Thursday, September 05, 2013

The Inevitability Of Stars by Kathryn R. Lyster

Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publication Date: 1st August 2013
Pages: 297
Book Source: Harlequin Mira

Synopsis: A modern-day Romeo and Juliet set amongst the beauty of Byron Bay and the grind of Sydney.

Rip and Sahara have always been together. Primary school friends to high school lovers, their ties to each other are as intertwined and inescapable as the roots of the Byron Strangler Fig. But like that same tree, the tendrils of their love are beginning to stifle and choke, and soon, Sahara finds she must leave, moving to Sydney to pursue her career as an artist.

In Sydney, Sahara draws the attention of Sean, a charismatic entrepreneur, and is quickly drawn into his expensive and glamorous world ??? so very different from the quiet, simple place of her youth. But even as she creates a new life, and a new version of herself, Sahara cannot seem to leave Rip behind.

Back in the Byron hinterland, Rip moves to a working farm to recover from the wounds Sahara left. It's here that he begins to understand his past and reimagine his future. But as Rip rebuilds, Sahara unravels, losing herself in Sean's shiny, but meaningless world and plagued by visions of her previous life and lover.

Heartbreaking and haunting, The Inevitability of Stars is a poignant novel about the burden of fate, the viscosity of reality and the resilience of love.

My Thoughts:
I struggled a little to get into this one, but Lyster's beautiful turn of phrase kept me reading and I finished up enjoying this new age re-imagining of Romeo & Juliet a lot more than I initially thought I would. 

Not wanting to settle for an 'ordinary' life in Byron Bay, Sahara breaks up with Rip and moves to Sydney. But her bid for independence and artistic growth becomes a melting pot of toxicity and Sahara's life slowly unravels.  

There's quite a spiritual focus to Rip's side of the story and maybe it was that, that took me a bit to get my head around. Not to say that it isn't my thing, it just wasn't what I expected. I can't really say any more without getting spoiler-ish ... but the author's lyrical writing style is lovely to read. 

The alternating chapters by Rip and Sahara work well, I really enjoyed the dual narrative and I loved the contrast in setting from Byron Bay to Sydney. 

It's a profound, bittersweet story. It's about healing, self discovery, finding your place in the world, standing on your own two feet and being in charge of your own happiness. It's about that beautiful thing called serendipity.  



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7 comments:

  1. I hadn't heard of this one and think it sounds good. Thanks for telling us about it!

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    1. Mary I hope you enjoy it, let me know. Unexpected often turns out good :)

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    1. Julie it was nice to be surprised at my enjoyment of it after a wobbly start. The author's writing was so lovely, I'll definitely read another from her :)

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  3. A tough beginning is never a good thing

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    1. in this case I was good with it as I ended up enjoying the message :)

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  4. I'm intrigued by the Romeo & Juliet comparison and also the spiritual aspect. Sometimes I find that refreshing.

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