Book Review: Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

9/13/2019

When you go digging for the truth, don't be surprised when you find it.

Growing up in underground caverns, Spensa has spent her life under the constant threat of annihilation by the Krell. She dreams of becoming a pilot like her father, but the DDF stacks the deck against her. Can a girl who survives as an outcast overcome the shadow of her father's legacy and reach the stars?

Skyward follows the life of Spensa, aka Spin, a true Defiant. She won't take 'no' for an answer, though everyone around her does their best to encourage her surrender. When an unexpected act of kindness allows her to enter the pilot training program, Spin jumps through every hoop (and over every hurdle) in pursuit of a coveted pilot's pin and the stars above.

With friends and resources in short supply, Spin makes discoveries about Igneous, Alta Base, and her father that shake loose every preconception she has about her life.

What I liked:

In true Sanderson fashion, we follow the MC through ups and downs as we learn about life on a garbage dump of a planet. With characters that have relatable personal histories and issues, the author pulls the reader into Spensa's world and doesn't let go. Well-explained technology and culture keep the reader engaged in the themes woven throughout the plot.

What I didn't like:

I hope the sequel, StarSight, delves further into the cultural and geopolitical issues that developed in the caverns. I would have liked to see more of Spin's underground world.

Overall:

As usual with Sanderson's SciFi works, I came out of the story thrilled and titillated from the adventure, and eager to resume flying alongside Spin and her cohorts.