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Girl Made of Stars

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Girl Made of Stars by Ashley Herring Blake is a powerful and emotional story that delves into the complexities of rape culture and its impact on relationships. The book follows Mara, whose twin brother Owen is accused of rape by his girlfriend, leading Mara to navigate the difficult position of choosing between her loyalty to her brother and her belief in her friend's accusation. As Mara grapples with her own past trauma and struggles with her romantic relationships, the story unfolds with themes of trauma, consent, and the challenges of coming to terms with difficult truths.

The writing style of Girl Made of Stars is described as raw, real, and impactful, with a focus on exploring themes of sexual assault, friendship, and self-discovery. The book addresses heavy topics such as rape, victim blaming, and trauma with sensitivity and honesty, while also incorporating moments of sweetness and hope amidst the darkness. The characters, especially Mara, are portrayed with depth and complexity, allowing readers to empathize with their experiences and emotions throughout the narrative.

Characters:

Characters are well-developed, reflecting a range of emotional struggles and identities, particularly within the context of trauma and personal relationships.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is accessible and emotionally driven, effectively conveying the gravity of the subject matter while remaining engaging.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on the emotional turmoil and ethical dilemmas faced by Mara when her brother is accused of rape, addressing complex themes of trust, trauma, and relationships.

Setting:

The setting is contemporary, providing a relatable backdrop for the exploration of pressing social issues among teenagers.

Pacing:

The pacing is fast and engaging, though some elements could disrupt the flow due to the complexity of the plot.
I stare at my phone for a few more seconds, analyzing my last text to her. It’s a simple question—Will you be at the Empower meeting next week?—so I don’t understand why she won’t answer it. Yes or no...

Notes:

The story centers around Mara and her twin brother Owen.
Owen is accused of raping his girlfriend, which creates conflict in Mara's life.
Mara expresses herself through her feminist magazine called Empower.
Mara is bisexual and previously dated a girl named Charlie.
Owen and Mara are described as Gemini twins with different personalities – Owen is more outgoing, while Mara tends to be quieter.
The cover of the book features astrological symbols and stars, which resonates with the story's themes.
Mara deals with personal trauma from an experience in her past related to sexual abuse.
The book addresses heavy themes like sexual assault, rape culture, and survivor experiences.
There is a subplot involving a love triangle with Mara's ex-girlfriend Charlie, who is nonbinary, and another character, Adam.
While many readers felt the book was emotional and authentic, some found parts of the character development lacking.
The ending does not provide a neat resolution, which reinforces the real-life complexity of such situations.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include sexual assault, rape, victim blaming, and discussions of trauma.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance present, particularly exploring the complexities of Mara's relationships with Charlie and other characters.

From The Publisher:

Girl Made of Stars is a timely, emotionally gripping story about facing hard truths of consent and victim blaming in the aftermath of sexual assault, while shining a light on the story of a survivor with sensitivity and hope. For fans of Girl in Pieces and The Way I Used to Be.

Mara and Owen are as close as twins can get, so when Mara's friend Hannah accuses Owen of rape, Mara doesn't know what to think. Can her brother really be guilty of such a violent act? Torn between her family and her sense of right and wrong, Mara feels lost, and it doesn't help that things are strained with her ex-girlfriend, Charlie. As Mara, Hannah, and Charlie come together in the aftermath of this terrible crime, Mara must face a trauma from her own past and decide where Charlie fits into her future.

Confronting difficult questions surrounding consent, victim blaming, and sexual assault, Girl Made of Stars is a timely, emotionally gripping novel that shines a light on the story of a survivor with sensitivity and hope.

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About the Author:

Ashley Herring Blake used to write songs and now she writes books, including Suffer Love and How to Make a Wish. She reads them a lot too and has been known to stare wistfully at her bookshelves. She lives in Nashville, TN with her husband and two sons. www.ashleyherringblake.com Twitter: @ashleyhblake Instagram: @ashleyhblake

 
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