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joshua175's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
rgyger's review against another edition
2.0
The flight scenes were interesting and exciting, however most everything else was not so interesting. Chase has next to no personality beyond fighting with everyone she knows (except for when she is making out with every boy she knows). There is quite a bit of cussing and talk of hooking up, which I found unnecessary and a bit aggravating.
While the scenes are full of conflict, I could not find the plot compelling. There was little build up to why we should care about the war other than the fact that it is a war. As well, I could not believe that these teenagers were allowed to do any of this. Like one character says toward the end of the book, "That's what... we get for... letting kids fly."
In real life, this scenario would never fly.
While the scenes are full of conflict, I could not find the plot compelling. There was little build up to why we should care about the war other than the fact that it is a war. As well, I could not believe that these teenagers were allowed to do any of this. Like one character says toward the end of the book, "That's what... we get for... letting kids fly."
In real life, this scenario would never fly.
beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
Chase is a fighter pilot at the United Star Academy. Her call sign is Nyx. She is one of two pilots to fly the new Streaker jets. While out flying Chase comes in contact with another Streaker, only this one is a third one. Chase is curious to find out who the third pilot is. Chase does find out who the other pilot it. His name is Tristan call sign Arrow. He is a pilot for the Royal Canadian Junior Air Force Academy.
Right from the beginning this book started out with a big bang...literally. There was a crash and then the story back tracked to the beginning which was not borning at all either. I really got into this story. The author's experience of being a military brat and love for aviation was evident in the story. This helped to make it top notch. I was so glad to see a strong female lead as a fighter pilot. It is not often that the pilots in stories are portrayed as females. Chase had the attitude of Tom Cruise's character in Top Gun. Right away I liked her. The story was so believable that I could see it being real. As an avid aviation fan, I like these types of stories. This one was right up there as being a must read. With the real life like story line, intriguing, strong-willed characters like Chase and Tristan, action, excitement, and good ending. You won't want to miss this book. It did have a feeling of Top Gun but mixed with Ender Games for the futuristic style.
Right from the beginning this book started out with a big bang...literally. There was a crash and then the story back tracked to the beginning which was not borning at all either. I really got into this story. The author's experience of being a military brat and love for aviation was evident in the story. This helped to make it top notch. I was so glad to see a strong female lead as a fighter pilot. It is not often that the pilots in stories are portrayed as females. Chase had the attitude of Tom Cruise's character in Top Gun. Right away I liked her. The story was so believable that I could see it being real. As an avid aviation fan, I like these types of stories. This one was right up there as being a must read. With the real life like story line, intriguing, strong-willed characters like Chase and Tristan, action, excitement, and good ending. You won't want to miss this book. It did have a feeling of Top Gun but mixed with Ender Games for the futuristic style.
meowzik's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this up because a) that cover is bitchin, and b) because it sounds like [b:Hover Car Racer|144794|Hover Car Racer (Hover Car Racer, #1-3)|Matthew Reilly|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1326542101s/144794.jpg|2360593] on speed. I really, really enjoyed this book - I loved the setting and the plot carried through really well - and both Chase and Tristan were awesome. Can't wait for the next installment.
lisamparkin's review against another edition
3.0
Great story and action! I wish the world-building had been a bit stronger (so many missing pieces and lots of questions), and a few cliched things took place but overall entertaining and fast-paced.
ksophialydia's review against another edition
2.0
This book isn't bad, and in truth the writing merits at least three stars because I did enjoy the style and the way the book was written.
But Breaking Sky is very much a character study, and I'm just not fond of those. I found myself growing bored halfway through and it never abated. Which is why I gave it two stars as GR means them - it's an okay book, in my opinion.
But Breaking Sky is very much a character study, and I'm just not fond of those. I found myself growing bored halfway through and it never abated. Which is why I gave it two stars as GR means them - it's an okay book, in my opinion.
mb_booklady's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those books I wish life hadn't gotten in the way of reading. While it did take me about three weeks to read it, the fact is not a reflection of the quality of the story.
Chase, call sign Nyx, is part of a top secret military program designed to hopefully take down the controlling, iron-fisted world superpower, Ri Xiong Di. All pilots and co-pilots, or RIOs, involved in the Streaker program are teens who have earned their way into the Star Academy.
I can see some "Top Gun" influences in parts of the book, but overall I think the story is more of a Bildungsroman with a strong shot of action and adventure. Nyx has to learn or mature to the point where she can accept the truth of her parentage, recognize when she is running from life and herself, determine her coping mechanisms, and allow others close to her and herself to get close to others before she can become the pilot all of her potential indicates she can be.
McCarthy accurately portrays the relationship between teens living together without parental supervision, showing their camaraderie, activities, tiffs, and social order. I could tell how close Nyx was to her RIO and how much it bothered her when their relationship began to flounder.
I can see how other reviewers could feel the addition of a gay character was contrived. It wasn't necessary for the story, but it does give her the courage to pursue a true relationship with the guy she is interested in as she sees the gay character's emotional turmoil over unrequited love.
The only other semi-negative thing I can say about this story is that the final fight scene is a bit tamer than I would have expected, but it does demonstrate that it takes brains AND brawn to win a war.
The real reason the story gets a five star rating from me is because it brought me to tears. It takes a really good, emotionally gripping story to do that, as I am not a cryer.
Due to language, I would recommend the book to high-school age students and up.
Chase, call sign Nyx, is part of a top secret military program designed to hopefully take down the controlling, iron-fisted world superpower, Ri Xiong Di. All pilots and co-pilots, or RIOs, involved in the Streaker program are teens who have earned their way into the Star Academy.
I can see some "Top Gun" influences in parts of the book, but overall I think the story is more of a Bildungsroman with a strong shot of action and adventure. Nyx has to learn or mature to the point where she can accept the truth of her parentage, recognize when she is running from life and herself, determine her coping mechanisms, and allow others close to her and herself to get close to others before she can become the pilot all of her potential indicates she can be.
McCarthy accurately portrays the relationship between teens living together without parental supervision, showing their camaraderie, activities, tiffs, and social order. I could tell how close Nyx was to her RIO and how much it bothered her when their relationship began to flounder.
I can see how other reviewers could feel the addition of a gay character was contrived. It wasn't necessary for the story, but it does give her the courage to pursue a true relationship with the guy she is interested in as she sees the gay character's emotional turmoil over unrequited love.
The only other semi-negative thing I can say about this story is that the final fight scene is a bit tamer than I would have expected, but it does demonstrate that it takes brains AND brawn to win a war.
The real reason the story gets a five star rating from me is because it brought me to tears. It takes a really good, emotionally gripping story to do that, as I am not a cryer.
Due to language, I would recommend the book to high-school age students and up.
katleap's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
This book was interesting and I enjoyed it. I was really sad at the unhappy part. And wish that there was more to the story. Maybe a second book featuring a different base.
This book was interesting and I enjoyed it. I was really sad at the unhappy part. And wish that there was more to the story. Maybe a second book featuring a different base.
rebelrider's review against another edition
3.0
The writing was good, but I didn't care for all the drama. The amount of drama and sexual tension, enough that it affected the characters' abilities to fight, made a good argument for only allowing straight males in the military, which probably wasn't the author's intention.