I have lots of mixed feelings about this sci-fi debut novel, and as I type this, I’m still going back and forth with my star rating. Here are my initial thoughts:

✨ All-queer characters!!! It has a lovely sapphic romance brewing between two of the main characters, but what I love the most is how this book gracefully and thoughtfully handled Nathaniel’s coming to terms with his identity as an aro-ace.

✨ As an able-bodied individual, I can’t speak for the disability rep. However, I did appreciate how Tarnished Are the Stars emphasized that disabilities don’t make anyone “less than” other people.

✨ The world-building showed so much promise, and it’s arguably the strongest asset of this story. However, a few of my questions were left unanswered, which is a small disappointment on my part. I wish we could have been given more insight behind the banning of tech in this new world.

✨ This book explored abusive relationships and how abuse can come in many forms. More importantly, it shed light on how some victims fail to recognize themselves as victims in their situation.

✨ Character motivations were probably the weakest point of this story. In the beginning, I struggled to empathize with Anna because her hardheadedness was borderline ridiculous.

Spoiler

She was so eager and willing to risk the safety of her entire village in the hopes of helping out the son of the very man she despises? Make it make sense!

I couldn’t help but feel that many of her actions, especially in the beginning, were done for the sake of moving the plot forward.

✨ Speaking of, the character motivations of the supposed antagonists were murky at best, downright unbelievable at worst. I won’t beat around the bush: I am pissed off. I feel cheated.

✨ Relatedly, I was greatly enjoying where the story was going, despite its hard-to-believe aspects. I was very willing to suspend my disbelief and allow myself to be swept away by the narrator (because the narrator of this audiobook is extremely talented!) — but then the big reveals happened and I couldn’t wrap my head around them. Specifically, the climax of this story truly ruined my reading experience!!! And I am salty!!!

✨ Not a fan of the ending either.

✨ It’s really the feeling of great betrayal that’s prompting me to give this book a low rating. The lack of payoff in Tarnished Are the Stars is impossible for me to ignore.

Not recommended!