‘These Broken Stars‘ is one of the best sci-fi YA books I’ve read in years. The story alternates between Tarver (a poor-planet-soldier-made-hero), who’s about 19, Lilac (the only child of the richest man in the universe socialite), nearly 17, and each chapter is ended with conversation snippets of Tarver’s interrogation after the events of the book have occurred.

Tarver meets Lilac on Icarus, a huge interstellar spaceship, and has no idea who she is. Lilac’s amazed that he (poor! A soldier! A military pin-up boy!) would dare talk and joke with her as if she’s an ordinary girl. At their next accidental meeting Lilac crushes him like a bug, admittedly for his own good, and the third time they meet is when the Icarus is plummeting out of hyperdrive, and crashing to its doom.

The majority of ‘These Broken Stars’ occurs on the planet Lilac’ and Tarver’s escape pod crashes to, and details their confusion at the terra-forming, the efforts they have to undertake to survive, and the inherent weirdness of the planet.

Unlike many YA books, ‘These Broken Stars’ gives both characters intelligence, without demeaning their history (i.e. decision to enlist, the rarefied life of the ultra-wealthy) or reactions. Both have a sense of altruism – again going against much YA selfish navel gazing – determination, selflessness and both characters change and mature throughout the tale.

The unexpected twists are well crafted, punching the story along on its already enthusiastic charge, and left me hungry for the next two books. In the case of ‘These Broken Stars’, the hype on the interwebs is definitely warranted, and even somewhat subdued for such an intelligent, believable and engrossing gem of a tale.

Recommended for:

• Teens who use their brains for thinking;
• Those who like YA fiction to be significantly more intelligent than hyperbolic;
• Fans of star-travel and survival.

Not recommended for:

• Lovers of social drama, selfies or overwrought sensational sentiment;
• Hard-core physicists;
• Anyone who can’t remember being younger than 25.

Rated: PG16 (themes of class, power, slavery; inferred sex)

What do you like or dislike about YA books? Have you read ‘These Broken Stars’? Which YA book has surprised you recently?