maninderkaur's review against another edition
3.0
I did enjoy the book, but I believe it started off much stronger than the end. At the beginning, I was intrigued. I was interested in the worldbuilding, of a world without tech, of the contrasts between the Settlement and Mechan, and then with Earth itself and the Tower. I also found the characters very intriguing. Thatcher to me was the most prominent side character, as he was always wise and knew what to say, was an enjoyable character who provided guidance and felt very real. The main trio of Anna, Eliza, and Nathaniel was also a good read. I liked how each of the three overlapped in some ways with their similar characteristics, yet clashed with their differences, but still formed a valuable friendship - and in Anna and Eliza’s case, a relationship. Anna’s hotheadedness and compassion, Eliza’s cool composure but loss of identity, and Nathaniel’s timidness but newfound courage all linked well together, allowing them all to feel real and genuine. The plot for me was at its peak when Anna had been captured, and her soon-followed escape, with her first altercation with Eliza where the three of them agreed to work together. I was interested in their ‘rebellion’, in the secrets they were to find, but as the book went on I found myself feeling a little disappointed. The secret itself of Tarnish, the illness, and the withholding of the vaccine felt a little confusing to me. I wasn’t able to fully understand why the vaccine was withheld, I didn’t understand the reasons behind the antagonistic behaviours of the Commissioner and the Queen. I found their deaths to be an anticlimactic way to solve the protagonists’ issues, and I wish they were kept alive long enough for me to understand their motives a little more. Eliza’s arc of finding herself rather than being the Queen’s puppet was an interesting one as it reached its climax, but I wished this was laced in and built up throughout the book as I felt like it was almost presented suddenly during the fights in the Commissioner’s office. I didn’t find the relationship with Eliza and Anna too interesting as it wasn’t built up enough to feel like an integral, important part of the story, rather almost a throwaway subplot. The ending itself wasn’t satisfying for me, with a lot of questions left unanswered. I had hoped for more worldbuilding aside from the Settlement, newly named Isla, and Mechan, as the world felt bare with these being the only two ‘settlements’ mentioned. I also hoped for a further explanation of what would be done with the cure, if Nathaniel would be able to undo his father’s rules so easily as it had been made to sound, even a mention at some rising conflicts from the Isla residents who had believed in these tech-forbidding rules for years. Overall, the start was very strong, and I found everything to be well-written including the combat scenes which were written in a way that wasn’t confusing yet still tense, but I found the factors pulling me towards the book fading as time went on. Overall, I would give it around a 6/10.
ilyynn's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
The pacing of this book was very weird, character development felt rushed, and overall the writing was just not a style I enjoyed. The parts talking about sexuality felt ripped from an online guide on how to talk to your kids. Only finished this book because I paid for it.
stacieh's review
While appropriate for a YA novel, the main characters were WAY too angsty for me. Wrong time. I was not in the mood for that. Cool world though. I did love the world.
bak8382's review against another edition
3.0
Anna lives outside Earth Adjacent's established settlement using illegal tech to save people's lives. When her world collides with both Nathan, whose father is trying to capture her, and Eliza, the Queen in the sky's spy she finds herself drawn into a plan that could change everything.
There's a lot happening in this world, the story is told from all three perspectives, there's the mystery of what is poisoning some people on earth, the search for a cure, and the mystery of what the Queen wants. I started a couple of other books while reading this, and I was a little lost when I came back in, but then it sucked me right back in. It's fast-paced, with good world building, and shows male and female friendship without any romance.
There's a lot happening in this world, the story is told from all three perspectives, there's the mystery of what is poisoning some people on earth, the search for a cure, and the mystery of what the Queen wants. I started a couple of other books while reading this, and I was a little lost when I came back in, but then it sucked me right back in. It's fast-paced, with good world building, and shows male and female friendship without any romance.
_nem_'s review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Rep: Aroace MC, wlw relationship
I loved this book. Especially the relationships between the three main characters. And it all woven together into an interesting world. Also a great explanation of asexuality and figuring out who you are.
This book definitely pulled me in and I finished it in less than 2 days as I wanted to find out what would happen.
A lot happened at the end of the book but I loved that it had a happy ending. Everyone got what they deserved. I loved that the characters shrugged off labels and realised that they didn't have to be what they always thought they should be.
I loved this book. Especially the relationships between the three main characters. And it all woven together into an interesting world. Also a great explanation of asexuality and figuring out who you are.
This book definitely pulled me in and I finished it in less than 2 days as I wanted to find out what would happen.
Spoiler
A lot happened at the end of the book but I loved that it had a happy ending. Everyone got what they deserved. I loved that the characters shrugged off labels and realised that they didn't have to be what they always thought they should be.
cassnypette's review against another edition
3.0
« Maybe it’s silly, but having the vocabulary to describe what I felt made me feel less alone, made me feel like I wasn’t alone. »
This quote is one of the reason why I loved Tarnished are the stars. Because it made me feel seen, and this quote sums up how it felt for me to read this book.
It’s a quick paced book, easy to read. Easy and quick! Great to get out of a reading slump. The characters are well crafted, and their relationships are interesting. The way each of them brings out the best in each other.
Though I found the said relationship to be rushed. It has to do with the pacing of the book and the fact that most of the action happened over the course of like 2 weeks too. I like when we can see time building up relationships, and this is what was missing in this book. It’s not a big deal, but made my reading experience a little « shallow ».
The world building was very interesting, absolutely loved it. And the plot was fairly easy to understand, with just the right amount of mystery and suspens. Made me want to read more to get to the bottom of it all.
And we love some queer rep (sapphic romance, ace character)!
This quote is one of the reason why I loved Tarnished are the stars. Because it made me feel seen, and this quote sums up how it felt for me to read this book.
It’s a quick paced book, easy to read. Easy and quick! Great to get out of a reading slump. The characters are well crafted, and their relationships are interesting. The way each of them brings out the best in each other.
Though I found the said relationship to be rushed. It has to do with the pacing of the book and the fact that most of the action happened over the course of like 2 weeks too. I like when we can see time building up relationships, and this is what was missing in this book. It’s not a big deal, but made my reading experience a little « shallow ».
The world building was very interesting, absolutely loved it. And the plot was fairly easy to understand, with just the right amount of mystery and suspens. Made me want to read more to get to the bottom of it all.
And we love some queer rep (sapphic romance, ace character)!
charhopkins's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
I really enjoyed this book but it didn’t consume me and it took me a month to read which is why i’m not giving it any higher.
Anyway Nathaniel is my fave boy forever.
I really enjoyed this book but it didn’t consume me and it took me a month to read which is why i’m not giving it any higher.
Anyway Nathaniel is my fave boy forever.
cookiemic's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0