I'm a huge Science Fiction fan and particularly love books that take place in space or on different planets. Throw in a dangerous enemy and some strong characters, and you've created a book tat is right up  my alley. At least in theory. I did enjoy The Cruel Stars and there were plenty of parts I thought were great, but overall, I was a little disappointed in this one.  One thing that threw me off right away was the fact that there were quite a few different perspectives, but no real connection between them. Of course, later it all came together and made sense. But at first, I had a hard time feeling invested in each character's situation because it all seemed so disconnected and some of the situations weren't particularly interesting for me. There were a few perspectives I immediately enjoyed, however, so that gave me the push I needed to keep reading until the dots began to connect. Even then, there were some characters I didn't feel as invested in. But at least once I understood the plot better, I could see why they were present.  But one thing I really appreciated the world building in this book. I was so impressed with Birmingham's ability to create a unique and well-developed universe with such a rich history. I would have liked a few more details about some things, but for the most part I thought the worlds and people created were filled with such rich details. I feel like I could step right into this world.  Overall, I enjoyed The Cruel Stars, but not as much as  I was hoping. I still think it's worth reading though, especially if you love action-packed space operas. There is a lot to love about this book.  Thank you to NetGalley and Del Ray for the chance to read and review this book!