Intro

It’s time for the first reading recommendation of 2025! I’ve got a lot of great books that I’m looking forward to sharing with you this year, so deciding which one to do first took some thought. But, in the end, I figured that you can’t go wrong with a good old Sanderson novel.

Skyward is easily one of the best sci-fi books I’ve ever read and, when it comes to YA sci-fi specifically, I can confidently say it is the best, in my opinion. It’s got all the classic elements you’d expect from science fiction, from aliens, to intergalactic wars, to spaceships. All of that, plus a fiery and relatable heroine, makes for a fun and all around awesome read.

So let’s start getting into details, shall we?

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson Overview

Ever since Spensa Nightshade was little, she’s dreamed of becoming a pilot and joining the ranks of heroes defending her home world of Detritus from the Krell, a mysterious species of aliens that has been warring with her people since before she was born. Her father was a renowned pilot in the war himself, and she wants nothing more than to follow in his footsteps.

But, when her father suddenly betrays his comrades in battle and has to be shot down, Spensa sees her own chances of getting into flight school and becoming a pilot thrown into jeopardy. She’s told that she’d never be accepted as a pilot for fear that she too would turn traitor.

Despite the obstacles, however, Spensa is determined to fly—and to clear her family name by proving that there was more to her father’s betrayal than meets the eye. As she goes about chasing these aspirations, she uncovers secrets about her father—and herself—that could mean the ultimate salvation of her people—or the ultimate destruction.

Personal Thoughts

If you’re into spaceship battles, humor, and a protagonist who rises up against impossible odds, then this is the perfect book for you. It’s fast-paced and full of twists, making it one of those books that can be very hard to put down. (Trust me, I know.)

While there are a lot of things that I loved about this book, my favorite thing about it was Spensa. She’s easily one of the best book protagonists I’ve ever read; she’s funny, feisty, and very relatable. As the story progresses, you really come to care about whether she succeeds or not, which is something that not all books manage to do.

Another thing that I appreciated about this book was that, unlike the vast majority of YA sci-fi, fantasy, and dystopia books that have a female main character, the story was not totally dominated by an angsty teen romance. Not that there’s anything wrong with angsty teen romance, of course, but it was refreshing to see a book that addressed the fact that there’s more to a teenage girl’s personal and emotional life than just boys—and that boys may not even be her main concern at all. There was a boy that she eventually started crushing on (don’t worry, I won’t drop any names), but the main focus never shifted from Spensa’s main mission.

Outro

Anyways, that’s all for this month’s reading recommendation. I hope I’ve sparked your interest in this book. And, if you’ve already read it, be sure to check out the similar titles I’ve listed below.

Thank you for reading, and be sure to check back next month for the next recommendation!

Books Similar to Skyward

• Cinder by Marissa Meyer
• Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
• Leia: Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Gray
• Dangerous by Shannon Hale