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Starstruck #5
Starbound
Home is where the heart is. Or maybe the pizza.
There’s no better feeling than being back home after a long week exploring the galaxy, though being abandoned by one’s friends and left to fend off a glitching evil robot spoils it. All that’s left is to settle back into life, preparing Marcy’s wedding and job hunting. If only mysterious midnight SWAT teams and crop-circle crafting-sessions weren't constantly getting in Sally’s way.
When an old foe returns, and Sally is the only person on the planet to recognize it, it’s up to her, her sullen ex, and an overly-excitable FBI agent to save the planet. But first they have to get the president safely out of his favorite sushi bar without starting the war of the worlds.
It’s hard maintaining a long-distance relationship when your crush is light years away and thinks you died of old age, but that hasn’t stopped anyone yet. Sally must save the planet, the universe, and herself - though maybe she’ll take a nap first.
There’s no better feeling than being back home after a long week exploring the galaxy, though being abandoned by one’s friends and left to fend off a glitching evil robot spoils it. All that’s left is to settle back into life, preparing Marcy’s wedding and job hunting. If only mysterious midnight SWAT teams and crop-circle crafting-sessions weren't constantly getting in Sally’s way.
When an old foe returns, and Sally is the only person on the planet to recognize it, it’s up to her, her sullen ex, and an overly-excitable FBI agent to save the planet. But first they have to get the president safely out of his favorite sushi bar without starting the war of the worlds.
It’s hard maintaining a long-distance relationship when your crush is light years away and thinks you died of old age, but that hasn’t stopped anyone yet. Sally must save the planet, the universe, and herself - though maybe she’ll take a nap first.
530 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2019
3 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
S.E. Anderson
31 books158 followersS.E. ANDERSON, PhD, is the author of the YA science fiction humor series THE STARSTRUCK SAGA and OVER THE MOON, as well as a YA contemporary novel, AIX MARKS THE SPOT, based on her childhood in Provence.
During the day, she's an astrophysics researcher and studies what comets can tell us about the formation of the Solar System. She currently lives in Marseille, France, where she is currently trying to wrangle some comets, her cats, and her husband.
During the day, she's an astrophysics researcher and studies what comets can tell us about the formation of the Solar System. She currently lives in Marseille, France, where she is currently trying to wrangle some comets, her cats, and her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 12, 2019
A few things you can expect from Starbound:
- Killer robots in your bathroom
- The truth behind crop circles
- Paradoxes galore!
- Other points of view up and down and everywhere
- Heists!
- Book five, time for a wedding!
- Killer robots in your bathroom
- The truth behind crop circles
- Paradoxes galore!
- Other points of view up and down and everywhere
- Heists!
- Book five, time for a wedding!
July 22, 2019
I received a free copy for an honest review. I waited so long for this and the answers it contains and it didn't disappoint. I still have some questions but for now, my curiosity is sated. Sally continues to amaze me as she gets hurtled through her journey. She's one of the bravest fictional people I have read because I certainly couldn't have faced what she does and come out with most of my sanity intact. This book does leave me wanting so much more and I really hope there will be another chapter to Sally's incredible story.
July 7, 2019
What a wild ride! I was an advanced reader and recieved a free copy for an honest review and I must say, I couldn't put it down. There are a few bits where the timeline gets confusing, but if you power through you'll be rewarded. SE Anderson definitely rewards readers who pay attention! This is the first book that uses Blayde and Zander's POV as well and I must say I really liked it and almost wish some of the previous books did that as well. I enjoyed seeing the storylines converge and getting more screen time for just Blayde and Zander together. The pay off at the end is awesome, if you like slow-burn romance you're in for a treat. I love that humor is dappled in throughout the book, it keeps it much more interesting and enjoyable. Lots of questions answered, especially the all important: What's up with the hot air balloon? And I was so impressed with how everything tied together and the amazing twist! Trust me, it's a good one. I saw almost everything coming in this book except for this one big twist and it's great. You'll like it. This is a fast, fun, easy read and I highly recommend it!
June 24, 2019
For me the story bounced around a lot. I have read the other books but it took me a little bit to get myself oriented with the timeline and some of the characters again. Zander and Blayde's story line was a bit more organized. Got a glimpse of who they really are and how they came to be the immortal jumpers/savers of planets. Sally's story was the one that seemed jumbled to me. Of course, time travel will do that to you.
March 10, 2021
“Prologues don’t need a name, but I’ll call this one Steve” I was laughing at that from page 1 to page 447.
Starbound is book 5 in the Starstruck Saga by SE Anderson. This saga started off with a 5 star book, characters I loved with all of my heart, and jokes that cracked me up. With every single book in this saga I thought “it can’t get any better!” And it has. Every single book has gotten more funny, the characters more endearing. The action more immersive. The planets and aliens so creative so much fun and so unique.
5 stars.
Instead of writing a full review (cause I’m sure you know where I stand) I’m going to post my favorite quotes:
“And every single planet felt old, like I had been there before. While there was room for wonder, I always felt a vague sense of deja vu. Had I seen it all before?”
“Hey, the left-most rust spot did hear a striking resemblance to Scarlett Johansson”
“The only editors it had ever seen were a few hundred monkeys on typewriters who got really excited when they discovered the word “fart”.”
“Still unsure of what job he did, because future babble, but now without a job, he couldn’t get the medi-grains for his very sick gran, so everyone is sad.”
Starbound is book 5 in the Starstruck Saga by SE Anderson. This saga started off with a 5 star book, characters I loved with all of my heart, and jokes that cracked me up. With every single book in this saga I thought “it can’t get any better!” And it has. Every single book has gotten more funny, the characters more endearing. The action more immersive. The planets and aliens so creative so much fun and so unique.
5 stars.
Instead of writing a full review (cause I’m sure you know where I stand) I’m going to post my favorite quotes:
“And every single planet felt old, like I had been there before. While there was room for wonder, I always felt a vague sense of deja vu. Had I seen it all before?”
“Hey, the left-most rust spot did hear a striking resemblance to Scarlett Johansson”
“The only editors it had ever seen were a few hundred monkeys on typewriters who got really excited when they discovered the word “fart”.”
“Still unsure of what job he did, because future babble, but now without a job, he couldn’t get the medi-grains for his very sick gran, so everyone is sad.”
August 27, 2019
The universe doesn't revolve around you... unless the universe actually does revolve around you, in which case you've got bigger problems than ego and narcissism to contend with.
The fifth book in S.E. Anderson's humorous scifi series has some hard fought moments of clarity, an unexpected villain, and a top secret government meeting at a sushi bar. Anderson makes some wild connections through time and space, as she has though the previous four books, but this time it all starts to come together in a way that brings you to the end of one adventure while another is on the horizon.
I'm pleased with the direction the author has taken this galaxy-hopping adventure, and look forward to finding out what happens in the next installment. I was lucky to receive an advance copy of this book for review, but take that with a grain of salt because I also made sure my mom bought a copy.
S.E. Anderson is one of my favorite Science Fiction authors, and if you haven't started reading this series yet, get started! She'll tickle your funny bone and send you outside to look at the stars, wondering who's up there waiting to be discovered.
The fifth book in S.E. Anderson's humorous scifi series has some hard fought moments of clarity, an unexpected villain, and a top secret government meeting at a sushi bar. Anderson makes some wild connections through time and space, as she has though the previous four books, but this time it all starts to come together in a way that brings you to the end of one adventure while another is on the horizon.
I'm pleased with the direction the author has taken this galaxy-hopping adventure, and look forward to finding out what happens in the next installment. I was lucky to receive an advance copy of this book for review, but take that with a grain of salt because I also made sure my mom bought a copy.
S.E. Anderson is one of my favorite Science Fiction authors, and if you haven't started reading this series yet, get started! She'll tickle your funny bone and send you outside to look at the stars, wondering who's up there waiting to be discovered.
September 13, 2019
I have loved this series from the start so when I saw the next book up for pre-order, I had to have it. Picking up almost immediately after the end of the last book, Sally is thrown back into somewhat normal life, but along the way she finds out that what passes for normal isn't actually all that normal. The writing was engaging from the first page, I was hooked and reading along with Sally and Zander's story and couldn't help but get lost in the pages. Sally looking to undo some of the things she's done in the past and save Earth but all without Zander by her side. As the pieces of threads started to be pulled together, you can't believe what's happening! It was an amazing ride and I adore Anderson's way of sitting you down and keeping you in the story. Overall, an amazing book and one that I highly recommend!
October 3, 2024
I am enjoying this series and book five is every bit as exciting and as enthralling as the previous four. Sally is back and trying to settle into normal life, whatever that may be and there is tons going on as the author once again draws us back into this fun sci-fi read. So many questions are answered and we get to read Zander and Blayde's pov which to me only enhanced this , even more as they all converge. There’s humour, there’s villains, there’s action and there’s a sushi bar??? And let’s not forget the twists and turns and that ending that has left me wanting to read more!
September 17, 2019
Oh no. It just stopped — a darned cliffhanger again. Sally continues her adventures with Zander and Blade. But then, one minute the siblings are in Sally's home, and then they were gone. She didn't see them again for ages. What a fantastic story. Sure cannot wait to read the next one and have the story come to its final conclusion.
October 18, 2019
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I loved it!! Yes, it took my a while to finish it, but, ya know, school happened. That ending, though! Cliffhanger alert!! Gosh, I hope there is going to be another book! Be still, my beating heart.
My favorite Sally quote from this book:
“I take it all back. Here comes the terror. Hello fear!”
I loved it!! Yes, it took my a while to finish it, but, ya know, school happened. That ending, though! Cliffhanger alert!! Gosh, I hope there is going to be another book! Be still, my beating heart.
My favorite Sally quote from this book:
“I take it all back. Here comes the terror. Hello fear!”
August 26, 2019
The story was amazing and the twists were so big I couldn't put it down.
December 14, 2019
MIND BLOWN!
Okay so first off, I don't know what happened to my initial review since it disappeared but I truly enjoyed reading this series and S. E. Anderson is great at what she does! This book has it all - adventure, romance, a bad ass villain, mind blowing plot twist, world building, an interesting plot, and captivating characters!
Okay so first off, I don't know what happened to my initial review since it disappeared but I truly enjoyed reading this series and S. E. Anderson is great at what she does! This book has it all - adventure, romance, a bad ass villain, mind blowing plot twist, world building, an interesting plot, and captivating characters!
August 6, 2019
I have waited SO long for this book, and let me tell you it is so worth the wait! FINALLY I get some answers to some long-awaited questions!
Sally is back with another whirlwind adventure! This time the stakes are all so much higher as she tries "to recall all the details from (her) off-Earth adventures... to record the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the unbelievable truth."
From the very beginning, "extraterrestrials are trying to screw up (her) day." But with her extraterrestrial friends Zander and Blayde, Sally could survive anything. All she has to do is ask "What would Zander do?"
Anderson's hilarious and witty characters commingle perfectly in a seriously time-warped emotional roller coaster of a story, that will keep your attention until the very last page! I strongly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good adventure with comedic relief - even if you don't like SciFi, you will LOVE this!
Sally is back with another whirlwind adventure! This time the stakes are all so much higher as she tries "to recall all the details from (her) off-Earth adventures... to record the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the unbelievable truth."
From the very beginning, "extraterrestrials are trying to screw up (her) day." But with her extraterrestrial friends Zander and Blayde, Sally could survive anything. All she has to do is ask "What would Zander do?"
Anderson's hilarious and witty characters commingle perfectly in a seriously time-warped emotional roller coaster of a story, that will keep your attention until the very last page! I strongly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good adventure with comedic relief - even if you don't like SciFi, you will LOVE this!
September 12, 2019
I received a digital arc in exchange for an honest review. This is simply my opinion on the book and is not influenced by any external factor.
This is it, the end of the Starstruck series. Sally made it back to Earth in one piece, but feels lost without Zander. But immortal alien and human just aren’t destined to be together. But even on their own, they manage to get caught up in a terrible plot which might change everything that has happened so far.
Here we get chapters from both Sally and Zander’s perspective, and even one from Blayde’s point of view near the end. The shift in perspective allows us to traverse both of their individual stories as they have separated.
For some reason, I couldn’t get into Sally’s part of the story that quickly, but was completely immersed with Zander’s. Doesn’t mean that they’re not both interesting and exciting – it’s just my personal opinion. But I think in this case, it was seeing them function while apart is what made it different.
Throughout the previous novels, Sally’s character has grown stronger and matured, learning to fend for herself and make thoughtful and well-thought decisions. We meet some new characters along with the usual gang, but things aren’t always what they seem.
Although there was a very serious tone in the book, there still was a lot of well-timed humour. Case in point, an emo spaceship and Dave from Accounting. Not going to give any spoilers, but read and find out.
Oh, and that twist – totally wasn’t expecting that and kept me at the edge of my seat the entire second half of the book! Everything that happened in the previous books made much more sense after this realization.
Again, a clean read, a few kisses and quite a few major curses, but not graphic mature content.
Overall, I have to say, the author is really a genius. She has managed to create these creative characters and so many different complex worlds as well as intricate plot structures, all while maintaining enough humour to make this an enjoyable read and not pass off as slapstick comedy. The series overall is well written and I really enjoyed reading each and every book. It was a shame to see the story over, and I do wish that we had an epilogue with just a bit more closure.
Would I recommend this series to others? Definitely! This was truly an experience I will never forget and I was sad to see it come to a close. This is definitely one I will re-read again in the future.
This is it, the end of the Starstruck series. Sally made it back to Earth in one piece, but feels lost without Zander. But immortal alien and human just aren’t destined to be together. But even on their own, they manage to get caught up in a terrible plot which might change everything that has happened so far.
Here we get chapters from both Sally and Zander’s perspective, and even one from Blayde’s point of view near the end. The shift in perspective allows us to traverse both of their individual stories as they have separated.
For some reason, I couldn’t get into Sally’s part of the story that quickly, but was completely immersed with Zander’s. Doesn’t mean that they’re not both interesting and exciting – it’s just my personal opinion. But I think in this case, it was seeing them function while apart is what made it different.
Throughout the previous novels, Sally’s character has grown stronger and matured, learning to fend for herself and make thoughtful and well-thought decisions. We meet some new characters along with the usual gang, but things aren’t always what they seem.
Although there was a very serious tone in the book, there still was a lot of well-timed humour. Case in point, an emo spaceship and Dave from Accounting. Not going to give any spoilers, but read and find out.
Oh, and that twist – totally wasn’t expecting that and kept me at the edge of my seat the entire second half of the book! Everything that happened in the previous books made much more sense after this realization.
Again, a clean read, a few kisses and quite a few major curses, but not graphic mature content.
Overall, I have to say, the author is really a genius. She has managed to create these creative characters and so many different complex worlds as well as intricate plot structures, all while maintaining enough humour to make this an enjoyable read and not pass off as slapstick comedy. The series overall is well written and I really enjoyed reading each and every book. It was a shame to see the story over, and I do wish that we had an epilogue with just a bit more closure.
Would I recommend this series to others? Definitely! This was truly an experience I will never forget and I was sad to see it come to a close. This is definitely one I will re-read again in the future.
August 20, 2019
Starbound pissed me off.
In a good way.
If you read Celestial -- and if you didn't, how are you reading Starbound, the fifth in this series? -- you'll know why. Still, S.E. Anderson's latest has all of the same elements that made the previous four installments so great: heart and humor.
The two go hand-in-hand, and again, I mention how refreshing it is to see a sci-fi series that doesn't take itself so damn seriously. Anderson's writing prowess is again on full display, even as she weaves through the first half of the book in such a way that you might feel like you've missed something. But that's by design and the beauty is, her characters feel the same way.
The latter portion of the book does rely on a trope that I'm not a fan of (not giving anything away here), but the twist Anderson puts on it is inventive enough, and I'm still emotionally invested enough in Sally and others that it didn't bother me as much as it normally would. But be warned: this book does end on a bit of a cliffhanger -- though with this being a series and at least one more installment on the horizon, that's not surprising.
So much of what came before in the first four books of this series come to a head in Starbound, giving it a satisfying dimension of closure -- despite this not being the finale (and I say this knowing full well the next book might negate some of what's in this book; to this point, nothing surprises me).
But the long and short of it is this: Starbound is excellent, every bit the equal of its predecessors, and you need it in your library. Just don't be surprised if you find yourself contacting the author to jokingly chide her for how rude this all is.
In a good way.
If you read Celestial -- and if you didn't, how are you reading Starbound, the fifth in this series? -- you'll know why. Still, S.E. Anderson's latest has all of the same elements that made the previous four installments so great: heart and humor.
The two go hand-in-hand, and again, I mention how refreshing it is to see a sci-fi series that doesn't take itself so damn seriously. Anderson's writing prowess is again on full display, even as she weaves through the first half of the book in such a way that you might feel like you've missed something. But that's by design and the beauty is, her characters feel the same way.
The latter portion of the book does rely on a trope that I'm not a fan of (not giving anything away here), but the twist Anderson puts on it is inventive enough, and I'm still emotionally invested enough in Sally and others that it didn't bother me as much as it normally would. But be warned: this book does end on a bit of a cliffhanger -- though with this being a series and at least one more installment on the horizon, that's not surprising.
So much of what came before in the first four books of this series come to a head in Starbound, giving it a satisfying dimension of closure -- despite this not being the finale (and I say this knowing full well the next book might negate some of what's in this book; to this point, nothing surprises me).
But the long and short of it is this: Starbound is excellent, every bit the equal of its predecessors, and you need it in your library. Just don't be surprised if you find yourself contacting the author to jokingly chide her for how rude this all is.
November 19, 2019
Insane finale to an incredible saga!!!
Everything in time and space moved full circle. This book blew my mind over and over again, picking up pieces of the first four installments in new ways and twists that you won't see coming. I am so beyond impressed with the quality of this larger story concept, and look forward to reading more by this author in the future. Read the entire series - you won't regret it!
Everything in time and space moved full circle. This book blew my mind over and over again, picking up pieces of the first four installments in new ways and twists that you won't see coming. I am so beyond impressed with the quality of this larger story concept, and look forward to reading more by this author in the future. Read the entire series - you won't regret it!
December 30, 2019
My brain hurts, but, like, in a good way? 12/10 would do again. And probably already have, actually. I should check my journal to see, as soon as I find the damn thing.
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