Book Review: Sky Without Stars by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell

I’m one of those crazy “book” people who has actually read Les Misérables in its entirety. All 1,200 pages of that bad boy. It took me six months of reading slowly, chapter by chapter so I wouldn’t get frustrated, but I did it. And it was (mostly) worth it. Victor Hugo’s novel is a masterpiece and there are so many truths hidden between all those words. So I am extremely impressed by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell’s science-fiction retelling, Sky Without Stars.

The planet of Laterre once stood for hope, promising a new life for the wealthy French families. But centuries later, Laterre is divided between the lavish elite and the starving poor. And beneath its surface, revolution is brewing. When a royal murder shakes Laterre’s stronghold, three strangers—a thief, an officer, a guardian—are thrust among the chaos and their choices will determine the future of the planet.

Sky Without Stars is a long book, as it should be. The intricate layers of character, setting, and politics the authors weave to create the backdrop and conflict of their retelling is phenomenal. It didn’t feel like I was reading almost 600 pages. From the start, I was dragged into this divided world on the brink of revolution and forced to fight my way out alongside the characters.

And the characters, like Hugo’s novel, are what draw me to the story again and again. Chatine’s desperation to be someone else and desire to be somewhere else. Marcellus’ inner turmoil of who to trust and who to be. Alouette’s longing for something more and loyalty to what she knows. The characters are mirages of their Les Mis counterparts but molded to this new universe, which sets them apart as heroes of their own story.

Other familiar characters populate the world of Laterre as well. From Chatine’s scumbag parents and the adorable street rat Roche to a cyborg Inspector holding an old grudge and Alouette’s father, who is hiding dark secrets. While I wish there had been more familiar faces (where are my barricade boys?), I trust they will show up in the sequel and it will be glorious. I also hope there will be more on LeGrand’s (Valjean) backstory since his character arc is my favorite in the original novel. I understand why the authors chose to focus the story on the younger characters, but I cannot forget that Valjean is the heart of Les Mis and the thematic elements of his arc are what made me stick through 1,200 pages of sewer descriptions and the explanation of the Battle of Waterloo.

The authors also did a fantastic job adapting the political instability of early 19th century France to a world with cyborgs and laser guillotines and video chat and other advanced technology. Some of the war-torn, struggling-to-survive aspects reminded me of the TV show Firefly and other parts were reminiscent of Star Wars. But it worked. It brought the problems of 19th century France to this new universe along with the desperation that strangles the people who populate the planet. I think the world-building, after the characters, is one of the best aspects of the book.

The plot itself is straightforward but so entwined with the various characters that it’s a lot to unravel. At the heart, the book is about the beginning of a revolution. But it’s much more than a revolution, and while it is loyal to the plot of Les Mis, it branches off into its own story. There are secrets and blackmail, longing for answers and love, desires to be seen and known, and hope for a future amidst the bleak gray skies. It’s Les Mis in space.

Sky Without Stars is an incredible and brilliant retelling of a beloved classic. While long, it dives deep into the characters’ psyche and morals and gives hope despite the circumstances. And oh boy, I am ready for the revolution.

~I checked out a copy of Sky Without Stars by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell from my local library and chose to write this review of my own free will. All opinions are my own.~

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