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Skyward

The First Skyward Novel

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Skyward

By: Brandon Sanderson
Narrated by: Sophie Aldred
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About this listen

 THE INTERNATIONAL PHENOMENON BEHIND THE COSMERE

****

'We must not cower in the dark because we're afraid of the spark within us. The answer is not to put out the spark, but to learn to control it'

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 . . .

****

SANDERSON IS AN EXCELLENT STORYTELLER:

'Thrills and snappy dialouge'
DAILY MAIL

'Episodic and fast-paced with surprises around every turn'
SCI FI NOW

'I loved this book. What else is there to say?'
PATRICK ROTHFUSS

'Epic in every sense'
GUARDIAN©2018 Dragonsteel Entertainment LLC Adventure Epic Fantasy Science Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Fiction Aviation

Critic Reviews

another brisk YA fantasy from Sanderson - inventive, action-stuffed and surprising until the end
Secrets intensify this ripping yarn, which is crammed with peril, thrills and snappy dialogue
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.
Steelheart is the literature equivalent of a blockbuster; episodic and fast-paced with surprises around every turn.
Full of action
All the main characteristics of a Sanderson novel from a writer at the top of his game.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Startling revelations and stakes-raising implications ... Sanderson plainly had a ball with this nonstop, highflying opener, and readers will too
The stories are complex, fascinating, and filled to the brim with three-dimensional characters
Firefight is a visual, almost cinematic novel
Firefight is a rollercoaster ride of action, entertainment, and humour
Firefight is filled with a spine-tingling adventure and heart-racing action that promises to satisfy fans both new and old
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.
All stars
Most relevant
Engaging story (especially after the first 2-3 hours), likeable protagonist with an interesting cast of characters and more action than I'm accustomed to from Sanderson.

The narrator, Sophie Alfred, spins a great yarn. It's a brief tale compared to Sanderson's other work but the story benefits from it.

I would happily listen to narrative of Skyward Flight again. With any luck a sequel is planned.

Enjoyable all the way through!

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Absolutely loved this story. The narration grew on me as did the story and I couldn’t stop listening. Easy to listen to and super engaging.

Stars Align

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Absolutely brilliant YA novel by Sanderson. Following a young wanna be pilot as humankind battles the Krell

I forgot how good this book is. This is my second read/listen to refresh my mind for Cytonic. The banter is on point and hilarious.

Fave quotes:
- Set your sights on something higher, Something more grand
- Claim the stars
- Sieze the stars
- When everyone else is calm, you are a burning bonfire. Beautiful, like a newly forged blade.
- Be different. Set your sights on something higher.

On point character building

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I happened upon this book and author due to my love of planes (specifically Jet Fighters) and i read the word pilot and was instantly hooked, i am now a little biased as i finished all the books in this series and am also halfway through "The Way of Kings". The way i was originally hooked on this book kept me coming back for more and the want to know more and more about Spensa! and her newly acquired friends, paired with the fighter pilot esque training and you have me looking to the stars for my next fix. ahhhh Sanderson you have done it again.

Looking Skyward for a Sequel

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Immediately I was intrigued by this book. It didn’t take any ‘getting into’ for me. Although there were air battles I didn’t find them long and tedious as some of Brandon’s other epic battle descriptions. The characters held reality and I look forward to the continuation of this story.
Sadly I missed hours and hours of sleep as this was a difficult story to turn off!

Kept me awake!

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