{YA/NA Review} Under Different Stars (Kricket #1) by Amy A. Bartol

All she wants is a home, but can she find one...UNDER DIFFERENT STARS

Kricket Hollowell is normally not one to wish upon stars; she believes they’re rarely in her favor. Well versed at dodging caseworkers from Chicago’s foster care system, the past few years on her own have made Kricket an expert at the art of survival and blending in. With her 18th birthday fast approaching, she dreams of the day when she can stop running and find what her heart needs most: a home.

Trey Allairis hates Earth and doubts that anyone from his world can thrive here. What he’s learning of Kricket and her existence away from her true home only confirms his theory. But, when he and Kricket lie together under the stars of Ethar, counting them all may be easier than letting her go.

Kyon Ensin’s secrets number the stars; he knows more about Kricket's gifts than anyone and plans to possess her because of them. He also knows she’s more valuable than any fire in the night sky. He’ll move the heavens and align them all in order to make her his own.

When everything in their world can be broken, will Kricket rely upon love to save her under different stars? (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} Kindle Edition, 297 pages. Published December 19th 2013 by Amy A. Bartol (first published December 15th 2013). Source: ebook provided in exchange for an honest review via NEtgalley

{Rating} 5/5 - I loved it!

{Review} 

"Flipping a coin into the air, I watch as it arches toward the cascading water of the fountain." (page 1, line 1)

One of my favorite reads of 2014.

I loved it. I want to gush about how much I loved it. To gush about Kricket, a strong and smart heroine. About Trey, a swoonworthy hero. About the action and romance and star crossed lovers and hilarious friends you can trust with your life, political intrigue, secrets, twists and turns and a new world and so much more that makes up the awesomeness that is Under Different Stars.

Kricket has had a hard childhood. She's lost her parents, grown up in the foster care system and the woman that life has turned her into is a survivor, a woman who is a stone. But she's not a stone, she can be hurt, scared, and when a guy gets into her heart, she can love. She's sharp, a quick thinker, determined, and sometimes, vulnerable. She did seem a bit too together for a girl of only almost 18 but she had to grow up fast. I thought her adjustment to life on Ethar was well done, I empathized with her confusion and envied her charm and grace; I'm sure I would have been a mess in her shoes.

Trey is a military man, a rule follower, a man who can say the most unexpectedly poetic things. I loved his loyalty, his honor, his commitment to his family, to his country, to what he believes is right. He's the guy I'd want in my corner.

Kyon. Hard. Ruthless. Complex. Full of mysteries. Determined to have Kricket at his mercy.

The storyline is engaging and fast paced, the characters are memorable and when I got to the last page all I wanted was MORE. I can't wait to see what happens next in Sea of Stars.