I wasn't sure I was going to like Starflight. I heard good things and I like a good space opera, but I also had just come off reading The Long Way To A Small Angry Planet and that's a tough act to follow. As I settled in with this one I realized the two books are similar in some respects but also very different. Both share a sense of a lost protagonist and a crew trying to find their way in the galaxy. A galaxy that is not very friendly.
Solara is a felon who's been marked as a sign of her conviction and Doran is an arrogant rich kid who hates Solara, and they end up on the same spaceliner heading towards the outer colonies. In fact Solara ends up indentured to Doran as she has no other way of getting passage. Predictably this is the story of their relationship and how it evolves, and also how they fit in to the crew of the rogue ship they encounter when things get too hot. Solara is a character I liked right off the bat, and Doran took a while to grow on me but he's meant to be that way- we're supposed to dislike him at first. I thought their relationship evolved in a believable way and I really liked them as a couple- probably my favorite part of the book was their relationship.
It also helps that we get Doran's POV along with that of Solara. He's much easier to understand when we get in his head a bit. The crew of the ship are not as developed as say in The Long Way but while they are important, this is clearly Solara and Doran's story so that makes sense. And the crew do have their charms- I particularly liked Renny and the captain Rossi. Oh and a certain furry glider.
The only real issue I had is it seemed too easy at times? I mean nothing with the pirates was easy per se but the fact that they waltzed out of there the way they did seemed a little implausible. And what did Rossi's crew do for engine repairs before Solara got there? But other than that this was an enjoyable, fast paced YA space adventure and I would love to spend time with these characters again.
Solara is a felon who's been marked as a sign of her conviction and Doran is an arrogant rich kid who hates Solara, and they end up on the same spaceliner heading towards the outer colonies. In fact Solara ends up indentured to Doran as she has no other way of getting passage. Predictably this is the story of their relationship and how it evolves, and also how they fit in to the crew of the rogue ship they encounter when things get too hot. Solara is a character I liked right off the bat, and Doran took a while to grow on me but he's meant to be that way- we're supposed to dislike him at first. I thought their relationship evolved in a believable way and I really liked them as a couple- probably my favorite part of the book was their relationship.
It also helps that we get Doran's POV along with that of Solara. He's much easier to understand when we get in his head a bit. The crew of the ship are not as developed as say in The Long Way but while they are important, this is clearly Solara and Doran's story so that makes sense. And the crew do have their charms- I particularly liked Renny and the captain Rossi. Oh and a certain furry glider.
The only real issue I had is it seemed too easy at times? I mean nothing with the pirates was easy per se but the fact that they waltzed out of there the way they did seemed a little implausible. And what did Rossi's crew do for engine repairs before Solara got there? But other than that this was an enjoyable, fast paced YA space adventure and I would love to spend time with these characters again.
I agree! I really enjoyed this and loved the pet squirrel! The first encounter with the pirates may have ended easily, but the second one? I think it makes up for the first encounter. Such a good point about the repairs! I loved that Solara was such a good mechanic that I didn't really think about how much they were depending on her. LOL! Great review :)
ReplyDeleteYou might be right, the second encounter was a bit more drastic! And I loved Acorn! And I got the impression that she was the only one who knew how to fix the engines! But they must have managed somehow. :)
DeleteSounds cute but not very substantive.
ReplyDeleteIt actually was pretty good, but compared to the Long Way To A Small Angry Planet it was a little more- YA-ish?
DeleteI know what you mean about comparing other space opera adventures to A Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet -- virtually all of them are going to pale in comparison! But I like the sound of Starflight, and you're right that it sounds like a very different beast. Sometimes a fun, action-packed read about people who fall in love despite themselves is all you're looking for! I'll definitely be adding this to my TBR.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Long Way is SUCH a hard act to follow, I didn't want to compare them but they're so similar it was hard not to. But Starflight is good, and I hope you like it if you get to it!
DeleteThat is one pretty cover. But it sounds like the story's a little simplified and predictable, huh.
ReplyDeleteIt's not bad and actually I liked it a lot it was just tough comparing it to a very excellent read right ahead of it. In fairness to Starflight though it is good.
DeleteThe way you explained the book seemed like it's just one very predictable story. Sounds like a book I won't read in the future. LOL. I like the cover though.....
ReplyDeleteI liked it and there were some surprising moments, I just didn't LOVE it.
DeleteWonderful honest review for this!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI've been curious about this one, so I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'll definitely have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I think it;s worth a read. :)
DeleteI like the sound of this! I don't read much science fiction of any kind but I'm always on the lookout. The funny thing is that your issue with everything seeming to easy appeals to me! So often in science fiction-y type books everything is so hard and so much goes wrong that the idea of something a bit lighter sounds really fun. I'll have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteTrue! This one is breezy, it's got some nice character development but it's not super heavy.
DeleteI'm glad you ended up enjoying it :-) I completely agree that their relationship ended up being believable and probably my favorite thing about the book too. And the author did manage to make Doran go from unlikeable jerk to likeable character. I didn't necessarily think things were too easy (though now that you've said it, I'm wondering if you might be kind of right), but now I am also wondering what they did for repairs before Solara lol.
ReplyDeleteI did, I enjoyed it much more in the back half. It really took off for me and I enjoyed their relationship a lot. I didn't think Doran was going to be able to be likable but she pulled it off. :) And yeah Solara sorta became instant mechanic expert lol.
DeleteI should probably clarify since the second pirate encounter was a lot more involved. I jsut thought the first one was a little pat.
I really like Landers' Alienated series, so I'll probably try this one at some point as well. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it and will definitely read Starfall.
DeleteI loooveed this book, it was so cute and fast paced :) I'm glad you enjoyed it as well. Great review!
ReplyDeleteBenish @ Beenazai
I did too, glad you also liked it!
DeleteI'm currently reading the final book in Landers' Alienated series. I really like this series and plan to read Starflight soon. It's good to hear you enjoyed this. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI think it's good and I hope you enjoy!
DeleteGreg, I always know I can rely on you for good scifi recs, so a blanket thanks for that. :D I think this may have been on my TBR previously, but I wasn't in a hurry to read it. Now I feel like picking it up soon though. Also, pretty cover! The Long Way is on my list too, so basically I WILL READ ALL THE THINGS. :D
ReplyDeleteWell thank you! That means a lot. :) I think this is good, and Long Way- you should definitely read. It's excellent.
DeleteI don't read sci-fi too often, but this sounds very promising! I love watching characters who are initially unlikable evolve as the book goes on, so I'm definitely interested in reading this!
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of a soap opera, and I'm sorry this didn't turn out the way you wanted -- what book would you recommend if you wanted to read a space opera out of curiousity?
ReplyDeleteWell I'd have to say The Long Way To A small Angry Planet. It's probably my favorite SF of last year. It's just fabulous. That would be my top pick!
DeleteThis isn't my normal genre so I am not sure - especially since I have A Long Way to a Small Planet I want to get to. Glad you enjoyed it even if it was too easy at times. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThe Long Way is the superior one in my view- I mean, they're both good and this is a fine book but if I were going to recommend one, I'd say Long Way. It's fabulous.
DeleteIt's always a bit tricky when you end up comparing a book to another you recently read. I actually just ordered this book as I think I will enjoy it. Kristin also pointed out their relationship developed in a realistic way and I will keep that in mind when I start reading it as I am usually not a fan of those enemies to lover type of relationships. And that's good to know that Norah becomes more likeable. Too bad things got a bit too easy at times, but overall it does sound like a good read.
ReplyDeleteIt does, I so didn't want to compare but it was hard not to. So many similarities... even though they have a different style. I think you'll like it, and the relationship does develop nicely. Definitely a slow burn.
DeleteA couple things you mention are catnip to me. Slow burn romance - relationship development. Duel viewpoints. A complicated character you learn to like. Character-focused. Lots of things that make me a happy reader. I think actually one of my other blogging friends specifically recommended this one to me because it seemed so much my kind of book. I have not yet read a A Long Way... and I think based on your initial comments, I'll read this first so there's no chance of letdown,lol!
ReplyDeleteOoh you'd love this then. It has all those- especially the slow burn romance and the way it develops. And I think that's a great idea! Read this one first, then Long Way. I don't think you'll regret either one. :)
DeleteI carried this book around for a while [something new I do now, carrying books, smh] but never got to read it. I'm not sure I'm a big fan of space opera but maybe this is a good one to try especially if it's fast paced and there is good shipping involved :) Glad you enjoyed it :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting book and great review! http://shoshireads.weebly.com/home/city-of-heavenly-fire
ReplyDeleteThis one was tentatively on my TBR and now you've made me want to read it. If I enjoy it I'll definitely pick up The Long Way just to see ;)
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of the characters and dual POV and a believable romance is always good!
I enjoyed this one more than I expected to. I thought of Firefly while reading it, and for a romance you see coming from the very first page, it was well done.
ReplyDeleteThis book is one which completely passed me by so I'm not reading all the reviews for it so I can decide whether or not to invest. It sounds like it was pretty good, though. Sure, it will never compare to The Long Way but that book was pretty amazing, it sets a very high bar. I mean, I often think that books seem to make things a bit too easy for the characters, but most of the time I'm enjoying the book too much to care. If that and a few underdeveloped characters are your biggest complaint then I'm pretty certain this will be a very enjoyable read for me. Great review.
ReplyDeleteI adore this cover and it initially grabbed me on Netgalley, but after I read the summary I wasn't too sure I wanted to commit to having to read and review it, so I didn't request it. Maybe someday in the far flung future I will have extra time for these second tier books. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review Greg. I haven't read a sci-fi for ages! but intend to put that right this year and read at least one! The Long Way ... sounds character driven from the reviews on Amazon so I'm adding that to my wishlist. Thanks for linking. #ToTT
ReplyDeleteI am not big on sci-fi so not sure why I picked this up to review on audio, and it still sits there as I am not sure what I will think. I did like this authors other sci-fi series, so I just really need to try and see...lol. Great review! :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds pretty good! I mean, I want to read it because... pretty cover, basically. But I do not love that it seemed a bit easy and unrealistic, that can be a HUGE deal breaker for me. Though, a fun and easy read is also nice too- and if I like the book enough, I can overlook those things sometimes. Especially if there is a ship to be shipped hahha. Great review, glad that it was mostly enjoyable!
ReplyDeleteI love sci-fi but I can see that coming off of A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, this one had it's work cut out for it. I'm glad you still managed to find it enjoyable for the most part - despite things being a bit too easy at times. I've heard mostly positive things about this so I think I'll read it eventually :)
ReplyDelete