blakehalsey's review against another edition
4.0
Ouch. This book ended painfully, but truthfully. It felt right, even though I hated it! Told in alternate viewpoints between a sister and brother, MADE OF STARS is the story of Chance Harvey and the beauty and mystery he has always represented for both Hunter and Ashlin. It's also about Hunter's journey to realize that he loves Chance, has always loved him, and will do anything to protect him. But so will Chance and for Chance, that means letting go. The only flaw in this book, for me at least, was Ashlin. She just wasn't compelling. She claimed to have deep feelings for Chance, but when it became clear that her brother and Chance were "made from the same star" she barely reacted emotionally. She reacted in terms of her brother being in love with a boy, but not for herself. I thought her perspective lent little to the story and I would've been satisfied if the book was told only from Hunter's POV. Regardless, I liked the book a lot, thought Hunter's struggle felt authentic, and definitely felt drawn to Chance's eccentricity as well as his pain.
yaredimpp's review against another edition
4.0
Me gusta que las historias de la autora no son lo que parecen y sus finales no son los convencionales.
srharris's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it.
Even though this book is told from Hunter and Ashlin's point of view, this is really Chance's story.
Hunter and Ashlin are half siblings (same dad, different moms) who spent every summer with their dad, and it was during one of their first summers that they met Chance. Chance is a boy who pulled them both in, enchanted them both. Chance is the boy who they have no way to get in touch with, who tells them stories about wonderful parents and exciting adventures.
This story begins when both Hunter and Ashlin chooses to take a year off after graduating high school and going to stay with their dad for a while before heading off to college, both of them are excited to see Chance since they hadn't seen him in two years (the last time they visited their dad).
The blurb of the book states that it is about Chance being accused of a heinous crime and Hunter and Ashlin fighting to prove his innocence, that is not really accurate. This book for the most part is about the three of them coming to terms with their lives and finally confronting Chance's lies and revealing the truth about his home life and accepting their feelings for each other.
This is a very real-life book, and I did enjoy that, however, I hated the ending. After all of that, no one gets to be happy.
Even though this book is told from Hunter and Ashlin's point of view, this is really Chance's story.
Hunter and Ashlin are half siblings (same dad, different moms) who spent every summer with their dad, and it was during one of their first summers that they met Chance. Chance is a boy who pulled them both in, enchanted them both. Chance is the boy who they have no way to get in touch with, who tells them stories about wonderful parents and exciting adventures.
This story begins when both Hunter and Ashlin chooses to take a year off after graduating high school and going to stay with their dad for a while before heading off to college, both of them are excited to see Chance since they hadn't seen him in two years (the last time they visited their dad).
The blurb of the book states that it is about Chance being accused of a heinous crime and Hunter and Ashlin fighting to prove his innocence, that is not really accurate. This book for the most part is about the three of them coming to terms with their lives and finally confronting Chance's lies and revealing the truth about his home life and accepting their feelings for each other.
This is a very real-life book, and I did enjoy that, however, I hated the ending. After all of that, no one gets to be happy.
junewonderland's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tanaz_masaba's review against another edition
3.0
Whether you like books about boy cuddle or not, you gotta read this one. Kelley York wowes us with characters that are as amazing and as real as they could be...particularly Chance--who's the kind of guy who'll stay in the back of your mind like a phantom
weecha22's review against another edition
5.0
It's out today!!! If you love haunting, captivating, amazing books, then this is for you!! Plus, it's LGBT.
Exciting news this week for MADE OF STARS. It just sold to Random House Germany AND it's a Junior Library Guild selection!!! I have so much love for this book and for Chance. <3
Exciting news this week for MADE OF STARS. It just sold to Random House Germany AND it's a Junior Library Guild selection!!! I have so much love for this book and for Chance. <3
dani005's review against another edition
4.0
Im reeling from this book.
the ending was such a cliff hanger. it had a sharp cruel twist but i just feel like it wasn't enough of a finish.
The book was like a snippet of a few kid's lives. Just as they become so invested, everything breaks apart.
the characters were beyond real, they were flawed and passionate and i loved hearing their thoughts and being a part of the story.
I just wish there was more. This story had so much potential and yet i think it only reached a little. this book was amazing in how realistic it was and how it was set up with all its haunting mystery that drags you in and the confusion of trying to understand a kid that will fish barbies out of a creek.
the ending was such a cliff hanger. it had a sharp cruel twist but i just feel like it wasn't enough of a finish.
The book was like a snippet of a few kid's lives. Just as they become so invested, everything breaks apart.
the characters were beyond real, they were flawed and passionate and i loved hearing their thoughts and being a part of the story.
I just wish there was more. This story had so much potential and yet i think it only reached a little. this book was amazing in how realistic it was and how it was set up with all its haunting mystery that drags you in and the confusion of trying to understand a kid that will fish barbies out of a creek.
justineduhart's review
Lecture haletante et prenante. J'aurais sans doute préféré lire la V.O. et il y a quelques éléments que j'ai trouvés superflus ou bizarres mais ce fut pas mal du tout !
jennybrycebooks's review against another edition
5.0
If you want to go into this book completely unprepared, as I did, you might not want to read this review. There aren't really any spoilers, but if you like reading books without knowing anything beforehand, and still want to know if it's a good book, It's a good book.
The first part of the book was, I admit, a little slow, but I was hooked from the beginning, even though (I thought) I knew exactly what would happen. I had everything all planned out in my head. The perfect ending where everyone is happy and everything works out, because that is what I have learned to expect, and because that is what everyone wants to read. Unfortunately (or maybe not??), that's not exactly what happened. I guess I've read so much YA that every time a TFIOS or Allegiant comes out, I am absolutely shocked. Like, wow, how dare you write this YA book that doesn't have a perfect ending and people die or are unhappy and is completely, absolutely realistic.
It's this huge wake-up call. On one hand, I really, really hate the fact that things don't turn out the way I want it to, but on the other hand, that's life. No matter how much I don't want to hear it, not everyone gets their happy ending. Depressing, right. Yet, every time I read a book like this, it makes me think. Also cry, but that's besides the point. And I like books that make me think. Because then I learn things. And experiencing sorrow and unhappiness (even though it's second-hand) makes me stronger.
So, overall, I have a love-hate relationship with this book, but I'm still going to force all of my friends to read it so they can experience the same pain I did...
Spoiler
Wow. Okay. *deep breath* So. I picked up this book thinking it was going to be a cute little romance with a little bit of mystery, but overall typical YA. Soooo not what happened.The first part of the book was, I admit, a little slow, but I was hooked from the beginning, even though (I thought) I knew exactly what would happen. I had everything all planned out in my head. The perfect ending where everyone is happy and everything works out, because that is what I have learned to expect, and because that is what everyone wants to read. Unfortunately (or maybe not??), that's not exactly what happened. I guess I've read so much YA that every time a TFIOS or Allegiant comes out, I am absolutely shocked. Like, wow, how dare you write this YA book that doesn't have a perfect ending and people die or are unhappy and is completely, absolutely realistic.
It's this huge wake-up call. On one hand, I really, really hate the fact that things don't turn out the way I want it to, but on the other hand, that's life. No matter how much I don't want to hear it, not everyone gets their happy ending. Depressing, right. Yet, every time I read a book like this, it makes me think. Also cry, but that's besides the point. And I like books that make me think. Because then I learn things. And experiencing sorrow and unhappiness (even though it's second-hand) makes me stronger.
So, overall, I have a love-hate relationship with this book, but I'm still going to force all of my friends to read it so they can experience the same pain I did...
jennyoli96's review against another edition
5.0
Wow.
This is a powerful book. It's not huge (it says 300 and something pages but it isn't, the story itself is 252 pages and the rest are sneak peeks from other two books) but it conveys a lot of emotion within its pages. You don't really know what's going on in the beginning and so you feel good and happy for like 2/3 of the book, where you're thinking "will they, won't they" with two of the main characters as one of them struggles with his feelings and sexuality (sort of a 'gay for you' thing). Then the book does a complete 180º, which one was already expecting from the blurb but woah, it's painful, it's amazing, it's emotional, it's confusing, it feels like getting hit in the stomach with a watermelon and and and well, what else is there to say? You realize it's not a feel-good book afterall.
Me feelings have taken a hit. Sigh.
(And having ordered The Absolutist by John Boyne I can just tell I'm going to suffer some more in the future)
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Update (27.7) After TWO WEEKS you finally arrive (7 to 10 days my ass bookdepository urghhhh)
I have to give a shoutout to this amazing website. For those of you who don’t know, bookdepository.com is a website where you can order books and it’s got free delivery worldwide and very good prices, some books always having some kind of discount. The package is carefully sealed and padded, the book arrived in great condition AND there was a bookmark inside it, which I never get when I order from Amazon. All in all, I’m glad this website exists.
......
7-10 days and you'll be hereeee can't wait to read this one, the plot just calls to me i s2g
This is a powerful book. It's not huge (it says 300 and something pages but it isn't, the story itself is 252 pages and the rest are sneak peeks from other two books) but it conveys a lot of emotion within its pages. You don't really know what's going on in the beginning and so you feel good and happy for like 2/3 of the book, where you're thinking "will they, won't they" with two of the main characters as one of them struggles with his feelings and sexuality (sort of a 'gay for you' thing). Then the book does a complete 180º, which one was already expecting from the blurb but woah, it's painful, it's amazing, it's emotional, it's confusing, it feels like getting hit in the stomach with a watermelon and and and well, what else is there to say? You realize it's not a feel-good book afterall.
Me feelings have taken a hit. Sigh.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Update (27.7) After TWO WEEKS you finally arrive (7 to 10 days my ass bookdepository urghhhh)
I have to give a shoutout to this amazing website. For those of you who don’t know, bookdepository.com is a website where you can order books and it’s got free delivery worldwide and very good prices, some books always having some kind of discount. The package is carefully sealed and padded, the book arrived in great condition AND there was a bookmark inside it, which I never get when I order from Amazon. All in all, I’m glad this website exists.
......
7-10 days and you'll be hereeee can't wait to read this one, the plot just calls to me i s2g