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A review by theveronicareview
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm not sure there's any reader out there who hasn't heard of Brandon Sanderson. His catalog is daunting, but I was saved from having to decide how to start when I was gifted the first three books of his Skyward series during Christmas. I read the first book, and it was SO good that I'm now committed to reading Sanderson's 1000+ page behemoth that is The Way of Kings.
Before Skyward, there was only one other science fiction book I had read, and the genre has always been intimidating to me. Skyward, however, was so easily digestible. The pages are jam-packed with action sequences of aerial dogfights and maneuvering that, you'd think, would be confusing to read. However, Sanderson is such a gifted writer that it's so easy to visualize what's on the page.
I loved the story and am so interested in seeing where it leads in the next few books. The main character, Spensa, is easy to root for - I mean, who doesn't want to root for a girl whose family has been persecuted their entire life because ONE person maybe did something bad years ago? Spensa's supporting cast is also brilliant, especially her spunky AI friend, M-Bot.
There is so much I could say about this book, but the biggest compliment that I can personally give Skyward is that, toward the end, it felt very reminiscent of Rogue One (which is my favorite Star Wars movie). I cried multiple times within a 30-page spread, and I'm not even sure why - the urgency just made me feel something. For the Star Wars fans out there, it reminded me of Jyn & company's last-ditch efforts to finish their mission on Scarif despite being seconds away from tragedy.
Overall, through Spensa's journey from outcast to heroin, Skyward explores the difference between cowardice & bravery, the consequence of legacy, and the complexities of identity and inner confidence.
5/5 stars. Skyward is a book I highly recommend.
Before Skyward, there was only one other science fiction book I had read, and the genre has always been intimidating to me. Skyward, however, was so easily digestible. The pages are jam-packed with action sequences of aerial dogfights and maneuvering that, you'd think, would be confusing to read. However, Sanderson is such a gifted writer that it's so easy to visualize what's on the page.
I loved the story and am so interested in seeing where it leads in the next few books. The main character, Spensa, is easy to root for - I mean, who doesn't want to root for a girl whose family has been persecuted their entire life because ONE person maybe did something bad years ago? Spensa's supporting cast is also brilliant, especially her spunky AI friend, M-Bot.
There is so much I could say about this book, but the biggest compliment that I can personally give Skyward is that, toward the end, it felt very reminiscent of Rogue One (which is my favorite Star Wars movie). I cried multiple times within a 30-page spread, and I'm not even sure why - the urgency just made me feel something. For the Star Wars fans out there, it reminded me of Jyn & company's last-ditch efforts to finish their mission on Scarif despite being seconds away from tragedy.
Overall, through Spensa's journey from outcast to heroin, Skyward explores the difference between cowardice & bravery, the consequence of legacy, and the complexities of identity and inner confidence.
5/5 stars. Skyward is a book I highly recommend.