(4 / 5) – Worth It!
I didn’t know it could happen, but I have become that person who picks up a book because of who wrote the jacket quote. While browsing in a local bookshop, I saw TJ Klune, the author of “The House in the Cerulean Sea,” quoted, saying, “A transformative marvel. I. Loved. This. Book.” This, and the cover’s beauty had me purchasing Ryka Aoki’s “Light from Uncommon Stars.” It might not be the best way to purchase a new book, but this time at least, it paid off.
Aoki’s novel is an absolute delight. Filled with unique, diverse and charming characters that you find yourself rooting for, Aoki’s entire cast grows and evolves relationally and individually. Within this pages you find a coming of age story, romance, questions regarding the nature of life, and personal redemption all woven together in a beautiful tapestry of narrative. This novel captured the heart and imagination, delighting while wrestling with meaningful and relevant themes.
Vignettes of this book have taken up residence in my brain, rent free. Aoki paints an incredible picture that draws the reader in, both with atmosphere and the characters’ emotionality. I am not sure which of these characters’ story arch I enjoyed the most, but what a mark of a great book.
There is something for everyone in this book and I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a book that spans the human range of emotion and even dives into the extraterrestrial impact on humanity.
Happy Reading!
Hannah
