Honestly, I almost DNFed this book early in. The role play aspect was almost to much for me. But I pushed through and came to really enjoy the story line, if not the characters. Both girls were dealing with so much, this book a great job dealing with such touchy subjects. I wish though, that we could have seen Starworld in a different way. As it is, reading the Starworld sections was my least favorite part of this story. It felt clunky and childish to me. I get it though, that’s how role play is, a lot of asterisks and imagination. I just wish that it would have delved into more, maybe starting out as a regular role play conversation and fading into something real, something to make us forget our real world as well. That’s what I wanted but I just didn’t get it.

What I did really love about this book, however, is the friendship that blooms between the two girls and the surprising ending. Honestly thing did not go how I expected. In the end, I had a lot of thoughts throughout this story but I’m glad I read it, and I ended up giving it 3 stars. Starworld hits shelves on April 16th!

I received an ARC of this through NetGalley, and have to admit, I committed the age-old sin with books:

I judged it by its cover.

In this case, that was a good thing. I thought it was intriguing. So, too, with the title. I know this is YA, but I will forever champion the YA cause - especially non-dystopian YA. It's some of the best storytelling taking place today, and under the right circumstances it can be really important. I was one of those kids for whom books were a refuge, and to read something featuring characters my own age - say 15-19 - going through some of the same problems I was, and finding a way through? That would have been huge. I hope more and more teens continue to find YA novels, because if a crusty, mid-30s dude can find inspiration in them, surely they can. And that gives me hope.

Anyway, Starworld. Man, what didn't this book touch on. It could have been such a by-the-numbers story, with Zoe, the seemingly picture perfect teen queen befriending outsider and artistically-minded loner, Sam. But there is so much beneath the surface. You deal with issues of first love, the pressures young people face to rush toward life's big moments before they're ready. And that's just the start. While Coulthurst is wonderful at weaving the story of this budding friendship through the background of high school, it's really about mental illness, perception, sexuality, adoption, rejection, family, responsibility, loss, and the bridge these unlikely friends build to be able to escape it all, which they dub "Starworld."

Starworld will be familiar to any teen, I suspect. It's essentially memespeak. Like...well...like this:

*bites lip and stares into the distance for a moment, while thinking of what to say next*

Maybe memespeak is the wrong term, but this is a language teenagers understand. It can get a little cringey at times, but it's so heartfelt, it cannot help but draw you in. It is its own story, and you can tell how much it means to both Sam and Zoe, both of whom need reasons to escape to their phones, to their text messages, where Starworld awaits. A narrative of their own design.

I was surprised how touched I was by this book. It's heavy, make no mistake. But it's hopeful. And it's real. And it should be read by so many teenagers who feel as if they can't find their place.

The relationships in this book were very important and well built, but the ending seemed to flop for me. It was so much build up for nothing. Besides that, I just wasn't interested in the "starworld" aspect of it. But, enjoyed the representation of LGBTQ+ as well as disabilities.

Unfortunately, I had to DNF this book after around 150 pages. The way mental illness and disability were described was really upsetting to me. Not only was one of the main characters pretty hateful towards her mother's struggle with OCD, the mother was also portrayed as really toxic and this kind of trope - of parents mistreating their children as a result of mental illness - is really horrible to me. All in all, I just felt like the mentally ill mother, the disabled brother and the mother suffering from cancer were really just there to provide hardship for the main characters. All of this made me really uncomfortable, to the point where I had to decide to stop reading the book because finishing it would do me more harm than good.

I can't really reflect on the other aspects of the story, as I didn't see much of a personality for either of the main characters so far (they seemed defined by their "difficult" families) and there wasn't much of a plot otherwise. Maybe that picks up later on, I wouldn't know. In any case, I wouldn't recommend this novel. It really is a shame, because I was drawn to it because of the wlw rep. I hope that aspect of the book was done well, but the part that I read only alluded to it.

Actual Rating: 2.5

Hm. I’ve got mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I absolutely LOVE the premise and the idea of all the characters. On the other hand, actually reading the book was a lot less enjoyable for a number of reasons.

First though, a blurb. Starworld is written in two main perspectives. There’s Sam Jones, who lives an invisible life at school and relies on her one and only friend, Will. Her mom has OCD, and after her parents' divorce, it only got worse—Sam has no idea how she could ever leave home and pursue her dream of studying aerospace engineering. Then, there’s Zoe. Zoe is popular and loved by everyone, but her life isn’t as great as it seems to be. She was abandoned as a baby, her adoptive mother has cancer, and her brother is being sent away to a facility. As Zoe and Sam’s lives collide unexpectedly, they find themselves creating a whole new universe where they can escape from the real world, and they dub it—Starworld.

So, I LOVE the idea of Starworld. I jumped into the story imagining flowing colors and adventures and excited to read outlandish descriptions. Unfortunately, the way Starworld was written in the same way I used to roleplay in Harry Potter forums. Like this: *hugs* *coughs on dust* And by being written this way, Starworld just seemed unremarkable and amateurish; I found myself cringing too often—the texting and writing style was reminiscent of what I typed as a ten-year-old.

Other than that, the plot seemed a little flat. There were some ups and downs, but once again, it felt very childish when they were based on silly misunderstandings.

I also think the characters could have been explored more in general; Will was a character that I already loved. Yet, even as the best friend, he barely got any screen time! Overall, I think more intimate interactions between Sam or Zoe and OTHER characters could have helped this book a lot and given us a clearer picture of how these characters lived in their environment, not just with each other.

Overall, this was still a fun little read, and giving it two stars definitely feels really low, but it was the writing style of Starworld itself (in its texting format) that disappointed me so much I wouldn’t feel comfortable giving it a three.

Wow this is a stunning and intense read. Starworld was unique and thrilling yet subtle. Totally wanna see what else these two have!

If you read the description of this book and get all excited by the potential lady loving lady vibe, do not pick up this book. I feel like I've been queer-baited into reading this, and it made me super angry.

<spoiler>Yes, one of the girls does fall for the other, but it is not reciprocated and she has her heart broken. Poor little lesbian with her misplaced affections. I felt like there was so much build up to this as a storyline, but the author backed down within the last 50 pages. </spoiler>

I gave two stars because I did enjoy the writing and the storytelling and I absolutely loved Sam as a character. Mental and physical disabilities were portrayed really well and I was impressed by that. The queer-baiting is something I just couldn't get over, though.

Sam and Zoe are on the opposite sides of the spectrum: Sam is a loner with little to no friends, an OCD mom, and enjoys art and rocket science. Zoe is a popular theater girl with her own family issues such as her mom going through cancer and a disabled brother. Out of random chance, Zoe falls in love with one of Sam's paintings and wants to use it for a school play, which leads to exchanging numbers. Sam accidentally texts Zoe instead of her best friend Will, which sets them off on their journey of becoming unlikely friends and bringing out the best in each other.

I finished this in one day and it wasn't just because I had a long car drive. The story kept me reading. I thought both were relatable teens, but not too stereotypical by saying phrases or constantly being on social media. I liked as they got closer and opened up about family issues they don't like to talk about.

However, things get complicated when Sam starts to question her feelings toward Zoe, which are going down the path of romantic. I wasn't sure how it would end if Sam would admit her feelings, if Zoe would feel the same way, or if nothing would happen.

And one of my favorite parts is the world they create through texts, Starworld. It's a way for them to escape reality and get closer. I'm rating this 4/5 stars.

I received a netgalley for an honest review.

The fact that I managed to read and finish this book in just over a day is a testament to how much I enjoyed this book. I loved the quirky lines from Sam’s POV mixed with some of the gut wrenchingly bleak thoughts that Zoe had. The contrast between the characters was really well done.

I loved that throughout the book, you can see the growth in the way the POVs were written. It really helped show how far each character had come thanks to their friendship and Starworld.

This book had my laughing, crying, and feeling all the feels. I highly recommend it to fellow contemporary lovers!

I received a copy of from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity.

4 Stars and here’s why:

Starworld is one of these YA Contemporary books that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. I work with teens and I felt that the story was authentic and tackled a lot of issues that kids encounter in today’s unpredictable environment thanks to rapidly changing social media. The authors wrote an engaging story with sensitivity and heart that captivated my interest. The fledging friendship between two girls who are battling so much between a parent with mental illness and a sibling with a severe disability was raw and honest and written so well.

Highly recommend. I think it should be required reading in school. It’s that good.

“I can’t say I understand life’s random twists and turns, or what meaning to ascribe to them, if any, but I will always be thankful for the detour that brought you to me. You will always have a place in my heart.”
•
Sam and Zoe live in opposite social circles at school. Until one day Zoe needs Sam’s artwork for the school play. From there we learn about Sam’s difficult life at home and Zoe’s life with a sick mom and disabled brother. Then we learn how much Zoe and Sam need each other.
•
I really, truly did not know what to expect when I started Starworld. My mind is completely blown. Every single aspect of this story is relatable. Feeling unsure of yourself, feeling unloved/unwanted, dealing with sick family, dealing with things no one else could possibly understand... it was incredible. Sam’s mom stuck out most to me. When you have a parent with a situation like hers, life is extremely rough. Since my father is similar to Sam’s mom (less intense but same issues), it was like reading a book about myself, well, that part specifically. I can only hope to have a friendship as great as theirs, to have my own Starworld... I’m still processing the book and my emotions but this is quite possibly my favorite YA book yet. I hope you pick it up when it’s available!

This review is on Instagram and Goodreads.

Starworld démarre par la naissance d’une complicité. Toutes deux ont des amis mais c’est l’amitié qu’elles partagent qui les font grandir et réfléchir à ce qu’elles voudraient pour elles-mêmes. Elles se poussent mutuellement à vouloir le meilleur pour elles-mêmes, quitte à admettre des vérités qu’elles essayent d’ignorer en temps normal.

Devant leurs échanges de textos, on sourit et on se prend à craquer pour Humphrey, le charmant animal qui veille sur leurs aventures. On visualise avec elles le monde qu’elles s’inventent. On est très rapidement happé par les pages car c’est plein de naïveté, de rêves, d’espoirs et on veut toujours découvrir encore plus jusqu’où ils vont mener.

Puis, la grande question qu’on finit inévitablement par se poser alors que Sam tombe amoureuse de Zoe, c’est de savoir si c’est réciproque.

A partir de là, l’histoire prend un tour inattendu. On voit réellement les héroïnes grandir et agir pour elles-mêmes. Elles assument complètement ce qu’elles veulent. Elles se prennent enfin en mains et on est de tout coeur avec elles à ces moments-là.

La fin du récit nous laisse avec un sourire attendri. C’est triste mais plein d’espoir en même temps. Une porte ouverte sur l’âge adulte et sur une suite qu’on peut imaginer avec plaisir.

Starworld a donc été une lecture captivante et que j’ai beaucoup aimé lire. J’ai adoré suivre les échanges entre les filles et les voir s’ouvrir l’une à l’autre. C’était une belle tranche de vie.

The Quick Cut: Two girls on opposite sides of the social spectrum find themselves surprising friends after a chance encounter.

A Real Review:
Thank you to Candlewick Press for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

People are a mystery that can't always be understood from the outside. In that same way, not all friendships make logical sense from a typical perspective. With this story about Sam and Zoe, we see two girls who never would've struck a friendship otherwise grow close.

Sam is a loner who tries to make it through school and has a significant struggle dealing with her OCD mother. Everything has to be done in numerals of four and on her terms, otherwise there could be potential issues with fallout afterwards. Zoe, meanwhile, lives a double life where she is popular & people pleasing on the one side and on the other struggles with the fact she is adopted, that her adopted mom has cancer, and that her disabled brother is being sent away.

These two live under intensely stressful situations that are hard to share about with others when a chance encounter causes them to interact and create a bond. However, when Sam starts to develop stronger feelings - what will happen and can they last?

This is a highly quirky novel and for me, it was a bit too much. I don't think I was the right audience considering it pulled me out of the story often, but it certainly made for a unique story. The relationship between Sam and Zoe in the beginning is so pure in how they share with one another and learn how to depend on each other. It is so rare to find somebody else who understands what you're going through when you have family in a debilitating condition and that type of connection bonds people. That's seen here with these two.

I was impressed with the way Sam's mother's OCD was presented. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can present in different ways with different people and with her, it was counting. The authors did a fantastic job at sticking with that presentation and exhibiting the signs that way in a natural way, as they really would for a patient with OCD.

Although the quirky story can be tough to read, this story about two girls will speak to your heart.

My rating: 3.5 out of 5

Review copy courtesy of NetGalley.

I couldn’t connect with this particular young adult contemporary.

In general, this was an entertaining read, but definitely geared toward a younger audience. One thing that I couldn't get into was the fact that there was an excessive amount of swearing. I taught high school, middle school etc and I have never had a student swear so much. With that being said, I enjoyed the storyline of this book. I believe that young adults can identify with the characters in this book. One part I particularly enjoyed was the diversity in this novel and how it brought up authentic issues that a young adult could experience.

When Zoe approaches Sam to get her to help the school play, they have no idea of what's to come.



Sam's best friend Will is also shocked as he used to fancy Zoe and she never noticed them before now.



Zoe however has a lot to deal with, her mum has breast cancer and has to contend with the realities of that.



Yet both girls have a lot to learn about friendship and love as well as their family dynamics being solved at last if they can.



A pain filled emotional novel as well as being very touching and good for showing how sexuality can be a guessing game when you're young trying to find where exactly you got and what exactly your feelings are.



Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Typical female/female romance. Doesn’t bring anything new to the table, but if this is your sexual orientation, then I’m certain you will love this. And there ain’t nothing wrong with that!

DNF at 23%. I just couldn't get into this book at all. I think it will have a very specific audience that will love it, but I am not that audience. I found it kind of depressing and quirky and other than the very pretty cover, I don't really have anything positive to say about it and I really couldn't make myself read anymore. I found Sam incredibly off-putting. I found the writing in her chapters especially were just not my style.

This book was written for a younger audience than I was expecting. and because of that I did not enjoy it at all. I didnt like the "starworld" aspect at all and the end just disappointed me!

Disclaimer: I received an eARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sam Jones hopes that college can be a fresh start for her. But right now, she’s still stuck in high school–the awkward girl who doesn’t quite fit in, even among her friend Will’s group of gamers.

Zoe Miller meanwhile fits in just fine, but her friends have no idea what her home life is like.

When Zoe visits the art room to find a piece for a student led production, she meets Sam. Sam doesn’t want the attention, but she eventually says yes to letting the painting be used.

What neither expected was a friendship to form.

This was such a fantastic book, and it was way heavier than I initially expected it to be. The two create their own world through text messages which they call “Starworld.” It is a way for them to escape the difficulties of their every day lives. For Sam, her mom has OCD, and her mom’s rituals have been escalating for a while. For Zoe, she has a severely disabled brother and a mom in partial remission from cancer. Both keep these parts of their lives hidden because of fear of what others may think and shame over feeling shame.

This is an honest look at intense friendships forged in fire and carried out significantly through text messages (although it’s not done by the characters, this is true for other forms of social media messaging as well). The misunderstandings, the difficulties, the greatness–it’s all there and all so realistic.

The depiction of living with a parent with mental illness was also done so well. This is something that can be so hard to get right for the reader while also allowing for the protagonist to falter along the way. This was written with such grace and sensitivity. The same was done for living with a sibling with severe disabilities. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen that quite done before, but this was also handled well.

This was just such a good read, and I definitely recommend it.

Starworld by Audrey Coulthurst and Paula Garner releases April 16.