From a Different Star by Karen McQuestion
Published by Skyscape
Published on: May 19, 2015
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 279
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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Seventeen-year-old Emma was the only one who hadn’t given up on her boyfriend, Lucas. Everyone else—his family, his friends, his doctors—was convinced that any moment could be his last. So when Lucas miraculously returns from the brink of death, Emma thinks her prayers have been answered.
As the surprised town rejoices, Emma begins to question whether Lucas is the same boy she’s always known. When she finds an unidentifiable object on his family’s farm—and government agents come to claim it—she begins to suspect that nothing is what it seems. Emma’s out-of-this-world discovery may be the key to setting things right, but only if she and Lucas can evade the agents who are after what they have. With all her hopes and dreams on the line, Emma sets out to save the boy she loves. And with a little help from a distant star, she might just have a chance at making those dreams come true.
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Science fiction of the outer space sort is not my usual favorite read. But I do enjoy the occasional and sometimes, more than occasional YA book. After recently reading another science fiction series (Edgewood)by this author, I decided to try this one, although I think it’s a stand alone. But maybe not.
Emma is seventeen and it’s the summer before her senior year in high school. Her boyfriend, Lucas, has cancer and is dying. She spends night and day beside his bed because for her, Lucas is her life. While everyone waits for him to die, she is the only one that waits for him to wake up. To this end, she goes to a local witch and gets a get well potion, because at this point she would try anything. Right after applying it to his lips, a boom sounds out in the yard. And Lucas wakes up a short time after. But is it really Lucas? He doesn’t act like him, talk like him, or even smile like him. Lucas’s little brother Eric, pretty much figures out the mystery, and can only talk to Emma, due to his mother being the mother from hell. His theory? Lucas has been taken over by an alien.
Emma was a fairly good character, although at times a bit too unbelieving of things that are obvious to the reader. There were times, I liked Lucas’s brother a bit better than her. Lucas reminded me of the character from the old movie, Starman. If you haven’t seen that one, you should check it out as it’s wonderful, and a favorite of mine. In fact, I kept thinking of that movie throughout the read. I am not saying it’s the same, only that it’s reminiscent of that movie in a young adult way. Lucas’s mother was just one of the villains of this read. When government agents get involved, this book becomes fairly saturated with bad guys.
This book was a YA read. I usually enjoy YA books, but at times this one seems like it was for an even younger audience than what I am used to in this type of read. And I am not saying I didn’t enjoy the read. I did like it(didn’t love it), but a few times I noticed just how young it seemed. With that in mind, I think the target audience should start at age 13 or 14 plus. There’s plenty of action, high speed chases, and yes, even some life or death moments. Romance? There’s a bit of that as well, but nothing sexual. Unbelievable story at times, of course, but that goes with the science fiction territory, although if I had done some of the things Emma did, I would have been grounded for life!
If there is a sequel, I would want to read it-probably. It might have read a bit too young at times for me, but that’s not the author’s fault that I am not in the target audience. It still was an interesting premise with some good characters, and more importantly, it kept my interest.
I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
I have been so curious about this one. Great review!
E.J. Stevens recently posted…Top Fantasy + Science Fiction Villains
Thanks! It was kind of hard for me to review since it did read so young-I hope I did it some justice 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: From a Distant Star by Karen McQuestion (@Mollykatie112, @KarenMcQuestion)
Even though you aren’t the target audience for this read, I’m glad you still enjoyed the characters and the writing. Lovely honest review Lorna!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Review: This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee
Thank you! It was interesting doing the review-as I said it wasn’t the author’s fault that it read so young-and not what I was used to in YA reads 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: From a Distant Star by Karen McQuestion (@Mollykatie112, @KarenMcQuestion)
A body snatched theory, that made me giggle, but I guess the girl was right! I don’t think I’m the right reader for this book. I love that you like it though, you’re sucha trooper!
Braine recently posted…Quick Hits: Ghostly Demise by Tonya Kappes + Evening Storm by Anne Calhoun
Yes, I liked it, but with some reservations-I didn’t expect it to be such a young read-way more so than I am used to.I think it’s more for young teens 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: From a Distant Star by Karen McQuestion (@Mollykatie112, @KarenMcQuestion)
I enjoy some YA too, but need it to be on the older spectrum of YA. Often I have felt the book fell to close to MG. The premise sounds interesting and your review made me giggle.
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Sunday Post #175- Rain, Sleepless Nights and Awesome Reads
I like the older spectrum usually as well, although I did really like her other series Edgewood a lot. Giggle huh? 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: No Ifs, Ands, or Bears About It by Celia Kyle (@mlsimmons, @celiakyle)
I read outside the target quite a bit, ususally the young adult genre. I try to switch genres back and forth to keep them from running together. Glad you enjoyed it and if you would probably read the next one, that’s good enough for me.
sherry fundin recently posted…Sherry’s Shelves #49 – Books & Fun
I read quite a few YA and really enjoy them, and I did enjoy this one, but it was just a bit young for me 🙂 Also, I am not sure if there will be a sequel or not.
Love the cover but sad to hear that it seemed younger than should have
Yeah I guess it goes with the territory sometimes 🙂
SOme YA I like, some I do not
blodeuedd recently posted…Joint Discussion: House of Shadows – Rachel Neumeier
Yep, me too 🙂
I don’t do well with Sci-Fi, so I tend to stay away from them. I do feel that there’s a certain ease with reading Sci-Fi written for the younger audience, though. So perhaps I would be able to enjoy this one as well.
Great review, hun!
Joy // Joyousreads recently posted…Hoarders, Books Edition: Episode 157
I actually rarely read it, but since I had enjoyed her Edgewood series, I thought I would try it. Plus the premise interested me!
Lorna recently posted…Review: From a Distant Star by Karen McQuestion (@Mollykatie112, @KarenMcQuestion)
I found it interesting that Emma would be unbelieving of things and yet she went to a witch for a get well potion?!? *haha* I understand exactly what you’re saying about some YA books aiming at a younger audience, Lorna. I’m glad you were able to enjoy this read overall. And I’m going to have to check out Starman. I don’t think I’ve heard of that… Oh, I was thinking Jeff Bridges for some reason and went to look it up. I *have* seen it!! 🙂
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…Rock Chick Chat ~ Fire Inside ~ Kristen Ashley
I know right? She believed in the witch, but not the alien, although you do hear more about witches then aliens being real for sure! Starman?I bet I have seen it 15 times at least.Just one of those I can turn on in any part of it and still enjoy-probably hasn’t been 2 months since the last time I saw it.
Lorna recently posted…Review: From a Distant Star by Karen McQuestion (@Mollykatie112, @KarenMcQuestion)