Reviewed by ladygrey on
First of all, how can you have a book that only includes two characters that is so engrossing? Two characters dynamic enough to actually carry the entire story and keep it so interesting. It's like the book version of Supernatural where two characters are just completely capable of doing all the heavy lifting.
And secondly... just. . .
At first you think it's just a survival story that will walk its way into a romance. But it's also refreshingly realistic. Not that I know an awful lot about the realism of being stranded on a strange planet but they don't shy away from the conflicts of the elements or the raw sort of living that would be. I like that they dealt with practicalities in an honest way without being boring.
The writing is pretty straight forward, but not in a way that's annoying or anything. Just in a way that's nice. In a sci-fi, matter of fact way that still marvels at wonder and acknowledges when the world takes your breath away.
And the interludes between chapters give Tarver so much personality and say so much about the story without saying anything at all. And then... it's so... horrifying. And filled with this unexpectedly poignant grief. So haunting...
I really liked Lilac as a character because she's sixteen. She's naive and condescending but she manages to also be tough and honest and dimensional. She is never a trite character and I liked her for that.
And Tarver's awesome. He'd have to be because it's just the two of them and this book is never boring. It's intriguing and surprising and sweet and I can't wait to read the next one.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 7 February, 2014: Finished reading
- 7 February, 2014: Reviewed