Starflight by Melissa Landers
Synopsis:
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 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. Given the price on both Doran and Solara’s heads, it may just be the safest place in the universe.
Review:
Solara is a smart and capable young woman who just needs help getting started out. But her plans go awry when her past is revealed. So, she resorts to kidnapping her former “master,” making him think he’s the servant. But the ship they purchase passage on has it’s own share of problems.
Starflight is a fresh and fun, science fiction novel that reminded me a lot of the feel of the Firefly/Serenity crew. This exciting, standalone novel is fast-paced and thrilling. I loved the complex characters, especially Solara and Doran. Doran goes through an impressive amount of character development – from a spoiled brat to an actual sympathetic character. I loved every bit of this fantastic space adventure for young adults. And as much as I appreciate standalone novels, I’d really love to read more adventures from this crew.