Marie Lu is both prolific and a talented writer, no small feat and a terrific thing for readers! Skyhunter reminds me a bit of the Legend series in that it has great world building, a grab-you-and-nonstop-go! plot, and excellent mcs, though my fave is Talin. I loved her, loved...well, everything! Skyhunter is Marie Lu at her blockbuster best and this is one of the few YA series I'm excited about. Very highly recommended.

Review posted on GoodReads (September 15, 2020)
Review Linked.

5/5 stars!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an E-ARC for an honest review!

I have been in love with Marie Lu's writing and books since the first time I read LEGEND back in 2014, and this book is no exception. I was super excited to read this book, and it exceeded my expectations. I was immediately pulled into the story from the first chapter, and I finished this book in one sitting. I could not stop writing. Marie Lu has created a thought-provoking science fiction novel that has taken over my heart.

I loved everything. From the characters, to the world, to the plot—I honestly have no problems or critiques of this novel. The plot flowed seamlessly and kept me on the edge of my seat. I absolutely loved Talin as our main character. She is such a strong female lead that I instantly loved. And Red! Red! Red's character is such a complex and interesting character to read about and discover more about. The world building in this book is amazing, and I cannot wait to see where Marie Lu takes the rest of the series.

I think this might be one of my favorites, if not my favorite book that Marie Lu has ever written and I cannot wait for more from Talin, Red, Rooke, and Jeran. I loved their friendship and camaraderie. I am so excited for the next book in the series!

Thanks for reading!
Caden

SKYHUNTER is an enthralling and lush YA fantasy. Lu really paints the story with her words, and this new novel is every bit as enchanting and captivating as her earlier works. Talin is a refugee in a land that barely acknowledges them, leaving them to fend for themselves outside the walls. She is a Striker for the last country left standing against the Federation, Mara. As a Striker, she hunts and kills Ghosts, the twisted and poisoned former humans the Federation uses as a militia to destroy the lands it invades. This is a position that requires elite levels of skills and a lifetime of training. They are celebrated but also tend to have a short lifespan.

Strikers work in pairs and call their partner their Shield. The pairs are as close as humanly possible, living and breathing together so that they can always anticipate the other's moves on the battlefield. When Talin's Shield dies, she is set adrift in her grief. Then, she sees a Federation prisoner who is being sentenced to death unless he provides information about the Federation. As she watches his execution, she sees something that causes her to unexpectedly intervene. After she does so, she is set on another path to really discover the Federation, its machinations, as well as her own desires and goals.

What I loved: The storytelling here is really masterful and the landscape, and characters really come to life throughout the book. The characters were the strongest part of the story, and Talin, in particular, is multifaceted and compelling. Through her, we are introduced to some intriguing themes of external and internal motivations and the many reasons which may compel us to choose certain paths. These themes are repeated in the other characters. Other themes such as the right of decisions over others, treatment of refugees, and the power of psychological injury resonate throughout the story.

I also really liked that there are deep and fulfilling relationships without overt romance (though with space for them to develop). This is really a sci-fi/dystopian novel with fantastic world- and character-building. The story moves relatively quickly, and I appreciated the fast pace combined with just the right amount of explanations.

Final verdict: Overall, this is a lush and compelling YA sci-fi/dystopian told in Lu's lyrical and enchanting style. Highly recommend for fans of her earlier books - this is a new series not to be missed.

Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Skyhunter is a tale that embraces what it means to be strong, brave, vigilant, and rebellious in a world that has turned their back on you.

When Basea is invaded by the ruthless Karensa Federation, young Talin Kanami and her mother have no choice but to flee to Mara, the last free nation in the world. Now a decade later and 18 years old, Talin is a muted outsider in a xenophobic country who uses sign language to communicate. However, that is not all she is. She is a Striker, a soldier on an elite fighting force that acts as Mara’s “last defense against the Karensa Federation”. Strikers are trained to fight the Federation’s Ghosts, monstrous creatures who seek the blood of the innocent and wreak destruction to anything that stands in their way. As the clock seemingly ticks toward what should be the end of Mara, her friends, and all she loves, a former Federation soldier named Red is captured at the warfront, who Talin believes could be the key to their salvation or ultimate destruction.

This story is exhilarating, unpredictable, and will have you on your toes almost the entire time. Marie Lu does this with nearly all of her books, giving readers twists and turns that make it a rollercoaster of a reading experience while getting you excited for the next books to come. The aspects that made Skyhunter so strong were the tone, worldbuilding, and the characters and their development from beginning to end. The main downside that this book has is it steers in the direction of the stereotypical YA dystopian sci-fi novel. It features a rebellious hero hellbent on saving the entire world from inevitable destruction, including the villain that you hate with all your heart, and supporting characters that make you feel all soft and fluffy on the inside. I was hoping for something a bit more out of the box given by simple observation of the book cover and the title, but was pleasantly surprised, nonetheless.

What can immediately be noted from reading the first few chapters is how the tone and mood set the rest of the book. From the first chapter alone, a dark and ominous vibe is already felt. Talin narrates in the first-person point of view, and this suits the tone of this story perfectly because it helps immerse readers even more into this corrupted, dystopian world. Mara is a country surrounded by enemies on all fronts and are driven into silence to avoid the Ghosts. The silence gives a very eerie and depressing vibe, and it almost gives this departed and lifeless meaning to the environment. Because of the violent and gut-wrenching scenes that come throughout the novel (there is no way I am about to spoil this for you), I found it so smart that Lu set the tone almost immediately in the beginning. Flashbacks of happiness remove the sadness for just a bit, but this book overall is brutal and horrific especially for the YA genre.

When thinking of a Dystopian YA novel, a desolate war-torn world is what often comes to mind. This is exactly what Lu does and the worldbuilding in this book is very visual. Taking into account that Mara is the only free nation in the ENTIRE world, the rest of it is currently drowning in an absolute dictatorship. Mara itself is also corrupt, with refugees from past thriving nations barely fighting to survive on the outskirts of Newage (the capital city of Mara), while the privileged, wealthy, and important people live a lavish lifestyle on the inside acting as if everything is okay. Oh, and let’s not forget that teenagers are out risking their lives to ensure the safety of an entire country. If that is not entirely backwards, I don’t know what is. Outside of Mara is the Karensa Foundation, where everything is bigger, better, and technologically advanced. The Karensan soldiers are unpleasant and show no mercy against resistance, while the inhabitants just seem dead inside because of how little control they have over their lives (especially those from other nations who were not fortunate enough to escape).

The characters and their development are fantastic, and it is almost guaranteed one of them will be your favourite by the end of the novel. Talin, Jeran, Rooke, and Red (and dearest Aramin) are all very likeable characters with likeable personalities and traits. Although they have contrasting personalities, the result is a strong team that communicates well, and their chemistry is not out of balance. Nothing seems forced and the conversations between them seem to flow quite naturally. Each of them holds a back story that can touch the heart in which you can truly resonate with, and I feel that this is one of the best details a writer can add to get readers coming back for more.

Skyhunter is a wonderfully done piece. For fans of the The Hunger Games, Lu’s other works, and dystopian in general, you will not be disappointed with this unique and captivating story!

The Strikers stand between the Federation and their monstrous Ghosts and the last free nation, Mara.

Talin was never supposed to be a Striker. Talin’s an underdog, a refugee in the nation of Mara. The only reason she’s even allowed to live inside the city gates is Corian, her Striker partner - known as a shield - who saw her fighting ability when they were children.

When Corian is bit by a dreaded ghost, Talin must fulfill her duty as his shield by killing him before he can turn into a ghost himself.

When a mysterious Federation soldier is captured, Talin surprises even herself when she fights to save his life. She gets more than she’s bargaining for when he’s discovered to be a mysterious Federation weapon known as a Skyhunter.

The action is non-stop in the second half of this book, with each fighting scene leading to the next. The characters have formed a great bond, and I enjoyed the bit of interaction we got to see them have.

I would have loved to see the hints of romance explored a bit more fully, and to have the characters share more than romantic thoughts and an awareness of where the other was on the battlefield. But I’m a hopeless romantic. Perhaps it will happen in book two.

The dystopian world is immersive and interesting, with hints of our world within it. I’ll be excited to see the characters explore it even more fully. Marie Lu has laid a great foundation for the rest of the series.

The ending hit all the right notes, and I fully understood why the characters made the choices they did. Can’t wait to see what will happen in book two!

If you loved Marie Lu's Legend series then you need Skyhunter in your world. Legend was like an appetizer compared to the complexities of the world in Skyhunter. I love how the experiments in this future world are darker and more sinister. Talin is a tough MC and I enjoyed the mother daughter relationship in this one. Now true to Marie Lu's writing she did have a sibling relationship in this one that shinned through in a more subtle way with a federation soldier captured named Red. Talin and Red find themselves drawn to one another. I enjoyed the slow burn and the fact that this was not an inst-love. This does have a slight cliffhanger to it and I am very excited for the sequel. If you love dystopian books and science fiction then this is the mash up you have been looking for.

You need this book!

Skyhunter by Marie Lu is probably my first sci-fi/fantasy/YA novel I've read, and it's set the bar extremely high.

WOW. This was an intense story, and built so well around the characters trying to save their corner of this broken future world. I loved the culture amidst destruction, and the friendships built on survival.

The suspense, tragedy, hope, and desperation in these pages is palpable and drives the novel in a relentless push to the end. The cliffhanger ending is a perfect setup for the next book, as well. I can't wait to continue this journey and see what happens to Talin and Red, as well as their friends.

Skyhunter by Marie Lu is so good and did not disappoint. The writing is so good and the descriptions she gives about the world is so good. The characters are great and very likeable! I can't wait for more! I definitely recommend this!

I received this ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Marie Lu did not disappoint in her newest book, Skyhunter. The world building was beautiful with characters you couldn’t help but love. I was entranced through the entire story and by the end I wanted to scream for more. How dare Lu play with my heart like that.

"May there be future dawns.”

Marie Lu's brilliance knows no bounds. She proves it time and again. I shouldn't even be all that surprised that Skyhunter has now become my top favorite read of 2020.

Whatever you expect from Skyhunter, expect it and MORE. Marie Lu weaves a strong, bold, action-packed, and thrilling story with its own brand of magic. Because not only does the book boast an incredibly, gorgeous cover but also a brilliant, unique and addictive story you will not soon forget.

I don't want to get into too many details to avoid spoiling anything. But the moment the cover and the title made sense, I knew- I KNEW- it would be impossible not to fall in love with the book. I feel so much love for this book I don't know what to do with.

Talin is such an admirable MC. She's fierce and loyal to a fault with a heart that cares deeply. I honestly regret not knowing Corian more. He was such a huge part of Talin's life and he sounded so incredibly lovely. Rooke, Jeran, and Aramin were all equally lovable. They're exactly the kind of people I would want to watch my back. I most probably won't survive the training, but I would love to try to be a Striker just to be near their awesomeness. Also? Give me more Jeran and Aramin. And Red? Slow. Burn. The most achingly beautiful slow burn there ever was to exist. That's all I'm going to say on that subject.

Skyhunter proved once again that there's nothing Marie Lu can't write. That ending left me wanting more.

How soon can I get my hands on book two?!

I received an e-arc from the publisher via Netgalley to read and review.

Going into Marie Lu's Skyhunter, I was expecting a complex and action-packed story. The beginning definitely delivers, as we are introduced to stoic, silent warrior Talin, who is part of the elite Maran Striker force despite her low standing in society as a refugee. After she defies protocol to save a mysterious prisoner of war who has been captured from the enemy, Talin and her friends must work to discover if he holds any clue to defeating the encroaching Federation and their terrifying war Ghosts.
After the first half or so, I didn't really feel the tension again until the very last page. While less complex and riveting than I had hoped, Marie Lu delivers with action, good writing, and great characters.

Compelling characters, fast-paced plotting, and an inventive look at the future of Earth, SKYHUNTER will appeal to Lu's fans, and those looking for a dystopian novel brimming with action, and just a touch of romance.

The first in an adventurous series set in a future where humanity had to start over, SKYHUNTER follows Talin, a refugee who had to flee the Federation after it conquered her home country. Now in Mara, the only free nation left, Talin is a Striker, an elite fighter whose ranks are the last hope against the Federation's engineered mutant monsters, the Ghosts. But being a Striker doesn't mean automatic inclusion in Maran society. Talin is still a foreigner, and the only reason she's allowed inside the city walls is that she's a Striker. Her mother must live outside the city in a shantytown of refugees.

When a young man from the Federation is captured and set to be executed, Talin sees something in the prisoner that compels her to stop the execution. Her interference is rewarded with being assigned as his Shield and fighting partner. But who is this mysterious young man? Is he a spy for the Federation? Can he be trusted? And why would someone with the name, Skyhunter, allow himself to be captured by the enemy?

First of all, thank you to Fierce Reads for an eARC and inviting me to join the street team for Skyhunter!

Skyhunter follows Talin, a striker. The striker's are the last line of defense for Mara, the last remaining free nation. But when she loses her shield and a prisoner is brougth back with them, she sense something is not right, and this is no ordinary soldier.

Talin hasn't been able to speak since her mom and she fled to Mara, but Red, the prisoner, is sweet and understanding. This book, unlike some of her other books, was sweet and soft. I felt a bit more reading this, a little more touched by the characters and the story. Sure, the plot was pretty similar to many other YA titles we've read(a nation with experiments, trying to capture the last remaining free nation) but the characters and the nuance really made this one for me!

I'm actually rating this a 4.5, so rounding it up to a 5 on Goodreads! Really enjoyed this one, and in case you're wondering, it's a lighter sci-fi, so more accessible for people not dedicated to the genre.

To all who loved Lu’s Legend series, this new book will be a welcome treat. In this first book in the Skyhunter series, Talin is an outsider. She and her mother fled the invading Federation army who murdered all in their path. With no other area still free of the Federation’s control, Mara was the only option for refugees like them. Talin is determined to make the best of things in her adopted home and yearns to fight to protect the weak.

Talin has become a Striker, the fiercest warriors of Mara. They fight the monstrous Ghosts, zombie-like creatures who do the bidding of the Federation. Strikers are paired up, and their partners are called their Shield. Talen’s Shield is gone and his loss deeply affects her. When she saves a former enemy soldier from execution, she ends up paired with him. But the soldier, Red, proves to have value that no one suspected. He establishes a mental bond to Talin. With the Federation’s threat growing more urgent, Mara must rely on the Strikers and soldiers to defend them against a seemingly unbeatable army who control the Ghosts.

Like June and Day from Legend, Talin and Red are from different worlds and yet are a fierce pair. Lu’s books are riveting and impossible to put down. She captivates readers with her engaging action, fueled by fierce loyalty and courage. The setting is a future world where modern technologies don’t exist, except as ruins. While Talin and Red are beautifully rendered, their constant companions, Rooke and Jeran, are also powerful creations. They are the embodiment of bravery and prove their fealty to Mara and each other. Their stories, especially Jeran’s, will endear these characters to everyone.

Lu’s writing captivates and ensnares readers. This is another startup to a powerful series that will solidify Lu’s reputation even more to those who have loved her earlier books. The ending is gut-punching and will leave readers on the edge and the wait to learn the fate of Talin and her friends will be difficult to endure.

This book was received as an ARC from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group - Roaring Brook Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I am a fan of Marie Lu since the beginning. All the books I have read so far are filled with a lot of action and adventure that will still attract the young minds of teenagers. I have read all of her series including Legend, Warcross, and Young Elites and even her contribution to the DC world in Batman: Nightwalker and after I was done, I felt like I just got done watching an action movie with my heart racing and my blood pressure rising (in a good way). Skyhunter lived up to the expectations tremendously. I could not pick a favorite part because every chapter in the book was more thrilling than the next. I know our teen book club will have a blast with this book and I am excited for them to read it.

We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Marie Lu's Skyhunter (Book #1) is an adrenaline-spiked thrill ride! Skyhunter has all of the hallmarks of Lu's trademark dystopian fiction -- strange yet familiar worlds, intense action, fierce characters and the bonds of loyalty and friendship. Moreover, Skyhunter subtly (and sometimes not quite so) delves into complex themes, including the refugee experience, corruption in government, nationalism and the caste system. Lu blends these themes seamlessly within the thrilling action, building not only an ever-expanding literary world, but also the reader's understanding and empathy of our own complicated politics. Skyhunter will keep readers feeling all the feels as they lean into the book -- needless to say, the sequel is highly anticipated!

Talin is a Striker -- a highly-skilled soldier tasked with defending Mara, the last free nation on the continent, from the hostile Federation. Talin is also a refugee from Basea -- an outcast. Serving a country that despises her, Talin's thankfulness for a home, her friends and concern for her mother keep her fighting Ghosts, soldiers and war machines in a losing war. When a strange new prisoner of war arrives in Mara and is set to be executed, Talin puts her career and life on the line to save him. With the warfront moving steadily towards Mara, Talin, her Striker friends and her new charge, Red, must find a way to stop the Federation before everything they love is destroyed.

"Ghosts travel in packs.
...
Their faces are white as ash, their skin split with deep cracks that expose scarlet, rancid flesh underneath."
WELL! Okay then!
I've been sucked into some great prologues before, but I think this one takes all the cake.

Have you ever started a book thinking, "Oh...I'll just read a couple chapters then go to sleep"? Yeah, that was my goal when I picked up Skyhunter...


The only Marie Lu book I've read is The Kingdom of Back and I now understand what I've been missing with her Sci-fi/Fantasy novels...holy craps! But why, Marie Lu...why must you break my heart in the first chapter?! Seriously, prepare yourself, you'll be devastated!


Our protagonist, Talin doesn't speak due to trauma in her youth, thankfully as a Striker, she communicates through signing as is normal for them. I won't go too much into the plot as I don't want to spoil anything, but holy wow! This story is action-packed and seriously unputdownable! There's easy-to-get-into world building, I wasn't confused by names or locations. The introductions to new characters were seamless. An overall fantastically written novel.

The story wraps up most of the loose ends, but there's just enough of a cliffhanger that I am in desperate need of the next book!



Thank you so much Fierce Reads via NetGalley for inviting me to the Street Team and allowing me to read an e-arc of Skyhunter in exchange for my honest review!

This is going to be a really hard review to write because I just adored and loved everything about this book that words are just not going to be enough. The characters are amazing and will you will love them, the world building is superb and the story will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Let’s start with Talin, who is the sole narrator of the story. She is a refugee in a world constantly at war. But even though most people in her adopted country treat her like trash, she finds a home and purpose with the Strikers, an elite fighting force that sounds a bit like ninjas. She is an amazing young woman who is loyal to her friends and loves her mom. She is also willing to stand up for what is right and speak her mind when she needs to. She is strong and fierce even when things go against her. I really liked the fact that she was mute, and communicated with signs.

Red is the prisoner that Talin saves and befriends, they have a very special link that perhaps will save them both. Red is such a tragic character, so much has happened to him in his young life, that it just break your heart. I liked that we learn about his past in small pieces and how his true character is revealed slowly over the course of the book.

There are some brilliant secondary characters as well. I adored Rooke and her clever weapons, and her fighting partner Jeran, who was just a gentle soul but such a lethal killer. I loved them and how much they cared for Talin and eventually Red.

The world building was phenomenal as well, of course. There were many times that I could see everything that Talin and her friends saw with such clarity in my mind. The plot was action packed with fight scenes and friendly banter between the characters. But all the horrors of war were there as well. Refugees and how they are treated, death and the evil behind the conquering forces. All masterly well done. There is only one thing bad I can say about the whole book and it something that is just totally my thing. I have just never bought into the whole injecting serum/blood into someone and that totally changing them into a mutant monster. It is just something that has never worked for me, but that said, the Ghosts are monsters that I never want to meet.

Overall a thrilling new series by a brilliant author whose work I always enjoy. This is one you don’t want to miss.

Set in a post-apocalyptic landscape where human experimentation is the hallmark of the militarily aggressive Federation as they push their borders, conquering country after country, SKYHUNTER brilliantly highlights the resilience and beauty of human relationships with an action-packed plot that never flags.

The storyline follows Talin, a refugee whose ability to speak was lost in the attack on her homeland, who has become one of the elite Strikers who fight on the warfront against the Federation. Talin communicates solely non-verbally and mostly through sign language, which Lu incorporates authentically and seamlessly. After the death of her battle partner, she finds herself partnered with a man who defected from the Federation - and who is much more than he appears.

Overall, the thing that makes SKYHUNTER such a compelling read is the relationships between the characters, especially the strength of the fraternal/platonic love between them. There are minor undercurrents of romantic love between some characters, but it's never really explicitly addressed and the book does not suffer for the lack. I highly recommend this book to any reader who enjoys fast-paced, character-driven plots, even if they have not enjoyed Lu's other works; in my opinion, this is a cut above.

Skyhunter is a quick and fun read. Marie Lu excels in setting up and describing a world where the reader feels is realistic. The world gives a great vehicle for the characters she creates to interact and determine their place. Talin is a strong female character with sense of family and community. The action keeps moving from the first chapter to the last and leaves the reader wanting more. The relationships that are forged in this read are well-written and the reader finds themselves learning more about the characters through their interactions and decisions as they try to fight for their country.
Fans of Marie Lu’s Warcross series will find this comfortable and another series to devour. Fans of dystopian reads will find this offering live up to other series in this genre.
I received an ARC ebook from NetGalley and the publisher, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, in exchange for an honest review.