Nocturnal Book Reviews

I first heard of this book through The Book Smugglers, and let me tell you that when Thea and Ana rave about a book, I pay attention.

Fight. Always fight. No matter how impossible the odds, no matter who you've lost, how you've been hurt. If there doesn't seem to be a way out, look for one. If you seem to have come to an end, start afresh. Never, ever give up.


And All The Stars is a piece of apocalyptic YA fiction set in Sydney which already sets it apart from her numerous similar North American counterparts. It actually feels like a novel with a completely different mindset.

All the characters are lovely and multidimensional, they don't just reflect Madeleine's thoughts and feelings. The plot is simple but powerful and it's really easy to believe in it.

Andrea K. Host forces us to imagine what would happen when an alien civilization decides to make Earth their personal playground, killing a big percentage of population and changing irrevocably many more by the dust sprayed through the Spires set in major cities across the world.

Madeleine's first moments in the book are in the wreck of the underground station on which one of the Spires falls. She is surrounded by the dead and dusted heavily. Managing to get out, she walks through the empty streets of Sydney while the rest of the population tries to hide from the dust behind closed doors.

She is on her own when transformation hits but soon she finds other kids like her and they bond together to survive, jokingly calling themselves Musketeers. The dynamics in the group are fantastic.

Madeleine is the strongest, Fisher is a scientist who experiments with their strengths and weaknesses, Noi cooks and organises, Pan keeps everyone entertained, Nash is quietly supportive, Emily and Min are the babies of their family. They talk, they discuss strategies and plans, actively exchange stories, they feel human and desperate for some comfort.

Then the games start and the group has to use all they can come up with to escape the city where they are hiding.

There is a little bit of romance but it doesn't overwhelm the storyline, just adds to it and makes itself another necessary part of survival. There is also a fabulous twist in the plot that made me gasp and definitely added intensity to what was happening.

Everything is very linear, the ending is satisfying and made me all teary-eyed. Plus, this is a standalone which is a big plus.

Overall, an exceptionally good story. Highly recommended.