ARC-REVIEW: These Broken Stars (Starbound #1) by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Title: These Broken Stars
Series: Starbound #1
Author: Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Release Date: December 10th 2013
Pages: Hardcover, 374 pages
Source: ARC from BEA

Summary from Goodreads:
It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

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A timeless love story, THESE BROKEN STARS sets into motion a sweeping science fiction series of companion novels. The Starbound Trilogy: Three worlds. Three love stories. One enemy.

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• Each chapter started with a bit of dialogue from Taver's police questioning.  It was an amusing and different way to get to know Taver and see more of his personality.  Which made him even more likeable. 
• The world building and science fiction elements are some of the best I have read this year.  Kaufman and Spooner draw this dangerously mysterious and beautiful world that challenges Taver and Lilac on so many levels.  Both the space travel and the planet life are so vivid and perfectly created it is easy to just immerse yourself into the story.  It also lets you focus on the relationships and the mystery instead of having to try and understand the world they live in. 
• Taver is witty and stubborn at times which combined with his strength and soldier mentality to create a very likeable and real character.  His internal dialogue had me chuckling and the chemistry between Lilac and him was great.  
• I did originally think I knew where the plot was going and it was easy to guess how the romance unfolds but I was pleasantly surprised with the development of Lilac and some of the other plot twists the story took.  Lilac held her own, grew into her role, and was able to surprise me with her strength in the situations.  
• As always, I loved the dual point of views and how I could read the character's thoughts. I felt like I could feel the chemistry between Taver and Lilac and could better understand each character. 

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• There was not much I did not like, I thought parts of the plot were a bit predictable but the story line and writing were so good I did not mind.  
• I did get a bit confused near the end of the book when certain things happened with Lilac.  I felt like I missed something or some clear understanding of how things happened and how the ending happened. 

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These Broken Stars is a beautifully vivid story that blends science fiction space travel and other crazy events with some romance. The plot is full of suspense and mystery that is driven by the banter and adventure of two fantastic characters.