Review: The Space Between the Stars by Anne Corlett

Review: The Space Between the Stars by Anne Corlett The Space Between the Stars by Anne Corlett
Published by Berkley on June 13th 2017
Pages: 368
Format:eARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review, via Netgalley

In a breathtakingly vivid and emotionally gripping debut novel, one woman must confront the emptiness in the universe—and in her own heart—when a devastating virus reduces most of humanity to dust and memories.

All Jamie Allenby ever wanted was space. Even though she wasn’t forced to emigrate from Earth, she willingly left the overpopulated, claustrophobic planet. And when a long relationship devolved into silence and suffocating sadness, she found work on a frontier world on the edges of civilization. Then the virus hit...

Now Jamie finds herself dreadfully alone, with all that’s left of the dead. Until a garbled message from Earth gives her hope that someone from her past might still be alive.

Soon Jamie finds other survivors, and their ragtag group will travel through the vast reaches of space, drawn to the promise of a new beginning on Earth. But their dream will pit them against those desperately clinging to the old ways. And Jamie’s own journey home will help her close the distance between who she has become and who she is meant to be...

You know the kind of book that you cannot stop thinking about long after you’ve finished it? Well, that is this book for me. It’s also among my favorite books so far this year, so there’s that. Here’s the thing: it isn’t a fully action packed space adventure, so if you’re looking for that, this may not be the book for you. But if you are looking for some amazing characters who have to make some really difficult choices after the whole universe nearly collapses, then this is definitely a book to check out.

So, here are the things I especially enjoyed about this one:

  • The characters were so well done. Jamie, the main character, is kind of a mess. And this is before the apocalypse. So after, you can imagine the kind of shape she’s in. She knows that the odds are not great in regards to how many fellow survivors may be out there, but she’s determined to find out. That’s the best part about her, even as she falls apart in so many ways, she’s still trying to survive. The other characters are equally complex, and we get to find out so much about their stories as the book goes on. I grew to care about each of them.
  • Everything about this book was incredibly thought provoking. Truly, it was terrifying to imagine being in the shoes of these characters- basically alone in the universe, having to rely on strangers, not knowing who can be trusted in a terrifyingly empty new society. It also felt eerily plausible- the way people reacted, how easily turmoil would have ensued.
  • Even though it was quite character driven, the plot moved quickly too. I was never bored, and I was always excited for what would happen next.
  • The characters have really great relationships with each other. Some of them became friends, while others flat out did not get along, and it felt so authentic. Just because there are not a ton of humans left, it makes sense that some people will flat out disagree, and I liked that the book wasn’t afraid to go there. There was also a bit of romance, but it definitely wasn’t the focus- as people are kind of busy worrying about the fate of humanity. Still, the bits of romance were a very nice respite from apocalyptic doom.
  • Space! Even though the book wasn’t incredibly heavy on the science part, it still featured a lot of great spaceship shenanigans and other technology. And really, who doesn’t love space adventures?

What I didn’t as much:

  • Really, my only minor complaint was that a few things seemed a bit unbelievable/coincidental. And while I wasn’t totally able to suspend my disbelief, it also didn’t really make me like the story any less. I was able to overlook it since the story and characters did a great job of pulling me in.

Bottom Line: I was so invested in the characters’ stories and the stories of this world, and what led it to the state it was in. I felt quite satisfied with the story, and was contemplating it long after I was done reading.

Do you love a thought-provoking book? What is the last book you read that really made you think about how you’d react?

Posted June 12, 2017 by Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight in Review / 12 Comments

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12 responses to “Review: The Space Between the Stars by Anne Corlett

  1. oooh yes I love books that make me think. ? And I LOVE character driven novels too, they are the besssst. I hadn’t even heard of this one before now, though? So clearly I need to pop over to goodreads and add it. :’) The last book that made me think…ooh probably As You Wish? It was about this place where, when you turned 18, you got to have a wish, and obviously I spent a lot of time thinking of what I’d wish for. ? Probably NOT the same thought-provoking level as this bahahah. Ahem. Excuse me.

  2. OMG did you just read an adult fiction, Shannon??? I thought you only read YA for some reason, which is dumb. Anyways, that’s so awesome that you loved this book so much. It sounds fantastic and all kinds of powerful. I’m all for character driven stories too. I always find those to be the most memorable books for me. Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
    Wonderful review!

  3. I really love space adventures, but you know, I think I like the ones that are character-driven more. Because pretty much every space travel book these days is a high action packed type of plot, and sometimes it just gets way too intense. SO MAYBE THIS IS THE BOOK FOR ME. Also the cover is gorgeous. AND I’M GLAD IT REALLY GOT YOU THINKING. AND THAT YOU EVEN LIKED THIS. BECAUSE IT’S IN SPACE. SPACE.

    I will have to read this now. Somewhere.

  4. I love when a book can truly make me think and question. Especially about ideas where I already have an opinion. To be honest, the synopsis of this one isn’t something I would necessarily gravitate to, but reading your review has me rethinking that. Great characters, great relationships, thought-provoking… I’m liking what I see. Great review, Shannon!

  5. Character- focused SF seems to be happening right now(I’m thinking Long Way To A Small, Angry Planet too) so I think I’d like this. Thought provoking too- yay! This one sounds great- and bonus points for a nice cover! All of a sudden I’m adding a ton of SF to my TBR, and I’m loving it! Maybe it will help me get through the dark times until The 100 returns. 🙂

    Sounds like it’s different too in the sense that there’s not a lot of survivors left? Instead of a crowded galaxy it almost sounds like it’s kinda empty? That would lend a certain vibe…

    Great review Shannon!

  6. I haven’t heard of this one, but it looks great!! I love that the characters are so well developed and they feel so real. I also like that the relationships were well developed. Great review! I need to check this one out.

  7. Woww Shannon, this book sounds absolutely delightful! I was already intrigued by the cover and beautiful title, but your rating makes me want to give it a go. I’m all about the space life, and I like how it’s a small part of this book. The authentic relationships and Jamie’s down-to-earthness sounds awesome as well. Wonderful review!

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