maviemerveilleuse's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
4.5
awesomejen2's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book and surprisingly not for the sci-fi elements. While this book had sci-fi elements, in my opinion it was in no way the focus of the book. The book (in my opinion) was more about family relationships (particularly between parents and children), sacrifice, and the processing of grief.
akcurtis's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
thisbookbelongstosk's review against another edition
4.0
**Thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for the advanced copy of Light From Other Stars in exchange for an honest review.**
This book is fascinating, shocking and still very much grounded in the real world, making it an incredible science fiction novel that doesn't even need to leave earth.
Although, it does inevitably take the reader into space by using 2 timelines as a narrative device, I found the most intriguing story developments happened on earth in the 1980s.
We are introduced to a few characters in the small Floridian town of Easter (near Cape Canaveral and NASA), but are mostly viewing the story through the eyes of Nedda, her mother Betheen, and father (disgraced NASA scientist) Theo.
Theo invents a machine that is intended to fight entropy, but instead wreaks havoc on the town of Easter and it's residents. As the book progresses, I found myself struggling to accept or respect what Theo had done, but the author does a wonderful job of challenging the reader to see all sides of the characters' circumstances.
Some of the descriptions of the "event" that the author provides are beautifully written in all their horror.
I really liked this book. At times it felt like I was reading scientific nonsense, and there's obviously a certain suspension of disbelief that needs to exist in the reader to not overanalyze the math or science involved, but the story as it unfolded, had me glued to the page.
This book is fascinating, shocking and still very much grounded in the real world, making it an incredible science fiction novel that doesn't even need to leave earth.
Although, it does inevitably take the reader into space by using 2 timelines as a narrative device, I found the most intriguing story developments happened on earth in the 1980s.
We are introduced to a few characters in the small Floridian town of Easter (near Cape Canaveral and NASA), but are mostly viewing the story through the eyes of Nedda, her mother Betheen, and father (disgraced NASA scientist) Theo.
Theo invents a machine that is intended to fight entropy, but instead wreaks havoc on the town of Easter and it's residents. As the book progresses, I found myself struggling to accept or respect what Theo had done, but the author does a wonderful job of challenging the reader to see all sides of the characters' circumstances.
Some of the descriptions of the "event" that the author provides are beautifully written in all their horror.
I really liked this book. At times it felt like I was reading scientific nonsense, and there's obviously a certain suspension of disbelief that needs to exist in the reader to not overanalyze the math or science involved, but the story as it unfolded, had me glued to the page.
sneakyawe's review against another edition
3.0
I wasn’t really a fan of the way this book was written. I enjoyed the concept, but it was way too flowery for me. I liked the way things came together though, it flowed together nicely.
***Won in GoodReads contest***
***Won in GoodReads contest***
dpj's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
rclyburn's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed the portrayal of Nedda's changing relationships with her parents. My favourite line from Betheen was, "'Don't think for one second he's the only reason you're smart.' Nedda's shocked expression was both satisfying and sad." My own mother said something very similar recently. I liked the cut-ins in 1986 of the side characters' points of view; it kept the narrative feeling fresh and the world large and authentic.
I felt like there was a lag in the pacing from the beginning of the problem in 1986 to when the problem is recognized and the solving begins. This may be because Theo's point of view chapters stop.
I felt like there was a lag in the pacing from the beginning of the problem in 1986 to when the problem is recognized and the solving begins. This may be because Theo's point of view chapters stop.
mollykduncan's review against another edition
4.0
Technically sci-fi, but with a definite magical realism feel to it. I loved this book--it's smart without being too dense, the characters are likeable, and it kept me desperate to know what would happen next. Also, I'm a sucker for realistic space travel novels, so there's that.
niyou's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Sound concept, and I cared enough about the outcome to finish.
I didn’t connect with the characters though, which really defeats the purpose of a story about family, love, and metaphysics.
The world building and prose were clunky.
I didn’t connect with the characters though, which really defeats the purpose of a story about family, love, and metaphysics.
The world building and prose were clunky.