Author: Maria V. Snyder
ISBN: 978148925746
RRP: $19.99
Publication Date: 19 November 2018
Publisher: HQ Young Adult
Copy: Courtesy of the Publisher
Maria V. Snyder is the bestselling author of a number of YA science fiction and fantasy series and Navigating the Stars is the beginning of an exciting new series. The Sentinels of the Galaxy series is more science fiction than fantasy but early reviews have been very positive.
The year is 2471 and Terra Cotta Warriors have been discovered on many planets in the Milky Way Galaxy. Lyra Daniels’ parents are the leading archaeologists of the galaxy and the discovery is exciting, not so much for Lyra who will be required to tag along on the time jumps to different planets which will leave her seventeen while all her friends have aged decades, wreaking havoc on her social life.
One of the Warrior planets goes silent, the research base is attacked by looters and Lyra finds herself involved in the investigation into why the Warriors were placed on these planets and most importantly, by who.
Maria V. Snyder loves to hear from her readers and you can find her on her Website and Facebook.
Navigating The Stars is published by HQ Young Adult and is available now from Angus & Robertson Bookworld, Booktopia and where all good books are sold.
Thanks to HQ Young Adult 10 of our Beauty and Lace Club Members are currently reading Navigating The Stars and you can read their thoughts on the book in the comments below, please be aware there may be spoilers.
I devour books, vampires and supernatural creatures are my genre of choice but over the past couple of years, I have broadened my horizons considerably. In a nutshell – I love to write! I love interacting with a diverse range of artists to bring you interviews. Perhaps we were perfect before – I LOVE WORDS!
Navigating the Stars by author Maria V. Snyder and published by HQ Young Adult was in my opinion a captivating, unique novel. I found that the novel’s twists and unexpected turn of events kept me wanting to read more, The characters depicted were interesting and believable and the relationships between the characters added to the storyline. Overall I would highly recommend Navigating the Stars by Maria V. Snyder for both male and female teens as well as adults with an interest in science fiction. I will certainly be seeking out future instalments in this series. Thank you Beauty and Lace Book club, HQ Young Adult and Maria V. Snyder for the opportunity to read and review Navigating the Stars.
This is the first of Snyder’s books that I have read. While I have enjoyed a few time travelling books, I do find some science fiction a bit hit and miss so I didn’t have any expectations of the book.
The beginning was a little slow and I did struggle a little to get into all the science talk. The pace did however pick up as the story developed and then I found it un-put-down-able.
If you love a mystery, arcology, romance, space and futuristic time travel then this book is worth a read.
I am keen to try out Snyder’s Poison series as it has great reviews.
Thank you, Beauty and Lace Book Club and Harlequin Publishers, for the reading and reviewing opportunity, happy to recommend this YA novel.
Navigating The Stars is a book that I really enjoyed. I have recently been right into the books and movies that give a forecast of a possible future and this author does not disappoint.
I loved how this novel had twists and turns that I wasnt prepared for. I love some science fiction and this book delivered.
I would definitely be keen to read other novels from this author, as I am now hooked.
Thanks to B&L and Harlequin Publishers for this wonderful book.
I think this is suitable for young adults as well as older ones.
Navigating the Stars by Maria V. Snyder and published by Harlequin Young Adult is a rollicking, youthful science fiction adventure that has a Star Trek (“boldly going where no one has gone before”) feel to it, with an impetuous teenage Lara Croft style heroine!
Young Lyra is a techno whiz who can infiltrate sophisticated security systems, solve puzzles and who ventures into ancient tombs and hazardous ruins with her archaeologist parents, outwitting her foes along the way!
In many ways a typical teenager, Lyra’s adolescence is made even trickier by the fact that she travels to remote research bases on outlying planets through different time and space dimensions! It can be quite an isolating experience. While she is 17 going on 18, the friends she has left behind on other planets have already aged, some are married with grown up children, some immersed in their careers and others dead. Traveling through time makes it hard to have long-term friends!
Without a social life, Lyra fills her days illegally worming into the quantum net – the invention that allows people to travel through space and time. However it soon becomes apparent that something is going to give, when she meets the only other person close to her age, Niall, the sullen but handsome, son of the chief of security. It is an interesting dynamic.
Much of the action in the story is based around Terracotta Warriors, which were originally found in China, but have now been found to be spread throughout the galaxy. Lyra’s parents are the chief archaeologists tasked with uncovering the mysteries surrounding the Terracotta Warriors. Why are they on other planets? And who put them there? But when Lyra’s old friend Lan makes a translation based on some of the hidden symbols found, the mystery deepens.
This was an interesting read and while it does seem targeted at quite a young YA audience, I found it entertaining and I’m eager to read the next book in this Sentinels of the Galaxy series.
The blurb puts forth an exploration of Terracotta warriors in space this intrigued me as my daughter and I did some research recently into these . I was quiet intrigued at the prospect of this being inter twined into a sci fi , space read by this author. The excavation of the Terracotta warriors on different planets, had very limited insight, with most of the storyline being the main character jumping from one time to the next so to speak.
This book is would be ideal for anyone who loves Ya. The author puts forth the dialogue in a rather youngish kinda of matter, younger then the 17 year old in the story and also writes some of the back thoughts in a diary format so to speak. This maybe the way in which she wanted to portray her character non the less.
The book is slow to start and continues on a the same pace, We do see some romance between Lyra and Nial , I found this awkard and kinda off putting. I didnt feel they had any chemistry and didnt really enjoy that romance put forth within the story. It didn’t take over the storyline but didn’t cross any boxes for me in the romance section. I do like a romance in my reads.
The overall concept of the story has lots of potentional, Terrocota warriors, and underlying plot . The archaeological pieces are intriguing and the Crinkler engine brings a turn to the space travel side of things. While this may not have been my favourite Genre to read, it has me intrigued enough to read the next book when it is released.
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“Navigating The Stars”
How did the Chinese Terracotta Soldiers of Earth come to be on many planets in the Universe. Not one or a few, but thousands of them. What is their purpose? Are they protecting the Universe? Lara in her own unique 17 year old way uncovers answers to these mysteries while pushing against the limits placed on her by her age, surroundings, space travel and her parents. Lara also fights off looters and mysterious other worldly beings, shows everyone she has smarts and courage, and falls in love along the way.
Thoroughly enjoyed. A what happens next could not put it down type of book. I recommend this book for anyone over 14 A-Years. Rating 4.5 /5.0
Thank you to @harlequinaus @BeautyandLaceOnline @@HQYoungAdultAustralia @beautyandlacebooks #NavigatingTheStars #MariaVSnyder for giving me the opportunity to enjoy Navigating The Stars by Maria V. Snyder
I wanted to love this book, but ended up only liking it.
The blurb made it sound amazing with the terracotta warriors on another planet
But the romance aspect was unrealistic, Lyra came across as too young and her and other characters definitely needed some fleshing out. And for her age Lyra was incredible at anything she tried maybe a little unbelievable as well
But the things I did like, the mystery with the warriors, and the ending…that i wasnt expecting
so 2.5/5 a nice read
Navigating the stars is the first book of the Young Adults Science Fiction series: Sentinels of the Galaxy . The book is set in the future with the mystery of how the Terracotta Warriors, originating from China, are spread throughout the galaxy. Who place them there? Humans? Aliens? And why?
Overall, I enjoyed the world created by Maria Schnider with the space travels and the scientific research as backdrop for the plot. It is very action pact. I would have liked the terracota warrior plot developed a bit more but this probably will be revealed as the series progress. I keep being surprised that the main character was a 13-year old as she seems very immature for a 17-year old yet the thoughts and behaviour in the romance is probably more appropriate for a late teen.
I believe I would have enjoyed the book as a teen but it made for an easy read as an adult.
Thank you to Beauty and Lace and Harlequin publishers for the opportunity to review this book.
Abut hard to wrap your head around early on, and the references to Earth time and Actual tine had me confused for a bit, but was an amazing concept. Really got into this though and truly enjoyed the read, found myself during quiet moments at work wondering what was going to happen next!
Not sure if the romance aspect was necessary, perhaps here it could have been more about their building friendship and leading to romance in future books, but ultimately I did enjoy the read once I let myself fall into Lyra’s world, and am looking forward to any future books in this series.