For Darkness in the Wild

It’s official: For Darkness Shows the Stars has gone out into the world, and people are beginning to read it:

The L.A. Times chose it as a summer reading pick, calling it “part Jane Austen, part H.G. Wells.”

“Overall, For Darkness Shows the Stars is a beautiful and engrossing novel and a definite must read. The originality of the futuristic, dystopian world that read more like a historical fiction novel of Jane Austen’s time and the strength and goodness of the story’s protagonist made For Darkness Shows the Stars a stand-out read. This was my first read of Diana Peterfreund’s, but it absolutely won’t be my last. And guys – this is a standalone! One of the very, very few I’ve read so far this year. For Darkness Shows the Stars will be released June 12, 2012. I highly recommend it.” – Recovering Potter Addict

“Despite the post-apocalyptic theme, this book is remarkably true to Austen’s original narrative. She faithfully recreates Ann, her struggles, her narcissistic family, and her seemingly unreciprocated love for Wentworth in the characters of Elliot and Kai. Author Diana Peterfreund was able to evoke in me the same feelings of frustration with (Kai) Wentworth’s actions and his persecution of (Elliot) Ann’s actions. I cursed Kai, and wept for a despondent Elliot, wanted her family packed off to Timbuktu, and hoped for a dramatic reconciliation (although, it was never really in doubt). All the things that drew me to Persuasion I found alive within this book. The addition of futuristic science was also interesting and innovative, recreating the past within a new world, while holding onto the essence of Austen’s original plot.”
– Warwicks Bookstore Blog

“Another favorite of 2012. The back cover had it right: an epic, post-apocalyptic love story inspired by Jane Austen’s Persuasion, and I couldn’t turn its pages fast enough.” – Christina Reads YA

“I knew from the very first page that I was going to love this, but with every chapter it made me fall for it even more. The world building might not be as complex as other dystopians out there but I was very fascinated by it. The Luddites, Reduced, and Posts were unlike anything I have ever read before. It was so unique.” – Pure Imagination Blog

“Diana Peterfreund does a great job with Elliot and Kai: they are excellent, believable characters. Another way in which For Darkness Shows the Stars excels? World-building. The setting Diana Peterfreund crafts is incredibly nuanced. She delicately introduces us to the social hierarchies, religion, and folklore of Elliot’s world. There is no info-dumping; we learn about the setting as we go along. And wow—it’s believable! Elliot’s world, logistically, makes a lot of sense, especially the post-apocalyptic religious aspect. I deeply admire Diana Peterfreund’s creativity in building the pillars that give For Darkness Shows the Stars’s story its base. As I briefly mentioned before, For Darkness Shows the Stars is loosely based on Jane Austen’s classic novel, Persuasion. I made a point to re-read Persuasion before diving into Peterfreund’s interpretation, so I was ready to make connections and compare. I didn’t need to, though, because Peterfreund takes only the smallest of things from Persuasion. For Darkness Shows the Stars is, utterly and completely, Diana Peterfreund’s novel. You don’t need to brush up on your Jane Austen to read and enjoy it, because it’s a fantastic story. Fans of sci-fi, dystopia, and romance, take heed: For Darkness Shows the Stars is the book you need. I would highly recommend it! (Just buy it, okay? Trust me.)” – 365 Days of Reading

“In many ways this is a story of progress; it confronts issues of class, technology and loyalty, both to one’s family and to one’s self.  I found all of the joy in this book that I did with Persuasion, with an added love for the freshness of this setting.  To say that this is a retelling doesn’t really do the book justice.  While it is certainly inspired by Persuasion, it is a book that is beautifully written and compelling in its own right.  Kai and Elliot’s struggles with who they are and who they want to be are universally appealing and I found myself smiling after I read the last page.  This is a book that is most definitely worthy of a place on your summer “must read” list.” – Ex Libris Kate

And of course, this weekend, I have my first official signing at the JASNA Book Fair. Free and open to the public. Check it out!