Masterly space opera from the author of the bestselling Mistborn series, Skyward pits a tenacious young would-be pilot with a point to prove against the might of the Krell, a sinister alien race intent on conquest. Impeccable world-building and nuanced characterisation mark Sanderson’s latest out as truly interstellar storytelling.
Spensa's world has been under attack for hundreds of years. An alien race called the Krell leads onslaught after onslaught from the sky in a never-ending campaign to destroy humankind. Humanity's only defense is to take to their ships and fight the enemy in the skies. Pilots have become the heroes of what's left of the human race.
Spensa has always dreamed of being one of them; of soaring above Earth and proving her bravery. But her fate is intertwined with her father's - a pilot who was killed years ago when he abruptly deserted his team, placing Spensa's chances of attending flight school somewhere between slim and none.
No one will let Spensa forget what her father did, but she is still determined to fly. And the Krell just made that a possibility. They've doubled their fleet, making Spensa's world twice as dangerous ... but their desperation to survive might just take her skyward...
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co
ISBN: 9781473217874
Number of pages: 528
Weight: 364 g
Dimensions: 196 x 128 x 36 mm
another brisk YA fantasy from Sanderson - inventive, action-stuffed and surprising until the end - SFX
Secrets intensify this ripping yarn, which is crammed with peril, thrills and snappy dialogue - Daily Mail
Steelheart is the literature equivalent of a blockbuster; episodic and fast-paced with surprises around every turn. - SCI FI NOW
Skyward is an adventure and a half that you won't want to miss. Even hardcore Cosmere fans will enjoy the special mix of fantasy and sci-fi that unfolds as you watch Spensa learn what it means to be truly brave. - TOR.COM
All the main characteristics of a Sanderson novel from a writer at the top of his game. - FANTASY BOOK REVIEW
Full of action - THE SUN
With this action-packed trilogy opener, Sanderson offers up a resourceful, fearless heroine and a memorable cast-including a strangely humorous, mushroom-obsessed robot-set against the backdrop of a desperate conflict. As the pulse-pounding story intensifies and reveals its secrets, a cliffhanger ending sets things up for the next instalment. - PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
as always, Brandon Sanderson creates a unique and interesting universe we get to explore alongside the protagonist...a fun, action packed ride for those of us who remain a child at heart. - Best Fantasy Books
The world of The Reckoners is suddenly presented in all its glory. It's an incredibly vibrant setting that showcases the entire breadth of Sanderson's talent. Expect to finish this one in single sitting. - Upcoming 4 Me
This deeply entertaining first episode in a series is for fans of aerial warfare stories in which the characters are as well-devised as the machines. - MORNING STAR
Startling revelations and stakes-raising implications ... Sanderson plainly had a ball with this nonstop, highflying opener, and readers will too - Kirkus (starred review)
The stories are complex, fascinating, and filled to the brim with three-dimensional characters - Fantasy Book Review
Firefight is a visual, almost cinematic novel - Buzzy Mag
Firefight is a rollercoaster ride of action, entertainment, and humour - Smash Dragons
Firefight is filled with a spine-tingling adventure and heart-racing action that promises to satisfy fans both new and old - Fantasy Book Critic
A terrifically tall tale, packaging the superhero action into compelling, punchy chapters that keep you reading. It's a fast, feisty read with characters that are skillfully drawn, assassinations, gunfights, physics bending motorcycle chases and a world you can't wait to hear more about. - SFX
“Claim the stars, Spensa”..
My thanks to Orion Publishing/Gollancz for an eARC of this terrific SF novel via NetGalley. I understand from Sanderson’s website that it’s aimed at both YA and Adult readerships, which...
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Skyward is a novel that appeals to the kid in you. It looks past all the stress of everyday life, and reminds you of a time when you thought spaceships were awesome, when the world was just another adventure, and when... More
A fun fantasy read set in space.
Having never read anything by Brandon Sanderson before I wasn’t sure what this one was going to be like however the synopsis sounded intriguing so I decided to give it a go. I wasn’t...
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