Title- The Sound of Stars
Author- Alecia Dow
Rating– 3.5/5
Genre- YA fantasy/sci-fi
Trope- forbidden love, dystopian
Cover– somewhat confusing, somewhat representative of the genre
Plot/Blurb-
Two years ago, a misunderstanding between the leaders of Earth and the invading Ilori resulted in the deaths of one-third of the world’s population.
Seventeen-year-old Janelle “Ellie” Baker survives in an Ilori-controlled center in New York City. With humans deemed dangerously volatile because of their initial reaction to the invasion, emotional expression can be grounds for execution. Music, art and books are illegal, but Ellie breaks the rules by keeping a secret library. When a book goes missing, Ellie is terrified that the Ilori will track it back to her and kill her.
Born in a lab, M0Rr1S was raised to be emotionless. When he finds Ellie’s illegal library, he’s duty-bound to deliver her for execution. The trouble is, he finds himself drawn to human music and in desperate need of more. They’re both breaking the rules for the love of art—and Ellie inspires the same feelings in him that music does.
Ellie’s—and humanity’s—fate rests in the hands of an alien she should fear. M0Rr1S has a lot of secrets, but also a potential solution—thousands of miles away. The two embark on a wild and dangerous road trip with a bag of books and their favorite albums, all the while creating a story and a song of their own that just might save them both.
First chapter-
The Sound of Stars has two different prologues, one with a run down of what the story was about, an alien invasion and the second a podcast with musicians.
Chapter 1- I love that it’s first person and I already have a good grip on the character who is a secret, illegal “book-dealer.” If she’s caught the alien race enforcing the rules could execute her.
Character Development-
Best part- librarian
Prose- average
Dialogue- representative of teen lingo
Inclusivity- there is diversity, yes
Ethics/morals- surprised by the executions so early on
Pacing- fast/easy read
Thoughts while reading-
Page 64- I like that there’s song lyrics
Page 137- I dont know why it bothers me so much but I don’t enjoy when books have part 1, part 2. Etc. Is it just me?
Page 192- sci fi, silent takeovers and Ilori aren’t usually my vibe but I can see how so many current teens in 2022 would relate.
Page 248- oh the beautiful alien boy, Morris … what shall become of this lovely young forbidden love?
Page 307- did I mention I love when chapters start with a famous quote? How do you feel about that? Love or hate?
Page 385- I should correct my precious mistake. His name is M0Rr1S. This is the tech savvy vibe in the novel that doesn’t fit my typical read
Page 426- I love that Harry Potter bonds them lol. So, I recommend this read for YA. It doesn’t feel as much like a book for adults who like to read YA, but solely just for those born between 2004-2008ish
Cassie Swindon 