Title: The Sun is also a Star
Author: Nicola Yoon
Length: 344 pages
Publisher: Corgi Books
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Having previously read ‘Everything, Everything’ by Nicola Yoon and loved it, I’ve been nervous to read this as wasn’t sure whether it could live up to predecessor?
Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.
Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget all about that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store – for both of us.
The Universe: Every moment in our lives has bought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?
‘ Sometimes your world shakes so hard, it’s difficult to imagine that everyone else isn’t feeling it too.’
I loved this book. I honestly feel like I could finish this review here, so you stop reading this and start reading this book.
The plot takes place in one day in New York City, where you follow the journey of Natasha and Daniel, how their day begins, how they meet and how the day ends. The two characters are instantly likeable. I really enjoyed reading their points of view. They had such great chemistry together. I enjoyed reading them falling in love.
‘I didn’t know you this morning. Now I can’t imagine not knowing you.’
The writing in the book is heartfelt and witty. I mean, for them to fall in love on the day they meet and for us readers to want them to last is a true testament to the writing. Each character has a clear and concise voice. In a less talented writer, these characters and storyline could’ve come off as cliche but the reader is left with something wonderful.
The diversity in this book is one of the best things about it. An illegal immigrant and a Korean American are at the front and centre of the story. They’re backgrounds really make this book special. The illegal immigrant storyline is obviously, very relevant today and this book really puts a heartfelt, very real spin on it. It’s truly thought provoking and really made me feel for Natasha and her family. I think it could open a lot of people’s minds.
Throughout the book, there are chapters about the people Natasha and Daniel meet along the way, their family members or a subject they’ve discussed and they are fantastic. They’re a real highlight throughout the book. They’re short, funny, heartfelt. In one of these chapters you meet Irene, who think is my favourite character. How these chapters can be so engaging and heartfelt even though they are often only two pages long, just proves the talent of Nicola Yoon.
I fully recommend this book. If you love Young Adult novels, a sweet romance then this is the book for you. Or if you like a book with diversity, then pick this one up.
Until the next review
JTH