Fans of Divergent will love Diana Peterfreund’s take on Jane Austen’s Persuasion set in a post-apocalyptic world.
In the dystopian future of For Darkness Shows the Stars, a genetic experiment has devastated humanity. In the aftermath, a new class system placed anti-technology Luddites in absolute power over vast estates—and any survivors living there.
Elliot North is a dutiful Luddite and a dutiful daughter who runs her father’s estate. When the boy she loved, Kai, a servant, asked her to run away with him four years ago, she refused, although it broke her heart.
Now Kai is back. And while Elliot longs for a second chance with her first love, she knows it could mean betraying everything she’s been raised to believe is right.
For Darkness Shows the Stars is a breathtaking YA romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.
For Darkness Shows the Stars
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Review
“Will be a hit with fans of sci-fi romances… Readers will keep turning the pages right up to the end.” (School Library Journal (starred review) )
“Dystopian, ideological, rebellious-Peterfreund’s fantasy homage to Austen’s Persuasion departs from the original in many respects, and with great success …. a richly envisioned portrait of a society in flux, a steely yet vulnerable heroine, and a young man who does some growing up.” (Publishers Weekly )
“Diana Peterfreund’s For Darkness Shows the Stars is an impassioned ode to Jane Austen, love, and the hope found in stars.” (Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE and A MILLION SUNS )
“Succeeds in recasting Austen’s characters to bring her themes to a futurist society and provide wry comment on life in the twenty-first century …. will appeal to science fiction and romance fans alike. (Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) )
“A beautiful, epic love story you won’t be able to put down!” (Simone Elkeles, New York Times bestselling author of the Perfect Chemistry series )
“Don’t you love it when a brilliant idea meets with brilliant execution? Thank you, Diana Peterfreund for giving us a post-apocalyptic Persuasion. This book is meltingly good.” (Laini Taylor, National Book Award Finalist for LIPS TOUCH: THREE TIMES )
“A smart and sexy tale of star-crossed love that’s as thought-provoking as it is heartbreaking.” (Robin Wasserman, author of THE BOOK OF BLOOD AND SHADOW )
Praise for ASCENDANT: “In this thrilling sequel to Peterfreund’s Rampant...the strong yet vulnerable heroine, compelling conflicts, and exquisite settings should find a voracious audience in those familiar with the first installment.” (Publishers Weekly )
Praise for ASCENDANT: “Peterfreund is sure to gain a stronger following with Ascendant, and fans will eagerly await further titles in the series.” (School Library Journal )
Praise for ASCENDANT: “Ascendant is fast paced, fresh and engrossing—plus it has killer unicorns, what could be better? I love this book!” (Carrie Ryan, New York Times bestselling author of The Forest of Hands and Teeth and The Dead-Tossed WavesCarrie Ryan, New York Times bestselling author of THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH )
Praise for ASCENDANT: “I was riveted by Ascendant. It’s not only about killer unicorns; it’s also about finding the courage to make tough decisions—and to be true to yourself. I think Astrid rocks!” (Malinda Lo, author of ASH )
“Dystopian, ideological, rebellious-Peterfreund’s fantasy homage to Austen’s Persuasion departs from the original in many respects, and with great success …. a richly envisioned portrait of a society in flux, a steely yet vulnerable heroine, and a young man who does some growing up.” (Publishers Weekly )
“Diana Peterfreund’s For Darkness Shows the Stars is an impassioned ode to Jane Austen, love, and the hope found in stars.” (Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE and A MILLION SUNS )
“Succeeds in recasting Austen’s characters to bring her themes to a futurist society and provide wry comment on life in the twenty-first century …. will appeal to science fiction and romance fans alike. (Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) )
“A beautiful, epic love story you won’t be able to put down!” (Simone Elkeles, New York Times bestselling author of the Perfect Chemistry series )
“Don’t you love it when a brilliant idea meets with brilliant execution? Thank you, Diana Peterfreund for giving us a post-apocalyptic Persuasion. This book is meltingly good.” (Laini Taylor, National Book Award Finalist for LIPS TOUCH: THREE TIMES )
“A smart and sexy tale of star-crossed love that’s as thought-provoking as it is heartbreaking.” (Robin Wasserman, author of THE BOOK OF BLOOD AND SHADOW )
Praise for ASCENDANT: “In this thrilling sequel to Peterfreund’s Rampant...the strong yet vulnerable heroine, compelling conflicts, and exquisite settings should find a voracious audience in those familiar with the first installment.” (Publishers Weekly )
Praise for ASCENDANT: “Peterfreund is sure to gain a stronger following with Ascendant, and fans will eagerly await further titles in the series.” (School Library Journal )
Praise for ASCENDANT: “Ascendant is fast paced, fresh and engrossing—plus it has killer unicorns, what could be better? I love this book!” (Carrie Ryan, New York Times bestselling author of The Forest of Hands and Teeth and The Dead-Tossed WavesCarrie Ryan, New York Times bestselling author of THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH )
Praise for ASCENDANT: “I was riveted by Ascendant. It’s not only about killer unicorns; it’s also about finding the courage to make tough decisions—and to be true to yourself. I think Astrid rocks!” (Malinda Lo, author of ASH )
From the Back Cover
It's been several generations since a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, decimating humanity and giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.
Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family's estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot's estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth—an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go.
But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret—one that could change their society . . . or bring it to its knees. And again, she's faced with a choice: cling to what she's been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she's ever loved, even if she's lost him forever.
Inspired by Jane Austen's persuasion, For Darkness Shows the Stars is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By Brenna
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
This is one book that definitely hasn't received nearly enough attention for how amazing it is- seriously underhyped! It's a fantastic retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion (which I actually have yet to read- but I know I will after loving this one so much) set in the future with a definite science fiction feel to it.
A story just bursting with creativity and a truly epic romance, this is one book that will definitely have widespread appeal and is a must read for 2012.
Reasons to Read:
1.Gorgeous writing:
I haven't read any of Diana Peterfreund other books, but I have to say that I feel like she was the ideal author to pen this particular book. The style of writing is perfectly suited to the story- it stands on its own, but is still reminiscent of classical stories but with its own futuristic slang subtley woven in.
2.Fantastic blend of diverse genres:
It's hard enough to write a new story inspired by a famous, classical one and somehow retain that same feel of the story while placing it in a new setting with new characters and somehow making it your own. Diana proves that Persuasion is a timeless tale, one that we can still identify with in our own ways, even if the world she imagines is vastly different from our own in many ways. Yet she instills her own thoughts and questions to it, to make the story even more applicable to contemporary times (and questions which will still be around for a while, because of the relevance of technology). I've only seen a handful of authors do this well, but For Darkness Shows the Stars proves that books including historical, "classic" themes along with science fiction actually can be combined and work WELL together.
3.Truly epic romance:
I hesitate to call this an epic romance, but it's the romantic plot that stays closest to the idea of Persuasion. Childhood best friends who've grown apart because of their class differences within society - not quite by choice, yet not entirely starcrossed either. You have to keep in mind that the plot really does centre around the romance a fair amount. And I loved that this one was different - no love at first sight here! It's a gradual build up of trust and friendship all over again for Kai and Elliot.
That being said, I still felt like the romance could have been set up a bit better- there was so much angst there (understandable) but it felt like it switched over too quickly so it felt a tad jarring. I think it really could have been milked for all its worth to make it far more effective- something that I find Jane Austen to be excellent at doing! And considering that the plot was very driven by the romance, I was expecting a bit more power from it at the end.
I also wasn't particularly pleased with some of the secondary characters, like Elliot's father and sister who felt far too flat for me. A little too simple, and not enough depth for my liking personally.
But other than those two small areas, this book is completely brilliant. It's tragic and moving and emotional, and completely nostalgic of some old favourites. But still shiny and new!
ARC received from HarperCollins Canada.
A story just bursting with creativity and a truly epic romance, this is one book that will definitely have widespread appeal and is a must read for 2012.
Reasons to Read:
1.Gorgeous writing:
I haven't read any of Diana Peterfreund other books, but I have to say that I feel like she was the ideal author to pen this particular book. The style of writing is perfectly suited to the story- it stands on its own, but is still reminiscent of classical stories but with its own futuristic slang subtley woven in.
2.Fantastic blend of diverse genres:
It's hard enough to write a new story inspired by a famous, classical one and somehow retain that same feel of the story while placing it in a new setting with new characters and somehow making it your own. Diana proves that Persuasion is a timeless tale, one that we can still identify with in our own ways, even if the world she imagines is vastly different from our own in many ways. Yet she instills her own thoughts and questions to it, to make the story even more applicable to contemporary times (and questions which will still be around for a while, because of the relevance of technology). I've only seen a handful of authors do this well, but For Darkness Shows the Stars proves that books including historical, "classic" themes along with science fiction actually can be combined and work WELL together.
3.Truly epic romance:
I hesitate to call this an epic romance, but it's the romantic plot that stays closest to the idea of Persuasion. Childhood best friends who've grown apart because of their class differences within society - not quite by choice, yet not entirely starcrossed either. You have to keep in mind that the plot really does centre around the romance a fair amount. And I loved that this one was different - no love at first sight here! It's a gradual build up of trust and friendship all over again for Kai and Elliot.
That being said, I still felt like the romance could have been set up a bit better- there was so much angst there (understandable) but it felt like it switched over too quickly so it felt a tad jarring. I think it really could have been milked for all its worth to make it far more effective- something that I find Jane Austen to be excellent at doing! And considering that the plot was very driven by the romance, I was expecting a bit more power from it at the end.
I also wasn't particularly pleased with some of the secondary characters, like Elliot's father and sister who felt far too flat for me. A little too simple, and not enough depth for my liking personally.
But other than those two small areas, this book is completely brilliant. It's tragic and moving and emotional, and completely nostalgic of some old favourites. But still shiny and new!
ARC received from HarperCollins Canada.
By Cara Ginter
Format:Hardcover
I loved (loved! loved! loved!) For Darkness Shows the Stars. I have pretty much nothing but good to say about it, so please, bear with me. (And, even better, go out and get a copy for yourself to read! You won't regret it!)
For Darkness Shows the Stars is a loose retelling of Jane Austen's classic novel Persuasion, which is what first caught my attention. Now, I'll be honest; I haven't read Persuasion and I know I should, but I really enjoy Austen's other works. I've seen a lot of Pride and Prejudice retellings, even some Emma retellings, but no Persuasion retellings so I thought that might make this unique. And it really, really is.
It's about young Elliot North, eighteen years old when the novel starts and struggling to keep the family farm from completely falling apart. Her father is pretty inept and her sister doesn't really care about anything farm related. They've hit hard times ever since her mother died and now she's struggling to keep everything afloat. Four years ago she refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, Kai, and even now some part of her regrets it. Soon she finds herself forced to rent out her grandfather's shipyard to the Cloud Fleet, a mysterious band of explorers and shipbuilders and among them she finds Captain Malakai Wentforth ' her long lost love all grown up. And he seems very determined to make her realize what she gave up all those years ago.
This beautiful world that Diana Peterfreund has created is something so tragic and difficult and... simple. There isn't a lot of technology, there isn't an overly complicated government system, there isn't an overly complicated history that I have to understand in order to understand the story. And she doesn't bore the reader with details that are irrelevant to us. Her use of language is so descriptive, so dead on, that I had no difficulty painting a picture in my mind of what was happening and where it was happening.
Her grasp of characterization was solid; all of the characters had a real personality, a real life story. They were detailed and alive, real flesh and bone human beings. Elliot does the right thing, even if in her heart she regrets it. But sometimes the 'right thing' runs contrary to what her society would tell her. Sometimes the 'right thing' is dangerous. And yet it's worth it to her to do it anyway, because she takes care of the people that she loves. The people that she is responsible for. Kai is angry and bitter, but I can understand why. Sometimes he steps out of line, does or says something he shouldn't have. He's flawed and I love that about him. And yet he has a good, strong heart and he loves Elliot even after all these years.
I suppose I can't give Diana Peterfreund all the credit for the wonderful plot; she did after all borrow from Austen. And yet despite that, she managed to make it wholly her own; there are some nice big secrets and scandals that are clearly not from Austen's novel.
I will have absolutely no problem recommending this book to everyone. I really, really love it.
For Darkness Shows the Stars is a loose retelling of Jane Austen's classic novel Persuasion, which is what first caught my attention. Now, I'll be honest; I haven't read Persuasion and I know I should, but I really enjoy Austen's other works. I've seen a lot of Pride and Prejudice retellings, even some Emma retellings, but no Persuasion retellings so I thought that might make this unique. And it really, really is.
It's about young Elliot North, eighteen years old when the novel starts and struggling to keep the family farm from completely falling apart. Her father is pretty inept and her sister doesn't really care about anything farm related. They've hit hard times ever since her mother died and now she's struggling to keep everything afloat. Four years ago she refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, Kai, and even now some part of her regrets it. Soon she finds herself forced to rent out her grandfather's shipyard to the Cloud Fleet, a mysterious band of explorers and shipbuilders and among them she finds Captain Malakai Wentforth ' her long lost love all grown up. And he seems very determined to make her realize what she gave up all those years ago.
This beautiful world that Diana Peterfreund has created is something so tragic and difficult and... simple. There isn't a lot of technology, there isn't an overly complicated government system, there isn't an overly complicated history that I have to understand in order to understand the story. And she doesn't bore the reader with details that are irrelevant to us. Her use of language is so descriptive, so dead on, that I had no difficulty painting a picture in my mind of what was happening and where it was happening.
Her grasp of characterization was solid; all of the characters had a real personality, a real life story. They were detailed and alive, real flesh and bone human beings. Elliot does the right thing, even if in her heart she regrets it. But sometimes the 'right thing' runs contrary to what her society would tell her. Sometimes the 'right thing' is dangerous. And yet it's worth it to her to do it anyway, because she takes care of the people that she loves. The people that she is responsible for. Kai is angry and bitter, but I can understand why. Sometimes he steps out of line, does or says something he shouldn't have. He's flawed and I love that about him. And yet he has a good, strong heart and he loves Elliot even after all these years.
I suppose I can't give Diana Peterfreund all the credit for the wonderful plot; she did after all borrow from Austen. And yet despite that, she managed to make it wholly her own; there are some nice big secrets and scandals that are clearly not from Austen's novel.
I will have absolutely no problem recommending this book to everyone. I really, really love it.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.4 out of 5 stars
112 reviews
39 of 42 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
For this Book Shows Awesomness
July 5 2012
By Nikki Wang
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
My reaction when I finished:
HOLY SHIZZLERS. That was awesome. Let me read it again! Sequel please? NO SEQUEL?!?!? DIE.
Yeah, that was me. For Darkness Shows the Stars was an amazing dystopian romance that just stunned me! It had everything I loved, strong characters, an amzing plot, an exciting romance, secrets, and one cold off-limits boy. SQUEAL TIME.
I absolutely loved the characters. Elliot knows what her duty is, what her birthright is as a Luddite. And that sense of duty was what kept her from running away with her childhood friend and first crush/love, Kai. She sacrificed a lot to be able to take care of the Posts becasue she knew her family wouldn't. So she gave up the one person she never wanted to. Now THAT takes a lot and it shows how strong and loyal she is. Although Kai definitely thinks something else. Speaking of Kai, I think Diana wrote his character SO WELL. I actually did want to strangle him for being so insanely cruel to Elliot, but I guess that was the point! Eventually he warmed up (thank goodness), but hey, I'm not telling you if they end up together or not. Kai really did get hurt and I was at war with myself. Hate him? Or pity him? ARGH. But trust me, you're going to LOVE him!
The world was just wonderfully made and I never felt as if it was too far-fetched or too stupid or just too fake. Everything was just vividily described like the Star Caverns and the Cliffs...ESPECIALLY the Star Caverns! The world of FDSTS just fascinated me and I wanted to know more of the history immediately! Not many things were left for us to draw our own conclusions when it came to how the world of FDSTS came about and that just made me love this book even more!
The romance was slow even though Kai and Elliot were childhood sweethearts! They had to start from Step 1 all over again which was harder than most because of their past. And it just HURT every time Kai said something cruel or meaningful about Elliot. I can't count how man times I wanted to kill Kai. Honestly, there wasn't much kissing (1 kiss maybe?), and usually that makes me feel as if the "romance" isn't a romance at all, but in FDSTS it felt natural. I doubt just anyone can do that.
As a retelling of Persuasion by Jane Austen, I was delightfuly surprised by how Diana Peterfreund managed to insert some of her own sci-fi and dystopian flavors in it! Not many (if any) people have tried to rewrite the story of Persuasion and even if I haven't read the original, I think Diana did an AMAZING job, and although I didn't exactly LOVE it (I don't know hwy, but there was something I didn't like...I just can't put my finger on it), I'm desperately hoping she changes her mind or writes another post-FDSTS short story! Here's to hoping!
HOLY SHIZZLERS. That was awesome. Let me read it again! Sequel please? NO SEQUEL?!?!? DIE.
Yeah, that was me. For Darkness Shows the Stars was an amazing dystopian romance that just stunned me! It had everything I loved, strong characters, an amzing plot, an exciting romance, secrets, and one cold off-limits boy. SQUEAL TIME.
I absolutely loved the characters. Elliot knows what her duty is, what her birthright is as a Luddite. And that sense of duty was what kept her from running away with her childhood friend and first crush/love, Kai. She sacrificed a lot to be able to take care of the Posts becasue she knew her family wouldn't. So she gave up the one person she never wanted to. Now THAT takes a lot and it shows how strong and loyal she is. Although Kai definitely thinks something else. Speaking of Kai, I think Diana wrote his character SO WELL. I actually did want to strangle him for being so insanely cruel to Elliot, but I guess that was the point! Eventually he warmed up (thank goodness), but hey, I'm not telling you if they end up together or not. Kai really did get hurt and I was at war with myself. Hate him? Or pity him? ARGH. But trust me, you're going to LOVE him!
The world was just wonderfully made and I never felt as if it was too far-fetched or too stupid or just too fake. Everything was just vividily described like the Star Caverns and the Cliffs...ESPECIALLY the Star Caverns! The world of FDSTS just fascinated me and I wanted to know more of the history immediately! Not many things were left for us to draw our own conclusions when it came to how the world of FDSTS came about and that just made me love this book even more!
The romance was slow even though Kai and Elliot were childhood sweethearts! They had to start from Step 1 all over again which was harder than most because of their past. And it just HURT every time Kai said something cruel or meaningful about Elliot. I can't count how man times I wanted to kill Kai. Honestly, there wasn't much kissing (1 kiss maybe?), and usually that makes me feel as if the "romance" isn't a romance at all, but in FDSTS it felt natural. I doubt just anyone can do that.
As a retelling of Persuasion by Jane Austen, I was delightfuly surprised by how Diana Peterfreund managed to insert some of her own sci-fi and dystopian flavors in it! Not many (if any) people have tried to rewrite the story of Persuasion and even if I haven't read the original, I think Diana did an AMAZING job, and although I didn't exactly LOVE it (I don't know hwy, but there was something I didn't like...I just can't put my finger on it), I'm desperately hoping she changes her mind or writes another post-FDSTS short story! Here's to hoping!
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Apocalyptic Jane Austen Retelling? Suh-Weet!
Nov 19 2012
By Inky
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
Wow. So this is a retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion. I actually haven't read Persuaion yet, but I love the story and so I was very excited to hear all the good blurb about this book. And I really did enjoy it!
But there were a few things that got to me.
We have this Apocalyptic setting. I liked it and it was very good.....once I understood it! I mean there was all this talk of the Reduced and Post-Reduced and Luddites, but it took me a while to grasp at the concepts. Maybe I was just tired or slow, but I actually had to re-read some parts a few times. I'm the kind of person who likes clear explanations. :D But besides that I found I really enjoyed the setting that Diana set up.
Elliot was a very nice charrie. But she was also stubborn. Regarding the romance there were times I was like. "DARN YOU ELLIOT". But then again, the story does need it. However I did really like her. The story seemed to be told well through her eyes, even though I had a hard time with her name.And then we have....Kai. Gorgeous, perfect and very very stubborn Kai. *swoon* Yes I liked Kai though honestly the two of them put together makes for a very frustrating romance. ;)
It's been a couple months since I read this so I can't really thing of other things to complain or like about the book. The characters were really well developed and I LOVED the letters between Kai and Elliot. The flashbacks were so sweet and fun to read, giving an added depth to their past. Needless to say, I'm move excited for the REAL Persuasion as well as some more of Diana's books! I would totally recomend this to Jane Austen fans, or just those who like romance + the apocalypse. Totally fun!
Content: Mild
(there are houses where they send all the Reduced to have their babies. There is a cousin who takes advantages of Reduced girls)
But there were a few things that got to me.
We have this Apocalyptic setting. I liked it and it was very good.....once I understood it! I mean there was all this talk of the Reduced and Post-Reduced and Luddites, but it took me a while to grasp at the concepts. Maybe I was just tired or slow, but I actually had to re-read some parts a few times. I'm the kind of person who likes clear explanations. :D But besides that I found I really enjoyed the setting that Diana set up.
Elliot was a very nice charrie. But she was also stubborn. Regarding the romance there were times I was like. "DARN YOU ELLIOT". But then again, the story does need it. However I did really like her. The story seemed to be told well through her eyes, even though I had a hard time with her name.And then we have....Kai. Gorgeous, perfect and very very stubborn Kai. *swoon* Yes I liked Kai though honestly the two of them put together makes for a very frustrating romance. ;)
It's been a couple months since I read this so I can't really thing of other things to complain or like about the book. The characters were really well developed and I LOVED the letters between Kai and Elliot. The flashbacks were so sweet and fun to read, giving an added depth to their past. Needless to say, I'm move excited for the REAL Persuasion as well as some more of Diana's books! I would totally recomend this to Jane Austen fans, or just those who like romance + the apocalypse. Totally fun!
Content: Mild
(there are houses where they send all the Reduced to have their babies. There is a cousin who takes advantages of Reduced girls)
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
An Ambitious Retelling That Has its Merits
July 16 2012
By Mari
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I started off wanting to hate on this book. Somewhere along the middle, I really wanted to like it. Clearly, as is true more often than not with me, I have mixed feelings.
For Darkness Shows the Stars is a retelling of Persuasion by Jane Austen. To simplify, it's Persuasion meets a light dystopic sci-fi. It's ambitious to say the least, the way that all retellings are. And this isn't based on any book, but on Persuasion which is arguably the best novel of one of history's most beloved authors.
For Darkness manages to stay dutifully faithful to the source material, and yet, at points strips it of what is so essentially Persuasion. Then again, there were so many times I wished that this book had nothing to do with Austen, and that we could explore the world independently.
Because honestly, Peterfreund gives us very imaginative world building. It brought up so many arguments for and against genetic experimentation, exploration, risks and duty. I truly would've loved to have been in this world a little more detached from Persuasion or, at the heart of it, a little more removed from the loooooove story. As much as our Elliot speaks and acts in favor of duty rather than her affections for her childhood sweetheart Malakai Wentforth, these are such big issues and too many times they were shirked in favor of the romantic entanglements.
I mean, we all understand that this is slavery, right? There was passing mention of rape and very cruel circumstances for the Reduced and Posts, but it was so glossed over that it often made me uncomfortable. I mean, "My father can be cruel and our slaves are going hungry but OMG WENTFORTH LIKES ANOTHER GIRL."
I know, I know. It's the story. It's the point. Elliot is 18 and not 27 like Anne, Austen's beloved and steady and mature protagonist. The point is betrayed love and second chances. It was just so distracting to have this bigger world built around it and then pushed aside.
Even the end is a hasty wrap-up, with the antagonist very nearly walking off stage, all in favor of focusing on the outcome of the romance.
This is not to say Elliot North is not without her virtues. She is also steady and she does right by those she loves. She's brave in an understated way. She was worthy of being modeled after Anne.
Even with its faults, I think the world was one of the ways the retelling worked. The entire system of Reduced (being unable to communicate and so reliant on their Luddite masters) the Posts, the Luddites and being born into your station is a GREAT representation of the social system in place in Persuasion.
Other parts of the retelling faltered. Anne Elliot was persuaded to stay because of a duty to her family that was a little less tangible than Elliot North's. Yes, Anne did take care of her family, but there was more about the social acceptability of the match. Anne was young and was made to think that it was right that she should stay. Elliot North herself decided to stay behind because she had the life of all the Reduced on her farm to consider. She was literally in charge of lives. This is not a bad plot point, by any means. It made me respect and like Elliot. It does little to represent Persuasion though. The state of mind Anne was in, 8 years later, knowing she'd let herself be mistakenly be persuaded, and the state of mind Elliot was in, four years later, knowing she made the right, moral high ground choice, drastically altered the story.
I also wasn't a fan of the letter. Guys, it's THE LETTER. Wentforth's letter to Elliot didn't feel so much as a re-imagining as it did a dumbing down. Again, it was ambitious. THE LETTER from a romantic classic and you'd like to rewrite it? Good luck with that.
All said and done, Peterfreund writes well. I have nothing to say against her writing or her characters.
It took me one day to read this. Obviously, I knew how it would end, but Peterfreund created an easy and entertaining enough story that I still plowed through it. Plus, I'm partial to books that make me think or FEEL things and this did both.
An ambitious work and one that in the end had its merits.
For Darkness Shows the Stars is a retelling of Persuasion by Jane Austen. To simplify, it's Persuasion meets a light dystopic sci-fi. It's ambitious to say the least, the way that all retellings are. And this isn't based on any book, but on Persuasion which is arguably the best novel of one of history's most beloved authors.
For Darkness manages to stay dutifully faithful to the source material, and yet, at points strips it of what is so essentially Persuasion. Then again, there were so many times I wished that this book had nothing to do with Austen, and that we could explore the world independently.
Because honestly, Peterfreund gives us very imaginative world building. It brought up so many arguments for and against genetic experimentation, exploration, risks and duty. I truly would've loved to have been in this world a little more detached from Persuasion or, at the heart of it, a little more removed from the loooooove story. As much as our Elliot speaks and acts in favor of duty rather than her affections for her childhood sweetheart Malakai Wentforth, these are such big issues and too many times they were shirked in favor of the romantic entanglements.
I mean, we all understand that this is slavery, right? There was passing mention of rape and very cruel circumstances for the Reduced and Posts, but it was so glossed over that it often made me uncomfortable. I mean, "My father can be cruel and our slaves are going hungry but OMG WENTFORTH LIKES ANOTHER GIRL."
I know, I know. It's the story. It's the point. Elliot is 18 and not 27 like Anne, Austen's beloved and steady and mature protagonist. The point is betrayed love and second chances. It was just so distracting to have this bigger world built around it and then pushed aside.
Even the end is a hasty wrap-up, with the antagonist very nearly walking off stage, all in favor of focusing on the outcome of the romance.
This is not to say Elliot North is not without her virtues. She is also steady and she does right by those she loves. She's brave in an understated way. She was worthy of being modeled after Anne.
Even with its faults, I think the world was one of the ways the retelling worked. The entire system of Reduced (being unable to communicate and so reliant on their Luddite masters) the Posts, the Luddites and being born into your station is a GREAT representation of the social system in place in Persuasion.
Other parts of the retelling faltered. Anne Elliot was persuaded to stay because of a duty to her family that was a little less tangible than Elliot North's. Yes, Anne did take care of her family, but there was more about the social acceptability of the match. Anne was young and was made to think that it was right that she should stay. Elliot North herself decided to stay behind because she had the life of all the Reduced on her farm to consider. She was literally in charge of lives. This is not a bad plot point, by any means. It made me respect and like Elliot. It does little to represent Persuasion though. The state of mind Anne was in, 8 years later, knowing she'd let herself be mistakenly be persuaded, and the state of mind Elliot was in, four years later, knowing she made the right, moral high ground choice, drastically altered the story.
I also wasn't a fan of the letter. Guys, it's THE LETTER. Wentforth's letter to Elliot didn't feel so much as a re-imagining as it did a dumbing down. Again, it was ambitious. THE LETTER from a romantic classic and you'd like to rewrite it? Good luck with that.
All said and done, Peterfreund writes well. I have nothing to say against her writing or her characters.
It took me one day to read this. Obviously, I knew how it would end, but Peterfreund created an easy and entertaining enough story that I still plowed through it. Plus, I'm partial to books that make me think or FEEL things and this did both.
An ambitious work and one that in the end had its merits.
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