A review by athenezadam
The Blighted Stars by Megan E. O'Keefe

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

In The Blighted Stars, stranded on a dead planet, a spy protects her nemesis, the heir to a family dynasty, and together they uncover a conspiracy that can end humanity. While the story is high on science fiction--with space exploration, artificial intelligence, infections, and zombie-like creatures--the story is very much character-driven. Both main characters are brilliant and flawed in their own ways, and the spy is a strong female character. Action is consistent in what would otherwise read as a long novel. The story also ends at a good time, as an earlier ending would not be satisfying. Overall, this is a high-stakes, exciting novel.