by Brandon Sanderson

Conditional Recommendation: Spensa is prepared to do whatever it takes to find the answers that will free and protect her people—even travel across the galaxy and engage in espionage.

Genre: Sci Fi, Fantasy

Another exhilarating ride! I was a little nervous coming into the second book especially because it takes place six months after the first book ended, but my worry was needless. The story quickly sucks you in and is, frankly, a joy ride of suspense, mystery, and cool storytelling. This book expands the scope of the story and the revelations are so interesting, surprising, and satisfying. It’s so refreshing to find a book that is so oddly wholesome—even with space battles, war, aliens, and high stakes—without lacking in the plot, writing, character development and sheer fun. So. Fun.

All her life, Spensa has dreamed of becoming a pilot. Of proving she’s a hero like her father. She made it to the sky, but the truths she learned about her father were crushing. The rumors of his cowardice are true—he deserted his flight during battle against the Krell. Worse, though, he turned against his team and attacked them. Spensa is sure there’s more to the story. And she’s sure that whatever happened to her father in his starship could happen to her. When she made it outside the protective shell of her planet, she heard the stars—and it was terrifying. Everything Spensa has been taught about her world is a lie. But Spensa also discovered a few other things about herself—and she’ll travel to the end of the galaxy to save humankind if she needs to.

This book has a lot to say about war and the people involved in war—that they’re all just people and no one is this black-and-white monster or lily-white saint that they may be painted to be on either side. It was interesting to see how Spensa’s perspective changed as her horizons broadened. Every creature is valuable no matter how big, small or just plain weird.

All the favorites return in part in this book but we also get a full cast of new characters to enjoy—each one unique and fascinating. Prepare yourself for several alien species!

The plot. The plot! The summary gives nothing away and I don’t want to either. This book builds on the first and expands the plot and the players involved and it is just so GREAT.

Yes, but also a cliff hanger!

Some disturbing sequences.

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