The Stars Inside Us by Kristy Gardner.
Wow. The cover was the first thing I saw when I signed up for this tour. I did enjoy this book. Even though I haven't read book 1 and 2, I got into it straight away. I did like Calays character from the start. I did like the writing style. I loved how everyone came together. I read this book in two sittings. I just couldn't put it down. I really did like the ending.

"I'm just wondering how many species need to be sacrificed so one can live?"
This trilogy was everything that I wanted from alien invasion with queer MC, well maybe I wanted some nice aliens too, but these definitely weren't the boring aliens. They were brutal, murderous, cancerous to their planet and then to ours. I don't want to put spoilers here because it's a thing book and people might want to read it, hopefully I'll manage without them.
The way I got excited for Max! You have no idea how worried I was about that sweet dog, this will be the only spoiler I'll put here: Max is alive and well! We deserved this after all we've been through with Calay.
Don't get me started on Calay, even though I wanted to shake her several times, she still managed to stay my favourite during all three books. She always fell in love so quickly though, I was worried she'd end up betrayed again and killed. Briar was everything! She was the sweetest person in the whole trilogy, I fell in love with her right away.
"For the first time in as long as she could remember, she didn't want to run."
My brave Calay, she was through so many horrible things and during all these five years she never gave up on people amd kept fighting for Earth and humanity to survive. Was the ending what I expected, maybe not exactly, but it was a nice one and left me with happy tears.

Kristy Gardner’s The Stars Inside Us is an electrifying sequel that pushes the boundaries of post-apocalyptic science fiction, blending intense action, psychological depth, and emotional complexity. This novel picks up where The Stars Between Us left off, following Calay’s return to a ravaged Earth and the lingering threats of the mysterious Others and a fractured humanity. But what makes this story truly shine is how Gardner delves into the internal struggle of survival, loyalty, and what it means to hold on to one’s humanity in the face of overwhelming darkness.

Calay is a deeply compelling protagonist. She is bruised, both emotionally and physically, from the events of the previous book, and her return to the Resistance is fraught with both external dangers and personal demons. Gardner’s portrayal of her as a haunted survivor, burdened by past decisions, lends the novel a raw emotional core. Calay is not just battling external enemies but also wrestling with guilt, fear, and a growing sense of hopelessness in a world that seems to have lost its way.

The world-building in The Stars Inside Us is hauntingly atmospheric. Gardner introduces readers to an Earth locked in a perma-winter, a stark contrast to the vibrant landscapes of many sci-fi novels. This frozen landscape mirrors the emotional desolation of the characters, heightening the sense of isolation and despair. At the same time, the introduction of a mutated faction among the Others adds a layer of unpredictability and danger that keeps the stakes high throughout the story. These mutations feel like physical manifestations of the fractures between different factions—alien and human alike—further complicating Calay’s quest for survival.

One of the standout aspects of the novel is the nuanced relationships that Gardner crafts. Calay’s conflicted feelings toward the people around her, especially her evolving connection with Briar, bring an unexpected tenderness to the otherwise grim setting. Briar, with her warmth and open heart, becomes a source of comfort and complexity for Calay, challenging her ideas about trust and vulnerability. Their relationship—set against the backdrop of fear and betrayal—gives the story emotional weight, making Calay’s journey about more than just survival; it’s about finding hope and connection in the darkest of times.

The novel’s pacing is relentless, with one crisis after another driving the plot forward. However, Gardner also takes time to explore quieter moments of introspection, allowing the reader to feel the weight of Calay’s choices and the precariousness of the world’s future. These reflective passages help balance the high-octane action, giving the reader a chance to sit with the characters’ emotions and consider the deeper themes of the novel, such as sacrifice, loyalty, and what it means to hold on to one’s humanity when the world seems to have lost all semblance of it.

Gardner’s writing is immersive, drawing readers into Calay’s mind and the hostile world she inhabits. The tension between survival and morality is a central theme, with Calay constantly having to navigate the fine line between doing what is necessary and what is right. As past decisions catch up with her, the stakes become personal, and the weight of her choices grows heavier with each chapter. The final act of the novel is both heart-pounding and heartbreaking, as Calay is forced to confront her darkest fears and make decisions that could change the course of the world—or destroy it entirely.

The Stars Inside Us is a gripping and emotional ride from start to finish. It’s a story about survival, but more importantly, it’s about what we choose to live for in the bleakest of circumstances. Kristy Gardner has crafted a sequel that is both thrilling and thought-provoking, with a cast of characters who are as flawed as they are courageous. Fans of character-driven science fiction will find much to love in this novel, especially those who appreciate stories that grapple with the moral complexities of survival in a world on the edge of collapse.

In the end, Gardner poses a poignant question: In the face of extinction, what makes us human? For Calay, and for readers, the answer is as complicated as it is powerful.

Calay’s character development really shines in this one. She’s grown so much since the first book, I feel like she really understands herself now. This was the perfecting ending to such a high-stakes tale, filled with heartache, terror and hope. The writing style is so descriptive and captivating.

It’s sci-fi, lgbtq+, atmospheric. What more could you ask for? I enjoyed the entire series, including this book. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

There was a vast improvement with this third book from the first two in the series. The main character finally comes into their own and it was inspiring to see the growth they were finally able to take on the last novel. It was a good ending to a series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this Arc in exchange for my honest review.