Title: Lost Stars
Author: Claudia Gray
First published September 4, 2015
551 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781484724989 (ISBN10: 1484724984)
Rating: 4.28
Overview
In the outer reaches of the galaxy, the Empire’s grasp has now extended to the planet of Jelucan. Thane Kyrell and Ciena Ree, two childhood friends from different walks of life, come together over their shared love of flying.
Joining the Imperial Academy together is a dream come true, but Thane’s excitement is short-lived as he witnesses the Empire’s cruel tactics to maintain its power. Disillusioned and bitter, he defects to the Rebel Alliance, forcing Ciena to choose between her love for Thane and her loyalty to the Empire.
As the war rages on, Thane and Ciena find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict, struggling to reconcile their feelings with their duties. Will love conquer all, or will the fate of the galaxy tear them apart forever?
About the Author
My real name isn’t Claudia Gray, but that’s the name I go by as an author. I didn’t choose it because my real name is unpleasant or because it was a lifelong dream – I simply picked it without a strong reason.
Sometimes, that’s just how things go.
Currently, I live in the vibrant city of New Orleans. Throughout my life, I’ve had a variety of jobs, including being a disc jockey, lawyer, journalist, and a terrible waitress.
I love exploring new places, hiking, getting lost in a good book, and listening to music. However, my true passion is writing.
Nothing quite compares to the feeling of putting my thoughts on paper.
Editoral Review
Lost Stars, written by Claudia Gray, is a novel that grips the reader from the very beginning. This is a book that is part of the Star Wars franchise, but it differs from the usual narrative of the space opera.
Gray’s work explores the Star Wars galaxy and the conflict between the Empire and the Rebellion from a different perspective. She tells the story of two friends, Ciena Ree and Thane Kyrell, who start as academy classmates, but eventually end up on opposite sides of the conflict.
The novel presents a great look into the struggles and complexities of humans in the midst of an intergalactic war. The characters in Lost Stars are not simply black and white; they are humans with emotions, desires, and a strong sense of loyalty to their respective causes.
Gray’s writing style gives her characters depth and complexity that elevate them beyond the typical sci-fi tropes. The narrative is split into two main parts.
The first half of the novel gives readers a glimpse into the characters’ past as they grow up and train together. This section may seem a little slow, but it is important to lay the foundation for the later parts of the book.
It lays the groundwork for the conflict that will tear them apart and provides background information about the Star Wars universe. As the story progresses, the two character’s paths diverge, and they find themselves on opposite sides of the war.
The second half of the book is fast-paced and intense, with the focus on not only the Rebel Alliance and the Empire but also on the personal lives of the main characters. Gray weaves in a love story that is both touching and heartbreaking.
One of the remarkable strengths of Lost Stars is its ability to convey the gravity of war and the toll it takes on the individuals involved. Gray doesn’t shy away from portraying the atrocities of battle and the trauma that it inflicts on those in its midst.
She shows us how the damage can be long-lasting and far-reaching, affecting those within the circle of conflict and ultimately the wider world. Despite the novel having little to no connection to the Star Wars saga’s Skywalker family, Lost Stars succeeds in capturing the essence of the franchise.
Gray weaves the broader themes of Star Wars – friendship, betrayal, love, and loss – into her story while creating a unique and compelling narrative. The book is a fantastic addition to the franchise that both newcomers and long-time fans can enjoy.
Overall, Lost Stars is a beautifully written and compelling novel that blends personal dramas with the broader galactic conflict. It is a must-read for all Star Wars fans who are interested in exploring the universe beyond the main saga films.
Gray’s work also stands on its own, as non-fans could still find this novel captivating. Gray deftly uses the Star Wars universe as a backdrop to explore some essential human experiences.
The narrative is engaging, and the writing is exceptional. I will give this book a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
The half mark taken off is due to its slow pacing during the beginning of the story.
