Blurb
Title: Under Different Stars (Kricket #1)
Author: Amy A. Bartol
Genre: YA Dystopian
Goodreads:Under Different Stars
All she wants is a home, but can she find one...UNDER DIFFERENT STARS
Kricket Hollowell is normally not one to wish upon stars; she believes they’re rarely in her favor. Well versed at dodging caseworkers from Chicago’s foster care system, the past few years on her own have made Kricket an expert at the art of survival and blending in. With her 18th birthday fast approaching, she dreams of the day when she can stop running and find what her heart needs most: a home.
Trey Allairis hates Earth and doubts that anyone from his world can thrive here. What he’s learning of Kricket and her existence away from her true home only confirms his theory. But, when he and Kricket lie together under the stars of Ethar, counting them all may be easier than letting her go.
Kyon Ensin’s secrets number the stars; he knows more about Kricket's gifts than anyone and plans to possess her because of them. He also knows she’s more valuable than any fire in the night sky. He’ll move the heavens and align them all in order to make her his own.
When everything in their world can be broken, will Kricket rely upon love to save her under different stars?
Review
Amy does it again. This five star read held my attention from the get go and didn't let me do until the very last line. Heck, I didn't want to let go! I just wanted more!! Kricket has lived a life dodging case workers and trying to make it to her 18th birthday where she will age out of the system. Well, the universe has another plan for her. Enter Trey. From the get go, you can tell there is something between Trey and Kricket. He has a job but as time goes on between them, something more starts to form. Watching it was amazing, I loved every encounter, touch, or conversation between them. They have this natural chemistry that flows naturally through the pages, the talented writing shining through.
"I'm important to you because I hold your destiny in my hand"
The storyline and world building were suburb. I never felt lost, only intrigued by what things meant or the differences between Trey's home planet. Everything meshed so well together, the storyline always kept my attention and I felt like I was on the edge of my seat as new characters were introduced and the plot become more complex.
"You can't thrive under the wrong stars, Kricket."
The other bright part of this story? The side characters. While Trey and Kricket are the couple you fall in love with, you can't but also fall for Jax and Wayra, the two men who part of the mission revolving around Kricket. They are so kind, full of humor, and you can tell they also care for Kricket. There are of course villains, all who want something from Kricket. But with this being the first book, I can imagine where the story will go and will really turn out to be villains (if I've learned anything from Amy's Premonition series ;)
"We have to make the stars align for us now-find a way for us not to get burned for being together."
Kricket herself is one strong girl. She is quick witted and doesn't hold back. You can see Trey fall for her as she speaks her mind and holds up her strong demeanor. It's always nice to see a strong female heroine and I can't wait to see more of her as the series progress. Overall- this book was amazing! It had everything I wanted and it was executed excellently. Trey and Kricket stole my heart and I'm on edge as I wait for the next installment.
Playlist
I couldn't help it. I kept finding songs reminding me of this book. Enjoy!
Excerpt
Water swirls around me as I open my eyes. I shiver, realizing I’m in Trey’s arms. He’s standing chest deep in crystal blue water with Wayra pacing on the bank only steps away. Clutching Trey closer to me, my cheek remains on his shoulder. Watching a bead of water slip down his powerful neck, I hear Jax say, “She’s waking up.”
Trey, cupping his hand in the water, pours some of it over my hair. It drips down the sides of my face, cooling me. “Let’s get her out. I’ll get the visor and we can check her vitals.”As Trey wades out of the pond with me in his arms, I try to lift my head from his shoulder. It makes me dizzy so I lay it back. It’s then I notice that I’m only in my bra and underwear. A blush creeps into my cheeks as I hug Trey tighter to me. Wayra meets us on the bank, draping a blanket over us. Trey sits down with me on his lap. He leans against a tree trunk holding me securely to his chest. Peeking at his face, he seems angry as he smoothes my hair back from my face. Hurrying over with the visor that looks like grandma goggles, Trey sets them on my eyes. Everything is green as I gaze around at the water in front of us. Flashing green lights and readouts occupy the peripherals of the glasses, but the information is running faster than I can possibly read it.
“Ho!” Jax exclaims next to me.
Immediately, Trey’s arms tighten on me as he barks out, “What? How bad is it?”
“Naw, it’s not bad…it’s just…Kricket…” Jax breathes, like he’s in awe. “Look at this brain activity…it’s massive.”
“What do you mean?” Trey asks with relief in his tone.
Jax grins. “She’s lighting everything up. Look at her frontal lobe…it’s off the charts.”
“What does that mean? Is she healthy?” Trey growls.
Jax nods enthusiastically. “She’s healthy! We didn’t fry her with heat stroke, that’s for sure. Or, if we did, she’s got more brain activity than anyone I’ve ever seen to compensate for it,” he replies, sounding seriously geeked about it.
“Those things aren’t broken, are they?” Trey asks speculatively.
“No…here.” Jax pulls them off my face. “Wayra, come here.”
Wayra walks over and Jax puts the glasses on his eyes. “See! He’s normal, well, normal for him. See how it doesn’t light up in these areas?” he points out to Trey.
“Yes.”
“Now watch this,” he says, taking the glasses off of Wayra, he places them back on my face. “See? It’s like Christmas in Chicago with all those lights,” Jax says proudly.
“So that means she’s smart?”
Jax beams. “Yeah, she’s smart! She’s brilliant! There’s no telling what she can do.”
“If she’s so smart, why did she run until she almost popped? Why didn’t she just tell us she needed to rest?” Wayra asks derisively.
“Personality flaw,” Trey replies. “She’s going to show us that she’s not weak.”
“She’s sitting right here,” I murmur, pulling the glasses off my face and handing them to Jax.
Author Bio
I live in Michigan with my husband and our two sons. My family is very supportive of my writing. When I’m writing, they often bring me the take-out menu so that I can call and order them dinner. They listen patiently when I talk about my characters like they’re real. They rarely roll their eyes when I tell them I’ll only be a second while I finish writing a chapter…and then they take off their coats. They ask me how the story is going when I surface after living for hours in a world of my own making. They have learned to accept my “writing uniform” consisting of a slightly unflattering pink fleece jacket, t-shirt, and black yoga pants. And they smile at my nerdy bookishness whenever I try to explain urban fantasy to them. In short, they get me, so they are perfect
and I am blessed.
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GIVEAWAY
● 1st place: KINDLE FIRE + ebook of Under Different Stars
● 2nd place: Kindle Cover + $50 Amazon Gift Card
● 3rd place: $50 Amazon Gift Card
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