The Sun is Also a Star — Why Love, Science, and Fate All Deserve a Second Look
- Je'Kendra Robinson
- Jul 19
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 20
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST • NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE • An all-encompassing, whirlwind romance that’s “beautifully crafted” (People) and “full of intelligence, understanding and hope” (Los Angeles Times)
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, BuzzFeed, PopSugar, Publishers Weekly, New York Public Library • A Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Book of the Century
I found The Sun is Also a Star thanks to a reel my coworker Sophie, certified book enthusiast and unofficial office librarian, sent my way. This became my audiobook pick for June — and let me just say, it wasn’t just background noise. It hooked me. Nicola Yoon’s story isn’t just entertainment. It’s one of those reads that lingers.
Setting and Release Details
Originally published in 2016, The Sun is Also a Star unfolds entirely in present-day New York City, capturing a single day filled with what-ifs, almosts, and near misses. The movie adaptation followed in 2019, bringing that same New York pulse to life visually.
What It’s Really About
It’s about two strangers. Natasha, all facts and science. Daniel, all poetry and fate. And the third, most important character: The Universe. It’s not just love, science, or destiny — it’s about all of those things tied into a 24-hour window that somehow feels both way too short and exactly long enough. The Universe moves in its own quiet, undeniable way, guiding Natasha and Daniel through a day neither of them could have scripted.
Why It Hit Me Differently
At 40, I’ve learned to respect the quiet forces shaping things around me. Whether you call it God, angels, the universe, or your aunt’s vibes — there’s something bigger guiding the show. We make choices, sure. We plan. But there’s always that invisible hand pushing pieces around the board. This book sits right in the middle of that idea. That fine line between free will and letting go.
One of my favorite lines? “There’s a scientific explanation for everything. And then there’s love.” Tell me that doesn’t hit like a quiet truth bomb.
I won’t spoil the storyline. Everyone else already covers that. I’d rather talk about the way it made me feel — the way certain moments had me sitting there saying, “Hmm.”
Book vs. Movie: My Take
Now, usually, the book is better than the movie. But here’s where I surprise myself: I enjoyed the movie more than the book. Directors Ry Russo-Young and Tracy Oliver managed to piece together 24–36 hours of story and make it work. Yara Shahidi as Natasha and Charles Melton as Daniel? The chemistry was there. The pacing felt tighter. Visually, New York came alive in a way words couldn’t quite capture. That chemistry between the leads made everything feel more urgent, more real.
Watching the movie felt like walking through a living postcard. The book gives you the internal monologues, the movie gives you the city. New York wasn’t just a backdrop; it was a full-on character. The book dives deeper into the internal conflicts, especially Natasha’s pragmatic mindset versus Daniel’s romantic optimism. You get more context around their family dynamics through Natasha’s thoughts. The movie, however, condenses those moments and instead gives weight to silences, glances, and the rawness of a single glance meaning more than a paragraph of narration. Music, pacing, and visuals turned what was reflective in the book into something visceral on screen.
Culture Matters: Korean and Jamaican Backgrounds
One thing I really appreciated? Getting to explore both a Korean and Jamaican background through Daniel and Natasha. It’s not often that mainstream stories spotlight two cultures like this without one overshadowing the other. Seeing both families, their traditions, expectations, and dreams layered into the story made it feel fuller, richer. It gave the characters depth beyond just their romance.
The Bigger Concepts: Multiverse, Carl Sagan, and Red Strings
One idea that circled my brain: the multiverse theory. In the film, Natasha explains it simply: “Every possible outcome plays out in another life.” That comes from physicist Hugh Everett III, who introduced the multiverse theory in 1957. It suggests that for every choice we make, an alternate universe exists where we made a different choice. One where Natasha walks away. One where she stays.
And then there’s Carl Sagan, quoted in the movie: “Human beings are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it’s forever.” That’s not just science; it’s perspective. Our lives feel so big, so consuming, but in the grand scale of the universe, we’re brief — beautiful, but brief. Life is both tiny and infinite at the same time.
And don’t get me started on the red string theory. Straight out of East Asian mythology, it says two people connected by destiny are linked by an invisible red thread, no matter time or distance. Natasha and Daniel? Absolutely red-stringed.
Favorite Moment
My favorite moment? When Daniel says, “I think the universe is conspiring for us.” That line doesn’t just float by. It lands. I’ve had those moments. You probably have too. When things align so perfectly it feels like the universe just tipped its hat in your direction.
I also liked the ending (for both the book and movie) — with the crazy 24 hours, you just never know where the author was taking this ending. It left just enough open space for reflection without feeling unfinished.
Final Thoughts and Ratings
That’s why The Sun is Also a Star is bigger than a love story. It’s a reminder. Don’t hold so tight to logic that you forget to leave room for magic. Don’t hold so tight to magic that you forget to get up and actually do something about it.
For me? I’m a mix. Natasha when I’m scheduling life down to the minute. Daniel when I let go and let the universe surprise me.
So I’ll Leave You With This
If you’re looking for a book (and movie) that makes you think about love, science, timing, the multiverse, and invisible red strings, give The Sun is Also a Star a shot. Read it. Watch it. Then just sit with it. Ask yourself: Am I more Natasha or more Daniel? Or am I floating in between?
Either way, remember: “We are capable of big love.” That’s not just a tagline. That’s truth.
If every choice you make creates a new version of your story, are you choosing boldly enough to live the life you actually want?
Do you think we end up exactly where and when we should? If we’re not where we should be, does the universe give us a gentle nudge (or sometimes a full-on shove) to get us there? Do you believe in multiple universes? Are you living as your best version? Or maybe your second draft? And if there is a better version of you out there, would you really want to meet them? Or would you rather focus on making this version count?
Rating
3.75 out of 5 stars for the book, 4 out of 5 stars for the movie
Compared to Goodreads’ 3.9 out of 5 stars for the book and Rotten Tomatoes’ 53% audience score for the movie, I’d say my rating sits somewhere in the middle. Not a perfect story, but definitely one that makes you pause, reflect, and feel something real.
Find It Here
Amazon: CLICK THIS LINK
Audible: CLICK THIS LINK
Comments