This is the first in a brand new series by bestselling author Brandon Sanderson, whose other novels include, the Mistborn and Stormlight series among others.

Plot

Defeated, crushed, and driven almost to extinction, the remnants of the human race are 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.

Another hit by Brandon Sanderson, if it was possible to give a book more than 5/5 this one would deserve it. One thing I love about this book is how Sanderson draws you into the world of Detritus so thoroughly. I wished I could have been going through Flight school with Spensa and the other members of flight crew Skyward.

Spensa is a fantastic character, so quirky and unfailingly loyal to her father who was deemed a coward. I bonded with her automatically and went through the whole rigmarole of emotions she did while reading this book. Her anger and stubbornness as she fights against Ironside for her right to become a pilot, her shame when she gets outed as the cowards daughter by “Jerkface” Jorgen, and her disappointment, anger and concern for herself when she finally learns the truth about her father.

Though Spensa is the main character, one of the things I love is that you manage to bond with all of Skyward flight. Each members actions impact Spensa in some way which makes them all vital to the overall story line, and through this you get to know their personalities and quirks which makes them invaluable to the plot.

M Bot is possibly my favourite AI ever. I love when authors give AI’s a personality and M Bots is one of the funniest I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Between his obsession with Mushrooms and his unwillingness to break orders given to him nearly 200 years ago, he makes for an sometimes infuriating but ultimately hilarious and loyal sub-character who I love.

This book is my top read of 2018 so far and it would have to take something special to knock if off top spot. You read this knowing there is something going on that you just don’t understand yet, and after all the emotional twists and turns, you are left with an ending that ties all the unknowns together effortlessly. The only problem with the ending is that it leaves you with a gap where Skyward Flight used to be and the need to have the next book in the series tomorrow!

Quite possibly the easiest 5/5 I have given all year. You need to read this book as well as Sanderson’s other series which are all amazing as well.