Featuring an inhospitable planet bombarded by alien attacks daily, a desperate human army rebellion and downright hostile governments seem to set our young cast up for failure from the get-go.
Spensa, daughter of a disgraced pilot who is forced into poverty and marginalisation, dreams of soaring through the skies in her own ship to repair her father’s legacy.
It does start off with a bit of a “me against the world” flavour from Spensa, but it quickly draws us into daily struggles and injustices, which aren’t made any better by her difficulty in learning to fly.
She delves into her past and the true story of her father’s actions and untimely demise, rails against injustice with snippets from old war classics and tales, and practises the skills she has studied for years to take the fight to the aliens that threaten her civilisation.
I wasn’t initially impressed with Spensa’s bullheadedness and seeming insensitivity, but the more she develops and the more we see of her world, the more I can understand it.
She’s straining against the expectations and limitations of her world, where the sky is quite literally the limit. Or is it?
Would any sane young person in her position, or any similar one for that fact, do anything different?
Most young people could relate to Spensa’s stubborn determination, expectations, life experience, or even her inner sensitivity and anxiety that doesn’t really reveal itself until right at the end.
Being used to Brandon Sanderson’s fantasy prowess, I wasn’t sure how to feel about a sci-fi offering from him, but he definitely pulls it off.
His characteristic complex and layered world-building is threaded throughout and has far reaching (and well-explored!) consequences and devastating effects, especially in a world as deadly as this one.
Definitely worth a read whether you’re a young adult, young at heart, or just looking for a change.
Warning: May inspire rebellion and perseverance. Proceed with caution and an open mind.
Skyward, Claim the Stars by Brandon Sanderson, is published by Hachette Australia; RRP $22.99.
HOW TO ENTER
For a chance to win this book, send your name, address, daytime phone number and the answer to this question: What’s the main photo of on the front page of today’s Country News? to: Country Life ‘Skyward’ Competition, PO Box 8000, Shepparton 3632, by Wednesday, February 23.
WINNERS
Congratulations to Lyn Arblaster, who won our `Joan’ competition, and Merinda Page, who won our `Autobiography’ competition. Please collect your prize from our Shepparton office.
13°C