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Synopsis from the publisher:
A girl in hiding. A boy on the run. The fate of the galaxy between them.
When Talie Zarna is forced to hide rogue soldier Renner Cartha, her life isn’t the only thing threatened. Living as the famed Soaring Staress on the circus spaceship Midway masks her true identity, but Renner’s very presence threatens to draw unwanted attention. As a former royal guard, Renner holds secrets of his own — like evidence of a political assassination he is on a mission to deliver to the Xerus Galaxy’s governing council. Renner’s flirtatious confidence is at odds with the seriousness of his mission, but when his former guard captain, Jas Uli-Tai, discovers him hiding among the circus performers, Talie risks everything she’s come to cherish — going so far as to leave the safety of the Phenomena circus — to do what is right.
With Jas closing in at every turn, Talie and Renner come close to finding the High Council, only to discover corruption at its core. Their only option for escape is a cocky smuggler who’s not quite what he seems and an underground resistance group called The Rising that’s fighting for change in the galaxy. Faced with the weight of her true identity and the cost of embracing it, Talie must decide if she is willing to give up everything for the sake of saving the Galaxy, even if that means giving up the boy she loves.
My take:
Suspended in the Stars was a long and wonderful read. I read about 20 chapters a day! Absolutely thrilling. I could not get enough of the descriptions of space and rebel life; my mind was filled with images. The adventures and plot had me on the edge of my couch — I almost fell off. The plot twists had me in a clutch hold. Dot was my favorite character.
Talie and Renner start out on seemingly opposite sides, and several chapters in, they become partners on the same side. As they fight together in the rebellion, romance brews: they are attracted to each other practically on the first page they’re together.
The main characters are 18 to 19 years old in “cycles.” This book is marketed as young adult and it is definitely that. I am a little older than the YA audience, but Suspended in the Stars was still a thoroughly enjoyable read. I would say that teen readers and up would enjoy it.
Rated: Mild. Language includes multiple uses of made-up words. “Dumb, idiot, and stupid” are also used, as is British “bl-” profanity. There are a couple of mentions of a character swearing, but no actual use of curse words. Sexual content involves kissing, with many instances throughout the book. Kisses are somewhat detailed, although there is not open-door content in any way. Violence is pretty pronounced: assassinations and murders are mentioned; fight scenes; being hit/attacked; getting tied-up and threatened; being drugged; a character is shot and dies. A woman is manipulated and murdered. Space-style guns are common and people die. A lot of bloody injuries happen, but medical machines heal them. The violence may be a little much for younger readers and tweens.
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