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Beyond the Starlit Skies
Seventeen-year-old Zadie has lived on space stations her entire life, always fascinated by the stars outside her windows. When she graduates and lands her dream job – exploring the galaxy on a brand-new starship – she’s thrilled. Discovering never before seen planets? Awesome. What's the worst that could happen?
Oh, if she only knew.
For starters, she’s sent out to space with four hundred random strangers... plus the guy she's been crushing on for years. Talk about overwhelming. Now, lightyears away from everything she has ever known, Zadie must find the strength to navigate a new path and discover who she’s truly meant to be.
The farther Zadie travels from the world she once knew, though, the more perilous things become. Dangerous landscapes, unexpected alien creatures, and secret plots that threaten her very existence. What Zadie fails to realize when she signs up for her dream job? Space may be a perfect place for exploration, but it’s an even easier place for deception. This trek will be anything but simple, and if Zadie’s not careful? She might not be making it home alive.
Oh, if she only knew.
For starters, she’s sent out to space with four hundred random strangers... plus the guy she's been crushing on for years. Talk about overwhelming. Now, lightyears away from everything she has ever known, Zadie must find the strength to navigate a new path and discover who she’s truly meant to be.
The farther Zadie travels from the world she once knew, though, the more perilous things become. Dangerous landscapes, unexpected alien creatures, and secret plots that threaten her very existence. What Zadie fails to realize when she signs up for her dream job? Space may be a perfect place for exploration, but it’s an even easier place for deception. This trek will be anything but simple, and if Zadie’s not careful? She might not be making it home alive.
ebook
Published February 12, 2022
4 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Bethany Thompson
2 books2 followersBethany Thompson was born and raised on the coast of Maine, in a small fishing town where lobsters are king. She left the calming ocean waters and travelled inland for college, eventually earning her master’s degree in social work. By day Bethany works as a school social worker, supporting the emotional needs of students in the central Maine area. By night she throws pottery in bright and fantastic colors, and dabbles with the idea of being a writer. When not throwing pottery, writing, or supporting the emotional needs of teens and tweens, Bethany can be found relaxing with her fabulous husband and their two small chihuahuas, Lily and Turtle.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 23, 2023
4 ⭐ CW: violence
Beyond the Starlit Skies by Bethany Thompson is a YA scifi story that centers exploration, coming of age, and found family. This was a great debut book, and a nice introduction to scifi for teens since it doesn't have the heavy political overtones of most scifi.
We follow Zadie Weston, a girl who lives on a space station, and dreams of exploring unknown space. She gets the chance when she gets placed on the first exploration vessel, the Sapphire Sky, for its five year mission. I definitely felt some Star Trek vibes from this, so I wonder if the author is also a Trekkie. Zadie is one of the youngest on board, but takes quickly to her role. When Zadie discovers an Earth like planet, things take a sinister turn.
We get a great cast of characters as the found family, and there is a little bit of romance, but it isn't heavy or the whole point of the story. I do wish the other characters had been fleshed out a bit more along with having more physical descriptions to make the diversity of crew more visible. We do get one gay side character, but it's pretty minimal. We also get a glimpse as to what Earth will be like in the future: overpopulated, dirty, and expensive with people packed in like sardines.
Since this was the debut novel, I'm hoping we get more from our supporting characters in book two. The only other critique I have is that the author didn't use enough contractions, which made the dialogue and writing feel a bit wooden in places, and the pacing was a big weird in places. These are minor criticisms though. All in all, this was a fun romp through space, and I look forward to book two.
I love getting to support local Maine Authors!
Beyond the Starlit Skies by Bethany Thompson is a YA scifi story that centers exploration, coming of age, and found family. This was a great debut book, and a nice introduction to scifi for teens since it doesn't have the heavy political overtones of most scifi.
We follow Zadie Weston, a girl who lives on a space station, and dreams of exploring unknown space. She gets the chance when she gets placed on the first exploration vessel, the Sapphire Sky, for its five year mission. I definitely felt some Star Trek vibes from this, so I wonder if the author is also a Trekkie. Zadie is one of the youngest on board, but takes quickly to her role. When Zadie discovers an Earth like planet, things take a sinister turn.
We get a great cast of characters as the found family, and there is a little bit of romance, but it isn't heavy or the whole point of the story. I do wish the other characters had been fleshed out a bit more along with having more physical descriptions to make the diversity of crew more visible. We do get one gay side character, but it's pretty minimal. We also get a glimpse as to what Earth will be like in the future: overpopulated, dirty, and expensive with people packed in like sardines.
Since this was the debut novel, I'm hoping we get more from our supporting characters in book two. The only other critique I have is that the author didn't use enough contractions, which made the dialogue and writing feel a bit wooden in places, and the pacing was a big weird in places. These are minor criticisms though. All in all, this was a fun romp through space, and I look forward to book two.
I love getting to support local Maine Authors!
August 20, 2023
The plot was unevenly paced and everything happened at the end although we all saw it coming. Not in a bad way. If you get over the fact that everyone acts like NPCs, this is a refreshing short read - especially if you want to take a break from more serious stuff; it's a lot of fun!
April 6, 2022
This is an excellent YA Sci-Fi novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the world-building, the set-up and the excitement of the crew as they begin their exploration, and the climax of betrayal. It is an easy to read book, with believable characters, very much a coming of age novel as well, a must-read for those who want to go to space and discover new and strange planets. It is not a horror story, of crafty/nasty aliens, which I liked, especially as the nasty ones are the ones who you’d not usually suspect (and they are not aliens). A lovely written and plotted first novel.
March 28, 2022
This story was so good! The pace was just fast enough to keep me engaged, but not too fast. The characters were likeable and written well. Some extra backstory on some would have been nice, but wasn't necessary. I was not expecting that twist and couldn't put the book down until I was finished from that point on. Would definitely recommend if you are looking for a sci-fi young adult fiction book!
February 25, 2022
There are certain books that linger with you and Beyond the Starlit Skies was one of those for me. There was a lovely ease when reading this book: the story was engaging, the world-building created a vivid imagery throughout, the characters were wholesome and realistic, and I genuinely wanted to know what was going to happen next. This was a great coming-of-age ya sci-fi novel and I cannot wait for the next instalment.
February 12, 2022
I am privileged to have the first review for Beth.
I first beta read this book in 2020 and let me say my opinion on the book then still stands today after finishing the arc.
There are a couple of books with this same theme out and I have to say this one is my favorite.
The adventure of leaving home, family and friends, becoming an adult, friendships, twists, and love.
The story has a great flow.
Cannot wait for another book!
I first beta read this book in 2020 and let me say my opinion on the book then still stands today after finishing the arc.
There are a couple of books with this same theme out and I have to say this one is my favorite.
The adventure of leaving home, family and friends, becoming an adult, friendships, twists, and love.
The story has a great flow.
Cannot wait for another book!
May 27, 2022
I liked it.... I liked Zadie, Gabe and the other characters. I liked the sadness Gabe gives off when he talks about Earth and how bad it is, and how Zadie dreamed of going to Earth, unaware of the bad things.
I liked the strange planets, most of all being the planet were they can swim in the air. I thought that was very creative, and I'm jealous I didn't think of that.
I liked that its going to be a series, and how Beyond had a beginning, middle, and end, but still opens up for a sequel were they are still on the Sapphire Sky and are counting to travel the stars.
I like how Zadie let the people who wanted to stay on the small Earth like planet (I forgot the name, and I'm to lazy to go find the name in the book) stay and give them a little island and of course made rules. I don't know how far this book series is going to go, but if it goes really far into the future I would like to see the small Earth like planet become ruined by people or whatever.
I can't to see were the series is going, are Zadie and the gang going to go to Earth, are they going to find some aliens and fight them, or whatever... I can't wait.
I liked the strange planets, most of all being the planet were they can swim in the air. I thought that was very creative, and I'm jealous I didn't think of that.
I liked that its going to be a series, and how Beyond had a beginning, middle, and end, but still opens up for a sequel were they are still on the Sapphire Sky and are counting to travel the stars.
I like how Zadie let the people who wanted to stay on the small Earth like planet (I forgot the name, and I'm to lazy to go find the name in the book) stay and give them a little island and of course made rules. I don't know how far this book series is going to go, but if it goes really far into the future I would like to see the small Earth like planet become ruined by people or whatever.
I can't to see were the series is going, are Zadie and the gang going to go to Earth, are they going to find some aliens and fight them, or whatever... I can't wait.
March 30, 2022
A Good Genre Entry
I'll admit, I was asked to read this by a friend of the author, so it's not my first choice of reading material. In fact, I had to convince myself not to be unnecessarily harsh on it due to my biases. I will say if you miss the dystopian YA novels of the 2010s, you'll enjoy this. It follows most of those tropes with some deviation, the main thing setting it apart being the space science fiction setting. It touches on things like class division and has an openly gay character, but so far just pays lip service to those topics. It is apparently one of a series and I will be reading the following books in the series.
Overall, if you're in the teen demographic that this was written for or long for a particular flavor of YA fiction from the days of Hunger Games, Maze Runner, and Divergent, you'll probably like this a lot, especially if you are a fan of sci fi with space exploration themes and made up tech and jargon, a la Star Trek. Really, a YA take on Star Trek is a good overall summary of this.
I'll admit, I was asked to read this by a friend of the author, so it's not my first choice of reading material. In fact, I had to convince myself not to be unnecessarily harsh on it due to my biases. I will say if you miss the dystopian YA novels of the 2010s, you'll enjoy this. It follows most of those tropes with some deviation, the main thing setting it apart being the space science fiction setting. It touches on things like class division and has an openly gay character, but so far just pays lip service to those topics. It is apparently one of a series and I will be reading the following books in the series.
Overall, if you're in the teen demographic that this was written for or long for a particular flavor of YA fiction from the days of Hunger Games, Maze Runner, and Divergent, you'll probably like this a lot, especially if you are a fan of sci fi with space exploration themes and made up tech and jargon, a la Star Trek. Really, a YA take on Star Trek is a good overall summary of this.
July 6, 2022
A strong first book by an emerging author in YA science fiction. This book tells the coming of age story of Zadie Weston and her journey from recent graduate to a navigation crew-member on a new starship bound for a five year journey to explore new worlds.
Zadie is the first-person narrator, so we get to observe as she grows socially, emotionally, and professionally throughout the story. The author takes a solid approach, illustrating the breadth of Zadie’s relationships and how they help shape her as a young woman and intergalactic explorer.
Throughout the course of a slow-build to a climatic twist and betrayal on a far-flung planet, we see Zadie come into her own and carve out an important niche in the midst of a life and death struggle.
There are many excellent themes explored in this novel— friendship, acceptance, independence, bravery, leadership, and love. Beyond the Starlit Skies is an entertaining and inspiring book for readers of YA fiction.
Zadie is the first-person narrator, so we get to observe as she grows socially, emotionally, and professionally throughout the story. The author takes a solid approach, illustrating the breadth of Zadie’s relationships and how they help shape her as a young woman and intergalactic explorer.
Throughout the course of a slow-build to a climatic twist and betrayal on a far-flung planet, we see Zadie come into her own and carve out an important niche in the midst of a life and death struggle.
There are many excellent themes explored in this novel— friendship, acceptance, independence, bravery, leadership, and love. Beyond the Starlit Skies is an entertaining and inspiring book for readers of YA fiction.
September 30, 2022
I picked this up because it sounded like an amazing sci-fi and I was not disappointed in the slightest. I adored Zadie from the first meeting, and her way of telling her story had me pulled in and desperate to know more. The twists and turns along the way kept me turning the pages until finally I reached the end. I loved the romance, the intrigue and the thriller vibes from the plot itself. It was a dazzling read, and the imagery and world building were perfect. Overall, an amazing sci-fi and one that I would recommend to all!
April 23, 2022
A Great Read!
It is always nice to read a good story with a well thought out arc and relatable characters. It is even better when you read a book and then learn it is by a fellow author in your own state!
If you like space science-do, Beyond the Starlit Skies is a MUST READ!
It is always nice to read a good story with a well thought out arc and relatable characters. It is even better when you read a book and then learn it is by a fellow author in your own state!
If you like space science-do, Beyond the Starlit Skies is a MUST READ!
January 9, 2023
Not as developed as it could have been in terms of build up and characterization but a fun read and one I enjoyed and would recommend if you like fantasy, sci-fi, space adventures, or a quick read.
January 11, 2023
Very easy and fun read, the characters are well written and the setting is down to earth in spite of being in outer space.
January 13, 2023
This was our staff book pick for January and is written by a friend of one of the members. I don't normally enjoy sci-fi but I was pleasantly surprised by this book and it was a great YA read.
June 6, 2022
This wasn't my favorite book. I do admit it is interesting. I did enjoy the first couple of chapters, but after awhile I became unamused.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews