Blog Tour- Review – “Unlit Star” by Lindy Zart

Unlit Star
By: Lindy Zart
Copyright: 2014
Format of Book: E-Book
Genre: New Adult, Romance

*I received a free ARC of Unlit Star in exchange for an honest review, however, once I began reading this story, I purchased my own copy. THAT’S how much I love it. I will hopefully have the paperback at some point, too (maybe signed?) Once I have money, that is. But, I digress…

Read on, fine literary friends.

 

Synopsis
Rivers Young was the popular guy untouchable by reality. He was like a star—bright, consuming, otherworldly. The thing about stars, though, is that they eventually fall, and Rivers Young was no different.

He fell far and he fell hard.

Delilah Bana was the outcast enshrouded in all of life’s ironies. Alone, in the dark, like dusk as it falls on the world. When Rivers fell from the sky, she was the night that caught him. In the darkness, they found one another. Together they melded into something beautiful that shone like the sun.

Only, the greater the star is, the shorter its lifespan.

I am a HUGE fan of Lindy Zart. She’s one of the first authors that I started reading on my e-Reader. I love the Anthing But series and the Complete series. When I see there is a book coming out of hers, I hop right on the blog tour because I know I’m about to take an adventure into something amazing. There’s something very human in all of her work that is relatable and I am very drawn to that as a reader, reviewer, and writer. So here begins my journey with Unlit Star.

Now – those who know me know I am often quite wordy… verbose.. erratic, even, with the English language.. But this book had me speechless for quite some time. This is one of those books that I couldn’t put down. I was enveloped in Rivers and Delilah’s story, knowing full well what I was getting myself into. Once finished, I had to take that deep breath and release the tension I’d held from word one. So let me really start this by saying “Thank you” to Lindy Zart for another incredible read. Unlit Star is beautiful, lasting, and brutally honest.

Read on for my breakdown of this incredibly heart-wrenching and utterly human novel.

The Final Countdown
Characterization – 5/5 Stars
This story has everything going for it, but the most well-thought parts are the characters. There isn’t a single person who enters this book that doesn’t have a beginning, middle, and end. Lindy Zart puts so much thought into each entity that comes and goes, regardless of how pivotal a role they play.

Delilah is filled with awe of the world and thinks far deeper than most of us dare to go. She’s trying to save the world, one little piece at a time. Her desire to fix things, even when they are beyond repair, is noble and endearing.

Rivers is struggling to pick himself back up after tragedy strikes. He’s not the same person he once was and he doesn’t know how to move forward from there.

These two imperfect characters lives irrevocably change because of fate and need for one another.

Dialogue – 4/5 Stars
Simply stated – I love the way each of these characters talk. They have their own patterns, habits, and personalities and all of this comes out well in their interactions with others. Zart also played with internal monologue for Delilah, which was a refreshing tactic to see. We don’t always need to see characters talking to each other – sometimes seeing what is going on in their head is dialogue enough for the moment.

Plot – 5/5 Stars
When two people who come from, what seem to be, two different worlds with their own challenges come together, the story is set up for success from the get-go. Once the idea is created, it is up to the author to let that story fester and grow into something bigger. Zart does just that; the worlds of Delilah and Rivers collide to create such a wonderful combustion of life and vitality, and love. I love everything about this story. I understand this world, while I can’t completely empathize. Sometimes you need someone to pull you out of the dark and to give you a reason or purpose. I knew what was going on in this story early on, but that didn’t change how it made me feel.

Visual Imagery – 5/5 Stars
Delilah sees the world in such a way that, after reading this novel, the reader is influenced to see things that way, as well. Though I already see the world through similar eyes, it was nice to have a reminder of the things that we often take for granted.

“Have you ever noticed how many different colors of green are in a single strand of grass? There are all these lighter greens that meld into the darker ones, even hints of yellow within them. It’s amazing. The most beautiful things in the world are right in front of us in the beautiful of the actual world.”

I love that there is such a wonderful picture painted on each page. There’s a new experience, something to see. I am one of those people who take a moment to look up at the night sky and take in the awe of the stars. I stop and look at flowers and appreciate their intricacies and fragilities. Life moves so quickly that, sometimes, it is nice to just stop and take it all in.

Ending 5/5 Stars
As said before, I knew what was going on through this story. I got it. I hated and loved it all at the same time. The ending was wonderful. It was perfect. After finishing the final pages (including the bonus!) I sat there for a little bit and decompressed. Sometimes you have to sit down and let the hangover wear off. Thanks, Lindy Zart, for such a welcome Book Hangover. I will surely read this again, as I do all of your books.

Total: 24/25 Stars

Final Thoughts:
Some of us enter this world, live in it, and see where the journey takes us. Others fear what is unknown and don’t truly live. And some of us live to leave a footprint and make a difference. I am one of those who don’t just want to live in this world to be here… I want to live in it to make an impact and help people. Sure, I’m afraid of what’s around the corner, but what is the point of fearing the future when we have the present? 

Story gold for Zart.

A+.

Kudos.

And maybe a movie deal? (I want to play Delilah, though.)

 

Have you read this book? What were your thoughts?