Title: Crystal

Author: Darby Cupid

Pub. Date: July 31, 2020

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

When she fell to Earth, she had no idea just how far she’d fall…

As their lives become inextricably tangled, new friendships are put to the test as they face dangerous strangers with mysterious and deadly powers. When Crystal discovers the reason behind her family’s assassination, she must accept the crown to save her planet, even if it means making the hardest choice of all.

This will be a spoiler free review. Thank you to the author for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% and my own.

This book gave me Lux series and Our Dark Stars vibes, and I’m so ready for book 2!

If you’ve been around for a while, you’ll already know that I’m a big SF fan. But as much as I love a good “set in space” SF, I’m such a sucker for “first alien contact, soul mate, intergalactic turmoil, stranded on Earth, drama filled stories.

Like, such a sucker. So much so, I read this book in like 4 hours because I didn’t want to put it down. The only times I stopped reading was when I got too hot baking in the sun, so I had to go dip in the ocean to cool off. Then it was right back to devouring this book.

I will say that I felt like the plot was a tad rushed. I wish it had been just a little more drawn out and that (as the reader) I had more time to get to know the characters, before and after Crystal arrives. I liked the characters and liked that their personalities were different, and they seemed to complement each other well, but it was hard to 100% get emotionally behind them. I think the fast-paced plot lends to the insta love, which I’m normally not a fan of, at all, but damn. I ate it up in this book. I was wholly behind Dylan and Crystal. And with the way the book ends…that cliffhanger is cruel. I have bad feelings and I’m still internally sobbing with what happened.

I really want more insight into Dylan (and the rest of the cast). He seems to have it rough and despite having a group of friends, he feels lonely, like he has no one to talk to. At least, no one who will really understand. He needs a hug.

Now, Jake…that boy is trouble.

T R O U B L E

I think he means well, but damn. I’m kind of not a fan of Jake because of this weird possessiveness he gets over Crystal and how he just seems off. Though, from a narrative perspective, I’m very interested in seeing how this dynamic plays out. I don’t think it will be a love triangle, because I don’t think Crystal feels that way, but I’m all for drama, so bring it on.

I’m assuming this book takes place in England, though, that’s just a guess. With the way some of the characters talk, and the way Crystal describes the language as sloping and round, it led me to believe they’re speaking with British accents. No American uses “mate” that much lol. Again, I think this is where the rushed plot comes into play, but I wish more time had been spent on the world building. Even if it’s set-in modern-day England, or just a place that is supposed to emulate England, I wish that were clearer. I don’t think it’s ever specified, and it left the world open to some interpretation. Which, I guess, isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it left it feeling a bit unmoored.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I’m so looking forward to book 2. I have suspicions on how Crystal ended, and I want to know if I’m right or wrong. And I don’t know which one I want to be. But I’m very curious and very excited. If you’re looking for a quick, enjoyable SFF read, then you should definitely check this one out when it comes out July 31, 2020.