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emmasthingstoread's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
tenthousandactualbees's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
purrfectpages's review against another edition
4.0
Admittedly this book moved up to the top of my TBR pile because of its captivating title and cover art. I know, I know. Don't judge a book by its cover and all that jazz. But in this case I did and was not disappointed.
The Sun Is Also a Star is a story that touches upon the perspective of a lot of people, places and things. At its core, however, it's really about two main characters, Natasha and Daniel. It's also a story of race relations since Natasha is Jamaican, and Daniel is Korean American. But you could call it a story of loss too, since Natasha is on the verge of being deported on the very same day she met Daniel. There's even a bit of love and hate as we learn about both Natasha and Daniel's family dynamics. You could basically pick any one of the currents that run through this novel and build up that particular theme as the focal point. But what I think this novel is about above anything else is fate.
The thing I simultaneously loved and hated about The Sun Is Also a Star is how it managed to give perspective to smaller characters, otherwise ignored in the midst of storytelling. This window into the soul of anyone either Daniel or Natasha encountered, no matter how brief, served as a reminder that everyone has a story to tell.
But this style of storytelling irked me a bit as well since some of the side characters stories just seemed a little too tidy for my taste. That being said, there was a realness to all of the storytelling, no matter how big or small. But again, the fact that every story hinged upon the other in some way leads me back to this being a story about fate and destiny.
So if you like "love at first sight" love stories where the love is also likely to be unrequited, The Sun Is Also a Star, also might be a good book for you.
The Sun Is Also a Star is a story that touches upon the perspective of a lot of people, places and things. At its core, however, it's really about two main characters, Natasha and Daniel. It's also a story of race relations since Natasha is Jamaican, and Daniel is Korean American. But you could call it a story of loss too, since Natasha is on the verge of being deported on the very same day she met Daniel. There's even a bit of love and hate as we learn about both Natasha and Daniel's family dynamics. You could basically pick any one of the currents that run through this novel and build up that particular theme as the focal point. But what I think this novel is about above anything else is fate.
The thing I simultaneously loved and hated about The Sun Is Also a Star is how it managed to give perspective to smaller characters, otherwise ignored in the midst of storytelling. This window into the soul of anyone either Daniel or Natasha encountered, no matter how brief, served as a reminder that everyone has a story to tell.
But this style of storytelling irked me a bit as well since some of the side characters stories just seemed a little too tidy for my taste. That being said, there was a realness to all of the storytelling, no matter how big or small. But again, the fact that every story hinged upon the other in some way leads me back to this being a story about fate and destiny.
So if you like "love at first sight" love stories where the love is also likely to be unrequited, The Sun Is Also a Star, also might be a good book for you.
yasminar's review against another edition
4.0
I finished this book in a day, which was perfectly fitting because the whole entire book took place in a day! It's one of the most easy-to-read books I've ever read and a perfect one to read at the end of a year.
It was so refreshing to get a diverse combination of characters, especially as the lead. This book tells the story of an African American girl and an American-raised Korean boy. Being in the mind of these two complex, intriguing characters was such a privilege. I loved the fact that both of them are totally opposite of each other. It was such a good balance of contrast between the chapters and I enjoyed seeing two perspectives and how differently they perceive and react to the same situation.
The plot was very well-paced. There was no part in which I sighed "just get a move on". All the scenes meant something and the whole story was just really well put together.
And if that's not enough to show how awesome this book is, it also deals with prevalent issues in the current time such as racism, immigrants and mixed race couples.
It was so refreshing to get a diverse combination of characters, especially as the lead. This book tells the story of an African American girl and an American-raised Korean boy. Being in the mind of these two complex, intriguing characters was such a privilege. I loved the fact that both of them are totally opposite of each other. It was such a good balance of contrast between the chapters and I enjoyed seeing two perspectives and how differently they perceive and react to the same situation.
The plot was very well-paced. There was no part in which I sighed "just get a move on". All the scenes meant something and the whole story was just really well put together.
And if that's not enough to show how awesome this book is, it also deals with prevalent issues in the current time such as racism, immigrants and mixed race couples.
ssannikh's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the movie better even though they were basically the same
craftylibrarian10's review against another edition
5.0
Contains spoilers!
I was a fan of Nicola Yoon's first book, but this one was even better! I love the idea of a day where the Fates align and somehow what you thought your day would be is not what your day is. I love the idea of falling in love on a day that would have otherwise (and actually still might be) your worst day ever. I love that Daniel and Natasha spend a day changing each other into more complete persons. I love that neither of their families would approve of how they spent their day, but they do it for the name of love. I really enjoyed the random interrupting stories that really show just how perfectly each action had an effect on Daniel and Natasha's day long relationship. I liked that the cultural stereotypes of these characters was turned upside down. (Natasha as a Jamaican "should be" laid back and poetic. Daniel as a Korean "should be" driven by science and logic and dreams of being a doctor.) This book reminded me a lot of the Fault in Our Stars. Okay, so no one was dying, but... some infinities are greater than other infinities is a lot like how being meant to be can be for only a day. Great read! Highly recommend!
I was a fan of Nicola Yoon's first book, but this one was even better! I love the idea of a day where the Fates align and somehow what you thought your day would be is not what your day is. I love the idea of falling in love on a day that would have otherwise (and actually still might be) your worst day ever. I love that Daniel and Natasha spend a day changing each other into more complete persons. I love that neither of their families would approve of how they spent their day, but they do it for the name of love. I really enjoyed the random interrupting stories that really show just how perfectly each action had an effect on Daniel and Natasha's day long relationship. I liked that the cultural stereotypes of these characters was turned upside down. (Natasha as a Jamaican "should be" laid back and poetic. Daniel as a Korean "should be" driven by science and logic and dreams of being a doctor.) This book reminded me a lot of the Fault in Our Stars. Okay, so no one was dying, but... some infinities are greater than other infinities is a lot like how being meant to be can be for only a day. Great read! Highly recommend!
barcuswroot's review against another edition
2.0
that ending hurt, but that ending is the reason this got 5 instead of 4 stars
drchavez08's review against another edition
5.0
Link to my review: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz-ssJQBdoa/
megtk_01's review against another edition
4.0
Natasha and Daniel's story is a love story, but it's much more interesting than just that. I am NOT a romance story kind of person, but there are some that I enjoy. I decided to give The Sun Is Also a Star a chance because I've been hearing so much about Nicola Yoon. I loved it.
Although opposites in many ways, Natasha and Daniel fall in love within the span of a day. This is the story of how that happens. Natasha is spending her last day in the United States, trying to make sure it isn't her last day in the US. She's desperately going from one place to the next looking for someone who can help her and her family not be deported. Daniel is on his way to an interview that will determine the rest of his life as a doctor. It will make his family happy and proud and him probably miserable.
Natasha works hard at not letting Daniel's fantastical ideas about love and life interrupt her plan for the day--she will definitely not fall in love with him. Daniel will find a way to make Natasha fall in love him. It's his new goal (in a totally uncreepy way--I promise!).
I thought The Sun is Also a Star was a fantastic read. It's not just a romance, but a glimpse at the world of an undocumented teenage girl who has worked so hard and now her dreams are being smashed to pieces because of someone else. It's the story of the son of immigrants whose parents want the best for him and that means pushing him into a life he's not really interested in leading. It's about finding your own way--despite the circumstances you're given, or maybe because of the circumstances you're given. It's also about how everything around us is connected in someway.
Romance readers will definitely enjoy this book, but readers of YA who aren't necessarily drawn to romance will also enjoy it. Enjoy!
Although opposites in many ways, Natasha and Daniel fall in love within the span of a day. This is the story of how that happens. Natasha is spending her last day in the United States, trying to make sure it isn't her last day in the US. She's desperately going from one place to the next looking for someone who can help her and her family not be deported. Daniel is on his way to an interview that will determine the rest of his life as a doctor. It will make his family happy and proud and him probably miserable.
Natasha works hard at not letting Daniel's fantastical ideas about love and life interrupt her plan for the day--she will definitely not fall in love with him. Daniel will find a way to make Natasha fall in love him. It's his new goal (in a totally uncreepy way--I promise!).
I thought The Sun is Also a Star was a fantastic read. It's not just a romance, but a glimpse at the world of an undocumented teenage girl who has worked so hard and now her dreams are being smashed to pieces because of someone else. It's the story of the son of immigrants whose parents want the best for him and that means pushing him into a life he's not really interested in leading. It's about finding your own way--despite the circumstances you're given, or maybe because of the circumstances you're given. It's also about how everything around us is connected in someway.
Romance readers will definitely enjoy this book, but readers of YA who aren't necessarily drawn to romance will also enjoy it. Enjoy!
marie_gg's review against another edition
4.0
Another young adult read I chose for the "Voices from the Margins" book group, and we all enjoyed this day in the life of a Jamaican-American girl, Natasha, whose family was due to be deported. She meets a romantic, idealistic Korean-American boy, Daniel, whose views of the world sharply contrast with her own science- and reality-focused beliefs. As children of immigrants, both Daniel and Natasha are far more American than their parents, and far more American than Jamaican or Korean.
This is the kind of book that makes you almost cringe at the number of coincidences...but outside of that, I loved it. It reminded me a bit of The Fault in Our Stars, but the immigrant version...so even more interesting.
“I don't believe in love."
"It's not a religion," he says. "It exists whether you believe in it or not.”
― Nicola Yoon, The Sun Is Also a Star
This is the kind of book that makes you almost cringe at the number of coincidences...but outside of that, I loved it. It reminded me a bit of The Fault in Our Stars, but the immigrant version...so even more interesting.
“I don't believe in love."
"It's not a religion," he says. "It exists whether you believe in it or not.”
― Nicola Yoon, The Sun Is Also a Star