Skyward (January 2020) Buddy Read Discussion - Jess, Heather

[Aless, Discord/Readathon Procrastinator]

Welcome to Skyward Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on January 1st and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each week we will be reading by chapters. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 1/1
January 01: prologue + Part 1 Chapters 1-6
January 02: Part 2 Chapters 7-19
January 03: Part 3 Chapters 20-29
January 04: Part 4 Chapters 30-47
January 05: Part 5 Chapters 48-55 + epilogue

PARTICIPANTS
~ Jess
~ Heather

[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!*

[Elena]

I'm reading the book on kindle. First I wanted to listen to it too, but last minute changed my mind and bought the kindle version.

(view spoiler)[What a tough beginning for Spensa. It's pretty hard to live when you are a teenager on it's own, but when everybody knows you as a daughter of a coward...
I sincerely believe that it was not that simple, as if there was kinda misunderstanding and he is actually not a coward, but a hero.
I was glad Spensa finally got to the flight school, so the story begins :) Looking forward to reading next part. The beginning was nice and a page-turner. (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

(view spoiler)[ I too really expect there to be more to the story with her dad. And I wonder if the ship wreck she found could be tied to him or if it will get refurbished for her or how it will tie into the story. Hoping her time with Mongrel gets her some explanations regarding her dad! (hide spoiler)]

[Elena]

Chapters 7-10
Actually when I started reading the book, I thought it wouldn’t be as captivating as my previous Sanderson’s books. But I think that way every time I start his new series and he always proves how wrong I was. So same pattern here. I enjoy this (totally different yet interesting) book.
(view spoiler)[Toughness never enough. What? First fight so soon? I have a strange feeling about that. Can’t decide whether I like it or not.
And of course it wouldn’t be that easy, would it? They banned Spensa from living with other students. Looking forward to what she’s going to do with this spaceship she decided to live in.
What a loss that this clever boy left the flight school, but I want to read more about him. I feel that his role will be huge. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 11-29
(view spoiler)[I like how the story goes. As for the ship… Love stories when the AI acts kinda like a living being. Also the line with Spensa’s father: my thoughts were right, not a coward, but a hero.
Sad that they lost more teammates. But on the other hand it’s nice that they became friends, turned out that all members of the team are pretty good, supportive and caring. (hide spoiler)]
Enjoy reading so far. Looking forward to read more.

[HeatherH]

Had a hectic couple of days at home but hoping to make some progress today and get through at least part two. Sorry for falling behind!

This is my first Sanderson book ever so I'm excited to see how the rest is and maybe try some others!

[Elena]

It's ok, take your time :) I've read the next part today and it becomes even more captivating. Really intense, interesting, but quite sad part.
Love how Sanderson describes all the tech things, not overwhelming yet still quite detailed.
(view spoiler)[What? Her father was actually a traitor? No, that could not be true, I believe the story grandma tells gives a hint that things are not so simple and there is still hope that Spensa's father is a hero.
I'm happy she ejected, not died. What a silly rule, if you eject, you can't be a pilot any more? Kinda lose your dream or die, pretty tough choice, considering the fact that they are always lack of pilots. Still... let's see how it goes. Looking forward to read the last part. (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

So I did get Part II done, ch 7-19, early this morning but forgot to post an update!

(view spoiler)[ I really love how Sanderson write's his characters. I like that Spensa isn't automatically great at everything. She struggles and fails and it makes her feel so much more real. Same with Jerkface (which no matter what happens with his call sign that is who he remains for me because it is hilarious!) - he isn't the typical snobby rich kid. Like he is a bit of a suck up but a good leader who knows what he's doing. I also feel like maybe there is a bit of some enemies to lovers vibe potential there which if done right is my thing!
The whole training situation definitely has top gun vibes! I dig it! But losing Morningtide and Bim already was a little heartbreaking. (hide spoiler)]

[Elena]

HeatherH wrote: "I really love how Sanderson write's his characters."

Definitely true. And it is the same at least for all his books I've read. His characters are humans, I mean not super-heroes, but mostly like ordinary people with good and bad sides and skills, struggling to discover and develop their talents.

I've just read the final chapters and want more. But I can't dive into the next book right now, because I have many books to finish. So it's gonna be one more series to read as soon as I finish my current reads.

Chapters 48 - END
(view spoiler)[I love how the story goes and there is definitely so much left for the second book. I enjoyed reading the scene of the last fight and really happy that Spensa saved the planet with her new ship.
After previous part this one leveled up my mood. (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

I'm working on part three but my officers are being pains tonight and won't stop talking so it's slow going lol!

[Elena]

It's totally ok. I've also had a tough reading time in November-December 2019 due to some external issues, but trying to catch up before my next trip :D

[HeatherH]

Part III done!
(view spoiler)[ I adore how each of the team was written. And I like that Sanderson doesn't shy away from killing people off either.

M-bot! Aside from AIDAN, he may be my favorite AI character!! So great!.

I'm glad it's been confirmed that her father wasn't a coward. And that some of the team is making attempts to pull Spensa into the group. She's finally starting to find her place here. (hide spoiler)]

[Elena]

I'm glad you like it. Definitely try reading more books by Sanderson :) I think you like them too.

(view spoiler)[I love the AI here too. And what's AIDAN? Maybe I'll enjoy reading that book too? :D I like sci-fi especially when there are AIs involved.
Btw your thoughts are quite similar to mine when I read the 3rd part. I've read so many books and so tired of jerks being always jerks or good guys being good (kinda one-sided characters) so that Sanderson's books became like a sip of fresh air. Thanks 2019 for finally giving me that magical kick to read his books. (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

AIDAN is the AI from the Illuminae Files trilogy! It's one of my absolute favorite series!

[Elena]

Thank you! I've just read the description and decided to read it.

[HeatherH]

I hope you enjoy it!

[HeatherH]

All done finally!! Just binged the last 4 hours of the audiobook because it was so good!

(view spoiler)[ I'm glad there was more to the story with her father after she found the footage that made it appear he was a traitor. My heart was breaking for her watching that. I really love how Sanderson ended this. Everything came together so well and I'm super anxious to jump into the second book later this month. Spensa was such a great character - she was strong but also flawed and doubted herself and had to learn and grow a lot during this book. (hide spoiler)]

[Elena]

I agree, Spensa is the great one. So real, emotions are also natural, love it. I'm glad you like this book. I'm also going to read the second book maybe later this month or in February, depends on how busy I'm gonna be.

[HeatherH]

Same. One of the other groups I’m in has a BR for the second book on the 14th I think. But not sure I’ll be ready for jump into it yet with others I have started or planned.