Time and again she struggles between wanting to prove to others and to herself that she is no coward and surviving. Her reputation however makes her a persona non grata at the base so not only she has to catch up to the teammates who were raised by pilots, and have been training since they were born, but as the daughter of “the coward” she also has to put up with many other disadvantages. Spensa however is keen to fly and kill some Krell. Many are killed or leave before their training is complete. Pilots, who are considered to be the elite of this new society, train and live on a base on the ground surface of this planet where they try to defend themselves, and the rest of humanity, from the Krell’s attacks. To survive humans have built communities underground. The planet in which she was born and raised is constantly under attack from the Krell. Growing up as the daughter of “the coward”, Spensa is desperate to prove herself. Her first-person narration is completely unreserved and utterly entertaining.

This is undoubtedly thanks to Spensa Nightshade, also known as Spin. Within the first few chapters I fell unabashedly in love with this novel. Personally, however, I found Skyward to be a pure blast. A few years ago I read and was deeply impressed by his epic-fantasy novel Elantris…so I can sort of understand why some die-hard Sanderson fans might not find Skyward to be as intricate or as profound as his adult fiction. This is easily my favourite book by Brandon Sanderson. When heritage becomes a box instead of an inspiration, it has gone too far.” Legacy, memories of the past, can serve us well.

Brandon sanderson skyward