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tencutepuppies's review against another edition
4.0
(4) I think this might be my first official science fiction read, and while I have nothing to measure it up to, I found this to be a very palatable yet vivid story. There was a lot of really great worldbuilding, but it wasn’t the info-dumping kind that turns me away from some immersive stories like these. Everything was good: the characterization, the tone of the world, the creativity of the plot. Very well done. I will definitely be reading more of Sanderson’s work.
sunlit_rain's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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
nathanielgale's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
4.5
bouvabird's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
blchabot's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
I have wanted to get into reading Brandon Sanderson for a few years now and had felt overwhelmed trying to pick where to start. I am so glad I chose SKYWARD.
I love science fiction. The exploration of the unknown, imagining the future of space travel, what does humanity look like outside the context of Earth... all of it fascinates me. Reading SKYWARD gave me all of those feelings.
The novel starts with a young Spensa exploring the surface of their planet Detritus with their father, a renowned fight pilot with the callsign Chaser. While exploring, Chaser received a radio transmission of an incoming attack from an alien species called the Krell and sends Spensa home.
You learn that Chaser died in that battle, not because he was caught by the Krell, but because he ran from the fight. Being a coward does not fly (pun intended) on Detritus when one is a member of the Defiant Defense Force.
Regardless of this, Spensa is determined to become a pilot and prove that not only is her father not a coward, but that neither is she.
Top Gun meets Starship Troopers in this fiesty first novel of the SKYWARD series. With a fearless (and occasionally over confident) heroine and a memorable cast of characters, SKYWARD truly was one hell of a ride.
Some of my favourite moments were with Spensa watching the world from the outside, too proud and stubborn to make different choices, only to realize that many of the obstacles she felt she had to overcome were put there by herself and her attitude. M-Bot had me laughing out loud and I teared up at multiple points of the story where we lose a few cadets Skyward Flight.
If you enjoy introspective, action-packed adventure with real stakes and a main character that actually changes over the course of the narratives you'll love SKYWARD.
I love science fiction. The exploration of the unknown, imagining the future of space travel, what does humanity look like outside the context of Earth... all of it fascinates me. Reading SKYWARD gave me all of those feelings.
The novel starts with a young Spensa exploring the surface of their planet Detritus with their father, a renowned fight pilot with the callsign Chaser. While exploring, Chaser received a radio transmission of an incoming attack from an alien species called the Krell and sends Spensa home.
You learn that Chaser died in that battle, not because he was caught by the Krell, but because he ran from the fight. Being a coward does not fly (pun intended) on Detritus when one is a member of the Defiant Defense Force.
Regardless of this, Spensa is determined to become a pilot and prove that not only is her father not a coward, but that neither is she.
Top Gun meets Starship Troopers in this fiesty first novel of the SKYWARD series. With a fearless (and occasionally over confident) heroine and a memorable cast of characters, SKYWARD truly was one hell of a ride.
Some of my favourite moments were with Spensa watching the world from the outside, too proud and stubborn to make different choices, only to realize that many of the obstacles she felt she had to overcome were put there by herself and her attitude. M-Bot had me laughing out loud and I teared up at multiple points of the story where we lose a few cadets Skyward Flight.
If you enjoy introspective, action-packed adventure with real stakes and a main character that actually changes over the course of the narratives you'll love SKYWARD.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, War, and Bullying
Minor: Death of parent
alyscole's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun read, even despite the deaths of some major characters fairly early in the book. Brandon Sanderson, as always, keeps it lighthearted with a dose of humor and witty writing.
I loved the characters. Spensa is quite the character, in particular. I mean, who doesn't love the "I will hold your tarnished and melted pin up as my trophy" moments? Joger (AKA Jerkface) is an ass who I'm beginning to take a liking to. Kimmalyn, Hurl, FM, Nedd, Arturo each have incredibly distinctive personalities. Once again, Brandon Sanderson strikes absolute AWE in me over his masterful character creation. Doomslug, Rig, and Massac—I mean M-Bot? A lovely trio.
I found myself eagerly anticipating a massive twist regarding what lies beyond the debris field. I was just a TINY BIT disappointed that it turns out Chaser was manipulated into betraying his people. I wanted there to be a dark, dystopian secret beyond what the DDF was feeding its people, just because it felt like a betrayal to Chaser's character.
Otherwise, the storyline has me hooked, even if it is a little formulaic. I feel like there's more to the music of the stars than I think, so I'll be continuing to keep up with this series. A well-done first book, never the less!
I loved the characters. Spensa is quite the character, in particular. I mean, who doesn't love the "I will hold your tarnished and melted pin up as my trophy" moments? Joger (AKA Jerkface) is an ass who I'm beginning to take a liking to. Kimmalyn, Hurl, FM, Nedd, Arturo each have incredibly distinctive personalities. Once again, Brandon Sanderson strikes absolute AWE in me over his masterful character creation. Doomslug, Rig, and Massac—I mean M-Bot? A lovely trio.
I found myself eagerly anticipating a massive twist regarding what lies beyond the debris field. I was just a TINY BIT disappointed that it turns out Chaser was manipulated into betraying his people. I wanted there to be a dark, dystopian secret beyond what the DDF was feeding its people, just because it felt like a betrayal to Chaser's character.
Otherwise, the storyline has me hooked, even if it is a little formulaic. I feel like there's more to the music of the stars than I think, so I'll be continuing to keep up with this series. A well-done first book, never the less!
jesforeverlostinbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
fast-paced
5.0
“Claim The Stars!” Sci-fi is not my go to genre but I loved this one & will be continuing this series. This is my first Sanderson book… My brother has been trying to get me to read Sanderson for years but many of his books are high fantasy & super long & it’s such a commitment that I’m afraid to start. So I chose this YA Sci-fi series because it’s a little less daunting & I’m so glad I did! What I want out of a book is a good story regardless if it’s sci-fi, fantasy, historical fiction or a rom com. And this is a good story! I loved these characters… Spenca, Rig, Cobb, Jorgen & of course my favorite M-Bot. They are all flawed & I loved watching them grow & change. You will fall in love with Spenca, who dreams of being a pilot despite the many predjudices & challenges she faces. And you feel so deeply for Spenca & how unfairly she is treated & yet she doesn’t let anything stop her from chasing her dreams. "Is anything fair?" He smiled. "Death is. He treats us all the same.” I also love the themes of courage throughout this book. In the beginning Spenca sees courage as very black & white but as she grows & changes she realizes that there are many forms of courage. I love the thought that what might be courageous for one person isn’t for another & vice versa. If you are looking for a great story look no further!
In a dangerous world at war for humanity's future… pilots are the heroes who protect what's left of the human race. All 17 year old Spenca wants & dreams about is becoming a pilot & flying. But her fate is tied to her father who was killed years ago & was branded a coward. No one will let Spensa forget what her father did, yet fate works in mysterious ways. Flight school might be a long shot, but she is determined to fly. And an accidental discovery in a long-forgotten cavern might just provide her with a way to claim the stars.
In a dangerous world at war for humanity's future… pilots are the heroes who protect what's left of the human race. All 17 year old Spenca wants & dreams about is becoming a pilot & flying. But her fate is tied to her father who was killed years ago & was branded a coward. No one will let Spensa forget what her father did, yet fate works in mysterious ways. Flight school might be a long shot, but she is determined to fly. And an accidental discovery in a long-forgotten cavern might just provide her with a way to claim the stars.
lockerific's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
4.25
Loved this book! The character arc was amazing, and the story was rich and fast paced. I loved the ending, and it was another classic Sanderlanche. Can't wait to read the next one!
ninjaneo's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I was very surprised at how intense this book got!! For my first Sanderson book, I can’t wait to read more of his series!
This felt so much like Fourth Wing without spice or dragons. Still such a fun read and plenty of funny moments!!
This felt so much like Fourth Wing without spice or dragons. Still such a fun read and plenty of funny moments!!
jenjamin'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
4.0
This book started slow but build to something thay was both emotional and fun. I think a reader does have to keep in mind that this a book for teenagers and to keep going even if you are finding the angst a little much it does get better.
The world building is fun and interesting to explore. Looking forward to how that progresses in the other books!
I also enjoyed how there a few more shades of grey in regards to morality in this given Sandersons issue with making things very black and white is a problem ive had with many of his other books.
The world building is fun and interesting to explore. Looking forward to how that progresses in the other books!
I also enjoyed how there a few more shades of grey in regards to morality in this given Sandersons issue with making things very black and white is a problem ive had with many of his other books.