The Stars We Steal By Alexa Donne (reveiw) – A romance set in space

I just finished this lovely little book. It was almost all I wanted with some minor issues. It is a book about true love, wealth and power. I hope you enjoy my review of ‘The Stars We Steal’ by Alexa Donne.

‘The Stars We Steal’ by Alexa Donne is a romance set in space. Actually is it a retelling of ‘Persuasion’ by Jane Austen, so it is ‘Persuasion’ set in space. However I haven’t read ‘Persuasion’ myself so I don’t know how many similarities there really are.
Nonetheless, in ‘The Stars We Steal’ we follow Leo Princess of Kolburg. Her family is in financial problems and her father wants her to marry rich in order to save the family. But things get complicated when Leo’s first love and ex-fiancée who in the past was deemed unfit for marriage now returns as the heir to a wealthy space ship.

Overall I really enjoyed reading this book. I read it in four days which says something. There were so many great scenes between Leo and Eliot both cute and some one the verge of being mean. But it isn’t strictly a romance novel it also has elements of political schemes, lies and betrayals. I also like how it plays with the themes of power, wealth, social rank and true love.

Even though I adored this book I “only” gave it 3.5 stars. It has to do with some of the issues I had with it. First, this story is set in space. Normally I avoid books set in space because the space simply scares me. However after reading this book’s synopsis I couldn’t not read it. All things considered I don’t feel like it fulfilled its full potential being set in space. There was space walking and other cool science-fiction-space-things but for the most of the book I almost forgot it was set in space…

Second, I believe the feud between Leo and Eliot could have been a bit more dramatic. Yes I like drama. Everything in moderation though ;). If I was Eliot I might would have been a bit more hostile towards Leo.

Third and last, the ending. The book finished way to soon/abrupt if you ask me. I wanted more! More Leo and Eliot! No really the book is only about 400 pages so there was space enough for a few more scenes to round it up better. Especially in regards to the political plot. It felt left too unsolved. I wouldn’t have minded some more political drama either ;).

But the book is really cute and exciting with great characters. Characters you love to love and characters you love to hate. One thing I believed was quite funny was that one of the space ships was called The Scandinavian and hosted people from Denmark, Norway Sweden, and Findland. Since I am from Denmark I thought that was really cool. There was also several Danish words used. Every time Denmark is mentioned internationally we get really excited because we are such a small country. :))) Although I must tell you Alexa Donne, Findland is NOT a part of Scandinavia. But it is a part of the Nordic countries together with Iceland! 😉

If you are looking for a book set in space with a lot world building and political conspiracies I think you will get slightly disappointed. But if you enjoy reading YA romance and are looking for a twist I would definitely recommend this book to you.

Best, Nicoline 🖤

Have you read ‘The Stars We Steal’? Have were your thoughts? What is your favourite retelling or book set in space?

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Engagement season is in the air. Eighteen-year-old Princess Leonie “Leo” Kolburg, heir to a faded European spaceship, only has one thing on her mind: which lucky bachelor can save her family from financial ruin? 

But when Leo’s childhood friend and first love Elliot returns as the captain of a successful whiskey ship, everything changes. Elliot was the one that got away, the boy Leo’s family deemed to be unsuitable for marriage. Now, he’s the biggest catch of the season and he seems determined to make Leo’s life miserable. But old habits die hard, and as Leo navigates the glittering balls of the Valg Season, she finds herself failing for her first love in a game of love, lies, and past regrets.

Synopsis from Goodreads