By: Jamie Steinberg
Weslie Fleet has won a golden ticket on a luxury ship headed to Mars. The Boundless is packed with elite members of society and rich heads of companies. However, Weslie doesn’t fit in as an Earther and her fellow travelers make that known. Thankfully, there is at least one person on board who truly cares for Weslie, but sadly he’s the son of one of the biggest business owners. Can these star crossed teenagers put their societal ranks and futures aside and make a go at love? Turn the pages of Bound by Stars and you’ll find out.
Seventeen year old Weslie Fleet has been chosen as the winner of a contest based on building a robot whose purpose is to help sustain human life – ILSA. Weslie is to travel to Mars on a luxury ship – The Boundless – in the company of the wealthiest and most elite of society where she will give a presentation on her creation. Weslie’s mother has forbidden her from going on the trip, so Weslie sneaks out of the house with ILSA in tow and boards the ship. No one is happy to have Weslie aboard as she was raised on the dust-ridden ruins of Earth. Actually, scratch that – one person is happy to see Weslie. Jupiter, son of the heads of one of the richest families, warms up to his new presentation partner after he is assigned to assist her with drawing the schematics of the bot. Unfortunately, the disdain from her fellow passengers isn’t Weslie’s only problem. Someone(s) has been sabotaging the ship and alluding to it being the act of Earthers. And did I mention that she’s caught feelings for Jupiter?
Author E.L. Starling creates a slow burn where we first get to know Weslie as she has her head down focused on making it to Mars and showing off ILSA. I will say I absolutely love ILSA for her ability to save a life and her personality development; however, we are never privy to how Weslie came up with her concept – let alone what ILSA even stands for! Regardless, the storyline does truly make the reader feel a deep bond has formed between Weslie and Jupiter. But with thirty-five days to Mars – sped up midway through – is that really enough time for her to go from resentful to romantic?
Bound by Stars captivates because you want to see Weslie shove her success in these rich peoples’ faces, but you also really want her to open her heart up to Jupiter. He seems to truly care for her and is willing cast his familial destiny aside for their happiness. However, their happiness is not the only thing at stake – but the lives of their friends and family when the ship is sabotaged. Come for the futuristic world that could be and stay for Jupiter and Weslie to see if they can “re-write the stars.”