Thursday, May 28, 2009

Stargazer by Claudia Gray

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: March 24, 2009
Language: English

Source: Public Library

Synopsis: The vampire in me was closer to the surface...
Evernight Academy: an exclusive boarding school for the most beautiful, dangerous students of all—vampires. Bianca, born to two vampires, has always been told her destiny is to become one of them. But Bianca fell in love with Lucas—a vampire hunter sworn to destroy her kind. They were torn apart when his true identity was revealed, forcing him to flee the school.

Although they may be separated, Bianca and Lucas will not give each other up. She will risk anything for the chance to see him again, even if it means coming face-to-face with the vampire hunters of Black Cross—or deceiving the powerful vampires of Evernight. Bianca's secrets will force her to live a life of lies. Yet Bianca isn't the only one keeping secrets. When Evernight is attacked by an evil force that seems to target her, she discovers the truth she thought she knew is only the beginning...

Their strained relationship is put to the test when issues arise between the two: Bianca knows that she is destined to become a vampire and she harbors a secret wish that Lucas will join her in the afterlife. Lucas is horrified at the idea (saying he would rather die first) and this crushes Bianca, feeling that if he rejects the possibility of turning into a vampire, he is in essence rejecting her. Stargazer focuses much more on how these two emotionally grow up. Evernight shows us how Bianca and Lucas fell in love but Stargazer unveils another aspect to their relationship, one that wasn't touched upon (but merely hinted at) in Evernight. Lucas' refusal to change who he is makes Bianca doubt if their relationship will ever work... but she has more than her love life to worry about when dark forces target the school (and as she discovers, specifically targeting her). In her attempts to find out why, she uncovers a truth so powerful that it could ruin everything she has ever known. ...I absolutely loved Stargazer. A new character is introduced into the story and her presence is more important that I ever imagined. She caused a chain reaction that affects every single character and most importantly, Bianca. How mind-blowing is that? I enjoyed seeing how Bianca matured this time around, waking up to the facts after living in a first-love fanatasy world. I can't find any faults with this second installment of the series; I can only sing its praises.

rating: 4.5

3 comments:

  1. Great review! I really enjoyed this book. I honestly can't wait for Hourglass- the next book in the series to be released. =D

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  2. Great review! :D Yes, Hatter M alludes to the Mad Hatter of the original story. The whole Looking Glass Wars series is based off of that original story, but it's a bizarre, serious and thrilling twist on it. It's truly awesome. I'd definitely recommend checking out "The Looking Glass Wars", the first book. If you like that, there's Hatter M and Seeing Redd, the second in the series.

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  3. Out of curiosity, what would make it a full five stars?

    I've seen An Assembly Such as This in the bookstore, and I've been thinking about picking it up. I hope I like it as much as you did!

    For the In My Mailox meme, you're right, all you have to do is share the link! I think it's a lot of fun. :)

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