Review--Starfall by Melissa Landers

When Princess Cassia Rose fled her home world of Eturia to escape an arranged marriage, she had no idea her sudden departure would spark a war. Now after two years hiding as a ship hand, she is finally returning to her beloved home, but not in the way she imagined. Shackled by bounty hunters, she is violently dragged back to account for her crimes. Her only solace is that the Banshee crew managed to evade capture, including Kane Arric, her best friend...with occasional benefits.

Meanwhile, Kane and the rest of the crew of the Banshee plan a desperate rescue mission. But when they arrive on Eturia, Cassia isn't exactly in need of heroics—she's claimed her birthright as Eturia's queen, but has inherited a war-torn planet simmering with rebellion. Cassia must make alliances, and Kane, the bastard son of a merchant, isn't a choice that will earn her any friends. Kane knows he will never find someone to replace Cassia—and is certain she returns his feelings—but how can he throw away his own promising future waiting on a queen?

When the outer realm is threatened by the dangerous Zhang mafia, Cassia, Kane and the rest of the Banshee crew uncover a horrifying conspiracy that endangers the entire universe. In the face of unspeakable evil, Cassia must confront her own family's complicated legacy on Eturia and decide once and for all who her real family is.

Heyooooo! Guess who just finished off another series, and a duology at that! It had been wayyyy too long since I read Melissa Landers' Starflight, but I was extremely lucky that one, I had notes from it, and two Starfall was a companion novel versus direct sequel! So I still got to see Solara and Doran while also seeing Cassia and Kane in new light! Oddly, I couldn't remember them as much from the first book, other than that they bickered and danced between the lines of friends and maybe something more.

When we start off with our story, Cassia and Kane have yet another fight. Nothing new there, except this fight felt a little different. And in the aftermath of cooling down, Cassia is kidnapped. She's brought back to the home she ran away from two years ago, and she finds things have changed a lot. Her intended fiance, Marius has been evil in attacking the neighboring kingdoms, saving hers for last. And naturally, when she's finally presented to him...it wasn't the happiest of reunions. As Cassia was held captive during the flight she also began plotting revenge.

With the help of Jordan, a sort of palace guard turned rebel, they are able to secure Marius in a prison cell while Cassia hopes to settle the troubles in her kingdom, the most pressing being a deadly plague that is running rampant in the neighboring areas headed straight for her home.

It's not long before Cassia is reunited with her crew, Kane among them as they are about to set on their next galactic quest; finding the cure and finding the man who was supplying Marius with the weapons he was using in his attack.

This was an amazing read! Though I only had the foggiest idea of what happened in the first book, I was happy to be back wit these characters! I remember distantly adoring Cassia and Kane and their antics with one another! Having them as the star characters this time around was a real treat. Though naturally, things aren't all happy between them and pretty much from the getgo these two had so many obstacles being flung their way, you weren't ever really sure what the outcome would be!

That being said, there were a few stolen moments between them that definitely had me rooting for these two! But of course, there may or may not have been a few other romantic entanglements that threatened to tear the two apart.

The action to this one was impeccable! There was a great deal of tension in this one. So many secrets building up and puzzles to solve! You won't see half of these surprises coming! 

Rebellions, betrayals, battles, and secrets galore Starfall is a book you will never want to put down! The ending was superbly ideal as well! This is my favorite way to see a series end (no matter its length!)! It's one where you know where the characters are at and where they'll be going. You know that their adventures won't stop once you close the cover, I always love to imagine the characters living on even after THE END appears on the page. It's a happy feeling as a reader!

If you love a good space setting and well-developed characters with an action packed plot with a great pace, this book couldn't be more perfect for you!



Overall Rating 5/5 stars