Skyward was always on my list of Sanderson books to read because you know… I really like all things written by Brandon Sanderson. Spensa also begins to slowly forgive the unfair society around her. Characters change their opinions and shake off preconceived notions about others.

Positive themes: Skyward is full of acts of courage, sacrifice, and overcoming tremendous odds. Additionally, anyone related to a famous pilot is given special privileges, which disadvantages others. Spensa’s father is branded as a coward, and his family must pay for that crime by being publicly ostracized. Other Negative Content: The community in which Spensa lives is unforgiving and doesn’t treat its citizens fairly. Spensa also tends to use swear words like “scud,” which is unique to the world of Skyward, and extreme phrases, like “I will bathe in the blood of my enemies,” to cause listeners shock. Language/crude humor: Some minor swearing, such as d*** and h***. Society overall appears to be secular, but the first citizens who arrived on the planet engaged in idol worship. One character is clearly religious, but her specific religion remains unclear. There is some mild flirting, but nothing more. However, the depictions of death are not gruesome. There is quite a bit of ship-to-ship combat, and many characters, even notable ones, die in those encounters.

Violence: Skyward contains a moderate amount of violence. However, the young woman will not allow that dream to be snuffed out easily. Spensa is unfortunately labeled as the daughter of a coward, making her longing of space flight a distant dream. Skyward by Brandon Sanderson is the first book in the Skyward series that follows a girl named Spensa who has that same dream of flying among the stars, just as her father did before her. I think many of us dream of soaring among the clouds, and if you are a sci-fi geek like me, you dream of soaring among the stars.

Brandon sanderson skyward book 4