By: Cristin Terrill
My Recommendation: 👍👍👍👍 - (Out of 5 👍)
Having lived the majority of your life at below poverty, what would you do if you found out that an extremely wealthy man you have only met once, has stipulated in his will that his son could only inherit his immense fortune if he married you? Would you allow yourself to 'be sold off' like a possession to a man you have never met knowing the wealth will support your family in a way you could never imagine? Would your understanding of your self worth and true value prevent you from being treated no better than an inanimate object? Eighteen year old Viktoria Hale found herself asking those very questions.
Early in Vika Hale's life her father had a good job that provided well for his wife and two daughters. The fall of the local mining production on their planet of Philomenus, and the loss of his job, changed their whole existence. The Hale's could no longer afford to live their luxurious lifestyle, let alone eat. At young ages, Vika and her sister were forced to work backbreaking, demeaning jobs to help their family barely survive. Vika and her sister were more fortunate then some. A personal teacher was provided by an unknown, wealthy benefactor Vika met once when she was a very little girl. The education came at a cheap price, Vika was required to provide blood for DNA testing, undergo psychological and mental tests, as well as provide a yearly photo.
Over the years Regis Chapin had vetted many young girls to become the wife of his only son Leo. Upon Regis' death it became clear by a stipulation in his will that Vika was Regis' choice. Leo must return home from school abroad and marry Vika in order to inherit his father's vast wealth. During his trip home his freighter explodes killing everyone on board, including Leo. What does this mean for Vika? Where does this leave her?
Cristin Terrill's story had me engaged from the very first page. 'The Stars Between Us' tells the story of life on two very different planets. One filled with wealth, parties, and prestige and the other poverty, desperation, and struggles. On occasion I did find myself struggling to understand Vika Hale. At times she came across as self-absorbed and shallow, but then I would contemplate the extreme life choices an eighteen year old was being forced to make and better understand her plight. Not just any eighteen year old, but a young woman who was forced to live most of her life struggling to survive. Wouldn't anyone in her situation revel in the wealth and sophisticated lifestyle they were suddenly thrust into? Throughout the story we get to see Vika grow and mature into a deeper character.
I loved Terrill's ability to develop characters; as shown with Vika. She not only had to build one world but two. 'The Stars Between Us' was not only about Vika and her family but also contained a murder mystery as the main cast attempted to discover who killed the Chapin The last half of the book was so exciting I couldn't put it down.
This book will be released August 2, 2022
Pre-Order/Purchase: Amazon
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