Breaking Sky by Cori McCarthy

The Basics:
Breaking Sky by Cori McCarthy
Sourcebooks Fire
YA
Published March 3, 2015
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon Kobo Goodreads

Why I picked up this book:

The echoes of Ender's Game drew me in.

Blurb:

In this high-flying, adrenaline-fueled debut thriller, America's best hope is the elite teen fighter pilots of the United Star Academy

Chase Harcourt, call sign "Nyx," is one of only two pilots chosen to fly the experimental "Streaker" jets at the junior Air Force Academy in the year 2048. She's tough and impulsive with lightning-fast reactions, but few know the pain and loneliness of her past or the dark secret about her father. All anyone cares about is that Chase aces the upcoming Streaker trials, proving the prototype jet can knock the enemy out of the sky.

But as the world tilts toward war, Chase cracks open a military secret. There's a third Streaker jet, whose young hotshot pilot, Tristan, can match her on the ground and in the clouds. Chase doesn't play well with others, but to save her country she may just have to put her life in the hands of the competition.

My thoughts:

If our last, best defense against the enemy is a squad of super fast planes piloted by teenagers... I would want those teenagers to be the kids in Breaking Sky. Also, yes, yes I am a little terrified. But then, if our last, best defense was anything done by 30-something mothers of two, I'd be *very* terrified. So perspective, yes?

Breaking Sky is two parts teen angst, one part flight and one part cold war. Honestly, this is probably the right mixture because teens under a crazy amount of pressure, living in close quarters with other stressed-out teens *should* have a lot of angst and drama to work through! I really enjoyed this one. 

I think the end is a little abrupt, but I thought the rest of the story was solid. There were enough emotional highs and lows to keep me engaged without exhausting me. The overarching cold war plot could probably have had a bit more focus, but at the same time, teens.

Breaking Sky has a great sense of space - the freedom of the Streakers (super fast jets) alongside the claustrophobia of the Academy, where everyone is aware of everyone else's business was striking. 

I was very impressed by Chase, who has so many faults, but whom I still really liked. I wanted good things for her, including finding her way through the difficult twists and turns of interpersonal relations. My heart broke for her so many times.

I would be happy to revisit the United Star Academy, whether in a sequel or a novella or two....

Bottom line:

If you like your action stories with a huge helping of drama, or your angsty YA to have a strong sense of purpose, then Breaking Sky is for you!

4.5 stars
For fans of jets, cold wars, YA, romance

But don't just take my word for it! I grabbed a few links to other blog reviews of Breaking Sky:

Book Swoon

Annette's Book Spot

Madison's Library