A Wilderness of Stars

A Wilderness of Stars

  • Downloads:5446
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2022-12-08 07:19:44
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Shea Ernshaw
  • ISBN:1665900245
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

An illness cursing the land forces a teen girl astronomer to venture across the wilderness in search of the stars’ message that will, hopefully, save them all。

If magic lives anywhere, it’s in the stars…

Vega has lived in the valley her whole life—forbidden by her mother to leave the safety of its borders because of the unknown threats waiting for her in the wilds beyond。 But after her mother dies, and Vega sees the fabled twin stars in the sky, it’s an omen she can no longer ignore, forcing her to leave the protective boundaries of the valley。 But the outside world turns out to be much more terrifying than Vega could have imagined。 People are gravely sick—they lose their eyesight and their hearing, just before they lose their lives。

What Vega keeps to herself is that she is the Last Astronomer—a title carried from generation to generation—and she is the only one who carries the knowledge of the stars。 Knowledge that could hold the key to the cure。 And so when locals spot the tattoo on Vega’s neck in the shape of a constellation—the mark of an astronomer—chaos erupts as the threats her mother warned her about become all too real。

Fearing for her life, Vega is rescued by a girl named Cricket who leads her to Noah, a boy marked by his own mysterious tattoos。 On the run from the men who are hunting her, Vega, Cricket, and Noah set out across the plains in search of the cure the stars speak of。 But as the lines between friend and protector begin to blur, Vega must decide whether to safeguard the sacred knowledge of the astronomer。 Or if she will risk everything to try to save them all。

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Reviews

Losvaize

It started pretty strong and then it dance the line between interesting and repetitive。 I didn't really enjoy the romantic aspects, they felt forced and to me that detracts from a story。 Either way it was an enjoyable read, but I probably won't reread it。 It started pretty strong and then it dance the line between interesting and repetitive。 I didn't really enjoy the romantic aspects, they felt forced and to me that detracts from a story。 Either way it was an enjoyable read, but I probably won't reread it。 。。。more

Missi

I almost didn’t finish this as I found it hard to read。 There’s just too much description of the MC feelings and not enough action。 I could jump 3-4 paragraphs and the story would be still at the same point。 The story line was ok… nothing new。

Amy Poirier

There's not much I can say without spoilers。 The mystery is slow to unravel, but it does keep you guessing。 The end is a roller-coaster。 I just found it a little too easy to set aside for my tastes。 I like to get lost in a book。 There's not much I can say without spoilers。 The mystery is slow to unravel, but it does keep you guessing。 The end is a roller-coaster。 I just found it a little too easy to set aside for my tastes。 I like to get lost in a book。 。。。more

Lynette (Storyhooked)

If you’re looking for an atmospheric read for winter that’s not holiday themed, look no further! 😍Gorgeous prose, a western style setting, star magic and a fascinating plot line?? And of course romance! You know when you read the right book at the right time? I feel like this read came at the perfect time for me。While the start of this story was fairly slow, once it picked up the pace I could NOT put it down!!! Keep that in mind if you decide to read this book。 The romance y’all 🤌🫠 it was just s If you’re looking for an atmospheric read for winter that’s not holiday themed, look no further! 😍Gorgeous prose, a western style setting, star magic and a fascinating plot line?? And of course romance! You know when you read the right book at the right time? I feel like this read came at the perfect time for me。While the start of this story was fairly slow, once it picked up the pace I could NOT put it down!!! Keep that in mind if you decide to read this book。 The romance y’all 🤌🫠 it was just sooooo so sweet that it brought me to tears 🥹 really though the character development as the love story grows between the two MCs was just 🤌If you loved Shea’s other books I feel like you’ll love this one too, she’s done it again with that magic prose and unique story that only she can bring to the table。 I feel like this book will either work for you or it won’t, but I honestly loved it and would definitely recommend! Thank you Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC! 。。。more

Rebecca Elizabeth

This is the first book in months that has grabbed me so thoroughly。 This is a dystopian I think… lol。 So many books now are the same but this book is totally unique and original。 I loved it! Both of the main characters, Vega and Noah I completely adored。 Noah is everything I love in a male MC。 I’ve noticed with other books I’ve read by Shea Ernshaw is that her books are so unlike other books I’ve read。 Her books are so unpredictable and totally their own。 This story has so much to offer。 An inte This is the first book in months that has grabbed me so thoroughly。 This is a dystopian I think… lol。 So many books now are the same but this book is totally unique and original。 I loved it! Both of the main characters, Vega and Noah I completely adored。 Noah is everything I love in a male MC。 I’ve noticed with other books I’ve read by Shea Ernshaw is that her books are so unlike other books I’ve read。 Her books are so unpredictable and totally their own。 This story has so much to offer。 An intense romance, non stop action, and beautiful writing。 This is definitely going on my favorites list for 2022。 。。。more

Kasey Giard

I liked a lot of things about this book。 The writing is really cool。 It’s a little bit artistic, but not so flowery that the story doesn’t feel real, if that makes any sense。 It has a post-apocalyptic feel that reminded me a little of THE BALLAD OF DINAH CALDWELL。The characters sometimes tripped me up, though。 At one point, two girls are running from a group of men who seem intent on severely harming them, and they keep passing a bottle of liquor back and forth between them and drinking it。 I wa I liked a lot of things about this book。 The writing is really cool。 It’s a little bit artistic, but not so flowery that the story doesn’t feel real, if that makes any sense。 It has a post-apocalyptic feel that reminded me a little of THE BALLAD OF DINAH CALDWELL。The characters sometimes tripped me up, though。 At one point, two girls are running from a group of men who seem intent on severely harming them, and they keep passing a bottle of liquor back and forth between them and drinking it。 I was confused because it didn’t seem like something that someone in fear of their life would do。 Drinking is going to dehydrate you and slow you down, which both seem like bad things?? So I was confused。There’s also a thing about Vega’s tattoos needing to be covered。 She decides to leave her hair down and move carefully so that her hair doesn’t expose her tattoo。 I kept thinking she should use a scarf or something more reliable。 She believes her life is in danger, and she’s trusting her hair not to move? That seemed a little strange to me。 If she explained that she couldn’t wear a scarf without calling more attention to herself or arousing suspicion, that would have made more sense。 She’s in several dangerous situations where she depends only on her hair, so I couldn’t stop thinking about it。I will say that the way the story unfolds was really cool。 There were things I looked forward to happening, and when they did, that was super satisfying。 There were other things I did not predict that kind of blew my mind。All in all, I would say I still enjoyed the book。 I wish some of the little things were explained better or made more sense, but on the whole, I loved Vega, Noah, and Cricket so much。 And I loved the directions the overall story went, too。 。。。more

Maegan (maeganisreading)

Rating: 4⭐️Thank you to the publisher for providing me an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review。 I’m not sure how I feel about this one to be honest。 I’ve loved both of Ernshaw’s previous books, so I was expecting to love this one too but I just didn’t。 I enjoyed it for sure but it wasn’t what I was expecting with the whole sci-fi element so it threw me off a bit。 There were still elements I really enjoyed though, like Vega’s character。 She’s smart and strong and determined to see h Rating: 4⭐️Thank you to the publisher for providing me an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review。 I’m not sure how I feel about this one to be honest。 I’ve loved both of Ernshaw’s previous books, so I was expecting to love this one too but I just didn’t。 I enjoyed it for sure but it wasn’t what I was expecting with the whole sci-fi element so it threw me off a bit。 There were still elements I really enjoyed though, like Vega’s character。 She’s smart and strong and determined to see her quest through to the end。 And her relationship with Noah was great。 It was established quickly but didn’t feel to insta-lovey to impact the quality of it。 I liked that the secrets were slowly revealed, it really added mystery to the story。 The twist got me, I will say。 I wasn’t expecting it, even with the genre of the story。 I also loved the astronomy aspect。 I’ve always been drawn to constellations so I really enjoyed that addition。 A couple things I didn’t like: the ridiculously long chapters。 I have a short attention span so the long chapters made me not want to pick it up。 And I was not a fan of the ending。 I can see what the author was trying to do but I just didn’t think it fit fully with the story。 Overall, I still enjoyed the story but was disappointed in the genre choice。 I’ll still be reading her book in the future though! 。。。more

Kathy Temean

Wow! Young girl known as the Astronomer was born to save civilization。 This dark dystopian tale, has plenty of mystery, adventure, and intrigue。 It has new planets, black holes, space travel, and love interest。 Great writing! I am hoping Shea will write and second book, since I think there is more to this story。

Leah

A Wilderness of Stars is a young adult fantasy that can’t be jumped into lightly。 The world building is incredible! In a world where society is slowly dying at the hands of an incurable illness, the last astronomer, Vega, and the last architect must find the other in order to cure and save humanity。 The stars have aligned to help them find another and guide them along their journey to their destination。 The romance in a Wilderness of Stars had me swooning and outright sobbing。 The ending was une A Wilderness of Stars is a young adult fantasy that can’t be jumped into lightly。 The world building is incredible! In a world where society is slowly dying at the hands of an incurable illness, the last astronomer, Vega, and the last architect must find the other in order to cure and save humanity。 The stars have aligned to help them find another and guide them along their journey to their destination。 The romance in a Wilderness of Stars had me swooning and outright sobbing。 The ending was unexpected。 It left me breathless! I hope 🤞 there is a sequel。 。。。more

DeAnna Kalk

I cried at the end of this book。 The best one I’ve read all year WOW

Jan farnworth

What I liked:A dystopian fiction story with elements of sci-fi mixed in that has a world plagued by sickness, and the answers are in the stars。 Vega and her mother live in a secluded valley, and her mother tells her stories about the stars and the dangers beyond the valley。 Vega also has unique tattoos and is on the watch for some sister stars in the sky。 Finally, the sign is time to set out and find the mysterious architect。 Unfortunately, her mother is very sick with a consumption-type sicknes What I liked:A dystopian fiction story with elements of sci-fi mixed in that has a world plagued by sickness, and the answers are in the stars。 Vega and her mother live in a secluded valley, and her mother tells her stories about the stars and the dangers beyond the valley。 Vega also has unique tattoos and is on the watch for some sister stars in the sky。 Finally, the sign is time to set out and find the mysterious architect。 Unfortunately, her mother is very sick with a consumption-type sickness。 When she dies, Vega conspires to go with her father into the dangerous world to find this mysterious architect。 Final Verdict:The world hinges on Vega finding this architect and keeping her tattoos hidden。 She is recused by two intense characters who help her on her quest。 The stakes are high, and the writing is wonderfully crafted, creating a unique sci-fi, dystopian tale。 。。。more

Retrogirl20

This was a beautiful story and writing! Such a creative concept and characters。 Definitely a great read!

Jennifer

After further thought, I’ve decided to round this down to 3 stars because 4 stars just didn’t feel right。 This is a tough one for me to review。 I’m still puzzled by this book a few days after finishing it。 I think its going to get a lot of polarized reviews and I’m so interested to hear what others think。 Shea Ernshaw is so talented and the writing is absolutely gorgeous, but she took some risks with the story that just didn’t work for me。 After her mother dies of a sickness that is plaguing her After further thought, I’ve decided to round this down to 3 stars because 4 stars just didn’t feel right。 This is a tough one for me to review。 I’m still puzzled by this book a few days after finishing it。 I think its going to get a lot of polarized reviews and I’m so interested to hear what others think。 Shea Ernshaw is so talented and the writing is absolutely gorgeous, but she took some risks with the story that just didn’t work for me。 After her mother dies of a sickness that is plaguing her world, Vega is the last astronomer。 She has lived in the same valley her whole life, hidden from the outside world, because she holds a secret- a key to the stars that can save her civilization- but only with the help of one other person: the last architect。 When the stars align a certain way, she knows it’s time to find the architect。 She sets out on a perilous journey and realizes she is being hunted by those who want to use her for their own gain。 With the help of two friends she meets along the way, Vega must stay alive long enough to find the architect and fulfill her destiny。 I’m a sucker for mythology and folklore and I loved the legend that Ernshaw creates of the astronomer and the architect。 Ernshaw is wonderful at creating an atmosphere, but I was honestly perplexed throughout most of the book about what was going on in this world! There are some historical references (hello Doc Holliday 🤔) and it has a dark, dystopian West World vibe, but we don’t get much about why things are the way they are until the end。 We know Vega has secrets, but as we follow her on this arduous journey she only gives the reader a few bread crumbs, and even those get a bit repetitive。 This frustrated me because I enjoy a good mystery, but there is not much to solve because I didn’t even really understand the end goal。 This book is marketed as YA Fantasy with some romance, and I don’t think that’s accurate and may disappoint some readers。 This is a pretty heavy read with more sci-fi than fantasy and a romance that never really felt authentic to me。 The ending was unfulfilling and also a bit confusing- is this really the end? I do think I would pick up a second book though, if there is one, because now I have a better understanding of the “why” and would love a different ending。 Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this eARC! 。。。more

n • a • d

immmmm crying im crying im crying i LOVE the reveal and the amount of hope that this book leavesssssss///3333

John Clark

What you might expect when this begins is far from what you find at the end。 That's what makes this so interesting。 Yes, you could say this about many books, but it works very well in this one。 What you might expect when this begins is far from what you find at the end。 That's what makes this so interesting。 Yes, you could say this about many books, but it works very well in this one。 。。。more

Szasza

Idk what i feel about this one to be honest, the romance part just annoyed me so bad, i feel like the romance part is more like insta love (i dislike this trope btw), something cliche like "yeah you made for each other ofc you all gonna fall in love, its a destiny" lmao i hate it here。 This book writting style is more like show dont tell so the readers dont know wtf is happening until the mc speak, you need read like 97% of the book to understand what going on and what's really happening。 Idk what i feel about this one to be honest, the romance part just annoyed me so bad, i feel like the romance part is more like insta love (i dislike this trope btw), something cliche like "yeah you made for each other ofc you all gonna fall in love, its a destiny" lmao i hate it here。 This book writting style is more like show dont tell so the readers dont know wtf is happening until the mc speak, you need read like 97% of the book to understand what going on and what's really happening。 。。。more

Mercedes | Andthatswhatsheread

This is a very bizarre book。 The first half is super slow。 The main character knows more than she’s saying, so you’re just waiting for the story to drop and get good。 It’s definitely YA sci-fi! I’ve never read anything like it。 But honestly don’t know if I’d actually recommend it

Starr ❇✌❇

I received an ARC from Edelweiss TW: fatal illness/plague, knife violence, kidnap, gun violence3。3This book was a fast read and not an unenjoyable experience, but it also sort of felt like eating air。Ernshaw writes the world here well- it's atmospheric and Vega's narration is cool and lush。 If you're just here for the concept, then you'll be happy。 The star-centric plot and the tension is prevalent throughout and it's easy to imagine what Vega is going through as she travels to her goal。I als I received an ARC from Edelweiss TW: fatal illness/plague, knife violence, kidnap, gun violence3。3This book was a fast read and not an unenjoyable experience, but it also sort of felt like eating air。Ernshaw writes the world here well- it's atmospheric and Vega's narration is cool and lush。 If you're just here for the concept, then you'll be happy。 The star-centric plot and the tension is prevalent throughout and it's easy to imagine what Vega is going through as she travels to her goal。I also did like the "devil may care" post-apocalyptic feeling tone of the whole thing。 The lawlessness has a quality to it that makes everything feel more timeless and distant, while also being familiar enough to tie us to the strange place we're in without further context。But as for actual plot- not much actually happens。 The plot is mostly about a girl trying to get somewhere due to mysterious reasons, and her journey is- though occasionally impeded- a fairly straight line。 The atmospheric quality makes the log stretches of nothingness more bearable but it doesn't help pacing of make it easier to get invested。In terms of investment, there's also the issue of the whole thing building itself on cliches which makes it difficult to trust it'll pan out into something original, and the fact that the characterizations were remarkably thin。 The actual concept had room for interesting people and interesting turns, but instead they'd just players on a stage that's all about the set dressing。This book may work well for fans of Ernshaw's writing, but it doesn't have much story to tell。 。。。more

Jennifer MacMullin

Uh。。what? 😂🙈So。。I’ve always adored Shea Ernshaw’s YA books but this one was a little strange。 Not that it’s bad, since lots of others are loving it, it just was not what I was expecting at allIt’s more a ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ situation。 I don’t usually like scifi, especially regarding space, so when it took a scifi plot twist, I was like 🥴 I loved Ernshaw’s witchy books, and I expected this to be more fantasy than scifi/western/apocalyptic/whatever genres this even was, idkI also found it pret Uh。。what? 😂🙈So。。I’ve always adored Shea Ernshaw’s YA books but this one was a little strange。 Not that it’s bad, since lots of others are loving it, it just was not what I was expecting at allIt’s more a ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ situation。 I don’t usually like scifi, especially regarding space, so when it took a scifi plot twist, I was like 🥴 I loved Ernshaw’s witchy books, and I expected this to be more fantasy than scifi/western/apocalyptic/whatever genres this even was, idkI also found it pretty slow paced, which could be because the chapters were so freaking long omgI also didn’t connect with Vega, the MC; a lot of the conflict in the book came from her making thoughtless and impulsive decisions 😅And the ending。。was a choice。 I’m still confused and unsatisfied idk。 Like I’m pretty sure it’s a standalone but the way it ends almost makes it seem like it needs a sequel? But then what would it even be about? IdkI mean, the concept is intriguing and I think if you’re more into scifi than I am, you’ll enjoy this more than I did。 It just wasn’t my jam 。。。more

Lynndell

An ominous prologue piqued my interest。 Vega is with her fatally ill mother when she sees twin stars in the sky。 Her mother has taught her to watch for these stars that only show up every one hundred years and when they appear, Vega needs to find The Architect for information on how to travel to the sea。 Soon after her mother passes away, Pa shows up。 He’s not Vega’s father but a family friend。 She goes with him when he leaves so she can get started on her journey。 They travel to a town and sell An ominous prologue piqued my interest。 Vega is with her fatally ill mother when she sees twin stars in the sky。 Her mother has taught her to watch for these stars that only show up every one hundred years and when they appear, Vega needs to find The Architect for information on how to travel to the sea。 Soon after her mother passes away, Pa shows up。 He’s not Vega’s father but a family friend。 She goes with him when he leaves so she can get started on her journey。 They travel to a town and sell Pa’s cure-all tonic as three men watch them from afar。 Later, these men and more find Pa and Vega and steal his horse and the supplies he has for making his tonic。 Now he has nothing left for the future。 They move on, finding a deserted farmhouse set in an orchard。 They rest and head to the next town。 Vega keeps asking around for The Architect even though her mother warned her to be discreet。 That evening, Vega decides to head out on her own, leaving Pa behind。 She enters a saloon and soon after four thieves enter also and demand money from the bartender for protection。 A fight erupts。 Vega gets knocked down and her constellation tattoo is revealed when her hair falls out of the way。 Everyone is curious and wants to see her mark when a girl saves her, taking her out of the saloon。 This girl, Cricket, takes Vega to The Architect and soon after the group is attacked and he’s killed。 Noah then becomes The Architect and vows to help Vega get to the sea。 Cricket, Noah and Vega travel together as a team to complete the mission of generations of astronomers and architects。 They meet danger and adventure at every turn and have to fight for their lives。 Sci-fi fantasy, 4 stars!Likes/dislikes: I would have liked to have more insight into Noah’s thoughts and point of view。 I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the blackness in the sky and the information passed down through generations of astronomers and architects。 The bond between Noah and Vega is endearing。I enjoyed the Old West setting and the mixed ethnicities。Language: R for 31 swears and 4 f-bombsMature Content: PG-13 for saloon visit and kissingViolence: PG-13 for Outlaws stealing, bloody stabbing and shooting 。。。more

Becca

In A Wilderness of Stars by Shea Ernshaw our teen heroine, Vega, is the Last Astronomer。 Generations have carried down to her the knowledge of the starts。 Her world is raveged by a mysterious illness and Vega must follow the star path is she wants to save the world。 But sheltered her entire life in the Valley, Vega quickly runs into the dangers her mother warns her about。 She's saved by a girl named Cricket and a boy named Noah。 Together the trio will transverse the land, dodging danger and raci In A Wilderness of Stars by Shea Ernshaw our teen heroine, Vega, is the Last Astronomer。 Generations have carried down to her the knowledge of the starts。 Her world is raveged by a mysterious illness and Vega must follow the star path is she wants to save the world。 But sheltered her entire life in the Valley, Vega quickly runs into the dangers her mother warns her about。 She's saved by a girl named Cricket and a boy named Noah。 Together the trio will transverse the land, dodging danger and racing against time if they want to save all they know。 I loved this book! I started reading Ernshaw's novels after Long Live the Pumpkin Queen and this novel does not disappoint! A Wilderness of Stars is breathtakingly imagative, painting the picture of a world ravaged by a wicked disease。 Vega's knowledge of the stars is the only shining light towards a cure。 Ernshaw has a way with writing that connects you with the main character。 I loved journeying with Vega through her tale。 I also loved the other two characters in our trio, Cricket and Noah! Something else I also loved about this book were some hard-hitting lines: "Don't look back; you're not going that way。" I always end Ernshaw's books with many passages highlighted。 A Wilderness of Stars is an amazing science fiction read and I'd recommend it to anyone who loves books of that genre。 Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing for an eARC copy of this novel。 All thoughts and opinions are my own。 Please note: Any quoted phrases from this book are taken from the unfinished version and may not reflect published novel。 。。。more

Megan

Check out my review here! https://youtu。be/KQctzc-clHE Check out my review here! https://youtu。be/KQctzc-clHE 。。。more

Greta Kittok

I just dont think this book is my kind of book。 I didnt like how we keep getting told that they need to get to the sea but they dont tell us why until about the last 80 pages。 I'm also not a fan of the instant love trope。 I think that Cricket could have had a much more prominent and cool role and character arc。 She just seemed to be there。 I just dont think this book is my kind of book。 I didnt like how we keep getting told that they need to get to the sea but they dont tell us why until about the last 80 pages。 I'm also not a fan of the instant love trope。 I think that Cricket could have had a much more prominent and cool role and character arc。 She just seemed to be there。 。。。more

Robin

Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for providing an advanced copy of this。 All thoughts and opinions are still my own。Any book that can make me cry is an automatic 5 star 😭💜 And boy did this one bring the tears。This is my 4th book by Shea Ernshaw and this is my 3rd time giving her book 5 stars。 So I think it's safe to say she is an all time favorite author。 There is something about her writing that just completely captivates me。 Her prose is stunning, her worlds are lush and imm Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for providing an advanced copy of this。 All thoughts and opinions are still my own。Any book that can make me cry is an automatic 5 star 😭💜 And boy did this one bring the tears。This is my 4th book by Shea Ernshaw and this is my 3rd time giving her book 5 stars。 So I think it's safe to say she is an all time favorite author。 There is something about her writing that just completely captivates me。 Her prose is stunning, her worlds are lush and immersive, and her characters are always so easy to connect with。This is a book that, on paper, shouldn't have been a favorite。 I am an adult romance reader to loves and HEA。 While this is a YA sci-fi with no guarantee of a happy ending。 But somehow it all worked。 One of the most impressive things about this book in my opinion, was Shea Ernshaw's way of leading you to believe you understood the story you were reading。 Only to pull the rug from under you at the reveal。 She did the same thing in A History of Wild Places and I think achieving that is extremely impressive。I loved this story。 I never knew where it was heading。 And once I figured it out and that moment of - I should have seen this coming。 But because I was so wrapped up in the world and plot, I did not。 I can't wait to see what Shea Ernshaw writes next。 No matter the genre, age range, or synopsis, it will definitely be on my most anticipated list for the year。 。。。more

Kristina Wyatt

Vega is the only one who can read the map。 She knows what to do。 She’s their last hope。 And this girl, wow! Ernshaw is descriptive and her narrative unfolds in a way you just cannot stop reading。 The storytelling is riveting, and feels like you are living the story from within。 Like it’s a movie and you’re in it。 I was rooting for this girl on every page。 Fantasy so good, you believe it is true。 A slight hint of dystopian YA, and yet covered with love。 We believe there will be a sequel and will Vega is the only one who can read the map。 She knows what to do。 She’s their last hope。 And this girl, wow! Ernshaw is descriptive and her narrative unfolds in a way you just cannot stop reading。 The storytelling is riveting, and feels like you are living the story from within。 Like it’s a movie and you’re in it。 I was rooting for this girl on every page。 Fantasy so good, you believe it is true。 A slight hint of dystopian YA, and yet covered with love。 We believe there will be a sequel and will definitely read it。I received an ARC copy for review。 The quality is impeccable and it has such beautiful covers (the dust jacket one and the book one) 。。。more

Alyssa Connell

This was a slow burn, but worth it。 The ending was definitely not what I expected, but in the best way。

Alicia

Thank you to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley for an honest review。 CWs: hanging, death of a parent, illnessThis one was really interesting。 Right away, I was pulled into the setting and intrigued by Vega’s quest。 She’s searching for the Architect to lead her to the sea for reasons unknown to the reader the majority of the book。 There were small hints about Vega’s secrets, but I was surprised by the twist more than I thought I would be。 A lot of the story and the setting read as historica Thank you to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley for an honest review。 CWs: hanging, death of a parent, illnessThis one was really interesting。 Right away, I was pulled into the setting and intrigued by Vega’s quest。 She’s searching for the Architect to lead her to the sea for reasons unknown to the reader the majority of the book。 There were small hints about Vega’s secrets, but I was surprised by the twist more than I thought I would be。 A lot of the story and the setting read as historical, but there were odd references to present day or more modern things。 The sci-fi twist was done well, but it took me by surprise because I hadn’t been expecting it to the extent that it was。 I liked Vega’s character。 She was strong and smart。 I liked seeing parts of her relationship with her mom, and I liked seeing her relationship with Noah grow。 Noah was also a good character。 I liked his inner turmoils, and his desire to protect Vega and see her safely complete her quest was great。 The romance between them felt authentic, and though it happened quickly, it didn’t feel rushed。 The pacing was pretty good。 I flew through the first half of the book, and I thought the balance between big exciting scenes and quieter moments was good。 The second half I struggled a bit more, but I was still fully immersed in the world and Vega’s quest。 。。。more

Bailey

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 Shea Ernshaw redefines space western in her newest novel, A Wilderness of Stars。 Vega, the last Astronomer, spends her nights studying the stars and her days avoiding the wasting sickness that’s killing the population。 When she spots a sign in the heavens, Vega knows she must join forces with the mythical Architect to locate the cure。 With a gang of outlaws pursuing her closely and forced to choose between her duty and her heart, Vega finds herself on a seemingly impossible mission to save her w Shea Ernshaw redefines space western in her newest novel, A Wilderness of Stars。 Vega, the last Astronomer, spends her nights studying the stars and her days avoiding the wasting sickness that’s killing the population。 When she spots a sign in the heavens, Vega knows she must join forces with the mythical Architect to locate the cure。 With a gang of outlaws pursuing her closely and forced to choose between her duty and her heart, Vega finds herself on a seemingly impossible mission to save her world。 Shea Ernshaw’s storytelling is the highlight of A Wilderness of Stars。 When she writes, she only gives you just enough information so that you can follow along with the scene, dropping innocuous facts along the way。 The reader arrives at the end feeling as though they’d been studying a close-up of a photograph, trying to discern what it is, when the camera finally zooms out and you can see the whole picture。 As such, I couldn’t put this book down。 I found myself flipping page after page after page, developing my own (incorrect) theories as I read the text。 It was like a compulsion–I simply couldn’t put this story down。 I will just say that this is not the ending I wanted。 Without giving too much away, I felt shattered when I turned the last page。 Despite this, A Wilderness of Stars has quickly found its way onto my favorites list。 Though the ending was heart wrenching, Vega’s story came to a satisfying conclusion that honored all of the characters。 Regardless, I still wept like a baby。 I immediately connected with Vega, and rooted for her from the first page。 She’s such a loving, selfless, caring character–but one who doesn’t take any shit。 This impulsiveness certainly gets her in trouble from time to time, but she never does anything with bad intent。 Her relationships were so sweet and filled me with emotion。 A Wilderness of Stars by Shea Ernshaw is a wonderful book, but I don’t recommend this for the romance girlies。 It has a tender, romantic subplot, but I’m not sure this story will give you what you’re looking for。 This book is for fans of post-apocalyptic stories, Westerns, and the found family trope。  。。。more

Stephanie Ward

4。5 Stars"A Wilderness of Stars" is another fantastic young adult novel by the incredibly talented Shea Ernshaw。 I've read several of her other books and have loved them all, so I knew I had to read this as soon as possible。 I will admit that I had pretty high hopes and expectations going in - not only due to who the author is but also because the description sounded original。 I'm happy to say that I wasn't disappointed。 I can't go into much detail about the plot without getting into spoiler ter 4。5 Stars"A Wilderness of Stars" is another fantastic young adult novel by the incredibly talented Shea Ernshaw。 I've read several of her other books and have loved them all, so I knew I had to read this as soon as possible。 I will admit that I had pretty high hopes and expectations going in - not only due to who the author is but also because the description sounded original。 I'm happy to say that I wasn't disappointed。 I can't go into much detail about the plot without getting into spoiler territory, but I will say that the story itself was unique and wholly original。 The author brings Vega's world to life with vivid imagery and detailed descriptions - to the point where it felt like I was there alongside her。 The characters were all well-formed, even the more minor ones。 Vega, the main character, was a great lead and I really enjoyed getting to know her throughout the book。 I loved watching her grow, learn, and mature on so many levels during the story。 She was realistic with good qualities and bad ones - just like anyone else。 One major thing I loved was that the author wrote the book in the first-person point of view。 This is by far my favorite for lots of reasons, but mainly because I think it allows the narrator and the reader to connect on a deeper, more personal level than any other writing style。 I think the first-person POV was a perfect choice for this book, and I'm so incredibly happy it was written this way。 I felt really connected with Vega early on in the book, and my bond with her deepened as we went on the journey together。 What she felt, I felt。 What she experienced, I experienced。 It was exactly what I love when it comes to writing style - all the feels like they're my own。 I definitely recommend this book to fans of the author, fans of YA fiction, fantasy, romance, and readers who like astronomy and stars。Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Olivia

A WILDERNESS OF STARS is a thrilling YA sci-fi/dystopian。 Vega has been raised as the Last Astronomer with a destiny passed down from generation to generation。 After her mother's death, Vega leaves the Valley where she has spent her life and ventures into the dangerous world to find the Architect。 However, she must find this person with the knowledge that others in the world would harm her for looking。The world is plagued by consumption that is killing everyone slowly。 The area where Vega ventur A WILDERNESS OF STARS is a thrilling YA sci-fi/dystopian。 Vega has been raised as the Last Astronomer with a destiny passed down from generation to generation。 After her mother's death, Vega leaves the Valley where she has spent her life and ventures into the dangerous world to find the Architect。 However, she must find this person with the knowledge that others in the world would harm her for looking。The world is plagued by consumption that is killing everyone slowly。 The area where Vega ventures into is controlled by a gang that prophesies about the end of the world and destroys anyone who stands in the way of what they want。 Before too long, Vega finds Noah, who carries his own secrets and may be the person who can change her commitment to destiny。What I loved: The big twist at the end of the book was phenomenal。 While there is much heartbreak along the way, the book ends with a note of hope that turns it into something more powerful and emotional than originally expected。 While the majority of the book seemed to be dystopian, it takes on some sci-fi elements that I found particularly intriguing。There are themes around loyalty, destiny, family/found family, survival, grief, and the power of stories。 These were thought-provoking throughout。 Vega's whole life has centered around a particular destiny of being the Last Astronomer, and she knows that she must fulfill the role she has been raised to fill。 However, the ways that she must navigate this world are more complex than she anticipated, and Vega will need to rely on strangers that she knows she shouldn't trust in order to accomplish her destiny。Vega is a really compelling character。 She's an intriguing mix of naïve and knowledgeable。 Her world has revolved around the stars and understanding the universe, but her life has been sheltered。 She is trying to understand people while also finding someone elusive。 She is clever and learns quickly from the world around her, with a shrewdness you might not expect for someone who was raised in a sheltered environment。 Her journey is difficult but also becomes filled with love and hope。What left me wanting more: The book feels rather slow at the beginning and requires some suspension of belief, particularly with the way some reveals happen so suddenly。 When the reader begins to get a grasp on the world and landscapes, it suddenly shifts from under them。Final verdict: A WILDERNESS OF STARS is an enchanting and compelling YA dystopian/sci-fi with unexpected twists。 Recommend for fans of books with adventure/quests and a touch of romance。Please note that I received an ARC。 All opinions are my own。 。。。more