Under Different Stars

I’ll admit, I rolled my eyes at the ‘human girl caught between alien princes’ premise—until Kricket Hollowell opened her mouth. Bartol’s protagonist is a masterclass in writing a flawed, *real* teen: she’s impulsive, occasionally selfish, and her coping mechanisms (like her refusal to trust anyone) often backfire spectacularly. That rawness makes her eventual emotional growth hit harder, especially in scenes where Rudd’s narration cracks with vulnerability. The audiobook’s production is polished, though I’d dock half a point for a few overly dramatic pauses during exposition-heavy sections—Rudd sometimes leans *too* hard into the ‘mysterious alien’ voices, which can feel cartoonish next to her otherwise naturalistic delivery. The story’s strength lies in its refusal to rush the romance. Kricket’s relationships with the alien love interests (yes, plural) are fraught with genuine conflict, not just angsty misunderstandings. The worldbuilding is ambitious—think *Game of Thrones* in space, with warring houses and prophecies—but Bartol smartly filters it through Kricket’s cynical lens, so the lore never overshadows the character work. My one gripe? The final act’s pacing stumbles slightly, cramming too many revelations into the last hour. Still, Rudd’s performance keeps it gripping, particularly in a standout scene where Kricket’s past and present collide in a heart-wrenching confrontation. If you’re tired of YA heroines who exist solely to be rescued or adored, Kricket’s prickly, fiercely independent energy might just be your antidote.