Starflight by Melissa Landers Series: Starflight #1
Published by Disney Hyperion (2.2.2016)
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult
Format: Hardcover, 359 pages
Source: For Tour
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Life in the outer realm is a lawless, dirty, hard existence, and Solara Brooks is hungry for it. Just out of the orphanage, she needs a fresh start in a place where nobody cares about the engine grease beneath her fingernails or the felony tattoos across her knuckles. She's so desperate to reach the realm that she's willing to indenture herself to Doran Spaulding, the rich and popular quarterback who made her life miserable all through high school, in exchange for passage aboard the spaceliner Zenith.
When a twist of fate lands them instead on the Banshee, a vessel of dubious repute, Doran learns he's been framed on Earth for conspiracy. As he pursues a set of mysterious coordinates rumored to hold the key to clearing his name, he and Solara must get past their enmity to work together and evade those out for their arrest. Life on the Banshee may be tumultuous, but as Solara and Doran are forced to question everything they once believed about their world--and each other--the ship becomes home, and the eccentric crew family. But what Solara and Doran discover on the mysterious Planet X has the power to not only alter their lives, but the existence of everyone in the universe...
My thoughts
I was positive I was going to love this one before I ever picked it up. For one, I loved Melissa’s Alienated duology. Two, SPACE! There’s just something intriguing about space stories that draws me in. And just as I predicted, I loved it!
The pacing was super fast, there was never a dull moment. Pirates and bounty hunters and danger, oh my! There was tons of action to keep you interested, it was awesome! I especially loved the part with Demarkus. View Spoiler » Melissa Landers has truly wonderful storytelling that makes you want to soak up every last word!
“When I walk into a room, you’re the only person I see. My brain doesn’t get a choice anymore, because there’s something inside you so rare it radiates out and blocks everyone else. You have the kind of beauty that can’t be manufactured – the kind that comes from in here.” He tapped a finger against her chest. “I didn’t know what real beauty was before I met you, but I get it now. So trust me when I say you’re the most breathtaking girl in my world.”
*swoons* Okay, I’m not a fan of romance, but Melissa Landers sure knows how to write a good romance! Doran and Solara are forced together in the beginning, and it starts as outright hatred. But as the story progresses they start to warm to one another…you can guess the rest. I love those kind of romances! There was definitely a delicious slow burn going on. I loved Doran and Solara together!
I’m more than the sum of my mistakes.
I love that Solara was kind of an antihero. She has a record, and tattoos to prove it. She kidnaps a man against his will and holds him hostage. But she had reasons for doing the things she did, and for her past. She was a very complex character, and I loved her! I didn’t like Doran in the beginning – he was a spoiled, snobbish rich boy – but he grew on me. He changed a lot as the story progressed!
Starflight was a wonderfully imaginative thrill ride of adventure, and I definitely recommend picking it up!
Favorite quotes
She’d learned that home was a fluid thing, and whether on a planet, on a satellite, or on a rusted bucket of a ship, this crew was her home.
Overall Assessment
Plot: 4/5
Premise: 4.5/5
Writing style: 4/5
Originality: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
World-building: 4/5
Pace: 4/5
Feels: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Overall rating: 4/5
About the Author
Melissa Landers writes romantic sci-fi for teens and the young at heart. ALIENATED and INVADED are now available from Disney Hyperion, and UNITED, the third book in the trilogy, will release in August, 2016. The first novel in her new series, STARFLIGHT, launches February 2, 2016.
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Giveaway
I’m hearing so many good things about this book! I’m not really all that into Sci-Fi, but I have occasionally loved books in the genre (Lunar Chronicles, Illuminae) so I’ll pick this one up when I get the chance!
OOoh nice review! I still need to read Melissa’s Alienated! But I have it! Along with this one too! Hoping to enjoy them both as much, I’ve been hearing good things so it’s likely a done deal! LOL! Great review!
I love that there is never a dull moment to this story! I have heard really exciting things about this book–the world-building, romance, action–everything I love!
Ooooo. I LOVE your review! Enticing and makes me want to read this right away! Thanks!
I’m super excited to read this one. I didn’t enjoy Melissa’s Alienated, I’m not sure why? I actually want to give it another try! Anyways but the premise of this book just seems right up my alley :D
I’m really excited to read this book!
Great review and I like how you did your overall assessment!!!
This story looks great. I love sci-fi ya.
I loved Alienated and Invaded so much, and your review just makes me even more eager to read this one!
Glad that you liked STARFLIGHT!
I just finished reading it this morning and I loved it as well!
The romance took a back seat and definitely didn’t overshadow the plot, which was great.
I gave it 4/5 as well. Though I know it’s fiction and anything goes, the science was wrong and it made me cringe. Everything else was superb though!!