By Shivani T., Old Mill High School
If you're looking for a first-person drama, The Stars We Steal is for you. It's essentially like The Bachelorette but far into the future and in space, paired with a bit of a reluctant protagonist. Leo is a 19- year-old trying to save her family from financial ruin at the Valg, a courtship ritual filled with other affluent, spouseless people. Her current goal is to find someone wealthy enough to save her family from their current fate, but with the return of her first love, Elliot, her quest for companionship is becoming a bit more troubling.
The author's use of first-person gives readers a front and center experience of everything Leo is seeing, feeling, and hearing. You're introduced to an interesting setting and many likable (and dislikable) characters as well as inclusive writing that incorporates LGBTQ+ representation. One thing I really liked was the accurate depiction of the relationship between Leo and her family as well as the subtle use of a more royal speech. This book was definitely a page turner and I think I finished it in two or three days. I feel like the ending was a bit rushed and while I did like all the drama, it was missing a bit of plot. This novel is great for kids around middle school age and/or people who love drama.
Click here to check out The Stars We Steal by Alexa Donne.