Skyward, by Brandon Sanderson

Spensa's world has been under attack for decades.

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

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

 

"Startling revelations and stakes-raising implications...Sanderson plainly had a ball with this nonstop, highflying opener, and readers will too.—Kirkus Reviews, Starred

 "With this action-packed trilogy opener, Sanderson offers up a resourceful, fearless heroine and a memorable cast...[and] as the pulse-pounding story intensifies and reveals its secrets, a cliffhanger ending sets things up for the next installment."—Publishers Weekly, Starred

"Sanderson delivers a cinematic adventure that explores the defining aspects of the individual versus the society....Serious moments are balanced with animated scenes, leaving a playful feel over the tense undertone of the novel...[and] fans of Sanderson will not be disappointed."—SLJ

"Reading this book is like standing inside a video game: all action and movement. Sanderson’s aerial dogfights are so masterful that it is impossible to turn the pages fast enough."—Booklist