a_manning11's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. I started out a little hesitant, because it had been a while since I'd read the other two books, but I quickly joined the story, and it pulled me in. This book is action packed, but it still leaves space for well-developed characters, and best of all, the story makes sense. No matter how 'other-wordly' the book becomes, all your questions are answered, which makes this a very satisfying read.
Another good series comes to an end. I highly recommend reading it. The ending is a little odd, but we are talking science fiction here, and it does work.
Thank you Nick James!
Another good series comes to an end. I highly recommend reading it. The ending is a little odd, but we are talking science fiction here, and it does work.
Thank you Nick James!
adrienneambo's review against another edition
3.0
Skyship Academy: Strikeforce is an adrenaline packed conclusion to the Skyship Academy series. James continues his adventurous blend of dystopian and science fiction with alternating chapters between the brothers Jesse Fisher and Cassius Stevenson and their quest to save Earth from the ongoing alien invasion. Only by uniting together as the “Key” and “Catalyst” can the brothers overcome the evil forces of the Authority and the red pearl army set on destroying the Earth for human inhabitance. Characters and alliances introduced in the first two titles of the series, Skyship Academy: The Pearl Wars and Skyship Academy: Crimson Rising will be tested and survival will be tenuous as the battle wages on for dominance. James description of Ridium, a black substance which can flood the Earth’s landscape is spine-chilling. With the return of the evil alien ruler Matigo, the brothers are the only option for survival of the human race.
In order to understand the complexities of the plot and the characters, teens will have to read the first two titles in the series. Teens looking for a book with action reminiscent of a well done video game will thoroughly enjoy this series with its battles and surprising twists. Teens interested in the Hunger Games and other dystopian tales will be satisfied with this series.
In order to understand the complexities of the plot and the characters, teens will have to read the first two titles in the series. Teens looking for a book with action reminiscent of a well done video game will thoroughly enjoy this series with its battles and surprising twists. Teens interested in the Hunger Games and other dystopian tales will be satisfied with this series.
elevetha's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars.
Besides that whole mess, there was the Savon deal. Though I didn't figure it out, I hated Savon as soon as he showed up, and I couldn't understand why Jesse didn't too. *sing-song* Guess who was right?
So, as not only a book and the end of the series, the Skyship Academy series had great potential and a failure to launch properly. It's like...when you light a bottle rocket fuse and the fuse is quickly eaten away. You throw the bottle rocket high into the air and you hold your breath in glorious anticipation of the BANG and the sparks and....it's a dud. The bottle rocket only flies as high as your weak little arms could fling it. It plummets to the ground to land in a dejected mess, broken and worthless. Ah, but was it still worth lighting that rocket? Of course. So I'm not disappointed I read them; merely that they fell so achingly short of my expectations.
Spoiler
COP OUT. BLOODY COP OUT. Seriously, what the hell was that ending? So we find out, along with Jesse, that Cassius is really just the other half of him. Not brothers, as everyone, including Jesse and Cassius, suspected. But the way it's written, it's not like Jesse is whole now that Cassius's energy glomps into Jesse; it's like Cassius is still himself, in Jesse, but Jesse is more complete, but also still himself. And I'm very confused at how that's supposed to work. The Key and the Catalyst. How are they "one" and yet were two separate boys? I mean, sure, it helps with explaining why both of them were missing key character traits and development, but it brings up so many more questions.Besides that whole mess, there was the Savon deal. Though I didn't figure it out, I hated Savon as soon as he showed up, and I couldn't understand why Jesse didn't too. *sing-song* Guess who was right?
So, as not only a book and the end of the series, the Skyship Academy series had great potential and a failure to launch properly. It's like...when you light a bottle rocket fuse and the fuse is quickly eaten away. You throw the bottle rocket high into the air and you hold your breath in glorious anticipation of the BANG and the sparks and....it's a dud. The bottle rocket only flies as high as your weak little arms could fling it. It plummets to the ground to land in a dejected mess, broken and worthless. Ah, but was it still worth lighting that rocket? Of course. So I'm not disappointed I read them; merely that they fell so achingly short of my expectations.
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