Starflight by Melissa Landers Series: Starflight
Published by Disney-Hyperion on February 2, 2016
Source: Author Review Copy
Genres: Science Fiction, Romance, Young Adult
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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...
You know that feeling you get when you’re reading a book and you glance at the pages and you get scared that there’s so little of the book left and it’s just like NOO PLEASE GIVE ME MORE PAGES? That was me throughout this whole book. Seriously, the ARC is 358 pages and one of the thinnest I have – especially for a science fiction book! The whole time I was worried I wouldn’t like something or something wouldn’t develop enough for me. Fortunately enough, those fears proved unfounded and I enjoyed every single page.
Solara has felony tattoos on her knuckles and is looking for a life on the edge of humanity, the fringe. Her character was tough and magnetic. She has to work hard for everything she gets, and it pains her to be indentured to Doran, who we would term a “f*ckboy.” What else can she do though, being fresh out of the orphanage with no money and no life? I really disliked Doran in the beginning. Like I mentioned previously, he oozed out f-boy attitude: carefree, spoiled, playboy, and all those unsavory elements. Doran made it his job to make Solara’s life a living hell while he was her “master.” But alas, Solara had to deal with it to get to her goal of a new life. Although I didn’t like Doran’s personality, I was also excited to read about his character development later on in the book to change to an actually decent guy.
Well, soon enough Doran becomes a fugitive after being framed for a conspiracy and after an interesting turn of events, him and Solara end up on a ship called the Banshee where he pretends to be her servant and her his master. The crew of the Banshee was absolutely adorable, and each of them were on the run from something. I loved reading their interactions as well as discovering more about the cast of eccentric characters. Even though each of them have their own secrets, they stick up for one another and prove to be a family.
“Solara still didn’t know this crew’s secrets or how their paths had crossed, and yet these strangers had done more to protect her today than her own parents had in eighteen years. In her opinion, that was definitely something to be proud of. Renny was wrong when he’d said this was no life.
In that moment, there was no place she’d rather be.”
But because of those secrets (as well as what Doran and Solara are entangled in), there’s a bunch of things going on. The crew is always running away from something or another, be it the Enforcers, space pirates, or an army of people missing their temporal lobe (cool but creepy). It’s seriously non-stop action and adventure in this one, and although the ending was satisfying, Landers left some things open for a sequel or companion. (Which there will be a companion of! Yay! 😀 )
Man oh man, thinking about the romance gives me all the feels. Like I said before, Doran was a pretty huge jerk in the beginning of the book. But as he starts developing feelings for Solara and friendship for the rest of the crew, he really undergoes a change. Being a fugitive also opens his eyes to many things – like how quickly his so-called friends are willing to sell him out. The romance that starts developing comes out in a steady pace and is SO. CUTE. I loved seeing Solara and Doran’s interactions, especially as they realize how good they were for the other despite their initial impressions of antipathy.
Okay, so we have a wonderful group of characters running from space pirates and discovering something that could change society as we know it and a romance that is just *swoon.* Sounds like a recipe for an amazing book! The ending is satisfying enough for readers to close the book, yet leaves things open more awesomesauce in a sequel. Scifi lovers better pick this one up FAST. If you like reading an adventure with great character development, the opportunity of family, a scorching romance all rolled up in an exhilarating setting, then this one is definitely for you.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Aila J.
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THIS SOUNDS AMAZING AILA. To be honest, I don't think I have heard of this until today? And actually I would not mind a short sci-fi because the longer ones are slightly intimidating. Solara sounds awesome and badass, Doran, not so much, but I'm sure I'll warm up to him (maybe).
Awesome review Aila! I hope to get to this one day 🙂
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I hope you warm up to Doran!! Granted, it takes a while since he's such a jerk in the beginning, but aw mannn the couple is SO cute when they finally get together. And Solara definitely is kickass :DD
Doran took a while to grow on me, too. lol. he really was a f-boy tho. solara is seriously the coolest & the solara / doran banter had me going at the beginning. hahah. I'm so glad to see you loved it, too! <3
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Yay Peach! For real though, the dialogue was the cutest thing ever between Solara and Doran. I just loved seeing him grow from the beginning to the end of the book!
YAY! Glad to see you loved it! I read Lander's other series, which I enjoyed but didn't love, but I'm super excited for this one. The romance sounds awesome! Great review, Alla!
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Yay Cyn! I actually picked up Alienated after reading this one and enjoyed it too. Butttt I ABSOLUTELY FELL IN LOVE WITH STARFLIGHT. So I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, too!
I can't wait to read this book! Melissa Landers does romance really well, so even though the guy is a jerk in the beginning I have a feeling I will be shipping this couple hard. 🙂
Great review!
I think you will, too Danielle. 😀 I agree, I read Alienated after enjoying this one a lot and also really liked the romance. Doran's character development is soooo nice to read about.
I totally need this book in my life right now! Great review Aila! 🙂
Thanks so much Poulami! I really think you do omg 😀
This book sounds pretty swoony indeed! I need it in my life! I freaking love science fiction as a genre, especially when there's space hijinks and FELONS, yassss! I will need to check this out when it becomes available <3
Yayy Aentee! <3 EVERYTHING IS SO DELICIOUS in this book. Science fiction really is amazing *blasts off from a rocket ship*
I'm not much of a scifi fan, but adventure and loads of character development, that is up my alley! I really like the sound of this despite the scifi element. I actually think I'd be able to read this. Amazing review Aila! 🙂
Ooh yeah, the science fiction elements are THERE, but they don't inundate you with facts and statistics that can get confusing. It's just a really swell backdrop that features the COOLEST adventures. 😀
I love that feeling and wish I had it more. I am so excited for this one so I'm glad to hear you loved it so much!
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Yaas thanks so much Nereyda! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did when you pick it up~
I have just recently started to see this cover floating around but this is the first review. It sounds pretty awesome and love that ending is satisfying while leaving it enough open for the future. That is such a hard balance to achieve. Glad you loved it and greta review!!
Thanks so much Grace! It really is a perilous balance, in regards to the ending – but this book managed to achieve it. I seriously can't wait for the companion sequel.
SQUEEEEEEEEEEE I'm so glad you loved this one! I want to read it. I like the sound of the romance too! Great review!
YAYYYY Marianne I hope you get to reading it soon!!
This is the second amazing review I've seen for StarFlight, which makes me really happy that I've preordered it. I could do with some SWOON in my life right now!
You really could!! Ahh the romance and the science fiction elements make a great combination!
First off I was captured by the gorgeous cover. Then I saw your five star rating. Once I read "space pirates" I was sold. I need to read this book!
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HELL YES SPACE PIRATES. Their scenes are so freaking cool… actually, all the action ones are, anyway. I need you to read this too Bec!! :'D
How have I not heard of this one yet?!? I don't know, but man I am adding this one to my TBR. It looks so good! Great review!
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I'M SO GLAD I COULD POINT IT OUT TO YOU CYNTHIA. It's just full of adventure and family and love and all the great things that I like in books.
This sounds like a quick (358 pages really is short of a sci-fi), amazing read… I've been looking forward to reading this, and I'm excited to see that it lived up to its synopsis!
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AYEE yes Kelly, I certainly hope you enjoy the book as much as I did! 😀
WOW I ALREADY LOVE IT. I don't read much sci fi, because frankly, I just never end up picking them up. BUT I really want to read more this year, and this will definitely be one of them. Agh it sounds wonderful! Space pirates? Yes please!
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SPACE PIRATES! READ IT FOR THE SPACE PIRATES. :DD But yes, if you were to pick up a scifi, this is one you definitely should not miss!
AHH. This sounds absolutely amazing! I'm definitely going to have to pick this one up when it gets published. 🙂 I'm a huge fan of science fiction and this sounds like it is amazing in that regard. And the romance sounds so swoony! Thanks for sharing Aila and, as always, fabulous review! <3
Ooh if you're a fan of scifi Zoe, this is NOT one to be missed. And sighh, the romance was just absolute perfection. I loved it. And the characters. And the action. And everything – I'm so glad you're planning on picking this one up Zoe!
This one sounds so good! I especially love the sound of the romance – Doran's turnaround and gradual feelings for Solara will make me swoon I'm sure. 🙂 I'm glad that this was such a good read – I'm definitely add it to my TBR!
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I'm so glad Charlene! Seriously, Doran is just sooooo swoon. His character development was one of my favorite things in the book!
THIS SOUNDS AWESOME! I didn't really like Alienated but this seems so much better and more captivating. Fabulous review!
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Ooh definitely Sam! I read Alienated after this and thought it was super cute, but THIS ONE IS JUST *TWO THUMBS UP* Definitely tops the scale. 😉
THIS SOUNDS AWESOME! I didn't really like Alienated but this seems so much better and more captivating. Fabulous review!
This sounds fantastic! I'm excited to get around to reading it.
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I REALLY HOPE YOU ENJOY IT AS MUCH AS I DID. <3 Ahh, thinking about it makes my heart swell hehe.
Aaahh so glad to see this! 😀 I really really really want to read this one! 😀
YES Bieke I really really really want you to read it too! 😀
I'm so ready to read this. I never really enjoyed reading science fiction, until I started read YA a few years ago. You make this book seem incredible, and I can't wait to read it. Awesome review!
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Yaas thanks Lekeisha! I'm so glad to have convinced you. :)) Scifi is absolutely wonderful, when it is done right.
Ohh I love the angle already! The idea of the bully turning into the whip boy gives me the tingles. Lol. (I'm disturbed, I know.)
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No I totalllyyy get you. One of my favorite parts about the book was Doran's character development. And in the end he became SO. SWOONY. Sighhh. <3
LOL I know just what you mean. Those dwindling pages and so much more you want to know! This book wasn't on my radar, but it is now!
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I'm glad to have put it on your radar! And YES, that is the struggle with books. It's like you want to get to the end, but at the same time you don't!
I love the sound of the character development of Doran, Aila. I'm usually not one of the f-boy kind of character, but if he changes throughout, I'm definitely interested. The MC sounds great too and also that romance. I already ship it I think. 😀
Can't wait to read it!
Lovely review!
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Oh yes definitely. I was shaking my head at his antics in the beginning, but his character development was tremendous and I LOVE the person he came to be in the end. It's definitely a shippable ship. <3
Oh man, when you first mention Doran I'm like nuh uh, this guy doesn't sound pleasant at all, but afterwards I'm kind of glad he turned into a decent guy! Great review Aila, that romance sounds amazing!
OMIGOSH JEANN that was me at first too. But I know you like those antagonistic relationships, and this one is definitely a prime example. ;))
Aaaah, I'm so excited for this oneeeee!! I cannot wait to get my hands on it!!
Great to hear you loved it so much!!
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I'm so excited for you to read it!!!! Ahh Pili I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
I don’t often venture into Sci-Fi, but this sounds interesting. And I’m sold on this romance. Wonderful review, Aila!
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So glad I sold you on the romance! Sighh, thinking about it makes me feel all tingly inside. It's definitely a well-written science fiction I think you should pick up!
OMGGG I NEED IT!!! I wasn't really sure what this book was about? BUT I NEED IT. <3 The action sounds amazing and I <i>love this kind of sci fi. I wasn't like the world's biggest fan of Alienated, but this one seems a bit darker?! Squeak. 😀 I loved your review. Least to say I'm sold. ;D
YES I'm so glad I convinced you Cait! There's so much going on in this book, it's hard to really explain what's all happening. But suffice it to say, it was absolutely wonderful. Alienated was fun, but this one certainly tops it on my scale.
I have been reading a lot of YA sci-fi lately so why not to add another one to my TBR? 🙂 Especially, when character development and romance sound so good. Great review, Aila!
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There's never too much YA sci-fi to read! I'm so so glad you added it to your TBR. :))
Aila, AWESOME to see you loved this one so much!!! I ADORE sci-fi… so, obviously, I'm definitely going to get a copy of this one as soon as I can. Sci-fi + adventure and character development + scorching romance = yesssssss. <333
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YESS KARA I'm so glad you're getting to this one! HOPE YOU LOVE IT AS MUCH AS I DID. <33