Review: The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White

10:23:00 PM



Title: The Chaos of Stars
Author: Kiersten White
Format acquired: Paperback

Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication date: September 10, 2013


Summary:

Isadora’s family is seriously screwed up.

Of course, as the human daughter of Egyptian gods, that pretty much comes with the territory. She’s also stuck with parents who barely notice her, and a house full of relatives who can’t be bothered to remember her name. After all, they are going to be around forever—and she’s a mere mortal.

Isadora’s sick of living a life where she’s only worthy of a passing glance, and when she has the chance to move to San Diego with her brother, she jumps on it. But Isadora’s quickly finding that a “normal” life comes with plenty of its own epic complications—and that there’s no such thing as a clean break when it comes to family. Much as she wants to leave her past behind, she can’t shake the ominous dreams that foretell destruction for her entire family. When it turns out there may be truth in her nightmares, Isadora has to decide whether she can abandon her divine heritage after all
.


Review:

Thank you to Sarah and Megan of HarperCollins for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from me.

Have you ever had that feeling when something feels off with the book you’re reading? Something that bothers you so much but can’t pinpoint what it is. That’s what I felt towards The Chaos of Stars. I love reading Mythology related books that’s why the moment I read the premise of this book on Goodreads, I thought to myself that I have to have this book. It’s really promising and it sounds like it’s a book I will enjoy so imagine my surprise when I’m finding myself not enjoying reading it. Aside from the off feeling I had when I was reading the book, I also have few reasons why The Chaos of Stars ended up flat for me.

The first one would be because of the protagonist—Isadora. She was so annoying. She always nags about how her parents don’t love her, how miserable her life is, how she hates her family so much, how she hates how her life is. Ugh! She whines to herself half the time in the book. I do understand that she just wants to be free from the clutches of her family and their culture and that deep inside she loves her parents but for her to whine so much about it? Nope. Not acceptable. When she gets to a point that she complains so much, I was mentally berating her. I was like “Girl, move on. That’s life. You’re not the only one who’s suffering. Get over it and shut up!” Thankfully, Isadora stopped annoying me when it gets into the last few chapters of the book.

Second reason would be because of the words that the author used in the book. Some of it were unfit to the lines in the book, well, that’s what I felt when I read it. I think it could be better if she didn’t used those poetic sounding words or if she use words that will be appropriate to it. It seems to me that the author was trying to make the book half poetic and half not but messes it up. It’s really a good idea. It’s unique. But it’s just that she ended up using words that were not fit enough to the lines and instead of the reader—of me to feel that poetic feeling, I ended up feeling  weird reading through the lines.

Third reason would be the disconnection I felt towards the characters. I just can’t connect with them. Well, except for Thoth. I was really fascinated toward his character. Though he only appeared twice (or is it thrice?) on the book, I got that instant connection with him. He seems like a great character. I just wish he had more exposure.

The last reason would be the INSTA-LOVE. Need I say more to this?

Setting that all reasons aside, I must admit that while The Chaos of Stars made me frown half the time I was reading this book but it did still made me smile at some parts of the book (specifically the part where Isadora and Ry talked in the plane). I’m not discouraging you not to read The Chaos of Stars. We all have different standards when it comes to books and it just so happen that this book didn’t met mine but it might meet yours. So for those readers that enjoy a Mythology book especially Egyptian Mythology, go get a copy of this. It might make it to your list of favorite books.

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2 comments

  1. LOL! You basically share the same thoughts that my friend Nick did. I will most definitely not try this because it wasn't in my tbr to begin with and I'm not really blown away by all these [mostly] negative reviews. I'm sorry you didn't connect with any of the characters and the main character basically annoyed you to no end. Also, insta love. Really? Why can't YA authors get over it. Yeah, it's in adult and NA lit as well, but seriously? It should be banned. Most of the time, that is. There are very few exceptions though. Thanks for sharing your thorough thoughts, Alyssa!

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  2. @Siiri: And thank you too for sparing me some of your time in reading my review. :) Anyways, books that has an insta love are really a big turn off for me.

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