This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic 
 I was worried when I started reading. The first few chapters parallel very closely to the movie Titanic (but in space). But then there was a dramatic turn of events. Kaufman and Spooner shipwreck their characters on an abandoned planet, twisting the story and making it their own. 
 Chapters alternate between Lilac and Traver. Two characters from completely different worlds. Lilac, the daughter of the richest man in the universe and a military success story named Traver, born the son of a poet. Under normal circumstances they would have nothing to do with one another, which Lilac makes abundantly clear time and time again. But in this strange and unexpected situation they throw convention to the wind and a tale of star crossed lovers comes into being. This also made me a little worried - at least in the beginning. I've never been a huge fan of the star crossed lovers trope, but as the story progressed that didn't stop me from swooning for this unlikely couple. 
 Outside of the romance their different worlds actually worked very well for the mechanics of the story. At its heart These Broken Stars is a survival story. And witnessing their struggle from two very different perspectives gave the story depth and ensured that no matter who you are you can find something to relate to in this novel. Though I have to admit I enjoyed Traver's chapters more than Lilac's. Both were well written but I thought Traver's had a little something extra. I thought his perspective was more emotional, more nuanced and more detailed. But I could see how other people might be equally drawn to Lilac's chapters. 
 While Traver and Lilac fight for their lives, a mystery begins to unfold on the page. This mystery is very well constructed. From the moment they landed I was constantly trying to guess what the big twist was going to be. It wasn't at all what I expected and neither were any of the smaller twists along the way. As impressive as the twist was, however, I didn't love the ending. I liked it well enough but it felt a little rushed and a tad too convenient for me to really be satisfied. And when all is said and done the science felt a bit off - I know, I know, it's speculative, but the science in science fiction should still be rooted in something logical. Even if it's just a tiny kernel of real possibility. (In my opinion of course, others are free to disagree). 
 These Broken Stars started off being nothing more than Titanic in space but quickly became a thrilling science fiction survival story, entangled with a swoon-worthy romance. I may not have loved every element of the novel but it is a well-written adventure that is sure to please fans of Across the Universe, Earth Girl and Under the Never Sky.