Review: Starflight

Publication: February 2, 2016 by Disney-Hyperion

Genre: Science Fiction, Space Fantasy

Format: Hardcover 

Add this on: Goodreads

All Solara Brooks wants is a one-way ticket to the outer realm. Even struggling for her existence on a barely terraformed planet would be better than living in a place where she's defined by the felony tattoos on her knuckles. She's desperate enough to sign on as an indentured servant to Doran Spaulding, a privileged former classmate who made her high school life miserable, in exchange for passage. They quickly find themselves on The Banshee, on the run from the law, after Doran is framed for conspiracy- making Solara a wanted accomplice. In an effort to clear both of their names, the head for Planet X, where Doran was meant to make an information pick-up, only to find that what waits there may change their world forever.

I have been away for six million years because I am the worst. That's all I will say on the subject.

So. This book. I only really heard about it well after it came out, but was immediately intrigued by the fact that it takes place in outer space, because, well, outer space. I love outer space. I'm always ready to read a novel set on a spaceship... (Illuminae, anyone?) I suspect seeing Star Wars in the fifth grade may have shaped me as a person.

And this one was a fun read. I wasn't thrilled with every part of it, but overall quite enjoyed it. It was almost like an introduction to a lot of tropes, but it was done in a way that wasn't completely irritating. While I didn't initially love the characters, Solara had traits that I could respect and I enjoyed watching Doran grow into a person I didn't hate.

Watching the characters grow was probably the most interesting part of the book. For the most part, they're trapped on a ship together, at close quarters with each other and the rest of the crew- a ragtag group, some of whom are keeping dangerous secrets. It was fun learning about the rest of the crew, and watching Solara and Doran figure each other out. I wasn't totally engaged in either of them all the time (especially at the beginning), but I still enjoyed reading their journey.

The plot was fairly fast-paced and featured running from the police, space pirates, and sneaking. This was a plot that basically started quickly and didn't really abate until the last chapter or so, though some of the events felt a bit disconnected or not entirely necessary to the plot. The ship is a pretty well-constructed setting (though I would have really liked a blueprint, just because I really like maps, okay?)

Overall this was an enjoyable read- I wasn't blown away, but it contained enough elements that I liked that it was still worth picking up, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book!