Book Review: Stargazing from Nowhere by Isabel Thomas

As much as I hate to admit it, I have a secret obsession with the chick-lit drama. Let’s be honest here, who doesn’t like a light, quick read that puts a smile on your face? A read that doesn’t make your heart rate jump too much, a read that’s fun and fluffy and romantic. I was hoping for something along the lines of that when I started Stargazing from Nowhere. Unfortunately, I got a platter of cheese. And a desire to throw up from the lack of good characters.

Stargazing from Nowhere is about Stargazing from Nowhere. Really! The main character, Kristen Morgan, writes a blog called Stargazing from Nowhere, which basically bashes the boy band Rising Tide. As you may have guessed, Rising Tide ends up going to her town. GASP. Kristen ends up meeting the drummer, Michael Stevens, who’s basically her dream come true. Wait, we need a plot twist! So what will Kristen choose, her blog or her boyfriend? (BOYFRIEND??? This relationship is speeding by!)

The main thing I can’t handle about Stargazing from Nowhere is the lack of good characters. Kristen, in my humble opinion, is pretty self-centered and arrogant. Sure, she’s a teenager, but most teens I know don’t act the way she does. While I’m okay with self-centered characters for the most part, the fact that Kristen doesn’t develop as a person really ticks me off. Throughout the novel, she gets worse as a person. Is that even possible?

Don’t get me started on Michael. He’s so not crush-worthy! Kristen basically likes him because he’s a pretty face- which shows more of her character! And of course famous guy falls in love with girl who doesn’t like him. Isn’t that so predictable? In YA, we have the great boys like Adam Wilde and Jace Lightwood and countless others. Compared to the greats, Michael becomes even less crush-worthy. Of course, those are high standards. However, I’m just showing Michael’s lack of uniqueness as a love interest.

As for the plot, I’m quite impartial as I realize basically all chick-lits are far-fetched. While I wish Stargazing from Nowhere could have been a little more realistic, I do realize that such a request is above me. The overall plot is okay, but it’s bogged down by subpar writing and a certain character named Kristen Morgan. Overall, if I look at the plot separately, I realize that Stargazing from Nowhere has a lot of potential.

Rating: 4 out of 10

Publisher: Do Art Publishing (July 22nd, 2013)

Length: 448 pages (Paperback)

Source: Netgalley

ISBN number: 9780988044807