The Last Flight Of The Starleap: A young girl and a ghost with an extraordinary past embark on an adventure that's about to break the universe

by Simon Panneton

On a lonely hilltop, under a star-filled sky, a 12-year-old orphan named Ellie quietly sits next to a ghost and says nothing for a very long time.
She does not recognize Star Captain. How could she? No one on Earth knows who he is. To the rest of the universe? Star Captain and his wife Alpha Girl were once legends. They were saver of worlds. Fearless space-explorers. Adventurers! Swashbucklers!
But that was decades ago...
Today all that's left of the great Star Captain is a glimmering echo, a fraction, a shadow, a ghost haunted by the tragic outcome of his last, failed mission.
His arch-nemesis has defeated him.
His wife is held captive in a remote, impenetrable prison.
His spaceship, the fabled Starleap, is out of his reach.
He is lost.
Ghosts, after all, cannot mount daring rescue missions, they cannot pilot spaceships, they cannot fight, and they cannot save their loved ones, no matter how badly they may want to.
But I could, Ellie will say, if you show me how...

Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure

529 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 28, 2023

Reviews

[ruby_mtl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book and was transported into a universe beyond my wildest imagination. The characters worked their way into my heart, taking me on an adventure that had me checking my heart rate more than once and also dabbing my eyes with their story…
I miss them and can’t wait to read them again in my very own copy!

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indescribable

Indescribable. Beautiful. Read it. Please.

I am not good at reviewing books. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it was so far beyond anything I could have expected.

[Jean-Yves Guyomarc'h · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon Panneton wrote a book made of pure adrenaline. A roller coaster ride through a fantastic, magical, mind-blowing universe... Ellie will grab you and will not let go until she is done with you. A must-read... You are not ready for this.

[whataimeereads_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been one LONG wait to write this review, only because personal circumstances and life got in the way however, the impact of this novel had remained firmly in my brain. Every detail of this story is clearly remembered, which in itself speaks volumes to the strength of his writing and the emotional resonance of the text. This is exceptional quality writing. I'm very surprised that it has not received wider recognition. Out of all the books I have reviewed, this one stands out for its completeness. There is not one plot inconsistency that I can even pull out, not one weakness, no unresolved narrative threads. Instead, it reflects the dedication of an author who has clearly poured all blood sweat and tears, invested significant time and emotional energy into the work. Each scene felt deliberate, not rushed. Many people who I've spoken to regarding this book, they've asked what genre is it? I can't even fit it into one. My honest opinion, is pure nostalgia. It carries a David Bowie and Labyrinth kinda vibe mixed with Marvel-like energy. It feels timeless, yet cinematic at the same time. The character development is that well written, that by the time you have finished the book it genuinely feels like you've lost your closest friends. Zachary (who is also Star Captain) I'm not saying too much as I don't want to spoil it for anyone exists as a 'ghostly figure' whose presence is very complex yet poignant. Alongside him, is Ellie. A 12 year old girl who appears to be fragile and vulnerable but gradually emerges as one of the most resilient, funny and emotionally compelling characters in the book. Her growth is handled with authenticity making the journey she is on believable. There are so many themes included, that covers, loss, anger, betrayal, trust, love and it would appeal to both young and adult readers. The language always remains clear and approachable, the science lingo is top notch and incredibly clever. My favourite thing of all is that the book invites reflection, it encourages you to consider larger questions surrounding our existence and life out there. Despite the fact its a big book, the novel maintains a strong pace throughout, nothing is rushed. It remained engaging from beginning to end, it balanced action with true scenes that felt natural. The landscapes, planets, settings are incredible and contributed to the novels cinematic quality. I would strongly advise the author to actually edit this into a screen play as I feel this would hit off so well in the cinemas. The book is hilarious, it contains strong sarcasm, and genuine moments where I laughed out loud, but my favourite element is the emotional weight that defines it. The ending left a lasting impression on me long after I finished the final page. One of the most powerful moments to me occurs in the scene between Ellie and the Moon, the central themes of love and emotional vulnerability are shown here with striking honesty.
“I have real tangible moments where I believe with all my heart that I’ll never hear those words again, you know? But I feel it all the time. I feel big love. It comes without warning and sweeps me up in a wave and I get overwhelmed. I don’t know where to throw myself and I just want to hug someone or the entire world until I crush it to pieces. I don’t know if that makes any sense. I need an outlet, what I’m saying, so that my big love can seep out gradually every day and not build up and up and up until I’m afraid my heart will burst open. That’s what hurts, you know?”

“For what it’s worth, I love you too,”
This entire scene I haven't written as I don't want to ruin it, however I cried like a baby, and it was so worth it. I could write about this book for so long, but I will end it with this. This is a RARE and deeply memorable novel that will stay with you long after it ends. It's the kind of story that you wish you could read again for the first time and leaves you wanting more. If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh, break your heart, and remind you why you fell in love with reading in the first place. This is the book you are looking for.

[S.J. Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a sad little girl goes from running away from home to becoming the Universe's next most fantastic heroine, you must suspend some disbelief, but that's what fiction is all about. Take an ordinary person, preferably someone struggling with life, and thrust them into an adventure of a lifetime (or several lifetimes), and see how they respond.

In "The Last Flight of the StarLeap," Ellie responds -- does she ever!

The saddest, most excitable 12-year-old you've ever seen launches herself into the Universe with the help of a 40-year ghost, a self-aware spaceship, a giant bear, an elk, and a singular goal -- save someone she's never met by completing a list of impossible tasks in amazing places she's never been with a host of people she hardly knows because love is the most important thing in existence, and she is willing to do anything to make sure that others feel the connection she's hopelessly lost.

Buckle up. Starleap is an epic in a lot of ways. Not only are Ellie and her newest bestie Zachary, the ghost and former hero of the Universe, faced with impossible-upon-impossible odds, but the journey is long. Life is hard, and it's especially hard when you're a 12-year-old girl who just lost her parents, discovered animals can talk, spaceships exist and the Universe is full of amazing people, spectacular places, and a particular level of kindness she's never experienced on Earth.

Ellie and Zachary are a super team, and not just because they've decided they will be -- because they need each other more than they know. They struggle with their own problems, including self-doubt, fear, anger, and occasionally hopelessness, but their journey to overcome all obstacles for love gives them a singular focus that burns away all the pain.

I've mentioned love a lot here, but I don't want anyone to think this is a sappy love story. This is an epic adventure that literally spans the Universe, and the places you visit and things you see Ellie and Zachary do are among the most creative things I've ever seen in reading fiction for multiple decades. In the end, however, Ellie proves that there's really only one force in the Universe that can overcome anything, and it's not her -- it's love. So, stash a few tissues in a flat pocket for the final bit, and go find out what happens when the StarLeap gets its newest pilot, even if she's not old enough to drive.

[Rolinka · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, there’s not a lot of books that made me cry, they are few and far between. But the ending of this book got me right in the feels, I was crying and laughing at the same time!
I can’t think of a anything like this book. It’s like Star Wars meets The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy meets Indiana Jones meets The Goonies. And a little bit of Mario Kart (iykyk).
The main characters are very likeable. Definitely not without fault, but I think that makes them even more likeable than they already are. And Ellie is just a 12 year old badass!
I cannot recommend this book enough. Just give it a chance, you won’t be disappointed.
Here’s to hoping mr. Panneton is busy writing his next book!

[Mary Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book

I wish I could start reading this book from the beginning and not know how it ends because I feel so darn good. Autocorrect wrote darn, not me. I value the heart of this story, and I appreciate the author. If he hasn't written another book, I'll be disappointed. I know it's selfish to want to read a new book by him, but I can't help myself. This is why I read, and this magic and wonder happen so rarely. Thank you for sharing your universe with me. I will never forget it or the characters you brought to life.
Buckle up and hold on. You have no idea what's coming, and I envy you.

[HN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good read, with some minor caveats. Would have been better positioned as YA except the protagonist swears like a sailor (there was a perfect way to negate this with the story's babelfish analog...) The pacing is a little weird with a few middle acts feeling rushed, but overall very sweet and relatable characters. Recommended!

[Chari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book! I love this book with all my heart and I cannot recommend it enough! Beautifully written with lots of humor!

[sharon saban · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Unique!

I loved this book. Beautifully written. So much depth and meaning in the story. This book will definitely be on my mind for awhile.