Skyward (December 2021) Buddy Read Discussion - June & HeatherH

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Welcome to the Skyward Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on December 6th 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 day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 12/06
December 06: prologue + Part 1 Chapters 1-6
December 07: Part 2 Chapters 7-19
December 08: Part 3 Chapters 20-29
December 09: Part 4 Chapters 30-47
December 10: Part 5 Chapters 48-55 + epilogue

PARTICIPANTS
~ June
~ HeatherH

[♡ amina ♡]

Hiya! Can I participate in this buddy read too?

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

@Amina, everyone is welcome to join 😄

[Tawallah]

Thanks Mina for setting this up.
Happy to have you Amina.

[Laura ☾]

Oo could I jump in on this as well please?

[HeatherH]

Yay Laura!

[Laura ☾]

Ok I’m through chapter 6 - I’m enjoying it so far! Look forward to seeing where it goes !

[Laura ☾]

Up to Chapter 19

(view spoiler)[Omg Spensa living as a ‚cave woman‘ I love her already ! And that talking ship is brilliant (hide spoiler)]

[♡ amina ♡]

I haven’t finished part 1 just yet but so far spensa reminds me of Lyra personality wise from His dark materials haha

[Tawallah]

I started this over the weekend and reached Part 2.

Initially I was surprised that Sanderson was able to pull off this science fiction as I am more used to his fantasy series. Spin is such an over the top character- her retorts are so dramatic but I love how she talks to herself when she encounters roadblocks. Especially when she learns the truth about the test.

[HeatherH]

Got through part one last night - works been hectic so the bulk of my listening will be Weds/Thurs while I'm off - but this is a re-visit for me. It's been long enough that I've forgotten a lot of details so it's fun re-experiencing them and having those 'I remember this now' moments! Spensa was a character I almost immediately loved the first time through so it's great to be back with her.

[Laura ☾]

Finished Part Three - I'm really enjoying this so far.

The ship might be my favourite though still !

[HeatherH]

M-Bot is amazing! Between Sanderson and Kristoff, ships and AI’s are taking over my favorite characters list lol

Just starting part three! Hoping to binge through the rest of the book today or tomorrow.

[Laura ☾]

Yes for sure! Haha

Yaaay - I’m hoping to binge the rest today as well

[Tawallah]

My favorite non-human characters were M-Bot - (view spoiler)[ I got a chuckle of it being called MurderBot (hide spoiler)] and Doomslug.
(view spoiler)[ The character growth and the commentary on war in the the third and fourth parts were unexpected and great. I know that AI are used to question autonomy and free will but Sanderson goes beyond the usual fare as Spin, M-Bot and Jorgen struggle with roles assigned by others. We get characters who achieve their dream and it isn't all glorious. Characters die or give up and Spin struggles with how she views their decisions. And then the throw-aways for the rest of the series, chef's kiss (hide spoiler)]

Can you tell I am really enjoying this? So glad to pick up the sequel soon.

[Tawallah]

I should be finishing this tonight and will be back to see your comments. Think I will increase my prior rating. Stands up well on re-read.

[Laura ☾]

Yesss I loved it!

[HeatherH]

Finished! Again, this was a re-read for me, but definitely agree with June that it holds up well on re-visit! Sanderson's world building and character development are on point and the emotions and struggles these characters face feel real and heartbreaking.

[Tawallah]

Yes, Heather. I didn’t even realize how certain common tropes were avoided really helped older readers to love this book. No romance, though hinted, so no insta-love or love triangle/squares. And even Spensa is a Chosen One, her background adds a depth to the concept.

Hope I see you guys for buddy read of Starsight.

[♡ amina ♡]

I’m up to the last part and I really enjoyed it so far. I have so many questions regarding Spensa’s history and the krell. And about this defect?? I’m definitely picking up Starsight next week.