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aralakh's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Bullying and Violence
cuteasamuntin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed the ride the first time through. My second read was less enjoyable, but I think that may be due to a mix of coming straight off reading Mistborn Era 2 and Stormlight 4 and trying out the audiobook version (far too peppy, in my opinion). Overall, a good YA science fiction story with the requisite cranky AI, interesting and varied supporting characters, a well-developed protagonist, cool worldbuilding, and of course, Doomslug.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and War
theespressoedition's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I wanted to absolutely love Skyward, I really did. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. I can't say that I hated it - or even really that I truly disliked it, but I just never truly found myself enjoying it.
To start with, the protagonist is one of the most unlikable characters I've ever read. Her entire motivation in life is to not be "a coward" and she defines cowardice as practically any sort of softness, emotion, or basically anything that isn't absolute bull-headed perfection. That irked me right off the bat. My hope was that maybe there would be some really excellent character development throughout the book. She witnesses some of her friends die even though they weren't "cowards" and she watches others succeed even as they are "cowards." Yet, throughout the entire book, she never seems to back down on this standpoint. By the end of the book, I never wanted to see the word coward again - and here I am, having to write it a million times in this review just to make that point.
It felt like there was very little actually occurring during this book, despite how many words there were. It was a lot of descriptions of things without as much plot as I'd hoped for. Towards the 70% mark, the pace began to pick up, and it ended on an interesting sort of "cliffhanger" (I use this word lightly here because I wasn't on the edge of my seat in anticipation or anything, it's just an open ending with intrigue to get you to pick up the next book). I was grateful for that change of pace because I was really bored up until that point.
I hear a lot of people say that they love the fact that there's no romance in this book - and I get it, I do, because sometimes YA romance is just way too much. However, for me, because I had zero interest in the lengthy, descriptive nature of everything else, I missed romance - a lot. If a plot doesn't thrill me, I rely on the romance to at least hold my interest and this book had neither. Or... too much plot and no romance? I don't know. It was a weird story.
In the end, I basically thought to myself, "okay, so I'm intrigued enough to grab the sequel, but I don't want to read it after a book I LOVED because I'll really fall into a slump." So yeah, that's where I'm going with this series.
To start with, the protagonist is one of the most unlikable characters I've ever read. Her entire motivation in life is to not be "a coward" and she defines cowardice as practically any sort of softness, emotion, or basically anything that isn't absolute bull-headed perfection. That irked me right off the bat. My hope was that maybe there would be some really excellent character development throughout the book. She witnesses some of her friends die even though they weren't "cowards" and she watches others succeed even as they are "cowards." Yet, throughout the entire book, she never seems to back down on this standpoint. By the end of the book, I never wanted to see the word coward again - and here I am, having to write it a million times in this review just to make that point.
It felt like there was very little actually occurring during this book, despite how many words there were. It was a lot of descriptions of things without as much plot as I'd hoped for. Towards the 70% mark, the pace began to pick up, and it ended on an interesting sort of "cliffhanger" (I use this word lightly here because I wasn't on the edge of my seat in anticipation or anything, it's just an open ending with intrigue to get you to pick up the next book). I was grateful for that change of pace because I was really bored up until that point.
I hear a lot of people say that they love the fact that there's no romance in this book - and I get it, I do, because sometimes YA romance is just way too much. However, for me, because I had zero interest in the lengthy, descriptive nature of everything else, I missed romance - a lot. If a plot doesn't thrill me, I rely on the romance to at least hold my interest and this book had neither. Or... too much plot and no romance? I don't know. It was a weird story.
In the end, I basically thought to myself, "okay, so I'm intrigued enough to grab the sequel, but I don't want to read it after a book I LOVED because I'll really fall into a slump." So yeah, that's where I'm going with this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and War
smiley_ari's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and War
nicoleme1212's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Abandonment
mypatronusisajedi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Grief, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Violence
honeycakes_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Bullying and Violence
cinnamonandpancakes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This book is Very YA and Very 1st person POV. If you don't mind every other sentence starting with 'I' then it's fine, but I didn't enjoy the style. This is the main reason for a 3 and not a 4.
Sanderson captured very well the experience of being a teenager and trying to figure out who you are and what you believe. I think the setting and the characters all work well together and the big reveals are well thought out. However, I think I would still prefer the 'girl and her dragon' version that Sanderson mentioned in an interview talking about this book.
I will say that page 428 was very moving and the reason for the extra half star.
Sanderson captured very well the experience of being a teenager and trying to figure out who you are and what you believe. I think the setting and the characters all work well together and the big reveals are well thought out. However, I think I would still prefer the 'girl and her dragon' version that Sanderson mentioned in an interview talking about this book.
I will say that page 428 was very moving and the reason for the extra half star.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Violence, and War
Minor language discrimination:socialquill's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: War
nooonespecial's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Oh my god, I enjoyed this book so much!!! Easy to get into, characters that I loved to read more about. Spensa goes on an incredible journey, and the battles are described so vividly. I thought the ending, though expected in parts, was amazing! Quirk, however, was my favourite supporting character and really hope to read more in the future books.
Highly recommend reading this book. Getting the next two ASAP.
Highly recommend reading this book. Getting the next two ASAP.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and War