This is a marvellous feat of a heartbreaking book. Written (and narrated) beautifully in an intriguing and engaging format, with letters, podcast episodes, and multiple points of view, Vile Stars is amazing. Serious triggers warnings for parental death, domestic abuse, transphobia and homophobia, and other things listed at the start of the book. It’s not an easy read. But it excellently showcases the skin crawling emotional and mental abuse of someone who gaslights and manipulates. It’s uncomfortable and unpleasant to read at times but it so perfectly demonstrates how these situations can arise. It also does a good job of showcasing how lockdown facilitated domestic abuse and isolation. This book had a great cast of characters and some beautiful friendships and it was such a good read.

Absolutely fantastic book. The depiction of the controlling relationship was so accurate that at times it made it a painful read.
But a very important book to get into the hands of a young reader to educate them of the signs

Subject matter ended up being too upsetting for me to carry on reading it. Unfortunately I had to put it down and not come back to it

Having read Milano’s last novel: ‘This can not never be real’, I was so excited to be approved for this latest offering. The writing is utterly captivating and certainly pack a punch. My new, ‘auto-buy’ author- I am sold!

Wow, this book was incredible. It definitely one that’s going to stay with me for a long time.

The writing style was incredible. So lyrical and pulled me into the story and refused to let go. It invoked so many emotions inside, stirring up old feelings, making me connect with the story and characters even more.

I can’t recommend this stunning and unforgettable book enough. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for a chance to read and review this book.

Told in what's becoming Sera's signature style, with POV switching rapidly between different characters, this is a love story that very quickly becomes something else entirely. Although I enjoyed the story, I found it difficult to get to know anyone, as the POV switched so rapidly from one to another - sometimes within a couple of lines.

The story itself is hard to read in spots, as everyone is going through heartbreaking, difficult things. Apart from anything else, it's set at the beginning of the Covid pandemic in England and some of it goes through their first lockdown, including one character losing a family member to the illness. Although this may be offputting to some people, the last two years have been such a huge part of people's lives I think they have to be faced up to.

The main topic - coercive control in relationships - is one that's so important to talk about, because a lot of people have one image of it and don't realise that it can take a lot of different forms. We need to make sure that people know how to recognise it, what to do if they think a friend is caught up, how to act and how not to act. I didn't know the information about Boots given here, so it's great to get it out there.

Sera is establishing herself as a writer to watch, and I can't wait to see what else she writes.

"Grief is just Love with nowhere to go"

After the powerhouse that was "This Can Never Not Be Real" I was both reluctant and desperate to read "Vile Stars" because really you think such things can't possibly get you again in the same way.

It didn't. It got me on all sorts of other levels- not only in the remembered and still felt grief for my own Mother but in the tangible sense of it that will linger for a long time.

Vile Stars is an exquisite portrait of grief and the darkness such vulnerability can attract.

Seen through the eyes of friends and family, Luka's spiral downwards and the desperate situation she finds herself in whilst looking for impossible answers is darkly observant and hugely relatable. The sense of being unable to change anything whilst wanting to change everything is palpable throughout this story as it unfolds. It was beautiful and horrible and melancholy and uplifting all at the same time.

Now I've finished it I'm not sure that love conquers all but I'm damn sure it won't die trying.

Fantastic writing and I will unapologetically and immediately read everything this author writes in the future.

Highly Recommended.

Comment

I was a bit nervous to read Sera Milano's new book, Vile Stars, as I loved This Can Never Not Be Real so much I didn't think it would compare and I was terrified of being disappointed.

I am thrilled to report that I absolutely loved this book and Sera Milano is 100% an autobuy author for me. It was just incredible.

Vile Stars is about Luka, a teenage girl grieving her mother, feeling confused and lonely she's in a vulnerable place. Luka meets Cosmo at a meteor shower and quickly falls under his spell. Cosmo is someone who sees her for who she is, who makes her feel loved, so why can't her friends and family be happy for her?

I am always drawn to books about coercive relationships and this book does it so well. Told in the same short, punchy format as This Can Never Not Be Real, it's easy to read and hard to put down.

I wish this book would be handed to every teenager out there so they can learn the signs of controlling people and relationships before it's too late. Not that the onus should be on young people to spot the signs, it just shouldn't happen, but unfortunately it does and if a book like this can save one person then it is worth its weight in gold.

There's so much more I want to say about this book but this caption is already long so I'll just say on the flip side of a traumatic relationship we also have a beautiful story in Alec and Theo and I love the representation in this book.

There are lots of trigger warnings for this book which are mentioned in the beginning before the story starts. Sera Milano really strikes me as an author who cares about people, mental health and representation and her acknowledgements have lots of great support websites for the issues mentioned throughout the book.

Sera Milano’s This Can Never Not Be Real was the first book I read this year and it absolutely blew me away. Vile Stars is no different. It is such an incredibly powerful book. Another easy 5 stars.

Vile Stars is the story of Luka Booth, a 17 year old girl trying to piece her life back together after a devastating loss. When she meets Cosmo under a meteor shower it seems like fate. But Cosmo isn’t what he seems and he uses Luka’s love for him to slowly take control of her life. As the country finds itself gripped by Covid 19, Luka becomes trapped in a coercive relationship. Whilst her friends and family can see what’s happening they struggle to reach Luka. Can she herself find a way out, and if so what will be left of her when she does?

Given the nature of this book I urge the reader to read both Milano’s content warning at the start and her author’s note at the end.

Much like its predecessor, Vile Stars is written in a unique way that works perfectly to tell it’s story. Written as episodic podcasts the main voices we hear from are Luka’s brother Alec, his boyfriend Theo and Luka’s best friend Roisin. We also hear from Luka herself in letters written to her mum that Alec incorporates into the podcast. In addition to these four main characters we are given the insight of several other key people throughout.

Whilst this story is predominantly focused on Luka we learn so much about the other characters. They are all so well developed, each with their own distinct personalities and their own issues that they’re trying to deal with whilst also worrying about Luka. I especially loved Theo for his bravery in being so determined to be true to who he is.

The subject matter of this book is very dark and heavy but it never once felt a chore to read. Whilst Milano deals sensitively and carefully with all the issues the characters face, she’s also not afraid of exposing just how dark and dangerous thinks can get. This is a YA book and I really think it’s vital reading for young people.

Another phenomenal book from Milano, I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

This Can Never Not Be Real stunned me last year with its emotional intensity and Milano’s ability to completely draw me into this gripping, immersive story. Vile Stars proves this was no mistake, with another intense and emotional gut punch of a book.

This was one of those books that you know you will bury deep in your heart. Milano’s portrayal of grief was stunningly emotional and full of authenticity. It is a complex and long-lasting process, with Milano showing every messy step. Like This Can Never Not Be Real, I really loved the narrative format of the story. The way we mix letters, interviews and podcast transcripts gives it that multi-media, layered feel that is that much more true to life. It is scattered and gives multiple perspectives on the unfolding events. The way Milano weaves together the past and the present is so clever as well, showing the benefit of hindsight in identifying a lot of these initial red flags and the way the control slowly builds.

Milano’s skills strongly lie with her ability to create such three-dimensional, flawed and fractured characters. They are so fleshed out and developed, allowing me to fall in love with them all. The narrative structure really allows you to get to know each person and how their experiences weaves this cohesive picture, though it is initially fragmented and needs to be pieced together. Cosmo’s narrative is mainly told through her letters to her mum, giving you that emotional fragility and vulnerability that Cosmo exploits but the reader is drawn to. She’s still processing her grief, acting out and getting drawn into this dangerous scenario. Milano’s presentation of coercive control and abusive relationships is nuanced and feels well-researched.

Vile Stars is a sadly timely examination of controlling relationships, domestic abuse and manipulation, which has sadly been exacerbated by the pandemic. Above all else, it is raw, honest and authentic. Make sure to keep an eye on what Milano does next.

Holy Hell this book was incredible. first the writing was incredible, it was so engaging and flowed really well with no lulls in tension, pacing or plot, the storyline was compelling and interesting and the characters were either loveable - Luka or detestable - Cosmo but all of them added something to the plot. I took Luka to my heart her grief and loss were palpable and almost suffocating to read about but that just made me love her more.
This was an emotive and heart- wrenching read in parts and also so twisty and unpredictable in others and had a chilling atmosphere interwoven through it.
This is an important book as sadly during the Pandemic there were lots of toxic relationships that really took it up a notch during lockdown causing many women, men and children to suffer and this is the first book that I have read about the pandemic that focuses on the aspect. I also think its an important read for young adults and teens as many may be able to relate to Luka but not know how to handle that or recognise the signs.
I really enjoyed it and i think the title is a really clever addition to the book.