Review- For Darkness Shows The Stars by Diana Peterfreund

Goodreads Summary:

It's been several generations since a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, decimating humanity and giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.

Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family's estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot's estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth--an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go.

But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret--one that could change their society . . . or bring it to its knees. And again, she's faced with a choice: cling to what she's been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she's ever loved, even if she's lost him forever.

Inspired by Jane Austen's persuasion, "For Darkness Shows the Stars" is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.

REVIEW:

When you put two of the most stunning words  from the English dictionary together, it gives you an absolutely impeccable title. For Darkness Shows The Stars is, firstly, the most mesmerising title ever. 
When the book first came out, I wasn't the least bit interested in reading it in spite of it being the centre of attraction. Then suddenly, I was so curious about it. I couldn't get the book and title out of my head and found myself writing the title down on spare pages.  I wanted to read the book so bad and I am glad I did. 
Honestly, I have no idea how to write this review. I'm going to have to skip writing my own summary of the book as I found myself asking 'What the hell is going on?' so many times. Really, I had no idea what was going on in the book. At all. Nonetheless there was something so attractive and captivating about For Darkness Shows The Stars that I had to read it and read it I did. I just could not put the book down for some insane reason, and it seemed to just work in spite of me not getting it at all. Damn, how the hell is that even possible? But that's how it was. It is the kind of insane-and-I-don't-know-what-the-fuck-is-happening that makes you feel better, not worse. 
There are plenty of characters in For Darkness Shows The Stars and each one plays a vital role and is well portrayed and unique. The two protagonists, Elliot and Kai, however, obviously are the most important. The book is inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion. Since I haven't read Persuasion, I don't consider the comparison aspect to affect me in any way. I am extremely fond of Jane Austen and just because I really liked For Darkness Shows The Stars, I hope to read Persuasion someday and understand For Darkness Shows The Stars better. 
It is essential to know that the world explained in the book is completely different. It's a whole new world altogether. The Reduction has made the world a new place composed of the Luddites, the Reductionists and the Posts which are divisions seen among the people. 
Elliot, a Luddite, was an enthralling protagonist. I loved how she picked her family over love and did all she thought was necessary to help her people and give them a life in the most excellent manner possible. She was brave and I admired her courage. To better the current conditions, she works extremely hard to produce whatever will satisfy all. Kai, on the other hand, is a Post and is genetically transformed into a newer, more invigorating version of himself, Captian Malakai Wentforth. 
When it came to the two as a couple, they did see a lot ups and downs. The letters that both Elliot and Kai exchanged as kids were really adorable and intellectual. No specific pattern was followed with letters dating back to 6 years, 4 years, 8 years and they were put in between. When Elliot refuses Kai's proposal to go away with him, they are both reunited later and that's when the plot gets heated. Yes, Kai did seem like a jerk when he ignored Elliot and hurt her, but he had his reasons for doing so which made him all the more strong and loving. Though predominantly a love story, an epic one at that, the entire plot is really gripping with a lot of stuff happening at once that makes you curious and keeps you intrigued. Besides, the aspect of being something totally different and out of this universe, adds a sort of an entangling touch to everything. 
Author Diana Peterfreund's writing is crisp and spot on and I'd really like to know what she was thinking when she decided to write the book. Yes, that's how fucking curious I am. I mean, how do these insanely gripping ideas even come and from where do they come? And  how do they leave you confused and intrigued? All at once? There is something so stunning about it, that even when there is a big question mark as to what exactly is happening, it still makes you want to read further, know more and keep exploring. 
I apologise for my confused review, for my use of a few bad words here and there and for my exessive use of the title throughout  but that's how the book was for me. It was insanely stupefying and confusingly great. My rating is somewhere between 4 and 5 stars, but I think I'm going to settle for a solid 4 as I would have loved a detailed explanation of how the world became whatever it became after the Reduction. 

The idea of clubbing Science Fiction and Dystopian is captivating and For Darkness Shows The Stars is, in the truest sense of the term, an impressive novel that takes you completely into a whole new world which is fascinating and entrancing. 

RATING:

X 4

Sarika