Skyward (Skyward #1) by Brandon Sanderson - Restarting December 12th 2021

[Dannii]

Fany wrote: "Chapter 16
Wait, what? The ship is talking? This is a twist I wasn't expecting at all, but I'm sure it'll turn things to be much more interesting.
I kind of understand why Spensa sometimes acts s..."

They would have been the sweeties and bloodiest of couples!!

[Dannii]

Fany wrote: "Chapter 30
M-Bot is by far the most annoying character in this book, but his also so cute! And he has to stop denying he has a personality and just loves mushrooms without any normal reason. But i..."

I think (view spoiler)[This insane little AI was my favourite character. His attempts at sarcasm were too funny, as was his obsession with mushrooms (hide spoiler)]

[Fany]

Dannii wrote: "Fany wrote: "Chapter 16
Wait, what? The ship is talking? This is a twist I wasn't expecting at all, but I'm sure it'll turn things to be much more interesting.
I kind of understand why Spensa som..."

(view spoiler)[ In another universe, where they would be just kids that love murder and he would survive... "kids that love murder" doesn't sound that good, though (hide spoiler)]

Dannii wrote: "Fany wrote: "Chapter 30
M-Bot is by far the most annoying character in this book, but his also so cute! And he has to stop denying he has a personality and just loves mushrooms without any normal ..."
(view spoiler)[ And he hates Rig! He's definitely amazing (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 32 (view spoiler)[
Why Hurl? And it's so hard... What's better - eject, survive and not fly even again or die as a hero during a battle? I think that one of the reasons Cobb doesn't fly is because he's more careful with pilots than with ships, and he teaches his cadets to eject and not to try to save the ship.
And I still have no Idea about Spensa's "problem"... If she feels the heating of the sensors when she concentrates on fights it has something to do with that... (hide spoiler)]

[Fany]

Dannii wrote: "Third quarter - [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[ I've never thought of Jerkcface and Spin as couple. When I think about it... There are some relationships in groups that grow slowly like that one, but I feel like if it would ever happen it won't be in this book but in others in the series. For now I think they will just learn to appreciate each other as parts of a team (and I really hope none of them would die). (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Fany wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Fany wrote: "Chapter 16
Wait, what? The ship is talking? This is a twist I wasn't expecting at all, but I'm sure it'll turn things to be much more interesting.
I kind of understand..."

(view spoiler)[Cobb is such a great character. I really appreciate how mad he gets when the cadets mention they wouldn't eject as it would mean they had to leave their training. Is death so much better?? I'm interested to learn more about is back story. It was also hinted, I think after Spenca was going to turn herself, that Cobb hadn't taught in years and everyone was suprised that he chose to do so again now. I wonder if it was solely for Spenca or if there is another reason? (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Fany wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Third quarter - [spoilers removed]"
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I feel it will go that way but won't become the main focus of the story, which I really appreciate. I've read too many fantasy and sci fi books that sell themselves as one thing but become a straight up romance, instead. (hide spoiler)]

[Fany]

(view spoiler)[ Speaking of M-Bot... I'll just drop that here:
"Hey, guess what, M-Bot. I have a present for you."
"Mushrooms?"
"Better."
"... Two mushrooms?"
He's amaaaazing
(hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Fany wrote: " Speaking of M-Bot... I'll just drop that here:
"Hey, guess what, M-Bot. I have a present for you."
"Mushrooms?"
"Better."
"... Two mushrooms?"
He's amaaaazing
"

I highlighted so many of his quotes, the sassy little thing!

[Fany]

Dannii wrote: "Fany wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Third quarter - [spoilers removed]"
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

Chapter 41 (view spoiler)[ Now that I've read it to their hug... I think it can grow to romance, even though I would be happy with it as friendship, too.
What has happened to Chaser really... It feels strange, to now that Ironsides was, in fact, protecting him all that time. That Cobb had to shot him down because he was really dangerous.
But I think what he has seen is connected with what the Krell are. So either he got some sort of mad because of this "brain defect" or he understood something about the DFF that frustrated him enough to shoot his friends down. But I'll either stick with the first version.
And this explains why Ironsides was so worried that the same would happen to Spin.
Also, now I really got what this series is going to be about - the DFF as a government, how the deep caverns citizens keep their children protected and send them to fly just to get them some glory and fame, while other cadets and pilots are dying, trying to really protect civilization. And I'm sure that there is some secret the DFF is hiding a secret about the Krell Spensa would be able to discover later on, which will also show how wrong they are as a government.
Wow, I got a whole theory nailed here. Anyway, the book's great till here and I'm sure there will be a strong end to it.
(hide spoiler)]

[Fany]

Dannii wrote: "Fany wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Fany wrote: "Chapter 16
Wait, what? The ship is talking? This is a twist I wasn't expecting at all, but I'm sure it'll turn things to be much more interesting.
I kind ..."
(view spoiler)[ Yes, Cobb is a really strong character. Knowing about Chaser now, Spensa applying to the Flight School would be enough for him to start teaching again, in my opinion. I missed that hint, though.
(hide spoiler)]

[Fany]

Finished!
(view spoiler)[ I definitely liked this book! I liked the growth of the characters (especially M-Bot), how Spensa slowly went from knowing exactly what's a coward and what's not and being determined to clear her father's name to questioning her position, discovering the truth and the defect, and finally finding the truth about the Krell and really knowing what she should do. It didn't feel like she learnt how to deal with things all of sudden, and I really felt the process. As a reader, I grew to know her better as she changed.
And there were plenty of other amazing characters, but if I would write about every one of them I will never finish.
Remembering my theory from yesterday, I really didn't expect the truth about the Krell that was coming! The next books in the series, if they will be as well-written as this one, are going to be amazing! Just imagine it - Spensa setting a plan and building a ship, using her "defect", to let the Defiants escape Detritus!
(hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

Gah! My copy just arrived! Is anyone still reading this?? I want to start tonight.

[Jennifer]

Ch 14 (25%) - I'm loving this so far! (view spoiler)[ I love that she was given a chance and is starting to feel like she belongs. I am wondering how long it will last before they find out who her father is. I have a feeling she will be kicked out right about the time she gets her plane fixed. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 25 (48%) - (view spoiler)[ Seriously, how can they call her a coward? I'm actually wondering if their society actually knows the meaning of that word, especially since they seem to have evolved into idiots to try to avoid being labeled one.

I also have a theory about who the Krell are - could they be humans that don't know they are fighting other humans? Or worse, maybe Spin's ancestors signed up for a military experiment and these are all staged exercises to learn how humans might adapt to a situation. I just get the feeling that someone within the society is actually pulling the Krell's strings. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 39 (74%) - (view spoiler)[ Oh no, Spensa is going to be crushed now. Although....it does make me think about my theory again - what if they are living in a made up situation? What if Spensa's father got above the "set" and could see that Alta and their whole world was a lie. I bet he would come down pretty pissed and think his fellow military people were in on it. (hide spoiler)]
Finished - Ok so I was wrong, but it was still amazing! (view spoiler)[ The actual situation is even more interesting than I thought. The Krell being jailers that are actually afraid of the humans - wow. And they only send 100 fighters at a time because it is against their rules to do more. It makes so much sense now. What I don't get, and I hope the next book covers it, is why they lost the ability to communicate with whoever is controlling the Krell, and why after several generations they aren't able to negotiate for a peace treaty or something. Of course, the biggest question - what are the humans going to do if they DO get out of there?? It sounds like they might be the last of the species and the whole universe has deemed them too dangerous. If they get out, where will they go, where will they hide, won't everyone be after them? The hamster in my brain is running hard on his wheel today! I can't wait to find out what happens next. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date changed. Restarting January 1st 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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[Karen]

Can’t believe I’ve never read anything by this author before. Great reviews, so I’m looking forward to this.

[HeatherH]

It will be my first of his as well!

[HeatherH]

Had some downtime (surprisingly) at work so I listened to Part 1:

(view spoiler)[ I cannot imagine growing up in a community as small as that after your father turned and fled mid-battle. How that would follow you. I'm already enjoying Spensa as a narrator and looking forward to this journey with her. I like her spunk and how she rushed back for the test instead of sticking with that desire to give up after being told she'd never be allowed to be a pilot. Super cool that she recognized and found her father's wingmate, Mongrel! Looking forward to flight school! (hide spoiler)]

*disclaimer: listening to the audio so I apologize ahead of time for any misspellings!*

[Lu]

Chapter 2: (view spoiler)[ I have to say I'm not surprised that they won't let her be a pilot. It's obvious that they all judge her because of what her father did, they would never let her try. Not saying I agree, which I don't, just saying it's clear that they're these kind of people. Also, am I the only one who feels like there's more to that battle where her father died? I feel like there will be an explanation to that, her father didn't seem to be anything like a coward. (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Luisa wrote: "Chapter 2: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yeah I really think there had to be more to it.. hoping we get answers about why! (hide spoiler)]

[Lu]

HeatherH wrote: "Luisa wrote: "Chapter 2: [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Like really, there's no way his father just decided to run away after he insisted that they fought. Just hoping we discover the reason soon. (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Jasiya wrote: "Chapter 3
[spoilers removed]"

Oooh that could be true! I didn't make that connection but would be a cool possibility!

[Lu]

Chapter 3-19: (view spoiler)[ I was stupidly hoping that they would all end up being this legendary team and there’s already 3 gone, I’m sad. Also, I was kind of shipping Spin with Bim, but I see I was foolish again. (I kinda shipp her with the Dumbass (I’m not sure if that’s the name they give to him in the English version, but that’s probably the best translation to ‘Babaca’ which is what they call him on my book, no one mentioned him until now, please let me know his original ‘name’) tho, I love the enemies to lovers vibe their giving) (hide spoiler)]

[Lu]

Jasiya wrote: "Chapter 3
[spoilers removed]"

I was thinking that too, (view spoiler)[ that ship is probably going to give us a lot of answers. (hide spoiler)]

[Lu]

Don’t mind me guys, I’m just making a list of the characters names in Portuguese and English so I can use them in the discussions
(view spoiler)[
Spensa/Spin =
Mongrel/Cob =
Rodge/Rig - Rodge/Lad(Ladainha)
Jorgen/Jerkface - Jorgen/Babaca
Judy/Ironsides =
Hudiya/Hurl - Hudiya/Arrojada
Freyja/FM =
Arturo/Amphisbaena - Arturo/ Anfisbena
Nedd/Nedder =
Kimmalyn/Quirk - Kimmalyn/Flácida
Bim =
?(couldn’t find it) - Alvorecer
Gran-Gran - Vozinha
(hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

I hope it's ok if I join! Have been meaning to read this for way too long :D

This is my first proper Brandon Sanderson book too (I've read one of his novellas) and I'm so excited to finally get in with the hype!

End of Part 1
(view spoiler)[This is so good already! Loved the way that last scene with the exam was done.

I actually really like that there isn't as much of an emphasis on Spensa's classmates bullying her (at least not yet) and it's more about authority figures standing in her way. That's just personal preference for me though, it's been a while since I was in school so that sort of thing isn't really relevant or interesting for me. (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Luisa wrote: "Chapter 2: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Oh yeah, absolutely, I'm so interested in finding out what really happened with her dad! There's no way things are as simple as they said it was. (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Claire wrote: "I hope it's ok if I join! Have been meaning to read this for way too long :D

This is my first proper Brandon Sanderson book too (I've read one of his novellas) and I'm so excited to finally get in..."


(view spoiler)[I totally agree about the bullying issue. I think this is handling her handed down reputation so much better than a lot of YA (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

@Heather - Yes! I feel like this one is more in the realm of more mature feeling YA, not in the way that it's inappropriate for younger readers at all, but rather that it handles issues in a mature way.

Chapter 11
(view spoiler)[Ok, I'm officially in love with this book!

I really like that the rich kids are actually competent, more competent even than Spensa herself. It only makes sense that the kids of hero pilots are trained from an young age, being a pilot is obviously a huge deal and even with the social hierarchy to consider, it would be ridiculous to allow kids with zero knowledge and experience to automatically become pilots.

I also like that Jerkface isn't a comically mean snob character, he's a bit of a suck-up but he's alright. His anger at Spensa was justified in my opinion, she basically did nothing to help and had no business following him into combat when she could barely steer. Also, it's great that Spensa isn't a Mary-Sue type who's automatically good at things because she's so special and stuff.

Also loving the humour, Spensa climbing on a chair to look more intimidating (has the opposite effect, I imagine) and quoting really weird threats at people is hilarious!

Basically I like everything about this book so far! Why have I put off reading Sanderson for so long? (hide spoiler)]

[hannah]

Count me in on this! 🤩

[Lu]

Chapter 19-44: (view spoiler)[ I CAN’T BELIEVE THEY JUST FINISHED FIXING MBOT AND HE JUST DECIDED TO DIE (hide spoiler)]

[Lu]

Chapter 44-55 (finished): (view spoiler)[ I’m really surprised with the end, I nerves would’ve imagined that the Krell where just trying to make them stay in Detritus so they don’t try to conquer the galaxy, sounds kind of crazy (hide spoiler)]

[Lu]

Jasiya wrote: "Chapter 12
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ The more I read the more impressed I am of just how much she can take without giving up (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Just dipped into the Prologue and can see Spenser feels she has something to prove.

[Claire]

End of Part 2
(view spoiler)[Sure, kill off the two most endearing characters first why don't you? :<

Was not expecting Bim to survive for long but was genuinely surprised about Morningtide.

I love so much M-Bot already, he already ranks higher on my list of favourite AI characters than The Thunderhead! (AIDAN is still No. 1 in my heart though) (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

End of Part 4
(view spoiler)[Daaaaang. Ok but I really loved how in that last fight, we see Spensa avoid repeating the mistakes that killed her friends.

Spensa and Jorgen's little moments together are so great! I love that there's no rushed romance with them, they're becoming friends who respect each other instead. (hide spoiler)]

[Lu]

Claire wrote: "End of Part 2"

Exactly! (view spoiler)[ I get that someone has to die, but we just had a cute Bim and Spensa moment like 10 pages ago, can the author give me a break? (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Just a heads up, your spoiler didn't work in the above post!

[HeatherH]

Through ch 12, will get part 2 finished before I get off work hopefully!

@Claire re ch 11 updates: (view spoiler)[ SO MUCH YES!!! Sanderson isn't writing the cliche awful rich kid characters or the instantly good at everything underdog MC and I ADORE HIM SO MUCH FOR IT! These characters are flawed, they're real, they're strong with a reason to be - I love the hero's kids grew up trained, I love that Spensa is mouthy but can't always back it up. I love that she called him Jerkface, it stuck, he's angry, but others are telling him to just embrace it haha! This story is so so amazing and I am so confused on why I hadn't read this author before now, or honestly even heard of him until recently! (hide spoiler)]

And like.. Quirks is a favorite already.. just sayin'!

[Claire]

@Heather - Yes! I'm so looking forward to reading more from him! :D

Quirks is such a sweetheart <3

Btw for anyone else eager to continue this series, there's a BR for Starsight on Jan 16th ^^

Finished!
(view spoiler)[That was awesome! I love that a few things made much more sense at the end, the reason the Krell never sent an overwhelming number of ships when they clearly outnumber the humans, stuff like that. Looking forward to continuing with this series! The ending was satisfying and not too cliffhanger-y which I really like :D (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

I already got the audio for book two and plan to join ya'll on the 16th!

[Lu]

HeatherH wrote: "Through ch 12, will get part 2 finished before I get off work hopefully!

@Claire re ch 11 updates: [spoilers removed]

And like.. Quirks is a favorite already.. just sayin'!"

(view spoiler)[ I’m refusing to have favorites other than Spensa and Jorgen since the author decided to kill all the favorites I had (hide spoiler)]

[Lu]

HeatherH wrote: "I already got the audio for book two and plan to join ya'll on the 16th!"

That’s great!

[HeatherH]

Luisa wrote: "HeatherH wrote: "Through ch 12, will get part 2 finished before I get off work hopefully!

@Claire re ch 11 updates: [spoilers removed]

And like.. Quirks is a favorite already.. just sayin'!"

[sp..."

That's discouraging lol!

[HeatherH]

PART 2
(view spoiler)[ GAHHHHH why oh why did Bim and Morningtide have to go already?!?! I am not okay ya'll!!!!!!!!!!

M-Bot is fantastic already and I cannot wait to see how his character evolves. (But I agree with Claire - AIDAN holds my heart foreva when it comes to AI).

And I agree with Luisa about the possible enemies to lovers vibe and I am here for it. (btw, Luisa in the english version it is Jerkface!) (hide spoiler)]

[Lu]

HeatherH wrote: "PART 2"

(view spoiler)[ Honestly I'm still crying over Bim, I just wanted a little more cute flirting! (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch4. Feel outraged on Spensa’s behalf, but liking the unexpected discovery. Will she get her wish regardless?

[Karen]

Up to ch15. Pleased someone’s taking a chance on Spensa, and the other cadets are entertaining. Getting weird Top Gun vibes but I think it’s the training stuff.

[Karen]

Up to ch26. Kind of surprised they’re being used like this, but I do think M-bot is going to be useful in helping Spensa learn something useful.

[Karen]

Up to part four. Can’t decide what to make of Ironsides. Is she covering something up, or just generally unpleasant?

[Lu]

Karen wrote: "Up to part four. Can’t decide what to make of Ironsides. Is she covering something up, or just generally unpleasant?"

Hi Karen, please mark all your spoilers in your comments so other people don’t read them by accident.