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Vile Stars
(TRUE) LOVE
(TOXIC) LOVE
(LOST) LOVE
This is a different kind of love story.
17-year-old Luka isn't looking for love. She's trying to piece her life back together after a heartbreaking loss. But when she meets the gorgeous and charismatic Cosmo under a meteor shower at the Greenwich Observatory, it feels like destiny has played a hand. Surely theirs is a love written in the stars.
But Cosmo isn't what he seems, using Luka's love for him to slowly take control of her life. As the pandemic starts to make headlines and lockdown sets in, she is trapped emotionally and physically in a coercive relationship. Luka's friends and brother can see what's happening, but struggle to reach her. Something will have to be sacrificed so Luka can set herself free - but what will be left of her when she does?
Luka's story is told from many points of view: through her letters, and through the voices of her brother, Alec, his boyfriend Theo and Luka's best friend, Roisin. Each of them holds a fragment of the story - it's time to put it all together.
(TOXIC) LOVE
(LOST) LOVE
This is a different kind of love story.
17-year-old Luka isn't looking for love. She's trying to piece her life back together after a heartbreaking loss. But when she meets the gorgeous and charismatic Cosmo under a meteor shower at the Greenwich Observatory, it feels like destiny has played a hand. Surely theirs is a love written in the stars.
But Cosmo isn't what he seems, using Luka's love for him to slowly take control of her life. As the pandemic starts to make headlines and lockdown sets in, she is trapped emotionally and physically in a coercive relationship. Luka's friends and brother can see what's happening, but struggle to reach her. Something will have to be sacrificed so Luka can set herself free - but what will be left of her when she does?
Luka's story is told from many points of view: through her letters, and through the voices of her brother, Alec, his boyfriend Theo and Luka's best friend, Roisin. Each of them holds a fragment of the story - it's time to put it all together.
384 pages, Paperback
Published April 14, 2022
13 people are currently reading
559 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
January 5, 2024
Told in the style of a podcast series, where the characters talk around a table, and sometimes through letters, this technique worked incredibly well to tell a story of a first romance twisting into a toxic, abusive relationship, and the impact the COVID-19 Pandemic would have on it.
While there's a lot of darkness in this story, there's a lot of light too, from the friends and family of Luka who tell of their despair as she starts to pull away from them, and their hopes for her to come back home. The trans rep was very well portrayed, too.
The ending, although I saw it coming from the first chapter, was still brutal and impactful, while managing not to shift the focus from Luka to her abuser. This is such an important story, and shows the best of UK YA.
While there's a lot of darkness in this story, there's a lot of light too, from the friends and family of Luka who tell of their despair as she starts to pull away from them, and their hopes for her to come back home. The trans rep was very well portrayed, too.
The ending, although I saw it coming from the first chapter, was still brutal and impactful, while managing not to shift the focus from Luka to her abuser. This is such an important story, and shows the best of UK YA.
April 6, 2022
There are few things in life that cause as much pain as burying a parent, well before their time and during the part of life where your parent is who guides you most and is the provider of unconditional love. There are few things in life that make your stomach swoop and heart race as much as your first love. Vile Stars is a page turning story of teenage love, obsession, friendship, and of course, grief.
Luka Booth is on the cusp of adulthood. A good student and best friend, loving sister and daughter, Luka Booth has the world at her feet. Until her mother dies. Left with her younger siblings; Alec and Allegra, and in the care of her stepfather William, grief and loneliness consume her. Writing letters to her mother, Luka tells her the things she wishes she could say to her and the things she may not have ever told her if she was alive. She tells her mother her daily struggle to get to classes, the way she can’t forgive her for marrying William. For leaving her. She tells her about Cosmo and the galaxy of feelings that come with the boy she met under the stars at the observatory.
Roisin, Alec, and Theo - Luka’s best friend, brother, and his boyfriend, are all in the unenviable position of witnessing Luka lose traction in her life. As Cosmo edges into the picture, pushing the other three out day by day, they all try to bring Luka back to them, to show her she deserves more. But Luka is in love, and nobody understands, nobody is happy for her, and Cosmo is who she needs. Cosmo gets her like the others don’t, supports her in her independence and she wants to be his world. School is pointless now, Roisin doesn’t understand the hole in her heart, and Alec, well Alec has Theo. So why can’t Luka have Cosmo?
As always, Sera Milano’s writing is lyrical and realistic all at once. Diverse characters and the current world are threaded into her stories with ease, nothing feeling trite or overdone. Everyday teenagers navigating life and events they don’t expect to ever find themselves in, each character is believable and each voice unique. Our focal character, Luka, is easy to love, but much harder to like with each choice she makes and evoking that feeling in a reader is a talent not every author has. Luka is fractured, and that truth is wrapped in every letter she writes, even if it isn’t spelt out on page.
From quick banter between friends, to revelations of Cosmo’s character or to the quiet alone of Luka and her letters, it all feels effortless and unhurried. There are no wasted words or moments, and each chapter end propels you into the next, eager for one more page.
Told in alternating letters from Luka and podcast episodes from the people who love Luka most, Vile Stars is a captivating and stark examination of friendship, grief, and of course, love. Love lost and found and craved. Vile Stars is unavoidable destruction sealed with a kiss.
Review by Amy Jane Lehan
Luka Booth is on the cusp of adulthood. A good student and best friend, loving sister and daughter, Luka Booth has the world at her feet. Until her mother dies. Left with her younger siblings; Alec and Allegra, and in the care of her stepfather William, grief and loneliness consume her. Writing letters to her mother, Luka tells her the things she wishes she could say to her and the things she may not have ever told her if she was alive. She tells her mother her daily struggle to get to classes, the way she can’t forgive her for marrying William. For leaving her. She tells her about Cosmo and the galaxy of feelings that come with the boy she met under the stars at the observatory.
Roisin, Alec, and Theo - Luka’s best friend, brother, and his boyfriend, are all in the unenviable position of witnessing Luka lose traction in her life. As Cosmo edges into the picture, pushing the other three out day by day, they all try to bring Luka back to them, to show her she deserves more. But Luka is in love, and nobody understands, nobody is happy for her, and Cosmo is who she needs. Cosmo gets her like the others don’t, supports her in her independence and she wants to be his world. School is pointless now, Roisin doesn’t understand the hole in her heart, and Alec, well Alec has Theo. So why can’t Luka have Cosmo?
As always, Sera Milano’s writing is lyrical and realistic all at once. Diverse characters and the current world are threaded into her stories with ease, nothing feeling trite or overdone. Everyday teenagers navigating life and events they don’t expect to ever find themselves in, each character is believable and each voice unique. Our focal character, Luka, is easy to love, but much harder to like with each choice she makes and evoking that feeling in a reader is a talent not every author has. Luka is fractured, and that truth is wrapped in every letter she writes, even if it isn’t spelt out on page.
From quick banter between friends, to revelations of Cosmo’s character or to the quiet alone of Luka and her letters, it all feels effortless and unhurried. There are no wasted words or moments, and each chapter end propels you into the next, eager for one more page.
Told in alternating letters from Luka and podcast episodes from the people who love Luka most, Vile Stars is a captivating and stark examination of friendship, grief, and of course, love. Love lost and found and craved. Vile Stars is unavoidable destruction sealed with a kiss.
Review by Amy Jane Lehan
April 24, 2022
"Grief is just Love with nowhere to go"
After the powerhouse that was "This Can Never Not Be Real" I was both reluctant and desperate to read "Vile Stars" because really you think such things can't possibly get you again in the same way.
It didn't. It got me on all sorts of other levels- not only in the remembered and still felt grief for my own Mother but in the tangible sense of it that will linger for a long time.
Vile Stars is an exquisite portrait of grief and the darkness such vulnerability can attract.
Seen through the eyes of friends and family, Luka's spiral downwards and the desperate situation she finds herself in whilst looking for impossible answers is darkly observant and hugely relatable. The sense of being unable to change anything whilst wanting to change everything is palpable throughout this story as it unfolds. It was beautiful and horrible and melancholy and uplifting all at the same time.
Now I've finished it I'm not sure that love conquers all but I'm damn sure it won't die trying.
Fantastic writing and I will unapologetically and immediately read everything this author writes in the future.
Highly Recommended.
After the powerhouse that was "This Can Never Not Be Real" I was both reluctant and desperate to read "Vile Stars" because really you think such things can't possibly get you again in the same way.
It didn't. It got me on all sorts of other levels- not only in the remembered and still felt grief for my own Mother but in the tangible sense of it that will linger for a long time.
Vile Stars is an exquisite portrait of grief and the darkness such vulnerability can attract.
Seen through the eyes of friends and family, Luka's spiral downwards and the desperate situation she finds herself in whilst looking for impossible answers is darkly observant and hugely relatable. The sense of being unable to change anything whilst wanting to change everything is palpable throughout this story as it unfolds. It was beautiful and horrible and melancholy and uplifting all at the same time.
Now I've finished it I'm not sure that love conquers all but I'm damn sure it won't die trying.
Fantastic writing and I will unapologetically and immediately read everything this author writes in the future.
Highly Recommended.
May 25, 2022
This is YA ‘it ends with us’ and everyone should read it
January 27, 2022
An important, poignant book about the insidious nature of a toxic relationship. It gripped my heart on page one and still hasn’t let go. Absolutely stunning.
July 4, 2022
We love a book set in London that is actually representative of London.
A diverse classroom! Teenagers doing their GCSE's/A-Levels!
I wasn't sure when I read the blurb quite what it was going to be about BUT the format of the book [as a podcast interview + letters] was cleverly done as the characters try and piece an event together. The exploration of grief and depression and the breaking and remaking of family units was done really really well. I also really like the nods to being different just by having different accents. Also the queer representation was handled super sensitively with one character (I just their thought process and way of interacting with the world was handled really sensitively).
The meat of the book focuses on how the MC is drawn into a controlling and coercive relationship and how no one notices until it's too late. How even the MC doesn't either really - we only see how bad it gets through her letters to her mother (who she lost a year ago). I thought the slow descent into being controlled was handled really well because 8/10 the people around you don't notice because we're so focussed on ourselves. And if you're really good at pretending to be ok, people really really don't notice. Or if they do it's a bit too late. There's an event that's pretty jarring towards the end and honestly I thought it was going to be something different.
Massive kudos to the publishers for putting a content warning in this book as well!
A diverse classroom! Teenagers doing their GCSE's/A-Levels!
I wasn't sure when I read the blurb quite what it was going to be about BUT the format of the book [as a podcast interview + letters] was cleverly done as the characters try and piece an event together. The exploration of grief and depression and the breaking and remaking of family units was done really really well. I also really like the nods to being different just by having different accents. Also the queer representation was handled super sensitively with one character (I just their thought process and way of interacting with the world was handled really sensitively).
The meat of the book focuses on how the MC is drawn into a controlling and coercive relationship and how no one notices until it's too late. How even the MC doesn't either really - we only see how bad it gets through her letters to her mother (who she lost a year ago). I thought the slow descent into being controlled was handled really well because 8/10 the people around you don't notice because we're so focussed on ourselves. And if you're really good at pretending to be ok, people really really don't notice. Or if they do it's a bit too late. There's an event that's pretty jarring towards the end and honestly I thought it was going to be something different.
Massive kudos to the publishers for putting a content warning in this book as well!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2024
4.25 ⭐️ This was a hard read. So much grief and the toxic relationship broke me. The tears I shed when they made it to the train station.
The writing style took some getting used to. I love myself a podcast but sometimes it also took me out of the story and made me forget it’s supposed to be a podcast. The audiobook was fantastic though!
This book had been compared to Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and I get why some people might see similarities and the ending gives of similar vibes but that’s it for me. I wouldn’t really compare them.
This was a quick sad, heartbreaking read with amazing found family that you could read in a day. This will stay with me for a while.
The writing style took some getting used to. I love myself a podcast but sometimes it also took me out of the story and made me forget it’s supposed to be a podcast. The audiobook was fantastic though!
This book had been compared to Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and I get why some people might see similarities and the ending gives of similar vibes but that’s it for me. I wouldn’t really compare them.
This was a quick sad, heartbreaking read with amazing found family that you could read in a day. This will stay with me for a while.
April 10, 2022
Holy Hell this book was incredible. first the writing was incredible, it was so engaging and flowed really well with no lulls in tension, pacing or plot, the storyline was compelling and interesting and the characters were either loveable - Luka or detestable - Cosmo but all of them added something to the plot. I took Luka to my heart her grief and loss were palpable and almost suffocating to read about but that just made me love her more.
This was an emotive and heart- wrenching read in parts and also so twisty and unpredictable in others and had a chilling atmosphere interwoven through it.
This is an important book as sadly during the Pandemic there were lots of toxic relationships that really took it up a notch during lockdown causing many women, men and children to suffer and this is the first book that I have read about the pandemic that focuses on the aspect. I also think its an important read for young adults and teens as many may be able to relate to Luka but not know how to handle that or recognise the signs.
I really enjoyed it and i think the title is a really clever addition to the book.
This was an emotive and heart- wrenching read in parts and also so twisty and unpredictable in others and had a chilling atmosphere interwoven through it.
This is an important book as sadly during the Pandemic there were lots of toxic relationships that really took it up a notch during lockdown causing many women, men and children to suffer and this is the first book that I have read about the pandemic that focuses on the aspect. I also think its an important read for young adults and teens as many may be able to relate to Luka but not know how to handle that or recognise the signs.
I really enjoyed it and i think the title is a really clever addition to the book.
June 8, 2022
Oh, this book. (also spoilers)
Things I liked:
The layout. Funny, because usually I hate this layout (*cough cough* Daisy Jones and the Six *cough cough*). But it was so much more appealing because it worked. This was a modern day setting, with young adults, and we're in a time where everyone under fifty (I might be being kind) either has a podcast or listens to one. It was perfect, and brought a nice quality to the book.
The cast. The characters were so good. They felt real, like people I can see myself genuinely meeting on the street. All of them brought a uniqueness to the book, because of the fact that they were ordinary. They were just teenagers, they don't have to be the most amazing people to ever exist ever.
Emotions. I felt like Troy Barnes, because I kept hearing him screaming "My EMOTIONS!" in my ear everytime Luka and Roshi were in a conversation. That was the realest, purest of love and it was so heartbreaking to see the two of them fall apart. I really did think their platonic love was one of the things that really made this book shine.
Things I didn't like:
The topics. I know, I know, I probably should've gone into this with the idea that we'd be discussing some heavy things, but still, this hit me like a brick. It was so uncomfortable, because of how realistic it was. I guess it's not really like a critique, I just genuinely can't deal with reading about an abusive relationship.
The bait and switch. It just felt kind of tacky to be honest, and the whole message from Luka at the end felt weirdly preachy about Cosmo. Which was fine, because she obviously did love him and is still healing, but I wish it didn't make it sound like she forgave him, because... how? Why?
Overall, I think this book is a bit of a hidden gem, and I probably wouldn't have picked it up at first glance, but I am so glad I did.
Things I liked:
The layout. Funny, because usually I hate this layout (*cough cough* Daisy Jones and the Six *cough cough*). But it was so much more appealing because it worked. This was a modern day setting, with young adults, and we're in a time where everyone under fifty (I might be being kind) either has a podcast or listens to one. It was perfect, and brought a nice quality to the book.
The cast. The characters were so good. They felt real, like people I can see myself genuinely meeting on the street. All of them brought a uniqueness to the book, because of the fact that they were ordinary. They were just teenagers, they don't have to be the most amazing people to ever exist ever.
Emotions. I felt like Troy Barnes, because I kept hearing him screaming "My EMOTIONS!" in my ear everytime Luka and Roshi were in a conversation. That was the realest, purest of love and it was so heartbreaking to see the two of them fall apart. I really did think their platonic love was one of the things that really made this book shine.
Things I didn't like:
The topics. I know, I know, I probably should've gone into this with the idea that we'd be discussing some heavy things, but still, this hit me like a brick. It was so uncomfortable, because of how realistic it was. I guess it's not really like a critique, I just genuinely can't deal with reading about an abusive relationship.
The bait and switch. It just felt kind of tacky to be honest, and the whole message from Luka at the end felt weirdly preachy about Cosmo. Which was fine, because she obviously did love him and is still healing, but I wish it didn't make it sound like she forgave him, because... how? Why?
Overall, I think this book is a bit of a hidden gem, and I probably wouldn't have picked it up at first glance, but I am so glad I did.
April 20, 2023
I had hoped that I would like this book but I found it very boring.
September 20, 2022
Actually my rating is 2.5 for this book.
I really wanted this book to be great and interesting, but it was very boring. At the end there was a little bit more interesting, but that’s it.
I really wanted this book to be great and interesting, but it was very boring. At the end there was a little bit more interesting, but that’s it.
October 24, 2024
3.5 stars
December 6, 2023
Reading Vile Stars has been an amazing ride. How each character is relatable (except Cosmo), and the accurate deception of the experience that many people have lived through. I love how in the later parts of the book it was additionally set during lockdown, I hadn't even thought about all those people who have had to deal with these struggles at such a tough time. This has quickly become one of my favourite books. A truly amazing story told in such a unique way!
September 10, 2023
A good book with an interesting format, I loved all of the characters for the most part (except Cosmo). I love how the book leads you to assume something, when it's really not the case. I loved how it had a healthy realationship (Theo and Alec's) and an unhealthy one (Luka and Cosmo's). It almost seemed like a parallel.
I also really loved how Luka's grief was written. It didn't seem over dramaticised and it highlighted the on and off days someone dealing with loss might have instead of her being mopey all day like other books write. I loved how she still felt connected to her mother and still had a deep connection with her. She's not over her mum dying, but she's coping at least.
However there are a few things I did not enjoy about this book.
The format was a bit difficult for me sometimes. Maybe because I've got a slow brain used to entire chapters in one POV compared to a transcript type format.
I also didn't like the way the book focused a bit too much about the other issues. Like why is Theo getting so upset over decent grades so important to Luka's story. Yes, I liked seeing how the relationship of Theo and Alec suffered under the pressure of Luka's absence but did we really need all that sweet talk about cheese and honey sandwiches?
The letters from Luka seemed like they were so far apart. For a book about Luka, there really should've been more input from her. We only knew what was apparent to her friends instead of what was actually going on in that flat. It all seemed a bit abrubt when it came out that they were having arguments. Mainly because lukas letters didn't really tell us much about cosmos behaviour until later on in the book.
The end was done well though. I have to say. It totally threw me off from what I'd expected. It felt satisfying.
Would I recommend? : Yes, probably. This is a great read for anyone into YA fiction about heavier topics.
I also really loved how Luka's grief was written. It didn't seem over dramaticised and it highlighted the on and off days someone dealing with loss might have instead of her being mopey all day like other books write. I loved how she still felt connected to her mother and still had a deep connection with her. She's not over her mum dying, but she's coping at least.
However there are a few things I did not enjoy about this book.
The format was a bit difficult for me sometimes. Maybe because I've got a slow brain used to entire chapters in one POV compared to a transcript type format.
I also didn't like the way the book focused a bit too much about the other issues. Like why is Theo getting so upset over decent grades so important to Luka's story. Yes, I liked seeing how the relationship of Theo and Alec suffered under the pressure of Luka's absence but did we really need all that sweet talk about cheese and honey sandwiches?
The letters from Luka seemed like they were so far apart. For a book about Luka, there really should've been more input from her. We only knew what was apparent to her friends instead of what was actually going on in that flat. It all seemed a bit abrubt when it came out that they were having arguments. Mainly because lukas letters didn't really tell us much about cosmos behaviour until later on in the book.
The end was done well though. I have to say. It totally threw me off from what I'd expected. It felt satisfying.
Would I recommend? : Yes, probably. This is a great read for anyone into YA fiction about heavier topics.
January 19, 2022
As with Milano's This Can Never Not Be Real, Vile Stars is a compelling, heart-breaking, and incredibly intense tale about a young woman, Luka, who falls under the spell of a lying, manipulative, and coercive young man, Cosmo, all set just before and during the first Lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic in England.
The tale is told in the form of transcripts of a podcast that Luka's brother Alec conceives of, along with the aid of his boyfriend, Theo, Luka's best friend, Roisin (pronounced Ro-sheen), and letters written by Luka to her mother, who has died of cancer around a year before the start of the tale.
I confess that I found Vile Stars quite tough to read at times - both because the global Covid-19 pandemic is still ongoing, but also because 'watching' Luka slipping away from her family and friends and sliding further and further under the control of Cosmo was incredibly painful. I spent quite a lot of the book mentally yelling "No! No! No! Red flag, girl! Red flag!"
This is an incredible and powerful book and I think it will have an impact on everyone who reads it. If nothing else, it will teach readers how to recognise someone who uses coercive control to abuse other people. But I hope it will also teach readers the power of friendship and love, particularly in these incredibly difficult and painful times.
I can see I'll be recommending this book a lot this year!
(My thanks to Pippa Poole and Harper Collins Publishers for sending me an advance copy of Vile Stars in exchange for an honest review.)
The tale is told in the form of transcripts of a podcast that Luka's brother Alec conceives of, along with the aid of his boyfriend, Theo, Luka's best friend, Roisin (pronounced Ro-sheen), and letters written by Luka to her mother, who has died of cancer around a year before the start of the tale.
I confess that I found Vile Stars quite tough to read at times - both because the global Covid-19 pandemic is still ongoing, but also because 'watching' Luka slipping away from her family and friends and sliding further and further under the control of Cosmo was incredibly painful. I spent quite a lot of the book mentally yelling "No! No! No! Red flag, girl! Red flag!"
This is an incredible and powerful book and I think it will have an impact on everyone who reads it. If nothing else, it will teach readers how to recognise someone who uses coercive control to abuse other people. But I hope it will also teach readers the power of friendship and love, particularly in these incredibly difficult and painful times.
I can see I'll be recommending this book a lot this year!
(My thanks to Pippa Poole and Harper Collins Publishers for sending me an advance copy of Vile Stars in exchange for an honest review.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2023
This was intense. It was heartbreaking and so realistic that it had me hooked. The podcast format was interesting and slowly finding out the story of what happened to Luka was gripping and tense. It's nice to see that the author did a lot of research into their topics before writing this book, and it felt very genuine -- it didn't feel forced, and I certainly felt like the topics were handled with care.
The only thing that knocked this book back for me was some of the longer parts of the podcast. It lost character sometimes and felt more like I was reading a novel than immersing myself in the transcriped podcasts. But when that's my only gripe with a book, you know it's been good.
The writing was phenomenal, my heart strings were pulled and I adored each of the characters (especially Theo, I love him sm).
The only thing that knocked this book back for me was some of the longer parts of the podcast. It lost character sometimes and felt more like I was reading a novel than immersing myself in the transcriped podcasts. But when that's my only gripe with a book, you know it's been good.
The writing was phenomenal, my heart strings were pulled and I adored each of the characters (especially Theo, I love him sm).
July 12, 2025
4.5/5
Review to come, but this was such an interesting story and told in such a fresh, new, original way! I loved this story bloom through a different medium, and watch the red flags increase with a horrifying speed. Sjeesh, the red flegs. Omg, this bItchboi.
Review to come, but this was such an interesting story and told in such a fresh, new, original way! I loved this story bloom through a different medium, and watch the red flags increase with a horrifying speed. Sjeesh, the red flegs. Omg, this bItchboi.
May 14, 2023
I’ve read this twice, and I think I cried more the second time than I did the first. I both wanted to put it down and never pick it up again, and never put it down at the same time. It completely broke my heart. This is the perfect book to read if you want a good cry.
January 19, 2024
The depictions of grief are something that really hit home and I'm appreciative for that in this book but other than that it was just a bit mid.
I didn't really feel connected to the characters at all, i was only finishing this book to satisfy my inability to DNF a book.
I didn't really feel connected to the characters at all, i was only finishing this book to satisfy my inability to DNF a book.
October 11, 2023
17-year-old Luca is struggling with the death of her mother. She meets Cosmo who makes her feel better. Her friends start to see a different side to Cosmo has he becomes controlling and slowly cuts her off from her friends and family.
June 22, 2022
3.5 stars. The subject matter/s are handled really well, but I found the narration style both too "jumpy" and not-differentiated-enough between the different characters.
April 27, 2023
better than this can never not be real. I like the way it explores the effects of loss and abuse in other people
July 25, 2024
An important YA on coercive control, abuse, grief and other important issues. I thought this was handled really well. This author is truly underrated.
June 23, 2025
I have been craving a book that I just cannot put down recently and that was exactly what Vile Stars was for me. I have had this book sat on my Kindle for years and while I did love it, I don’t think I would have felt the same way if I had read it closer to when I first bought it due it taking place during the pandemic.
Vile Stars follows Luka who is trying to piece her life back together after losing her Mum to cancer but when she meets Cosmo it feels like their love is written in the stars. But Cosmo isn’t who he seems to be and using Luka’s love for him he slowly takes control of her life as the pandemic traps her physically, and her friends and family struggle to reach her. This book was told through Luka’s letters and a podcast featuring her brother and friends, bringing the full story together.
The reason why I ended up actually picking this book up was because I saw it was told through a podcast format and I loved that part of the book. I found the format of letters and the podcast to be really engaging and an interesting way to tell the story that I think made me love it in the way that I did. Luka’s letters gave me an idea of who she was and the situation from her perspective in a way that I wouldn’t have been able to with just the podcast and the podcast let me really get to know Alec, Theo and Roisin all of whom I ended up feeling quite closely towards. I have also read a few stories like this before and the way the story was told gave the story something new that I definitely loved.
I found the characters to all be really well developed and people who I really go to understand which I loved when reading. This also felt like a really diverse book which doesn’t always happen in books that focus on one particular issue, and it just made me love the book even more. The trans rep felt really well done and I just loved how much it was who the characters are, and while they did face challenges and there was transphobia throughout the book it wasn’t all of who the characters were. I could see what was happening so easily in my head during my reading experience, which given the characters were telling the story I wasn’t expecting. I also loved hearing them interact and have conversations while recording.
So much of this book was set during the pandemic, and if I had read that when the book first came out I wouldn’t have enjoyed it but now found that really interesting and while some bits did take me out of the story, overall I really liked it. I also found that it added a lot to what the story was trying to say and I am glad that it was included in the story even if I definitely don’t feel ready to read about it frequently. The ending also felt really impactful and didn’t take away from the message of the story at all, even though it could have.
This is exactly what I love in YA contemporary books and reminded me of why it is one of my favourite genres to read. I am looking forward to recommending this one and hopefully talking about it because of how much I loved it and think that it is an important story for teens to read.
Vile Stars follows Luka who is trying to piece her life back together after losing her Mum to cancer but when she meets Cosmo it feels like their love is written in the stars. But Cosmo isn’t who he seems to be and using Luka’s love for him he slowly takes control of her life as the pandemic traps her physically, and her friends and family struggle to reach her. This book was told through Luka’s letters and a podcast featuring her brother and friends, bringing the full story together.
The reason why I ended up actually picking this book up was because I saw it was told through a podcast format and I loved that part of the book. I found the format of letters and the podcast to be really engaging and an interesting way to tell the story that I think made me love it in the way that I did. Luka’s letters gave me an idea of who she was and the situation from her perspective in a way that I wouldn’t have been able to with just the podcast and the podcast let me really get to know Alec, Theo and Roisin all of whom I ended up feeling quite closely towards. I have also read a few stories like this before and the way the story was told gave the story something new that I definitely loved.
I found the characters to all be really well developed and people who I really go to understand which I loved when reading. This also felt like a really diverse book which doesn’t always happen in books that focus on one particular issue, and it just made me love the book even more. The trans rep felt really well done and I just loved how much it was who the characters are, and while they did face challenges and there was transphobia throughout the book it wasn’t all of who the characters were. I could see what was happening so easily in my head during my reading experience, which given the characters were telling the story I wasn’t expecting. I also loved hearing them interact and have conversations while recording.
So much of this book was set during the pandemic, and if I had read that when the book first came out I wouldn’t have enjoyed it but now found that really interesting and while some bits did take me out of the story, overall I really liked it. I also found that it added a lot to what the story was trying to say and I am glad that it was included in the story even if I definitely don’t feel ready to read about it frequently. The ending also felt really impactful and didn’t take away from the message of the story at all, even though it could have.
This is exactly what I love in YA contemporary books and reminded me of why it is one of my favourite genres to read. I am looking forward to recommending this one and hopefully talking about it because of how much I loved it and think that it is an important story for teens to read.
April 15, 2022
Sera Milano’s This Can Never Not Be Real was the first book I read this year and it absolutely blew me away. Vile Stars is no different. It is such an incredibly powerful book. Another easy 5 stars.
Vile Stars is the story of Luka Booth, a 17 year old girl trying to piece her life back together after a devastating loss. When she meets Cosmo under a meteor shower it seems like fate. But Cosmo isn’t what he seems and he uses Luka’s love for him to slowly take control of her life. As the country finds itself gripped by Covid 19, Luka becomes trapped in a coercive relationship. Whilst her friends and family can see what’s happening they struggle to reach Luka. Can she herself find a way out, and if so what will be left of her when she does?
Given the nature of this book I urge the reader to read both Milano’s content warning at the start and her author’s note at the end. (Feel free to DM me if you want to know in advance.)
Much like its predecessor, Vile Stars is written in a unique way that works perfectly to tell it’s story. Written as episodic podcasts the main voices we hear from are Luka’s brother Alec, his boyfriend Theo and Luka’s best friend Roisin. We also hear from Luka herself in letters written to her mum that Alec incorporates into the podcast. In addition to these four main characters we are given the insight of several other key people throughout.
Whilst this story is predominantly focused on Luka we learn so much about the other characters. They are all so well developed, each with their own distinct personalities and their own issues that they’re trying to deal with whilst also worrying about Luka. I especially loved Theo for his bravery in being so determined to be true to who he is.
The subject matter of this book is very dark and heavy but it never once felt a chore to read. Whilst Milano deals sensitively and carefully with all the issues the characters face, she’s also not afraid of exposing just how dark and dangerous thinks can get. This is a YA book and I really think it’s vital reading for young people.
Another phenomenal book from Milano, I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
With thanks to Netgally and Electric Monkey for the advanced copy in return for my honest review.
Vile Stars is the story of Luka Booth, a 17 year old girl trying to piece her life back together after a devastating loss. When she meets Cosmo under a meteor shower it seems like fate. But Cosmo isn’t what he seems and he uses Luka’s love for him to slowly take control of her life. As the country finds itself gripped by Covid 19, Luka becomes trapped in a coercive relationship. Whilst her friends and family can see what’s happening they struggle to reach Luka. Can she herself find a way out, and if so what will be left of her when she does?
Given the nature of this book I urge the reader to read both Milano’s content warning at the start and her author’s note at the end. (Feel free to DM me if you want to know in advance.)
Much like its predecessor, Vile Stars is written in a unique way that works perfectly to tell it’s story. Written as episodic podcasts the main voices we hear from are Luka’s brother Alec, his boyfriend Theo and Luka’s best friend Roisin. We also hear from Luka herself in letters written to her mum that Alec incorporates into the podcast. In addition to these four main characters we are given the insight of several other key people throughout.
Whilst this story is predominantly focused on Luka we learn so much about the other characters. They are all so well developed, each with their own distinct personalities and their own issues that they’re trying to deal with whilst also worrying about Luka. I especially loved Theo for his bravery in being so determined to be true to who he is.
The subject matter of this book is very dark and heavy but it never once felt a chore to read. Whilst Milano deals sensitively and carefully with all the issues the characters face, she’s also not afraid of exposing just how dark and dangerous thinks can get. This is a YA book and I really think it’s vital reading for young people.
Another phenomenal book from Milano, I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
With thanks to Netgally and Electric Monkey for the advanced copy in return for my honest review.
June 15, 2022
Going to go on record right from the get-go and tell you that Sera Milano is incredible. This is the second of her books that I’ve read and I really enjoy her work. She has a wonderful style - a sort of conversational interview way of writing which you’d think from my lousy description might be dry and - stop thinking. It’s rich and emotive and I can’t think of anyone else who writes this way, or could write this way, so effectively.
In Vile Stars, the characters are struggling in the wake of parent-loss, during a pandemic in their late teens, while dealing with/watching a coercive relationship play itself out. The witnesses are making a podcast about what they’re seeing, to help other people because - what do you do when someone you care about gets involved with somebody who controls them? How do you tell your friend/family member that the guy they think is magical is utterly cruel behind her back? How do you save someone who cuts off contact?
From a chance meeting at the observatory during an astronomical event, Luka, just about eighteen years old, A-level student, hoping to study History at university, meets seemingly nineteen-year-old Cosmo. He’s nicely put together, saves her phone from cracked-screen destruction, and he seems to be perfectly pleasant. But he’s manipulating her from the start, filling her up with his opinions, and making himself comfortable with her money, her phone and all her attention.
But when everything Luka does seems to annoy Cosmo, and the world is getting smaller due to the Covid-19 pandemic, how will she be able to reach back to her family and friends when she’s so thoroughly thrown her chips in with his? And has anything he’s told her been true?
Just stunning. I cared about all the characters within a couple of pages, especially best friend, Roisin, who was an absolute delight. I felt their frustration and their grief as if it were my own. And I’ll say this: it’s not all doom and gloom. I wouldn’t want you to think that. There are some very comic lines which elevated the read and made it all the more poignant for this reader.
I read it in a day and plan to do so again before too long.
In Vile Stars, the characters are struggling in the wake of parent-loss, during a pandemic in their late teens, while dealing with/watching a coercive relationship play itself out. The witnesses are making a podcast about what they’re seeing, to help other people because - what do you do when someone you care about gets involved with somebody who controls them? How do you tell your friend/family member that the guy they think is magical is utterly cruel behind her back? How do you save someone who cuts off contact?
From a chance meeting at the observatory during an astronomical event, Luka, just about eighteen years old, A-level student, hoping to study History at university, meets seemingly nineteen-year-old Cosmo. He’s nicely put together, saves her phone from cracked-screen destruction, and he seems to be perfectly pleasant. But he’s manipulating her from the start, filling her up with his opinions, and making himself comfortable with her money, her phone and all her attention.
But when everything Luka does seems to annoy Cosmo, and the world is getting smaller due to the Covid-19 pandemic, how will she be able to reach back to her family and friends when she’s so thoroughly thrown her chips in with his? And has anything he’s told her been true?
Just stunning. I cared about all the characters within a couple of pages, especially best friend, Roisin, who was an absolute delight. I felt their frustration and their grief as if it were my own. And I’ll say this: it’s not all doom and gloom. I wouldn’t want you to think that. There are some very comic lines which elevated the read and made it all the more poignant for this reader.
I read it in a day and plan to do so again before too long.
November 29, 2022
Time taken to read - 1 day
Pages - 384
Publisher - Electric Monkey
Source - Vine & then bought copy
Blurb from Goodreads
(TRUE) LOVE
(TOXIC) LOVE
(LOST) LOVE
This is a different kind of love story.
17-year-old Luka isn't looking for love. She's trying to piece her life back together after a heartbreaking loss. But when she meets the gorgeous and charismatic Cosmo under a meteor shower at the Greenwich Observatory, it feels like destiny has played a hand. Surely theirs is a love written in the stars.
But Cosmo isn't what he seems, using Luka's love for him to slowly take control of her life. As the pandemic starts to make headlines and lockdown sets in, she is trapped emotionally and physically in a coercive relationship. Luka's friends and brother can see what's happening, but struggle to reach her. Something will have to be sacrificed so Luka can set herself free - but what will be left of her when she does?
Luka's story is told from many points of view: through her letters, and through the voices of her brother, Alec, his boyfriend Theo and Luka's best friend, Roisin. Each of them holds a fragment of the story - it's time to put it all together.
My Review
I don't know what I was expecting with this one, when I first got it and seen the trigger warnings I was looking after my dad so put it aside. The parental loss isn't a huge central theme but relevant to the characters and there are many emotive issues. The characters are young, taking exams age and a tight group, best friends Luka (main character) & Roisin, Luka's brother Alec and his boyfriend Theo. Luka and Alec lost their mother & live with their step dad and wee sister, Cosmo is lost, writing letters to her mum and leaving them at the grave. Enter Cosmo, a chance encounter and he sweeps Luka off her feet and that folks is when everything starts to change and become dark.
So I think this may be my first book with pronouns and a trans character and whilst Luka is central Theo and the issues surrounding them is hugely important and relevant. Cosmo is a piece of work, I haven't loathed a character like this in a while. Luka is in the flows of grief and dealing with loss, heartache and trying to find herself so when Cosmo comes along we see red flags and vile traits that Luka is blinded to.
Despite the characters being young the amount of adult themes and issues are relatable across the board. The toxicity of the relationship was really uncomfortable to read but so important and well done, homophobia, transphobic, isolation, coercion and you have friendships, relationships, grief, loss, coping or rather trying to.
This is my first time reading this author, I will absolutely check out their other works, 4/5 for me.
Pages - 384
Publisher - Electric Monkey
Source - Vine & then bought copy
Blurb from Goodreads
(TRUE) LOVE
(TOXIC) LOVE
(LOST) LOVE
This is a different kind of love story.
17-year-old Luka isn't looking for love. She's trying to piece her life back together after a heartbreaking loss. But when she meets the gorgeous and charismatic Cosmo under a meteor shower at the Greenwich Observatory, it feels like destiny has played a hand. Surely theirs is a love written in the stars.
But Cosmo isn't what he seems, using Luka's love for him to slowly take control of her life. As the pandemic starts to make headlines and lockdown sets in, she is trapped emotionally and physically in a coercive relationship. Luka's friends and brother can see what's happening, but struggle to reach her. Something will have to be sacrificed so Luka can set herself free - but what will be left of her when she does?
Luka's story is told from many points of view: through her letters, and through the voices of her brother, Alec, his boyfriend Theo and Luka's best friend, Roisin. Each of them holds a fragment of the story - it's time to put it all together.
My Review
I don't know what I was expecting with this one, when I first got it and seen the trigger warnings I was looking after my dad so put it aside. The parental loss isn't a huge central theme but relevant to the characters and there are many emotive issues. The characters are young, taking exams age and a tight group, best friends Luka (main character) & Roisin, Luka's brother Alec and his boyfriend Theo. Luka and Alec lost their mother & live with their step dad and wee sister, Cosmo is lost, writing letters to her mum and leaving them at the grave. Enter Cosmo, a chance encounter and he sweeps Luka off her feet and that folks is when everything starts to change and become dark.
So I think this may be my first book with pronouns and a trans character and whilst Luka is central Theo and the issues surrounding them is hugely important and relevant. Cosmo is a piece of work, I haven't loathed a character like this in a while. Luka is in the flows of grief and dealing with loss, heartache and trying to find herself so when Cosmo comes along we see red flags and vile traits that Luka is blinded to.
Despite the characters being young the amount of adult themes and issues are relatable across the board. The toxicity of the relationship was really uncomfortable to read but so important and well done, homophobia, transphobic, isolation, coercion and you have friendships, relationships, grief, loss, coping or rather trying to.
This is my first time reading this author, I will absolutely check out their other works, 4/5 for me.
April 27, 2022
Told in what's becoming Sera's signature style, with POV switching rapidly between different characters, this is a love story that very quickly becomes something else entirely. Although I enjoyed the story, I found it difficult to get to know anyone, as the POV switched so rapidly from one to another - sometimes within a couple of lines.
The story itself is hard to read in spots, as everyone is going through heartbreaking, difficult things. Apart from anything else, it's set at the beginning of the Covid pandemic in England and some of it goes through their first lockdown, including one character losing a family member to the illness. Although this may be offputting to some people, the last two years have been such a huge part of people's lives I think they have to be faced up to.
The main topic - coercive control in relationships - is one that's so important to talk about, because a lot of people have one image of it and don't realise that it can take a lot of different forms. We need to make sure that people know how to recognise it, what to do if they think a friend is caught up, how to act and how not to act. I didn't know the information about Boots given here, so it's great to get it out there.
Sera is establishing herself as a writer to watch, and I can't wait to see what else she writes.
The story itself is hard to read in spots, as everyone is going through heartbreaking, difficult things. Apart from anything else, it's set at the beginning of the Covid pandemic in England and some of it goes through their first lockdown, including one character losing a family member to the illness. Although this may be offputting to some people, the last two years have been such a huge part of people's lives I think they have to be faced up to.
The main topic - coercive control in relationships - is one that's so important to talk about, because a lot of people have one image of it and don't realise that it can take a lot of different forms. We need to make sure that people know how to recognise it, what to do if they think a friend is caught up, how to act and how not to act. I didn't know the information about Boots given here, so it's great to get it out there.
Sera is establishing herself as a writer to watch, and I can't wait to see what else she writes.
July 7, 2024
This one was probably a lot more than I bargained for. The book was formatted almost like everybody was speaking as a podcast and I thought that was very interesting. I appreciate authors who try to break the norm on the voice and the narrator, and this was a style I'd never seen before.
It was definitely heart-wrenching. All I could do was watch as the main character dug herself deeper and deeper into a hole. It was also really eye-opening because I grew up in a non ideal way and I can recognize abuse very quickly and I've always wondered some people just don't realize they're being abused and I don't understand that. This book really helped to open my eyes a little bit of how people can be manipulated to believe they're not being abused when they are.
I give it maybe three stars. I was pretty invested in the story; I wasn't able to put it down and I finished the book pretty quickly. However I'm not into darker books because of the way they affect my mental health so it was a lot more than I bargain for, definitely. I also feel like the characters and the voices weren't entirely unique. But also I recognize that the author wrote it from a very personal sense and experienced that kind of grief first hand, and I don't want to downplay her experience and invalidate her pain. So all reviews and critiques are just from my personal opinion and experience.
It was definitely heart-wrenching. All I could do was watch as the main character dug herself deeper and deeper into a hole. It was also really eye-opening because I grew up in a non ideal way and I can recognize abuse very quickly and I've always wondered some people just don't realize they're being abused and I don't understand that. This book really helped to open my eyes a little bit of how people can be manipulated to believe they're not being abused when they are.
I give it maybe three stars. I was pretty invested in the story; I wasn't able to put it down and I finished the book pretty quickly. However I'm not into darker books because of the way they affect my mental health so it was a lot more than I bargain for, definitely. I also feel like the characters and the voices weren't entirely unique. But also I recognize that the author wrote it from a very personal sense and experienced that kind of grief first hand, and I don't want to downplay her experience and invalidate her pain. So all reviews and critiques are just from my personal opinion and experience.
April 14, 2022
Happy pub day to @seramilano ‘s latest book! ⭐️
This book arrived 2 days early and, of course, after This Can Never Not Be Real, I had to drop everything to read it (even better since I had been slumping for nearly a week)… and wow. This did not disappoint.
It is a hard hitting read. It’s a book full of pain. It’s a book full of love and hope and strength. It’s a story to lose yourself to. It’s a story that will devour you as you devour it. It’s a story that can be all too real for too many people. It’s unbelievable writing. It’s fantastic technique combining different points of view in such a seamless way that you feel the characters speaking to you directly. It’s a must read book.
When I finished this last night, less than 24h after starting it (stupid sleep and work getting in the way 🙄), I was left speechless. Sitting on the sofa. Staring at nothing and just thinking “wow”. I, honestly, was mind blown.
The two books Sera Milano has written, I’ve read. I’ve devoured. I’ve been moved by in many different ways. She has now become not only an autobuy author but an autoread as soon as get my hands on her books… and she’s quickly becoming a firm favourite.
I can’t really say anymore apart from: read this book. Now.
This book arrived 2 days early and, of course, after This Can Never Not Be Real, I had to drop everything to read it (even better since I had been slumping for nearly a week)… and wow. This did not disappoint.
It is a hard hitting read. It’s a book full of pain. It’s a book full of love and hope and strength. It’s a story to lose yourself to. It’s a story that will devour you as you devour it. It’s a story that can be all too real for too many people. It’s unbelievable writing. It’s fantastic technique combining different points of view in such a seamless way that you feel the characters speaking to you directly. It’s a must read book.
When I finished this last night, less than 24h after starting it (stupid sleep and work getting in the way 🙄), I was left speechless. Sitting on the sofa. Staring at nothing and just thinking “wow”. I, honestly, was mind blown.
The two books Sera Milano has written, I’ve read. I’ve devoured. I’ve been moved by in many different ways. She has now become not only an autobuy author but an autoread as soon as get my hands on her books… and she’s quickly becoming a firm favourite.
I can’t really say anymore apart from: read this book. Now.
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