Lu offers complex motivations, clashes between idealism and realism, editorialization about class and race, and futuristic advancements in this first book in the Skyhunter series.
Just look at this gorgeously mesmerizing cover for Marie Lu's latest young adult science fiction/fantasy book, the first in the Skyhunter series.
So as I started this book I realized something strange. I've been putting Marie Lu's books into my son's hands for years, but I have never read a single one.
Which has been a longterm mistake, because I really liked this book. Lu offers a story about refugees desperately trying to escape becoming conscripted into the Federation army; elite Striker fighters trying to salvage their society despite the Federation's widespread and evil efforts; and the demonization of the "other."
A mysterious prisoner from the front arrives who could be friend or foe, and our main protagonist Talin must figure out whether to destroy him or trust him with her life--before things unravel irrevocably for her and her fellow warriors.
The surprising ending made my heart stop. Then I remembered that this was the first in a series and that the story would continue past the final complications and shocking events, so I did not hurl the book through the window. But waiting for the next installment is going to be tough. What the heck is Lu going to do in book two?
Any Bossy thoughts about this book?
Are you a Marie Lu fan?
Lu, a former artist in the video game industry, has written the Legends, Young Elites, and Warcross series.
There's complex motivation here, as well as clashes between idealism and realism and editorialization about class and race--plenty of substance and depth to make it feel like a book for adults rather than necessarily a young adult title.