Skyward

Skyward>
by Charlie Bowater
Skyward (series) Precedes Starsight
Setting	Skyward Universe
Released	November 6, 2018
Publisher	Delacorte Press

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Skyward is the first young adult novel in a four-part series. It is currently the only published book in the series. It is set in the same universe as the novella Defending Elysium, taking place centuries afterwards.

Brandon says the premise for this story is "How to Train Your Dragon but instead it's a girl who finds a spaceship and goes to Top Gun school. It's like a mashup between Top Gun and Ender's Game and How to Train Your Dragon with an old broken-down spaceship with a really weird personality."

The book was released on November 6, 2018.

Cover Synopsis

Spensa’s world has been under attack for decades. Now pilots are the heroes of what's left of the human race, and becoming one has always been Spensa's dream. Since she was a little girl, she has imagined soaring skyward and proving her bravery. But her fate is intertwined with her father's- a pilot himself who was killed years ago when he abruptly deserted his team, leaving Spensa the daughter of a coward, her chances of attending Flight School slim to none.

No one will let Spensa forget what her father did, yet fate works in mysterious ways. Flight School might be a long shot, but she is determined to fly. And an accidental discovery in a long-forgotten cavern might just provide her with a way to claim the stars.

Summary

For a complete chapter by chapter summary, see Summary:Skyward.

Prologue

A young Spensa journeys with her father through the caverns. Her father is alerted of a Krell attack, and rushes off to the DFF to defend the people. He leaves his tools and Pilot's Pin with Spensa.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Epilogue

Characters

Spensa Nightshade

Spensa is the daughter of Zeen Nightshade, supposedly a cowardly DDF pilot who abandoned a battle (his callsign: Chaser). Her father told her to, "Set your sights on something higher. Somethign more grand". Spensa struggles to be accepted into flight school, but, even through all her trials, refuses to give up. She finds an ancient ship, and with the help and guidance from her friend Rodge attempts to rebuild it. Her callsign is Spin.

Captain Cobb

Cobb is Spensa's flight instructor and was the wingmate of her father. Only through his help was Spensa able to get into flight school. His callsign is Mongrel.

Rodge McCaffery

Rodge, often called Rig, is one of Spensa's childhood friends. He grew up with Spensa. After dropping out of DDF flight school, he returns to Igneous Cavern and becomes a ship mechanic. He "borrows" parts from the workshop to repair the old ship Spensa finds. His callsign is Rigmarole.

Jorgen Weight

Jorgen is the flightleader of Spensa's flight, Skyward. His callsign, chosen mostly by Spensa, is Jerkface. He is the son of Jeshua Weight a First Citizen that fought in the Battle of Alta, the same battle as Spensa's father.

Judy 'Ironsides' Ivans

is the Admiral of the DDF. She tries to deny entry to Flight School to Spensa, fearing that she will be like her father. She fought in the Battle of Alta. Her call sign is "Ironsides".

Hudiya

An athletic girl from Igneous Cavern who is a member of Spensa's flight. Her callsign is Hurl.

Freyja

A cadet in DDF Flight School from the deep caverns who is opposed to the current Defiant culture. She identifies as a "Disputer". Her call sign is "FM".

Arturo Mendez

A cadet in DDF Flight School and pilot number five in Skyward Flight. He is the son of Valda Mendez. He is one of the two assistant flightleaders, along with Nedd. His callsign is "Amphisbaena".

Nedd Strong

A cadet in DDF Flight School and pilot number two in Skyward Flight. He is one of the two assistant flightleaders, along with Arturo. His call sign is "Nedder".

Kimmalyn

An enthusiastic girl from Bountiful Cavern and a member of Spensa's flight. Her callsign is Quirk. She is a descendant of some of the AA gunners.

M-Bot

The AI of the stealth ship that Spensa discovers. His memory has been disrupted, so all he remembers is his former master's last orders: "Lie low, M-bot. Take stock, don't get into any fights, and wait for me here." M-Bot determines that he was sent to categorize the planets' fungi. Determined to obey, he refuses to fight and is obsessed with gathering fungal life from the planet.

Gran-Gran

Spensa's grandmother was aboard the Defiant and worked with her mother in the engine room. She provided Spensa stories of ancient heroes that inspired Spensa's personality.

Writing Process

Brandon wrote Skyward in approximately three months, most of that while he was on tour for Oathbringer or on holiday.

Cover Gallery

• 

  US-Delacorte Press Hardcover

• 

  UK-Gollancz Hardcover

• 

  Poland-Zysk & S-ka Softcover

Notes

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