Skyward Flight: The Collection: Sunreach / ReDawn / Eve — A Journey of Highs and Lows
Recently, the world of science fiction has been set abuzz with Skyward Flight: The Collection, featuring the novellas Sunreach, ReDawn, and Evershore, all penned by the incredible Brandon Sanderson. As an ardent fan of Sanderson’s imaginative realms and intricate world-building, I was eager to delve into this collection. However, my experience was a rollercoaster ride of emotions, and I can’t help but share my somewhat tumultuous journey through these pages.
Sunreach: A Dissonant Opening
Sunreach introduces us to FM, a character reappearing from the main Skyward series, yet somehow feeling a bit distant. If I’m honest, my reaction to this novella mirrors its central theme: a dissonance that just didn’t strike the right chord for me. The narrative brimming with classical music references was, at times, more cringe-worthy than captivating. FM’s relationship with Rig had cute moments, especially when he humorously declared his disdain for torturing himself over Spensa. Yet, the miscommunication trope annoyed me to no end—it felt like FM’s romantic feelings appeared suddenly without any foundational build-up.
And let’s talk about those slugs humming to classical music! While it’s a quirky scene that provided a chuckle, the rest often felt like an awkward mix of teen angst and immature writing. My takeaway? You can probably skip Sunreach entirely without missing crucial plot points.
ReDawn: A Politically Charged Landscape
Moving on to ReDawn, we meet Alanik, who gives us a look into the more political angles of this universe. While the slower pacing saw me trudging through the earlier chapters, the chemistry between Alanik and Arturo sparked just enough interest to keep me engaged. I appreciated the subtlety in their relationship, even if it ultimately fell flat before I could get my flowers for that budding romance. Brandon may have hit a snag with young adult love stories, but the reflection of societal dynamics still shines through.
Despite being steeped in political intrigue and feeling relatively disconnected at times, I found myself bumping my rating of this novella up to 3.5 stars, driven largely by their interactions that are better than the sum of their parts.
Evershore: A Poetic Climax
Finally, we arrive at Evershore, and what a beautiful breath of fresh air it is! This novella filled my heart with all the feels, showcasing characters like Jorgen in such a poignant way. Sanderson’s absolutely exquisite writing reminded me why I love his work—he excels at making you feel. The inner turmoil displayed through emotional quotes had me nodding in solidarity: "Maybe it would have been easier if I had died there." Real and raw! Jorgen’s struggles and his yearning for connection were encapsulated so perfectly, creating scenes I just wanted to linger in.
The tension, longing, and even those sprinkles of humor enriched my reading experience, illustrating beautifully that even in a world of starship battles, the true conflicts often lie within. This novella earns a solid 4 stars from me—an uplifting triumph in a collection that had its share of lows.
Overall Reflection
So, what’s the verdict on Skyward Flight? My overall rating stands at 4 stars, but consider it a bittersweet assessment. Sunreach almost took it down a peg, but Evershore redeemed the collection, igniting my excitement for the series to continue. If you’re a fan of Sanderson’s universe or enjoy character-driven narratives with profound emotional threads, you might find something valuable within these pages, despite the misses along the way. This collection serves as a reminder of the highs and lows of storytelling—sometimes you hit the sweet notes, and other times, it’s just a cacophony of sound. Happy reading! 🌌
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