Brandon Sanderson’s Skyward is the first book in the Skyward series. Beaten, hunted, and driven across the galaxy, the dregs of humankind sought refuge on the small deserted planet of Detritus in the hopes of finding some peace. However, they’re peace is short-lived as their pursuers, a mysterious alien species known as the Krell, immediately find and attack them. For the following seventy years, the Krell have attempted to wipe out the human race using superior technology and numbers, while humans struggle to fight back, relying on skilled pilots to outmaneuver and destroy the Krell. One of those fighters was Zeen “Chaser” Nightshade, a pilot renowned for his skill and bravery; however in the generation defining Battle of Alta, he was branded a coward. As a result, his daughter Spensa dreamed of becoming a pilot to clear his name. However, in a world where family legacy is everything, Spensa’s chances of becoming the famous pilot she always dreamed of are next to none.
Spensa is a strange kid. From a young age, she has dreamed of becoming a pilot like her father and a powerful warrior like the ancient heroes in her grandmother’s stories. However, being the daughter of the infamous Coward, Spensa was taunted and ridiculed every day for her dream. To defend herself against the relentless bullying of both her teachers and peers, she developed a very aggressive and violent attitude, one that would scare off people before they dared to mock her. These aggressive mannerisms, while endearing at first, began to lose their charm as the story went on. Thankfully, as the book progressed, Spensa had to face many harsh realities, forcing her to grow and mature as a character. Her violent nature is tempered down, and she becomes a calmer and more understanding individual.
Skyward is another amazing read by Brandon Sanderson. While the book does not have a fast pace, the story is extremely engaging. The slower pacing allows for more in-depth world-building and character development, while exciting fast-paced fight scenes are interspersed throughout the book to break up the slower pace.
Brandon Sanderson does an amazing job with the world building in this book. Like with his many fantasy series, Brandon Sanderson builds an interesting and complex world with differing social classes and societies as well as a rich history. He reveals this information slowly, as to never overwhelm the audience with large exposition dumps, while also maintaining a level of mystery.
Like the word building, the characters in this story are also rich. In the story, Spensa must interact and cooperate with many people of differing ethnic and social backgrounds, allowing her to learn new perspectives and forcing her to question the motive of the military government she wishes to serve. Even though some characters only appear for a short while, each one seems to be multifaceted and unique, with different motivations and goals. In addition, many of the character interactions are a delight to read. They range from hilarious to serious and sad to deep and thought provoking.
One thing to mention, especially for older readers, is the almost childish nature of the book. In terms of story structure, world building, and character depth, the book is well put together for an adult audience, however the word choice and dialogue can often seem childish, especially for characters who are around eighteen. This can be a little jarring for older readers; however, it doesn’t detract from the intrinsic enjoyment.
I give this 510 page book 4.5 stars.
Skyward Series
Humankind has been hunted across the galaxy until they reach the deserted planet of Detritus. There, they make their final stand against the Krell, a mysterious alien force intent on wiping them out.