For Darkness Shows the Stars Goodreads
Author: Diana Peterfreund
Also by this author: Secret Society Girl, Under the Rose, Rites of Spring (Break), Tap & Gown, Rampant, Ascendant, Across a Star-Swept Sea, Omega City, Omega City: The Forbidden Fortress
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication date: June 12th 2012
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardcover
My rating:
Fans of Divergent will love Diana Peterfreund’s take on Jane Austen’s Persuasion set in a post-apocalyptic world. In the dystopian future of For Darkness Shows the Stars, a genetic experiment has devastated humanity. In the aftermath, a new class system placed anti-technology Luddites in absolute power over vast estates—and any survivors living there. Elliot North is a dutiful Luddite and a dutiful daughter who runs her father’s estate. When the boy she loved, Kai, a servant, asked her to run away with him four years ago, she refused, although it broke her heart. Now Kai is back. And while Elliot longs for a second chance with her first love, she knows it could mean betraying everything she’s been raised to believe is right. For Darkness Shows the Stars is a breathtaking YA romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.
This is my second time reading this book, and it was such a different experience than the first. I had mixed feelings the first time because of my obsession love of all things Austen. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out who was who and what matched up with what. Not the best way to approach a new book – as an aside, I think that’s often the reason why a lot of people end up not liking movies of books. It’s important to have a little distance from the work at hand.I promised myself I would read the novel again in the fall. On the second go-around, I would say the book improves remarkably. This is a lushly romantic novel, full of longing letters and stolen moments. The book is structured in alternating chapters of past correspondence between Kai and Elliot, and what’s happening in the present. Two different mysteries were central to the story: 1) Why did Kai and Elliot break up? 2) Who are the Cloud Fleet, and what are they doing?
At its heart, this is a love story, but Peterfreund does quite a bit of impressive world-building and exposition (through letters between Kai and Elliot) in order to have us understand what’s happened to the world, and to answer the second question about the Cloud Fleet. I was really impressed with the idea of this world – there are a lot of post-apocalyptic scenarios in YA right now, but most of them have to do with zombies or monsters of some sort. Peterfreund’s world is remarkably different, dealing with a society where technology is banned because of too much genetic enhancement.
What made this so innovative to me was how close it felt to what could happen in the future. I think I was actually frightened because a lot of Elliot’s reactions to some of the technology that the Cloud Fleet brings were my reactions. I was both frustrated and intrigued by this, and even at the end of the novel, I still didn’t know if I could side with Luddite or Post.
But you probably want to know about the romance. Much like the characters of Kai and Elliot themselves, the story is restrained – almost to the point of frustration – and it unfurls itself slowly, with stops and starts.
This is not a novel for the impatient. And I am incredibly impatient.
That said, once I slowed down to really enjoy the nuances of the language and the beauty of the descriptions, I fell in love with Kai and Elliot. I loved the letters more the second time, and I loved how restrained they both were, and how frightened they were of even a kiss.
The most incredible thing about the novel is how much Peterfreund captured of the tone of Austen’s England, and of Persuasion itself. The voice of the novel was just as restrained as the characters, and it really matched up to how I FELT while reading Persuasion. In that sense alone, I feel that this book completely succeeded. We’re taught “form follows function” and I really felt that Peterfreund took that to a whole new level with the writing.
I wanted to talk a bit about the climax of the novel, which is like an explosion. But I don’t want to ruin it. Suffice to say, it’s just incredible. After so many pages of restraint, Peterfreund hits us with an unbelievable moment of physical and mental excitement, and the novel just builds from there.
That’s all I’m going to say. And that’s all I need to say, because tomorrow, you will get more information on Elliot North from the lady herself! Stop by tomorrow and find out about her first kiss with Kai, what her favorite shape of glider is, and more!
Have you read FDSTS? What did you think?
Related posts:
Birthday Month Author Spotlight: Diana Peterfreund, tons of giveaways & an interview with Elliot North from For Darkness Shows the Stars!
Review + Giveaway: Rampant & Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund!
ARC Review: Across A Star-Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund
Birthday Month Author Spotlight: Review and Giveaway of the Secret Society Girl series by Diana Peterfreund!
Yay for Diana! I also g0ave this book 4 stars out of 5. It is a stunning book! I was extremely impressed with it, especially since I was not impressed with Rampant, and I couldn't even start Ascendant. I love the post-apocalyptic nature of this book, and the class structures. I was not a fan of Kai throughout the entire book, even at the very end. He acted like a child the entire time! I was a tiny bit disappointed by the lack of romance, but then, it made sense, and in its own way, it was romantic. Just not physically, which was nice. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I am looking forward to Across A Star-Swept Sea. Great review!!!
I think your descriptions of restraint are spot on. There is so much simmering beneath the surface and as the readers, we know that one little thing will open it all up, but Elliot's not the kind of girl to do that. I think I spent the better part of the book worried about how they'd resolve things than actual reading it- hence a second reading.
I'm not a patient reader either, but this was masterfully done.
I totally understand what you mean about being distracted the first time around. That can really mess with your head! I'm so glad you read it again and enjoyed it because FDSTS is one of my favorites, this year and of all time. There is so much to love about it! The romance just gutted me — so much longing and angst, and it was so beautifully done. And the entire world of the novel was so original and imaginative; I was totally sucked in. I never wanted to leave! (And I'm hoping we'll someday learn more about Elliot and Kai's adventures . . . maybe in a short story or novella? Fingers crossed!)
Pixie, see this post
I suspect you may (MAY) get your wish!
I have to agree with LittleFoot. This was masterfully done. By the first page I knew I was incredible hands, and it didn't let me go until 3:00 AM that same night (morning?). It takes a lot for a book to do that to me.
I LOVED this book, probably because of the restraint. I felt like it teases you with just enough information to keep you interested but not enough, and I spent the whole book wanting MORE!! I felt like the relationship between Kai and Elliot was really well done and I understood both of their motives, which meant I liked both of them, instead of being annoyed with one or the other for not doing what I wanted them to.
This book sounds really good. I was worried about picking it up at first because, like you, I'm a huge Jane Austen fan, and there's no way a rehash can reach it's heights. I'm glad to hear that it's able to stand on it's own, though, and that you were able to enjoy it. Thanks for the review, and I think I'll be putting this on my Christmas list 🙂
I would love to read this book. Hope I'll get my hands on it soon… Sounds amazing…
I think I need to take another chance on For Darkness Shows the Stars. I could not for anything get into this book the first go around. I tried, and tried….. and tried again. And it is so disappointing because I was very much looking forward to it. It makes me hopeful to know that the second go around might just be better than the first. Thanks for the review!
Oh, this sounds wonderful. I love Jane Austen's books and its cool to see such a creative retelling. Thanks for sharing your review.
Oh I've been anxious to read this one. Glad to see you liked it!
This book has been on my TBR list since first hearing about it. I don't know why I haven't yet picked it up especially since reading your review. It sounds even better than I had originally thought! Well, I'll have to move it up on the list! Thanks for the great recommendation & review.
Definitely going on my wishlist! I love the sound of it.
Everyone seems to be gushing over this book! 🙂 Sounds great and I really need to read this book id the romance is that good and the writing style is perfect. I loved Persuasion too and if it is matches up to that, it's well worth the read. great review.
Your review make me want to read this novel right now! Thanks for the recommendation:-)
I just finished reading it and I loved it! I had a bit of trouble getting into it at first but once the story progressed, I was hooked. It was definitely a roller coaster of emotions and so much feeels. There were several times where I couldn't help but tear up and feel my throat constrict on scenes with Elliot and Kai. I couldn't agree more with the restraint in the characters, especially with Elliot! I was a bit disappointed though to find out that the second book Across a Star-Swept Sea was actually a companion novel and not a sequel. Its okay though since I absolutely loved how For Darkness Shows the Stars ended 🙂
I absolutely love Jane Austen's Persuasion so I think I'm definitely going to have to read this soon!
I absolutely loved this book! I love the cover, the characters, the setting and the romance. Great review!