Under Different Stars
(Kricket #1)
by Amy Bartol
YA Dystopian
Published December 17, 2013
*ARC Ebook obtained in exchange for an honest review as part of the tour*
Synopsis via Goodreads:
All she wants is a home, but can she find one…UNDER DIFFERENT STARS
Kricket
Hollowell is normally not one to wish upon stars; she believes they’re
rarely in her favor. Well versed at dodging caseworkers from Chicago’s
foster care system, the past few years on her own have made Kricket an
expert at the art of survival and blending in. With her 18th birthday
fast approaching, she dreams of the day when she can stop running and
find what her heart needs most: a home.
Trey Allairis hates Earth
and doubts that anyone from his world can thrive here. What he’s
learning of Kricket and her existence away from her true home only
confirms his theory. But, when he and Kricket lie together under the
stars of Ethar, counting them all may be easier than letting her go.
Kyon
Ensin’s secrets number the stars; he knows more about Kricket’s gifts
than anyone and plans to possess her because of them. He also knows
she’s more valuable than any fire in the night sky. He’ll move the
heavens and align them all in order to make her his own.
When everything in their world can be broken, will Kricket rely upon love to save her under different stars?
I live in Michigan with my husband and our two sons. My
family is very supportive of my writing. When I’m writing, they often bring me
the take-out menu so that I can call and order them dinner. They listen
patiently when I talk about my characters like they’re real. They rarely roll their eyes when I tell
them I’ll only be a second while I finish writing a chapter…and then they take
off their coats. They ask me how the story is going when I surface after living
for hours in a world of my own making. They have learned to accept my “writing
uniform” consisting of a slightly unflattering pink fleece jacket, t-shirt, and
black yoga pants. And they smile at my nerdy bookishness whenever I try to
explain urban fantasy to them. In short, they get me, so they are perfect and I
am blessed.
Water swirls around me as I open my eyes. I shiver,
realizing I’m in Trey’s arms. He’s standing chest deep in crystal blue water
with Wayra pacing on the bank only steps away. Clutching Trey closer to me, my
cheek remains on his shoulder. Watching a bead of water slip down his powerful
neck, I hear Jax say, “She’s waking up.”
Trey, cupping his hand in the water, pours some of it over
my hair. It drips down the sides of my face, cooling me. “Let’s get her out.
I’ll get the visor and we can check her vitals.”
As Trey wades out of the pond with me in his arms, I try to
lift my head from his shoulder. It makes me dizzy so I lay it back. It’s then I
notice that I’m only in my bra and underwear. A blush creeps into my cheeks as
I hug Trey tighter to me. Wayra meets us on the bank, draping a blanket over
us. Trey sits down with me on his lap. He leans against a tree trunk holding me
securely to his chest. Peeking at his face, he seems angry as he smoothes my
hair back from my face.
Hurrying over with the visor that looks like grandma
goggles, Trey sets them on my eyes. Everything is green as I gaze around at the
water in front of us. Flashing green lights and readouts occupy the peripherals
of the glasses, but the information is running faster than I can possibly read
it.
“Ho!” Jax exclaims next to me.
Immediately, Trey’s arms tighten on me as he barks out,
“What? How bad is it?”
“Naw, it’s not bad…it’s just…Kricket…” Jax breathes, like
he’s in awe. “Look at this brain activity…it’s massive.”
“What do you mean?” Trey asks with relief in his tone.
Jax grins. “She’s lighting everything up. Look at her
frontal lobe…it’s off the charts.”
“What does that mean? Is she healthy?” Trey growls.
Jax nods enthusiastically. “She’s healthy! We didn’t fry her
with heat stroke, that’s for sure. Or, if we did, she’s got more brain activity
than anyone I’ve ever seen to compensate for it,” he replies, sounding
seriously geeked about it.
“Those things aren’t broken, are they?” Trey asks
speculatively.
“No…here.” Jax pulls them off my face. “Wayra, come here.”
Wayra walks over and Jax puts the glasses on his eyes. “See!
He’s normal, well, normal for him. See how it doesn’t light up in these areas?”
he points out to Trey.
“Yes.”
“Now watch this,” he says, taking the glasses off of Wayra,
he places them back on my face. “See? It’s like Christmas in Chicago with all
those lights,” Jax says proudly.
“So that means she’s smart?”
Jax beams. “Yeah, she’s smart! She’s brilliant! There’s no
telling what she can do.”
“If she’s so smart, why did she run until she almost popped?
Why didn’t she just tell us she needed to rest?” Wayra asks derisively.
“Personality flaw,” Trey replies. “She’s going to show us
that she’s not weak.”
“She’s sitting right here,” I murmur, pulling the glasses
off my face and handing them to Jax.
I was sooooo lucky to get in on the ARC tour for this great new novel from Amy Bartol!
Yea...
I read this entire novel in one night. I could not put it down! Loved
every second of it. The characters, the plot, the world that Amy built,
the action packed scenes... Every bit of it! Blew me away!
Kricket!
Loved her! She's such a great female lead! I loved her spunk and
bravery! Trey - Sigh - he reminds me soooo much of Reed (Premonition
series) and I loved that. Kyon even reminded me of Brennus (Premonition
series). Such great characters! I loved Jax & Wayra!
The
plot - Wow - I wasn't expecting all heightened emotions and constantly
felt like I was on red-alert through most of the book because I couldn't
wait to see what was going to happen next!
Ahhh I can't wait to
see what happens in book 2!!!!!! There's sooo many "What-ifs" that I
just can't answer yet! My mind was swirling around all morning long
(since I finished this book at 4:30 this morning).
The world
building is incredible. I loved the vortex that pulled them into Ethar!
Loved the heart-pounding moments of them trying to get to their
destination. Especially loved when...crap... you just have to read it
when it comes out!
Just a note - the Title - BRILLIANT! This has to be one of my favorite titles of the year! It's perfect!
Overall Rating: 5 Huge Stars
Cover Rating: 5 Huge Stars <--Beautiful!
Characters: 5 Stars
Plot: 5 Stars
Climax: Ack! 5 Heart Pounding Stars
Ending: 5 Stars! You're killin' me Amy!!! So many "What-Ifs" left to ponder!
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1st place: KINDLE FIRE + ebook of Under Different Stars
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2nd place: Kindle Cover + $50 Amazon Gift Card
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3rd place: $50 Amazon Gift Card
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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