Starry Eyes

Our Review

STARRY EYES by Jenn Bennett is probably one of the best books I have read this year. I want to start by saying that contemporary novels are not typically a genre I read or enjoy that much, but this young adult novel was truly spectacular. STARRY EYES started out about a camping trip gone wrong, but wound up being a story about so much more. I laughed, I cried, and felt like my heart was shattered and then put back together. I was going to put off reading this until later in the month, but I had no idea how incredible it would be.

The plot was great. I have hiked waterfalls and mountains and gone camping so many times, so I could truly relate with this part of the story. I just had no idea that it would be so funny! The story is told in first person point of view, which sometimes I don’t like, but in this case it made the story feel so real. Zorie’s inner monologue was so fresh and authentic, it didn’t feel scripted. This novel felt so genuine and I loved it the whole way through.

The characters are all developed so well. I found myself interested in their feelings and lives. I became so emotionally invested that this book made me cry, and it wasn’t really a sad book. I loved Zorie and Lennon. Lennon felt like someone I would be friends with in real life with his dry sense of humor and grim personality. I found myself rooting for these characters in every way. The romance was so passionate and raw. The well written characters really drove this story. At no point did I find myself bored.

I am typically a fantasy novel fanatic, but this novel was a rare find in the contemporary/ young adult genre. Maybe it was because I love hiking, but I really think it was because of the writing. Filled with well written characters, an interesting plot, and emotional life events, it had me reading all night. I finished this book in one sitting. I can’t remember when I ever found a book that was this funny. STARRY EYES is one of those books that I would suggest to anyone, young or old, it’s just that good.

A Recommended Read