From a Distant Star by Karen McQuestion | Rating: ★★★★☆As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.
From a Distant Star, from the looks of things, is gearing up to be one of the next great young adult books in the sci-fy genre and is sure to hit all the right marks with fans of The Host by Stephenie Meyer, Adaptation by Malinda Lo and the hit 90s television series The X-Files. As for readers who have yet to find something in the genre they like, or are looking for a stepping stone to this genre, From a Distant Star could very well be the book they were waiting for.
In all truthfulness, I wasn't expecting to like this novel as much as I did. Although it had its flaws and at times the dialogue felt off to me, it was absolutely impossible to walk away from -- I found myself lost in the pages and concerned for these characters and their fates. Karen writes her story in a fast paced way, keeping it simple and entertaining for its audience without watering down the plots or the action.
The story is unique in many ways and still maintains a certain air of naivety and youth to it. McQuestion navigates the teenage mind wonderfully and reminds us what it's like to be young, certain and in love -- so in love, that one girl is willing to risk a lot just to make sure her true love doesn't leave her. From a Distant Star starts in a very raw and heartbreaking place: Emma's boyfriend, Lucas, is fading away fast due to the horrifying disease that is cancer.
