Phew--that ending!

This was my first book from Ms. Dunn, but definitely not my last! Though at times the world-building was slightly off-putting (a small segment of the population gorging themselves on food 6X a day to have the nutrients extracted from them and put into pill form to feed the rest? Ewwwww...at least that process wasn't described in detail, thank goodness) the underlying story and the characters make it almost impossible to put down. When the cover says, "Only one can survive" they're not kidding--and it's heartwrenching at times...

I loved Vela, Carr, Astana, and Vela's father, the king--such wonderful characters! (Though, quick question--what's up with people's names? There's a weird blend of "people" names--Adam, Blanca, Viola--and "place" names--Brooklyn, Denver--I assume it's to help them remember Earth? but I don't think it's ever explained, and it's a bit strange...) The way Ms. Dunn sets up their conflicts so that they're all i opposition to each other while still wanting what they believe is best for those around them is just amazing, and there were times I nearly despaired of her being able to find an HEA for everyone. (Spoiler: she kind of doesn't...? But kind of does...) I loved watching Vela as she struggled with the task the council gave to her, trying to become the leader that she hoped (and her father was pretty sure) she could be.

Honestly--that last 15% or so? Couldn't. Put. It. Down.

So--focus on the people and their relationships and don't spend too much time pondering the world itself, is my recommendation here. The story will sweep you away, even if the world is a bit...weird.

And read more Pintip Dunn! She clearly has got some strong writing chops, here :)

Rating: 4 stars / A-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

I originally requested this title because I read The Darkeat Lie and loved it, so I knew the author was good. But as time came to read it I kept putting it off because I didn't expect it to be that good. I was so wrong though, as soon as I read the first chapter I knew that I was really going to enjoy Star-Crossed.

The plot and world building were very original. I found the whole idea of this book to be fascinating. The world building for this sci-fi was very cool, but not overly intricate as the novel was very focused on the plot instead. The plot was where this book really excelled. There were a few predictable aspects, but there were also some very interesting plot twists and I never saw coming. There was also a mystery woven into the story that I had a lot of fun trying to figure out. I had some guesses, but wound up being wrong in the end. This plot had it all, mystery, love, sibling rivalry and some political sabotage were all aspects that kept me turning the pages.

The romance, on the other hand, was totally not for me. From the beginning I didn't like Carr as a love interest and it never really grew on me. I found it to be sappy and overdramatic. I never really felt the connection between the two of them and the whole relationship felt a little forced to me. Vela and Carr's relationship didn't burn red hot. I never really believed their emotional displays or declarations of feelings.

Which brings me to my next point, which is that I never really felt emotionally connected to the characters. I love the plot and some of the relationships, but I never really felt emotionally connected, which was shocking because The Darkest Lie was such an emotional novel, so I expected this novel to be emotionally gripping as well. Since Star-Crossed wasn't based on such an emotional subject I still thoroughly enjoyed it, despite the emotional disconnection.

I love the relationship that Vela had with her best friend Astana. In the very beginning of the novel Vela steals food for her, showing just how deep her loyalty is for her best friend. I found Vela to have so much integrity and I really admired her as a character. I also found it entertaining to read about the sibling rivalry between Vela and Blanca. Vela's character arc is an incredible one, as she changes so much throughout the novel with her relationships, but also in her ability to make difficult decisions.

Overall I would definitely recommend this book to science fiction and mystery fans who like a fast-paced read. If you are looking to emotionally connect to a story or read a good love story, I would probably pass on this one though. This book pulled me right out of my reading slump and was full of interesting characters that were full of moral integrity.

Star-Crossed takes readers to a new and unique world, where there are two different kinds of people: the Aegis and the colonists. Aegis have the ability to ingest more food than the colonists due to genetic modifications that take sixty years of their life. With that genetic modification, Aegis are able to feed everyone with nutrition pills. This itself is a unique concept. I’ve read a decent amount of YA Sci-Fi, but none had this concept where people give up sixty years of their life to feed their nation with pills. Not to mention the colonists have never tried real food. Imagine having a life where you take a nutrition pill and never know the taste of real food. It sounds quite horrible, in my opinion (both options do).

The author knows how to weave a fantastical world together. There’s enough detail to bring the story to life and make the readers feel like they are part of that world. What I found nice was that the story did not focus on heaving world building, but rather what happened to the characters. Princess Vela is the heart of the story, and the plot brings her story together wonderfully. As the reader, expect plot twists and a killer on the loose. I was able to figure out some of the plot twists, but I was still pleasantly surprised by the ones I did not figure out. In no way does this story feel like it just ends or it cuts to the chase too fast; it’s perfectly paced.

Pintip Dunn does a wonderful job with character building and differentiation. Each character has their own personality and a strong relationship with Princess Vela. Princess Vela and her sister, Princess Blanca, are so exceptionally different, and it’s fascinating to see how each tackles their assignment for who will be the next successor. Vela handles her assignment with heart and demonstrates a type of leadership she never knew she had; whereas Blanca is more headstrong and listens to the facts instead of her heart. Vela’s relationship with Astana is heartwarming and like any friendship; their friendship reminded me of the one I have with my best friend, and how I would do anything for her, just like Vela. And then there is Carr, the boy Vela has always loved. I saw the love they both had for each other, and that love only increased as the Trials continued.

Overall, I really enjoyed Star-Crossed. I liked how it was realistic enough in the sense that Princess Vela knew there were things she could not change, and things she could. Pintip blends Sci-Fi, mystery, and romance well to weave together a beautiful story. This was the first book I’ve read by Pintip Dunn, and I plan on definitely reading more by her. Star-Crossed is out now!

Recommended for readers who love sci-fi, unique plots, a little mystery, and a budding romance.

The story took place in a different world. When people were hungry, they use some pills instead of food. The Trials came and the boys fought for becoming a Fittest.

This book was intriguing and amazing. The very beginning of the book was great. In addition, the rest of the story was different, yet interesting. People used some pills instead of food to satisfy their hunger. I wondered why they did that. Could it be the lack of food? Besides, the plot and writing were excellent. Great selection of characters. I liked the cover, it fits with the book.

Overall, I love this book. Excellent job! I will recommend this book to readers who love sci-fi and dystopian stories.

I've never read anything like Star-Crossed so I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it. It's a mixture of many things and is certainly unique!

The story is parts YA dystopia, sci-fi and even fantasy, but is a little confusing at times, to the point where I wasn't sure who I liked and disliked.

As one of her father, the King's future heirs, Princess Vela is tasked with finding a way to save him. If only the best chance of success didn't involve risking her potential love interest Carr...

The world building is quirky and dramatic. In a society where food is extremely limited we meet the Eaters and Non-Eaters. The Eaters are elite members of society who are genetically able to produce food capsules/pills to help feed society. I'm not going to go into the how of this, I'll leave it as a surprise. Let's just say that eating is encouraged and the larger you are, the more beautiful you are.

The concept didn't always sit well with me as it had a strange WALL-E, Jetsons or Hungry meal-with-a-pill vibe, mixed with er feeding baby birds (still with me?), but it was memorable.

I liked Vela and the writing is full of witty moments and dramatic tension. I'm not sure about food as a subject matter, but it could scarily have a real sense of potential in real life with a world facing with global warming and finite resources.

3 Stars in my Sky!

I received a review copy

Star-Crossed by Pintip Dunn is interesting, innovative, creative, and maybe a bit weird. As a sci-fi, romance, YA novel it pushes you to think about things from a different perspective. As we learn more about Vela, her world, the troubles they face and the solution they have been forced to, it makes you think and wonder. Vela is torn by love, duty and finding a future for her people, her friend and her love. Overall I recommend Star-Crossed by Pintip Dunn as something that was truly unexpected and worth the read.

(I voluntarily reviewed an advance review copy of this book I received for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my open and honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.)

Star-Crossed is Pintip Dun’s latest release and is a romantic young adult science fiction novel with a unique concept and distinctive characters.

Seventeen year old Princess Vela lives in a world where the majority of the population cannot stomach actual food. Instead an elite class of individuals including Vela herself are tasked with eating and absorbing as much nutrition as possible so it can be transferred to a pill that the remaining population can take. Living in a world of Eaters and Non-Eaters isn’t easy and Vela is about to face her toughest challenge yet; her best friend has gotten to a point where she can no longer sustain the pills needed to keep her alive and is now wasting away. When an attempt to save her goes wrong, Vela is forced to oversee the Fittest Trials where one boy from the colony will be chosen to give his life so that the reigning King can continue to live. Choosing someone to die for her father is hard enough, but when the boy Vela has adored her whole life enters as a contestant, Vela finds herself facing the unimaginable. Choosing to cheat seems like the only option but when someone else begins sabotaging the Trials, Vela will begin to reassess her own thoughts and soon begins to discover what being a ruler really means.

Star-Crossed is the first novel by Pintip Dun I have read but I was impressed by the forward moving storyline, unique and unparalleled concept and character development within the novel. I found the ideas and themes explored in Star-Crossed involving food and nutrition intriguing and the futuristic world Dun has introduced her readers to was unlike anything I have ever seen before. I commend the her for daring to think outside the box and bring something different to the table.

Facing a number of different moral dilemmas and the prospect of losing various people she loves, protagonist Vela had a lot of tough choices to make throughout the novel. Kind-hearted but whimsical, Vela truly wanted the best for everyone and was an easy heroine to follow. Vela learns as the novel progresses and begins to come into her role as potential monarch. As the boy she love looks to give his life for her father, Vela isn’t willing to go down without a fight and I think I appreciated this about her. Even if her best intentions didn’t always get the desired results.

I loved that the romance within Star-Crossed wasn’t the insta kind that I hate and that there was no dreaded love-triangle that saw Vela’s affections stretched between two people. Vela and Carr have cared about one another their whole lives and it was sweet seeing them finally act on those feelings, even if their timing left something to be desired; I mean, come on, he was looking to die and now they’re finally getting together!

The twist at the end of Star-Crossed as to who the “villain” really is was something I actually didn’t anticipate, although looking back it seems fairly obvious. I think Pintip Dun brought everything together well here, but I do still have some questions about what happens to some of the other characters including Vela’s sister Blanca.

There were moments of pure sadness and unexpected loss in Star-Crossed that will keep emotions running high until the final page but author Pintip Dun concludes the novel well given its standalone status and will leave readers satisfied with the story they have just read. This may be my first novel by this author, but I will definitely read more from her in the future!

Unique sci-fi!
Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Teen for the opportunity to read and review Star-crossed by Pintip Dunn! Aegis eat for the entire community. They eat and then donate their nourishment, which is then made into pills for everyone to take or to use as currency. Astana is dying and her best friend, Princess Vela, steals food for her and eats more than her quota so she can give Astana her extra pills to use as currency. When Vela is caught sneaking food to her friend, she’s sentenced to administering the Fittest Trials in which one teenager is chosen, out of two hundred, to sacrifice themselves for the King. The story line seems odd at first but grows in complexity and details. The whole Aegis concept is completely unique and original. The story gains complexity as characters are introduced and more are added. Star-crossed is a sci-fi mystery that earns 4 stars for originality!

not my first Pintip book, probably not my last. i like her writing and her characters, even though i always feel like i've read them before and the stories are similar to other things i've read. regardless, i always enjoy myself so i guess that says something

Goosebumps.

I bet you’re all thinking I’ve finally lost it *snorts* – not quite (despite common opinion)!

Let me explain…

My arms were literally covered in goosebumps when I finished this story. The blurb only gives you a small taste of what to expect from this book. I can honestly say, hand on heart, that I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did.

The story of Vela and the inhabitants of Dion will make you think. Is there such a thing as a Utopian society? What is it they say? – The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Well, this story will have you questioning what you would do in Vela’s situation.

As a race, we all want to survive, but what if the costs are too great? Technological advancements are great and all, but what is the true cost to our humanity?

I know I’m being vague, but I want you to experience this book like I did. I want you to put yourself in Vela’s shoes as she is faced with the task of making life-changing, dare I say, life-altering decisions.

The author’s descriptions of everything that is Dion brought the planet vividly to life for me – just like in the scenes from Vela’s hologram cube. It was a feast for the senses. Ironic really, when some of the colonists can’t use all their senses. Cryptic much, lol?

As I’ve said, this is a story that will make you think, and make you feel. It was the perfect blend of sci-fi, fantasy, dystopian, romance, and suspense. I admit to being a teeny tiny bit in love with Carr. I may be 40, but I just couldn’t help myself *sighs*

The author has sold me on her writing and the worlds she creates. I look forward to reading more in the future.

I’ll leave you with one question – what would you sacrifice for love?!

4 stars — Well, this one ended with a lot of tears…it’s been a few months since a book has done that to me. And it wasn’t the only time I teared up in this book! Which is not to say that this is a sad book, by any means. But Vela goes through some very tough challenges that bring forth the feels.

This is my first read by this author, but I doubt it will be my last. Ms. Dunn has created a very intriguing world of Earth colonists struggling with challenging circumstances. For the most part I loved the world she created, and the way she presented the choices these colonists made in order to survive. For me, it was very unique and thought-provoking. I don’t read a lot of non-contemporary books, so I don’t have a huge depth to compare it to, but occasionally I would be pulled out of the book and wonder why they would use certain colloquialisms or whatnot. But not enough to really damage my enjoyment. It’s not necessarily a negative, just something that I noticed.

Princess Vela was an interesting heroine to follow…she was kind, sensitive, thoughtful, and she felt so much. I could empathize with so much of what she was feeling. I will admit that she took longer than I anticipated coming to the right conclusion on the major task, when from an outsider’s perspective it was quite obvious the right solution. That was a bit frustrating, especially because it didn’t even cross her mind. But I suppose she was so wrapped up in her feelings for Carr, and her worry for him, Astana, the other sick colonists, and the colonists in general…not to mention the mystery surrounding the trials, and the problems therein. I mostly forgave her for it, but I wouldn’t have minded a little less naivety. But I guess this was her coming of age story, eh? She had to reach it on her own, at her own time.

Carr was pretty swoony actually. I hated that it took him so long to understand Vela’s emotional struggles with his choice, but he got there. My heart broke for him, feeling unloved by the people who were supposed to love him. I was rooting for their romance from the beginning. I LOVED them together, and I truly felt their connection to one another, and their chemistry.

This book had some strong secondary characters, but also a few that disappointed me…though perhaps that was intentional? One major character I disliked, that I probably was supposed to like, was Astana. I just didn’t feel like I got to see many of her redeeming qualities. And because of the nature of the plot, we didn’t really get to see what connected Vela to Astana, especially with such dedication.

I was also disappointed with the lack of resolution for Blanca. I don’t know if that’s because she’ll have her own book, or just an oversight. But she was missing from some very key scenes, and I wanted to know what would happen there…what her feelings would be about the climax of the book, and the resolution. I felt bad for her, and wanted more from her story…though I did love what I got.

On the other hand, I LOVED Vela’s father, and the relationship he had with his daughter. It was truly a highlight of the story. I was also surprised with how much I enjoyed Master Simjing (sp?) in the end. Not to mention the other little stories with some of the fittest candidates, and the sick colonists.

All in all a very entertaining read that gave me LOTS of feels and made me truly think in a philosophical manner about the choices leaders must make, and how hard that can be.

** Review can be found at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/ **

On a distant planet, a colony was sent to live but unfortunately most of their supplies were destroyed, making survival for the colonists challenging. A genetic modification was invented, one that makes a certain group of people capable of eating large quantities of food and processing the nutrients to share with the rest of the colony. Princess Vela tested positive for the genetic component allowing her to be chosen for this honor to feed her people. On top of that responsibility, her father the King is ending his reign and a successor is needed- and now the challenge between her and her sister is on with the crown as the prize.

Hands down, this is the most unique concept for a sci-fi world that I have personally ever encountered. I did find it interesting how Vela described and experienced everything in her world in terms of food, showing the emphasis food and eating played on society and the role that Vela held and treasured. It was a complete switch on views that people who had curves and protruding bellies were seen as special and they showed it off because it meant that they had been fed and hold a position of honor in the society.

There was the whole star-crossed (haha couldn’t resist) vibe to the book too, with Vela the Princess, next in line for the throne and Carr, the poor brother to Vela’s best friend. To make matters worse, Carr is in the running to be sacrifice for the King’s life and Vela has to determine the winner. Yep, there were a lot of things going against them, but this is perfect for those out there who love angsty romances that fight the odds.

There was a lot going on in the story and at times I felt a little overwhelmed by the details and plot-lines. I felt a little like this is one of the books where you need to set aside a chunk of time to binge read to fully lose yourself in the world, otherwise you might miss something if you set the book down. Overall this was such a unique topic and concept and I loved that this was a complete story unto itself- which is fantastic that the world and plot could be set up in just a single book, making this standout in a world of series.

I reviewed a complimentary copy of this title.

Star-Crossed by Pintip Dunn made me want to read more quickly to find out what was going to happen next, but it also made me want to read more slowly to make the story last longer.

I've heard so many great things about Pintip Dunn's writing -- I was excited to finally jump in and read a book of hers. Star-Crossed exceeded my expectations! Set on a futuristic planet with problems and conspiracies and new-found love, Star-Crossed has elements that will appeal to most fan bases. But if you enjoy sci-fi and/or romance and/or mysteries - pick up this book for sure!

With captivating characters, a finely-layered plot, and a sci-fi setting, Pintip Dunn's Star-Crossed captured my interest on the first page and held tight through the final page.


Some of my favorite lines from the story:

"This doesn't sound like my best friend. Gravity has never pulled so strongly on her words."

"He could give me the smallest look, or place the tiniest emphasis on a single word, and my nerves dart around like they're the flame to his flint."

"The tears poured out of me the way lava rushes from a volcano--fierce and unstoppable."

"The laughter bubbles inside me like carbonated soda, as if it was always there, waiting for the tab to be pulled."

"The next few hours pass like a swarm of bees--chaotic and fast, with one minute blending into the next. But once in a while, a moment lifts out of the fray and descends like an individual sting."

"Astana can't scream so we're doing it for her."



I highly recommend Star-Crossed by Pintip Dunn to all readers of all ages.




[I received an early copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion.]

This book captured my attention from the very beginning. Vela is one of the princesses on her planet. Her father, the king, is looking for a successor in either Vela or her sister, Blanca. This is just one of the many conflicts between the two. Vela seems to be the sweet caring person that worries about her people and wants to help them. While Blanca is more logical and practical. The rivalry between the two of them has been going on since they were little and they are no longer friends. Their relationship was complex and the longing Vela felt for a better relationship with her sister was heartbreaking.

The world building is great in this book. It was really interesting, kept me engaged and wanting to know more. In this world, people do not eat food, but rather consume nutrition pills created from people called the Aegis. Vela is an Aegis. Basically, these are people that are able to consume food and have it's converted into food pills for others. However, this comes at a cost, they do not live as long as other people because it is so hard on their bodies.

Vela violates a huge law and in order to prove she is worthy of the crown to the council and her father, she must pick a person to die in order to give the king five more years. One of these possible chosen ones is her lifelong crush, Carr.

Vela's relationship with Carr is very sweet. They have known each other forever and have just admitted to each other they like when Carr volunteers to compete to sacrifice his life for his sister. Carr was such a strong good character. I loved Vela and Carr together. I was on the edge of my seat to find out what would happen to them.

This book was unlike any other book I've read in the past and I really enjoyed it. I thought the premise was fascinating. The ending is very bittersweet, but in the best possible way. I highly recommend this book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from Entangled Publishing via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review will be up on Owls Reads on October 2nd, 12:00pm UTC. https://itsowlsreads.wordpress.com/

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3 starts.

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Star-Crossed is a dramatic YA novel with an incredibly unique and creative world-building and a pace that picks up speed and doesn’t let up. The story is filled with action, romance, betrayal, and death, with many twists and conflicts coming one right after the other. The characters are interesting, if a little flat, but they keep the plot moving.

Pintip Dunn delivers an extremely creative novel with a world-building that is rather odd in its uniqueness. The book is very much unlike anything readers will have seen before. So much happens in 400 pages that it is a bit difficult to take it all in and process it. Still a rather enjoyable read.

When I say this is unique, it’s because it is unlike any other YA novel I’ve ever read before — and I’ve read a lot. The novel has suuuch an odd premise, but it somehow works within the bounds on Dunn’s writing and does capture your attention for the most part. The pace is too fast for me, which hurts my ability as a reader to connect to the story and care about what’s happening: when tragedy strikes, there’s little time to process it before another twist comes along.

The characters are okay. Vela is a nice narrator and main character, although she’s rather reckless at times. I do appreciate how her heart is in he right place. Her actions are mostly moved due to her love and care of others, something that is really sweet to read about. The King is also interesting in his wisdom, but I do wish we had a little bit more of Blanca.

The romance is quite well-done, if familiar. Like the title promises, it’s very much a star-crossed kind of relationship, but you can expect a happy ending from the book. The progression of that relationship is really lovely, although a tiny bit predictable. It’s still super nice to see how it develops and how the characters come to confess their feelings for each other.

Overall, Star-Cross is the book for those looking for out-of-the-box world-building and unique stories. The fast pace doesn’t let up for a minute, and the romance gives a nice balance to all the conflicts and action.

Star-Crossed by Pintip Dunn is a captivating book for any YA reader. Pintip uses science fiction to write an incredible story about a life of Eaters and Non-Eaters. An Eater is a person who is able to eat food. A Non-Eater is a person who is considered to be poor and unable to eat real food. They have to eat supplements but if a Non-Eater eats real food something terrible happens.

Princess Vela is the daughter of a king who’s time is soon to be over, since he is dying. Her decision could save the king or kill him but the problem is…her love interest. Carr is a candidate to save her father’s life, but doing so will mean his death. Throughout her mission Vela must overcome her feelings for Carr, make sure her best friend Astana survives, and find out who is trying to kill her and her father. With only a couple of weeks to figure everything out will she make a decision?

Pintip took every moment in Star-Crossed and made them last. She has a great plotline, great realistic characters, and a teen love story that would make every teen girl scream with sadness and happiness. Every book I have read from her is better than the last one. Finding out that Star-Crossed is going to be in a series makes me very happy.

My Review: This book was so good! I am so excited that I got the chance to read this one. This one was full of world-building and some really great sci-fi!

The story was very thought-provoking as well as new. I don't think that I have read anything quite like this story. The characters were all fully formed and well I really love how their politics worked. As well as the two trying to become the next ruler. I really want to know what this author does with their next title. I have loved a few of her books and can not wait to get my hands on a finished copy of this one.

Do I Recommend this book? If your looking for a new sci-fi story check this out!

Go Into This One Knowing: No love triangles or insta-love, Scifi awesome!

This book contains so much more than the summary promises. I swear there are levels upon levels in this story, and the summary hardly covers any of them. I'll admit that this book didn't really appeal to me at first, and by the time I was approved for an advanced copy, I had even forgotten I requested it in the first place. But often the most seemingly dull books hold the most promise, and I was happily surprised when I fell in love with this story super quickly. As much as I love the dystopian genre, which this really isn't but does share some similarities, I am not particularly keen on books that take place in space or the future, which this book does. Also, the summary suggests that the main plotline of this book revolves around the romance instead of the super-cool sounding food shortage plotline, which is kind of true but it kind of works. Either way, I was skeptical going in but I really shouldn't have been. 

The first thing I noticed was that we are dropped right into the middle of the society with very little world-building. It kind of works, but I definitely struggled for a little bit at first just trying to figure out the society and how it functioned. I think this is a super cool plot to develop and it's really unique. It stems from the idea that this society is what remains from whoever survived Earth, but they need to find ways to sustain themselves and grow their society on a planet that is not built to sustain them. To be quite honest, it doesn't really feel all that space-like, but the technology they have is kind of cool, so the sci-fi aspect is definitely alive and thriving. I don't like my sci-fi too spacey anyway. I love that this society incorporates some Earthly traditions into their lives. For example, the trend in Dion is to name your child after a place on Earth to honour and remember from where you came - which is how we get names like Denver and Hanoi and also Astana, which I've since learned is in Kazakhstan. It's also mentioned at this point that Vela, the main character, is of Thai origin, which is pretty cool even though it doesn't have much effect on the plot.

Vela is one of the Aegis who sacrifices 60 years of her life to feed her people, which is a pretty big sacrifice to make, but she's also the princess of the...kingdom? society? in which she lives. Which makes her arrest in the second chapter for stealing food for her best friend seem a bit odd, because you'd think that if anyone could get away with breaking the law, she could. Her father is the king and a kind old man and pretty likable - although he does say "eye-apple" a lot, which makes me cringe every time. One thing that the summary doesn't state that I think it should is the explanation for why her crush volunteers to die for the king. Basically, the society is so reliant on their king and the great system he has built and sustained that they try to make him last as long as possible (he's like 90 years old at this point, but as spry as a 25 year old). In order to do so, every five years they have these trials to determine who is the fittest, and the winner gets to die and donate his organs so the king can live another five years - and it's a great honour to do so. Not only that, but the winner's family will receive food for life instead of relying on pills, so they get to provide for those they love. Jump back to Carr, Vela's crush and best friend's brother, who volunteers for the trial in order to ensure his sister Astana gets to stay alive. See, Astana is the one who Vela has been stealing food for, and has developed a likeness for real food and an intolerance for the pills, which means that she will die if she doesn't get proper sustenance. If Carr becomes the fittest, she can have proper food for the rest of her life.  It's because of this disposition that Carr reminds me of Peeta Mellark from The Hunger Games quite a bit. He's not above sacrificing himself for those he loves, and he also is rather sneaky in his ways of doing so. Particularly the scene where Carr finally convinces Vela that she owes him one and cannot stop him competing in the Trials reminds me of Peeta in Catching Fire when he staunchly insists he become tribute again.

I do love Vela, and she's really smart and a super strong character. She does get a little sidelined in her intentions though. She struggles through most of the book trying to decide who to stay loyal to - Carr, in order to save her bestie, or Astana, in order to save Carr. She flips back and forth and its exhausting. However, you can't really blame her. She is the one, after all, responsible for her friend's condition, and the reason Carr is in the Fittest Trials in the first place. Also, she's desperate to prove that she should be the one to replace her father as king when the time comes instead of her sister, who is a big pain. Like most of us, she struggles with deciding what is the right thing to do, although to be fair, for most of us the consequences of our decision-making aren't quite so dire.

I'm trying really really hard to write this review with no spoilers, because not knowing what was coming throughout this book was one of the best parts of reading it. I will say though that there are certain moments that you are sure are going to go one way, and go the other despite your best intentions in telling the characters not to. There are some parts that may seem to be a forgotten plot hole, but they all tie together in the end and in a genius way. It's almost better that they seem to be left in the lurch, because then it makes it all the better when everything comes crashing down yet fits together perfectly. What I really like about this book and its plot is that there is no big revolution and there isn't the idea that only one person can trigger change and lead the way. So much of this book's plot relies on the actions of other characters that it couldn't follow this story any other way. Not only that but there are so many little twists and turns that nothing is really as you think it will be. It's like the concept of moving every single piece of furniture in your house over four inches - everything is in the right place, but slightly off. But in a good way. It's not that you shouldn't trust people in this book, but just...take everything with a grain of salt because they're probably hiding something. Also, the plot keeps you entertained right until the very end of the book with all sorts of little revelations that make the world seem clearer, which is a huge bonus.

The title of the book as well as the cover does not really point towards the whole story. The romance is a pretty big part of the plot, though I would have preferred it dialed down a bit. (Although, are they reaaaaaaaally that star-crossed? I'm not seeing many parallels to Jack and Rose, here.) I wish that it more accurately reflected the rest of the plot though, because then I think more people might be interested in it. There are a couple questions on the book's Goodreads page that says it used to be titled "Fit to Die", which isn't a great title either but serves the purpose a bit more, I think? Anyway. The title is fine but could be better. The cover is really cool too but could also do a bit better. 

This feels like a really long review so kudos to you if you have read this far and have yet to be annoyed at me dancing around some of the plot twists instead of talking about them which I want to do REALLY BADLY but won't for the sake of avoiding spoilers. I like this book a LOT more than I initially expected to. I think there were plenty of times where this plot and society could have been done incorrectly but weren't, and I'm pretty grateful for that. I would have been quite sad if this cool plot hadn't been done well. It's very unique and I commend the author for that so much, because it gets harder and harder to do that every day. Perhaps a bit more world-building could be useful, but I think I might just be nitpicking, because in the end it didn't seem to matter. I didn't really mention the writing at all either, but largely because it didn't hugely stand out - except for this one line that made me sob like a baby:

"She was so weak her cries sounded more like musical notes."

Also, Blanca and Hanoi are obviously in love and I expect to see them together in the next book, Pintip.

“Your life has always mattered,” I whisper.
I look up and do my best to imprint his caviar-black eyes and straight, thin brows into my memory. I’ll have holograms, sure. And I’ve made a point to take a few of him, because I know I’ll regret not having them later. But I don’t want to rely on some dots of light to remember him, like I do with my mother. I don’t want all the people I love to be confined to a little black cube.

It was this simple passage that made realize that I not only loved, but respected this novel. Before receiving this Arc, I thought I knew what it was all about. The title itself spoke volumes. But Star-Crossed was not only a realistic Ya about a forbidden love and a dystopian world, it was a beautifully crafted story about coming to terms with the things we cannot change. Once upon a time Princess Veila stole some food for her best-friend, without realizing the danger she was putting her in. In doing so, Astana developed an explicable resistance to the pills she was given as daily nutrition, like the other citizens. And her body suffered because of that. A naïve gesture, a slice of cake shared between two girls, that threatened not only to expose Veila, but to condemn her friend to death as well. Torn between stealing more food and finding a solution to save Astana’s life, Veila is arrested and Carr, the love of Veila’s life, is forced to join in a competition, to ensure a lifetime of food for his sister, Astana. Unfortunately, to ensure that, he has to die first.

“I may use those words, but it’s cultural. They don’t reflect what I truly believe.”
“And what’s that?”
I blink. Not once, in any of the interviews, has a candidate turned the spotlight onto me so efficiently.
“I believe in my mother,” I say quietly. “I believe she didn’t cease to exist when her physical body expired. I’ve felt her presence as I walk in the woods. Her touch whispers over me when I tilt my face to the stars, looking for answers. I know she’s here with me, even if she’s in a different realm.”

This novel and its plot were powerful and original. Towards the end I could almost feel Veila’s despair and Carr’s resignation. It made me emotional, but also grateful: this fantasy YA experiment I have been conducting since last May, has allowed me to discover so many delicate gems. And Star-Crossed definitely fits into this category.

Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for providing me a copy of this. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A unique concept is the basis for this YA romance from Pintip Dunn., making this science fiction young adult romance something a little different. Vela is a princess on a planet where people are starving. A failed terraforming and colonisation attempt generations ago resulted in a population far bigger than the planet can susatin. Using genetic alteration scientists have created a way to extract maximum nutrition from food sources and redistribute it to the population as supplements . The catch is that the pills are created by extracting nutrition from foods ingested by a small group of the population, who have been genetically modified. Only these people ever experience the taste of real food, or so the authorities thought, When the time comes to choose a new successor to the throne, Vela must compete against her sister, and the stakes are higher than just the crown. Will she sacrifice the boy she loves to save her father, and her best friend?
A fast paced and enjoyable read, lifted above the average YA fare by its original idea, and how well that idea is executed.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.