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    Starflight
    Starflight
    Starflight
    Audiobook9 hours

    Starflight

    Written by Melissa Landers

    Narrated by Amanda Dolan

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Solara Brooks needs a fresh start, someplace where nobody cares about the engine grease beneath her fingernails or the felony tattoos across her knuckles. The outer realm may be lawless, but it's not like the law has ever been on her side.

    Still, off-world travel doesn't come cheap; Solara is left with no choice but to indenture herself in exchange for passage to the outer realm. She just wishes it could have been to anyone besides Doran Spaulding, the rich, pretty-boy quarterback who made her life miserable in school. The tables suddenly turn, though, when Doran is framed for conspiracy on Earth, and Solara cons him into playing the role of her servant on board the Banshee, a ship manned by an eccentric crew with their own secrets.
    It's been a long time since Solara has believed in anyone, and Doran is the last person she expected to trust. But when the Banshee's dangerous enemies catch up with them, Solara and Doran must come together to protect the ship that has become their home, and the crew that feels like family.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateFeb 2, 2016
    ISBN9781494589721
    Starflight

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    Reviews for Starflight

    4/5

    146 ratings20 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Solara Brooks is an orphaned girl who is a talented mechanic yearning to build a life that is hers only. She has spent almost her whole life in an orphanage getting by on the kindness of others. Recently she has come into some trouble, the kind which has severely curtailed her dreams and puts her in a position that she is willing to become a servant for travelers on a space liner destined for a resort location, if that someone would only finance her way to the outer realm. A place that has been rumored to prize skill over beauty, and she was a skilled mechanic.I love this character. She is very believable. She is spunky, gutsy and not afraid to break the rules. She is a quick thinker and decency oozes from her even though she has had a rough life. I love that as a character she developed but not who she was. She is decent, honest and loyal. The changes that we see in her are more about acceptance of her past mistakes and allowing others to get behind her defenses and allow herself to embrace those around her.Being the last person looking to cut a deal on the loading platform was bad, especially considering that we are talking about space flights and the next one was not scheduled for a few months away, but even that was not as bad as the option that just showed up. Doran Spaulding, heir to the galaxy’s largest fuel corporation and complete narcissistic douchebag who tormented Solara during high school. Rock meet hard place and even though it sickened her to do it, Solara indentured herself to Doran.As expected this arrangement did not go well. Doran was what he seemed and he did enjoy tormenting Solara. Although she accommodated his every request it was her refusal to discuss the reasons for her felony tattoos (the “trouble” I eluded to earlier) that led to the plot twist that put them both on the Banshee. Oh my, that situation had me chuckling to myself. Once the tables are turned the story takes off and the plot thickens.This is where we get to meet the crew of the Banshee and they are an eclectic crew indeed (I am so fan-girling at the firefly-iness of this crew). The captain agrees to take them on for an astronomical price but time is precious and Solara is running out of options. They buy their way onto the ship and set off for the Obsidian Beaches to drop off Doran and then to the outer fringes and freedom for Solara. This crew is a no questions kind of crew and it seems like they all have a story to tell. Shortly after joining the Banshee Doran learns that he is wanted for questioning on Earth for a crime he says he did not commit. It also comes out that his father had sent him on his intended “vacation” in order for Doran to deal with some secret that is at the coordinates his father gave him. This is where the story really picks up. I do not want to be a spoiler so I will just use some descriptive phrases to “montage” my way past this: space pirates, dirty fighting, love interest, deadly betrayal, and close calls.Through all of this Doran goes from being a real jerk to a person who realizes that he has more to offer and is willing to take on the responsibility to be that person. So endearing Doran has become (my yoda moment). I also love the relationship building between Doran and Solara. It is believable and makes you just want to hug the book. It is not your typical YA mindless lust-mance, their relationship is built first on trust, then friendship and loyalty. It is exactly right.The action continues and there is a plot twist that just makes it all the more interesting. The camaraderie that develops between the crewmembers is fantastic. The book is filled with humorous dialogue and at one point I had actually burst out loud laughing and had a hard time containing myself. When I had finished the book I found myself thinking about how I wanted to know more, wanted for the story to carry on and I hope that I am not disappointed in the next installment of the series because I have very high expectations. This was a light read with good characters and space pirates! Who doesn’t love space pirates?!! Such a good read, you would not be disappointed. Get your hands on a copy as soon as you stop reading. It is that entertaining. What are you doing still reading?? Go….get the book….read it. Ha ha ha
    • 4/5
      Space Pirates!!!! This book is basically for fans of YA fantasy and fans of Firefly. It seems to borrow heavily from Firefly for the plot (Two fugitives, one of whom is a rich young guy who seems to have everything going for him, are on the run from the all controlling government enforcers and pay for passage on a ship that's not pretty and works just outside the law with a Captain and his hodge podge crew. The main character is a young cute girl who is an amazing mechanic and can fix everything. They break into a government run hospital to steal meds. They are chased by a pirate lord who controls all the outlaw business in the outer reaches of the realm and who wants them dead because he has a score to settle with the captain. Poorer people live in the outer terra-formed planets and they are more primitive in their lifestyles. They go to a planet that's not known to the normal world and is in the outer realm to uncover a secret that has been covered up. It's all very very very Firefly, just with a young adult twist.), whether that's a coincidence or not, I'm not sure. I didn't mind the similarities to Firefly as it only made me love it more. It is light and fun with a ton of space adventure and YA romance.
    • 4/5
      I was wondering how the hateful relationship would get turned on it’s head, and how subtlety it happened over time felt right. Enjoyable read, light and fun.
    • 5/5
      4.5/5 stars
      I really liked this book! It was well written, action packed, and the characters were great :) The ending felt lacking, but overall I really enjoyed the storyline and everything that happened. Some of it was predictable, but that didn't really have an impact on my enjoyment.

      The characters development was great and the romance grew out of a friendship as was a plus. Solara and Doran were quite relatable and they had great chemistry.

      The plot was fun and exciting. It moved along quickly and was action packed. The ending was good, but I wanted more. I wanted to see more about the things revealed and more conclusion to their story. I know there is a companion novel coming out that picks up where this one left off, but it's about two other characters that we meet in this novel.

      Overall, super fun read and I'm really glad it was the Uppercase book of the month!
    • 3/5
      Not a bad story -- wants to be Firefly. Isn't, but huge props for trying. Too much romance for me, but the space drama is amusing, and the universe is interesting. The one problem I have is that the terraformed worlds don't have any form of insect or bird life -- no pollinators means no life, so that was a disappointing detail, even though I understand the point of it.
    • 5/5
      I really liked this book. I thought it was very well written and very cute. I love space and I love rag-tag groups of friends, so this book really spoke to me. I thoroughly enjoyed the main character of this book. I thought she was a very cool and believable character and even though none of my life experience is the same as hers, I still felt like I could relate to her. I liked the romance between the main character and the male lead. Yes it did seem to develop very fast, but I think the time period of this book was actually fairly long. Space travel to the other side of the galaxy, with all the stops their ship made, is not that fast. Even if it did develop quickly to some people, it still felt very believable and heartfelt to me and it felt like they really cared about each other. I also loved all the other people who were on the space ship. They all felt like such believable characters and all their relationships with each other and the way the all interacted together made them feel very real. They also all had flaws that really added to their characters, while everyone still had an important role to play and there was no expendable character which I really liked. When the captain died in the last couple of pages, I was so upset and I was always worried for the rest of the crew I truly fell in love with the characters. I also thought the pacing of this book was really good. There was a lot that happened at the beginning but it never felt to overwhelming. I thought the backstories off all the various characters as well as stories of their past troubles were very well placed in the story. I also thought all the plot twists were very well executed. I know I should have seen it coming since it is a very common trope, but I genuinely did not expect Doran's twin to still be alive. I think it's really a credit to the author that I didn't see it coming, and some other people may have been expecting it, but it caught me by surprise. I was not surprised by the fact that Doran's father was raising the prices of fuel and also didn't want anyone to make a long lasting fuel to compete with his supply. His character was established very early on as someone who would do anything to make more money, so I was not surprised that he raised fuel prices and wanted to destroy Gage's invention of an extremely long lasting fuel supply. This story was really right up my alley. From the family dynamic of the crew on the Banshee to just the space travel and the exploration of so many other worlds and planets, I was drawn in from the start. I loved all this twists and turns this story made to get us to the conclusion and it was an ending that I was very happy with. I am really looking forward to learning more about where everyone in the Banshee crew came from and also more about how this future earth operates and more about the justice systems and different groups of people we were introduced to in this book. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series and I wish it was coming out before 2017.
    • 2/5
      not much depth but a fun time
    • 4/5
      Fantastic sci fi/adventure novel, set in the future: America still exists, but economic conditions for some are fantastic (i.e. billionaire business owners, etc) and for others abysmal (our "orphaned" protagonist, Solara, raised in a group home, once jailed, experienced mechanic) - The story begins with almost a (flipped roles) riff of the Star Wars IV - A New Hope: defiant outlaw type, living on her wits-Solara, hops on a star ship with rich, entitled and heir to huge mining fortune Doran Spaulding. The sparring and taunting begins immediately, i.e. as in Hans Solo and Princess Leia. But this book is so much more - the plot twists, the worlds they encounter in outer space, there's even pirates!! Loved it - kids will love it. Great choice for the Evergreen Award nominees for 2019.
    • 4/5
      I am so happy that space novels seem to be back in vogue. If you are a fan of Firefly then you need to pick up this book. Solara indentures herself to her high school prick of a classmate to get to the outer rings of space. It’s not an easy trip. Things get complicated quickly when Doran throws her off the ship. Solara gets the last laugh when she kidnaps Doran. She is going to make it to the outer ring at any cost. This book was not only adventurous, but it was fun and full of action. I am so glad there is a sequel that comes out in the next two weeks. I want to read more of this story. Doran and Solara end up on the Banshee which is a smuggling/delivery ship. But out beyond the tourist centers its is a wild world full of pirates, bounty hunters, and other things that can destroy everything. When I said it reminds me of Firefly, it does. In the best way. I can not wait for book 2.#beatthebacklist #Knightbus #characterthatrunsaway #LitsyAtoZ #S #mountTBR
    • 4/5
      Well, this was gobs of fun. A light, quick space opera adventure complete with pirates, plenty of wisecracks, and a love/hate romance. Solara is an orphan and a felon, desperate for a fresh start on a new planet far from her tainted youth. Doran is wealthy and arrogant, groomed since childhood to assume control of his powerful father's business. Forced to work together on a rusted fugitive spacecraft with a ragtag crew, they mix like oil and water. But much more is at stake than they're aware of and Solara and Doran will be forced to find common ground if they plan to survive. I could fault Landers for a tendency towards cheesy dialogue and cliche plot devices, but Starflight was too enjoyable to feel any disappointment. Fast paced, action-packed, and an all around delightful space odyssey.
    • 4/5
      This felt like it was somewhat stuck between being young adult and adult sci-fi, and I think it suffered for being young adult. The characters would have been more believable if they'd been in their 20s, which also would have offered more of a chance for the depth that so often seemed to be missing from the work. I did enjoy the intricacies of the main characters' relationship, and the psychology of the progressions, but when it came right down to it, that was what carried the book. Everything else felt overly simplified, overly easy, and lacking in real depth.All told, I probably won't pick up the sequel or more work by the author. There wasn't anything wrong with this book, but there also weren't really any surprises, or anything to bring me back to the world or the characters. If she writes an adult book at some point, I might consider it, but for now... enh?
    • 4/5
      I like sweet and easy reads Melissa Landers provides. This one was no exception. Fast, sweet and enjoyable, I prefer Alienated series though.Flow of events and even relationships were formed better in that series.
    • 5/5
      The Banshee & Crew...

      If you're looking for a hard sci-fi story, I'll go ahead and tell you, you're looking at the wrong book but if you just want a really fun and lighthearted story set in outer space, alas you have found it. I honestly haven't had this much fun listening to a book in a long time. It's about a convicted felon named Solara and a rag tag crew of fugitives that the story centers around including Doran-a rich, spoiled blue-blood, Rennie-a kleptomaniac, Cassia-a run away princess, Kane- a charming playboy and Rossi-the Captain of their ship, the Banshee, who carries a sugar-glider around in his pocket.

      Solara is fed up with her lot in life so she decides to try her luck as a mechanic in the lawless outer fringe. But she's a convicted felon and broke so getting there proves to be more challenging then she thought. She decides to hitch a free ride as an indentured servant but her master just happens to be an old classmate of hers that use to ridicule her all of the time and she's tired of his shit so she decides to teach him a lesson...

      That's where the story starts and I don't like to spoil the plot so you'll just have to read it or listen to it, which is what I recommend because I really enjoyed the narrator, Amanda Dolan. She really brought the characters to life and they're really what made this story so much fun. They get into numerous adventures and mischief on their trip and encounter bounty hunters, enforcers and even a band of space pirates along the way. There is never a dull moment and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't wait for the next book, Starfall, to come out. It's due to release in 2017 but I wish it was this year.
    • 4/5
      Ooooh! This was such a fun read; I could not put Starflight down! If you love fun space adventures and a super cute romance pick this series up immediately.
      You won't regret it.

      Okay, so first order of business in the wonderfulness that is Solara and Doran. They start off hating each other- Doran is basically a terrible person- but then shenanigans ensue and all of the sudden they are amazing as a couple. Doran starts off rich, bratty, and insufferable. Cassia is orphaned and very smart, but after commiting a crime and being branded, she needs to find a way to the outer realm. Solara ends up indenturing herself to Doran to get there, but that arrangement doesn't last long. They end up having more of a codependent relationship and then the hate slowly goes away... It's very sweet!

      Basically, after a lot of schemes, both Dorian and Solara end up on The Banshee, an old ship with character, and a lot less luxurious then their original "space liner" ship. The fun begins, though, when they become friends with the rest of the eccentric and lovable crew. *squee* I am so excited to read more about the crew in the next book!

      In the end, after many fun space episodes, it all ties together with a showdown. Very early in the novel, we learn Doran is accused of some serious crimes. The ending brings to light why he was framed and who masterminded the whole ordeal.

      Overall, Starflight was a read-it-all-in-one-sitting kind of book. It's not a new favorite but I still really loved the ride! I enjoyed it a lot more than Alienated (also by Melissa Landers). I am super excited for the next book, it focuses on two supporting characters from this book: Cassia and Kane! Their backstory was intense and I'm excited for it to all go down in book 2.

      (Also, if you loved Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach, I have a feeling you'll also adore Starflight. Just sayin'. )
    • 5/5
      I liked this book. It kind of reminded me of Cassandra Clare's writing when it came to the main ship? The way they love each other and hate each other and that whole journey? It was done really well and I enjoyed reading it. In fact, there were a lot of times I ended up laughing out loud. So well written and I'll read other books in this series if she writes more. I loved it. 5 out of 5 stars. I would recommend this book and will probably read it again sometime.
    • 3/5
      This science fiction book is basically the usual young adult romance but set in Outer Space. It is worth reading if you just want a fun book and don’t care that it won’t be winning any Nebula Awards.The standard YA tropes start coming out like the stars at night after Solara Brooks gets stuck on an interstellar voyage with Doran Spaulding. Both are 18, and had gone to the same high school. [What are the chances, out of the entire universe!] Solara is poor, but spunky and talented; Doran is rich, a football star, and a stuck-up bully. He is also devastatingly attractive and, need we say - good-at-heart, in spite of his initial presentation as a bad boy.Both of them have been underappreciated and misunderstood. They get a chance to grow up though as they have to leave their luxurious ship and traverse the galaxy in another, while running (or flying) for their lives. And as they become close to the new “family” that makes up the crew of their “rusted bucket of a [space] ship,” they learn about social justice, “what really matters,” and of course, they fall in love. Evaluation: Although the plot sounds hackneyed and there isn’t much world building for a science fiction book, this story still manages to be entertaining. It’s fluffy but fun, and while it certainly could have been a standalone, there is a sequel. As an aside, it has a great cover too!
    • 4/5
      Didn't know what to expect with this book, but ended up really enjoying it. The writing and plot are snappy and move along at a good clip. Despite the fact that some parts read like Firefly for young adults (ragtag crew! space pirates! sneaking in to a space hospital!) it was a good story with likeable characters who underwent believable changes as the book progressed.
    • 3/5
      This was entertaining, but didn't really stand out. Maybe the plot was just a little too predictable and at the same time the overall story arc was too vague.
    • 5/5
      I really flew through this. Within a few pages I was hooked into Solara's story and how it would turn out. I liked the world building Landers created from a future Earth. The haves and have-nots are oceans apart. Orphan Solara has turned 18 and can no longer be cared for by the nuns. She hitches a ride as an indentured servant to a former high school foe, Doran Spaulding, to head to the outer realm, where she can find work as a mechanic. The cosmos have been explored, commercialized and homesteaded. I thought it was brilliant the fuel was still a very barterable commodity and that the well-off still vacation on beaches, in whatever realm.
    • 4/5
      Originally posted on Emily Reads EverythingI posted the actual book summary from the back of the book, because in my opinion, its awful. This is a classic case of don't judge the book based on the summary. When I first read this description, I was shocked by how silly it sounded. The description to me sounds trite even now. She indentures herself and then they have to switch places and they learn something about each other in the process. How cliche and over done. Its like the plot of a 90s sitcom. Then its set on a spaceship where everyone becomes a family... so its a 90s sitcom set on Serenity from Firefly. I judged harshly. Then I read it anyway. Oddly enough, the cover really grabbed me. I thought it was pretty and I figured I'd try it. To be completely honest, I was trying to find something to give a negative review to. I thought it would be bad and I would say that. Maybe I would even find my first DNF. (Yes, its true, I never DNF). I was so wrong. Yes, a somewhat cliched plot drives the conflict at first, but reading, I found it didn't bother me at all. The descriptions in the book and the characters sucked me in right from the beginning. I really liked Solara. She was sassy. She knew what she wanted and she went for it. Not to say that she didn't make some stupid decisions along the way. Doran's backstory was also very redeeming. He's a jerk at first but over the course of the book he learns and turns into a character I really liked. There's a point where he steps out of his comfort zone and takes a risk for Solara and after that I was hooked. Since this was a book I was convinced that I wouldn't like, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. This was a solid story and I'm really looking forward to the second one. I'm hoping that it will be a story about two secondary characters, Cassia and Kane who have secrets of their own. Look past the silly plot description and give this book a shot!