Book cover of The Sound of Stars

Book description

“This debut has it all: music, books, aliens, adventure, resistance, queerness, and a bold heroine tying it all together. ”—Ms. Magazine

Can a girl who risks her life for books and an Ilori who loves pop music work together to save humanity?

When a rebel librarian meets an Ilori commander…

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Why read it?

4 authors picked The Sound of Stars as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This review perfectly summed up this book but neglected to mention it has a spectacular cover, which I’ll admit was the first thing that drew my eye. The story also features a bi-racial main character, and since my children are multi-racial, I love seeing this representation. Because I’m an unapologetic book nerd, I adored the many literary references. And I always love a good road trip! All in all, this is one character-driven YA novel you won’t want to miss.

From Aella's list on YA about experiments gone wrong.

The Sound of Stars is one of my all-time favorite books! I love the romance, the action, characters, and really just everything about this book. This was also the first book I ever read that had demi-sexual representation, and seeing that experience represented so beautifully made me so incredibly happy. The alien love interest, M0Rr1S (Morris) is one of the sweetest and most lovable characters I’ve ever read!

I loved The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow. It takes place in a world after an alien invasion where any kind of artistic expression, like music and books, are banned, Janelle “Ellie” runs a secret library. The world building was masterful and really highlights Dow's gorgeous writing as she uses the world she has created to subtly handle themes of colonialism, systematic oppression as well as the power of art. The Sound of Stars is less of a gritty dystopian and instead manages to be a book of heartfelt emotion, pop-culture references, and whimsy.

From Kayti's list on fantasy with unique worlds.

If you love The Sound of Stars...

Book cover of These Blue Mountains

These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas,

A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.

German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…

This is my favorite post-apocalyptic book of the alien invasion variety. Our main characters are Ellie, a teenager running an illegal library of books and music in what was once New York City, and MoRr1s, a not-so-emotionless alien drawn to human art—and Ellie. You’ll fall in love with them both as they cross the post-alien-invasion United States on a mission to save what’s left of the world.

From L.J.'s list on post-apocalyptic by female authors.

If you love The Sound of Stars...

Book cover of These Blue Mountains

These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas,

A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.

German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…

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