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Skyward
730 pages
An adrenaline-fueled underdog story that trades the gravity of space for the sheer thrill of defying the odds.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like being strapped into the cockpit of a fighter jet—it is fast, loud, and undeniably exhilarating. The narrative is propelled by a fierce, chip-on-her-shoulder underdog energy that makes it impossible not to root for the protagonist. While the atmosphere is often tense, shadowed by the constant threat of annihilation and the claustrophobia of a subterranean society, it is frequently punctured by moments of laugh-out-loud banter and the triumphant thrill of aerial dogfights. The prose is cinematic and highly accessible, designed to keep the pages turning at breakneck speed rather than lingering on poetic descriptions. It is a perfect fit for anyone who loves a story about found family, redefining what it means to be brave, and the sheer, stubborn will to touch the stars.
- Mood
- high-octane
- exhilarating
- tense
- hopeful
- Tone
- earnest
- determined
- snarky
- triumphant
- Pace
- propulsive
- Themes
- the burden of legacy · redefining courage · found family in the trenches · overcoming societal prejudice
- The writing
- Accessible and cinematic, the writing prioritizes clear, adrenaline-fueled action sequences and snappy dialogue over lyrical flourish.
- The arc
- The protagonist moves from a place of angry, isolated desperation to a hard-won understanding of true courage and the value of relying on others.
- Who it's for
- Readers who crave underdog stories, intense starfighter dogfights, and the banter of a snarky AI companion will devour this.
Content notes
- war and combat violence
- death of a parent
- bullying and ostracization
- grief
About the book
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 the daughter of a coward, her chances of attending Flight School 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.
This description comes from the publisher.
Description from Open Library.
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