For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

For Darkness Shows the Stars

Author: Diana Peterfreund

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Pages: 398

Rating: 5 Incredibly Stunning Stars!

Generations ago, a genetic experiment gone wrong—the Reduction—decimated humanity, giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.

Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family’s estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot’s estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth—an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go.

But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret—one that could change their society . . . or bring it to its knees. And again, she’s faced with a choice: cling to what she’s been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she’s ever loved, even if she’s lost him forever.~Goodreads

Having never read the original story by Jane Austen, I feel as though I was able to come into this story with a fresh pair of eyes and no preconceived notions. This book was so gorgeously brilliant and it makes me want to pick up the original!

For Darkness Shows the Stars is a beautiful story about struggle, class difference, heartbreak, changing your circumstances and love. It was so spectacularly written; with the book set up in present tense through narrative and past tense through letters the whole story was intense, heart-wrenching and incredible.

The characters themselves were fantastic as well, especially Elliot. Elliot was remarkable. She’s incredibly smart and she’s not afraid to push the boundaries of her role as a Luddite. She puts others needs before her own, dedicating her life to making sure that the people working on her estate are warm, feed and safe. She’s probably the least selfish character I’ve ever come across. She treats everyone with respect and kindness (even those she doesn’t necessarily like). She also has so much compassion for those she loves. I adored her relationship with her grandfather and Ro. Maybe it’s because both Ro and Elliot’s grandfather have trouble speaking and communicating, yet Elliot is so patient with them. So patient. I admired that about her.

Perhaps her patience is based on the fact that she’s been waiting four years for the boy she loves to return...and return he does...

Captain Malakai Wentforth. Do I even need to continue? His name alone had me swooning hardcore. When Kai shows back up on the North's Estate, Elliot doesn’t really know how to handle his presence, he's changed so much. He’s distant and aloof and almost ignores her completely. And then he becomes just plain rude, throwing a bunch of low blows Elliot’s way. Four years ago Kai asked Elliot to run away with him—to go see the world—and she couldn’t. To say this turned their relationship...sour...would be an understatement. Their relationship is now filled with tension and resentment and all of their emotions and feelings transcend through the pages. Even the tiniest bit of dialect between them had my heart surging! Oh man...just...GAH! I LOVED ALL OF Elliot and Kai’s scenes together!

For Darkness Shows the Stars has so many elements that should make it a classic in itself; a strong heroine, a segregated society, unrequited love and a life changing choice that has to be made. I highly recommend this book to anyone. I absolutely loved it!

 One of my favorite scenes between Kai & Elliot: 

“I said go away!”

“No, you said ‘get out.’ I’m out.”

“Now go away.”

“No.”

For a second they were both fourteen again, bickering. Bantering. For another second, Elliot wished it could stay that way. But too many things had changed.