Trouble in the Stars

Description

“A space chase that would feel right at home in the world of Star Wars. Unexpectedly out of this world.” —Kirkus Reviews
 
From acclaimed author Sarah Prineas comes an action-packed, funny, and heartwarming outer-space adventure about a troublesome little shape-shifter on the run from the law. Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and Geoff Rodkey!

Trouble knows two things: they are a shapeshifter, and they are running from something–but they don’t know what. So when the StarLeague shows up, Trouble figures it’s time to flee.

Changing from blob of goo form, to adorable puppy form, to human boy form, Trouble stows away on the Hindsight, a ship crewed by the best navigators and engineers in the galaxy, led by the fearsome Captain Astra. 

As the ship travels, Trouble uses the time to figure out how to be a good human boy, and starts to feel safe. But when a young StarLeague cadet shows up to capture Trouble, things get complicated, especially when Trouble reveals a shapeshifter form that none of them could have expected. Soon a chase across the galaxy begins. Safety, freedom, and home are at stake, and not just for Trouble.

From acclaimed author Sarah Prineas comes a rip-roaring outer space adventure about an oddball hero, a crew of misfits, and finding family where you least expect it.
 
Praise for Trouble in the Stars:
 
“A humorous science fiction adventure that is perfect for Star Wars fans . . . A great choice for middle grade collections and for readers looking for humorous, action-packed science fiction. ” —School Library Journal
 
“Trouble in the Stars is a hilarious and heartwarming look at what it means to be human, have a home and hear the stars sing.”—BookPage

“A space chase that would feel right at home in the world of Star Wars. Unexpectedly out of this world.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A humorous science fiction adventure that is perfect for Star Wars fans . . . A great choice for middle grade collections and for readers looking for humorous, action-packed science fiction. ” —School Library Journal

“Trouble in the Stars is a delight from first page to last, Sarah Prineas tells Trouble’s voyage of self-discovery and search for family with dry humor, whimsy, and moments of heart-tugging poignancy. I enjoyed every minute.”—Greg van Eekhout, author of Voyage of the Dogs

“Prineas’s exciting and masterful adventure affirms a profound truth: that just like Trouble themself, real homes and families can take many shapes.”—Jenn Reese, author of A Game of Fox & Squirrels

“I loved this book! Trouble in the Stars is a deftly plotted page-turner with an exceptional protagonist. Trouble’s journey from loneliness and fear to acceptance and agency is rendered with warmth and nuance, making a vast, exciting galaxy feel as cozy as home. Highly recommended.”—Rae Carson, author of Star Wars: The Rise of SkywalkerSarah Prineas is the author of the Magic Thief series, the Winterling trilogy, Ash & Bramble, and Rose & Thorn, and Heart of the Land from the Spirit Animals series. She lives in rural Iowa with her husband, two kids, and two cats. You can visit Sarah online at sarah-prineas.com.Across the deepest darkness of space there comes a deeper darkness. It is the biggest ship in the galaxy, and as it moves it is no more than a silent, menacing shadow until it turns and catches the light from a distant sun. The light flickers along its edges, revealing it: huge, bristling with weapons, blotting out the stars.

The ship’s name is Peacemaker.

Clinging to its belly are small scout ships. Darts, they’re called, and each has its own pilot willing to die if ordered to do so. The Dart pilots are highly trained, completely loyal, and they are very young, because none of them tend to survive for very long.

Peacemaker has several purposes, but its main mission is to enforce the laws of the StarLeague. What that means is that it looms over planets that might be having rebellious thoughts, bristles its weapons, sends out a few Darts, maybe fires a warning shot across the planet’s polar region, and basically reminds the planet and everyone who lives on it that the StarLeague is the galactic government and rebellion will not be tolerated.

The ship is huge and terrifying.

It is almost the most powerful, most dangerous and deadly force in the galaxy.

Almost. But not quite.

*

Deep inside the ship, in an ultra-top-secret laboratory, an alarm begins to blare.
There are screams and shouted orders and the sounds of expensive equipment being smashed to pieces. The alarm spreads like a ripple through the ship: danger, danger, danger, DANGER.

The Peacemaker’s bridge—its control center—is a vast room with a gleaming metallic floor; there are ranks of control panels, each staffed by an attentive crewmember. In the middle of the bridge is the command chair, which is currently occupied by General Smag, who is one of the most powerful beings in the galaxy.

One of the most powerful. But not the most powerful.

At a control panel, a red warning light begins to blink: danger, danger, danger.

At the same moment, a scientist hurries onto the bridge, her footsteps echoing as she races across the metal deck. “Sir!” she pants, and skids to a stop at the command chair.

“Report,” snaps General Smag.

“The—the—the—” the scientist gasps. “The weapon—it has escaped!”

And then all is chaos as the general barks out orders, Dart pilots are summoned to their ships, blasters are charged, and the entire purpose of Peacemaker shifts. The weapon has escaped. The weapon must be recaptured.

Danger.

Danger.

DANGER.US