Nomalicious Reads: I could really go on and on about both books forever. I just adored For Darkness Shows the Stars and think that many Persuasion fans will enjoy it thoroughly! I highly recommend it to booklovers who have and haven’t read Austen’s version… because the best thing is you don’t have to have read it to enjoy the marvelous world that Diana created!
The Perpetual Page-Turner: While I haven’t read Persuasion, I do feel, having read other Austen novels, that Diana Peterfruend captured all of the swoon-inducing romance and extremely layered characterization (and holla for an awesome female heroine!) that a Jane Austen novel delivers. The writing is just gorgeous and flawless and the characters are those that find their way off the pages and into your heart. So very unique! So very heartbreaking and beautiful. So utterly mesmerizing. One of my favorites of the year!
Love is Not a Triangle: Elliot is an amazing heroine. She possesses an integrity and strength of character that is astounding. No matter what she faces, or the painful things she has to endure from those around her, she keeps her head up, her dignity intact, and she keeps moving forward. Although there were times that I wanted her to get angry and yell at those around her, I admired the way she handled each situation that she was faced with: including when she decided to stay behind four years earlier.
The Sweet Bookshelf: I’m so in love with this story! I’m going to read it again after I finish writing this review. (If you know me, you know I only reread my favorite books in the world.) LOVE. Austen’s Persuasion + Kind-of-sci-fi + future-post-apocalyptic-reconstructionst + beautiful writing = One of the best YA novels I’ve read in a very, very long time (Right up there with The Assassin’s Curse). I’m so completely impressed with this book I can’t even tell you. Perfectly paced. Fantastic characters. Just the right amount of Austen’s Persuasion combined with just the right amount of futurism. I bawled my eyes out several times. I was gutted. I had a crying headache, and yet, I couldn’t put this book down.
On a Book Bender: For Darkness Shows the Stars was one that instantly grabbed me, even though I had intended to read a different book that day–once I started, I couldn’t stop. When I went to bed before finishing it, I rolled around in bed, wondering what would happen. When I woke up in the morning, I was half-afraid to start again, because that’s how much this book pulled at my emotions (in a good way). This book just burrowed its way into my heart, and it was difficult to get it it out. If I had wanted to get it out, I mean. For the record, I didn’t.
The Soul Sisters: This book is truly set-apart from all the other dystopian stories. Where as technology is highlighted in the other novels, this kind of dystopian gives a refreshing twist along the lines of “How would it be like if our precious technology backfired?” This book is giving us a glimpse of a future where genetic experiments and modifications have gone too far and have cause a national problem. It’s not very far off from reality and is very highly believable. One reason why you’ll be absorbed in this outstanding, genius creativity of Miss. Peterfreund.
Cape Cod Scribe: ENGLISH TEACHERS TAKE HEED! This book should – no, MUST – be on the classroom reading list. I’d say it is best for the 8th grade and up crowd due to size, but on a reading level, it is not at all difficult. I’d dare say this should be required reading (perhaps ditch that puker of a novel known as THE SCARLET LETTER – gag – and replace it with Peterfreund’s tour de force). This is a literary gem with rabid appeal to the teen.
Addicted 2 Novels: The romance and tension were (dare I say?) perfect. Peterfreund reminds us that you don’t need sex or even intense kisses to show passion. Who needs lust when you can have true, exquisite love? Woe is me, for I have not read such a lavishing romance in ages.
Ashley Loves Books: You guys, I am IN. LOVE. with this book. So in love. I would marry it, if I could. I haven’t read Persuasion, but reading this book is completely like reading an Austen novel. It’s filled with that heartwrenching suspense and careful, doomed hope. That feeling that you’re on the brink of every emotion ever, and it’s all cresting to the surface and you just don’t know what to do with it all.
Musings of a YA Reader: I’m not normally a fan of slow-paced dystopians. But, I ended up loving For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund because of its worldbuilding, characters and romance. A retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion set in a dystopian setting, I also liked For Darkness Shows the Stars because it simultaneously managed to retain the feel of a Victorian Era novel.
Kelsey’s Cluttered Bookshelf: I really loved this author’s other series about Killer Unicorns, so I had no idea what to expect when diving into this book. I was definitely wowed that she could write something so different, and I really liked it! The division between events that happened in the past and the present was so well done. I usually dread past scenes in books sometimes but this was just perfect for the story. Between the chapters are letters that younger Elliot and Kai sent each other. Not only did they explain things wonderfully about what had happened and how the Reduced came to be, but it really showed how the two characters bonded and were so close.
Olivia’s Opinions: This book was amazing. The kind of book that you hug to your chest after you finish reading, the kind where the ending replays itself on a loop like an endless happy mix tape in your head. (did I really just reference a mix tape? Whoa.)
Bonus Review of “Stray Magic” in UNDER MY HAT, from Did You Ever Stop To Think and Forget To Start Again?: Following the sensitive and astute introduction by editor Strahan, we slip straight into a stunning opener by Diana Peterfreund and this was probably one of my favourite stories in the entire collection. All of these stories are written with vivid skill but something about Peterfreund’s really hit home.
