Starworld

By: Audrey Coulthurst, Paula Garner

Narrated by: Brittany Pressley, Emma Galvin

Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

In a novel in two voices, a popular teen and an artistic loner forge an unlikely bond - and create an entire universe - via texts. But how long before the real world invades Starworld?

Sam Jones and Zoe Miller have one thing in common: they both want an escape from reality. Loner Sam flies under the radar at school and walks on eggshells at home to manage her mom’s obsessive-compulsive disorder, wondering how she can ever leave to pursue her dream of studying aerospace engineering. Popular, people-pleasing Zoe puts up walls so no one can see her true self: the girl who was abandoned as an infant, whose adoptive mother has cancer, and whose disabled brother is being sent away to live in a facility. When an unexpected encounter results in the girls’ exchanging phone numbers, they forge a connection through text messages that expands into a private universe they call Starworld. In Starworld, they find hilarious adventures, kindness and understanding, and the magic of being seen for who they really are. But when Sam’s feelings for Zoe turn into something more, will the universe they’ve built survive the inevitable explosion?

©2019 by Audrey Coulthurst and Paula Garner, original book published by Candlewick Press. (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

fraught, sad, brilliant, riveting

This is the story of two girls who help each other get through a tough time in high school. Each of them have emotionally hard family situations. Their connection, where they can tell each other anything helps bring them together.

They create a wonderfullly fanciful world together where they can escape their tough situations together.

I give the story 4 starts instead of 5 just because I really wanted an HEA ending. It was happy, but still not what I was looking for.

lovely story

I didnt find much of this triggering when it comes to mental health and disability but I do love how it was a big part of both girls lives and incorporated very well on their character growth. I did not get the ending I hoped for but that isn't to say there isn't a happy and well rounded ending.

Starworld is Stellar

This story is wonderful on so many levels. The story of two young girls facing unique life challenges that find authenticity, acceptance and love in an unexpected friendship where vulnerability is required of each girl to see the truth and possibly in their lives and future was wonderful. Remarkably well written with characters not usually give a place in society or books. The special needs brother was authentic and so well represented, especially the weight of care and the emotional turmoil of placement. The OCD parent whose life is structured in order to cope with a life that has overwhelmed. Divorce, adoption, senior year anxiety, teen sexuality and personal acceptance. The performance by both narrators was fantastic, full of feeling, sensitivity and heart. I highly recommend this book.

Representation that is important but tough.

Loved so many things:
*Great humor! Lol many times!
*Storytelling
*Family dynamics
*World building
*Narration

And for better or worse some parts, some of the important representation, was heartbreaking- seeing different people's plights. As much as I laughed out loud at witty dialogue, there were other times I cried in empathy, or even sobbed loudly.

As a testament to the authors' writing and character development, for better or worse the characters' experiences feel very real. So if very empathetic, it can be hard to be present to some of these experiences.

Good overall message and lessons. Was surprisingly upsetting at parts, but again, bc it was a beautiful story of individuals' journeys as they grow and heal.

great book but...

great book but the ending wasn't for me. kind of a let down. really enjoyed all of it up to the end.

Loved it

Touched many personal topics so this one really touched me. Wish it wasn’t over yet🥹

Ehh Possible triggers for LGBTQ YA readers

I’m not going to give anything away but it can be a rough read for some, others may love it! The story was well written. The narrators did a great job!