What do you think?
Rate this book
Starlite
Bevil Cyrex, adrift in space on a ship determined to kill him, stumbles across an ancient and abandoned space station.
Once on board the station he sets about repairing it, with the goal of opening up for business.
Along the way he encounters a possibly sociopathic, all powerful nanite swarm and an ex-mob enforcer determined to kill him. Not to mention various threats of invasion, marriage and death.
All in all, Bevil would have to admit, things were looking up.
Once on board the station he sets about repairing it, with the goal of opening up for business.
Along the way he encounters a possibly sociopathic, all powerful nanite swarm and an ex-mob enforcer determined to kill him. Not to mention various threats of invasion, marriage and death.
All in all, Bevil would have to admit, things were looking up.
- GenresScience Fiction
Paperback
Published December 6, 2022
61 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 1, 2023
Prepare for a journey across the galaxies, my fellow space enthusiasts, as we dive into the thrilling sci-fi novel, Starlite, penned by the imaginative Jonathan Latt. Brace yourselves for an interstellar escapade that promises to send your imagination soaring, even if it occasionally gets lost in the vastness of the cosmos.
Easy to get lost in the book as the word building is penned in layman's term (well, on sci-fi standards anyways) The quirks of the characters also gave life to the story in general.
However, while the world and characters in Starlite are undoubtedly captivating, the plot occasionally falters like a rocket with a wonky trajectory. The story starts off with a bang, promising an exhilarating ride through uncharted space territories. But as we venture deeper into the book, the plot loses some of its initial momentum, causing us to float in a literary limbo, waiting for the next grand revelation or twist. There are moments when it feels as though Latt is trying to navigate through the cosmic labyrinth without a star map, resulting in a few unnecessary detours that disrupt the overall flow.
Nevertheless, Starlite is not a book to be dismissed lightly. Latt's prose is as luminous as a distant supernova, and his knack for creating vivid and imaginative settings is truly commendable. It is a cosmic adventure with soaring potential that occasionally gets lost among the galaxies. While the plot may lose its way at times, Latt's world-building skills and engaging characters shine like distant constellations.
Thank you the author and EscapistBookCo for a physical copy of the book in exchange for a review 💕
Easy to get lost in the book as the word building is penned in layman's term (well, on sci-fi standards anyways) The quirks of the characters also gave life to the story in general.
However, while the world and characters in Starlite are undoubtedly captivating, the plot occasionally falters like a rocket with a wonky trajectory. The story starts off with a bang, promising an exhilarating ride through uncharted space territories. But as we venture deeper into the book, the plot loses some of its initial momentum, causing us to float in a literary limbo, waiting for the next grand revelation or twist. There are moments when it feels as though Latt is trying to navigate through the cosmic labyrinth without a star map, resulting in a few unnecessary detours that disrupt the overall flow.
Nevertheless, Starlite is not a book to be dismissed lightly. Latt's prose is as luminous as a distant supernova, and his knack for creating vivid and imaginative settings is truly commendable. It is a cosmic adventure with soaring potential that occasionally gets lost among the galaxies. While the plot may lose its way at times, Latt's world-building skills and engaging characters shine like distant constellations.
Thank you the author and EscapistBookCo for a physical copy of the book in exchange for a review 💕
March 26, 2023
If you are a fan of Orson Scott Card or Star Wars, and enjoy non-stop action in a space-exploration environment, this adventure is for you!
However, this version of space is entirely simplistic. No detailed technical explanations of gravity, orbital mechanics or space-time compression, or even of limitations of radio-communication between the stars. Just action!
This book felt like a movie screen-play, complete with comedic wise-cracks after each crisis. There is little exploration of personalities, and any actions that require thought, patience and resources, such as restoring a derelict space station, are fast-forwarded to completion. Some technically-innovative concepts were introduced: for example, a nanite cloud with personality, though we learned very little about it other than its sometimes-grandmotherly character.
This would be enjoyed by space-opera fans and possibly by action movie producers.
However, this version of space is entirely simplistic. No detailed technical explanations of gravity, orbital mechanics or space-time compression, or even of limitations of radio-communication between the stars. Just action!
This book felt like a movie screen-play, complete with comedic wise-cracks after each crisis. There is little exploration of personalities, and any actions that require thought, patience and resources, such as restoring a derelict space station, are fast-forwarded to completion. Some technically-innovative concepts were introduced: for example, a nanite cloud with personality, though we learned very little about it other than its sometimes-grandmotherly character.
This would be enjoyed by space-opera fans and possibly by action movie producers.
July 5, 2023
‘Starlite’ is a space teen and young adult story with science fiction elements. The story begins with Bevil Cyrex, a Star Folk who has decided not to settle on any particular planet. From living on massive ships as a sovereign nation, Bevil one day comes to steal supplies from an Earth Alliance outpost, where he is confronted by a pirate who destroys his ship and attempts to kill him. As Cyrex runs away with the pirate’s ship, he has to deal with much more than he bargained for. The sci-fi has much technologically advanced scenes keeping you hooked. What stands out is the character development and the descriptive writing.
The literature is designed for the reader to feel the adventurous nature of the storyline. I admired the attention given to details and the novel approach.
If you are into reading adventure space stories, then you will find it to be a very entertaining read.
The literature is designed for the reader to feel the adventurous nature of the storyline. I admired the attention given to details and the novel approach.
If you are into reading adventure space stories, then you will find it to be a very entertaining read.
April 6, 2023
This was a fast read for me -- which I love! Lots of action and being inside the Starlite was my favorite, particularly giving me flashbacks to 80's shopping malls. The humor and frequent violent skirmishes elicited a Guardians of the Galaxy-type flavor. I liked the relationship between Bevil (the protagonist) and Tess as it didn't diminish her in any way. The Nan character is awesome -- very creative. That was a completely new type of "person" for me. One star off as I'm not sure that a book is the ideal format for this type of space romp. It's crying out for visuals. I'd definitely watch this movie!
September 13, 2023
Starlite is amazing!
I have no idea why it took a year for me to find this book, but I'm so glad Starlite finally came to my attention. This book is exactly the kind of science fiction I want to read. Starlite is a fantastic story of adventure, danger, redemption, humor, and family. The worldbuilding is wonderful, Bevil is a great character, and Nan is hilarious. Dermit's transformation is a believable work in progress. There is graphic violence and torture. I read Starlite in KU but will definitely buy it to reread.
I have no idea why it took a year for me to find this book, but I'm so glad Starlite finally came to my attention. This book is exactly the kind of science fiction I want to read. Starlite is a fantastic story of adventure, danger, redemption, humor, and family. The worldbuilding is wonderful, Bevil is a great character, and Nan is hilarious. Dermit's transformation is a believable work in progress. There is graphic violence and torture. I read Starlite in KU but will definitely buy it to reread.
March 21, 2023
The world building in this book is interesting—imagine the Roma in space, with an on-going feud with the space-mafia/slavers. Our main character is young, privileged (his father is the captain of a large ship), and full of dumb decisions, as the young and privileged tend to be. The science is at least well-researched enough to sound plausible, for the most part. The swarm of nano bots in the shape of a grandmother is a particularly delightful character, and the book uses humor to decent effect.
However, the text is in desperate need of a copy-editor. See, e.g., sentences like “However, micro-meteorites were a thing, a rare thing, but definitely a thing,” and “About a yearback, Max was off inthe Death Killer, leav -ing Stitch alone on Artax” (yes, that’s the real punctuation). Comma splices are abundant. The prose lacks finesse or maturity. The dialogue is stilted and sophomoric, and suffers from both over- and under-punctuation, sometimes in the same sentence. It’s difficult to read, which is unfortunate because the underlying plot and characters are decent.
Ultimately I would not suggest this in its current form.
However, the text is in desperate need of a copy-editor. See, e.g., sentences like “However, micro-meteorites were a thing, a rare thing, but definitely a thing,” and “About a yearback, Max was off inthe Death Killer, leav -ing Stitch alone on Artax” (yes, that’s the real punctuation). Comma splices are abundant. The prose lacks finesse or maturity. The dialogue is stilted and sophomoric, and suffers from both over- and under-punctuation, sometimes in the same sentence. It’s difficult to read, which is unfortunate because the underlying plot and characters are decent.
Ultimately I would not suggest this in its current form.
September 2, 2023
A Weird Sort of Tale
While the storyline was entertaining and character development more than sufficient, the overall theme was just strange. The book starts in a typical sci-fi mode and then slowly morphs, adding elements that are unreal and outside the norm. The book ends at a pause, with some resolution but not for all threads.
While the storyline was entertaining and character development more than sufficient, the overall theme was just strange. The book starts in a typical sci-fi mode and then slowly morphs, adding elements that are unreal and outside the norm. The book ends at a pause, with some resolution but not for all threads.
February 18, 2024
This was such a cool concept for a sci-fi novel, and it was generally really well executed. I loved the found family element and it was even pretty funny at times. My only problem was that the writing felt awkward and clunky pretty often.
8/10
8/10
September 1, 2023
Excellent read
A very good book to read if want something new to digest. Very amazing story and entertaining read. It's a must read hope catch the next book soon.
A very good book to read if want something new to digest. Very amazing story and entertaining read. It's a must read hope catch the next book soon.
October 2, 2023
fresh story
Finally light sci fi that is new and fresh take. If you like stories like “down below station” you will like this
Finally light sci fi that is new and fresh take. If you like stories like “down below station” you will like this
February 24, 2023
This is a book which is full of surprises, and doesn’t ultimately really go in the direction I thought it might. For the most part, it’s actually pretty fun, and overall I enjoyed it quite a bit more than I thought I would. In other ways, though, it perhaps irritated a touch, though I would say not really enough to put me off reading the now obviously inevitable sequel. Sorry, I don’t want to spoil, but this point does bring me quite clearly to what was by far my biggest bug-bear with the book – and indeed with any book: prepare yourself for an abrupt ending – and I mean abrupt as in totally without any hint it was coming. You now have fair warning, and therefore hopefully won’t find yourself as infuriated as I was at the end. So, that little tantrum aside, I can get on with the review.
This is pure sci-fi, yet the storyline is more one of criminals, pirates and gangsters, with even arguably some Wild West themes chucked in there; think the Han Solo/Jabba/Boba Fett narrative in Star Wars, and you have some idea. It is sharp and witty, with some pretty amusing humour throughout. I wonder if this comedy is laid on a little too thick at times, and some of the characters, who should have been among the most interesting, reduced to farce or parody – specifically Nan, and certainly no less so than Stitch, who seems to transition from pure psychopath to sensitive teenager. Don’t get me wrong, I liked these elements to an extent, and the humour was probably amongst the book’s biggest strengths, but perhaps it was laid on a little too thick, and Stitch’s arc in particular undermined some of the book’s credibility. That said, the book is still pretty violent at times – quite surprisingly so, in fact. Perhaps some might expect it to take itself a bit more seriously, but then again this genre is saturated with books which take themselves too seriously, which is probably why I enjoyed Jonathan’s more than usual; I’m truly glad that it didn’t. All in all, it kept me entertained, and I think in that respect the author has definitely achieved what he set out to. If you like sci-fi fantasy with a difference, which tries to avoid the usual tropes and step outside the mould a little, I think you’ll like this one – just be prepared for the long haul and the necessity to invest in sequels, unlike I was.
This is pure sci-fi, yet the storyline is more one of criminals, pirates and gangsters, with even arguably some Wild West themes chucked in there; think the Han Solo/Jabba/Boba Fett narrative in Star Wars, and you have some idea. It is sharp and witty, with some pretty amusing humour throughout. I wonder if this comedy is laid on a little too thick at times, and some of the characters, who should have been among the most interesting, reduced to farce or parody – specifically Nan, and certainly no less so than Stitch, who seems to transition from pure psychopath to sensitive teenager. Don’t get me wrong, I liked these elements to an extent, and the humour was probably amongst the book’s biggest strengths, but perhaps it was laid on a little too thick, and Stitch’s arc in particular undermined some of the book’s credibility. That said, the book is still pretty violent at times – quite surprisingly so, in fact. Perhaps some might expect it to take itself a bit more seriously, but then again this genre is saturated with books which take themselves too seriously, which is probably why I enjoyed Jonathan’s more than usual; I’m truly glad that it didn’t. All in all, it kept me entertained, and I think in that respect the author has definitely achieved what he set out to. If you like sci-fi fantasy with a difference, which tries to avoid the usual tropes and step outside the mould a little, I think you’ll like this one – just be prepared for the long haul and the necessity to invest in sequels, unlike I was.
June 26, 2023
I was so surprised by how involved and how many extra things we get along the ride. The author completely eggs you on to find out what happens next.
It’s a fast-paced book that has interesting and diverse characters. The author does a great job of setting the scene and really laying out the world for the reader to imagine.
The style is fairly light, even though the stakes are high, and there’s a whole level of intrigue in this story that strung me along.
Great for Sci-Fi fans!
I received a copy via RABT Book Tours & PR in exchange for an honest review.
It’s a fast-paced book that has interesting and diverse characters. The author does a great job of setting the scene and really laying out the world for the reader to imagine.
The style is fairly light, even though the stakes are high, and there’s a whole level of intrigue in this story that strung me along.
Great for Sci-Fi fans!
I received a copy via RABT Book Tours & PR in exchange for an honest review.
June 1, 2024
Out of this world
I don't normally go for SciFi reads but I'm sure glad I went for this one. Having previously read "The Geek," by this author I jumped straight to the buy button when I saw this one come up.
Straight away I connected with the characters and there was more than enough technical details to set the scene without swamping the store.
The tale rocks along at a lovely pace and I didn't feel the pages passing. I finished it far too quickly. The stories at the end were a lovely bonus.
Well done Jonathan five very shiny stars.
I don't normally go for SciFi reads but I'm sure glad I went for this one. Having previously read "The Geek," by this author I jumped straight to the buy button when I saw this one come up.
Straight away I connected with the characters and there was more than enough technical details to set the scene without swamping the store.
The tale rocks along at a lovely pace and I didn't feel the pages passing. I finished it far too quickly. The stories at the end were a lovely bonus.
Well done Jonathan five very shiny stars.
June 12, 2023
The science is fascinating and clearly described. Any science fiction fan is familiar with the invention of a new world and it takes some getting used to. Jonathan Latt brings us right in and completely immerses us.
A well crafted storyline is supported by believable characters and good character and plot development.
The sci-fi tech is equally believable and supported well throughout the story.
As the story progresses, we have battles, losses and end with hope for something more.
A well crafted storyline is supported by believable characters and good character and plot development.
The sci-fi tech is equally believable and supported well throughout the story.
As the story progresses, we have battles, losses and end with hope for something more.
July 24, 2023
A little bit of everything all melded together into the perfect Sci-Fi book.
The characters are believable and the situations feel real. Character background and context is a good opportunity to buy in, that is, they are flawed, but adequately sympathetic.
The details and information that the author, Jonathan Latt, input into this story really made it work.
Well written, full of surprises and action and ultimately a great sci-fi read.
The characters are believable and the situations feel real. Character background and context is a good opportunity to buy in, that is, they are flawed, but adequately sympathetic.
The details and information that the author, Jonathan Latt, input into this story really made it work.
Well written, full of surprises and action and ultimately a great sci-fi read.
May 18, 2023
Jonathan Latt has proven he is a master of weaving compelling characters into a gripping plot.
The action and the intrigue was fantastic not to mention the world building and the character development was amazing.
The reader will quickly come to like Bevil and become engrossed in the story.
Fantastic Sci-Fi Read.
The action and the intrigue was fantastic not to mention the world building and the character development was amazing.
The reader will quickly come to like Bevil and become engrossed in the story.
Fantastic Sci-Fi Read.
August 10, 2023
We are proud to announce that STARLITE by Jonathan Latt has been honored with the B.R.A.G.Medallion (Book Readers Appreciation Group). It now joins the very select award-winning, reader-recommended books at indieBRAG.
April 26, 2024
refreshing and upbeat
Reading this book reminded me of Tolkien’s themes. Good versus evil, rediscovering humanity’s frailty and strength. Agape love in spite of the odds. This is a great read for all ages,
Reading this book reminded me of Tolkien’s themes. Good versus evil, rediscovering humanity’s frailty and strength. Agape love in spite of the odds. This is a great read for all ages,
on-hold
May 18, 2023I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews