Defiant cover art

Defiant

The Fourth Skyward Novel

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Defiant

By: Brandon Sanderson
Narrated by: Sophie Aldred
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About this listen

 From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson comes the final book in an epic series about a girl who will travel beyond the stars to save the world she loves from destruction.

Spensa made it out of the Nowhere, but what she saw in the space between the stars has changed her forever. She came face to face with the Delvers, and finally got answers to the questions she's had about her own strange Cytonic gifts.

The Superiority didn't stop in it's fight for galactic dominance while she was gone, though. Spensa's team, Skyward Flight, was able to hold Winzik off, and even collect allies to help with the cause, but it's only a matter of time until humanity - and the rest of the galaxy - falls.

Defeating them will require all the knowledge Spensa gathered while in the Nowhere. But being Cytonic is more complicated than she ever could have imagined. Now, Spensa must ask herself: how far is she willing to go for victory, if it means losing herself - and her friends - in the process.

The final book in the Skyward series will free humanity, or see it fall forever. Adventure Science Fiction Space Exploration Space Opera Fiction Interstellar

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Critic reviews

A grand finale, presented with a touch light enough to buoy all the self-actualization
An engaging and impactful conclusion to the Skyward series
A page-turning conclusion
In typical Sanderlanche fashion, the climax was a stellar experience
another brisk YA fantasy from Sanderson - inventive, action-stuffed and surprising until the end
Secrets intensify this ripping yarn, which is crammed with peril, thrills and snappy dialogue
Brandon Sanderson is the most immersive fantasy writer I've ever encountered
Skyward is an adventure and a half that you won't want to miss. Even hardcore Cosmere fans will enjoy the special mix of fantasy and sci-fi that unfolds as you watch Spensa learn what it means to be truly brave.
Steelheart is the literature equivalent of a blockbuster; episodic and fast-paced with surprises around every turn.
Full of action
All the main characteristics of a Sanderson novel from a writer at the top of his game.
With this action-packed trilogy opener, Sanderson offers up a resourceful, fearless heroine and a memorable cast-including a strangely humorous, mushroom-obsessed robot-set against the backdrop of a desperate conflict. As the pulse-pounding story intensifies and reveals its secrets, a cliffhanger ending sets things up for the next instalment.
as always, Brandon Sanderson creates a unique and interesting universe we get to explore alongside the protagonist...a fun, action packed ride for those of us who remain a child at heart.
The world of The Reckoners is suddenly presented in all its glory. It's an incredibly vibrant setting that showcases the entire breadth of Sanderson's talent. Expect to finish this one in single sitting.
The stories are complex, fascinating, and filled to the brim with three-dimensional characters
Firefight is a visual, almost cinematic novel
Firefight is a rollercoaster ride of action, entertainment, and humour
Firefight is filled with a spine-tingling adventure and heart-racing action that promises to satisfy fans both new and old
A terrifically tall tale, packaging the superhero action into compelling, punchy chapters that keep you reading. It's a fast, feisty read with characters that are skillfully drawn, assassinations, gunfights, physics bending motorcycle chases and a world you can't wait to hear more about.
All stars
Most relevant
I guess I just don't like YA that much anymore. Solid book and awesome narration, but it just fell a bit flat and everything feels a bit too convenient.

Very YA

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3.5
The final book in the Skyward series left me with the same feelings the previous ones had: brilliant engaging story, awful main character.

I avoid YA books for exactly these reasons: authors have a tendency of making their young characters entitled brats.
Spensa had very little character development throughout the series, only the last half of the last book she is starting to relise that she is not the center of the universe. Worst is, when you have a bratty teen character who is way more powerful than everyone else, act rashly endangering everyone, and yet the author justifies their actions by making them save the world. It's just awful in my opinion.

But the story, the story was great, so i persevered. I really loved just about everything else in it: all the other characters, the slugs, the ideas championed, the solution. Really enjoyed the last bit of the book, where Spensa sat back a bit and others took the limelight.

Not sure if I'll continue with the next installment to be honest though.

Great story, pity for the MC

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as a young adult series this had personification od characters who you feel empathy and go through the spectrum. of emotions.


so much so 50 minutes from the end I was balling my eyes out.

oh boy ... what a roller coaster.

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The first was soo good it was always going to be hard to keep the quality and story up. I would say this is the weakest of the series and it is probably time the series ended (maybe even a book less). I liked the epilogue to wrap things up.

Good but glad the series has ended

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Overall a good ending and beginning. Th performance was as good as alla the other books in the series.

It was a good ending

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