ja123's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, this book is perfect! As much as I love other books from S. Young, this book is really extraordinary in and out. So far the best one I read from her!
Thank you, Miss Young for the amazing story!
Thank you, Miss Young for the amazing story!
bookladysreviews's review against another edition
5.0
*I received this book for free, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own! *
I'm getting quite repetitive when it comes to Samantha Young's novels but, whatever she writes, I'll gladly read without second thought! I jumped at the chance to read and review As Dust Dances, even though I haven't read Play On yet! I absolutely loved it, let's start with that!
I'm not going to talk about the plot in depth because I feel like this is one of those books you have to read in order to actually get the meaning of but, we're obviously going to discuss everything else! First of all, the premise was quite intriguing and authentic, which you don't usually expect from New Adult/Romance novels! Not saying that to sound negative but, I personally haven't come across such a unique Romance novel in a while and it wa such a breath of fresh air that I felt my faith in the world restored after finishing it. Yes, that might sound a bit dramatic but, you can either take it or leave it! The main character has a very well thought out background that is revealed through flashbacks, which has become one of my favorite techniques when it comes to novels in general, especially Contemporary of any sort! They just become so much more relatable that way and they're proof that the characters had a past, which makes their stories even more reliable and easier to connect to. Skylar's past ewas mainly what the book itself was base doff of but, it wasn't brushed aside nor ignored in favour of other, more mainstream topics that readers would swoon over. It was addressed in the best way possible and handled in a way that shows the author's ability to write fiction while describing reality, something that's evident in every single one of her novels that I've read this far! She has the impressive ability of making you experience every single thing the characters she so masterfully creates are experiencing and that's not something a lot of authors can easily achieve nowadays! I've also come to realise that Scotland is a recurring setting and I'm actually desperate to visit every single place she vividly describes, novel after novel! I should've probably made a list because that would've definitely made things easier for me!
Back to Skylar, whose story was written in the most powerful way possible! It was raw, poignant and absolutely heartbreaking! A story worth writing, reading, feeling with every fiber of your being and going back to when you need something that feels true to ground you, while giving you hope.
Skylar was such a tortured soul and while reading about everything she went through, you become a bit more humble and realize that fame is not what's cracked up to be! I really admire the way it was put in perspective in the novel and how she managed to distance herself from it in the end, while finding true happiness. That's the most important thing any of us can do, right?
Moving on to the love interest, Killian. He was such a forced to be reckoned with and I lost count of how many times I swooned throughout the novel. He came off as being so cold and controlling but, the moment that control of his broke was probably one of my favorites. It was so vividly raw that it felt real, let me tell you. I loved how their relationship started out as business and even though the sexual tension between them was more than obvious, I didn't feel like it overshadowed the importance of everything else that was going on. I do think that things worked out for Skylar, better than they would've worked out for someone else in the sense that, there are so many people who don't have the opportunity to help themselves out there or be discovered and saved from a life in the streets like she was but, the author did a great job of bringing more awareness to that fact since I'm here, writing about it! Their relationship was such a roller coaster of emotions and I loved being part of it. Skylar's development as a character and a human being was quite amazing and even though the healing process drained the life out of her, it was worth it in the end. Seeing her make peace with her past and come to terms with what happened was more than I could've asked for and yes, Samantha Young delivered!
Moreover, I immensely enjoyed reading about the secondary characters in the novel! Autumn was a breath of something new and I cannot wait for her story! Skylar's former bandmates were also quite supportive of her and her decisions. They were there for her and truly cared, even when she didn't want them to. That is the meaning of friendship after all!
The writing was, once again, phenomenal and I'll probably never stop admiring the author's ability to make me feel things like I'm experiencing them myself! She's one of the only authors that has manage to do that for me, both as a reader and as a person, throughout the years!
Overall, As Dust Dances was a masterpiece and I fell in love with it as soon as I started reading it! I cannot recommend it enough guys! It was real, heartbreaking and I devoured it in a matter of hours!
I'm getting quite repetitive when it comes to Samantha Young's novels but, whatever she writes, I'll gladly read without second thought! I jumped at the chance to read and review As Dust Dances, even though I haven't read Play On yet! I absolutely loved it, let's start with that!
I'm not going to talk about the plot in depth because I feel like this is one of those books you have to read in order to actually get the meaning of but, we're obviously going to discuss everything else! First of all, the premise was quite intriguing and authentic, which you don't usually expect from New Adult/Romance novels! Not saying that to sound negative but, I personally haven't come across such a unique Romance novel in a while and it wa such a breath of fresh air that I felt my faith in the world restored after finishing it. Yes, that might sound a bit dramatic but, you can either take it or leave it! The main character has a very well thought out background that is revealed through flashbacks, which has become one of my favorite techniques when it comes to novels in general, especially Contemporary of any sort! They just become so much more relatable that way and they're proof that the characters had a past, which makes their stories even more reliable and easier to connect to. Skylar's past ewas mainly what the book itself was base doff of but, it wasn't brushed aside nor ignored in favour of other, more mainstream topics that readers would swoon over. It was addressed in the best way possible and handled in a way that shows the author's ability to write fiction while describing reality, something that's evident in every single one of her novels that I've read this far! She has the impressive ability of making you experience every single thing the characters she so masterfully creates are experiencing and that's not something a lot of authors can easily achieve nowadays! I've also come to realise that Scotland is a recurring setting and I'm actually desperate to visit every single place she vividly describes, novel after novel! I should've probably made a list because that would've definitely made things easier for me!
Back to Skylar, whose story was written in the most powerful way possible! It was raw, poignant and absolutely heartbreaking! A story worth writing, reading, feeling with every fiber of your being and going back to when you need something that feels true to ground you, while giving you hope.
Skylar was such a tortured soul and while reading about everything she went through, you become a bit more humble and realize that fame is not what's cracked up to be! I really admire the way it was put in perspective in the novel and how she managed to distance herself from it in the end, while finding true happiness. That's the most important thing any of us can do, right?
Moving on to the love interest, Killian. He was such a forced to be reckoned with and I lost count of how many times I swooned throughout the novel. He came off as being so cold and controlling but, the moment that control of his broke was probably one of my favorites. It was so vividly raw that it felt real, let me tell you. I loved how their relationship started out as business and even though the sexual tension between them was more than obvious, I didn't feel like it overshadowed the importance of everything else that was going on. I do think that things worked out for Skylar, better than they would've worked out for someone else in the sense that, there are so many people who don't have the opportunity to help themselves out there or be discovered and saved from a life in the streets like she was but, the author did a great job of bringing more awareness to that fact since I'm here, writing about it! Their relationship was such a roller coaster of emotions and I loved being part of it. Skylar's development as a character and a human being was quite amazing and even though the healing process drained the life out of her, it was worth it in the end. Seeing her make peace with her past and come to terms with what happened was more than I could've asked for and yes, Samantha Young delivered!
Moreover, I immensely enjoyed reading about the secondary characters in the novel! Autumn was a breath of something new and I cannot wait for her story! Skylar's former bandmates were also quite supportive of her and her decisions. They were there for her and truly cared, even when she didn't want them to. That is the meaning of friendship after all!
The writing was, once again, phenomenal and I'll probably never stop admiring the author's ability to make me feel things like I'm experiencing them myself! She's one of the only authors that has manage to do that for me, both as a reader and as a person, throughout the years!
Overall, As Dust Dances was a masterpiece and I fell in love with it as soon as I started reading it! I cannot recommend it enough guys! It was real, heartbreaking and I devoured it in a matter of hours!
livingin_ficiton's review against another edition
4.0
A really good and engrossing book after so long! It wasn't overly romantic or swoon worthy but it was a good read. The chemistry was good and the story had a charm to it with a captivating plot line.
At times it did get a bit difficult to relate to the female lead but nothing major.
Samantha young never disappoints! Love her writing always!
At times it did get a bit difficult to relate to the female lead but nothing major.
Samantha young never disappoints! Love her writing always!
amor_fati's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first of Samantha books and the music pulled me in. The way she was able to write about how Skylar wanted basically a sense of freedom and still have her passion, her lifeline was brilliant. Killian was and is a dark hero, he brutes and he does express until he makes us all swoon.
You will feel ever emotion. All the love. All the pain. And it worth them all. It’s a beautiful woven story of love and music and getting back all your dreams.
You will feel ever emotion. All the love. All the pain. And it worth them all. It’s a beautiful woven story of love and music and getting back all your dreams.
jennifertclaeys's review against another edition
5.0
This is honestly one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Everything about it got to me. I don’t even have the words about how beautiful the characters and this story is.
pjmorse's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
greylandreviews's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 stars
ARC provided by author for honest review
From the three ARC'S I have received, this one was probably my least favorite. I just didn't connect as much as I wanted to the characters but over all it still was good book. And warning! Might also need tissues for this one also, it seems like there is a theme of making the reader feel weepy for Young this year.
ARC provided by author for honest review
From the three ARC'S I have received, this one was probably my least favorite. I just didn't connect as much as I wanted to the characters but over all it still was good book. And warning! Might also need tissues for this one also, it seems like there is a theme of making the reader feel weepy for Young this year.
slovenianbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars.
So it's been a while since I have read Samantha Young's book. The last time I do that, I've read two books I think of her On Dublin Street series (not sure about the names of the series).
While the book is okay, I found myself hating the side character Micah. He was so annoying with his actions and I think he hurt them both. At the end of the book we get forgiveness for both of them but to me, his actions were too childish and toxic for their friendship.
And even though he has done some terrible things, he apologizes and the heroine of course easily forgives him. I was so pissed at her. There is just so much drama at one time, it gets tiring. It really bothers me that she's the one that does most of the apologizing to Micah while he's guilty too.
The heroine is at times so dumb. She's in a relationship with the hero and she almost screws that up too. She expects she will not have to talk about her past after basically disappearing from the world/society for two years. It's naive especially since she's a teenage rock star. I mean I agree with her that she doesn't owe the fans anything but at the same time you have to give them something, right? Like not the whole story but the basics should cover that. But no, she has to be dramatic and almost break up with Killian, the love of her life.
Also, a side note: this book has many mistakes mostly the words repeating itself. (I.e. hanging onto him to him...) It doesn't exactly bother me but an editor is needed.
So it's been a while since I have read Samantha Young's book. The last time I do that, I've read two books I think of her On Dublin Street series (not sure about the names of the series).
While the book is okay, I found myself hating the side character Micah. He was so annoying with his actions and I think he hurt them both. At the end of the book we get forgiveness for both of them but to me, his actions were too childish and toxic for their friendship.
And even though he has done some terrible things, he apologizes and the heroine of course easily forgives him. I was so pissed at her. There is just so much drama at one time, it gets tiring. It really bothers me that she's the one that does most of the apologizing to Micah while he's guilty too.
The heroine is at times so dumb. She's in a relationship with the hero and she almost screws that up too. She expects she will not have to talk about her past after basically disappearing from the world/society for two years. It's naive especially since she's a teenage rock star. I mean I agree with her that she doesn't owe the fans anything but at the same time you have to give them something, right? Like not the whole story but the basics should cover that. But no, she has to be dramatic and almost break up with Killian, the love of her life.
Also, a side note: this book has many mistakes mostly the words repeating itself. (I.e. hanging onto him to him...) It doesn't exactly bother me but an editor is needed.
chroniclesofabookreader's review against another edition
5.0
As Dust Dances was as romantic and whimsical as its cover. With a young woman long lost to the depths of fame and grief, Young easily portrayed Skylar’s reactivity to her past and pulled me into the small world she had created for protection. Her animosity toward Killian and his role in possibly affecting that obscurity she fought so hard for made for a combustible romance with a love-hate dynamic that turned the pages faster as it grew more impossible to ignore.
Young’s romantic and expressive writing style gave this story a memoir-like feel. The depiction of Skylar’s lack of privacy and the phenomenon of a too-fast celebrity felt incredibly stark and vivid. Her loss of control felt like the reader’s loss of control, and I was pulled into the spiral right along with her—a connection and empathy made even stronger by the amazing lyrics that flowed from her soul onto the pages. I was astounded by her resilience even if it didn’t seem that she was, and how even with her hard outer shell, it was still possible to see the woman hiding underneath it. Killian became the beacon guiding her to confronting her past and brightening her future; the true song of her soul.
The beauty of As Dust Dances lay in its gentle capturing of your heart as it explored the depths of two people coming together. Every moment of it was mesmerizing and breathtaking in its depiction. When Young takes readers back to Scotland there’s magic to be found.
**Received an early copy; this had no bearing on my opinions**
Young’s romantic and expressive writing style gave this story a memoir-like feel. The depiction of Skylar’s lack of privacy and the phenomenon of a too-fast celebrity felt incredibly stark and vivid. Her loss of control felt like the reader’s loss of control, and I was pulled into the spiral right along with her—a connection and empathy made even stronger by the amazing lyrics that flowed from her soul onto the pages. I was astounded by her resilience even if it didn’t seem that she was, and how even with her hard outer shell, it was still possible to see the woman hiding underneath it. Killian became the beacon guiding her to confronting her past and brightening her future; the true song of her soul.
The beauty of As Dust Dances lay in its gentle capturing of your heart as it explored the depths of two people coming together. Every moment of it was mesmerizing and breathtaking in its depiction. When Young takes readers back to Scotland there’s magic to be found.
**Received an early copy; this had no bearing on my opinions**