Author: Kiersten White
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: Sep 10th 2013
Source: Publisher
Synopsis:
Isadora's family is seriously screwed up—which comes with the territory when you're the human daughter of the ancient Egyptian gods Isis and Osiris. Isadora is tired of living with crazy relatives who think she's only worthy of a passing glance—so when she gets the chance to move to California with her brother, she jumps on it. But her new life comes with plenty of its own dramatic—and dangerous—complications . . . and Isadora quickly learns there's no such thing as a clean break from family.
Blending Ally Carter's humor and the romance of Cynthia Hand's Unearthly, The Chaos of Stars takes readers on an unforgettable journey halfway across the world and back, and proves there's no place like home.
Pre-Reading Thoughts:
When the synopsis went up on Goodreads, my thoughts went something like this:
Kiersten White's Writing + Egyptian Gods + Screwed Up Family Dynamics = Nothing But Pure Awesome-ness.
And when HarperTeen revealed the cover, I saw stars(no pun intended). Excited doesn't quite cover how I felt about The Chaos of Stars.
I may or may not have camped in front of my home when I was told that the book was on the way to me.
Post-Reading Thoughts:
When I first started reading reviews of The Chaos of Stars I wondered why a lot of readers either considered it a 'meh' read or DNF-ed it. The reason became clearer once I actually started reading it.
The Chaos of Stars was sure as hell not what I expected. The blurb promises a mythological read(or maybe I interpreted it that way?). But it came across as a Magical Realism read with slight mythological elements. For me, this was not such a bad thing in fact this very fact made The Chaos of Stars a surprising and refreshing read.
The Chaos of Stars is narrated in the first person POV by Isadora, the mortal daughter of the ancient Egyptian gods Isis and Osiris. Like most other readers I didn't find Isadora an easy character to like. She was feisty, sarcastic, sulky, temperamental and kept pushing the people who loved her away. But all of this was not without reason-Her parents' choice to keep her mortal created a wedge between herself and her parents. To avoid getting hurt and betrayed again she hardened herself and kept everyone at an arm's length.
“Soap operas got nothing on my family history.”
“I will fill myself with the desert and the sky. I will be stone and stars, unchanging and strong and safe. The desert is complete; it is spare and alone, but perfect in its soltitude. I will be the desert.”
And then she meets Ry. Ry aka Orion is the closest thing to perfection with his perfect blue eyes, poetry writing, endearing personality and cool truck. Despite Isadora's hesitance to go into an relationship/fall in love, Ry is persistent in trying to get her to open to who him.
“I get that you're scared and that you've been hurt. But doing what is easy and safe is no way to live, and a life without passion and love is so far beneath what you deserve.”
As usual, Kiersten's writing does not fail to evoke emotion and I couldn't help but root for Ry and Isadora. There was some mystery elements involved that kept me intrigued. I loved watching Isadora grow as a character and open up to her family, friends and Ry.
If you loved Kiersten White's previous books The Chaos of Stars would be an amazing hit for you.
If you are looking for a sweet and breezy read with a pinch of mythology you'll love this one!
If you are looking for a sweet and breezy read with a pinch of mythology you'll love this one!
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The following section of my post was inspired by Hazel's Story Soundtrack posts @ Stay Bookish. So here are the soundtracks that I feel embody Issadora's and Ry's story:
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“And I’d choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I’d find you and I’d choose you.”
- Ry, The Chaos of Stars
(2) The Quote
“I get that you're scared and that you've been hurt. But doing what is easy and safe is no way to live, and a life without passion and love is so far beneath what you deserve.”
- Ry, The Chaos of Stars
The Song: Distance - Christina Perri“I didn’t fall in love with you. I walked into love with you, with my eyes wide open, choosing to take every step along the way. I do believe in fate and destiny, but I also believe we are only fated to do the things that we’d choose anyway.”
Ry, The Chaos of Stars
The Song : Heartbeat - Ellie Goulding
(4) The Quote
“I open my eyes to see Ry staring at me, and my desert soul erupts with turquoise water, floods and cascades and waterfalls rushing in around my rocky parts, pushing and reshaping and filling every hidden dark spot.”
- Isadora, The Chaos of Stars
The Song : Pull Me Down - Mikky Ekko
My Rating
So tell me have you read The Chaos of Stars? What did you think of it?
Do you think the soundtracks add depth to those quotes?
I went straight to my library's website to place a hold on this book! I vaguely remember reading about another Kiersten White book, but completely forgot all about it. Cannot believe it came out in September, and to be honest I'm kind of happy that it doesn't really have a lot of mythological stuff in it, since that isn't really my thing. Great review! :-)
ReplyDeleteMy blog
Yay! I'm glad you decided to give The Chaos of Stars a try-I hope you enjoy it! :D
DeleteAww yay! I'm delighted you liked this one! I had read so many mixed reviews but everything you mentioned in your review that worked for you appeals to me so have added back on to my TBR. Loved your song choices too and quotes! Awesome review Nuz!
ReplyDeleteI am curious about this book.I am a huge fan of mythology,especially Egyptian and Greek.I've read books based on Greek mythology before,but not Egyptian.So I guess I should try out this one.The romance sounds beautiful,and I loved your sound track.Those quotes are tempting.
ReplyDeleteGreat review Nuz.
I think I could go for a "sweet, breezy read." I definitely thought this had more mythology to it, so thanks for the heads up!
ReplyDeleteIt's true that our expectations really shape how we view a book. Given the way that death and mortality were such big themes, I was expecting a more serious book, but Kiersten White does excel at the sweet and breezy!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed this!
Thanks so much for stopping by! Jen @ YA Romantics
I am so late but I LOVE THIS POST, NUZ!
ReplyDeleteLoved your pre- & post-reading thoughts! I agree that Isadora isn't the type of MC you love easily but White's writing and Ryan's character makes up for it! And the romance is as gorgeous at the cover, yes? This one was my first try at reading White but I'm so looking forward to reading her other books! :)
Awesome music + awesome book + awesome review <3333 Thanks so much for linking up, Story Soundtrack! I'm flattered that you even put the banner although that wasn't necessary! THANK YOU! The songs you included are lovely btw! Would you ever like to guest post for Story soundtrack? Let me know! :)