Book Review: Romance Awakens in Ashley Poston’s “Eyes Like Stars”

Eyes Like Stars is the first Young Adult (YA) romance novel set in the Star Wars galaxy. Since it is a young adult novel, the romance remains firmly PG, but the longing, chemistry, and twitterpation we look for in a good love story are all there. This one just happens to unfold in a galaxy far, far away.

That gives author Ashley Poston some mighty big boots to fill. How do you introduce two completely new characters and make longtime Star Wars fans care about them within the first few chapters? An irresistible setting certainly helps.

Hence, the premise: the story begins aboard the Starfarer, a family-owned cruise ship that takes guests on two-week journeys through the history of the Galactic Civil War. Its itineraries include destinations that will be very familiar to us fans: Naboo, the forest moon of Endor, Hoth, and even the asteroid field that was once Alderaan. Because the story takes place approximately 1.5 years before The Force Awakens, these monumental events have already become part of galactic history.

We meet Ardent Quay, the teenage daughter of the Starfarer’s captain, as she prepares for yet another voyage. Ardent has lived aboard the ship her entire life, surrounded by tourists eager to experience carefully packaged versions of the galaxy’s most famous battles and landmarks. She knows every stop, every story, and every routine by heart.

But this particular journey veers wildly off course when Ardent accidentally saves the life of Sian: a fast-talking, mysterious, and admittedly attractive stranger. In the audiobook, Sian is made even more charming by a lovely, lilting Irish accent.

With the First Order on his trail, Sian stows away aboard the Starfarer while attempting to return a precious artifact to its homeworld before he is captured, or worse, killed. Ardent soon finds herself swept into an adventure far more dangerous and exciting than any excursion the cruise ship could offer.

Although Ardent and Sian are new to Star Wars fans, the story contains a few intriguing connections to The Force Awakens, including three familiar characters and an important object from the film. I won’t spoil the surprise, but the novel provides a tantalizing puzzle piece that we’ve have been wondering about since 2015.

The story is told from Ardent’s point of view, making it an inviting entry into the galaxy for younger Star Wars fans and YA readers. Through her eyes, familiar worlds feel fresh again, and the Starfarer offers a delightful way to explore Star Wars history while allowing readers’ imaginations to soar.

Eyes Like Stars strikes an enjoyable balance between action, adventure, mystery, and romance. Just keep in mind that this is PG-level romance—don’t expect any Nora Roberts-style adult action! Truth be told, I could have used a little more romance, but that comes down to personal preference.

If you are interested in more romance in Star Wars after this one whets your appetite, I suggest watching The Empire Strikes Back, or reading Claudia Gray’s excellent novel, Lost Stars – the Romeo & Juliet of the Star Wars universe.

Overall, Eyes Like Stars moves along at an easy, entertaining pace. It is a sweet and fun addition to the Star Wars publishing universe, offering a dash of romance, an engaging new heroine, and some intriguing lore that connects back to the films.

Eyes Like Stars by Ashley Poston is published by Random House and is available now. The publisher recommends it for readers ages 13 and older.