Get the audiobook here! Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Release Date: First published December 10, 2013 / Audio unabridged edition released by Listening Library on December 10, 2013
Format: MP3 Audio
Pages: 374 (Hardcover) / Audio Length: Approx 11 hours
Narrators: Cynthia Holloway, Johnathan McClain, Sarge Anton
Source: Audiobook SYNC
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Review Date: July 16, 2014
Rating: 3 bookmarks
Synopsis: It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.
Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.
Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?
Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.
Release Date: First published December 10, 2013 / Audio unabridged edition released by Listening Library on December 10, 2013
Format: MP3 Audio
Pages: 374 (Hardcover) / Audio Length: Approx 11 hours
Narrators: Cynthia Holloway, Johnathan McClain, Sarge Anton
Source: Audiobook SYNC
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Review Date: July 16, 2014
Rating: 3 bookmarks
Synopsis: It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.
Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.
Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?
Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.
This review may seem like I have a lot of issues with this book, but when it was all said and done, over all I liked it. So I'll start with the positives. The story has a Star Trek feel at first, which is pretty cool. A huge brand new ship goes down in deep space. It goes down Titanic style, panic, crowds of people, lots of death, few survivors - two to be exact. That was pretty interesting and the crash was a great jumping off point.
While I thought the book would keep up the pace after the crash, it didn't. Most of it was pretty humdrum after that. Luckily the last 30% or so really kicked things up to the next level. I also liked that this story unfolds in a series of flashbacks via an interrogation. The story alternates with the present day interrogation of Tarver of the events starting of the ship evacuation a ending with what lead up to Tarver and Lilac's rescue. Finally, the book ends present day after Tarver leaves that interview. I liked that the POV of Tarver and Lilac were so different. A lot of authors have a hard time with multiple POVs. Most times the characters voices aren't unique enough and end up sounding alike. That was overcome most likely because there were two authors.
I listened to this on audio and I enjoyed the narrators, while nothing particular stood out about them, I liked them fine enough. However, hearing both a male and female voice was a welcome change from the norm.
While I thought the book would keep up the pace after the crash, it didn't. Most of it was pretty humdrum after that. Luckily the last 30% or so really kicked things up to the next level. I also liked that this story unfolds in a series of flashbacks via an interrogation. The story alternates with the present day interrogation of Tarver of the events starting of the ship evacuation a ending with what lead up to Tarver and Lilac's rescue. Finally, the book ends present day after Tarver leaves that interview. I liked that the POV of Tarver and Lilac were so different. A lot of authors have a hard time with multiple POVs. Most times the characters voices aren't unique enough and end up sounding alike. That was overcome most likely because there were two authors.
I listened to this on audio and I enjoyed the narrators, while nothing particular stood out about them, I liked them fine enough. However, hearing both a male and female voice was a welcome change from the norm.
Not only is the story told by Lilac and Tarver, the story was all them, literally. There weren't any other characters for 75% of the book. Can these two carry the story alone? Not quite. I had some issues with the two leading characters in general, and o make things worse, I didn't connect with them on any level.
Tarver is a young and emotionally immature military Major. He's experienced in war and dealing with harsh environments, but he has no clue how to interact with someone different than him. He's pretty sexist at times, and I don't find that attractive at all. Here's one of the many examples of this characters sexist opinions.
Tarver is a young and emotionally immature military Major. He's experienced in war and dealing with harsh environments, but he has no clue how to interact with someone different than him. He's pretty sexist at times, and I don't find that attractive at all. Here's one of the many examples of this characters sexist opinions.
"Then Lilac comes crashing back through the undergrowth like somebody told her there's a shoe sale going on here at the campsite."
There are tons more of these types of statements from Tarver. Yes, Lilac's upper class and sheltered, but she's evolved since the crash and he can layoff the sexist remarks. Not to mention Lilac is all but losing it, she's hearing voices and seeing ghosts. I'm sure that a shoe sale isn't on her mind.
Lilac, is basically a martyr and that's annoying at times. She comes off as snobby and self indulgent early on, but come to find out that she acts this way only to keep guys away. In addition to my issues with Lilac, I'm not even sure that I buy the whole Tarver/Lilac relationship. I don't see a strong attraction between them. I just didn't buy it. To top that off, these two are the worst communicators ever. Ever. They both have things they need and want to say but they don't. What are they, 12 years old?
Okay, enough of that. I would rate this book 2.5 bookmarks, but since I don't do half ratings, I rounded it up to a 3. Will I continue on and read the next book in the series? Nope, highly unlikely. I wouldn't recommend this book, as there are so many better ones out there. But if you enjoy young adult science fiction and you're curious, then check it out for yourself. You may enjoy it more than I did.
Happy Reading & Listening,
~Tamara
Lilac, is basically a martyr and that's annoying at times. She comes off as snobby and self indulgent early on, but come to find out that she acts this way only to keep guys away. In addition to my issues with Lilac, I'm not even sure that I buy the whole Tarver/Lilac relationship. I don't see a strong attraction between them. I just didn't buy it. To top that off, these two are the worst communicators ever. Ever. They both have things they need and want to say but they don't. What are they, 12 years old?
Okay, enough of that. I would rate this book 2.5 bookmarks, but since I don't do half ratings, I rounded it up to a 3. Will I continue on and read the next book in the series? Nope, highly unlikely. I wouldn't recommend this book, as there are so many better ones out there. But if you enjoy young adult science fiction and you're curious, then check it out for yourself. You may enjoy it more than I did.
Happy Reading & Listening,
~Tamara
