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Celestial Lights
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75 copies available
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A beautiful, heartbreaking novel about ambition, love, and space from the award-winning author of Wandering Souls
January 28, 1986: Soon after launch, the Challenger shuttle falls out of the sky and into the sea. At the same time, Oliver Ines is born. Celestial Lights is his story.
Ollie spends his childhood in an English village where his bedroom is covered in glow-in-the-dark wallpaper bearing the planets and stars. Decades later, he has become one of the most renowned astronauts of his time. When an enterprising billionaire taps him to lead a landmark mission to the distant moon Europa, Ollie makes a choice that will send his whole world spinning.
As the mission advances deeper into unchartered territory, Ollie finds himself retreating into the his university days in London and years in the navy, relationships found and lost, becoming a husband and father. But will the world he remembers still be waiting for him ten years later when he returns?
A portrait of a complicated man and a breathtaking tale of memory, personal choices, and the relationships that define us, Celestial Lights is an unforgettable story that questions what we owe ourselves and our loved ones when our ambitions and loyalties collide.
January 28, 1986: Soon after launch, the Challenger shuttle falls out of the sky and into the sea. At the same time, Oliver Ines is born. Celestial Lights is his story.
Ollie spends his childhood in an English village where his bedroom is covered in glow-in-the-dark wallpaper bearing the planets and stars. Decades later, he has become one of the most renowned astronauts of his time. When an enterprising billionaire taps him to lead a landmark mission to the distant moon Europa, Ollie makes a choice that will send his whole world spinning.
As the mission advances deeper into unchartered territory, Ollie finds himself retreating into the his university days in London and years in the navy, relationships found and lost, becoming a husband and father. But will the world he remembers still be waiting for him ten years later when he returns?
A portrait of a complicated man and a breathtaking tale of memory, personal choices, and the relationships that define us, Celestial Lights is an unforgettable story that questions what we owe ourselves and our loved ones when our ambitions and loyalties collide.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 24, 2026
7871 people want to read
About the author
Cecile Pin
6 books265 followersCecile Pin grew up in Paris and New York City. She moved to London at eighteen to study philosophy at University College London and received an MA at King’s College London. She writes for Bad Form Review, was long-listed for their Young Writers’ Prize, and is a 2021 London Writers Award winner. Wandering Souls is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 15, 2025
Having adored Cecile Pin's debut Wandering Souls, I was surprised and delighted to be sent an advance copy of this follow-up. It's even better than its predecessor and confirms her status as one of my favourite authors working today.
Celestial Lights tells the story of Ollie, an astronaut on a decade-long mission to Jupiter's moon Europa. It intersperses his mission logs with reminiscences on his life as he ponders what led him to leave behind his wife, child and family to embark on a dangerous and isolating journey through the cosmos. While there's plenty of sci-fi goodness, the novel's beating heart is the genius way in which Pin captures our personalities and relationships. I don't tend to be interested in family stories or romances, but I was gripped by this side of Celestial Lights just as much as the spacefaring, if not even more so. The tale of Ollie and Philly's childhood, how they drifted apart before being reunited and finally falling for each other, is one of the most compelling and realistic depictions of love I've ever encountered. It also makes Ollie's inevitable departure even more tragically moving.
Each of the minor characters is also expertly drawn (Shane being my favourite) and they all add something to the story as well as being a joy to spend time with. The novel's deeper themes are also wonderfully developed, ranging from the ethics of space exploration to the role of chance in our lives and the dichotomy between what you are and what you do with yourself and which is more important in shaping you as an individual. This is all delivered in Pin's spare but masterful writing style; she distils each line of description or dialogue down to its bare essence and ensures the reader connects with every character on an almost spiritual level.
After the astoundingly accomplished debut that was Wandering Souls, it's such a joy to see Cecile Pin delivering another brilliant work. Celestial Lights stands as a humane and immersive masterpiece. Pin may have only written two books so far but given the consistently high standard of her oeuvre I can only eagerly await many more. She's a unique talent and joins the fabled ranks of authors whose every word I will obsess over.
Celestial Lights tells the story of Ollie, an astronaut on a decade-long mission to Jupiter's moon Europa. It intersperses his mission logs with reminiscences on his life as he ponders what led him to leave behind his wife, child and family to embark on a dangerous and isolating journey through the cosmos. While there's plenty of sci-fi goodness, the novel's beating heart is the genius way in which Pin captures our personalities and relationships. I don't tend to be interested in family stories or romances, but I was gripped by this side of Celestial Lights just as much as the spacefaring, if not even more so. The tale of Ollie and Philly's childhood, how they drifted apart before being reunited and finally falling for each other, is one of the most compelling and realistic depictions of love I've ever encountered. It also makes Ollie's inevitable departure even more tragically moving.
Each of the minor characters is also expertly drawn (Shane being my favourite) and they all add something to the story as well as being a joy to spend time with. The novel's deeper themes are also wonderfully developed, ranging from the ethics of space exploration to the role of chance in our lives and the dichotomy between what you are and what you do with yourself and which is more important in shaping you as an individual. This is all delivered in Pin's spare but masterful writing style; she distils each line of description or dialogue down to its bare essence and ensures the reader connects with every character on an almost spiritual level.
After the astoundingly accomplished debut that was Wandering Souls, it's such a joy to see Cecile Pin delivering another brilliant work. Celestial Lights stands as a humane and immersive masterpiece. Pin may have only written two books so far but given the consistently high standard of her oeuvre I can only eagerly await many more. She's a unique talent and joins the fabled ranks of authors whose every word I will obsess over.
December 26, 2025
This book was not as I expected, but in this case that's a good thing. First and foremost: the bulk of this book is not actually about space, but rather the life story of Ollie Ines recounted in the large volume of time he has available during a long journey in space.
While I did enjoy the chronicling of the space travel, and the impact it had on the greater story, my favorite part was undoubtedly the narrator's life outside of the mission. The author, Cecile Pin, does a really nice job telling a cozy and calm story that manages to retain interest, and it was easy to return to multiple times a day to read. Especially closer to the end of the book, I found myself upset with the main character for the decisions he made — but these decisions enabled Pin to explore some highly emotional and complicated interactions between characters which not only allow for Ollie's reflection but for the reader as well. It definitely forced me to think through aspects of my own life, and how I believe I'd act if placed into the same circumstances he was.
Philly, who you're introduced to early in the story, is my favorite character. She reminds me of several friends of mine growing up, none of which I'm in contact with anymore but nevertheless recall for the same "strange" mannerisms they had. She would definitely have been made fun of at the schools I attended, but she could easily have been a great friend. Ollie and Philly interacting with one another was the source of the most emotion for me in reading this, and that contains both pleasant and difficult feelings. I know they aren't real, of course, but I feel for Philly nonetheless.
On the flipside, Mark is my least favorite character. He's written well — well enough to instantly make me think of irritating tech billionaires indulging themselves throughout their lives by throwing money around to get whatever (and whomever) they want - and he reminds me a lot of a specific billionaire who is particularly infuriating and owns a very similar start-up to Mark's. (Hint: his last name is the same length, and both starts and ends with the same letters, as the fictional character's first name. Was that intentional?)
While it's not particularly lengthy, Celestial Lights is a worthwhile read and I can easily recommend it to other readers. Think of this as a "realistic fiction — science fiction hybrid" title, if you will.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to enjoy this book's ARC ahead of release. My review is my honest opinion of the book and is not affected by my selection to receive an early copy. All opinions expressed herein are my own. I will likely purchase a print copy of Celestial Lights when it officially releases.
While I did enjoy the chronicling of the space travel, and the impact it had on the greater story, my favorite part was undoubtedly the narrator's life outside of the mission. The author, Cecile Pin, does a really nice job telling a cozy and calm story that manages to retain interest, and it was easy to return to multiple times a day to read. Especially closer to the end of the book, I found myself upset with the main character for the decisions he made — but these decisions enabled Pin to explore some highly emotional and complicated interactions between characters which not only allow for Ollie's reflection but for the reader as well. It definitely forced me to think through aspects of my own life, and how I believe I'd act if placed into the same circumstances he was.
Philly, who you're introduced to early in the story, is my favorite character. She reminds me of several friends of mine growing up, none of which I'm in contact with anymore but nevertheless recall for the same "strange" mannerisms they had. She would definitely have been made fun of at the schools I attended, but she could easily have been a great friend. Ollie and Philly interacting with one another was the source of the most emotion for me in reading this, and that contains both pleasant and difficult feelings. I know they aren't real, of course, but I feel for Philly nonetheless.
On the flipside, Mark is my least favorite character. He's written well — well enough to instantly make me think of irritating tech billionaires indulging themselves throughout their lives by throwing money around to get whatever (and whomever) they want - and he reminds me a lot of a specific billionaire who is particularly infuriating and owns a very similar start-up to Mark's. (Hint: his last name is the same length, and both starts and ends with the same letters, as the fictional character's first name. Was that intentional?)
While it's not particularly lengthy, Celestial Lights is a worthwhile read and I can easily recommend it to other readers. Think of this as a "realistic fiction — science fiction hybrid" title, if you will.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to enjoy this book's ARC ahead of release. My review is my honest opinion of the book and is not affected by my selection to receive an early copy. All opinions expressed herein are my own. I will likely purchase a print copy of Celestial Lights when it officially releases.
November 30, 2025
Got an ARC of this through the bookshop where I work!
Between experiential descriptions and tangible senses, Celestial Lights explores the cost of hubris, even when acted upon under the guise of “best intentions.” How could someone expect to land among the stars in their infinitude when that's where they came from in the first place? Reconciling what's important to us with what we feel our life’s work is for is a sisyphean task and evolves alongside us; this book questions what we recall and what we choose to remember when faced with the questions “Was everything I did in my life worth it?” and “Am I enough?” This book feels like a modern classic to me, and I imagine it'll make me cry for different reasons each time I revisit it.
Between experiential descriptions and tangible senses, Celestial Lights explores the cost of hubris, even when acted upon under the guise of “best intentions.” How could someone expect to land among the stars in their infinitude when that's where they came from in the first place? Reconciling what's important to us with what we feel our life’s work is for is a sisyphean task and evolves alongside us; this book questions what we recall and what we choose to remember when faced with the questions “Was everything I did in my life worth it?” and “Am I enough?” This book feels like a modern classic to me, and I imagine it'll make me cry for different reasons each time I revisit it.
November 17, 2025
beautifully written with so much character and warmth 🧡 I flew through this one - I just couldn’t put it down
‘celestial lights’ is about childhood friends who reunite and a marriage torn apart by a ten-year space mission. what it means to leave your family behind whilst searching for answers about this world.
it’s about how ambition and family collide and how seeking externally for a greater purpose sometimes means you forget all the wonderful things that lie right in front of you - something universally profound.
it’s one of those books that’s quite hard to put into words, but it’s like a slow tear to the heart - knowing that the magic of space is never going to be enough, and the magic was on earth all along 😥💔
‘celestial lights’ is about childhood friends who reunite and a marriage torn apart by a ten-year space mission. what it means to leave your family behind whilst searching for answers about this world.
it’s about how ambition and family collide and how seeking externally for a greater purpose sometimes means you forget all the wonderful things that lie right in front of you - something universally profound.
it’s one of those books that’s quite hard to put into words, but it’s like a slow tear to the heart - knowing that the magic of space is never going to be enough, and the magic was on earth all along 😥💔
Want to read
June 12, 2025edit june 2025 when this was originally supposed to be released…. I think this has been delayed til march? April? 2026… gutted I must say
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NEW CECILE PIN BOOK!!! 2025 is already made for me i absolutely cannot wait for this
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NEW CECILE PIN BOOK!!! 2025 is already made for me i absolutely cannot wait for this
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Fourth Estate for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I own a copy of Cecile's book Wandering Souls but haven't read it yet and so I had no preconceived ideas going into this one. But the synopsis sounded fabulous, and the cover beautiful. I am fascinated by space and astronauts and whatnot, and this sounded completely up my street. And having read it, I can now guarantee that Wandering Souls will be rapidly moving up my TBR.
Straight from page one this was beautiful. Cecile's writing, her word choice, how she puts a sentence together, everything is just simply beautiful.
Yes it is a space book, sci-fi, fantasy, but it reminded me of a futuristic version of Taylor Jenkins Reid's Atmosphere (which was brilliant), in the sense that underneath all the sci-fi elements, is a story about people, love, passion, friendship, community, compassion, exploration, connection, hope, family, dreams, and a sense of belonging, and everything about it is beautiful (I know I keep using that word but I don't have a better one).
Rarely do I want a book to be longer - I don't like overly long books - but I did want more of this. What is there is perfect, and because of that, I wanted more of it. I could have lived in and loved this world forever.
Oh I know I keep repeating myself but it is beautiful. It is so moving that I found myself in tears several times. It's s touching and emotional and, yes, beautiful.
This was my first read of 2026 and it's already got a special place in my heart and there is no doubt it'll be on my favourite books of the year.
I own a copy of Cecile's book Wandering Souls but haven't read it yet and so I had no preconceived ideas going into this one. But the synopsis sounded fabulous, and the cover beautiful. I am fascinated by space and astronauts and whatnot, and this sounded completely up my street. And having read it, I can now guarantee that Wandering Souls will be rapidly moving up my TBR.
Straight from page one this was beautiful. Cecile's writing, her word choice, how she puts a sentence together, everything is just simply beautiful.
Yes it is a space book, sci-fi, fantasy, but it reminded me of a futuristic version of Taylor Jenkins Reid's Atmosphere (which was brilliant), in the sense that underneath all the sci-fi elements, is a story about people, love, passion, friendship, community, compassion, exploration, connection, hope, family, dreams, and a sense of belonging, and everything about it is beautiful (I know I keep using that word but I don't have a better one).
Rarely do I want a book to be longer - I don't like overly long books - but I did want more of this. What is there is perfect, and because of that, I wanted more of it. I could have lived in and loved this world forever.
Oh I know I keep repeating myself but it is beautiful. It is so moving that I found myself in tears several times. It's s touching and emotional and, yes, beautiful.
This was my first read of 2026 and it's already got a special place in my heart and there is no doubt it'll be on my favourite books of the year.
January 2, 2026
This was an ~advanced reader copy~. The finalized book won’t release until March of 2026. After reading this copy I hope they don’t make too many edits or major changes because I loved this book. I thought the pacing was perfect and the back forth between present day and past memories was well balanced.
This story follows Oliver “Ollie” who is an astronaut on a space mission. We get glimpses into how Ollie became an astronaut and we understood how people came in (and out of) Ollie’s life. Several very human themes are explored in this story. And that’s really the core beauty of this novel, the sheer humanness that was beautiful and painful at times. I was smiling and crying. “Buckets of jam” had me sobbing. You will know what I mean when you read this book.
As a space girlie myself I did appreciate all the references to stars and planets. Can an astronaut please take me to work one day please???????? I regret not reading this with my tabs because there were so many incredible quotes and thought provoking passages.
I give this like a 4.7 but rounded up obviously.
This is also my first Cecile Pin book so I will be reading her other book asap. I’m a big fan.
This story follows Oliver “Ollie” who is an astronaut on a space mission. We get glimpses into how Ollie became an astronaut and we understood how people came in (and out of) Ollie’s life. Several very human themes are explored in this story. And that’s really the core beauty of this novel, the sheer humanness that was beautiful and painful at times. I was smiling and crying. “Buckets of jam” had me sobbing. You will know what I mean when you read this book.
As a space girlie myself I did appreciate all the references to stars and planets. Can an astronaut please take me to work one day please???????? I regret not reading this with my tabs because there were so many incredible quotes and thought provoking passages.
I give this like a 4.7 but rounded up obviously.
This is also my first Cecile Pin book so I will be reading her other book asap. I’m a big fan.
December 21, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review 💐
4.5 stars 🌟
The first thing I thought when I finished the last page was, 'I want more'. That is a testament to how much I enjoyed this. I was invested in the story and Ollie and his life right from the first page. Some very interesting concepts were explored in this. Both in the relationships (romantic and otherwise) Oliie had with various characters, and in the overall messages that I took away from this. It was a perfect mixture of fascinating, and painful. It also very much scratched my need to read a book involving space. Having read both of her currently published works, I know Cecile Pin is a brilliant writer, and I'm looking forward to seeing more from her in the future!
4.5 stars 🌟
The first thing I thought when I finished the last page was, 'I want more'. That is a testament to how much I enjoyed this. I was invested in the story and Ollie and his life right from the first page. Some very interesting concepts were explored in this. Both in the relationships (romantic and otherwise) Oliie had with various characters, and in the overall messages that I took away from this. It was a perfect mixture of fascinating, and painful. It also very much scratched my need to read a book involving space. Having read both of her currently published works, I know Cecile Pin is a brilliant writer, and I'm looking forward to seeing more from her in the future!
October 30, 2025
Commander Oliver “Ollie” Ines is traveling through space to Europa. He is going to be the first man in history to set foot on Jupiter’s moon. During the journey he reflects on his life leading to his current position in life. This story pits ambition against love and all examines motivation along the way.
Ollie is an aloof man. As the reader you are privy to all the details of his memories and thoughts. He doesn’t seem to have glory at the forefront of his mind, but you can tell it lurks in the background. He wants to discover how the universe works and likes the idea of being the first one to find out. Despite all of this, he does not come off as confident and cocky. Every thought he has is calculated with a tad of insecurity.
The story does not get bogged down with the science of the mission even though the setting is a spaceship with astronauts. Author Cecile Pin is more interested in painting a portrait of a man who looks like a brave soul to everyone else.
There is a lot of pleasant nostalgia as Ollie travels through space. Who wouldn’t fondly remember their childhood summer with a new friend? I really enjoyed when the story took a step farther and showed the ripples and consequences of his choices and actions. Sometimes when you get to the end of the road, you discover how lost you really are.
I would recommend Celestial Lights it to anyone who likes a well-written character study.
*** Many thanks to Netgalley and publishers for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ***
Ollie is an aloof man. As the reader you are privy to all the details of his memories and thoughts. He doesn’t seem to have glory at the forefront of his mind, but you can tell it lurks in the background. He wants to discover how the universe works and likes the idea of being the first one to find out. Despite all of this, he does not come off as confident and cocky. Every thought he has is calculated with a tad of insecurity.
The story does not get bogged down with the science of the mission even though the setting is a spaceship with astronauts. Author Cecile Pin is more interested in painting a portrait of a man who looks like a brave soul to everyone else.
There is a lot of pleasant nostalgia as Ollie travels through space. Who wouldn’t fondly remember their childhood summer with a new friend? I really enjoyed when the story took a step farther and showed the ripples and consequences of his choices and actions. Sometimes when you get to the end of the road, you discover how lost you really are.
I would recommend Celestial Lights it to anyone who likes a well-written character study.
*** Many thanks to Netgalley and publishers for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ***
November 21, 2025
Wow. I couldn’t stop reading this. I want to read it again because there’s so much here. One of the best novels I’ve read in a long time.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Going to space is hard, in many ways. Should we do it? Is it worth it? These are main ideas that Celestial Lights ponders.
It is a short book, checking in around 250 pages, but it’s still weighty and intense, and I don’t think it being longer would added anything to the premise.
The book centers around Oliver “Ollie” Ines, who was born the day the Challenger exploded and grows up in a slightly different present than we do now, where a more ambitious Mark Massey and his NovaTech replaces Elon Musk and Space X.
Ollie grows up in a small English village where his one distraction from checking off boxes is a summer spent with Philly, a precocious young girl that he bonds with and who helps him appreciate the world around him.
Without Philly, Ollie is antisocial and mechanical, doing things and making choices because they’re logical. He gets a degree in engineering, joins the Navy, then NovaTech, first as an engineer then as an astronaut. He does things because they seem like the next progressive step in what he should be accomplishing in life.
This leads him to accept a role as commander on a mission to Europa to search for other life in the solar system. It sounds ambitious and selfless, taking the risks for the greater good. But in doing so, he’s doing it because he feels a drive and compulsion to do, not because he’s incredibly passionate and invested in the potential outcome.
This of course is Ollie’s biggest problem. He’s not really passionate or invested in anything. There’s almost an odd point in the book where he’s compelled by something not related to the mission, but it is at the same time another mystery for him to solve. When he goes to Europa, he doesn’t put much thought into the people he matters to on Earth, most likely because he can’t comprehend how they actually feel.
Cecile Pin flirts with Ollie having emotions, but it is often in a way that they tickle at his senses and not hit him like a gut punch. He reads very much to me like a highly functioning autistic, able to navigate the world around him without noticeable challenges but not processing and engaging like most of the people around him. You see this with both his college professor, who seems to grasp during a conversation with Ollie about his village mate returning home instead of competing with him for a scholarship and with Philly when she reenters his life. Whether or not his inability to process emotions and understand those of the people around him make him a better or worse astronaut is debatable, though I imagine he would face more difficulties being selected by a government program versus the private company he’s asked to join.
And the age old question. Should we go to space, go on long duration missions, colonize? Celestial Lights certainly puts forth several of the anticipated challenges and consequences if we do. There’s still the part of me that says, yes. But this book is a reminder that it shouldn’t be rushed, it should be done incredibly carefully and thoughtfully, and that bigger brains than mine should be very invested in deciding who gets to go-and who they leave behind.
This is a thought provoking book that reminds me in some ways of Orbital, though since the book is told from Ollie’s very logical point of view, you won’t experience much emotion. This is both a benefit in getting to see the very practical side of space exploration, and a bit disappointing because you don’t experience the awe of space or the homesickness that many astronauts report experiencing even when they’re orbiting Earth in the International Space Station. At the very least, it’s a compelling exploration of our desire as a species to explore.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It is a short book, checking in around 250 pages, but it’s still weighty and intense, and I don’t think it being longer would added anything to the premise.
The book centers around Oliver “Ollie” Ines, who was born the day the Challenger exploded and grows up in a slightly different present than we do now, where a more ambitious Mark Massey and his NovaTech replaces Elon Musk and Space X.
Ollie grows up in a small English village where his one distraction from checking off boxes is a summer spent with Philly, a precocious young girl that he bonds with and who helps him appreciate the world around him.
Without Philly, Ollie is antisocial and mechanical, doing things and making choices because they’re logical. He gets a degree in engineering, joins the Navy, then NovaTech, first as an engineer then as an astronaut. He does things because they seem like the next progressive step in what he should be accomplishing in life.
This leads him to accept a role as commander on a mission to Europa to search for other life in the solar system. It sounds ambitious and selfless, taking the risks for the greater good. But in doing so, he’s doing it because he feels a drive and compulsion to do, not because he’s incredibly passionate and invested in the potential outcome.
This of course is Ollie’s biggest problem. He’s not really passionate or invested in anything. There’s almost an odd point in the book where he’s compelled by something not related to the mission, but it is at the same time another mystery for him to solve. When he goes to Europa, he doesn’t put much thought into the people he matters to on Earth, most likely because he can’t comprehend how they actually feel.
Cecile Pin flirts with Ollie having emotions, but it is often in a way that they tickle at his senses and not hit him like a gut punch. He reads very much to me like a highly functioning autistic, able to navigate the world around him without noticeable challenges but not processing and engaging like most of the people around him. You see this with both his college professor, who seems to grasp during a conversation with Ollie about his village mate returning home instead of competing with him for a scholarship and with Philly when she reenters his life. Whether or not his inability to process emotions and understand those of the people around him make him a better or worse astronaut is debatable, though I imagine he would face more difficulties being selected by a government program versus the private company he’s asked to join.
And the age old question. Should we go to space, go on long duration missions, colonize? Celestial Lights certainly puts forth several of the anticipated challenges and consequences if we do. There’s still the part of me that says, yes. But this book is a reminder that it shouldn’t be rushed, it should be done incredibly carefully and thoughtfully, and that bigger brains than mine should be very invested in deciding who gets to go-and who they leave behind.
This is a thought provoking book that reminds me in some ways of Orbital, though since the book is told from Ollie’s very logical point of view, you won’t experience much emotion. This is both a benefit in getting to see the very practical side of space exploration, and a bit disappointing because you don’t experience the awe of space or the homesickness that many astronauts report experiencing even when they’re orbiting Earth in the International Space Station. At the very least, it’s a compelling exploration of our desire as a species to explore.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was not as I expected, but in this case that's a good thing. First and foremost: the bulk of this book is not actually about space, but rather the life story of Ollie Ines recounted in the large volume of time he has available during a long journey in space.
While I did enjoy the chronicling of the space travel, and the impact it had on the greater story, my favorite part was undoubtedly the narrator's life outside of the mission. The author, Cecile Pin, does a really nice job telling a cozy and calm story that manages to retain interest, and it was easy to return to multiple times a day to read. Especially closer to the end of the book, I found myself upset with the main character for the decisions he made — but these decisions enabled Pin to explore some highly emotional and complicated interactions between characters which not only allow for Ollie's reflection but for the reader as well. It definitely forced me to think through aspects of my own life, and how I believe I'd act if placed into the same circumstances he was.
Philly, who you're introduced to early in the story, is my favorite character. She reminds me of several friends of mine growing up, none of which I'm in contact with anymore but nevertheless recall for the same "strange" mannerisms they had. She would definitely have been made fun of at the schools I attended, but she could easily have been a great friend. Ollie and Philly interacting with one another was the source of the most emotion for me in reading this, and that contains both pleasant and difficult feelings. I know they aren't real, of course, but I feel for Philly nonetheless.
On the flipside, Mark is my least favorite character. He's written well — well enough to instantly make me think of irritating tech billionaires indulging themselves throughout their lives by throwing money around to get whatever (and whoever) they want — and he reminds me a lot of a specific billionaire who is particularly infuriating and owns a very similar start-up to Mark's. (Hint: his last name is the same length, and both starts and ends with the same letters, as the fictional character's first name. Was that intentional?)
While it's not a particularly lengthy read, Celestial Lights is a worthwhile read and I can easily recommend it to other readers. Think of this as a "realistic fiction — science fiction hybrid" title, if you will. As a high school library manager, I am eagerly anticipating the book's release to purchase one or two print copies for my students to enjoy.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to enjoy this book's ARC ahead of release.
While I did enjoy the chronicling of the space travel, and the impact it had on the greater story, my favorite part was undoubtedly the narrator's life outside of the mission. The author, Cecile Pin, does a really nice job telling a cozy and calm story that manages to retain interest, and it was easy to return to multiple times a day to read. Especially closer to the end of the book, I found myself upset with the main character for the decisions he made — but these decisions enabled Pin to explore some highly emotional and complicated interactions between characters which not only allow for Ollie's reflection but for the reader as well. It definitely forced me to think through aspects of my own life, and how I believe I'd act if placed into the same circumstances he was.
Philly, who you're introduced to early in the story, is my favorite character. She reminds me of several friends of mine growing up, none of which I'm in contact with anymore but nevertheless recall for the same "strange" mannerisms they had. She would definitely have been made fun of at the schools I attended, but she could easily have been a great friend. Ollie and Philly interacting with one another was the source of the most emotion for me in reading this, and that contains both pleasant and difficult feelings. I know they aren't real, of course, but I feel for Philly nonetheless.
On the flipside, Mark is my least favorite character. He's written well — well enough to instantly make me think of irritating tech billionaires indulging themselves throughout their lives by throwing money around to get whatever (and whoever) they want — and he reminds me a lot of a specific billionaire who is particularly infuriating and owns a very similar start-up to Mark's. (Hint: his last name is the same length, and both starts and ends with the same letters, as the fictional character's first name. Was that intentional?)
While it's not a particularly lengthy read, Celestial Lights is a worthwhile read and I can easily recommend it to other readers. Think of this as a "realistic fiction — science fiction hybrid" title, if you will. As a high school library manager, I am eagerly anticipating the book's release to purchase one or two print copies for my students to enjoy.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to enjoy this book's ARC ahead of release.
October 4, 2025
Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin follows Ollie as he serves as commander on a ten-year space flight to Europa, one of Jupiter's moons. The story chronicles his childhood and early career that lead him to this terrifying mission, and the difficulties of maintaining relationships while pursing dreams. Ollie questions if abandoning his wife and small child was worth becoming a scientific hero and forever changing space exploration.
I absolutely adored this book and found the characters to be very dynamic. I really like how Pin was able to weave together the past, present, and future in an interesting and comprehendible way. The stories flowed like a tapestry of Ollie’s life, slowly revealing more information the further he traveled into space. The novel is beautifully written with clean pacing that left me on the edge of my seat, and I finished the book in one sitting!
Despite being a shorter novel, I felt connected to all of the characters and very invested in their lives and struggles. I was a little worried going into this book because I am not usually interested in STEM but I never struggled to understand technical terms and what was scientifically happening. This book actually made me more interested in the science world and I hope to read more books set in space in the future.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves beautiful prose, personal moral struggles, and a speculative look into what the future of space exploration may look like for our modern society.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Henry Holt & Company for sending this arc in exchange for an honest review!*
I absolutely adored this book and found the characters to be very dynamic. I really like how Pin was able to weave together the past, present, and future in an interesting and comprehendible way. The stories flowed like a tapestry of Ollie’s life, slowly revealing more information the further he traveled into space. The novel is beautifully written with clean pacing that left me on the edge of my seat, and I finished the book in one sitting!
Despite being a shorter novel, I felt connected to all of the characters and very invested in their lives and struggles. I was a little worried going into this book because I am not usually interested in STEM but I never struggled to understand technical terms and what was scientifically happening. This book actually made me more interested in the science world and I hope to read more books set in space in the future.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves beautiful prose, personal moral struggles, and a speculative look into what the future of space exploration may look like for our modern society.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Henry Holt & Company for sending this arc in exchange for an honest review!*
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was impressed by WANDERING SOULS, so was intrigued to see Cecile Pin explore a very different type of journey: that of Oliver (Ollie) Ines, commander on a ten-year mission to Europa, with no human contact apart from his three fellow astronauts. Inevitably, with so much time on his hands, Ollie reflects on his life up to that point, from his birth on the day of the Challenger space shuttle disaster, and the book intersperses scenes and episodes from his life with excerpts from his personal log from the mission. We see him form a childhood bond with Philly, which fades and re-blossoms; friendships at university; his relationship with his parents; and the choices he makes, which ultimately bring him to the current mission timeline.
There's the obvious discussion to be had about space travel: is the time, cost, and risk worth it when there are so many problems to be solved on Earth? The space element kept it fresh for me, but this is really about relationships and choices. You don't need to be an astronaut to relate to the decisions Ollie personally faces. We all make choices that impact others. Could be positive or negative, far-reaching or a mere moment, but Ollie's choices leave a destructive wake. I burned through this book wanting to shout at Ollie and sympathise with Philly and the situation she's left with. As with WANDERING SOULS, I enjoyed the concise writing and characters and found this an easy yet thoughtful read. Definitely looking forward to seeing what Pin does next.
There's the obvious discussion to be had about space travel: is the time, cost, and risk worth it when there are so many problems to be solved on Earth? The space element kept it fresh for me, but this is really about relationships and choices. You don't need to be an astronaut to relate to the decisions Ollie personally faces. We all make choices that impact others. Could be positive or negative, far-reaching or a mere moment, but Ollie's choices leave a destructive wake. I burned through this book wanting to shout at Ollie and sympathise with Philly and the situation she's left with. As with WANDERING SOULS, I enjoyed the concise writing and characters and found this an easy yet thoughtful read. Definitely looking forward to seeing what Pin does next.
December 6, 2025
Celestial Lights is a novel that's a million miles away from Wandering Souls (figuratively and literally), but Cecile Pin has taken on a space novel that is just wonderful.
The reader meets Ollie, a young bright boy who is encouraged to be an engineer and is given the opportunity to be an astronaut by a Musk-type billionaire who has the ability to influence and control.
Ollie is desperate to prove himself and fulfil his duties, but at what cost? He's selfish but selfless, depending on who you ask - but his choice is made and he is on a mission to Europa for a whole decade.
The book isn't as much about space travel as it is about human ambition, sacrifice, family, and where our loyalties lie.
It was a really atmospheric and I found myself reading the whole book in two sittings which I haven't done for a long time. It's a very 'readable' novel, split into general narrative and the log from Oliver's years on the spacecraft.
I really enjoyed it and it was an honour to hear Cecile Pin talk about the book and the process and research she put into it. I find her a really trustworthy author and I know this has not even been released yet but it makes me excited for whatever project she works on next as Wandering Souls and Celestial Lights are so different to one another, but the storytelling in both is just fantastic.
The reader meets Ollie, a young bright boy who is encouraged to be an engineer and is given the opportunity to be an astronaut by a Musk-type billionaire who has the ability to influence and control.
Ollie is desperate to prove himself and fulfil his duties, but at what cost? He's selfish but selfless, depending on who you ask - but his choice is made and he is on a mission to Europa for a whole decade.
The book isn't as much about space travel as it is about human ambition, sacrifice, family, and where our loyalties lie.
It was a really atmospheric and I found myself reading the whole book in two sittings which I haven't done for a long time. It's a very 'readable' novel, split into general narrative and the log from Oliver's years on the spacecraft.
I really enjoyed it and it was an honour to hear Cecile Pin talk about the book and the process and research she put into it. I find her a really trustworthy author and I know this has not even been released yet but it makes me excited for whatever project she works on next as Wandering Souls and Celestial Lights are so different to one another, but the storytelling in both is just fantastic.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin is a poignant meditation on ambition, sacrifice, and the true cost of greatness. How much of yourself would you give for your career? Especially if that career had the potential to change the course of human history? Pin explores this question through the story of an astronaut who embarks on a ten year mission into space, leaving behind the life he knows in pursuit of scientific legacy.
This is very much a character driven novel rather than a hard sci-fi epic, and that choice works beautifully. The emotional weight of the story comes not from technology or spectacle, but from what is lost, strained, and quietly endured over time. Pin crafts deeply believable characters and thoughtful character arcs, making every sacrifice feel personal and earned.
At times heartbreaking and reflective, this novel captures the loneliness of ambition and the human cost of progress. The writing is elegant and restrained, allowing the emotions to speak for themselves. Fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Atmosphere, or readers who love intimate, emotionally rich stories set against extraordinary backdrops, will find a lot to love here.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Cecile Pin, and Henry Holt and Company for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
This is very much a character driven novel rather than a hard sci-fi epic, and that choice works beautifully. The emotional weight of the story comes not from technology or spectacle, but from what is lost, strained, and quietly endured over time. Pin crafts deeply believable characters and thoughtful character arcs, making every sacrifice feel personal and earned.
At times heartbreaking and reflective, this novel captures the loneliness of ambition and the human cost of progress. The writing is elegant and restrained, allowing the emotions to speak for themselves. Fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Atmosphere, or readers who love intimate, emotionally rich stories set against extraordinary backdrops, will find a lot to love here.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Cecile Pin, and Henry Holt and Company for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
November 11, 2025
I recently read Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin, so I was keen to pick up her new book. Captain Oliver Ines it seems was born to be an astronaut, and he makes the life changing decision to leave behind his wife and young child for a ten-year mission to Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, with no contact with Earth for the entire time.
The story moves perfectly between timelines: Oliver’s past, his space logs, and finally, his return to Earth. The pacing is spot-on, and I honestly read the whole thing in one evening because it was so compelling. The character development is excellent too, and I really liked the other characters, especially Philly and Shane.
It’s a book that really makes you think about ambition, exploration, and what we’re willing to sacrifice for the sake of discovery and recognition. Is it all really worth it? Even 'for the greater good'?
It was a brilliant, thought-provoking read that I’d definitely recommend.
I received a free advance review copy from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
The story moves perfectly between timelines: Oliver’s past, his space logs, and finally, his return to Earth. The pacing is spot-on, and I honestly read the whole thing in one evening because it was so compelling. The character development is excellent too, and I really liked the other characters, especially Philly and Shane.
It’s a book that really makes you think about ambition, exploration, and what we’re willing to sacrifice for the sake of discovery and recognition. Is it all really worth it? Even 'for the greater good'?
It was a brilliant, thought-provoking read that I’d definitely recommend.
I received a free advance review copy from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“Celestial Lights” by Cecile Pin is the story of an astronaut who was born the moment the Challenger fell out of the sky in 1986.
He is on a 10 year space mission to one of Jupiter’s moons and there is a lot of believable and realistic information provided about his momentous space journey that kept me on the edge of my seat.
But, this book is really about the astronauts own personal quest for success and power. The novel weaves his past, present and future story seamlessly throughout his life while painting a clear picture of the questionable choices he made and the consequences of those choices.
There is a lot to reflect back on after reading this book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in personal moral struggles and the issue of “power and fame at all cost” in today’s society.
Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
He is on a 10 year space mission to one of Jupiter’s moons and there is a lot of believable and realistic information provided about his momentous space journey that kept me on the edge of my seat.
But, this book is really about the astronauts own personal quest for success and power. The novel weaves his past, present and future story seamlessly throughout his life while painting a clear picture of the questionable choices he made and the consequences of those choices.
There is a lot to reflect back on after reading this book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in personal moral struggles and the issue of “power and fame at all cost” in today’s society.
Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 29, 2025
Celestial Lights was fabulous--one of my favorite recent reads. Cecile Pin's story of Oliver Ines, commander of the ship that goes to Jupiter's Moon Europa, is a thing of beauty, weaving together a past narrative of Oliver's coming of age seamlessly with the present as he tries to couple a stellar professional life with a rockier personal one. And at under 300 pages, Pin's prose is so clear and concise, yet it has the emotional impact as great as the universe she's writing about--this is a deeply human story. The science is solid too, at least to my complete layman's view. It's believable and realistic and Pin does a fabulous job portraying the initial excitement and eventual desolation of her momentous space journey.
Oliver and Philly are wonderful characters, and the secondary cast is well fleshed out as well. Once I started this story I just couldn't put it down. This is definitely one I'll be recommending to everyone.
A special thanks to Holt for granting me the opportunity to read a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.
Oliver and Philly are wonderful characters, and the secondary cast is well fleshed out as well. Once I started this story I just couldn't put it down. This is definitely one I'll be recommending to everyone.
A special thanks to Holt for granting me the opportunity to read a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.
November 7, 2025
Oliver Ines' destiny always lay, quite literally, in the stars. From his birth at the instant of an infamous shuttle disaster, to his glittering career as an astronaut, to the unthinkable opportunity that he has now been given.
This beautiful story answers the question that has appeared in the minds of many of us whenever we read about for example, people who dream of being chosen for the expedition to colonize Mars. How can they want this, we wonder, knowing what they will have to leave behind?
Cecile Pin has delivered another memorable story that will linger on in the minds of many readers.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
This beautiful story answers the question that has appeared in the minds of many of us whenever we read about for example, people who dream of being chosen for the expedition to colonize Mars. How can they want this, we wonder, knowing what they will have to leave behind?
Cecile Pin has delivered another memorable story that will linger on in the minds of many readers.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
November 17, 2025
This was a great read, thanks to the publishers for the ARC. Does a wonderful job of demonstrating the duality of the 'grand mission' and the 'everyday.' The main character is the Captain on the first manned voyage to Europa. He is an essentially decent person but in his family's life his decisions are cruel. This may be true of his crew's life as well. I did entertain the idea that we could be dealing with an unreliable narrator, but I don't think that is the case, I think the Captain is oddly guileless. The characters had an integrity - they made sense and behaved as they were built to behave. Very well done.
December 10, 2025
Commander Oliver Ines has been up in space for 402 days on the spaceship Talos, reminiscing about the summer of '95, when he was 9 and known as Ollie and his mother was young and healthy, and he met his childhood crush Philly. In 2004 he moved to London to attend Imperial, and then he married, got recruited by the most powerful man in the world's space program, and agreed to a ten year mission.
Celestial Lights is a story about an astronaut, with themes of loneliness and isolation; the kind encountered in space but also the kind that introverts experience, and only children, top students and divorced people.
Celestial Lights is a story about an astronaut, with themes of loneliness and isolation; the kind encountered in space but also the kind that introverts experience, and only children, top students and divorced people.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
A beautiful, well-written character-driven exploration of the tension between ambition and love and what it means to sacrifice personal happiness for an historic goal. Moving between time frames and narrative stances, Pin delivers a rich and nuanced portrait of a flawed protagonist, Ollie Ines. We see Ollie as he grows from a shy child to a space pioneer, and we watch his relationships with his family and crew evolve as he takes on the mission of a lifetime, almost literally.
I enjoyed this much more than I expected to, and I wish I had the opportunity to spend more time with these characters.
I enjoyed this much more than I expected to, and I wish I had the opportunity to spend more time with these characters.
Review of advance copy
This is one of the best books I have read this year. A wonderful read describing one man’s dilemma between ambition and family obligations. Cecile Pin weaves us from childhood through the ultimate “Was everything I did in my life worth it?” It’s about how ambition and family collide and how seeking a greater purpose sometimes means you forget all the wonderful things that lie right in front of you. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to the author Cecile Pin and Henry Holt & Company for a copy of this book.
Thank you to the author Cecile Pin and Henry Holt & Company for a copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I absolutely loved this story. The writing captured me from the beginning; it is hard for me to express how much I truly enjoyed this. I loved the plot of the story of Ollie traveling through space. Great character written perfectly. I have not read any of this author's work, but I look forward to it. Fantastic book!
December 3, 2025
I got this as an ARC in a goodreads giveaway; I really enjoyed it even though it’s not my go to genre. Was a good story.
There were a few missing parentheses and an extra letter toward the end as my only critique of edits
There were a few missing parentheses and an extra letter toward the end as my only critique of edits
December 5, 2025
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways for the Advanced Reader Copy! This book is so well written and I love how there are different fonts that are used for the mission logs vs the memories of the past. I really enjoyed reading this book!
December 31, 2025
my last read of 2025 was out of this world (pun intended)
but for real, I somehow managed to sneak in one of my favorite reads of the whole year!
*shoutout to NetGalley and the publisher for the DRC and for allowing me to read this gem of a story early!*
but for real, I somehow managed to sneak in one of my favorite reads of the whole year!
*shoutout to NetGalley and the publisher for the DRC and for allowing me to read this gem of a story early!*
2026
October 2, 2025📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co.
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