It’s been several generations since a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, decimating humanity and giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology. Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family’s estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot’s estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth–an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go. But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret–one that could change their society . . . or bring it to its knees. And again, she’s faced with a choice: cling to what she’s been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she’s ever loved, even if she’s lost him forever.
OH MY STINKING WORD, I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH! That is exactly what I felt like when I finished For Darkness Shows the Stars. I can never decide if Persuasion or Pride and Prejudice is my favorite Jane Austen novel. It’s too hard to decide since they are both so epically made of awesome, but suffice it to say, I have a great love for Persuasion. So, when I heard that For Darkness Shows the Stars was a futuristic retelling of Jane Austen’s epic awesome, I was in. Oh, I was all in…and then it took me over a year to read it. Sigh. Yes, it was inexcusable and totally my fault.
The way Diana Peterfreund took this classic story with these classic characters and made them her own was absolutely exquisite. It had the beauty and tension and utter heartbreak of the original with an extra…something…that made the story stand out on its own. Elliot and Kai drew me in completely, the futuristic setting was surprisingly perfect, the imagery was totally gorgeous, and just like in the original I wanted to hit Elliot’s father and sister.
Overall, whether you love or hate Jane Austen, have read all or none of her books, I highly recommend For Darkness Shows the Stars. It’s made of awesome.
Author: Diana Peterfreund
Title: For Darkness Shows the Stars
Series: For Darkness Shows the Stars (Book #1)
Published: June 12, 2012
Format: 402 pages; Kindle
Website: www.dianapeterfreund.com
Source: purchased
My rating: 
Happy Reading!
