And All the Stars, by Andrea K. Host

[rachelmanija]

Come for the apocalypse.
Stay for cupcakes.
Die for love.Solid, inventive, well-characterized YA science fiction. By “science fiction,” I mean “cool powers and alien invasion,” not “paper-thin dystopia in which the government’s main concern appears to be micro-managing the love triangles of teenagers

Comments

[estara]

Yeah... .I knew Code Name Verity wasn't quite the book to compare it to, but I had a similar crying jag at the end of the book and it was on my mind at the time so that was part of my attempt at writing a non-spoilery review heh.

As I usually dive emotionally into a book I'm not a person who finds holes in the plot, etc. even on her radar, as long as the characters are engaging, I have to admit ^^.

I'm pleased as punch that the book was nominated for the Cybils (which it didn't win) and *IS* nominated for the Aurealis Award both in Science Fiction Novel AND Young Adult Novel.

For an emancipated society with lots more same-sex lovers and polyarmory, I'd recommend her fantasy Champion of the Rose BUT there is a triggery early development which is necessary from the whole plot, which might sour you on that? Here's Sartorias' reviewOr possibly you'd enjoy the Medair Duology more, the first of which was shortlisted for an Aurealis Award in 2010. That centers more on the aftermath of war from the perspective of a woman who could have

[rachelmanija]

Thanks for the rec! I told you I'd get to it eventually. ;)

[estara]

^^ I'm happy you enjoyed your time with the book! There are so many TBRs on my ebook reader I can totally relate to getting around to a book somewhat after it has been published, heh.

[asakiyume]

Yeah, I *loved* that post of Maggie's.

[anderyn]

Thank you so much for recommending tbis book. I just scarfed a good third of it, and it's just the kind of upbeat story I have been wanting (thus far). I
also really liked the MCA Hogarth link -- yes, it's really nice to find things that aren't Exactly Like Everything Else (which has been a recurrent problem with me and new books -- spending 50 years reading sf/fantasy means that I can spot another cookie cutter plot from a mile away, and I just don't have the patience for that unless the writer is really good with words and/or has decent characters that I can enjoy spending time with).

[estara]

By the way *said the bookpusher craftily* if you find at the end of the book you want more Australian teenager science fantasy by Andrea Höst - only this time in a portal world on another planet - with a female heroine as well, may I direct your attention to the author's Touchstone Trilogy, which is available as an omnibus AND in three volumes beginning with Stray.

Available at Amazon.com, at Kobo and Smashwords, also in POD. And Stray is currently on sale for around $1, by the way.