Across a Star-Swept Sea

Book: Across a Star-Swept Sea
Author: Diana PeterFreund
Series?: Yes
Angst Level: 2.5
Rating: 5 Stars!

Centuries after wars nearly destroyed civilization, the two islands of New Pacifica stand alone, a terraformed paradise where even the Reduction—the devastating brain disorder that sparked the wars—is a distant memory. Yet on the isle of Galatea, an uprising against the ruling aristocrats has turned deadly. The revolutionaries’ weapon is a drug that damages their enemies’ brains, and the only hope is rescue by a mysterious spy known as the Wild Poppy.

On the neighboring island of Albion, no one suspects that the Wild Poppy is actually famously frivolous aristocrat Persis Blake. The teenager uses her shallow, socialite trappings to hide her true purpose: her gossipy flutternotes are encrypted plans, her pampered sea mink is genetically engineered for spying, and her well-publicized new romance with handsome Galatean medic Justen Helo… is her most dangerous mission ever.

Though Persis is falling for Justen, she can’t risk showing him her true self, especially once she learns he’s hiding far more than simply his disenchantment with his country’s revolution and his undeniable attraction to the silly socialite he’s pretending to love. His darkest secret could plunge both islands into a new dark age, and Persis realizes that when it comes to Justen Helo, she’s not only risking her heart, she’s risking the world she’s sworn to protect.

In this thrilling adventure inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel, Diana Peterfreund creates an exquisitely rendered world where nothing is as it seems and two teens with very different pasts fight for a future only they dare to imagine.

Me:

Ever read the premise of a book and got so excited you couldn’t buy it fast enough? That’s what happened to me.

I have to tell you, The Scarlet Pimpernel is one of my all-time favorite stories.  I’ve watched the movie with Jane Seymour multiple times. I’m even making the boyfriend watch it!  (He’ll love it.) The musical adaptation is phenomenal. I even got to meet Douglas Sills! He originated the role on Broadway.

So when I saw that this book was based on The Scarlet Pimpernel, I immediately bought it on my nook. I HAD to start reading it right there and then.  

The best part? It lived up to my expectations. The author has created a vibrant world filled with incredible characters that seem to be barely contained by the pages. I was completely absorbed into the story. I was so sad to finish it, I didn't want to leave that world.

You:

Love Scarlet Pimpernel? Or a strong heroine? Dystopia or fantasy worlds? What about a fantastic cast of characters? Pick up this book.

Have you read Across a Star-Swept Sea? Or the other book in the series, For Darkness Shows the Stars? Or had a moment like I did, where you simply couldn't get your hands on a book fast enough? Leave a comment!