Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Brightly Burning by Alexa Donne


Hardcover391 pages
Expected publication: May 1st 2018 by HMH Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 1328948935




Seventeen-year-old Stella Ainsley wants just one thing: to go somewhere—anywhere—else. Her home is a floundering spaceship that offers few prospects, having been orbiting an ice-encased Earth for two hundred years. When a private ship hires her as a governess, Stella jumps at the chance. The captain of the Rochester, nineteen-year-old Hugo Fairfax, is notorious throughout the fleet for being a moody recluse and a drunk. But with Stella he’s kind.

But the Rochester harbors secrets: Stella is certain someone is trying to kill Hugo, and the more she discovers, the more questions she has about his role in a conspiracy threatening the fleet.
 









As a huge fan of Jane Eyre, I was really excited to read a YA retelling of the story. So, I went into this book with high expectations, AND THIS BOOK EXCEEDS ALL OF THOSE EXPECTATIONS! I AM AN EMOTIONAL MESS! I WANT TO HUG THIS BOOK FOREVER!!!! THIS WAS A FREAKING ROLLER COASTER!!!





Okay, I let me get back to the actual review. 


One of the things I enjoyed the most about this book was the way the author took Jane Eyre and put such a refreshing and interesting twist to it. Even though I could predict some of the things that were going to happen due to it being a retelling, I still was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Fans of Jane Eyre will appreciate the nods to the original story and the unique path the author took with this story. Even if you haven't read Jane Eyre, you can still appreciate the mesmerizing and addicting plot of this book. 


Stella, the main character, was a delightful character. She was so relatable and felt incredibly realistic. Stella was smart, determined, loving, kind, thoughtful, loyal, and so unselfish. She was a girl who was very sweet, but she knew when to be fierce and put her foot down. Stella wasn't perfect by any means, but her flaws made her seem more human. I just really appreciated that the author showed that a girl could be kind and thoughtful, but also stand up for herself and others by using her voice. STELLA IS A CHARACTER THAT I LOVE WITH MY ENTIRE HEART. I WANT TO HUG HER, BE HER BEST FRIEND, AND BE HER. 


Hugo was the main male character, and it is safe to say that he is my new book friend. Hugo had a difficult past and has gone through SO MUCH. He tried to hide his pain behind snarky remarks and humor, but deep down, he was such a precious and kind soul. Hugo was such a charming, witty, delightful, romantic, mysterious, loyal, and deep guy. I LOVED learning more about him throughout the story. HE IS A PRECIOUS CINNAMON ROLL THAT I WANT TO PROTECT AT ALL COSTS. I ALSO WANT TO MARRY HIM AND LOVE HIM FOREVER. 


THE ROMANCE BETWEEN HUGO AND STELLA KILLED ME AND THEN BROUGHT ME BACK TO LIFE. At first, Hugo's persistence to make Stella spend time with him seemed a little odd, but I was glad that Hugo pushed Stella out of her comfort zone and forced her to get to know him. Those moments were some of my favorite moments of the book. 


THEY ARE PERFECT TOGETHER AND ARE SOUL MATES, OKAY? I honestly could go on and on about how much I adored their relationship, but I am trying to wrap this review up. JUST KNOW THAT THE ROMANCE IS PERFECTLY PACED, FULL OF SWOONS, AND ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL. 


Besides Hugo and Stella, there were a lot of interesting and lovable side characters. Each character was so unique and memorable! BASICALLY, I LOVED EVERY CHARACTER AND I DON'T EVEN CARE IF THAT SOUNDS CRAZY. Also, the author made sure that friendships and familial relationships were not tossed to the side because of the romance, THANK GOODNESS! Every relationship in this book was important and well developed. 


Brightly Burning was a vivid and enchanting story that captivated me from the first line. This book explored family, loyalty, forgiveness, and romance in the most heart-wrenching way. If you are looking for a new book to get addicted to, then I definitely recommend checking this one out. 





5 / 5 Fangs


*This ebook was given to me in exchange for an honest review. * 

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