Review: Starflight by Melissa Landers

Title: Starflight

Author: Melissa Landers
Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Publishing Date:  February 2nd 2016

Pages: 369
Genre:  YA Sci Fi Thriller

Series:  Starflight #1
Source: Audio

 

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...

I totally went into this book pretty much blind except for the fact the author was Melissa Landers and it was a sci-fi in space. I loved Melissa Landers' other series and thought I didn't need to know any more. I loved this book.  I have decided this author goes on my must read list. I will read anything by her. This was a really good read. So different than her other sci-fi series and just as well written. This one is full of adventure, thrilling chases, a bit of romance, very snarky characters, a very lovely crew, and of course lots of space travel. It was pretty darn awesome sauce. 

Solara is a criminal, she is marked, she is poor, she needs to get to the other side of space to create a life for herself. The only way to do this is by getting a job on board a ship working for someone. The someone that happens to hire her is a jerk that she went to school with. Things along the way get mixed up and turned around and next thing you know the jerk is working for Solara, she is using his money, they are on a ship with some sketchy crew members, and the are thrown in to a world of criminals, betrayals, secrets, and lots of running and fighting. 

This book rocked. The only complaint I have, it did start out a little slow for me. Just for about an hour into the story. Once it took off, it zoomed into action and I was immersed and thrilled and just couldn't get enough of it. 

I loved so much about this book. I did love the story. It was filled with so many surprises and so much depth. The amount of background that was put into each individuals story and to lead them all together into one gigantic action packed story was pretty genius and very well done. There really wasn't anything I didn't like about the story itself. I fell into it pretty easy and was able to live the crew's life while I was on board the ship with them. It went over pretty flawlessly, well the story not their adventure. That was full of danger and struggles and trouble. 

The characters were all cuddles and love and snark. I loved each and every one of them. Even the trouble makers with attitude. They all had something to give and really fared a very important part of the story. They each had their own background story which made it all the more interesting and they all were able to hold their own in the kick butt category. 

Solara I didn't connect with right away. She was full of trouble and she was arrogant in her own way. Not quite as arrogant as Doran, but enough to kind of put a bad taste in my mouth. She had a rough life and at the beginning that is all that was said. I didn't know all her struggles so it was hard to see past her arrogant, entitled, pity party that seemed to be going on. But once she found her way and was able to get over some stuff, she was a pretty cool character. Tons of loyalty and love to give. 

Doran was very arrogant and I just loved him from the beginning. Not loved as in he was a decent person. He was not. But then again we didn't know his story either. But loved as in he was a pretty entertaining character. He made me laugh and I loved his attitude, even when it made me mad. As time grew on he really grew into something wonderful. Swoon worthy wonderful and I just couldn't get enough of him. He was great for Solara. A perfect match, he brought out so much in her and he too was as loyal as they come. Once he got over his anger anyways. 

There were tons of more lovable characters. One of my favorites will be the star of the next book and I can't wait to see more of her. Cassia was just so many things and really awesome doesn't cover it. She could really kick butt and was confident and knew what she was doing at all times. Fun spirited and just a joy to be around. Loved her. 

So many others but no time to go into all the characters. I would like to take time to talk about the romance. Oh my goodness. It was done so well in this book. Starts off as hate, then partners, then friends, then the romance. When the romance hit it blew up. It was so hot and wonderful. It felt right right and fit together seamlessly. Just the way I like my romances in books. 

Like I said the only thing was the pacing had a small issues in the beginning but that was really it. Other than that loved the story, the characters, the romance, it was all so so good. 

The audio rocked and I firmly believe the audio was the way to go. Sometimes in slow beginnings I need the audio and also the characters were so different and well done, the audio just brought them to life. I love my crazy and loved characters to have a voice in my ears and this narrator did a great job bringing them to life for me. This book was narrated By Amanda Dolan. I have listened to many others by her and really enjoy her style. 

Loved it and not so patiently waiting for the next. If you love adventure, love, and thrills in space. This is for  you. 

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.