret mission into space. However, just months after their departure, a virus ravaged the ship’s crew, killing nearly everyone aboard. They return to earth, where Celestine becomes one of six survivors—her parents not being amongst them. Even though for them just two years have passed, almost forty years have passed on Earth, and Celestine comes back as a 17-year-old in the year 2022. In addition to the same teenage angst every other teenage girl faces, Celestine has to adjust to all the new technology and deal with the public who—in the aftermath of COVID—still fears that she’s contagious, even though the government says she’s not. She also has to deal with her survivor’s guilt, therapy, and fear of becoming sick.
I really loved the premise of the book. Celestine was an intriguing story, where we get a first-hand experience on how she deals (or rather, doesn’t deal) with her mental health issues. For instance, we get sucked into Celestine’s paranoia. We believe that there may be something bigger going on because that’s what Celestine believes. Is there some government conspiracy? Are they lying about them no longer being sick?
Another interesting thing was the contrast between the current worldview against the one Celestine grew up with during the ’70s and ’80s, which was apparently more optimistic. There are some nice ideas in there, for instance, how weird it actually is that we have all these ‘friends’ on Facebook, who can see what we do, but none of these ideas are fully explored. Pretty much all the social media stuff is strange if you think more deeply about it. The same goes for reality tv shows. However, I think the author wanted to put in a bit too much, so we actually barely scratch the surface on the oddities of present-day society.
I didn’t connect to Celestine as a character, though. It was natural that she lashed out to the people who tried to help her; it’s something most people do when they struggle with their mental health. Celestine spends a lot of time even resisting the fact that she has issues. I felt this denial went on a bit too long. There’s also a climactic part in the middle that felt off to me. I think it wasn’t set up well enough for it to really pay off. So, it didn’t have nearly as much of an emotional impact on me as it could’ve had.
Other than that, I also found Celestine to be very judgemental of the people around her. And very convinced that she’s right. This made me like her less.
While it was disappointing that I couldn’t relate to Celestine, it was still an interesting story. Especially after you get through the beginning (which I felt dragged on for a bit too long), it’s a story that makes you think about today’s society, health, and the way we treat others. Especially those we consider to be different or in any other way ‘unsafe’, even if we don’t have proof of it.
So, if that sounds like your cup of tea, be sure to check it out!
For this and more reviews, check out my blog!
I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story is about Celestine, who departed earth in 1984 together with her parents as part of a secret mission into space. However, just months after their departure, a virus ravaged the ship’s crew, killing nearly everyone aboard. They return to earth, where Celestine becomes one of six survivors—her parents not being amongst them. Even though for them just two years have passed, almost forty years have passed on Earth, and Celestine comes back as a 17-year-old in the year 2022. In addition to the same teenage angst every other teenage girl faces, Celestine has to adjust to all the new technology and deal with the public who—in the aftermath of COVID—still fears that she’s contagious, even though the government says she’s not. She also has to deal with her survivor’s guilt, therapy, and fear of becoming sick.
I really loved the premise of the book. Celestine was an intriguing story, where we get a first-hand experience on how she deals (or rather, doesn’t deal) with her mental health issues. For instance, we get sucked into Celestine’s paranoia. We believe that there may be something bigger going on because that’s what Celestine believes. Is there some government conspiracy? Are they lying about them no longer being sick?
Another interesting thing was the contrast between the current worldview against the one Celestine grew up with during the ’70s and ’80s, which was apparently more optimistic. There are some nice ideas in there, for instance, how weird it actually is that we have all these ‘friends’ on Facebook, who can see what we do, but none of these ideas are fully explored. Pretty much all the social media stuff is strange if you think more deeply about it. The same goes for reality tv shows. However, I think the author wanted to put in a bit too much, so we actually barely scratch the surface on the oddities of present-day society.
I didn’t connect to Celestine as a character, though. It was natural that she lashed out to the people who tried to help her; it’s something most people do when they struggle with their mental health. Celestine spends a lot of time even resisting the fact that she has issues. I felt this denial went on a bit too long. There’s also a climactic part in the middle that felt off to me. I think it wasn’t set up well enough for it to really pay off. So, it didn’t have nearly as much of an emotional impact on me as it could’ve had.
Other than that, I also found Celestine to be very judgemental of the people around her. And very convinced that she’s right. This made me like her less.
While it was disappointing that I couldn’t relate to Celestine, it was still an interesting story. Especially after you get through the beginning (which I felt dragged on for a bit too long), it’s a story that makes you think about today’s society, health, and the way we treat others. Especially those we consider to be different or in any other way ‘unsafe’, even if we don’t have proof of it.
So, if that sounds like your cup of tea, be sure to check it out!
For this and more reviews, check out my blog!
April 14, 2021
Very good read.
June 27, 2021
I loved this book but waited to review because it is very much a teen/young adult genre (although I enjoyed it tremendously at age 53) and I feel a bit ill-equipped for that genre. I also don’t want to give spoilers, so have to say here that what I love the most about the story is that the characters make realistic and sometimes self-harming choices that do NOT follow the typical plot lines. I love that it is neither romantic happily ever after nor tragic in its resolution. The story feels extraordinarily real despite its sci-fi premise. I highly recommend it.
May 7, 2021
Kazakhstan, USSR (Central Asia). 5, 4, 4, 2, 1. The Phaeacia (spaceship) was taking off.
50 yrs. later. Earth. On the day we landed, the Phaeacia (spaceship) rose & fell with the waves, we survivors sensed we would never return home.
When we opened the hatch there was a guy in a hazmat suite.
Celestine Tolland’s (15, daughter) parents had died as many others had from a virus.
She introduced herself to the earthlings. There were 5 others who survived the ordeal.
3/11, Boston, MA. Massachusetts General Hospital. The nurse came in to check on my vitals.
Nurse Gemma R. was attending to Celestine.
Dr. Schilz introduced himself to still the restrained to the hospital bed Celestine.
3/17, Nurse Megan A. was pushing Celestine around the hospital hallway A.
Jamie (chauffeur) was showing her around town.
3/20/2022, In the conference room Dr. Richard Caledon, Dr. Alexei Tupov, & Dr. Arun Sood introduced their-selves to Celestine.
They wanted her to relive her life aboard the Phaeacia to the best of her ability.
3/30/2022, Deborah Hoyle (52, wife/mother, cousin) Raymond Hoyle (husband/father) & have agreed to let Celestine live with her.
Muriel Berber is your personal therapist.
The CDC director announced that the Phaeacia (spaceship) survivors were not a threat to public health.
3/30/2022, Goodwin (town). Deborah Hoyle & Raymond Hoyle were explaining to Celestine “Cel” life has changed dramatically since she had left Earth.
Celestine had her 1st session with Muriel Berber.
Celestine (17) was going downtown again to adjust to the new environment.
Crescent Beach. Lauren, Jackson (Lauren’s brother), & Cole took Celestine swimming.
Ian Mokone & LTC Dana McCormack (Phaeacia’s copilot) were missing.
What were Dr. Stenhouse & Celestine discussing?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written YA Psychological Thriller book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters & facts to keep track of. This could also make another great YA Psychological Thriller movie, or better yet a mini-TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is an amazingly easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Author; Encircle Publications; Goodreads; Making Connections; Making Connections discussion group talk; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
50 yrs. later. Earth. On the day we landed, the Phaeacia (spaceship) rose & fell with the waves, we survivors sensed we would never return home.
When we opened the hatch there was a guy in a hazmat suite.
Celestine Tolland’s (15, daughter) parents had died as many others had from a virus.
She introduced herself to the earthlings. There were 5 others who survived the ordeal.
3/11, Boston, MA. Massachusetts General Hospital. The nurse came in to check on my vitals.
Nurse Gemma R. was attending to Celestine.
Dr. Schilz introduced himself to still the restrained to the hospital bed Celestine.
3/17, Nurse Megan A. was pushing Celestine around the hospital hallway A.
Jamie (chauffeur) was showing her around town.
3/20/2022, In the conference room Dr. Richard Caledon, Dr. Alexei Tupov, & Dr. Arun Sood introduced their-selves to Celestine.
They wanted her to relive her life aboard the Phaeacia to the best of her ability.
3/30/2022, Deborah Hoyle (52, wife/mother, cousin) Raymond Hoyle (husband/father) & have agreed to let Celestine live with her.
Muriel Berber is your personal therapist.
The CDC director announced that the Phaeacia (spaceship) survivors were not a threat to public health.
3/30/2022, Goodwin (town). Deborah Hoyle & Raymond Hoyle were explaining to Celestine “Cel” life has changed dramatically since she had left Earth.
Celestine had her 1st session with Muriel Berber.
Celestine (17) was going downtown again to adjust to the new environment.
Crescent Beach. Lauren, Jackson (Lauren’s brother), & Cole took Celestine swimming.
Ian Mokone & LTC Dana McCormack (Phaeacia’s copilot) were missing.
What were Dr. Stenhouse & Celestine discussing?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written YA Psychological Thriller book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters & facts to keep track of. This could also make another great YA Psychological Thriller movie, or better yet a mini-TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is an amazingly easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Author; Encircle Publications; Goodreads; Making Connections; Making Connections discussion group talk; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
June 14, 2021
I’m not a reader of young adult fiction, but the concept for “Celestine” intrigued me. A girl turning seventeen returns to Earth as one of only six survivors of a mysterious and aborted mission to colonize a distant planet. Having traveled for two years at speeds close to the speed of light, Celestine finds that everyone she knows has aged forty years (per Einstein’s theories of relativity).
Celestine, whose name appropriately means “heavenly,” finds herself shunned as a carrier of the deadly disease that killed most of the passengers on the spaceship, including her parents. “Celestine” parallels in some ways the Covid-19 pandemic.
But mostly the novel tells the story of a troubled and rebellious girl trying to get her head straight and fit in with kids her age.
There are lighter moments, especially when Celestine uses 80s expressions such as “radical” and “gag me with a spoon,” and when she confronts smart phones, Facebook, etc. She’s also overwhelmed by how society has changed—for better or worse—in forty years.
An interesting read, especially for readers of young adult novels.
Celestine, whose name appropriately means “heavenly,” finds herself shunned as a carrier of the deadly disease that killed most of the passengers on the spaceship, including her parents. “Celestine” parallels in some ways the Covid-19 pandemic.
But mostly the novel tells the story of a troubled and rebellious girl trying to get her head straight and fit in with kids her age.
There are lighter moments, especially when Celestine uses 80s expressions such as “radical” and “gag me with a spoon,” and when she confronts smart phones, Facebook, etc. She’s also overwhelmed by how society has changed—for better or worse—in forty years.
An interesting read, especially for readers of young adult novels.
June 29, 2021
Celestine by Kevin St. Jarre
It would be difficult for a seventeen-year-old girl to change schools in her senior year. It would be far more herculean to be forced to do this after spending almost forty years in space on an exploration mission that ended prematurely with deadly consequences. This is what Celestine must face when she is one of just six survivors, the casualties including her parents. Now, she must navigate a world that has drastically changed from 1984. Just think of all the changes that have occurred over that time period and you can begin to imagine the difficulties that Celestine faces readjusting to a world that is disparate, fearful of her, and downright confusing. Friends, boyfriends, enemies, and adjustment all occur in the midst of maturing into an adult. A fascinating new introspection by author Kevin St. Jarre that will most certainly will tease your waking thoughts with all the implications of a world that has changed dramatically since 1984.
It would be difficult for a seventeen-year-old girl to change schools in her senior year. It would be far more herculean to be forced to do this after spending almost forty years in space on an exploration mission that ended prematurely with deadly consequences. This is what Celestine must face when she is one of just six survivors, the casualties including her parents. Now, she must navigate a world that has drastically changed from 1984. Just think of all the changes that have occurred over that time period and you can begin to imagine the difficulties that Celestine faces readjusting to a world that is disparate, fearful of her, and downright confusing. Friends, boyfriends, enemies, and adjustment all occur in the midst of maturing into an adult. A fascinating new introspection by author Kevin St. Jarre that will most certainly will tease your waking thoughts with all the implications of a world that has changed dramatically since 1984.
February 21, 2021
This coming-of-age novel is about a girl who left earth on a spaceship in the 1980s, returned to earth in the 2020s, and tries to fit back into normal life. The book really has nothing to do with space travel; the catalyst could have easily been time travel, coma, or a number of other scenarios. The book however does have everything to do with the age old problem of fitting in.
The writing is acceptable, but I found the story to be bland and generic. The story resembles a run-of-the-mill after school TV special and would appeal to that audience (young teens), but I don’t think it has enough depth to cross over to a more mature audience.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me an ARC to review.
The writing is acceptable, but I found the story to be bland and generic. The story resembles a run-of-the-mill after school TV special and would appeal to that audience (young teens), but I don’t think it has enough depth to cross over to a more mature audience.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me an ARC to review.
January 4, 2026
While an easy and fast read, the rapid development of romances and hate feels unrealistic. Cel and the other teen characters feel like teens written by an adult who has not interacted with teens since the 2000's. Her rapid in and out of the friend groups she is with and the flipflopping of opinions on her should have been more developed and overall she did not feel like an enjoyable character to follow until chapter 42 when she was forced actually overcome a conflict by herself.
I wouldn't have minded a section showing Cel struggling with how to use modern tech, as a fish out of water story it feels almost a lost moment of overcoming a struggle to fit in and make her more likeable.
I wouldn't have minded a section showing Cel struggling with how to use modern tech, as a fish out of water story it feels almost a lost moment of overcoming a struggle to fit in and make her more likeable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2024
This book was not what I expected when I got it but I am glad that I did. This book is about a ship being in space and how the people from Earth in that ship got sick but a few survived. One is Celestine who was 16 when she went into the ship and still 16 when she was saved. It is 2022, she should have been in her 50's. Having to deal with the new life without her parents and the people from her town thinking she was contagious and treated her like she was sick.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 18, 2021
Just okay. The premise was interesting, but it didn't feel fully fleshed out. It was interesting that the author updated the book before publishing in order to include references to COVID, although at times they felt like they had been tacked on as an afterthought.
Received an ARC from NetGalley.
Received an ARC from NetGalley.
March 8, 2023
Not going to lie, I hated the way Celestine was treated by some of the people in this book. That being said I really enjoyed this book and Celestine’s ability to find her way no matter how hard it may have been.
March 15, 2021
DNF
Loved the premise but couldn’t get into the writing! I think one of the reasons was definitely not being able to connect with the MC! This is definitely for the younger population of YA readers!
Will definitely give kudos to the author for writing a good book, but just wasn’t my style!
Loved the premise but couldn’t get into the writing! I think one of the reasons was definitely not being able to connect with the MC! This is definitely for the younger population of YA readers!
Will definitely give kudos to the author for writing a good book, but just wasn’t my style!
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