Across a Star-Swept Sea

by Diana Peterfreund

Overview

From Rampant and Ascendant author Diana Peterfreund comes this thrilling companion to For Darkness Shows the Stars.

Centuries after wars nearly destroyed civilization, Persis Blake's world is once again in the throes of rebellion.

For Persis, her public life is that of a socialite, filled with parties and ball gowns. But while she seems to be a frivolous aristocrat, inside Persis beats the heart of a spy—the same heart that is falling for the enemy, Justen Helo.

Persis's heart belongs to Justen, but before she can tell him the truth, she discovers he has a secret as well—one that could plunge their tropical paradise into another dark age. And Persis realizes she's not just risking her heart, she's risking the world she's sworn to protect.

Across a Star-Swept Sea is a romantic, science-fictional reimagining of the classic The Scarlet Pimpernel.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062208798
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	10/15/2013
Series:	Stars , #2
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	464
Sales rank:	613,212
Lexile:	850L (what's this?)
File size:	566 KB
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

Diana Peterfreund is the author of many books for adults and children, including the critically acclaimed For Darkness Shows the Stars and Across a Star-Swept Sea. She lives with her family outside Washington, DC, in a house full of bookshelves, and is always on the lookout for lost cities or stray rocket ships.

Editorial Reviews

09/23/2013
Peterfreund (For Darkness Shows the Stars) dips into the classics again, this time mining The Scarlet Pimpernel for deeds of derring-do. The spy is Persis Blake, 16 and chief lady-in-waiting to the ruling princess of the island of Albion. Her parents conveniently distracted, Persis is free to quit school, spend unlimited money on her wardrobe (and disguises), and flit from party to peril, all while pretending to be “Albion’s loveliest, silliest socialite.” Her true cause is rescuing tortured aristocrats from the revolution gripping the neighboring island of Galatea. But on one expedition, the “Wild Poppy” returns with an unexpected refugee: Justen Helo, grandson of the most famous doctor on Galatea, gifted medic, and revolutionary. Such a celebrity must naturally be feted at court, where the risk he will uncover the Wild Poppy’s double life is dangerously high. The story teeters into hyperbole at times, and the political debates and info-dumps can grow tedious. Still, it’s a charming bit of light adventure, and the chance to revisit the elaborate world Peterfreund created in For Darkness is welcome. Ages 13–up. Agent: Deidre Knight, the Knight Agency. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

[A] mysterious spy adventure in a lush and terrifying futuristic world” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (starred review)

“A charming bit of light adventure” — Publishers Weekly

“A good bet for readers looking for strong female protagonists, characters of color or just an enjoyable romantic adventure with a science-fiction spin.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Peterfreund’s novel is riveting and intense...Readers will love this page-turning story and its dramatic climax.” — Romantic Times

“Engrossing and fastpaced.” — Booklist

“Complex in both plotting and themes, this science fiction revision of The Scarlet Pimpernel offers political intrigue, narrow escapes, and forbidden romance” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“A well-paced story led by a strong and likable heroine.” — School Library Journal

“Across a Star-Swept Sea is, like its main character Persis Blake, a delight. Intrigue, romance, beautiful world-building, nuanced characters, and timely, intriguing questions come together to make this the perfect read. I loved it!” — Allie Condie, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Matched trilogy

“An imaginative and energetic retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernel—sheer fun!” — Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author of the Pink Carnation series

“Delicious romance, class warfare, and genetic engineering—Diana Peterfreund will ensnare you with this sci-fi twist to a classic story.” — Cinda Williams Chima, best-selling author of the Heir Chronicles and Seven Realms series

Praise for FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS: “This novel is a postapocalyptic retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion that will be a hit with fans of sci-fi romances … Readers will keep turning the pages right up to the end.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

Praise for FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS: “A richly envisioned portrait of a society in flux, a steely yet vulnerable heroine, and a young man who does some growing up.” — Publishers Weekly

Praise for FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS: “A post-apocalyptic retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion scores high for ingenuity.” — Kirkus Reviews

Praise for FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS: “Diana Peterfreund’s For Darkness Shows the Stars is an impassioned ode to Jane Austen, love, and the hope found in stars.” — Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE and A MILLION SUNS

Praise for FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS: “Don’t you love it when a brilliant idea meets with brilliant execution? Thank you, Diana Peterfreund for giving us a post-apocalyptic Persuasion. This book is meltingly good.” — Laini Taylor, National Book Award Finalist for LIPS TOUCH: THREE TIMES

Praise for FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS: “A beautiful, epic love story you won’t be able to put down!” — Simone Elkeles, New York Times bestselling author of the Perfect Chemistry series

Praise for FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS: “A smart and sexy tale of star-crossed love that’s as thought-provoking as it is heartbreaking.” — Robin Wasserman, author of THE BOOK OF BLOOD AND SHADOW

From the Publisher

An imaginative and energetic retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernel—sheer fun!

Lauren Willig

Peterfreund’s novel is riveting and intense...Readers will love this page-turning story and its dramatic climax.

Romantic Times

Complex in both plotting and themes, this science fiction revision of The Scarlet Pimpernel offers political intrigue, narrow escapes, and forbidden romance

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Engrossing and fastpaced.

Booklist

Delicious romance, class warfare, and genetic engineering—Diana Peterfreund will ensnare you with this sci-fi twist to a classic story.

Cinda Williams Chima

[A] mysterious spy adventure in a lush and terrifying futuristic world

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (starred review)

Across a Star-Swept Sea is, like its main character Persis Blake, a delight. Intrigue, romance, beautiful world-building, nuanced characters, and timely, intriguing questions come together to make this the perfect read. I loved it!

Allie Condie

Praise for FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS: “A smart and sexy tale of star-crossed love that’s as thought-provoking as it is heartbreaking.

Robin Wasserman

Praise for FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS: “Diana Peterfreund’s For Darkness Shows the Stars is an impassioned ode to Jane Austen, love, and the hope found in stars.

Beth Revis

Praise for FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS: “Don’t you love it when a brilliant idea meets with brilliant execution? Thank you, Diana Peterfreund for giving us a post-apocalyptic Persuasion. This book is meltingly good.

Laini Taylor

Praise for FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS: “A beautiful, epic love story you won’t be able to put down!

Simone Elkeles

Complex in both plotting and themes, this science fiction revision of The Scarlet Pimpernel offers political intrigue, narrow escapes, and forbidden romance

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Engrossing and fastpaced.

Booklist

Complex in both plotting and themes, this science fiction revision of The Scarlet Pimpernel offers political intrigue, narrow escapes, and forbidden romance

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

[A] mysterious spy adventure in a lush and terrifying futuristic world

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (Starred Review)

12/01/2013
Gr 9 Up—Persis is an airhead aristo who cares only for the latest styles and tending to her queen—or is she? The Wild Poppy is a renegade who rescues enslaved aristos from the clutches of revolutionaries—or is he? In truth, they are one and the same. The novel follows the adventures of Persis and "the league" as they attempt to right the wrongs inflicted by Galatean revolutionaries upon society. Persis might have carried on at the same pace—socialite by day, spy by night—if her path hadn't crossed with Justen's. He is grandson to the famous Persistence Helo, inventor of a treatment that saved many from suffering "reduction," but also proved to have unintended side effects. Once Justen enters Persis's life, seemingly remorseful for the dark direction taken by his people and ready to make things right, she is unsure if she can trust him. As she wrestles with her simultaneous distrust and growing admiration for him, all the while continuing her mission as the Wild Poppy, adventure and intrigue unfold. Persis's well-drawn world is one of genetically engineered pets and communication methods called palmports that require users to take supplements to sustain their functionality. It provides the backdrop for a well-paced story led by a strong and likable heroine. Readers will relish its tender moments, especially one shared by Persis and Justen in a star-swept cove, as much as its abundant moments of suspense.—Jill Heritage Maza, Montclair Kimberley Academy, Montclair, NJ

School Library Journal

2013-09-15
Peterfreund follows up her post-apocalyptic version of Persuasion (For Darkness Shows the Stars, 2012) with a gender-flipped Scarlet Pimpernel. On a Pacific island in a high-tech future, 16-year-old Persis Blake seems the epitome of a lady: beautiful, charming, stylish…shallow and stupid. The Wild Poppy, her alter ego, is clever, courageous and noble, crossing the sea to rescue aristos imprisoned by the tyrannical revolution. Dashing young medic Justen Helo claims to have turned against the revolution that betrayed his family's legacy--but can Persis trust him with her secret? Beneath the science-fiction veneer, the plot follows its source almost beat for beat, sacrificing some swashbuckling and suspense for lush scene-setting, secondary character development and a large dose of teen angst. The interplay between appearance and reality runs throughout: If the Poppy is a master of deception, every other player also wears masks, and everyone fails to look beneath the surface. Most, interestingly, are female, and while the different paths available for women to pursue heroism (and villainy) are subtly examined, the portrayal of their friendships shines. The narrative also raises thoughtful questions about class and gender bias, but it ultimately shrugs off the ramifications; feudalism is fine if the lords are nice enough, and though everybody rails against sexism, no one actively bothers to challenge it. While this title stands alone, cameos from the previous tale will please fans. A good bet for readers looking for strong female protagonists, characters of color or just an enjoyable romantic adventure with a science-fiction spin--especially if they haven't read the original. (Science fiction. 12 & up)

Kirkus Reviews