Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Review: Made of Stars by Kelley York

Title: Made of Stars
Author: Kelley York
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Entangled Teen (October 1, 2013)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Young Adult
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description:
When eighteen-year-old Hunter Jackson and his half sister, Ashlin, return to their dad’s for the first winter in years, they expect everything to be just like the warmer months they’d spent there as kids. And it is—at first. But Chance, the charismatic and adventurous boy who made their summers epic, is harboring deep secrets. Secrets that are quickly spiraling into something else entirely.

The reason they've never met Chance’s parents or seen his home is becoming clearer. And what the siblings used to think of as Chance's quirks—the outrageous stories, his clinginess, his dangerous impulsiveness—are now warning signs that something is seriously off. 


Then Chance's mom turns up with a bullet to the head, and all eyes shift to Chance and his dad. Hunter and Ashlin know Chance is innocent...they just have to prove it. But how can they protect the boy they both love when they can’t trust a word Chance says?





My Thoughts and Review:
This is my first Kelley York book even though I own more than one of her other stories. For some reason, out of all of them, this one just called out the most to me and I knew that it would be one that wouldn't sit in my TBR pile for way too long and be forgotten about, one that needed to be read now and so..I did. 

For some reason going into this I thought it was about two sisters falling in love with the Chance, not a brother and sister so, I have to admit, that really threw me for a loop. I guess I didn't read the description well enough before beginning, which of course it purely my fault. Having said that though, I was slightly disappointed that wasn't what I was getting, that in fact, I was getting an entirely different story all together.

Having said all of that though, the writing was beautifully done, the story was beautifully done. Tragic and sad and completely unexpected. I can see why others rave about the author's ability to suck you into a story and make you think about it for days after and even though this wasn't my cup of tea, I completely appreciate the author's talent and ability to tell a story that doesn't always end wonderfully. That is in fact, heartbreaking and gut wrenching. With lies and deceit and deception around every corner that I honestly didn't see coming, it pretty much blew me away and left me reeling and at a loss as how to process it all.


For that alone I can't rate this anything less than 4 stars simply because the girl can tell a story and tell it well. 






*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

14 comments:

  1. I've been seeing nothing but praise for this one, and it sounds tense and heartbreaking and completely captivating. I'm sorry it wasn't what you expected it to be, but at least the storytelling was good enough to keep you interested throughout.
    Gorgeous review, Ali.

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  2. It's same for me. I have heard of her books but I'm really curious about this one! It sounds really good and I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed it. Great review :)

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  3. Oh wow, this sounds intense, with a little mystery woven into it. I have totally done that where I have gotten an idea in my head concern what the book is about. Lovely review :)

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  4. Yeah it is hard sometimes to get out of that set mind frame but once I did it was just fine!

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  5. This one does sound intense! I'm curious about the mystery!

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  6. The mystery part of it really did throw me for a loop Candace!

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  7. I am sure this is fantastic, but for right now I just can't do heartbreaking and gut wrenching I am already trying to fight off the winter blues :(

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  8. Such a lovely review Ali, I love how you were able to find so many positive things to say about the story despite the fact that it wasn't necessarily the story for you. I've read a couple books like this where I can appreciate the storytelling even if it doesn't really work for me personally, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading your thoughts!

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  9. I am glad you enjoyed this story even though it was different than you expected. It sounds really heart wrenching. I can only do stories like that once in a while. I love Entangled books though, so I will have to check this out when I get the courage up. Great review.

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  10. Wow, I'm really impressed that this is a four star read for you and the author sucked you in so wonderfully even though this wasn't your cup of tea. I wasn't planning on reading this, but now I'm tempted just to see if I get sucked into the writing style as well. Lovely review!

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