minzzi's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
When I started this book I was sure I would dislike it, since I don't have a really good track record with sci-fi about space wars. However, as the story progressed, I became more and more invest.
Spensa is an amazing main character. I now some people find her anoying, but I loved her and her development throw out the narrative. I actually liked all the main cast, but they do need some more fleashing out that I hope will come in the sequel. And I have to give it to Brandon Sanderson for making me actually care for and enjoy the relationship between Spensa and Jorgen, since romance is usually my main issue with YA novels.
The worldbuilding was interesting, and I get that this is a plot heavy book, but I was left wanting some more indepth explanations about how things worked.
The story itself was great. When it got to the last part, it became impossible to put the book down. The twits are all very well done and unpredictable. Although, the big reveal in the end could have received a more bombastic reaction from the characters. They all just accepted it and moved on.
Over all, great book. I will definitely continue the series and probably read some other works by Sanderson.
Spensa is an amazing main character. I now some people find her anoying, but I loved her and her development throw out the narrative. I actually liked all the main cast, but they do need some more fleashing out that I hope will come in the sequel. And I have to give it to Brandon Sanderson for making me actually care for and enjoy the relationship between Spensa and Jorgen, since romance is usually my main issue with YA novels.
The worldbuilding was interesting, and I get that this is a plot heavy book, but I was left wanting some more indepth explanations about how things worked.
The story itself was great. When it got to the last part, it became impossible to put the book down. The twits are all very well done and unpredictable. Although, the big reveal in the end could have received a more bombastic reaction from the characters. They all just accepted it and moved on.
Over all, great book. I will definitely continue the series and probably read some other works by Sanderson.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death, Death of parent, and Violence
lakinglaze's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Absolutely wonderful book and fantastic reader on audible version.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Abandonment, Blood, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, and War
kimmecrow's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I didn’t like the main character or writing style at first, but both grew on me greatly towards the end. I can’t wait to read the next
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Grief
mollysbooklist's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
5.0
Friends said this was Top Gun in space… I’d say it’s Star Trek meets Top Gun.
Fantastic! Chef’s kiss 💋
Fantastic! Chef’s kiss 💋
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Grief
literaryecho's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I think I'm going to need a minute to recover after reading Skyward.
Is it weird that I kinda wanna go down in a blaze of glory fighting the krell just so Spensa can come give me a hero's funeral?
I love Sanderson's books so much. He's truly a master of storytelling. He's a world-builder at heart and he weaves details into a plot in a way that feels so effortless. All of these tiny, unassuming details stack on top of each other until you have this entire world with customs and ideas - you start to find yourself being able to anticipate reactions based on a shared history that you now know about, and he does that without going into long monologues on history or making it feel laborious to read.
And his characters are so lovable. Spensa is no different. I absolutely fell in love with her and doomslug. He has a way of making characters relatable even if you don't really have anything in common with them. It's not about the commonality, it's about telling the story in a way that makes you understand a character's reactions and even come to sympathize with them (even when they're wrong.) It makes the tough times hit harder and it makes you become invested in the outcome.
This is the most epic spin on the boy-and-his-dragon trope I've ever read and I'm fantastically in love with it. I'm just ashamed I didn't read this when I got it in a book subscription box a few years ago right after it was published.
Is it weird that I kinda wanna go down in a blaze of glory fighting the krell just so Spensa can come give me a hero's funeral?
I love Sanderson's books so much. He's truly a master of storytelling. He's a world-builder at heart and he weaves details into a plot in a way that feels so effortless. All of these tiny, unassuming details stack on top of each other until you have this entire world with customs and ideas - you start to find yourself being able to anticipate reactions based on a shared history that you now know about, and he does that without going into long monologues on history or making it feel laborious to read.
And his characters are so lovable. Spensa is no different. I absolutely fell in love with her and doomslug. He has a way of making characters relatable even if you don't really have anything in common with them. It's not about the commonality, it's about telling the story in a way that makes you understand a character's reactions and even come to sympathize with them (even when they're wrong.) It makes the tough times hit harder and it makes you become invested in the outcome.
This is the most epic spin on the boy-and-his-dragon trope I've ever read and I'm fantastically in love with it. I'm just ashamed I didn't read this when I got it in a book subscription box a few years ago right after it was published.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, War, Death, and Grief
This entire book is about a young girl flying a spaceship and fighting against an enemy force. They are actively at war. Main characters die, the young girl and several other characters process their grief and guilt on page, and there are somewhat graphic descriptions of violence, hazing, and bullying.pointlessmoss's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I do like most of the characters, but sometimes the way their conflicts were written -- and the story in general -- felt shallow. Getting to learn more about the space military and the alien attacks kept me interested, and I had a lot of fun with the climax! I have mixed feelings overall, but I want to read the next installment in the series!
Sometimes Spensa would be a real asshole for no reason, but she was usually spared from facing any consequences, so her growth by the end of the novel seemed to only be in one direction and overlooked her other flaws. She makes some smart choices, and has nice moments too, but I would've liked to see her personality -- including her immaturity and impulsiveness -- explored more to better understand why she is the way she is. Lastly, I couldn't help but get tired of the cowardice theme by the end -- but that's just me.
Spoiler
Mind-controlled spaceships and hateful eyes watching from the "nowhere." Those are the reasons I wanted to keep reading, and why I want to read the next book.Sometimes Spensa would be a real asshole for no reason, but she was usually spared from facing any consequences, so her growth by the end of the novel seemed to only be in one direction and overlooked her other flaws. She makes some smart choices, and has nice moments too, but I would've liked to see her personality -- including her immaturity and impulsiveness -- explored more to better understand why she is the way she is. Lastly, I couldn't help but get tired of the cowardice theme by the end -- but that's just me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Bullying, Death, Gore, and Blood
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Violence, War, and Grief
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Injury/injury detail and Murder
mandaraffe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Violence, War, Bullying, Injury/injury detail, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Death, and Classism
Moderate: Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, and Animal death
deborah1234567890's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Death, Violence, and War
Minor: Grief
ceaseless_watcher's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Grief, Death of parent, and War