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Skyhunter #1
Skyhunter
#1 New York Times-bestselling author Marie Lu is back with an adrenaline-laced novel about the lengths one warrior will go to fight for freedom and those she loves.
A broken world.
An overwhelming evil.
A team of warriors ready to strike back.
Talin is a Striker, a member of an elite fighting force that stands as the last defense for the only free nation in the world: Mara.
A refugee, Talin knows firsthand the horrors of the Federation, a world-dominating war machine responsible for destroying nation after nation with its terrifying army of mutant beasts known only as Ghosts.
But when a mysterious prisoner is brought from the front to Mara's capital, Talin senses there’s more to him than meets the eye. Is he a spy from the Federation? What secrets is he hiding?
Only one thing is clear: Talin is ready to fight to the death alongside her fellow Strikers for the only homeland she has left . . . with or without the boy who might just be the weapon to save—or destroy—them all.
A broken world.
An overwhelming evil.
A team of warriors ready to strike back.
Talin is a Striker, a member of an elite fighting force that stands as the last defense for the only free nation in the world: Mara.
A refugee, Talin knows firsthand the horrors of the Federation, a world-dominating war machine responsible for destroying nation after nation with its terrifying army of mutant beasts known only as Ghosts.
But when a mysterious prisoner is brought from the front to Mara's capital, Talin senses there’s more to him than meets the eye. Is he a spy from the Federation? What secrets is he hiding?
Only one thing is clear: Talin is ready to fight to the death alongside her fellow Strikers for the only homeland she has left . . . with or without the boy who might just be the weapon to save—or destroy—them all.
388 pages, ebook
First published September 29, 2020
About the author
Marie Lu
47 books135k followers[Note: Many apologies, but I'm woefully bad at checking my Goodreads emails! If you'd like to send a note/msg, please catch me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Marie_Lu . Thanks!]
I write young adult novels, and have a special love for dystopian books. Ironically, I was born in 1984. Before becoming a full-time writer, I was an Art Director at a video game company. Now I shuffle around at home and talk to myself a lot. :)
I graduated from the University of Southern California in '06 and currently live in LA, where I spend my time stuck on the freeways.
I write young adult novels, and have a special love for dystopian books. Ironically, I was born in 1984. Before becoming a full-time writer, I was an Art Director at a video game company. Now I shuffle around at home and talk to myself a lot. :)
I graduated from the University of Southern California in '06 and currently live in LA, where I spend my time stuck on the freeways.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,663 reviews
February 26, 2021
I've thought about it and I've had to lower my rating. The review will explain why.
The first thing to know is that this book is nothing new. Then again, most books, especially in the YA genre, are all fairly similar in structure. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but I kept waiting for this book to surprise me, and it never quite managed that. I could tell from the opening chapter how things were going to generally play out. The inciting incident especially is extremely basic and predictable from like page two!
This brings me to what I've said about cutting YA too much slack. I notice that I tend to let a lot of things slide when I'm reading a YA novel, that I wouldn't forgive otherwise.
For example, the fact that everything is oddly convenient. I never felt a real struggle or conflict happen in this book. I never felt tension or suspense or felt worried about whether the characters would succeed. We are constantly told by the narrator of the dangers and obstacles to come, but then the characters get to it and simply succeed with little to no consequence. Even when they fail, they end up getting out of supposedly dangerous situations in fairly simple, unsurprising ways. If this weren't YA, I would have been far more bothered.
Maybe this cutting of slack is due to the suspension of disbelief that hangs so heavily in YA. In a world where teenagers are the world's best fighters, scientists, leaders, etc. (because apparently, everyone over the age of 20 is either incompetent, evil, or both) it's easy to simply take things at face value. Like how a teenager singlehandedly makes a groundbreaking scientific discovery that could win the war after like one day of research. How a group of teens easily accomplishes a job that everyone deems a suicide mission with little inconvenience until the very end. Or how we're expected to accept a lot of what we're told without much explanation because doing otherwise would complicate the plot.
There was so much potential to go so much deeper into the details of this story. How does the science work? How does the Maran government and society function outside of the Strikers? What has Mara been doing technology wise to stand against the Federation's vastly superior technology? Or even just in general to fight back other than just some Strikers? Also, simple things, like why does no one question Red and his motives after he becomes a Striker? Why suddenly trust a foreign killing machine to walk your streets without supervision? Why did no one but Adena bother to look deeper into the bond Red made with Talin and try to understand it?
I want to know!!!!!
But, I digress. I'm getting off-topic with my little rant. Let's talk about the good parts of this novel.
First, I really liked the characters. Talin, Red, Adena, and Jeran, who were the core cast, made a really good unit. They were all likable and capable and were unique and compelling enough to make me interested in their stories. I wanted them to succeed and I wanted them to come out of all of this unscathed. I felt this especially for Jeran because that boy deserves to be happy, and I will riot if he's not by the end of this series!
I also liked that this book didn't try to force a romance between Talin and Red. While Talin does form a close bond with Red (literally and figuratively) Lu doesn't try to rush that budding friendship into full-fledged love in this novel. Maybe that will be saved for book two.
Marie Lu also does a good job of presenting different sides to the enemy. It's so easy in YA novels to blindly demonize your opponent, not taking into account that they too are humans with families and lives to lose, and Lu handled this fairly well. Lastly, I liked the general world that Lu created int this novel. It's a postapocalyptic landscape built upon the bones of the previous, long-forgotten society. I look forward to seeing more of the world in the next installment.
In the end, I liked this book, hence my rating. After I blocked out all the casual convince of the plot, and how no one looked too deep into anything, I enjoyed reading it. I don't know what it is about Marie Lu's novels that even when I have issues with them, I keep coming back for more.
Lu consistently writes interesting worlds and compelling characters, and I can't wait to dive deeper into it. If you're a fan of Marie Lu's previous works, or just generally a fan of modern YA dystopia, then I would recommend this book to you.
**I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.**
Follow Me Here Too: My Blog || Twitter || Bloglovin' || Instagram || Tumblr || Pinterest
The first thing to know is that this book is nothing new. Then again, most books, especially in the YA genre, are all fairly similar in structure. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but I kept waiting for this book to surprise me, and it never quite managed that. I could tell from the opening chapter how things were going to generally play out. The inciting incident especially is extremely basic and predictable from like page two!
This brings me to what I've said about cutting YA too much slack. I notice that I tend to let a lot of things slide when I'm reading a YA novel, that I wouldn't forgive otherwise.
For example, the fact that everything is oddly convenient. I never felt a real struggle or conflict happen in this book. I never felt tension or suspense or felt worried about whether the characters would succeed. We are constantly told by the narrator of the dangers and obstacles to come, but then the characters get to it and simply succeed with little to no consequence. Even when they fail, they end up getting out of supposedly dangerous situations in fairly simple, unsurprising ways. If this weren't YA, I would have been far more bothered.
Maybe this cutting of slack is due to the suspension of disbelief that hangs so heavily in YA. In a world where teenagers are the world's best fighters, scientists, leaders, etc. (because apparently, everyone over the age of 20 is either incompetent, evil, or both) it's easy to simply take things at face value. Like how a teenager singlehandedly makes a groundbreaking scientific discovery that could win the war after like one day of research. How a group of teens easily accomplishes a job that everyone deems a suicide mission with little inconvenience until the very end. Or how we're expected to accept a lot of what we're told without much explanation because doing otherwise would complicate the plot.
There was so much potential to go so much deeper into the details of this story. How does the science work? How does the Maran government and society function outside of the Strikers? What has Mara been doing technology wise to stand against the Federation's vastly superior technology? Or even just in general to fight back other than just some Strikers? Also, simple things, like why does no one question Red and his motives after he becomes a Striker? Why suddenly trust a foreign killing machine to walk your streets without supervision? Why did no one but Adena bother to look deeper into the bond Red made with Talin and try to understand it?
I want to know!!!!!
But, I digress. I'm getting off-topic with my little rant. Let's talk about the good parts of this novel.
First, I really liked the characters. Talin, Red, Adena, and Jeran, who were the core cast, made a really good unit. They were all likable and capable and were unique and compelling enough to make me interested in their stories. I wanted them to succeed and I wanted them to come out of all of this unscathed. I felt this especially for Jeran because that boy deserves to be happy, and I will riot if he's not by the end of this series!
I also liked that this book didn't try to force a romance between Talin and Red. While Talin does form a close bond with Red (literally and figuratively) Lu doesn't try to rush that budding friendship into full-fledged love in this novel. Maybe that will be saved for book two.
Marie Lu also does a good job of presenting different sides to the enemy. It's so easy in YA novels to blindly demonize your opponent, not taking into account that they too are humans with families and lives to lose, and Lu handled this fairly well. Lastly, I liked the general world that Lu created int this novel. It's a postapocalyptic landscape built upon the bones of the previous, long-forgotten society. I look forward to seeing more of the world in the next installment.
In the end, I liked this book, hence my rating. After I blocked out all the casual convince of the plot, and how no one looked too deep into anything, I enjoyed reading it. I don't know what it is about Marie Lu's novels that even when I have issues with them, I keep coming back for more.
Lu consistently writes interesting worlds and compelling characters, and I can't wait to dive deeper into it. If you're a fan of Marie Lu's previous works, or just generally a fan of modern YA dystopia, then I would recommend this book to you.
**I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.**
Follow Me Here Too: My Blog || Twitter || Bloglovin' || Instagram || Tumblr || Pinterest
November 27, 2020
i just gonna say it - this is the best book ML has written.
you should also know this story doesnt add anything new to the genre. everything is convenient, teenagers are unsurprisingly the most useful people in society, and it follows the usual formulaic structure for the genre. however, if you like any of the following, you need to pick this book up:
- found families
- mind connection/telepathy
- a brooding, mysterious love interest
- covert missions
- wings (take that as you will)
- fighting for freedom
- mutated humans used a weapons
this book takes all of the tropes we have come to know and love and fashions them into an unbelievably entertaining story. i read this in one sitting. its. that. good. trust me.
↠ 4.5 stars
you should also know this story doesnt add anything new to the genre. everything is convenient, teenagers are unsurprisingly the most useful people in society, and it follows the usual formulaic structure for the genre. however, if you like any of the following, you need to pick this book up:
- found families
- mind connection/telepathy
- a brooding, mysterious love interest
- covert missions
- wings (take that as you will)
- fighting for freedom
- mutated humans used a weapons
this book takes all of the tropes we have come to know and love and fashions them into an unbelievably entertaining story. i read this in one sitting. its. that. good. trust me.
↠ 4.5 stars
Read
March 17, 2021DNF @ 50%
I’m super sad I just couldn’t bring myself to see this through. I don’t know why it didn’t work for me, it wasn’t bad, but I just couldn’t get into it. It was interesting, but nothing special I guess. It just felt like there was something missing and I kept waiting to start loving it but I just came to a point where I didn’t want to pick it up, which to me means it’s time to DNF. Sad I didn’t like this one. To be fair I don’t really like zombies and this story is kind of zombie-esque, and sci fi isn’t my favourite. Red’s character was cool and intriguing, as was Talin. But that just wasn’t enough for me unfortunately.
I’m super sad I just couldn’t bring myself to see this through. I don’t know why it didn’t work for me, it wasn’t bad, but I just couldn’t get into it. It was interesting, but nothing special I guess. It just felt like there was something missing and I kept waiting to start loving it but I just came to a point where I didn’t want to pick it up, which to me means it’s time to DNF. Sad I didn’t like this one. To be fair I don’t really like zombies and this story is kind of zombie-esque, and sci fi isn’t my favourite. Red’s character was cool and intriguing, as was Talin. But that just wasn’t enough for me unfortunately.
April 12, 2021
Hello everyone, welcome to my Ted Talk. Today, I shall tell you about chemistry. *rolls up sleeves*
Just to be clear, I’m not referring to the scientific discipline—I mean the chemistry between people which, despite popular belief, is not solely sexual. The people you enjoy spending time with, the people you simply get along with, are people you have chemistry with. Now, this is not entirely logical or wholly scientific, and just because you don’t click with someone doesn’t mean there is anything specifically wrong with or unappealing about that person. It’s simply that different things work for different people.
Chemistry, however, is not just about relationships with people but also with books. In the book community, we call it “it’s not you it’s me.” So you see, the reason I loved Skyhunter while reading it but will forget it in a month or two, the reason I loved the characters when I was in their story yet will not remember their names in a week, is that—while this is an expertly written and exciting, diverse story filled with top-notch representation and lovable characters set in a dangerous and deftly crafted dystopian world—I just did not feel the chemistry.
I loved it, I felt the grief and the excitement and the awe and all the feels (thus the four stars) but I did not feel the thing. You know, that thing where you put down a book and half your mind is still submerged in the pages, the thing that has you remembering the characters months later and your heart pounding and missing them, the damned rare thing which makes a book unique, a new favourite for you.
Yeah, that thing. *points* I did not feel that thing.
If you want a fast-paced dystopian read that might be very YA but does not look away from pain and death and disturbing brutalities, from kids scavenging to survive in the shanties, climbing stacks in the scrapyards, flawlessly capturing trauma, peppered with communication between different languages and well illustrated use of sign language, filled with poisonous families and a mission to fracture a regime of tyrant conquerors, bearing a glorious ending, this book is for you.
So pick it up if you want to see what happens when civilisations spring up over the ruins of a once great people whose mantra is left behind on their leftovers and promises an Infinite Destiny for their children so that they may rule from this earth to the stars. Pick it up to see what happens if one of those civilisations hits a goldmine of technology and decide they are the children who are destined to inherit their ancient empire, and that a single rule—absolute control—brings peace. Pick it up if you want the tale of a girl who fights like a hurricane as an elite soldier of the last free nation, who is a refugee hated for her features and the colour of her skin, defending the last home she has barely latched onto. And obviously, as always, don’t forget the book playlist ➾ Spotify URL
Now, why each star?
★ Full Star: Tangible Brutality & Danger
What makes Skyhunter exceptional, in yours truly’s most humble opinion (that’s me, yes, I can be humble too), is the piercing cruelty Lu refuses to flinch away from. The brutalities of war, of lost homes and desperate hands, of racism and prejudice, of horrifying, immortal, long-limbed, skittering Ghosts with skins the colour of bone who were once humans captured and experimented on. In such a lethal world where everything—everything—depends on your speed, Lu has, in her usual clever way, taken care to be very thorough about the skills one would need to survive and accurate on how they would be honed, serving to breathe life into the danger evident on every page.
★ Full Star: Dystopian World Building
I’m very picky when it comes to post apocalyptic dystopia because I’m an insane person who is obsessed with politics and need even simplistic YA books to make sense. Not only did Lu not disappoint, she impressed.
The world of Skyhunter is set five thousands years after the Early Ones (humans with probably the same level of technological advancements as us) either died off from sickness or war or left the planet for another home among the stars, leaving behind stragglers who formed their own societies and scavenged the leftover cities. This might not sound anything specifically different from the usual post apocalyptic dystopian scenarios, and it’s not, but what matters is how well it’s been fleshed out.
Throughout the book we witness a careful and slow expansion of the world, being introduced to an advanced imperialist Federation whose research on dug up and claimed technologies and cultivation of inventions has allowed to it to seize power and control over neighbouring countries and its manipulative and ruthless politics have ruined lives. And even our last independent nation, Mara, is not a utopian dream but an imperfect land of prideful elitists.
From human experimentations, to racism, guns and daggers and swords and arrows, and an elite legion of fighters called Strikers which I loved and needed more of and whose mission is to eliminate the ghastly Ghosts with their Shield, their bonded Striker comrade for life, by their side in a world of scavengers, Skyhunter really does have it all.
★ Full Star: Masterful Storytelling
At this point, I don’t believe Marie Lu can write anything and not capture my full attention. If you look up “perfection” in the dictionary, you’d find “Lu’s writing” nestled right there next to the synonyms. Her dialogue is naturally flowing, her technique is eloquent, her structure is never flowery yet never dry, her action scenes are epic and simply flawless. You know how it goes.
✯ Half Star: Characters & Relationships
Truth be told, the cast of Skyhunter are not the unforgettable, bleed-your-heart-dry, take-residence-in-your-soul type for me, not like Lu’s Adelina or Magiano. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t so beautifully and thoroughly developed that they easily step out of the page to occupy space and breathe in the air you gasp for, because they are and they do. That is the talent of Marie Lu and I have never doubted it.
What she did was awe me, just like always, with her superb characterisation and building of relationships, so much that I adored their friendships, shared in their grief, and missed them when they died.
Yes, maybe Talin didn’t make her den in my heart, maybe I’ve already forgotten her name and had to dig through the book to find it again, that does not mean I did not love her while I knew her, it just means she’s another kind, compassionate, smart, skilled, self-sacrificing warrior with a heart of gold. Of course, YA can never have enough admirable female protagonists, and Talin with her inability to speak, hated refugee status, and heartbreakingly handled early childhood trauma is a strong and worthy addition. My lack of connection is just a me thing—Talin might be slightly generic, but she’s not paper thin. Her slow burn bond with Red, this tortured, haunted boy trying to communicate, was absolutely cute and a treat to read. You know, teen love with the blushing and all that.
I did love the side characters more (as is usual with me and young adult books): Talin’s mother the awe-inspiring huntress healer (mums rule), Rooke my fierce girl and her sibling bond of sacrifice and mutual protection, Jeran the softboy Deathdancer and Aramin the honourable Firstblade aka my new fave gay couple who broke my heart, and certainly my #1 character Constantine the bad guy and #2 the pet mouse.
✯ Half Star: Uniqueness of Story
What I’m about to say is one of the aforementioned things that cut close to heart.
Look, this book is really good. But it’s also really nothing new. I have read books people have accused of being just another whatever and have disagreed most of the time, because they offered a new spin on an overly used scenario. And even though Skyhunter adds diversity and representation and brutality to that same overly used young adult dystopian scenario, even though it fleshes out everything it uses, and even though I loved it and don’t regret reading it and absolutely recommend it to YA dystopian fans...I also won’t be thinking twice about it.
This matters because I expect more from such a seasoned author who happens to be one of my faves, having gifted me with one of my all-time fave dark young adult fantasy series, The Young Elites. Sigh. “May there be future dawns” and future creative, jaw-dropping books by Marie Lu because this wasn’t it.
Companions: Playlist & Related Reviews
Book series playlist: Spotify URL
Books in series:
↳ Skyhunter (Skyhunter, #1) ★★★★☆
↳ Untitled (Skyhunter, #2) ☆☆☆☆☆
Conquering people is easy. You break past their defenses, seize their cities, burn their world to the ground. To annihilate us, though, is impossible. A seed will survive.
Just to be clear, I’m not referring to the scientific discipline—I mean the chemistry between people which, despite popular belief, is not solely sexual. The people you enjoy spending time with, the people you simply get along with, are people you have chemistry with. Now, this is not entirely logical or wholly scientific, and just because you don’t click with someone doesn’t mean there is anything specifically wrong with or unappealing about that person. It’s simply that different things work for different people.
Chemistry, however, is not just about relationships with people but also with books. In the book community, we call it “it’s not you it’s me.” So you see, the reason I loved Skyhunter while reading it but will forget it in a month or two, the reason I loved the characters when I was in their story yet will not remember their names in a week, is that—while this is an expertly written and exciting, diverse story filled with top-notch representation and lovable characters set in a dangerous and deftly crafted dystopian world—I just did not feel the chemistry.
You have to stop trying to earn the love of a monster.
I loved it, I felt the grief and the excitement and the awe and all the feels (thus the four stars) but I did not feel the thing. You know, that thing where you put down a book and half your mind is still submerged in the pages, the thing that has you remembering the characters months later and your heart pounding and missing them, the damned rare thing which makes a book unique, a new favourite for you.
Yeah, that thing. *points* I did not feel that thing.
“Sometimes a crime is an act of heroism.”
If you want a fast-paced dystopian read that might be very YA but does not look away from pain and death and disturbing brutalities, from kids scavenging to survive in the shanties, climbing stacks in the scrapyards, flawlessly capturing trauma, peppered with communication between different languages and well illustrated use of sign language, filled with poisonous families and a mission to fracture a regime of tyrant conquerors, bearing a glorious ending, this book is for you.
So pick it up if you want to see what happens when civilisations spring up over the ruins of a once great people whose mantra is left behind on their leftovers and promises an Infinite Destiny for their children so that they may rule from this earth to the stars. Pick it up to see what happens if one of those civilisations hits a goldmine of technology and decide they are the children who are destined to inherit their ancient empire, and that a single rule—absolute control—brings peace. Pick it up if you want the tale of a girl who fights like a hurricane as an elite soldier of the last free nation, who is a refugee hated for her features and the colour of her skin, defending the last home she has barely latched onto. And obviously, as always, don’t forget the book playlist ➾ Spotify URL
You have spent your entire lives sneering at the ground I walk on. The style of my clothes and the tint of my skin. The food that I eat. The language of my people, the signs I use because I cannot speak aloud. You have wished for the death of my loved ones by barring them from the safety of your doors, even as you take from them what you like—their jewelry, their customs and food, their traditions. You have taken advantage of my silence in every way, robbed me of my dignity and my pride. You have used me for your own gain.
Now, in your hour of greatest need, you will use me again. And yet, I will still risk my life to save yours. I swore an oath to this country on the day I donned this coat, to protect you and every other citizen from harm so long as there is breath in my body. [...] I’ve done it my entire life, and I will do it now. One final time.
[...] If we’re going out, then I’m grateful to be alongside this team. Rats, orphans, disgraced children.
We are Mara’s saviors.
Now, why each star?
★ Full Star: Tangible Brutality & Danger
“He’s a monster, same as the Ghosts in the valley, just disguised in silks and smiles.”
What makes Skyhunter exceptional, in yours truly’s most humble opinion (that’s me, yes, I can be humble too), is the piercing cruelty Lu refuses to flinch away from. The brutalities of war, of lost homes and desperate hands, of racism and prejudice, of horrifying, immortal, long-limbed, skittering Ghosts with skins the colour of bone who were once humans captured and experimented on. In such a lethal world where everything—everything—depends on your speed, Lu has, in her usual clever way, taken care to be very thorough about the skills one would need to survive and accurate on how they would be honed, serving to breathe life into the danger evident on every page.
★ Full Star: Dystopian World Building
I’m very picky when it comes to post apocalyptic dystopia because I’m an insane person who is obsessed with politics and need even simplistic YA books to make sense. Not only did Lu not disappoint, she impressed.
You first shoot a war criminal in the back. And then they tell you to kill a soldier who is innocent. And then they tell you to kill a civilian, and then a young girl. And you realize that if you keep agreeing, it will keep spiraling down, down, down, until you’ve killed your own soul.
The world of Skyhunter is set five thousands years after the Early Ones (humans with probably the same level of technological advancements as us) either died off from sickness or war or left the planet for another home among the stars, leaving behind stragglers who formed their own societies and scavenged the leftover cities. This might not sound anything specifically different from the usual post apocalyptic dystopian scenarios, and it’s not, but what matters is how well it’s been fleshed out.
Throughout the book we witness a careful and slow expansion of the world, being introduced to an advanced imperialist Federation whose research on dug up and claimed technologies and cultivation of inventions has allowed to it to seize power and control over neighbouring countries and its manipulative and ruthless politics have ruined lives. And even our last independent nation, Mara, is not a utopian dream but an imperfect land of prideful elitists.
“For Mara?” Rooke signs.
“For the idea of Mara,” Jeran replies.
“Ideas are nothing but air,” Rooke mutters.
“Then we’re truly lost,” I sign.
From human experimentations, to racism, guns and daggers and swords and arrows, and an elite legion of fighters called Strikers which I loved and needed more of and whose mission is to eliminate the ghastly Ghosts with their Shield, their bonded Striker comrade for life, by their side in a world of scavengers, Skyhunter really does have it all.
★ Full Star: Masterful Storytelling
The sun is warm, the sky a cloudless blue. My heart beats rapidly against my ribs. I wait a breath longer. Then my legs finally loosen, and I find myself doing what I would do for the next six years—I follow him. I run and run and run.
But in my dream, I never catch up.
At this point, I don’t believe Marie Lu can write anything and not capture my full attention. If you look up “perfection” in the dictionary, you’d find “Lu’s writing” nestled right there next to the synonyms. Her dialogue is naturally flowing, her technique is eloquent, her structure is never flowery yet never dry, her action scenes are epic and simply flawless. You know how it goes.
✯ Half Star: Characters & Relationships
“Our pasts matter because they created us, helped mold us into who we are.”
Truth be told, the cast of Skyhunter are not the unforgettable, bleed-your-heart-dry, take-residence-in-your-soul type for me, not like Lu’s Adelina or Magiano. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t so beautifully and thoroughly developed that they easily step out of the page to occupy space and breathe in the air you gasp for, because they are and they do. That is the talent of Marie Lu and I have never doubted it.
What she did was awe me, just like always, with her superb characterisation and building of relationships, so much that I adored their friendships, shared in their grief, and missed them when they died.
“Everyone has a different story.”
Yes, maybe Talin didn’t make her den in my heart, maybe I’ve already forgotten her name and had to dig through the book to find it again, that does not mean I did not love her while I knew her, it just means she’s another kind, compassionate, smart, skilled, self-sacrificing warrior with a heart of gold. Of course, YA can never have enough admirable female protagonists, and Talin with her inability to speak, hated refugee status, and heartbreakingly handled early childhood trauma is a strong and worthy addition. My lack of connection is just a me thing—Talin might be slightly generic, but she’s not paper thin. Her slow burn bond with Red, this tortured, haunted boy trying to communicate, was absolutely cute and a treat to read. You know, teen love with the blushing and all that.
“You’re my Shield, and I am yours.”
I did love the side characters more (as is usual with me and young adult books): Talin’s mother the awe-inspiring huntress healer (mums rule), Rooke my fierce girl and her sibling bond of sacrifice and mutual protection, Jeran the softboy Deathdancer and Aramin the honourable Firstblade aka my new fave gay couple who broke my heart, and certainly my #1 character Constantine the bad guy and #2 the pet mouse.
✯ Half Star: Uniqueness of Story
Sometimes the things that cut closest to your heart deserve the weight of being last.
What I’m about to say is one of the aforementioned things that cut close to heart.
Look, this book is really good. But it’s also really nothing new. I have read books people have accused of being just another whatever and have disagreed most of the time, because they offered a new spin on an overly used scenario. And even though Skyhunter adds diversity and representation and brutality to that same overly used young adult dystopian scenario, even though it fleshes out everything it uses, and even though I loved it and don’t regret reading it and absolutely recommend it to YA dystopian fans...I also won’t be thinking twice about it.
This matters because I expect more from such a seasoned author who happens to be one of my faves, having gifted me with one of my all-time fave dark young adult fantasy series, The Young Elites. Sigh. “May there be future dawns” and future creative, jaw-dropping books by Marie Lu because this wasn’t it.
CW ➾ racism, selective mutism, child abuse and violence by family, loss of a loved one, graphic violence, childhood trauma
Thank you to my superhero for gifting me an eARC through Edelweiss!
Companions: Playlist & Related Reviews
Book series playlist: Spotify URL
Books in series:
↳ Skyhunter (Skyhunter, #1) ★★★★☆
↳ Untitled (Skyhunter, #2) ☆☆☆☆☆
Want to read
December 26, 2019I wish Lu wrote my textbooks since I can't seem to get enough of her books.
October 6, 2020
This book is fantastic. You should read it immediately. Talin is a wonderfully real YA character, flawed and difficult and sympathetic and fantastic. Marie's writing is at times spare, at times lush, and always beautiful. My fave YA book of 2020.
March 9, 2021
4.75 stars
The Karensa have their most potent weapon, Ghosts, and with Mara already bloodied by the years-long war...the soldiers are closing in.
Ghosts used to be humans but through a cruel twist of fate and "science", the Karensas have altered and twisted the human forms until they become giant hunting creatures - determined to maim, injure and kill every last Maran.
Talin is a refugee who fled to Mara with her mother years ago. Though she cannot speak, she has trained and honed her skills until she became one of the strongest Strikers in Mara.
But then, a mission goes horribly wrong and Talin's partner is killed.
Disgraced and humiliated, she returns to the army only to find her position in jeopardy. Determined to not give up on her adoptive homeland, she takes a chance on a newcomer...and quickly finds that he might be the key to winning it all.
So, the science was a little wiggly but other than that, really enjoyed it!
I haven't read many Marie Lu books that I enjoyed but this one worked surprisingly well for me.
I liked the concept (very attack-on-titan minus the walls and with a driving force behind the ghosts) and Talin was (mostly) a great main character. (She did have the tendency to point out the obvious...but it wasn't overtly distracting).
I really adored her mysterious partner - he was the right level of balance for the main character and really cinched the book for me.
I do hesitate at the science. Some of what Marie came up with was plausible and some of it had me shaking my head. I was able to eventually just "let it go" enough to enjoy the story though!!
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
The Written Review
Just released my Top 10 Books from 2020 BookTube Video - now that you know this one made the list, click the link to find the rest!
Mara is the last of the free nations and the Karensa Federation is closing in.
The Karensa have their most potent weapon, Ghosts, and with Mara already bloodied by the years-long war...the soldiers are closing in.
Ghosts used to be humans but through a cruel twist of fate and "science", the Karensas have altered and twisted the human forms until they become giant hunting creatures - determined to maim, injure and kill every last Maran.
Talin is a refugee who fled to Mara with her mother years ago. Though she cannot speak, she has trained and honed her skills until she became one of the strongest Strikers in Mara.
But then, a mission goes horribly wrong and Talin's partner is killed.
Disgraced and humiliated, she returns to the army only to find her position in jeopardy. Determined to not give up on her adoptive homeland, she takes a chance on a newcomer...and quickly finds that he might be the key to winning it all.
So, the science was a little wiggly but other than that, really enjoyed it!
I haven't read many Marie Lu books that I enjoyed but this one worked surprisingly well for me.
I liked the concept (very attack-on-titan minus the walls and with a driving force behind the ghosts) and Talin was (mostly) a great main character. (She did have the tendency to point out the obvious...but it wasn't overtly distracting).
I really adored her mysterious partner - he was the right level of balance for the main character and really cinched the book for me.
I do hesitate at the science. Some of what Marie came up with was plausible and some of it had me shaking my head. I was able to eventually just "let it go" enough to enjoy the story though!!
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
October 23, 2020
3.75 stars.
This was a complicated book to get through. I'm not just saying that because it took me a long time to read it but because, for one, it left my feelings in a jumble that has taken me a little while to untangle and, second, because it deals with difficult themes that opened me raw and that took a lot out of me mentally speaking.
I've read most of Lu's works and I always know that she is about to introduce me to something extraordinary and so well written that is gonna be just plain delightful to read. I can not ignore that Skyhunter is her best written book as to date.
Still, it just seemed to miss the mark for me.
This book deals with some very heavy subjects that made me need little breaks from my reading in order to be able to process them and, well, not murder them all. Discrimination and racism are never easy to see represented, they always make my blood boil and my rage feels overpowering, so reading it here was complicated.
Lu writes about it with amazing respect and understanding and the grace of a queen making it feel like a complete, irreversible, all-consuming part of the story without it becoming the absolute focus of it all. Because, at the end of the day, it was just a part of what is going on and what forms the decisions Talin takes.
The way it came to be felt very real and so frighteningly easy to see and made me fall in love with the world and all the shades it has.
Because, without a doubt, the world in which everything is set is my favorite thing about this book. Well, let's not forget the characters - to whom we're gonna get in a second - but I'm counting them into the world-building.
The mutism added little detail was something that surprised me greatly for how much I wasn't expecting it to be a thing. Or, well, such a beautifully narrated thing.
It has so many little revelations and moments and it adds such a great depth to the story that I couldn't help but fall in love with it. It made sense in an aching sort of way and, at the same time that it reshaped the world all around and gave it different flavors it didn't change anything at all. Because it was a part of the story and not something that felt out of place.
It was different and yet common in its own world and the way that it shaped Talin and all those around her was most interesting to see.
A very important part of any story is its characters and I can say that the cast we have here made my heart hurt and added all the pressure and weight needed to the story. Everything else was just background noise.
I mean, just give me a good bout of chemistry and interactions between any given assortment of characters and I will be happy, and this book was littered with them. The pull of every page was given by them and I am not complaining one bit.
We have the Strikers who are so brave and deadly. War machines that have the grace of dancers and the speed of gazelles. The last line of defense between a wartorn world and the innocent and wicked that are left free. And I loved every single one of them for so very varied reasons.
Talin is a character that I think I'm gonna admire for a long time coming. Finding strength where everyone told her she shouldn't and having the courage to protect and defend those that would not repay her in kindness ... it just sets my heart on fire for her. Lu knows how to write female protagonists in a way that always intoxicates me.
The rest of them doesn't fall behind for a second. Adena with her passion and wits, it always made me think she was a little overeager, but in a nice way. Jeran with all those scars and insecurities but the heart of a lion and the grace of a deer. He deserves the world and more. Aramin dear pragmatic, Aramin, who has to take such difficult decisions in order to keep everyone alive. Red who never let his traumas and pain stop him from doing what must be done.
And, my personal favorite, Talin's mother. Because I have the biggest weakness for mother's that do the impossible for their children and give without expecting anything in return. And, well, she IS a badass regardless so there is a lot from where to choose when it comes to her.
The whole idea - and practicality - of the Shields was also something that I loved and think it's totally brilliant.
Strikers are the most elite soldier Mara has left and, therefore, their positions are terrible dangerous, so it makes perfect sense to have someone watching your back. Someone that you know so intimately that you know their every move and they know yours. Someone that is closer than anyone else will ever be to you. Someone that is your perfect complement. It just... it warms my heart and makes me really happy.
Those kinds of deep connections are always rewarding to see and the fact that it's something chosen and not dictated by nature, biology, or whatever just makes it more precious because choosing it adds so many layers to that relationship that nothing else could.
The training endured to get there, the commitment, the passion both parts must put into it. I don't know, it's already so incredible to see all that becoming a Striker entails and just the thought of not being alone through it makes me happy.
Of course, there were also a few things I did not appreciate half as much. Well, it's not so much that I didn't appreciate them as it is more that I don't think they quite reached their mark. Which is not the same but very close.
The whole Skyhunter side of the story was just out there for me. And that is something that physically pains me to say seeing as how the whole book revolves around it.
In the beginning, I was largely unimpressed and maintained the firm belief that it was muddling the parts of the story I loved. Not quite because I thought I didn't teach it fitted the story - because it certainly does - but because there was this feeling of incompleteness that permeated it all. Like I was seeing it through a dirty glass that distorted the edges and warped the image just so.
As the book progress it cleared and came into focus a little more but it never quite got the alignment quite right as it always felt like too much or too little.
Sure, it was mostly introduced and we didn't get to really play with it too much but it still left me wanting something that was not delivered. Like a lazy eye opened in the bottom of a canyon.
The ending, as satisfactory as it felt, it was also something that just left me wanting.
It was really epic and I could see it playing in slow motion and all. The first part of it was a building crescendo, a bubble of a scream that tinted the world in red and seared it with smoke but it ended falling flat and dull at the very last second.
Sure, it opens many opportunities and makes me curious and anxious for the next book but it didn't take my breath away or left me shock... which really felt like a speeding car stopping suddenly and violently after the building pressure we had behind us.
It makes the most simple logic that it would happen. It was something I saw from the very beginning, and it really should have felt like more than how it felt.
In another note, the Federation is a really cool villain that gave me chills and unsettled me in the most basic of ways.
I love it when a villain can take simple control of the page and seemed to fill the whole world with their beliefs and their actions. A villain that can steal my attention from everything and everyone else is a villain that I can get behind and the eerie Federation has top marks over it.
They are such an integral part of the world-building at the same time that they are central to the plot and every second where I was learning more about them was a second I was happy.
A self-righteous and domineering nation that wants absolute control because it's their right is something that will live in my nightmares from now on and that may even become one of my favorite villains to date.
Skyhunter may not be one of my new all-time-favorite books but I do believe that it'll go into the list of worlds that made an impact on me and, if not be remembered forever, at least, it can be said that it was worth the read.
Yes, even after all the struggles I had with it, I believe it is something where you'll find something to like.
That being said, I'm pretty sure I can wait patiently till the next book comes out - I'm in no hurry here - but I'll receive it with open arms and a smile when the time does come.
___________________
Hmmm, I'm very undecided about this book. It had a nice ending but I couldn't really get into it.
Also, it was predictable. And I'm not sure if in a good way yet.
Still, Lu's writing is always really good.
RTC
__________________
Guess what? I couldn't wait for a second more and I just had to pick up this one and see how it goes.
Marie Lu is one of my most-read authors, everything she publishes I will read, and it makes me really excited to see what this new one is gonna be about. I mean, it looks like it's gonna be dark and I just love dark books.
And, after all, I've been waiting for this book to come out since 2018 so, of course, I'm gonna read it.
I'm excited.
__________________
Oh, wow.
That cover really is something... I'm not exactly sure what kind of vibes is giving me... It's very interesting nonetheless.
__________________
I don't even care what this is about it's from Marie Lu so I'll read it. After all, she hasn't let me down yet.
“I feel like the phantom that I’ve trained all my life to become – a Ghost killer, a weapon of destruction, an invisible outsider in every way.”
This was a complicated book to get through. I'm not just saying that because it took me a long time to read it but because, for one, it left my feelings in a jumble that has taken me a little while to untangle and, second, because it deals with difficult themes that opened me raw and that took a lot out of me mentally speaking.
I've read most of Lu's works and I always know that she is about to introduce me to something extraordinary and so well written that is gonna be just plain delightful to read. I can not ignore that Skyhunter is her best written book as to date.
Still, it just seemed to miss the mark for me.
“You have spent your entire lives sneering at the ground I walk on. The style of my clothes and the tint of my skin. The food that I eat. The language of my people, the signs I use because I cannot speak aloud. You have wished for the death of my loved ones by barring them from the safety of our doors, even as you take from them what you like – their jewelry, their customs and food, their traditions. You have taken advantage of my silence in every way, robbed me of my dignity and my pride. You have used me for your own gain. Now, in your hour of greatest need, you will use me again. And yet, I will still risk my life to save yours. I swore and oath to this country on the day I donned this coat, to protect you and every other citizen from harm so long as there is breath in my body.”
This book deals with some very heavy subjects that made me need little breaks from my reading in order to be able to process them and, well, not murder them all. Discrimination and racism are never easy to see represented, they always make my blood boil and my rage feels overpowering, so reading it here was complicated.
Lu writes about it with amazing respect and understanding and the grace of a queen making it feel like a complete, irreversible, all-consuming part of the story without it becoming the absolute focus of it all. Because, at the end of the day, it was just a part of what is going on and what forms the decisions Talin takes.
The way it came to be felt very real and so frighteningly easy to see and made me fall in love with the world and all the shades it has.
Because, without a doubt, the world in which everything is set is my favorite thing about this book. Well, let's not forget the characters - to whom we're gonna get in a second - but I'm counting them into the world-building.
“That he had taken so much from me – my words, my home, my world – and yet could not take everything.”
The mutism added little detail was something that surprised me greatly for how much I wasn't expecting it to be a thing. Or, well, such a beautifully narrated thing.
It has so many little revelations and moments and it adds such a great depth to the story that I couldn't help but fall in love with it. It made sense in an aching sort of way and, at the same time that it reshaped the world all around and gave it different flavors it didn't change anything at all. Because it was a part of the story and not something that felt out of place.
It was different and yet common in its own world and the way that it shaped Talin and all those around her was most interesting to see.
“If we’re going out, then I’m grateful to be alongside this team. Rats, orphans, disgraced children. We are Maras’s saviors.”
A very important part of any story is its characters and I can say that the cast we have here made my heart hurt and added all the pressure and weight needed to the story. Everything else was just background noise.
I mean, just give me a good bout of chemistry and interactions between any given assortment of characters and I will be happy, and this book was littered with them. The pull of every page was given by them and I am not complaining one bit.
We have the Strikers who are so brave and deadly. War machines that have the grace of dancers and the speed of gazelles. The last line of defense between a wartorn world and the innocent and wicked that are left free. And I loved every single one of them for so very varied reasons.
Talin is a character that I think I'm gonna admire for a long time coming. Finding strength where everyone told her she shouldn't and having the courage to protect and defend those that would not repay her in kindness ... it just sets my heart on fire for her. Lu knows how to write female protagonists in a way that always intoxicates me.
The rest of them doesn't fall behind for a second. Adena with her passion and wits, it always made me think she was a little overeager, but in a nice way. Jeran with all those scars and insecurities but the heart of a lion and the grace of a deer. He deserves the world and more. Aramin dear pragmatic, Aramin, who has to take such difficult decisions in order to keep everyone alive. Red who never let his traumas and pain stop him from doing what must be done.
And, my personal favorite, Talin's mother. Because I have the biggest weakness for mother's that do the impossible for their children and give without expecting anything in return. And, well, she IS a badass regardless so there is a lot from where to choose when it comes to her.
“I am sworn, until death parts us, to protect him, to lay down my life for him, to be there when he needs me.”
The whole idea - and practicality - of the Shields was also something that I loved and think it's totally brilliant.
Strikers are the most elite soldier Mara has left and, therefore, their positions are terrible dangerous, so it makes perfect sense to have someone watching your back. Someone that you know so intimately that you know their every move and they know yours. Someone that is closer than anyone else will ever be to you. Someone that is your perfect complement. It just... it warms my heart and makes me really happy.
Those kinds of deep connections are always rewarding to see and the fact that it's something chosen and not dictated by nature, biology, or whatever just makes it more precious because choosing it adds so many layers to that relationship that nothing else could.
The training endured to get there, the commitment, the passion both parts must put into it. I don't know, it's already so incredible to see all that becoming a Striker entails and just the thought of not being alone through it makes me happy.
“I’m going to find a way to walk through life with courage seared into my bones.”
Of course, there were also a few things I did not appreciate half as much. Well, it's not so much that I didn't appreciate them as it is more that I don't think they quite reached their mark. Which is not the same but very close.
The whole Skyhunter side of the story was just out there for me. And that is something that physically pains me to say seeing as how the whole book revolves around it.
In the beginning, I was largely unimpressed and maintained the firm belief that it was muddling the parts of the story I loved. Not quite because I thought I didn't teach it fitted the story - because it certainly does - but because there was this feeling of incompleteness that permeated it all. Like I was seeing it through a dirty glass that distorted the edges and warped the image just so.
As the book progress it cleared and came into focus a little more but it never quite got the alignment quite right as it always felt like too much or too little.
Sure, it was mostly introduced and we didn't get to really play with it too much but it still left me wanting something that was not delivered. Like a lazy eye opened in the bottom of a canyon.
“Here, to me, is the part of Mara I understand, the people that Mara had allowed into its borders even as the Federation pushes in from all sides. We’re still here and alive. It’s enough of a reason to defend this place.”
The ending, as satisfactory as it felt, it was also something that just left me wanting.
It was really epic and I could see it playing in slow motion and all. The first part of it was a building crescendo, a bubble of a scream that tinted the world in red and seared it with smoke but it ended falling flat and dull at the very last second.
Sure, it opens many opportunities and makes me curious and anxious for the next book but it didn't take my breath away or left me shock... which really felt like a speeding car stopping suddenly and violently after the building pressure we had behind us.
It makes the most simple logic that it would happen. It was something I saw from the very beginning, and it really should have felt like more than how it felt.
“This is what the Federation does to us. It plants these horrifying memories in our minds until our hearts have turned hollow.”
In another note, the Federation is a really cool villain that gave me chills and unsettled me in the most basic of ways.
I love it when a villain can take simple control of the page and seemed to fill the whole world with their beliefs and their actions. A villain that can steal my attention from everything and everyone else is a villain that I can get behind and the eerie Federation has top marks over it.
They are such an integral part of the world-building at the same time that they are central to the plot and every second where I was learning more about them was a second I was happy.
A self-righteous and domineering nation that wants absolute control because it's their right is something that will live in my nightmares from now on and that may even become one of my favorite villains to date.
“Mara refuses to let her into their walls. They call us rats. We are seen as the invader. But Mara had been the country to open her doors for us when we were at our most desperate, when she had a nobler leader. She had saved us from our fates in the Federation. We may be rats here, but we are alive. And here I am, wearing the sapphire coat of a Striker. Mara is imperfect, but it is not the Federation.”
Skyhunter may not be one of my new all-time-favorite books but I do believe that it'll go into the list of worlds that made an impact on me and, if not be remembered forever, at least, it can be said that it was worth the read.
Yes, even after all the struggles I had with it, I believe it is something where you'll find something to like.
That being said, I'm pretty sure I can wait patiently till the next book comes out - I'm in no hurry here - but I'll receive it with open arms and a smile when the time does come.
“For Mara, for its citizens, for the wealthy and the wicked and the poor and the suffering, I am going to give my life today on the battlefield. And maybe it won’t even matter.”
___________________
Hmmm, I'm very undecided about this book. It had a nice ending but I couldn't really get into it.
Also, it was predictable. And I'm not sure if in a good way yet.
Still, Lu's writing is always really good.
RTC
__________________
Guess what? I couldn't wait for a second more and I just had to pick up this one and see how it goes.
Marie Lu is one of my most-read authors, everything she publishes I will read, and it makes me really excited to see what this new one is gonna be about. I mean, it looks like it's gonna be dark and I just love dark books.
And, after all, I've been waiting for this book to come out since 2018 so, of course, I'm gonna read it.
I'm excited.
__________________
Oh, wow.
That cover really is something... I'm not exactly sure what kind of vibes is giving me... It's very interesting nonetheless.
__________________
I don't even care what this is about it's from Marie Lu so I'll read it. After all, she hasn't let me down yet.
March 15, 2021
3.5 Stars ⭐️. It was pretty good! I enjoyed the audio from the library as well.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
March 19, 2021
3.5 stars
I have yet to read a Marie Lu book that I don’t like and this was no exception. Many authors publish a hit trilogy or two and fail to deliver the same quality books afterward. Lu isn’t one of them. Although Warcross (I haven’t read the sequel nor will) and Skyhunter aren’t as good as Legend and the Young Elites, they are still engaging and that’s coming from someone who hasn’t been enjoying YA lately.
Skyhunter is the story of Talin a refugee in the nation of Mara after the Karensa Federation invaded her native country. What’s standing between the federation's conquest and Mara’s independence is the Maran strikers team in which our heroine is a member. After defending a war prisoner -Talin had a feeling he has some hidden secrets- she is made responsible for him as a punishment.
The characters:
Not annoying. For some reason, whenever I want to read a Young-Adult nowadays, the first thing I want to know is that if the characters will get on my nerves or not. Our characters here are likable but I wouldn’t say three-dimensional.
Talin: The story is told from her POV, she’s mute, so we had sign language in this book which was refreshing. She’s brave and empathic. She’s doing all she can to help her (cool may I add) mom financially. I didn’t like how she compared most feelings of others with a personal experience… She once says she keeps herself from “screaming out”, English isn’t my first language but I understand enough to assume screaming out equals shouting, aka a sound… she can’t make any sound even if she was in pain, is it a mistake or I simply misunderstood?
Red: While I found him interesting, he didn’t feel fleshed out. They trusted him (and him them) too easily for my liking. I wanted to know more about his personality but sadly, we didn’t get much of that. He had so much potential, I'm sad Lu didn't develop his character enough beyond the nightmares.
Adena: The smart secondary character. I felt like this book relied too much on teen power. I mean she’s a chemist, biologist, and smith? It’s a bit over the top. I liked her as a person but her know it all wasn’t believable because it’s too stretched out and she didn’t get any assistance from Mara’s scientists. She also doesn’t have any backstory other than her brother. We know nothing about her family.
Jeran: He’s sweet. I really liked him. I wish he stood up for himself. Also Jeran & Aramin, I love them!!
The characters were interesting but sadly not memorable. While I liked them well enough, they didn’t make any lasting impression. The “bond” was disappointing, it felt convenient even if I know it’s an important part of the plot but I’m so bored of . We also lacked humor, I know their situation is bleak but even as close friends, they barely made jokes.
The world-building:
If you’re looking for something innovative and not seen before, turn back. We might have human experiments but even that isn’t new. As long as you don’t mind that -I don't- you’re good. You can assume that this world is the future Earth but a big event happened and all that’s left of our world is ruin. They don’t have electricity, planes, and such. They built their cities over the ruins. I won’t talk about the Karensa Federation (spoilers) but just Mara. We didn’t have enough information on their world works, what are they doing to improve their technology, what progress has been made, how long they’ve been there… so many questions. We didn’t know how exactly the Maran society functions in the inside nor their hierarchy, it was only vaguely mentioned. Not to say nothing was said about this, of course, just Mara was concrete to me as I would’ve liked.
The Plot:
I wouldn’t say it’s a slow-paced book. Even from the beginning, we have events taking place. Yet, towards the middle of the book (40%-65%), I found myself growing restless. I couldn’t read it in one sitting (I finished it in less than a day but took so many breaks). I couldn’t focus enough/care, although I didcare about the characters, I guess it wasn’t addicting enough. Marie Lu’s writing style is solid and easy to follow as usual but even she couldn’t make me interested in those pages. Again, not to say nothing important was happening but I had to force myself to sit and read Skyhunter. Nonetheless, I probably wouldn’t have faced this issue if I didn’t want to finish it in a day (I don’t like reading many books at the same time nowadays).
The Feelings:
I feel like this is something that should be discussed on its own. The book was fun. The characters were nice. The plot is relatively fast-paced. BUT. I couldn’t feel it. Only once it made me feel a lot and that’s at the beginning when a character died. I really liked them and Marie Lu illustrated Talin’s grief very well. But after that, I just couldn’t connect with the characters, I was reading the story as an outsider and not living the events with them. Legend and TYE made me feel so much, I was disappointed this one didn’t.
Conclusion:
Although it didn't add anything new to its genre, Skyhunter was an enjoyable book with likable characters. Some could’ve used a better development. Although the pace wasn’t slow but towards the middle of the book, I struggled to continue reading. I’m not sure if I’m going to lower my rating but I didn’t hate anything about it, just these minor issues. The ending also reminds very much of this genre... Not exactly a cliffhanger but very typical of YA books. I’m definitely going to read the sequel, however.
PS: I first rounded up the rating to 4 stars but a few months have passed since and the book wasn't memorable at all. It left nothing with me so dropping it to 3.
I have yet to read a Marie Lu book that I don’t like and this was no exception. Many authors publish a hit trilogy or two and fail to deliver the same quality books afterward. Lu isn’t one of them. Although Warcross (I haven’t read the sequel nor will) and Skyhunter aren’t as good as Legend and the Young Elites, they are still engaging and that’s coming from someone who hasn’t been enjoying YA lately.
Skyhunter is the story of Talin a refugee in the nation of Mara after the Karensa Federation invaded her native country. What’s standing between the federation's conquest and Mara’s independence is the Maran strikers team in which our heroine is a member. After defending a war prisoner -Talin had a feeling he has some hidden secrets- she is made responsible for him as a punishment.
The characters:
Not annoying. For some reason, whenever I want to read a Young-Adult nowadays, the first thing I want to know is that if the characters will get on my nerves or not. Our characters here are likable but I wouldn’t say three-dimensional.
Talin: The story is told from her POV, she’s mute, so we had sign language in this book which was refreshing. She’s brave and empathic. She’s doing all she can to help her (cool may I add) mom financially. I didn’t like how she compared most feelings of others with a personal experience… She once says she keeps herself from “screaming out”, English isn’t my first language but I understand enough to assume screaming out equals shouting, aka a sound… she can’t make any sound even if she was in pain, is it a mistake or I simply misunderstood?
Red: While I found him interesting, he didn’t feel fleshed out. They trusted him (and him them) too easily for my liking. I wanted to know more about his personality but sadly, we didn’t get much of that. He had so much potential, I'm sad Lu didn't develop his character enough beyond the nightmares.
Adena: The smart secondary character. I felt like this book relied too much on teen power. I mean she’s a chemist, biologist, and smith? It’s a bit over the top. I liked her as a person but her know it all wasn’t believable because it’s too stretched out and she didn’t get any assistance from Mara’s scientists. She also doesn’t have any backstory other than her brother. We know nothing about her family.
Jeran: He’s sweet. I really liked him. I wish he stood up for himself. Also Jeran & Aramin, I love them!!
The characters were interesting but sadly not memorable. While I liked them well enough, they didn’t make any lasting impression. The “bond” was disappointing, it felt convenient even if I know it’s an important part of the plot but I’m so bored of . We also lacked humor, I know their situation is bleak but even as close friends, they barely made jokes.
The world-building:
If you’re looking for something innovative and not seen before, turn back. We might have human experiments but even that isn’t new. As long as you don’t mind that -I don't- you’re good. You can assume that this world is the future Earth but a big event happened and all that’s left of our world is ruin. They don’t have electricity, planes, and such. They built their cities over the ruins. I won’t talk about the Karensa Federation (spoilers) but just Mara. We didn’t have enough information on their world works, what are they doing to improve their technology, what progress has been made, how long they’ve been there… so many questions. We didn’t know how exactly the Maran society functions in the inside nor their hierarchy, it was only vaguely mentioned. Not to say nothing was said about this, of course, just Mara was concrete to me as I would’ve liked.
The Plot:
I wouldn’t say it’s a slow-paced book. Even from the beginning, we have events taking place. Yet, towards the middle of the book (40%-65%), I found myself growing restless. I couldn’t read it in one sitting (I finished it in less than a day but took so many breaks). I couldn’t focus enough/care, although I didcare about the characters, I guess it wasn’t addicting enough. Marie Lu’s writing style is solid and easy to follow as usual but even she couldn’t make me interested in those pages. Again, not to say nothing important was happening but I had to force myself to sit and read Skyhunter. Nonetheless, I probably wouldn’t have faced this issue if I didn’t want to finish it in a day (I don’t like reading many books at the same time nowadays).
The Feelings:
I feel like this is something that should be discussed on its own. The book was fun. The characters were nice. The plot is relatively fast-paced. BUT. I couldn’t feel it. Only once it made me feel a lot and that’s at the beginning when a character died. I really liked them and Marie Lu illustrated Talin’s grief very well. But after that, I just couldn’t connect with the characters, I was reading the story as an outsider and not living the events with them. Legend and TYE made me feel so much, I was disappointed this one didn’t.
Conclusion:
Although it didn't add anything new to its genre, Skyhunter was an enjoyable book with likable characters. Some could’ve used a better development. Although the pace wasn’t slow but towards the middle of the book, I struggled to continue reading. I’m not sure if I’m going to lower my rating but I didn’t hate anything about it, just these minor issues. The ending also reminds very much of this genre... Not exactly a cliffhanger but very typical of YA books. I’m definitely going to read the sequel, however.
PS: I first rounded up the rating to 4 stars but a few months have passed since and the book wasn't memorable at all. It left nothing with me so dropping it to 3.
February 16, 2024
« May there be future dawns »
🔸 A real survival story
🔸 FMC who sign talks
🔸 Man with wings
🔸 Found family ❤️🔥
🔺 TW : discrimination, racism, mention of torture, mention of human testing, parental abuse
« Your family can also be the poison in your life »
A country fighting a war against a massive enemy who creates war machines & monsters with humans.
The characters are unique and there’s a lot of layers and depth to them. They all have their own trauma - I found myself being connected to Talin, Red, Jaren & Adena.
There is absolutely no romance in this science-fiction!
Overall I really enjoyed this and will most definitely read book 2 with that massive cliffhanger 😭
Pre read ; A sci-fi with an FMC who sign talks! The premise sounds so interesting ❤️🩹
🔸 A real survival story
🔸 FMC who sign talks
🔸 Man with wings
🔸 Found family ❤️🔥
🔺 TW : discrimination, racism, mention of torture, mention of human testing, parental abuse
« Your family can also be the poison in your life »
A country fighting a war against a massive enemy who creates war machines & monsters with humans.
The characters are unique and there’s a lot of layers and depth to them. They all have their own trauma - I found myself being connected to Talin, Red, Jaren & Adena.
There is absolutely no romance in this science-fiction!
Overall I really enjoyed this and will most definitely read book 2 with that massive cliffhanger 😭
Pre read ; A sci-fi with an FMC who sign talks! The premise sounds so interesting ❤️🩹
October 16, 2023
Skyhunter is a YA-Dystopian novel set in a world ravaged by war. Mara is the last nation to remain out from under the rule of the Karensa Federation. It's literally the last outpost of freedom.
Karensa has conquered each nation one by one, using modified human-monsters, known as Ghosts as their front-line fighters. From the very start, the horrific imagery conjured by the descriptions of the Ghosts had me hooked!
Refugees fleeing the Federation's rule flock to Mara's borders in the hopes of finding safety.
Talin Kanami is one such refugee, who fled with her mother from nearby Basea as a brutal Federation attack left her father dead. Talin was injured during the attack, leaving her mute.
Some years later, Talin has joined the legendary fighting force of Mara, known as the Strikers, where her muteness is seen as an asset. Ghosts are attracted to sound, therefore, Strikers use sign language when in the field to communicate with each other.
At a low point in Talin's life, a prisoner gets brought before the Strikers, said to be a solider for the Federation. There's something about him that calls to Talin. She doesn't believe he is guilty of what they say he is.
She puts her life on the line for this mystery man. Strikers are paired together in groups of two and as punishment for Talin speaking up on the man's behalf, she is paired with him. Talin must then train him in the ways of the Strikers and trust him to have her back in the field when it counts.
The man, Red, turns out to be much more powerful than anyone could have guessed, but whose side will he ultimately come down on?
As Karensa pushes closer to Mara, it looks like the nation may finally fall. Talin and her friends must buckle down for the fight of their lives before all they love is lost.
Marie Lu has proved her talent again and again. Skyhunter was such an intensely-gripping story, with well developed characters. The entire history and functioning of the world was also very well-imagined.
I enjoyed getting to know Talin. She had a fascinating backstory and her refugee status reflected that of refugees living in our world. It was an interesting examination of the difficulties that they face; I felt that aspect was very respectfully portrayed.
Additionally, I loved Talin taking a huge risk and standing up for Red. Then as their relationship developed, I just became so invested in it. Their connection to one another ran deep.
The culminating scene of this book was super intense. Everything was on the line for our characters. It left off in a very key spot, as far as setting up the second book.
I'm super stoked to keep going with this, to see how the duology wraps up!
Overall, this was a great reading experience and I'm very glad that I finally made the time for this one. Lu is so gifted. Her stories never fail to impress me!
Karensa has conquered each nation one by one, using modified human-monsters, known as Ghosts as their front-line fighters. From the very start, the horrific imagery conjured by the descriptions of the Ghosts had me hooked!
Refugees fleeing the Federation's rule flock to Mara's borders in the hopes of finding safety.
Talin Kanami is one such refugee, who fled with her mother from nearby Basea as a brutal Federation attack left her father dead. Talin was injured during the attack, leaving her mute.
Some years later, Talin has joined the legendary fighting force of Mara, known as the Strikers, where her muteness is seen as an asset. Ghosts are attracted to sound, therefore, Strikers use sign language when in the field to communicate with each other.
At a low point in Talin's life, a prisoner gets brought before the Strikers, said to be a solider for the Federation. There's something about him that calls to Talin. She doesn't believe he is guilty of what they say he is.
She puts her life on the line for this mystery man. Strikers are paired together in groups of two and as punishment for Talin speaking up on the man's behalf, she is paired with him. Talin must then train him in the ways of the Strikers and trust him to have her back in the field when it counts.
The man, Red, turns out to be much more powerful than anyone could have guessed, but whose side will he ultimately come down on?
As Karensa pushes closer to Mara, it looks like the nation may finally fall. Talin and her friends must buckle down for the fight of their lives before all they love is lost.
Marie Lu has proved her talent again and again. Skyhunter was such an intensely-gripping story, with well developed characters. The entire history and functioning of the world was also very well-imagined.
I enjoyed getting to know Talin. She had a fascinating backstory and her refugee status reflected that of refugees living in our world. It was an interesting examination of the difficulties that they face; I felt that aspect was very respectfully portrayed.
Additionally, I loved Talin taking a huge risk and standing up for Red. Then as their relationship developed, I just became so invested in it. Their connection to one another ran deep.
The culminating scene of this book was super intense. Everything was on the line for our characters. It left off in a very key spot, as far as setting up the second book.
I'm super stoked to keep going with this, to see how the duology wraps up!
Overall, this was a great reading experience and I'm very glad that I finally made the time for this one. Lu is so gifted. Her stories never fail to impress me!
Want to read
June 8, 2020I don't know, I'll just worship this cover quietly.
September 28, 2020
Marie Lu is so good at what she does.
Apart from this, I have only read the Legend trilogy by her- but Skyhunter was definitely a step up. She takes the structure and tropes of YA fantasy, but somehow makes it feel refreshed and new. Something about her writing makes me nostalgic for early 2010's fantasy/dystopian, and it has a compulsively readable quality to it.
Skyhunter is a blend of futuristic sci-fi, post-apocolyptic and fantasy all in one. We follow Talin, a refugee working as a 'striker' in Mara, the last free nation who hasn't been overtaken by the Federation. I found her to be a likeable character that from the get go was easy to latch on to. Talin is mute, and I really appreciated (but cannot speak to the quality of) the representation. Sign language, and language in general was a big aspect of the story which I found to be such an interesting concept. I think that it tends to be overlooked in most YA fantasies I have read, but as someone who loves languages- I always like to hear about how they work in different fantastical/futuristic worlds.
I don't want to give too much of the plot away, but just know that this is a fast paced, action packed ride. I would recommend the audiobook, but I am sure physically reading this would give the same experience.
I also appreciated that Skyhunter did not fall into the typical insta-love trope I have seen all too often. The bond between Talin and Red was developed and took its time to get going which I loved! I also found the discussion of how Talin is treated as a refugee to be really relevant and unfortunately realistic.
"You have spent your entire lives sneering at the ground I walk on. The style of my clothes and the tint of my skin. The food that I eat. The language of my people, the signs I use because I cannot speak aloud. You have wished for the death of my loved ones by barring them from the safety of your doors, even as you take from them what you like—their jewelry, their customs and food, their traditions. You have taken advantage of my silence in every way, robbed me of my dignity and my pride. You have used me for your own gain."
The main downfall of this book was that I didn't feel enough. The stakes were high, but I didn't find myself fearing for our characters safety or feeling anxious for them. While it was without a doubt fun to fly through, I know it is not something that will stick with me- particularly the side characters. That being said, I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series and cannot wait to see how it wraps up.
I would recommend this book if you have liked Marie Lu's books in the past, but this would also be a good jumping on point!
★★★☆☆.75 stars
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Libro.fm for this ALC!
Release Date: 29 September 2020
Apart from this, I have only read the Legend trilogy by her- but Skyhunter was definitely a step up. She takes the structure and tropes of YA fantasy, but somehow makes it feel refreshed and new. Something about her writing makes me nostalgic for early 2010's fantasy/dystopian, and it has a compulsively readable quality to it.
Skyhunter is a blend of futuristic sci-fi, post-apocolyptic and fantasy all in one. We follow Talin, a refugee working as a 'striker' in Mara, the last free nation who hasn't been overtaken by the Federation. I found her to be a likeable character that from the get go was easy to latch on to. Talin is mute, and I really appreciated (but cannot speak to the quality of) the representation. Sign language, and language in general was a big aspect of the story which I found to be such an interesting concept. I think that it tends to be overlooked in most YA fantasies I have read, but as someone who loves languages- I always like to hear about how they work in different fantastical/futuristic worlds.
I don't want to give too much of the plot away, but just know that this is a fast paced, action packed ride. I would recommend the audiobook, but I am sure physically reading this would give the same experience.
I also appreciated that Skyhunter did not fall into the typical insta-love trope I have seen all too often. The bond between Talin and Red was developed and took its time to get going which I loved! I also found the discussion of how Talin is treated as a refugee to be really relevant and unfortunately realistic.
"You have spent your entire lives sneering at the ground I walk on. The style of my clothes and the tint of my skin. The food that I eat. The language of my people, the signs I use because I cannot speak aloud. You have wished for the death of my loved ones by barring them from the safety of your doors, even as you take from them what you like—their jewelry, their customs and food, their traditions. You have taken advantage of my silence in every way, robbed me of my dignity and my pride. You have used me for your own gain."
The main downfall of this book was that I didn't feel enough. The stakes were high, but I didn't find myself fearing for our characters safety or feeling anxious for them. While it was without a doubt fun to fly through, I know it is not something that will stick with me- particularly the side characters. That being said, I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series and cannot wait to see how it wraps up.
I would recommend this book if you have liked Marie Lu's books in the past, but this would also be a good jumping on point!
★★★☆☆.75 stars
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Libro.fm for this ALC!
Release Date: 29 September 2020
March 1, 2021
It's rare that I give a five star review when there's practically no romance but this book really surprised me!
✅ THE BEGINNING was so good and captivating - I think this may have been one of the best intros I've read in a while. There was a little bit of a lull in the story at the 25% mark but it picked up again halfway through and I couldn't put it down!
✅ THE OVERALL WORLD BUILDING was well done and by the end I felt like I had a good understanding of both the Karesa Foundation and Mara. Both were oppressive, but in different ways, and Marie Lu did a great job portraying the racism and suffering caused by each dictatorship
🆗 EVEN THOUGH THERE WASN'T really a romance, there was definitely the hint of a romance forming and I would expect more romance in the sequel. But overall, this was more focused on building trusting relationships between characters
✅ I DIDN'T SEE THE TWIST coming, which always makes a book more enjoyable 😄 The ending was definitely a cliff hanger and I'm very excited to find out what happens next!
I feel like the dystopian genre used to be super popular and has slowly gone out of style, but Marie Lu is one author that can still write great books in this genre. I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would and I will definitely be picking up the sequel!
✅ THE BEGINNING was so good and captivating - I think this may have been one of the best intros I've read in a while. There was a little bit of a lull in the story at the 25% mark but it picked up again halfway through and I couldn't put it down!
✅ THE OVERALL WORLD BUILDING was well done and by the end I felt like I had a good understanding of both the Karesa Foundation and Mara. Both were oppressive, but in different ways, and Marie Lu did a great job portraying the racism and suffering caused by each dictatorship
🆗 EVEN THOUGH THERE WASN'T really a romance, there was definitely the hint of a romance forming and I would expect more romance in the sequel. But overall, this was more focused on building trusting relationships between characters
✅ I DIDN'T SEE THE TWIST coming, which always makes a book more enjoyable 😄 The ending was definitely a cliff hanger and I'm very excited to find out what happens next!
I feel like the dystopian genre used to be super popular and has slowly gone out of style, but Marie Lu is one author that can still write great books in this genre. I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would and I will definitely be picking up the sequel!
September 1, 2022
I love that even though it was predictable, I was anticipating how it will unfold.
Talin, the main character was strong and likeable. It was a classic tale of, the protagonist being easy to love and the antagonist easy to hate. It made the progression of the story enjoyable and the unfolding of the story exciting.
I loved it and want to read more about what becomes of Talin, her mother, and her friends, and how they’ll manage freedom with a formidable foe. Four stars.
Talin, the main character was strong and likeable. It was a classic tale of, the protagonist being easy to love and the antagonist easy to hate. It made the progression of the story enjoyable and the unfolding of the story exciting.
I loved it and want to read more about what becomes of Talin, her mother, and her friends, and how they’ll manage freedom with a formidable foe. Four stars.
Want to read
August 30, 2020All of the fun of the sword and laser 1950s sci-fi, with none of the internalized racism and misogyny of the 1950s sci-fi. In other words, a win-win.
June 4, 2021
⭐️ 4 Stars ⭐️
I have read almost all of Marie Lu's books but I have to say this is her best-written book as of right now. From the worldbuilding, characters, plot, writing and hard-hitting themes, this book grabbed my attention and did not let go.
The worldbuilding in this book was so incredible. The amount of detail put into this world makes it feel even more real. This book is set in Mara, the last free nation. All of the other nations were destroyed by the Federation. The Federation has its sights on taking over Mara and being able to control this world. The Federation is painted in this dark and cruel life. We see that they experiment with people to turn them into ghosts. But not like the ghosts you think. These people are forced to drink down poison, and slowly they growing large amounts of white hair, get much larger and their skin begins to crack. Scary right? And the only way to kill them is to slice a little vein on their neck. Just these mere details about the ghosts show how much effort is put into these tiny little bits.
Sometimes authors will info-dump within the first few pages of the book. They drop all this information on you in a matter of pages. But with this book, I didn't feel like that at all. Lu slowly adds worldbuilding details throughout the plot and incorporates them where they make sense with the story. It's not like you get a random piece of worldbuilding out of nowhere. They come at a methodical time that connects with the overarching story or a particular scene that is going on at the moment.
If you think this is just a sci-fi book that deals with just action and adventure, here is why your wrong. This book deals with serious subjects like racism and discrimination. Lu handles these topics in such a respectful way that it doesn't take over the story. Because that isn't the focus of this book. Rather this book is about how Talin takes those struggles she faces and how they impact her decision-making. Rather than letting these things get to her, Talin keeps her chin up high knowing that she doesn't need those people. She knows that she has friends who love her for just the way she is.
Lu does an amazing job with the characters in this novel. None of them are undeveloped and they don't fade away in the background. Many books struggle with making their side characters, even main characters, stand out and have some sort of personality. This wasn't the case here. I could tell the personality of the characters right from the start. I could connect to these characters because they felt like real people.
Talin as I said earlier faced many struggles. Since she was a different race than the Maryans, many thought her to be inferior and called her rat several times (This is the vile name that members of her race would be called.) Of course, anyone who experienced this would be full of anger but Talin respectfully handles this.
Should she protect these people who have treated her horribly from the ghosts?
You would think no. Right? But she does anyway. She sacrifices her life over and over again to protect the people who live there
One of the elements I found cool about Talin's character is that she uses sign language. She does not talk, due to the invasion of her homeland by the federation, so she relies fully on sign language. But the cool thing is all of the strikers use sign language. It's a way for them to communicate when hunting down ghosts. I have not read a book where most of the characters use sign language. Little details like this add more depth to the characters and seem like real people. Because everyone is different and we all communicate in different ways.
The side characters in this book are amazing too. You have Adena, another striker and one of Talin's good friends, with her passion for her craft and how she is always excited for the next thing. Then Jeran has been abused and gone through so much pain but manages to still have a kind heart and so much grace when he fights. And Red was manipulated by the federation but was able to move past those scars in his past and does not let it hold him back.
I loved the concept of the strikers and how each one of them has a shield. Some they are sworn to protect with their life until the day one dies. The strikers' positions are incredibly dangerous because they are the only ones between the Federation and Mara. So it makes sense for them to have shields, that knows everything about you, care about you and love you for who you are. You can see this bond between Jeran and Adena, who are each other's shields. Both of them are willing to do anything the other needs and they are always there for each other.
As you may have already know YA is notorious for having a romance. For a while, I thought there was going to be romance. Which I was fine with because not all books need romance to be considered a good book. But then we get these somewhat romantic scenes between Talin and Red. You could tell throughout the book that the two of them were developing feelings for each other. This would include them communicating through their bond they have together or Talin blushing at something Red said. I like the two of them better as friends but I would not be surprised if their relationship develops more in the next book. I would also like in the next book if we got more of Jeran and Aramin's relationship because we got some scenes of them caring for each other where you could tell they loved each other. I wish we got more development of Jeran and Aramin's relationship because it would be interesting to get into depth with the two of them.
The plot is good but some moments are predictable and you are expecting it to happen. But in other parts, you feel like you're on a rollercoaster and you have no idea what is going to happen next. I liked how we had a good balance of high intense action scenes but also scenes where it was chill, which gave us an opportunity to connect with the characters. The ending was kind of predictable because you expect Talin to make the decision where she can protect the ones she loves most. It makes sense within her character but I wish the ending just went a little more out there and took more risks.
Please go pick this book up if you haven't already and you will not be disappointed!
Buddy Read with Mash@Mashlovesbooks and Phoenix@BookswithWings! I had such a fun time buddy reading with them and you should go check them out!
My review of skyhunter on my blog: https://inkingandthinking.wordpress.com/
I have read almost all of Marie Lu's books but I have to say this is her best-written book as of right now. From the worldbuilding, characters, plot, writing and hard-hitting themes, this book grabbed my attention and did not let go.
The worldbuilding in this book was so incredible. The amount of detail put into this world makes it feel even more real. This book is set in Mara, the last free nation. All of the other nations were destroyed by the Federation. The Federation has its sights on taking over Mara and being able to control this world. The Federation is painted in this dark and cruel life. We see that they experiment with people to turn them into ghosts. But not like the ghosts you think. These people are forced to drink down poison, and slowly they growing large amounts of white hair, get much larger and their skin begins to crack. Scary right? And the only way to kill them is to slice a little vein on their neck. Just these mere details about the ghosts show how much effort is put into these tiny little bits.
Sometimes authors will info-dump within the first few pages of the book. They drop all this information on you in a matter of pages. But with this book, I didn't feel like that at all. Lu slowly adds worldbuilding details throughout the plot and incorporates them where they make sense with the story. It's not like you get a random piece of worldbuilding out of nowhere. They come at a methodical time that connects with the overarching story or a particular scene that is going on at the moment.
If you think this is just a sci-fi book that deals with just action and adventure, here is why your wrong. This book deals with serious subjects like racism and discrimination. Lu handles these topics in such a respectful way that it doesn't take over the story. Because that isn't the focus of this book. Rather this book is about how Talin takes those struggles she faces and how they impact her decision-making. Rather than letting these things get to her, Talin keeps her chin up high knowing that she doesn't need those people. She knows that she has friends who love her for just the way she is.
Lu does an amazing job with the characters in this novel. None of them are undeveloped and they don't fade away in the background. Many books struggle with making their side characters, even main characters, stand out and have some sort of personality. This wasn't the case here. I could tell the personality of the characters right from the start. I could connect to these characters because they felt like real people.
Talin as I said earlier faced many struggles. Since she was a different race than the Maryans, many thought her to be inferior and called her rat several times (This is the vile name that members of her race would be called.) Of course, anyone who experienced this would be full of anger but Talin respectfully handles this.
Should she protect these people who have treated her horribly from the ghosts?
You would think no. Right? But she does anyway. She sacrifices her life over and over again to protect the people who live there
One of the elements I found cool about Talin's character is that she uses sign language. She does not talk, due to the invasion of her homeland by the federation, so she relies fully on sign language. But the cool thing is all of the strikers use sign language. It's a way for them to communicate when hunting down ghosts. I have not read a book where most of the characters use sign language. Little details like this add more depth to the characters and seem like real people. Because everyone is different and we all communicate in different ways.
The side characters in this book are amazing too. You have Adena, another striker and one of Talin's good friends, with her passion for her craft and how she is always excited for the next thing. Then Jeran has been abused and gone through so much pain but manages to still have a kind heart and so much grace when he fights. And Red was manipulated by the federation but was able to move past those scars in his past and does not let it hold him back.
I loved the concept of the strikers and how each one of them has a shield. Some they are sworn to protect with their life until the day one dies. The strikers' positions are incredibly dangerous because they are the only ones between the Federation and Mara. So it makes sense for them to have shields, that knows everything about you, care about you and love you for who you are. You can see this bond between Jeran and Adena, who are each other's shields. Both of them are willing to do anything the other needs and they are always there for each other.
As you may have already know YA is notorious for having a romance. For a while, I thought there was going to be romance. Which I was fine with because not all books need romance to be considered a good book. But then we get these somewhat romantic scenes between Talin and Red. You could tell throughout the book that the two of them were developing feelings for each other. This would include them communicating through their bond they have together or Talin blushing at something Red said. I like the two of them better as friends but I would not be surprised if their relationship develops more in the next book. I would also like in the next book if we got more of Jeran and Aramin's relationship because we got some scenes of them caring for each other where you could tell they loved each other. I wish we got more development of Jeran and Aramin's relationship because it would be interesting to get into depth with the two of them.
The plot is good but some moments are predictable and you are expecting it to happen. But in other parts, you feel like you're on a rollercoaster and you have no idea what is going to happen next. I liked how we had a good balance of high intense action scenes but also scenes where it was chill, which gave us an opportunity to connect with the characters. The ending was kind of predictable because you expect Talin to make the decision where she can protect the ones she loves most. It makes sense within her character but I wish the ending just went a little more out there and took more risks.
Please go pick this book up if you haven't already and you will not be disappointed!
Buddy Read with Mash@Mashlovesbooks and Phoenix@BookswithWings! I had such a fun time buddy reading with them and you should go check them out!
My review of skyhunter on my blog: https://inkingandthinking.wordpress.com/
May 3, 2021
I love you Marie Lu
___________________________________________
Edit: I just pre-ordered this book and im sooooooooooo exiteeeeeeeeed
I’m so trash for Marie Lu so at this point I’ll read anything she writes
___________________________________________
Edit: I just pre-ordered this book and im sooooooooooo exiteeeeeeeeed
I’m so trash for Marie Lu so at this point I’ll read anything she writes
September 28, 2021
Star Rating: —> 5 Stars
*RE-READ 09/25/2021— 5 STARS ALL THE WAY! I AM OBSESSED W/ THIS BOOK ! No idea why I deducted a half star the first time around. Oh well who cares! 5 stars 🔥 ! Haha.*
First Read 10/07/2020— 4.5 Stars
I seriously think this is my fav Lu book yet! Seriously wowed by this first book in the Skyhunter Duology! WOOOO!
RTC
💜💙💖🧡💜
_______________
Uhhhh Marie Lu: 100% auto-buy!
Look at that cover!
*RE-READ 09/25/2021— 5 STARS ALL THE WAY! I AM OBSESSED W/ THIS BOOK ! No idea why I deducted a half star the first time around. Oh well who cares! 5 stars 🔥 ! Haha.*
First Read 10/07/2020— 4.5 Stars
I seriously think this is my fav Lu book yet! Seriously wowed by this first book in the Skyhunter Duology! WOOOO!
RTC
💜💙💖🧡💜
_______________
Uhhhh Marie Lu: 100% auto-buy!
Look at that cover!
Shelved as 'tbr-good-authors'
October 14, 2018a new Marie Lu sci fi-fantasy series releasing in fall 2020 okay so I want the bookgod to tell me EVERYTHING??
August 12, 2024
All I know is that I need the second book, now.
November 23, 2020
THIS WAS SO GOOD.
no one does it like marie lu, literally no one.
this book made me feel ALL THE THINGS. the plot, the plot twists, the characters, the relationships, the intensity, everything was amazing. this book was fast paced, action packed, suspenseful and it had me losing the “just one more chapter” game miserably. this book, once again, embodies everything that i love and admire about marie lu and the reason why she is my favourite author of all time.
AND I CAN NOT WAIT AN ENTIRE YEAR FOR THE SEQUEL. I NEED ANSWERS NOW.
-
sometime when this book was first announced lol:
i have no idea what this is about but the fact that it has the name “marie lu” on the cover has me sold, TAKE MY MONEY.
also, we’re literally so lucky wtf she’s releasing TWO books next year??? like?? this is a literal blessing from god himself.
no one does it like marie lu, literally no one.
this book made me feel ALL THE THINGS. the plot, the plot twists, the characters, the relationships, the intensity, everything was amazing. this book was fast paced, action packed, suspenseful and it had me losing the “just one more chapter” game miserably. this book, once again, embodies everything that i love and admire about marie lu and the reason why she is my favourite author of all time.
AND I CAN NOT WAIT AN ENTIRE YEAR FOR THE SEQUEL. I NEED ANSWERS NOW.
-
sometime when this book was first announced lol:
i have no idea what this is about but the fact that it has the name “marie lu” on the cover has me sold, TAKE MY MONEY.
also, we’re literally so lucky wtf she’s releasing TWO books next year??? like?? this is a literal blessing from god himself.
February 19, 2021
this book is so cool. this cover is so cool. everything about this book is so cool.
I loved Skyhunter. Is it my all-time favorite Marie Lu book ever? No. But does it live up to the Marie Lu name? Yes. Yes, it does, 100%
First of all, everyone is sleeping on Skyhunter. I know that this was released only in Septemeber, but it needs more hype, just as much as her other series get (though all her other series are top-tier, so....)
Skyhunter has such a different vibe from the other Dystopian/Sci-Fi books Marie Lu has written. This book is a stroke of genius. I'm in love.
I don't have very much to say on this book other than it is amazing, and you should read it.
characters -
Talin- I love that she's a person of color, and that she has a disability and can't talk, but instead uses sign language. I love that there is representation for people like Talin, and she's such an interesting main character. I loved reading the entire book from her perspective.
Red- kind of interesting, but not that much. He's not my favorite lead male protagonist, but I liked reading about him as well.
Adena and Jenen and Aramin- loved all three of them. Great supporting characters with interesting plot lines of their own.
Can I mention how much I ship Jenen and Aramin? So underrated, and I need to know how their story ends above all. If they don't get a happy ending... Not to mention if sweetheart Adena doesn't get one either...
plot -
This is really rare since I'm kind of okay with most book plots, but the plot of this book may be one of my favorite things in the book. It's just up and down and up and down and up and down. Basically, it's all over the place. But the book started right off and never went slowly. Plus, the plot (especially the ending!) went somewhere I would have NEVER expected, so...
There were so many plot twists I can't even count them. I thought the plot was really well done and exciting to read, exactly what I want to read in a Sci-Fi
world-building -
the world-building is probably my other favorite thing about this world. I loved learning about the world and how it's a dystopian world made from the ruins of the past civilzations. The world is so well built, and you can tell right from the beginning. Not to mention the whole Strikers thing, which I also loved. An elite fighting force that defends the last free country on the continent? Seems amazing, and it was.
In conclusion, I loved everything about this world. I don't think there is a single thing that I didn't like about it.
writing style -
What is there to say about Marie Lu's writing style that hasn't been said before? It's perfect. It brings you in and it doesn't let you go. It was intriguing to read about. Her writing just transports you to another world. The writing style of Marie Lu only gets better every book, and I may just go on record here to say that her writing is the best in Skyhunter. Marie Lu is my queen and we stan.
representation -
Like I said above, our main character in the book, Talin, is a POC and can't speak. A lot of the main characters in this book are people of color, and one of the main featured couples (if not the featured couple) is an LGBTq+ couple. Overall, she doesn't skimp on the representation in this book, either.
overall review -
Overall, loved this book. Lives up to the Marie Lu hall of fame. I really don't have many words to describe it. It was perfect, and so enjoyable to read. Skyhunter #2 (why doesn't it have a name yet????) is probably, now, one of my most anticipated books of this year!
I recommend this book to all Fantasy and Sci-Fi lovers, since I think it has so much of both. The fantasy and sci-fi is so well balanced in this book and truly makes a great book! Highly enjoyable, and if you haven't read this book or at least given it a try: READ IT.
5 stars!
I loved Skyhunter. Is it my all-time favorite Marie Lu book ever? No. But does it live up to the Marie Lu name? Yes. Yes, it does, 100%
First of all, everyone is sleeping on Skyhunter. I know that this was released only in Septemeber, but it needs more hype, just as much as her other series get (though all her other series are top-tier, so....)
Skyhunter has such a different vibe from the other Dystopian/Sci-Fi books Marie Lu has written. This book is a stroke of genius. I'm in love.
I don't have very much to say on this book other than it is amazing, and you should read it.
characters -
Talin- I love that she's a person of color, and that she has a disability and can't talk, but instead uses sign language. I love that there is representation for people like Talin, and she's such an interesting main character. I loved reading the entire book from her perspective.
Red- kind of interesting, but not that much. He's not my favorite lead male protagonist, but I liked reading about him as well.
Adena and Jenen and Aramin- loved all three of them. Great supporting characters with interesting plot lines of their own.
Can I mention how much I ship Jenen and Aramin? So underrated, and I need to know how their story ends above all. If they don't get a happy ending... Not to mention if sweetheart Adena doesn't get one either...
plot -
This is really rare since I'm kind of okay with most book plots, but the plot of this book may be one of my favorite things in the book. It's just up and down and up and down and up and down. Basically, it's all over the place. But the book started right off and never went slowly. Plus, the plot (especially the ending!) went somewhere I would have NEVER expected, so...
There were so many plot twists I can't even count them. I thought the plot was really well done and exciting to read, exactly what I want to read in a Sci-Fi
world-building -
the world-building is probably my other favorite thing about this world. I loved learning about the world and how it's a dystopian world made from the ruins of the past civilzations. The world is so well built, and you can tell right from the beginning. Not to mention the whole Strikers thing, which I also loved. An elite fighting force that defends the last free country on the continent? Seems amazing, and it was.
In conclusion, I loved everything about this world. I don't think there is a single thing that I didn't like about it.
writing style -
What is there to say about Marie Lu's writing style that hasn't been said before? It's perfect. It brings you in and it doesn't let you go. It was intriguing to read about. Her writing just transports you to another world. The writing style of Marie Lu only gets better every book, and I may just go on record here to say that her writing is the best in Skyhunter. Marie Lu is my queen and we stan.
representation -
Like I said above, our main character in the book, Talin, is a POC and can't speak. A lot of the main characters in this book are people of color, and one of the main featured couples (if not the featured couple) is an LGBTq+ couple. Overall, she doesn't skimp on the representation in this book, either.
overall review -
Overall, loved this book. Lives up to the Marie Lu hall of fame. I really don't have many words to describe it. It was perfect, and so enjoyable to read. Skyhunter #2 (why doesn't it have a name yet????) is probably, now, one of my most anticipated books of this year!
I recommend this book to all Fantasy and Sci-Fi lovers, since I think it has so much of both. The fantasy and sci-fi is so well balanced in this book and truly makes a great book! Highly enjoyable, and if you haven't read this book or at least given it a try: READ IT.
5 stars!
April 3, 2021
Marie Lu always delivers great dystopian
April 18, 2024
⋆౨ৎ 3★˚⟡˖ ࣪
↳ spice rating: 0/5
"May there always be future dawns."
⌗ Going into this book, I was hoping for an intriguing story with a well-thought-out plot, a special cast of characters, and a pacing that kept me interested and excited. Mostly, Skyhunter succeeded in all of these aspects; however: some parts did lack.
⌗ To begin, my biggest issue lies with the pacing. Skyhunter is 371 pages long, around the average length of a young adult book, but it felt more like 600 pages. The pacing was so slow. Multiple times I was tempted to put down the book because I felt like the plot was not progressing, even after 150 pages. And while the plot was interesting, the slow pacing dulled my interest in the story overall.
⌗ In my opinion, the strongest element of this book was the characters. Talin Kanami is a fierce and loyal protagonist. She bravely fights for her people and is willing to risk her life protecting those she cares about most. I found her a loveable character whom I rooted for throughout the book. Red, the second protagonist, was also a nice character with an intriguing backstory, but I didn’t feel as connected to him as I would have hoped. I do expect to get to know him better in the sequel, though! The rest of the characters were amazing and I truly loved reading about them, especially Adena, Jeran, and Aramin. Out of all the cast, Jeran is definitely my favorite. His story is so heartbreaking, yet his character has a sensitivity and strength that is admirable. One other little thing I liked about this book was how the characters around Talin used sign language as their form of communication. That was such a sweet detail to include!
⌗ My last critique about Skyhunter is Talin and Red’s relationship. In this story, they’re supposed to start as enemies from opposing sides of the war. However; they never really are enemies. Talin quickly grows fond of Red, and likewise, until they’re sharing small moments and speaking in a hidden language only they understand. Their relationship from hatred to fondness grows quickly, making it feel unbelievable and unnatural. However; this is my personal preference when it comes to (romantic) relationships in literature, so others may find their relationship to progress at a realistic pace!
⌗ Overall, this book was nice, and while it wasn’t my favorite, I do believe many would enjoy Skyhunter! I would like to note that Legend is still Marie Lu’s superior dystopian novel, so I also suggest everyone pick it up sometime!
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁
↳ spice rating: 0/5
"May there always be future dawns."
⌗ Going into this book, I was hoping for an intriguing story with a well-thought-out plot, a special cast of characters, and a pacing that kept me interested and excited. Mostly, Skyhunter succeeded in all of these aspects; however: some parts did lack.
⌗ To begin, my biggest issue lies with the pacing. Skyhunter is 371 pages long, around the average length of a young adult book, but it felt more like 600 pages. The pacing was so slow. Multiple times I was tempted to put down the book because I felt like the plot was not progressing, even after 150 pages. And while the plot was interesting, the slow pacing dulled my interest in the story overall.
⌗ In my opinion, the strongest element of this book was the characters. Talin Kanami is a fierce and loyal protagonist. She bravely fights for her people and is willing to risk her life protecting those she cares about most. I found her a loveable character whom I rooted for throughout the book. Red, the second protagonist, was also a nice character with an intriguing backstory, but I didn’t feel as connected to him as I would have hoped. I do expect to get to know him better in the sequel, though! The rest of the characters were amazing and I truly loved reading about them, especially Adena, Jeran, and Aramin. Out of all the cast, Jeran is definitely my favorite. His story is so heartbreaking, yet his character has a sensitivity and strength that is admirable. One other little thing I liked about this book was how the characters around Talin used sign language as their form of communication. That was such a sweet detail to include!
⌗ My last critique about Skyhunter is Talin and Red’s relationship. In this story, they’re supposed to start as enemies from opposing sides of the war. However; they never really are enemies. Talin quickly grows fond of Red, and likewise, until they’re sharing small moments and speaking in a hidden language only they understand. Their relationship from hatred to fondness grows quickly, making it feel unbelievable and unnatural. However; this is my personal preference when it comes to (romantic) relationships in literature, so others may find their relationship to progress at a realistic pace!
⌗ Overall, this book was nice, and while it wasn’t my favorite, I do believe many would enjoy Skyhunter! I would like to note that Legend is still Marie Lu’s superior dystopian novel, so I also suggest everyone pick it up sometime!
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁
December 11, 2023
OK, let's get it out of the way. My one complaint with this book: The Ghosts. Dude, these are freaking zombies. Calling them ghosts was driving me crazy... ok, now I am good.
I LOVED THIS BOOK! I love Marie Lu; I loved her Legend series; I love the art she has contributed to enhancing awesome books such as the Illuminae series. I love how cute and talented she is and how you want to be her best friend. Granted, I did not LOVE the Young Elites, but that's in the past.
Marie Lu is a master weaver of characters. I loved the concept of sign language as a major/main language in a book. This was fun and translated into a great time for an audiobook. Talin having no voice was amazing. How many characters in major current fiction can't talk out loud... Although that ending makes me wonder some things... I won't spoil it. Red was an interesting addition, and I loved the relationships between the strikers and shields.
The weakest characters were the less-defined leaders of both sides. The world is well-developed, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ideas and insights into "past" Earth technology.
5 Stars overall, gratifying experience
I LOVED THIS BOOK! I love Marie Lu; I loved her Legend series; I love the art she has contributed to enhancing awesome books such as the Illuminae series. I love how cute and talented she is and how you want to be her best friend. Granted, I did not LOVE the Young Elites, but that's in the past.
Marie Lu is a master weaver of characters. I loved the concept of sign language as a major/main language in a book. This was fun and translated into a great time for an audiobook. Talin having no voice was amazing. How many characters in major current fiction can't talk out loud... Although that ending makes me wonder some things... I won't spoil it. Red was an interesting addition, and I loved the relationships between the strikers and shields.
The weakest characters were the less-defined leaders of both sides. The world is well-developed, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ideas and insights into "past" Earth technology.
5 Stars overall, gratifying experience
August 27, 2021
4/5 stars, this was a really fun ride
Marie Lu never fails to deliver a story filled with fun writing, an intriguing story, and important messages threaded through. While I do think this story had a lot less prose and storytelling than her other books have had, it was nevertheless fun. This story is a blend of science-fiction, dystopian, and fantasy all in one as we follow along with characters exploring important messages for teenagers to learn. We follow Talin, a refugee who is working in Mara as a 'striker', essentially participating in their military. Mara is the last free nation to not be taken over by The Federation and their science experiments, these 'ghosts'. I think given the description this story could be easily overlooked, but it had so much diversity and representation it was an important story.
The most surprising thing for me was that we had a map in this book, which you don't often find in dystopian-type stories. I barely used it but I loved the aesthetic appeal of having it in the book. The world-building talks about how the Federation and Mara are built upon the ruins of the old civilization. Both countries use the past's mistakes in terms of technology to make their current county stronger, and I thought this was really cool! Other than that, there wasn't a lot going on in the worldbuilding area for me. I have completely forgotten many of the descriptions of the lands, but nevertheless, the diversity in the world was appreciated.
The plot of this book was fairly steady, there wasn't a time where I thought 'this is slow' but also zero times I thought 'wow this is so fast.' Thats not an issue because Marie Lu knows what works for her writing style and the story she wanted to accomplish. It turned out really well and I am intrigued for how what happens in here impacts the second book. The diversity threaded throughout the plot in this one, and the discussion of refugees was something I haven't seen a lot of in ya fiction. I was very happy to see it and I think this book presents it in a very nice way, that people can understand and learn something from.
Talin was a very interesting main character, she had a lot of trauma associated with her past, that thus prevented her from speaking. I thought this was really unique representation, obviously what happened to her was horrible, but how Marie Lu weaved it into the story was important. Talin was pretty funny, but other than that a really typical main character. I didn't have a problem with that, I just do admit she felt a little flat. She was still really sweet, determined, and fun nonetheless. With the way things ended i have a feeling she is in for a lot of character development.
Red was a layered character who I really enjoyed, especially as the story began peeling back those layers for the reader. He was very kind, and also had a lot of trauma surrounding what had happened to him. I think the connection established between him and Talin was a very interesting dynamic. I just wish we had gotten to see more of who he truly is, and the drastic changes surrounding that.
The side characters were really just that, side characters. I didn't have a problem with this, while some of them had pretty big stories, others were really just side. Granted, this story was about Talin and Red, so they didn't HAVE to have a story. But I hope the next book brings a bit more to some of these side characters.
Overall, a fun and steady story that touches on some important topics. I'm happy to have read this but I'm not absolutely grasping for the sequel at the moment. At least the cover is very very pretty!
[TW: medical experimentation, murder, gun violence, violence, refugee discrimination/displacement, war, PTSD, loss of a parent, racism, abuse]
Marie Lu never fails to deliver a story filled with fun writing, an intriguing story, and important messages threaded through. While I do think this story had a lot less prose and storytelling than her other books have had, it was nevertheless fun. This story is a blend of science-fiction, dystopian, and fantasy all in one as we follow along with characters exploring important messages for teenagers to learn. We follow Talin, a refugee who is working in Mara as a 'striker', essentially participating in their military. Mara is the last free nation to not be taken over by The Federation and their science experiments, these 'ghosts'. I think given the description this story could be easily overlooked, but it had so much diversity and representation it was an important story.
The most surprising thing for me was that we had a map in this book, which you don't often find in dystopian-type stories. I barely used it but I loved the aesthetic appeal of having it in the book. The world-building talks about how the Federation and Mara are built upon the ruins of the old civilization. Both countries use the past's mistakes in terms of technology to make their current county stronger, and I thought this was really cool! Other than that, there wasn't a lot going on in the worldbuilding area for me. I have completely forgotten many of the descriptions of the lands, but nevertheless, the diversity in the world was appreciated.
The plot of this book was fairly steady, there wasn't a time where I thought 'this is slow' but also zero times I thought 'wow this is so fast.' Thats not an issue because Marie Lu knows what works for her writing style and the story she wanted to accomplish. It turned out really well and I am intrigued for how what happens in here impacts the second book. The diversity threaded throughout the plot in this one, and the discussion of refugees was something I haven't seen a lot of in ya fiction. I was very happy to see it and I think this book presents it in a very nice way, that people can understand and learn something from.
Talin was a very interesting main character, she had a lot of trauma associated with her past, that thus prevented her from speaking. I thought this was really unique representation, obviously what happened to her was horrible, but how Marie Lu weaved it into the story was important. Talin was pretty funny, but other than that a really typical main character. I didn't have a problem with that, I just do admit she felt a little flat. She was still really sweet, determined, and fun nonetheless. With the way things ended i have a feeling she is in for a lot of character development.
Red was a layered character who I really enjoyed, especially as the story began peeling back those layers for the reader. He was very kind, and also had a lot of trauma surrounding what had happened to him. I think the connection established between him and Talin was a very interesting dynamic. I just wish we had gotten to see more of who he truly is, and the drastic changes surrounding that.
The side characters were really just that, side characters. I didn't have a problem with this, while some of them had pretty big stories, others were really just side. Granted, this story was about Talin and Red, so they didn't HAVE to have a story. But I hope the next book brings a bit more to some of these side characters.
Overall, a fun and steady story that touches on some important topics. I'm happy to have read this but I'm not absolutely grasping for the sequel at the moment. At least the cover is very very pretty!
[TW: medical experimentation, murder, gun violence, violence, refugee discrimination/displacement, war, PTSD, loss of a parent, racism, abuse]
February 11, 2021
First of all: IT'S SO PRETTYYYY!!!! Seriously, I can't stop staring at this cover.
I had very high hopes for this book. But sadly, while I thoroughly enjoyed it, it wasn't as amazing as I'd wanted it to be.
(Find this and more reviews on my blog!)
Marie Lu's newest book is a ya dystopia, but it doesn't compare to "typical" dystopian novels. Skyhunter has a bit of everything: A nation at war against an all-powerful dystopian regime, creepy monsters, science experiments, an enemies tolovers friends relationship and a mute main character! It also feels more grown up than her previous books in a way.
Meet Talin. She's an elite fighter for the last free nation of the continent and a refugee. She's also mute, which we are reminded of from time to time, but never in a patronizing way. Instead, she's found a way to use her inability to speak to her advantage when she joined the Strikers. It's an interesting trait Lu chose for her main character and it makes Talin stand out. So does her refugee status. Talin is strong, but she still faces the hatred of others, simply because she looks different.
All the characters in this were interesting and I liked to read about them. Still, I missed the final something. I cared for them, but I didn't feel with them (at least not with all of them). What also fell a bit flat was the villain. His motivations only became clear at the very end and it wasn't quite enough for me to really hate him.
The writing style is super fluent and the world Marie Lu has created comes to life. It is a harsh world and I love how she writes it. I could see the war-torn streets of Basea in Talin's memories, the arena where the Strikers assemble and the prison that goes many stories below the surface.
What I liked was that there's no real romance. There are some hints, but all very subtle and not really important to the story. It shows that ya books can be exciting and interesting without a romantic subplot.
Instead, the book focuses on the fight against the Federation and what it means to Talin to still live as a free citizen. It focuses on the relationships of the characters, of them being a team despite their differences. There are some very nice and important messages in this book.
The pacing was good, although I sometimes found it a bit slow - but never boring. There are quite some action scenes and those are on point. The Strikers are real badasses, and there's a fair amount of death and killing. It's never over the top, but some scenes might be disturbing to some readers.
All in all Skyhunter was a good and very enjoyable book, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations. (That might be on me though because I'm Legend's no 1 fan and I want all of Marie's books to be that good.) I'd still highly recommend the book and I will definitely read the sequel, since the ending was just... no, I can't talk about it. I already feel sorry for what's about to happen...
I had very high hopes for this book. But sadly, while I thoroughly enjoyed it, it wasn't as amazing as I'd wanted it to be.
(Find this and more reviews on my blog!)
Marie Lu's newest book is a ya dystopia, but it doesn't compare to "typical" dystopian novels. Skyhunter has a bit of everything: A nation at war against an all-powerful dystopian regime, creepy monsters, science experiments, an enemies to
Meet Talin. She's an elite fighter for the last free nation of the continent and a refugee. She's also mute, which we are reminded of from time to time, but never in a patronizing way. Instead, she's found a way to use her inability to speak to her advantage when she joined the Strikers. It's an interesting trait Lu chose for her main character and it makes Talin stand out. So does her refugee status. Talin is strong, but she still faces the hatred of others, simply because she looks different.
All the characters in this were interesting and I liked to read about them. Still, I missed the final something. I cared for them, but I didn't feel with them (at least not with all of them). What also fell a bit flat was the villain. His motivations only became clear at the very end and it wasn't quite enough for me to really hate him.
The writing style is super fluent and the world Marie Lu has created comes to life. It is a harsh world and I love how she writes it. I could see the war-torn streets of Basea in Talin's memories, the arena where the Strikers assemble and the prison that goes many stories below the surface.
What I liked was that there's no real romance. There are some hints, but all very subtle and not really important to the story. It shows that ya books can be exciting and interesting without a romantic subplot.
Instead, the book focuses on the fight against the Federation and what it means to Talin to still live as a free citizen. It focuses on the relationships of the characters, of them being a team despite their differences. There are some very nice and important messages in this book.
The pacing was good, although I sometimes found it a bit slow - but never boring. There are quite some action scenes and those are on point. The Strikers are real badasses, and there's a fair amount of death and killing. It's never over the top, but some scenes might be disturbing to some readers.
All in all Skyhunter was a good and very enjoyable book, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations. (That might be on me though because I'm Legend's no 1 fan and I want all of Marie's books to be that good.) I'd still highly recommend the book and I will definitely read the sequel, since the ending was just... no, I can't talk about it. I already feel sorry for what's about to happen...
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