Skyward

By: Brandon Sanderson

Narrated by: Suzy Jackson

Length: 15 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

"Narrator Suzy Jackson's assured, brassy tones and forceful delivery are an exceptional match for Sanderson's high-stakes, battle-driven space opera.... Jackson's gift for characterizations shines - she brings out the humor and heroism in Spensa's young classmates and friends (and the neurotic spaceship MBOT), along with the pain and perseverance of the generations that came before them. This is a high-octane futuristic narrative of hope, sacrifice, and courage, and a fast pace speaks to the rising urgency as war rages above the planet. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award." (AudioFile magazine)

From Brandon Sanderson, the number one New York Times best-selling author of the Reckoners series, Words of Radiance, and the internationally best-selling Mistborn series, comes the first book in an epic new series about a girl who dreams of becoming a pilot in a dangerous world at war for humanity's future.

Spensa's world has been under attack for decades. Now pilots are the heroes of what's left of the human race, and becoming one has always been Spensa's dream. Since she was a little girl, she has imagined soaring skyward and proving her bravery. But her fate is intertwined with her father's - a pilot himself who was killed years ago when he abruptly deserted his team, leaving Spensa's chances of attending flight school at slim to none.

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.

©2018 Dragonsteel Entertainment, LLC (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Teen / YA

When I download this book, I had no idea that it was written specifically to a younger audience. I know my 14-year-old self would have been obsessed with this book and while I’d absolutely recommend it to early teens, I definitely would not recommend it to anyone old enough to purchase an R+ movie ticket.

Since I’m not the story’s target market this leave me conflicted. Do I rate 5 stars based on teenage me or 2.5 stars based on my opinion today?

It could be my fault for not recognizing this as teen lit in the description somewhere. But I figured if it happened to me it could happen to others too and I’m just here to spread the word. If you’re not keen on hearing the nickname “Jerk-face” used for one of the main characters, this one is a pass.

Great for almost any age!

I have listened to this book twice now and am still in love with the story! The story was wrapped up enough to stand alone yet, knowing it's going to be a series, left enough open to imagine where the next book might take us. Thank you, Sanderson, for another book with strong/brave female characters!

Enjoyed

An engaging story from beginning to end. I’d recommend this to anyone because it’s an excellent story. That said it is probably geared towards young adults and those young at heart.

Great, but too long

Imagine a better version of Ender's Game, which is unfortunately twice as long as it needed to be. Dragged on a lot! Still, I'm probably going to read the next one when it comes out.

Sanderson seems to be a multiple personality

This series is very YA - not that it's a bad thing - Skyward and Starsight are an enjoyable way to spend 12 hours but this series makes me angry with these 6 hour & less 2.1 & 2.2 one credit or $20 per entry costs. As much as I enjoyed the first 2 books I'm done paying this outrageous cost Over $100 for 5 books and 30 hours of listening time. On the opposite end of the spectrum we have THE STORMLIGHT ARCHIVES with books of 45 to 55 hours that are anything but YA - in fact as much as The WAY OF KINGS and WORDS OF RADIANCE are accessible and enjoyable, try as I might OATHBRINGER is for me at least, impossible to get through -like a Pynchon novel requiring a MENSA membership to get into it. Wonder who decides a one credit 50 hour Words of Radiance vs $100 for 30 hours of the Skyward series? How Sanderson can deliver both YA and advanced IQ books is a mystery

Uttet nonsense full of emotional energy

The author created futuristic world which doesn't make sense with people behaving strangely and unexpectedly.. That's said however, the characters are being developed very deeply and have many characteristics easily recognizable in our neighbors and friends. The story grabs you almost immediately by its emotional context making you heal for the characters and forcing you to keep reading until the very end. Looking back on the story there are similaritied with real life such as unexpected course of events, perseverance of human character, and hope which keeps us going despite difficulties and challenges.

Starts slow, ends strong.

Like many Sanderson novels, this starts out slow. Unlike most of his, it took me a while to connect to the main character. I knew I was suppose to be rooting for her, but at first I really wanted someone to knock her down. maybe by design, maybe not.

Also, like many if his books the story spirals into a tight conclusion where the character we've watched develop is faced with a crisis and has to resolve their larger internal conflict to succeed. It's cheering at the top of your voice good and satisfying. The payoff would be worth the read even if the rest wasn't enjoyable (make no mistake, it was enjoyable).

Fun and exciting read!

Skyward is a great intro into Sanderson and the narrator was fantastic! It has a little bit of everything that he is known for. Instead of an in-depth magic system that conforms to very well defined rules we have flight technology, maneuvers, and weapons that make up a similar type of system.

The story starts off a little slow and some parts of the dialogue are a little cringe worthy, but that is not out of the ordinary for Sanderson’s young adult books. About midway through the book the dialog improves and the book starts to really shine! Some parts are a little obvious, but in typical Sanderson fashion once you get near the end of the book it’s impossible to put down until you finish it!

If you like Sanderson you will like this. If you have never read his books before give it a shot, and don’t let some of the odd cringy dialogue turn you away at first. Towards the end of the book it may even make you smile!

A review for non-Sanderson fans

I feel like most of the other reviews are comparing this to other Sanderson works, so heres my 2 cents:

This is a good book. Its a light and exiting Sci-fi with interesting and relatable characters. Its YA, but in the good way where you dont notice. I've got nothing to complain about except the climax beeing a bit of a let-down. Nothing major though.

I didn't love it, but am certainly glad to have read it

M Bot is hilarious

M Bot is the best!!! I like his shoes. Oh they are a really nice pair.