Starcaster

by Shana Shaheen

It was widely acknowledged that Taza Sullivan had a hole in his heart. Not a literal hole, but the shadow imitation of one; it stretched the breadth and depth of that unspoken space, the seat of his soul. The hole remained despite the many blessings sprinkled like rose petals, like cherry blossoms, all through his firstborn of a sovereign, alight with power, handsome and charismatic and smart. And even though no one had been able to foresee what, exactly, was needed to fill that gap within him, she did exist—a millennium before Taza was even born. *** November Duval lives in a scientifically elegant world where the advances in technology are destroying the earth, even as the corporations promoting them assert they will save it. She considers herself an ordinary girl with an extraordinary she’s been exposed to a highly contagious, manmade Tuberculosis Type Three. Eventually, it will kill her, and millions like her. There is no cure. Yet Ember’s given a second chance at life when she wins a coveted ticket to the Time the most innovative, sophisticated spaceship ever built. Along with a few of the richest, most powerful people in the world, the train will speed Ember into the future—all the way to the day her disease is cured. At least, that’s what’s supposed to happen...

310 pages, Paperback

Published January 12, 2017

Reviews

[☆Eiko · Rating 4 out of 5]

You heard it here, this book is written by my most favourite author that was on hiatus, Shana Abe, and I couldn't be more happy when I realised that she had released a new book/series, BUT, under a different name. I was craving more books by this author, and I constantly found myself reading and reading her previous works, especially her drakon series which I absolutely adore and love and and and crave and were the first books I read from her. Regardless, I really liked this one, it's another young adult but it has to do with a girl that inadvertently travels to a far future, with the original goal of finding a cure for her TB3 (or a tuberculosis). For the first part, we get to meet the heroine November (aka Ember) Duval and her small family composed of a father and a twin brother who's a bit of a genus when it comes to technology. She wins the lottery ticket out of a bunch of contestants to get a ticket to the time train to travel to the future were the cure for her incurable disease has been found. She doesn't want to leave her only family behind, but does so, at the urging of her beloved brother and her father. I really loved the character development of her, and the people on the train, but I was sad that the background story of our hero, Taza, wasn't expanded more as Ember's was. At this point, it's only hinted that Taza will be the hero, but Ember does make three friends on the train, and in my mind they're are the heroes of this book. As for why I gave this book a 4 star rather than 5, it's because I wanted the story to go straight to the main plot, but this was more of a background story more than an actual story. I have the feeling that the second book will be the main story, but I'm sad because I have to wait for it to be released buuuuuuuuu.

[Mikayla Elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been in love with Shana's writing for many years now-my mother to thank for that, one Christmas. This is by far her greatest work. The level of detail alone, properly managed and vividly descriptive, crafted the world and various settings so perfectly I could taste and smell the settings. The characters are unique, independent, and perfectly flawed. They are the fractured and truthful reality of so many people even today that it hurts. The story itself us one of terrible considerations that may one day (with consideration) be a reality. Man made viruses loosed upon the world, plausible. Time travel via traveling faster than a certain speed is something I recall reading about, a theory (best descriptor for the subjective topuc) was well researched. A future with magic? I will always accept magic in any book!

I was impressed by the intertwining story and how it came together, and certainly am ready for the next book in the series! I received this book on Tuesday, read the first 40'ish pages, then didn't read again until Friday night, and Saturday night (tonight). Children, work/returning to work, and recovering from surgery (still) impeded my ability to complete this by Wednesday. I didn't want to stop reading, and don't regret my lack of sleep! Plenty if action and drama, harrowing.

[Preeti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new book by Shana Abe! That I only discovered while visiting her website to see when she'll have a new book out! Warning: this is not a complete book. And if the sequels somehow never come out (see the sadly few ratings on this book after 6 months of release for why one might worry), then this will have been a big disappointment.

Boy was I engrossed in the story. It reminded me of the movie Snowpiercer because it depicts life on a train to the future that a few wealthy people--plus our 16-year-old heroine--are taking to wait out a cure for their diseases. But then stuff happens. It's a survival story on a couple of levels.

We also get, interspersed, the perspective of a future boy on an earth that is ruled by magic. This part of the story isn't fleshed out as much. How does the future turn from science fiction to fantasy? Hopefully we'll get to find out! I gobbled up this shirt novel.

[Stephanie Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast read.

Shana may have changed her last name, but her beautiful writing is all there. Although fast moving and vivid, the reader knows about an upcoming connection early on. This also predicted a cliffhanger ending. It made me impatient to finish, but alas, the sequel isn't out yet. Get writing, Shana dear.

[Bonny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good read

This was a great story with compelling characters. It kinda of reminded me of the Hunger Games but I'm not sure why. Maybe the train had me thinking about it. Anyway, glad I found it

[Terry (Ter05 TwiMoms/ MundieMoms) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this author and not only have read but have re-read her Drakon series more than once and also The Last Mermaid several times. I just did not enjoy this book like I did some of her previous ones. It was somewhat depressing as most of it is spent on a train many many years in the future where our heroine is a passenger. The train transports people with terminal illnesses around and around Earth until the time comes that a cure has been found. A few weeks on the train can be years on earth. The characters were interesting, but maybe it is just me who did not really enjoy it. I suppose it is dystopian which is not a genre I like so again, maybe just me.

[Chelsea Bethancourt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Good Science Fiction

I really enjoyed this book. The relationships and the human connection were so real and interesting. But I was constantly impressed with the interesting near future and far future that the book presented. Can't wait for the next book.

[Britney (BookDrunkSloth) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man, why did I wait so long to read this? It was incredible! Full review will come!

[Sela Ordaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love great storytelling and immersing yourself in space for a while, then you'll love this one. Shana knows how to describe a scene and make you feel like you are there.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting and unusual story, beautifully written. Even with the cliffhanger ending...even with the lack of a sequel...I'm still happy this book exists in the world.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited to hear Shana had released a new book under a different pen name. She had mentioned this book was very different from her other published books but with Starcaster she delivered a captivating story. As I was reading along, the story and characters captured my interest having me wonder what was going to happen next. The authors writing drew me in and before I knew it I had reached the ending of the story with such a cliffhanger! Now, the waiting game begins until the second book is released...

[Erica]

I think I might try this one.

This is YA SciFiFantasy and not romance. You know how much I do not love romance. Sure, I know there's going to be angsty teen love but it sounds like there's more focus on time travel, curing a disease, and surviving everything that didn't work out like it should have and that sounds interesting enough that I'll put up with some stupid kissing.