Skyward

By: Brandon Sanderson

Narrated by: Sophie Aldred

Length: 15 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's Summary

Defeated, crushed, and driven almost to extinction, the remnants of the human race is trapped on a planet that is constantly attacked by mysterious alien starfighters. 

Spensa, a teenage girl living among them, longs to be a pilot. When she discovers the wreckage of an ancient ship, she realizes this dream might be possible - assuming she can repair the ship, navigate flight school, and (perhaps most importantly) persuade the strange machine to help her. 

Because this ship, uniquely, appears to have a soul. 

©2018 Dragonsteel Entertainment LLC (P)2018 Orion Publishing Group Ltd

Another Sanderson Gem

I purchased this book on pre-order and started listening immediately upon it's release. I have read most of Brandon Sanderson's work, I find him one of the most compelling story-teller's in the sci-fi/fantasy genre. I was not disappointed with Skyward, it's a page-turner through and through.

Of note is the wholesome nature of this story. It is suitable for young teenagers and above, with a deceptively simple narrative that nonetheless highlights Sanderson's ability to polish a story to its essence. The character-work is front and centre, in true coming-of-age style. However, it is the world-building that occurs during the story that truly captivates and speaks to the compelling series that this first book introduces us to. That said, every word in this book is purposeful, with no wasted time to establish details. Skyward gives the reader an intimate and personal viewpoint from which to grasp the context of a galaxy-spanning story. I look forward to listening again when Skyward 2 is released (Sanderson has apparently already drafted the next in this series).

The audio performance was also well produced. Sophie Aldred voices the protagonist brilliantly and does a solid job with the supporting roles as well. Her narrative delivery manages to draw you in, allowing the listener to feel the emotion of the protaganist whilst sustaining the sense of immersion throughout fast-paced action scenes.

18 of 19 people found this review helpful

very young adult, stretches credulity at times

the narration is top notch. story concept is brilliant. plot etc are extremely young adult no layers and complexity. serendipity in the story sometimes stretches credulity.
would still recommend for the concept and the narrator.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Entertaining and surprising story

Brandon Sanderson is a long time favorite for me and this story did not disappoint. It felt slightly different from his other works but by no means less entertaining. To me it felt like i was listening to a star wars movie being narrated. And I absolutely loved that. The one thing i disliked about the book is that i wished it would have been longer.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

anime af

its attack on titan meets how to train your dragon. in space. ten outta ten.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Loved it!

Fresh interesting take on humans living among the stars. Once again Sanderson’s characters draw you in. Simply a great read.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great!

An excellent story. A really superb narrator. looking forward impatiently for the next book in the series.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Beautiful

I don’t like si-fi that much, more of a Fantasy man myself. However, this is hands down one of the best books I have ever experienced. Please give this a try, it was magnificent.

Really enjoyed this book by the end

I was curious about this book. Then I was intrigued. Then sucked in. Then hating that it was ending! Sanderson is a master of writing unique and gripping stories. Loved it and it's worth a credit!

Just OK Book

I had high hopes for this but to be honest it wasn't really up to the heady heights I expect from Brandon Sanderson. The story was generic and predictable. I thought there might be more at the end and there just wasn't.
The performance was ok too. What I didn't like was the volume changes. I tend to listen at night, with the sleep timer on if you know what I mean. This book was particularly tough for that. The volume of whispered sections was very low, then there would be very loud sections too. The difference was so marked that I just couldn't get the volume to a level that would suit both.
Anyway, here's hoping for another Mistborn to win me over again.

yet another story...

...where the ruling group can't think logically worth a bleep. good story with a good character, but entirely unbelievable considering the plain idiocy revealed about the leaders late in the book.

What a fun story - highly recommended

From the descriptor, I didn't think that I would enjoy this book but as it had been recommended, I thought I would persevere. Well, I'm so glad that I had. While I see myself as a 'serious' SF fan I had overlooked a gem of a story. It's just absolute fun and so well narrated that I would have to give 6 not fiver stars. Its pure SF in the Flash Gordon style. I found it refreshingly engrossing. Thank you so much for a great story beautifully narrated. I'm so sorry that it has ended.

17 of 17 people found this review helpful

Sanderson sci-fi magic

Brandon Sanderson's world building and magic systems have put him up there with the best in the fantasy genre. This is sci-fi. - there is no magic system. Instead we're treated to the Sanderson imagination unleashed skyward.

It does read a little young-adult, but I wouldn't see that as a negative. This is easily one of those books which could be enjoyed by a family together on a long journey (no cringey-turn-the-volume-down scenes). No bad language ("Scud!" is as bad as it gets), no graphic sex scenes, no bloody violence (although there is death through battle - it is sensitively managed) - instead you get likeable, interesting characters and a well conceived plot. And despite trying to work it out all the way through the book, and my many guesses at the reasons things were as they were....I didn't come close! It's a good ending, while still setting things up nicely for a sequel or two.

A very well spent credit and another contented Sanderson fan.

13 of 14 people found this review helpful

fantastic fantasy

loved it, is there another book out or on its way? can't wait for it

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Slightly juvenile but entertaining

For me this reads as young adult sci fi. Was enjoyable and almost had the feel of ready player one but lacking the fan fiction cheese.

Really enjoyed the narrator after Sanderson has been so reliant on his go to pals in the past.

The plot is interesting and does not follow the usual plot of the protagonist possessing powers that make them untouchable (though towards the end I can see that trope coming back)

Overall not a bad book.

12 of 14 people found this review helpful

brilliant

This book may be aimed at young adults, however I have absolutely loved it! @BrandonSanderson this would make an amazing Anime!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Action all the way !!!

Gripping sifi tale with epic dog fights !!
And no dreary political ramblings that can normally be found in a Brandon Sanderson novel.
There are lots of memorable characters with brilliant names and Sophie makes such a good job of doing all the different voices there is no way that you can get them mixed up.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Narrator could benefit from accent training

the terrible accents by the narrator made any non-english characters extremely annoying. including Scottish m bot

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Entertaining

It was refreshing to read a different storyline even though a little childish ☺

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great performance

Great story delivered perfectly. Somthing i could easily follow and every character felt real and relatable

this story will not disappoint!

the whole family were captivated by this story and it made a long car journey go quickly . Brandon Sanderson is an talented storyteller and must have the most epic imagination! mbot was a big hit with all of us and we loved the narration and character voices by Sophie Aldred