I received this book for free from the Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Stars Like Acid by Marissa Lupe Published by Howlite Publishing LLC on September 18 2023
Genres: Adult, Science fiction
Pages: 371
Format: Finished hardcover
Source: Author
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The nitty-gritty: An ambitious SF dystopian tale with plenty of interesting characters and situations gets bogged down under some basic writing mistakes.
I badly wanted to love Stars Like Acid, especially since my review copy came directly from the author. And the reviews on Goodreads are mostly rave reviews, so I’ll admit my expectations were pretty high. The book itself is simply stunning: in addition to the gorgeous cover, the naked hardcover has full wrap-around artwork, and there are interior illustrations as well. Sigh. If only the story between the covers had been given half the attention that was spent on the physical package. There are things I really enjoyed about the book, so I’ll say it was a mixed bag, but some elements, like the author’s writing style and the odd, overly dramatic reactions of the characters kept me from fully enjoying it.
The story takes place on a future Earth that is dying and alternates between two main characters. Téa is an orphan and has grown up on a military base on Earth. But one day she’s told that she’s been matched with Zephyr, the son of a powerful General who controls the area’s food supply, among other things. She will be forced to marry him and produce a child. Téa doesn’t want to get married, but when she meets Zephyr, there’s an instant attraction between them.
Annabelle works on Space Station Luna, where a group of scientists are working on a solution to save Earth. What they don’t know is that General Strauss, Zephyr’s father, wants to get rid of the station and everyone on it. When Téa finds out about the General’s scheme, she convinces Zephyr to leave Sandstone Estate, but she and Zephyr find themselves running for their lives after Téa learns that she might have a gene that produces special powers when activated.
Readers will eventually discover the connection between Téa and Annabelle, as the General’s evil influence spreads further and further.
First, the positive. I actually really loved the plot. The dystopian set-up is nothing new, but Lupe has come up with several interesting ideas and combined them into a story with lots of potential. I enjoyed the tension between the two main locations: Station Luna up in space, and the General’s complex on the planet surface. There’s also a third location, a Sanctuary where those opposed to the General’s rule have made a secret life for themselves.
I also enjoyed the relationship between Téa and Annabelle, which you may guess but I won’t disclose it in this review. There are a couple of hard hitting emotional moments between the two that were very well done. Unfortunately, their time together is way too brief, and I would have liked the author to spend more time developing their relationship.
As for negatives, my biggest issue with Stars Like Acid is that it felt like a debut that needed more work before being published. There is a lot going on in this story, and at times I felt like I was getting whiplash with everything that was happening. Characters jump from location to location with very little warning, which ruined the pacing for me. The author doesn’t give her characters and events time to develop naturally. Everything feels rushed, as if she had a page count or word limit she was trying to adhere to. It’s not uncommon for debut authors to bite off more than they can chew, and the story felt at times as if the author had lost control of it.
I also had trouble with Lupe’s writing style. The prose felt very young and simplistic, almost as if she were writing for the YA crowd, and the dialogue felt stilted and unnatural at times. Some of her phrasing didn’t make sense, and she tends to make her descriptions more complicated than they need to be. Instead of saying “red liquid poured from his wound” why can’t you just say “blood”? (that one really bugged me, I had to mention it) I think a good line editor could have polished these awkward sections and made the story flow better.
As for the characters, I wanted to care more about them, but it was hard to muster up much emotion. There are several major deaths in the story (which literally came out of nowhere) and instead of feeling sad or upset, I was simply puzzled. Why those characters? It was as if the author was trying to shock her audience into feeling something, but the deaths didn’t feel earned at all, at least to me.
The ending leaves the reader with lots of questions, as well as a shocking revelation (although I saw it coming a mile away), which clearly implies this is the start to a series, even though I don’t see a series name listed on Goodreads. I wish I had more positive things to say about the book, but keep in mind other readers seem to love Stars Like Acid, so take my opinions with a grain of salt.
With thanks to the author for providing a review copy.
I must admit that I would have stopped at the insta-love between the two characters, but if I had soldiered on, the discovery of Tea’s “uniqueness” (Mary Sue, anyone?) would have been the end of the journey… It’s a pity, because there were some good themes to explore here.
Thanks for sharing!
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…GRIEVAR’S BLOOD (The Combat Codes #2), by Alexander Darwin
“Mary Sue” is the perfect description for her, lol.
This does sound like it needed some work, but I like the overall premise of the story. Sorry it didn’t work for you
Rebecca @ Powder & Page recently posted…Can’t Wait Wednesday: The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
She has some good ideas, I think the story just needed more work.
The cover is gorgeous but it sounds too sci-fi for this sci-fi newbie.
Ha ha it was very sci-fi!
Sorry it didn’t live up to expectations! Sounds like the writing would have bugged me too (oh, that blood thing!).
I just couldn’t get past the writing, unfortunately.
Too bad. I always look for your scifi recommendations.
I wouldn’t recommend this, unfortunately.
Oof, I’m really sorry to see this was such a mixed bag for you. I agree the premise sounds interesting, but I probably would have felt the same you you do with respect to the writing style and the overly complicated descriptions.
Celeste | A Literary Escape recently posted…Monthly Book Blog Wrap-Up: September 2023
Yeah, it’s a shame. It did have potential, but there were way too many issues for me.
Aw, this is sadness. I think I would have had the same problems you did (that blood line definitely had me rolling my eyes heh) so I don’t think this one will work for me either. Unfortunate, because I do think the premise was cool, but when you started talking about superpowers, I could tell there was wayyy too much going on for a not even 400 page book. Also awkward dialogue is a HUGE pet peeve of mine in books. I can get over a lot of things, but that one takes me right out of the story. Great review, sorry this did not work for you!
Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight recently posted…September 2023 Wrap-Up Round-Up
This is why I don’t usually read self published books, I almost always disappointed:-(
It’s always a bummer when books we want to love don’t work out–especially with review copies! I can understand what you mean about the dialogue/style, that’s always something that ends up really bothering me. The plot sounds really interesting, though, so I’m glad that held up!
Jordan @ Forever Lost in Literature recently posted…Anticipated October 2023 Releases!
The writing style has to work for me or it’s hard to enjoy the book!
Bummer this one didn’t work for you.
Stormi recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday! ~ I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died by Amanda Flower
Yeah, it’s sad because she put so much effort into the actual physical book.
It’s a shame this one didn’t quite work out for you. If there was a lot more in the style of the blood description I don’t think I’d have stuck with it. Hope you’re enjoying your current read 😀
Pages and Tea recently posted…Monthly Summary: September 2023
Yes, there were quite a few descriptive phrases like that, and they got on my nerves.
Thank you for a frank and yet kindly review. Yes… it definitely sounds like this is a newbie author who desperately needs major editorial help. Science fiction is one of the most difficult genres to write well – and I think you’re a hero for persisting to the very end. I’d have DNF’d it waaay before:)).
I wanted to stop at times but I did feel obligated to finish. I think she has potential, but she really needs more editing help or to join a writing workshop.
Oh dear, this sounds like it would push my buttons unfortunately. Instalove – just no. Red liquid – why? I understand the desire to be unique but why would you try to come up with a different way of phrasing ‘blood’ it’s just not necessary. And the thing is that would get into my head and then I’d notice every other similar instance. Well done for completing this and your review is very fair.
Lynn 😀
Lynn Williams recently posted…Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up