Science fiction · Young adult · Fantasy
Skyward
On a besieged planet where humanity hides from alien attackers, a teenage girl wants to be a fighter pilot. Her father was branded a coward, and she must win a place in the training school despite it.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2018
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 532
- Format
- Book 1 of 4 in Skyward
Read this if you like a determined young heroine and a fast space-fighter story with real heart.
Skip this if you want hard science fiction, as the flying is exciting but the physics is loose.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about Skyward
- What is Skyward about?
- On a besieged planet where humanity hides from alien attackers, a teenage girl wants to be a fighter pilot. Her father was branded a coward, and she must win a place in the training school despite it.
- Who should read Skyward?
- Read it if you like a determined young heroine and a fast space-fighter story with real heart. Skip it if you want hard science fiction, as the flying is exciting but the physics is loose.
- How long and how fast is Skyward?
- It is a fast-paced, long read of about 532 pages, first published in 2018.
- Does Skyward have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death, War.
- Can I borrow Skyward for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Skyward; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Skyward?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Ender's Game, The Hunger Games, Red Rising.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved Skyward
-
Ender's Game Another young person trained for a war against alien forces, with a heavier look at cost and manipulation.
-
The Hunger Games
A comparable teen heroine with a stained family name and a fierce will to prove herself.
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Red Rising
A harder-edged coming-of-age story in a ruthless military school setting.
Science fiction
