Take flight and break away
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
Brandon Sanderson is known for his fantasy novels but Skyward tips more toward the sci-fi end of the spectrum. Like usual, good ole’ Brandon did his homework, interviewing technical experts and pilots to make sure the mechanics of flight were accurately portrayed (assuming the advanced aircraft materials could take the strain of some of their maneuver). All those details make for an immersive experience during each action sequence.
The story reveals how the human race was in an intergalactic battle with an alien race, the result of which was a crash landing on a derelict world. Their new home is surrounded by the autonomous defense system of an ancient species that keeps their enemy at bay but also prevents them from leaving.
The main characters are cadets in a pilot training program. Each student has a lot of potential, but they still have much to learn. Their training soon becomes a high stakes exercise in survival as the real battlefield spills over into their training grounds. The young pilots are quickly introduced to the horrors of war and its bloody aftermath. One pilot dares to rise up and overcome, even after she has been defeated. Her persistence and courage in the face of overwhelming odds could be the difference that turns the tide of the war.
The sequel to Skyward is called Starsight and is set to be released in November, 2019 and I am looking forward to it!