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Skyborne Academy: Aetherbond: Why Choose, Academy Romantasy
Not yet published
Expected 17 Feb 26Three cadets. One woman. And an academy that kills for its secrets.
Skyborne Academy doesn’t believe in mercy. It believes in hierarchy.
Talent is ranked. Bloodlines are currency. Flight is a privilege reserved for those born above the clouds. And anyone who threatens that balance is quietly pushed over the edge and erased.
They call it tradition. I call it murder with better PR.
My name is Lyra Caldris.
I’m ground-born. Engine-bred. Raised on grease, gravity, and the knowledge that the sky was never meant for people like me.
Then the Council burned my life to ash. They kidnapped my uncle, destroyed my aircraft, and rewrote my future in a single morning.
Skyborne’s answer?
Enlist me by force. No consent. No escape.
Now I’m trapped inside their floating fortress, keeping their deadliest machines and their most talented cadets
Auren Cold perfection. Command wrapped in discipline. The kind of man who’s never been told no, and doesn’t like that I’m immune to him.
Jax Smiles like sin. Flies like he’s daring death to catch him. Touches my nerves like he’s already decided I’m his favorite mistake.
Finn Silent. Watchful. Unsettling. Looks at me like he sees the wreckage before the impact, but likes me anyway.
Individually? Spectacularly talented.
Together? Recklessly unwise.
And the closer I get to their bodies, their secrets, and the heat crackling between us, the more Skyborne starts to unravel. Systems fail. Records disappear. People vanish.
Every repair I make feels less like maintenance and more like covering up a crime.
Because Skyborne isn’t just training pilots.
It’s hiding something ancient.
Something hungry.
Something that reacts when I touch the men I was never meant to claim.
They wanted obedience.
They got defiance.
And I’m done pretending I don’t want it all.
Skyborne Aetherbond is a sexy Why Choose Academy Romantasy featuring a feral mechanic heroine, three dangerously irresistible pilots, forbidden bonds, found family, and a floating city one betrayal away from falling out of the sky.
Skyborne Academy doesn’t believe in mercy. It believes in hierarchy.
Talent is ranked. Bloodlines are currency. Flight is a privilege reserved for those born above the clouds. And anyone who threatens that balance is quietly pushed over the edge and erased.
They call it tradition. I call it murder with better PR.
My name is Lyra Caldris.
I’m ground-born. Engine-bred. Raised on grease, gravity, and the knowledge that the sky was never meant for people like me.
Then the Council burned my life to ash. They kidnapped my uncle, destroyed my aircraft, and rewrote my future in a single morning.
Skyborne’s answer?
Enlist me by force. No consent. No escape.
Now I’m trapped inside their floating fortress, keeping their deadliest machines and their most talented cadets
Auren Cold perfection. Command wrapped in discipline. The kind of man who’s never been told no, and doesn’t like that I’m immune to him.
Jax Smiles like sin. Flies like he’s daring death to catch him. Touches my nerves like he’s already decided I’m his favorite mistake.
Finn Silent. Watchful. Unsettling. Looks at me like he sees the wreckage before the impact, but likes me anyway.
Individually? Spectacularly talented.
Together? Recklessly unwise.
And the closer I get to their bodies, their secrets, and the heat crackling between us, the more Skyborne starts to unravel. Systems fail. Records disappear. People vanish.
Every repair I make feels less like maintenance and more like covering up a crime.
Because Skyborne isn’t just training pilots.
It’s hiding something ancient.
Something hungry.
Something that reacts when I touch the men I was never meant to claim.
They wanted obedience.
They got defiance.
And I’m done pretending I don’t want it all.
Skyborne Aetherbond is a sexy Why Choose Academy Romantasy featuring a feral mechanic heroine, three dangerously irresistible pilots, forbidden bonds, found family, and a floating city one betrayal away from falling out of the sky.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 17, 2026
26 people want to read
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Lolu Sinclair for providing an ARC copy.
Skyborne Academy: Aetherbond starts fast and wastes no time diving into the story, but unfortunately it wasn’t what I was looking for.
There is a heavy focus on the romance, which comes at the expense of both worldbuilding and plot development. Those elements felt noticeably underdeveloped, making it hard to fully invest in the story.
The writing style leans strongly toward a youthful, modern voice, with humour woven constantly into the narration. While clearly intentional, much of it felt forced to me and often pulled me out of the story rather than enhancing it.
That said, readers who enjoy fast-paced romance with immediate relationship dynamics will likely find a lot to enjoy here. It simply didn’t align with my personal reading preferences.
Skyborne Academy: Aetherbond starts fast and wastes no time diving into the story, but unfortunately it wasn’t what I was looking for.
There is a heavy focus on the romance, which comes at the expense of both worldbuilding and plot development. Those elements felt noticeably underdeveloped, making it hard to fully invest in the story.
The writing style leans strongly toward a youthful, modern voice, with humour woven constantly into the narration. While clearly intentional, much of it felt forced to me and often pulled me out of the story rather than enhancing it.
That said, readers who enjoy fast-paced romance with immediate relationship dynamics will likely find a lot to enjoy here. It simply didn’t align with my personal reading preferences.
Currently reading
January 10, 2026“Why Choose Academy Romantasy featuring a feral mechanic heroine, three dangerously irresistible pilots, forbidden bonds, found family, and a floating city one betrayal away from falling out of the sky.”….
I was sold as soon as I read Why Choose, but “feral mechanic heroine” had me zipping over to NetGalley to request the ARC (spoiler alert: I got it).
I was sold as soon as I read Why Choose, but “feral mechanic heroine” had me zipping over to NetGalley to request the ARC (spoiler alert: I got it).
Read
January 16, 2026Thank you to NetGalley and author Lolu Sinclair for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. I’m so glad I got to read it. 💖
🌙 Review: Skyborne Academy: Aetherbond: - by Lolu Sinclair
𓍊𓋼𓍊 2☆
🗡 Update (01/16/26)
❥๑━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━๑❥
● The Atmosphere and the Promising Start
The book's highlight is, without a doubt, the initial world-building. The duality between the "Groundborn"—who live amidst grease, smoke, and scrap metal—and the elite of the flying cities is palpable. Sinclair manages to create a highly engaging industrial aesthetic. At the beginning, Lyra's journey feels authentic; we feel the weight of her tools and the raw reality of those living at the base of the social pyramid. The sci-fi vibe mixed with "old-school" mechanics is a breath of fresh air for the genre.
⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂
● The Pace and Structure of the Academy
However, what begins as a solid construction seems to "fall apart" as soon as we cross the gates of Skyborne Academy. For the first volume of a trilogy, it lacks a more robust foundation. The transition from Lyra's peripheral life to the elite environment happens so rapidly that I barely had time to process the cultural shock alongside the protagonist. I feel that the narrative sacrificed world-building and scenery exploration in favor of a succession of events that tramples our ability to care about the rules of that new society.
⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂
● Characters and Relationship Dynamics
The "Golden Trio"—Auren, Jax, and Finn—follow well-defined archetypes that work to create tension, but they lack individual depth. Since this is a trilogy, I expected more "screen time" to understand what drives them beyond their superficial elite traumas.
As for the romance, this is where the book is most divisive. The chemistry between the four is undeniable, but it manifests in a way that felt much more rooted in physical desire than in a genuine, emotional interest. The connections are instant and intense but lack that "slow burn" that makes a literary romance rewarding.
⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂
● The "Aetherbond": Premise vs. Execution
The introduction of the bond (the Aetherbond) emerges as the story's great turning point. While it is a fascinating concept, it felt like a convenient narrative solution to unite characters who hadn't yet built a solid foundation of trust. Instead of seeing the group learn to work together through conflict and growth, the bond is "thrown" into the story, forcing a union that didn't yet seem earned by the plot's development.
⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂
Final Verdict
Skyborne Academy: Aetherbond is a fast, fun, and visually rich read, ideal for those seeking immediate entertainment who don't mind a more direct narrative. However, for the reader looking for sci-fi with psychological layers and more human, "imperfect" character development—as the protagonist herself advocates in her passion for machines—the book may sound a bit superficial.
Pros:
○ Industrial aesthetic and initial world-building.
○ Protagonist with authentic and interesting technical skills.
○ Constant tension that keeps the reading pace.
Cons:
○ Excessively fast pace after the start.
○ Lack of depth in the development of co-protagonists.
○ Romance that focuses more on physical attraction than emotional connection.
⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂
Another point that made me reflect on the narrative structure is the fact that Lolu Sinclair is actually a pseudonym for a pair of authors. Knowing that the work is co-authored by four hands raises an inevitable question: could this rush to deliver events and the certain superficiality in emotional bonds be a reflection of a lack of fine-tuning between the two minds behind the text? Writing in partnership requires absolute coordination for the story to flow with a single, cohesive voice. In this book's case, I had the sense that the connection between the authors is still trying to find itself, which ultimately results in a plot that tramples character development in the name of speed. It remains to be seen if the "bond" they explore so much in the fiction was missing behind the scenes of creation, preventing the work from reaching the depth the original premise so promised.
⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂
I hope that in the second volume, now that the foundations (and the bond) are established, the author allows themselves to slow down a bit and show us the true soul of these pilots and this mechanic.
🌙 Review: Skyborne Academy: Aetherbond: - by Lolu Sinclair
𓍊𓋼𓍊 2☆
🗡 Update (01/16/26)
❥๑━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━๑❥
● The Atmosphere and the Promising Start
The book's highlight is, without a doubt, the initial world-building. The duality between the "Groundborn"—who live amidst grease, smoke, and scrap metal—and the elite of the flying cities is palpable. Sinclair manages to create a highly engaging industrial aesthetic. At the beginning, Lyra's journey feels authentic; we feel the weight of her tools and the raw reality of those living at the base of the social pyramid. The sci-fi vibe mixed with "old-school" mechanics is a breath of fresh air for the genre.
⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂
● The Pace and Structure of the Academy
However, what begins as a solid construction seems to "fall apart" as soon as we cross the gates of Skyborne Academy. For the first volume of a trilogy, it lacks a more robust foundation. The transition from Lyra's peripheral life to the elite environment happens so rapidly that I barely had time to process the cultural shock alongside the protagonist. I feel that the narrative sacrificed world-building and scenery exploration in favor of a succession of events that tramples our ability to care about the rules of that new society.
⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂
● Characters and Relationship Dynamics
The "Golden Trio"—Auren, Jax, and Finn—follow well-defined archetypes that work to create tension, but they lack individual depth. Since this is a trilogy, I expected more "screen time" to understand what drives them beyond their superficial elite traumas.
As for the romance, this is where the book is most divisive. The chemistry between the four is undeniable, but it manifests in a way that felt much more rooted in physical desire than in a genuine, emotional interest. The connections are instant and intense but lack that "slow burn" that makes a literary romance rewarding.
⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂
● The "Aetherbond": Premise vs. Execution
The introduction of the bond (the Aetherbond) emerges as the story's great turning point. While it is a fascinating concept, it felt like a convenient narrative solution to unite characters who hadn't yet built a solid foundation of trust. Instead of seeing the group learn to work together through conflict and growth, the bond is "thrown" into the story, forcing a union that didn't yet seem earned by the plot's development.
⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂
Final Verdict
Skyborne Academy: Aetherbond is a fast, fun, and visually rich read, ideal for those seeking immediate entertainment who don't mind a more direct narrative. However, for the reader looking for sci-fi with psychological layers and more human, "imperfect" character development—as the protagonist herself advocates in her passion for machines—the book may sound a bit superficial.
Pros:
○ Industrial aesthetic and initial world-building.
○ Protagonist with authentic and interesting technical skills.
○ Constant tension that keeps the reading pace.
Cons:
○ Excessively fast pace after the start.
○ Lack of depth in the development of co-protagonists.
○ Romance that focuses more on physical attraction than emotional connection.
⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂
Another point that made me reflect on the narrative structure is the fact that Lolu Sinclair is actually a pseudonym for a pair of authors. Knowing that the work is co-authored by four hands raises an inevitable question: could this rush to deliver events and the certain superficiality in emotional bonds be a reflection of a lack of fine-tuning between the two minds behind the text? Writing in partnership requires absolute coordination for the story to flow with a single, cohesive voice. In this book's case, I had the sense that the connection between the authors is still trying to find itself, which ultimately results in a plot that tramples character development in the name of speed. It remains to be seen if the "bond" they explore so much in the fiction was missing behind the scenes of creation, preventing the work from reaching the depth the original premise so promised.
⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂⁂⋆⁺⋆ ⸼ ⁂
I hope that in the second volume, now that the foundations (and the bond) are established, the author allows themselves to slow down a bit and show us the true soul of these pilots and this mechanic.
Read
January 10, 2026**Thank you to NetGalley and Lolu Sinclair for providing an ARC copy of this book.**
Story & Plot
The story opens in a fairly chaotic way, which took me a little time to settle into as a reader. We first meet the FMC working in what appears to be a mechanical shop alongside her uncle. When he is suddenly taken away for illegal activities, she is left on her own and decides to enroll at the Academy, helped along by a full-ride scholarship.
Once the story moves to the Academy setting, it finds its more of its rhythm and becomes. From there, the focus shifts clearly toward the romantic storyline, which involves multiple love interests and forms the core of the book.
Writing Style
The pacing is very fast, driven by quick dialogue and short scenes, which means the story never feels slow or stagnant. At times, however, I found myself wishing for brief pauses to reflect or to explore the world in more depth.
The language leans heavily into modern, youthful phrasing, such as "nope with extra nope sauce", "ten out of ten do not recommend", "the shuttle makes our tragedy look artsy", "and write LOL in the margin", etc. There is a consistent attempt to weave humor into the narrative. While not every joke landed for me, several genuinely worked and added to the story.
Worldbuilding & Fantasy Elements
The fantasy aspects are present but not as fully developed as the romance. Certain elements of the world, such as the importance of skycarts, play a role in the story but are not always clearly explained, which occasionally made the setting feel a bit vague.
Overall Impression
Overall, this is a fast and engaging read that pulls you from one scene to the next. The romance is clearly the heart of the story, while the fantasy serves more as a backdrop. Readers who prioritize romantic dynamics over detailed worldbuilding are likely to enjoy this book. Personally, I prefer more focus on the fantasy aspect, but that is my personal opinion.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoyed Fall of Ruin and Wrath, where there is heavy reliance on the romance aspects of the story.
Story & Plot
The story opens in a fairly chaotic way, which took me a little time to settle into as a reader. We first meet the FMC working in what appears to be a mechanical shop alongside her uncle. When he is suddenly taken away for illegal activities, she is left on her own and decides to enroll at the Academy, helped along by a full-ride scholarship.
Once the story moves to the Academy setting, it finds its more of its rhythm and becomes. From there, the focus shifts clearly toward the romantic storyline, which involves multiple love interests and forms the core of the book.
Writing Style
The pacing is very fast, driven by quick dialogue and short scenes, which means the story never feels slow or stagnant. At times, however, I found myself wishing for brief pauses to reflect or to explore the world in more depth.
The language leans heavily into modern, youthful phrasing, such as "nope with extra nope sauce", "ten out of ten do not recommend", "the shuttle makes our tragedy look artsy", "and write LOL in the margin", etc. There is a consistent attempt to weave humor into the narrative. While not every joke landed for me, several genuinely worked and added to the story.
Worldbuilding & Fantasy Elements
The fantasy aspects are present but not as fully developed as the romance. Certain elements of the world, such as the importance of skycarts, play a role in the story but are not always clearly explained, which occasionally made the setting feel a bit vague.
Overall Impression
Overall, this is a fast and engaging read that pulls you from one scene to the next. The romance is clearly the heart of the story, while the fantasy serves more as a backdrop. Readers who prioritize romantic dynamics over detailed worldbuilding are likely to enjoy this book. Personally, I prefer more focus on the fantasy aspect, but that is my personal opinion.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoyed Fall of Ruin and Wrath, where there is heavy reliance on the romance aspects of the story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4⭐️ A low B-
After Lyra's Uncle Orin is arrested and the workshop is destroyed, she is sent to Skyborne Academy against her will. She is learning how to be a mechanic and to keep their pilots alive. It's here she meets Finn, Jax, and Aurden, 3 irresistible pilots that she grows close to.
I loved the banter and sarcastic sense of humor that was used throughout the story. Lyra and Rhea cracked me up. Overall, I enjoyed the voice or tone of the story. The space academy setting with pilots and mechanics was interesting and fast-paced.
However, the story did need some more world building. The story is only 238 pages. It definitely could use some details. The Aetherbond needs more explanation. When we, the readers, first meet Jax, Finn, and Aurden, the author makes it feel like we should know them all ready. Maybe there was something cut here??
Overall, it was a fun quick read, and I look forward to book 2.
Thank you for choosing me to be an ARC Reader.
After Lyra's Uncle Orin is arrested and the workshop is destroyed, she is sent to Skyborne Academy against her will. She is learning how to be a mechanic and to keep their pilots alive. It's here she meets Finn, Jax, and Aurden, 3 irresistible pilots that she grows close to.
I loved the banter and sarcastic sense of humor that was used throughout the story. Lyra and Rhea cracked me up. Overall, I enjoyed the voice or tone of the story. The space academy setting with pilots and mechanics was interesting and fast-paced.
However, the story did need some more world building. The story is only 238 pages. It definitely could use some details. The Aetherbond needs more explanation. When we, the readers, first meet Jax, Finn, and Aurden, the author makes it feel like we should know them all ready. Maybe there was something cut here??
Overall, it was a fun quick read, and I look forward to book 2.
Thank you for choosing me to be an ARC Reader.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Mechanic school, banter, friendship and the beginning of a romance. This book was full of machine oil and engines. Even though I know nothing about them, I was hooked thanks to the sassy and verbal FMC and the three confident handsome pilots.
At the end, there is a captivating introduction to a rare mystical phenomenon among the team. The only downside to the book is its shortness, I would have liked to read 100 more pages. However, I am looking forward to the sequel and can recommend the book to anyone interested.
Thanks to Lost Lust publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy in advance!
At the end, there is a captivating introduction to a rare mystical phenomenon among the team. The only downside to the book is its shortness, I would have liked to read 100 more pages. However, I am looking forward to the sequel and can recommend the book to anyone interested.
Thanks to Lost Lust publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy in advance!
January 23, 2026
This was my very first approved ARC, and I want to extend my sincerest thanks to NetGalley and Lolu Sinclair for approving me!
“The world does not behave. Neither do I.”
My rating for this book is a solid ⭐⭐, give or take a half star. The premise intrigued me, the FMC intrigued me, but the book didn't deliver what felt promised. I had a really hard time pushing myself to the end, even when things did pick up and get interesting. For that reason, I just can't justify rating any higher.
Thoughts:
Skyborne Academy: Aetherbond has a unique concept that really appealed to me. It was the very first ARC I applied to for exactly that reason. I loved the idea of a sci-fi pilot / mechanic academy, in a society separated between land and sky. I was also really interested in the idea of a "why choose" romance. I've never read one before, but the idea is definitely up my alley.
Unfortunately, I went in with high hopes, and the book just didn't deliver. I tried so so hard to like this book, to push through the inconsistencies and confusion and weirdness. I did manage to finish it, but only just. I was on the verge of DNFing when the story finally picked up around 60 percent, which is what allowed me to finish it in the end.
While the book's ending was a lot more compelling, and has me wondering about the future, it was dragged down significantly by the disorganized and inconsistent beginning.
Plot:
Lyra is a sarcastic groundborn mechanic who works in a small shop with her uncle. Or at least, she did, before enforcers barge in, tear the place apart, and drag him away right before her eyes. Of course, that only happens after he shows her a Skyborne Academy scholarship letter for which he's forged her acceptance signature,
Against her will, Lyra is taken to the academy, where she meets her friend Rhea and 3 boys that will change the course of her life forever. However, the more days that pass, the more unusual occurrences she finds. Someone is tampering with the pilots' vessels, and it's intentional. Can Lyra figure out what's going on under the watchful eyes of the academy? Maybe, with help.
Writing:
I have incredibly mixed feelings on the writing of this book. The actual written word is very easy to follow. It's written in a style that seems intuitive to how I naturally think and speak, which made it very easy to understand, and to read aloud. It also featured a lot of humor that I personally found charming. This is one of the first books where my highlights consisted almost entirely of one liners and clever quips.
On the other hand the writing from a story centered perspective felt very lacking. The physical descriptions provided very little as far as mental imagery. Honestly, I couldn't tell you what any of the characters looked like. I also couldn't tell you what the skycarts were actually meant to be. The environments and interactions were quite a fair bit better, but they'd have benefitted from a bit more detail.
In general though, there were also a lot of narrative inconsistencies, and situations where I felt like a chapter or two had been deleted. It was almost impossible to tell the passage of time, due to a lack of "later that evening"' or "The next day"s. I was genuinely shocked when, at around 60 percent, I was told that Lyra had just taken her final exams. Up until that point, I'd been under the impression that it'd only been a month or two max. I really had no idea of the passage of time until the very end when days started happening back to back, and that was really not fun.
World Building
The worldbuilding... Practically didn't exist. This was perhaps the greatest disappointment for me. When I read the summary, the world sounded so interesting. I was eager to learn more. I wanted to understand the time period, the social structure, what sort of world we were in, and how all the characters actually fit into it. I wanted to learn about the politics between skyborn and groundborn, but that information just didn't exist. The first chapter did a decent job of setting the scene, as did the first look at the academy, but after that, the rest of the world basically ceased to exist. We never heard about it again, not even through vague references. It made the academy feel completely disconnected from any semblance of reality, as if it was its own self-contained universe, rooted in nothing but itself.
I would have really really liked to learn more about the universe Lyra and the others live in, and I hope this is addressed more thoroughly in future installments.
Characters:
The characters in Skyborne Academy were actually pretty well rounded. There wasn't anyone I really disliked seeing on page. Unfortunately, some of the secondary characters had a bad tendency to fade in and out of existence, to the point you might end up forgetting about them. Some of them disappear, never to be seen again with no explanation.
- Lyra is (as I said) a sarcastic groundborn mechanic who absolutely adores aircrafts. She's quick witted, clever, and isn't afraid to mouth off to authority. She's incredibly good at what she does, and it's noted several times that she sees things that others don't. Except she's almost always winging it. She's also pretty desperately thirsty for the MMCs, which is a blessing and a curse.
- Auren is the most calculated and controlled person on the planet, and he's kind of an ass. He had the most believable introduction to Lyra, because he took a bit to warm up to her in any tangible form. His progression was probably the most genuine feeling, but he wasn't the most fun on page.
- Jax is an arrogant daredevil who thinks rules are suggestions at best. He is definitely the type of character who steals the scene when he enters it, and I felt like he played off Lyra's witty banter really well. They absolutely have the best verbal dynamic. His introduction was weird though. It felt like we missed a chapter where they met for the first time.
- Fynn is calm and collected, very measured and careful. He comes off as the least interesting character to read, but he actually is very pleasant on page. His coolness pairs very well with Lyra's hyperactivates, and he acts as a bit of a natural anchor for her. I felt like his introduction to her was alright. Not too unbelievable, but it still felt like we'd missed something.
- Rhea is Lyra's best friend, apparently. She's used sparingly, popping in and out of the story as needed, to the point I almost forgot about her more than once. When she is on page, she's pretty interesting to read. Witty, smart, I like her.
- Solenne is one of the instructors at the academy, the first to be in contact with Lyra. Throughout the story, she acts as an unknown factor. None of the cast is ever really sure if she's with or against them. I found her very interesting to read for that reason, as I got to speculate her intentions with the main characters.
- The Other Characters were pretty alright. None were particularly uninteresting, but like I said, they did have a tendency to fade in and out of relevancy. One of the instructors just flat out disappeared with no written reason. Who knows if he even still exists.
Additional Aspects:
- Mechanic Stuff: This seems like a bit of a hot take after seeing some of the other reviews, but I LOVED all the mechanical talk and descriptions. I'm a big nerd for sci-fi machinery and the work it takes to maintain and fine tune them. Aside from the banter, this was probably my favorite part. I loved seeing our FMC find anomalies and little inconsistencies like the brilliant mechanic she is! I'm also really intrigued as to how she'll manage to keep doing so in future installments.
- Aetherbond: The aetherbond was a really cool concept, and the scene(s) that introduced it were some of the most engaging in the entire book! It gave the characters a really interesting dynamic that I think will be fun to explore in the 2 upcoming installments. I wanna know more about how and why it happens, maybe about the past instances.
- End Plot: Although the start of the book wasn't very fun for me, the last half was a great time! Once shit started flying, it never stopped. There absolutely wasn't a dull moment from the moment the story picked up to the minute it ended. It left me feeling interested in these characters' futures in spite of the issues I had with the first half. If the next books are written more like this, I can see them being very well recieved!
- Banter: I just wanna reiterate again that the character dialogue and thoughts were so fun. The banter, inner monologues, and commentary were one of the best parts of the book. You could really tell that it was something the author really enjoyed writing, and cared a lot about getting right. It's a shame that doing so was detrimental to the story, but there was never a point where I didn't find the dialogue fun.
- MMCs: The introduction of the MMCs felt weird. It was the first part of the book where I felt like we were missing a chapter or two. They were introduced as if we were supposed to know them already, by name by Lyra, just for Rhea to come in and name them off for her less than a paragraph later. There was no build up, no mystery. They were there, we learned their name, and that was it. Their dynamics with Lyra also didn't feel very earned honestly.
- Slow Start & Plot Neglect: I had a really hard time getting into this book. As I mentioned, the story doesn't really pick up until about 60 percent in. Before that, it's 20 percent plot and 80 percent random banter and the main character being unbearably thirsty. I know this is a "why choose" book, but from the very moment she first interacts with these guys, she's already thirsting. I don't mind a spicy thirsty book, but this felt like it came at the detriment of the actual plot.
- The passage of Time: Time was a big big issue in this book. I touched on it before, but there was almost no point for the first half of the book where I felt like I knew how long it'd been. At one point, 8 days was mentioned, but it felt like 3. I was also flabbergasted when I was told that finals had happened. I was only 55 percent of the way in when it sounded like the year was coming to a close. I realize that this is because the final 40 percent were going to be very intense and detailed, but still.
- Missing Pieces: I felt like there was so much left out, like the author felt as though they didn't have enough pages for the story they wanted to tell. This book would have benefitted by being twice the length it is. There were certain things that it felt like we should see, but never did. After day 1, Lyra never attended a single class at the academy again. She was entirely 100 percent doing hangar work and flight monitoring. It was missing things like this that made the setting feel irrelevant. The plot and setting came secondary to the banter and thirst and it just wasn't a good vibe for me.
- Interest Time: The time it took me to feel interested properly was way too much. 55 percent is way too late to start the intrigue. After the first 15 percent, it felt like a whole lot of nothing with a few sprinklings of plot before shit hit the fan all of a sudden.
Closing Thoughts:
This story had all the ingredients to be an incredible adventure, but it feels like it wasn't given the time and pages necessary to really rise into what it deserved to be, and that was really disappointing. The premise of the story was interesting, the world sounded cool, the academy sounded fun, but we barely got to experience any of those things, because it felt like the author was too interested in writing funny one liners to bother with the rest. I love fast paced stories when they're done well, but that just wasn't a mark I felt was hit here. I tried really really hard to love this book from start to finish, because the concept was a dream come true, but unfortunately, I just couldn't.
The story needed more time and care to become what it feels like it was supposed to be. It needed more care put into the world building and timeline. It needed more effort to be put into believable character dynamics, character stories. It needed better narrative cohesion and stronger direction. It needed more clarity.
Unfortunately, unless they receive glowing reviews, I can't see myself picking up future installments. I am very interested to see where the story goes, how the characters progress, and if the world is built more thoroughly, but I don't think I trust the writing cohesion enough to go in blind a second time.
This book clearly wasn't executed in a way that worked for me, but I can see some people having fun with it. I think this book would be good for someone who likes tons of character interaction and witty banter. There's just so so much of that in here. I think it'd also be good for someone who enjoys a very hectic storytelling style.
As always, this is all just my opinion based on my expectations and experience. What I've said in this review was written solely with constructive intent. I like this premise, and I want to see it shine with the intensity of the sun!
“The world does not behave. Neither do I.”
My rating for this book is a solid ⭐⭐, give or take a half star. The premise intrigued me, the FMC intrigued me, but the book didn't deliver what felt promised. I had a really hard time pushing myself to the end, even when things did pick up and get interesting. For that reason, I just can't justify rating any higher.
Thoughts:
Skyborne Academy: Aetherbond has a unique concept that really appealed to me. It was the very first ARC I applied to for exactly that reason. I loved the idea of a sci-fi pilot / mechanic academy, in a society separated between land and sky. I was also really interested in the idea of a "why choose" romance. I've never read one before, but the idea is definitely up my alley.
Unfortunately, I went in with high hopes, and the book just didn't deliver. I tried so so hard to like this book, to push through the inconsistencies and confusion and weirdness. I did manage to finish it, but only just. I was on the verge of DNFing when the story finally picked up around 60 percent, which is what allowed me to finish it in the end.
While the book's ending was a lot more compelling, and has me wondering about the future, it was dragged down significantly by the disorganized and inconsistent beginning.
Plot:
Lyra is a sarcastic groundborn mechanic who works in a small shop with her uncle. Or at least, she did, before enforcers barge in, tear the place apart, and drag him away right before her eyes. Of course, that only happens after he shows her a Skyborne Academy scholarship letter for which he's forged her acceptance signature,
Against her will, Lyra is taken to the academy, where she meets her friend Rhea and 3 boys that will change the course of her life forever. However, the more days that pass, the more unusual occurrences she finds. Someone is tampering with the pilots' vessels, and it's intentional. Can Lyra figure out what's going on under the watchful eyes of the academy? Maybe, with help.
Writing:
I have incredibly mixed feelings on the writing of this book. The actual written word is very easy to follow. It's written in a style that seems intuitive to how I naturally think and speak, which made it very easy to understand, and to read aloud. It also featured a lot of humor that I personally found charming. This is one of the first books where my highlights consisted almost entirely of one liners and clever quips.
On the other hand the writing from a story centered perspective felt very lacking. The physical descriptions provided very little as far as mental imagery. Honestly, I couldn't tell you what any of the characters looked like. I also couldn't tell you what the skycarts were actually meant to be. The environments and interactions were quite a fair bit better, but they'd have benefitted from a bit more detail.
In general though, there were also a lot of narrative inconsistencies, and situations where I felt like a chapter or two had been deleted. It was almost impossible to tell the passage of time, due to a lack of "later that evening"' or "The next day"s. I was genuinely shocked when, at around 60 percent, I was told that Lyra had just taken her final exams. Up until that point, I'd been under the impression that it'd only been a month or two max. I really had no idea of the passage of time until the very end when days started happening back to back, and that was really not fun.
World Building
The worldbuilding... Practically didn't exist. This was perhaps the greatest disappointment for me. When I read the summary, the world sounded so interesting. I was eager to learn more. I wanted to understand the time period, the social structure, what sort of world we were in, and how all the characters actually fit into it. I wanted to learn about the politics between skyborn and groundborn, but that information just didn't exist. The first chapter did a decent job of setting the scene, as did the first look at the academy, but after that, the rest of the world basically ceased to exist. We never heard about it again, not even through vague references. It made the academy feel completely disconnected from any semblance of reality, as if it was its own self-contained universe, rooted in nothing but itself.
I would have really really liked to learn more about the universe Lyra and the others live in, and I hope this is addressed more thoroughly in future installments.
Characters:
The characters in Skyborne Academy were actually pretty well rounded. There wasn't anyone I really disliked seeing on page. Unfortunately, some of the secondary characters had a bad tendency to fade in and out of existence, to the point you might end up forgetting about them. Some of them disappear, never to be seen again with no explanation.
- Lyra is (as I said) a sarcastic groundborn mechanic who absolutely adores aircrafts. She's quick witted, clever, and isn't afraid to mouth off to authority. She's incredibly good at what she does, and it's noted several times that she sees things that others don't. Except she's almost always winging it. She's also pretty desperately thirsty for the MMCs, which is a blessing and a curse.
- Auren is the most calculated and controlled person on the planet, and he's kind of an ass. He had the most believable introduction to Lyra, because he took a bit to warm up to her in any tangible form. His progression was probably the most genuine feeling, but he wasn't the most fun on page.
- Jax is an arrogant daredevil who thinks rules are suggestions at best. He is definitely the type of character who steals the scene when he enters it, and I felt like he played off Lyra's witty banter really well. They absolutely have the best verbal dynamic. His introduction was weird though. It felt like we missed a chapter where they met for the first time.
- Fynn is calm and collected, very measured and careful. He comes off as the least interesting character to read, but he actually is very pleasant on page. His coolness pairs very well with Lyra's hyperactivates, and he acts as a bit of a natural anchor for her. I felt like his introduction to her was alright. Not too unbelievable, but it still felt like we'd missed something.
- Rhea is Lyra's best friend, apparently. She's used sparingly, popping in and out of the story as needed, to the point I almost forgot about her more than once. When she is on page, she's pretty interesting to read. Witty, smart, I like her.
- Solenne is one of the instructors at the academy, the first to be in contact with Lyra. Throughout the story, she acts as an unknown factor. None of the cast is ever really sure if she's with or against them. I found her very interesting to read for that reason, as I got to speculate her intentions with the main characters.
- The Other Characters were pretty alright. None were particularly uninteresting, but like I said, they did have a tendency to fade in and out of relevancy. One of the instructors just flat out disappeared with no written reason. Who knows if he even still exists.
Additional Aspects:
- Mechanic Stuff: This seems like a bit of a hot take after seeing some of the other reviews, but I LOVED all the mechanical talk and descriptions. I'm a big nerd for sci-fi machinery and the work it takes to maintain and fine tune them. Aside from the banter, this was probably my favorite part. I loved seeing our FMC find anomalies and little inconsistencies like the brilliant mechanic she is! I'm also really intrigued as to how she'll manage to keep doing so in future installments.
- Aetherbond: The aetherbond was a really cool concept, and the scene(s) that introduced it were some of the most engaging in the entire book! It gave the characters a really interesting dynamic that I think will be fun to explore in the 2 upcoming installments. I wanna know more about how and why it happens, maybe about the past instances.
- End Plot: Although the start of the book wasn't very fun for me, the last half was a great time! Once shit started flying, it never stopped. There absolutely wasn't a dull moment from the moment the story picked up to the minute it ended. It left me feeling interested in these characters' futures in spite of the issues I had with the first half. If the next books are written more like this, I can see them being very well recieved!
- Banter: I just wanna reiterate again that the character dialogue and thoughts were so fun. The banter, inner monologues, and commentary were one of the best parts of the book. You could really tell that it was something the author really enjoyed writing, and cared a lot about getting right. It's a shame that doing so was detrimental to the story, but there was never a point where I didn't find the dialogue fun.
- MMCs: The introduction of the MMCs felt weird. It was the first part of the book where I felt like we were missing a chapter or two. They were introduced as if we were supposed to know them already, by name by Lyra, just for Rhea to come in and name them off for her less than a paragraph later. There was no build up, no mystery. They were there, we learned their name, and that was it. Their dynamics with Lyra also didn't feel very earned honestly.
- Slow Start & Plot Neglect: I had a really hard time getting into this book. As I mentioned, the story doesn't really pick up until about 60 percent in. Before that, it's 20 percent plot and 80 percent random banter and the main character being unbearably thirsty. I know this is a "why choose" book, but from the very moment she first interacts with these guys, she's already thirsting. I don't mind a spicy thirsty book, but this felt like it came at the detriment of the actual plot.
- The passage of Time: Time was a big big issue in this book. I touched on it before, but there was almost no point for the first half of the book where I felt like I knew how long it'd been. At one point, 8 days was mentioned, but it felt like 3. I was also flabbergasted when I was told that finals had happened. I was only 55 percent of the way in when it sounded like the year was coming to a close. I realize that this is because the final 40 percent were going to be very intense and detailed, but still.
- Missing Pieces: I felt like there was so much left out, like the author felt as though they didn't have enough pages for the story they wanted to tell. This book would have benefitted by being twice the length it is. There were certain things that it felt like we should see, but never did. After day 1, Lyra never attended a single class at the academy again. She was entirely 100 percent doing hangar work and flight monitoring. It was missing things like this that made the setting feel irrelevant. The plot and setting came secondary to the banter and thirst and it just wasn't a good vibe for me.
- Interest Time: The time it took me to feel interested properly was way too much. 55 percent is way too late to start the intrigue. After the first 15 percent, it felt like a whole lot of nothing with a few sprinklings of plot before shit hit the fan all of a sudden.
Closing Thoughts:
This story had all the ingredients to be an incredible adventure, but it feels like it wasn't given the time and pages necessary to really rise into what it deserved to be, and that was really disappointing. The premise of the story was interesting, the world sounded cool, the academy sounded fun, but we barely got to experience any of those things, because it felt like the author was too interested in writing funny one liners to bother with the rest. I love fast paced stories when they're done well, but that just wasn't a mark I felt was hit here. I tried really really hard to love this book from start to finish, because the concept was a dream come true, but unfortunately, I just couldn't.
The story needed more time and care to become what it feels like it was supposed to be. It needed more care put into the world building and timeline. It needed more effort to be put into believable character dynamics, character stories. It needed better narrative cohesion and stronger direction. It needed more clarity.
Unfortunately, unless they receive glowing reviews, I can't see myself picking up future installments. I am very interested to see where the story goes, how the characters progress, and if the world is built more thoroughly, but I don't think I trust the writing cohesion enough to go in blind a second time.
This book clearly wasn't executed in a way that worked for me, but I can see some people having fun with it. I think this book would be good for someone who likes tons of character interaction and witty banter. There's just so so much of that in here. I think it'd also be good for someone who enjoys a very hectic storytelling style.
As always, this is all just my opinion based on my expectations and experience. What I've said in this review was written solely with constructive intent. I like this premise, and I want to see it shine with the intensity of the sun!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was my first "Why Choose" story and I want to start off thanking NetGalley for approving an ARC.
I believe the story, if written better, could have been really something exquisite. It's clear Lolu Sinclair has some pretty fantastic and original ideas, which is rare to find in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre (it feels like everything has been done). I really wanted to enjoy this book, and while there were aspects I enjoyed, there were things that were really hard to grapple with that left me feeling like I was out in the desert and someone handed me an empty glass. I'll start with the good, because even if I didn't love a story overall, I think it's important to highlight the wins.
We start off in...some world or place and meet Lyra, who works in a workshop with her uncle. When he's arrested for having contraband skycraft, she is sent to "The Academy" against her will, where she is placed as a mechanic and tasked with keeping their elite pilots alive. She befriends Rhea, a clever talented friend, and of course meets three heartthrob pilots she'll eventually work with. From her first week in the maintenance hangar, she begins to notice small anomalies that cannot be chalked up to happenstance. Someone is intentionally sabotaging not just one, but all three handsome pilots' skycarts. Is this a targeted attempt on their lives or does the plot run deeper and involve Lyra herself...and who can she trust?
Lyra - although I have no idea what this character looks like because character descriptions seemed to be all but forgotten, she is SASSY. For the most part, I really enjoyed her wittiness, trending heavily toward sardonic for most of the book. "He sighs, which is rich, because I'm the one being assaulted by stationery." This line actually made me laugh out loud. You can tell that this sarcasm is used often as a shield and I did appreciate her development throughout the story and seeing her begin to let that shield down at times. There were points where I felt it was a bit excessive, not everything has to be a witty one-liner, but for the most part I like a gritty, strong FMC. She's also extremely clever. Her adeptness was supported by her years of working with her uncle Orin, which I appreciated that there was a foundation for her brilliance rather than her just picking things up unrealistically fast at the Academy.
Finn, Auren, Jax - again, no clue what they look like (except Finn, for whom we get a brief description that he has brown hair and gold eyes) other than the fact that they are the devilishly handsome first year flight trio that Lyra ends up being a mechanic for. Since this book was all from Lyra's perspective and we don't really get to hear their "voices," I did appreciate that some effort went into giving them pretty different personalities.
The premise of the plot was just....itching to be amazing. I love a lower class main character who sticks it to the man (very Red Rising, Hunger Games, etc). But I felt like the book did not deliver what the description promised.
World building....is it in the room with us? I have no idea what this world is like or what timeline we're in. It feels slightly dystopian near future. I am not a big fan of phrases that are used commonly in the real world used in books like these because they pull me out of the story. For example, the author uses phrases like "clock", "vibes", "ten out of ten do not recommend" and also references TED Talks and Monopoly ("Do not pass Go") and instead of remaining immersed in the story, I'm wondering what time this all takes place where the MC knows about TED Talks and is saying things like "arranged by vibes." It feels anachronistic and slightly jarring. Besides the pretty standard hierarchical setup, I have no clue what the world looks like, topography, how the sky born/ground born division began, how the Sky born....land....remains in the air, and so many other questions. And what is the Academy? Students go around age 20, but it seems they are immediately thrust into doing the jobs they are there to learn. What is the Guild? Who is on the Council?
Sometimes extensive world building isn't necessary, but it certainly helps. If a little is sacrificed for the sake of good character development, it's forgivable, but I felt like we didn't truly get that either. Relationships felt so rushed, I found myself turning back pages to see if I missed something. Rhea immediately feels like a close friend and speaks of Jax, Finn, and Auren as if Lyra should already know them intimately when in reality, it's her first day at the school. Just 63 pages in, Lyra thinks, "That's the trick with Finn. He's a gravity well for honesty." And I found myself thinking....she's had one conversation with him, how can she know his tricks? Overall, this was the most unsettling thing about the entire book. We don't see any of these relationships develop, we are just catapulted into pretty flimsy attachments that seem rooted in nothing but physical attraction. And we are reminded far too many times how distracting Lyra's libido is. I'm not generally a fan of smut, but when done tastefully it's okay. Lyra nearly having sex with Finn while the two other boys slept in the same room was just...cringe (and she had already slept with Jax, but I guess that's the point of the 'Why Choose' genre?).
Aetherbond - what exactly is this? This seems like it could be a really cool premise as it's something that hasn't been seen in decades and yet, it's not really explained at all. They're bonded...linked...and can feel each other's emotions and thoughts. It makes sense that they instantly become guinea pigs to be monitored by the Guild (whoever they are), but I do wish we'd know a bit more of the backstory. Perhaps the nature of the Aetherbond will be revealed in the next book.
And this is just a silly criticism....why are they called skycarts? All I could picture was a wagon with thrusters!
This book could have been 150 pages longer with more detail and I think it could have been really intriguing. As is, 2/5 stars, but I'll probably still read the second book if it's as short and quick a read as this one was.
I believe the story, if written better, could have been really something exquisite. It's clear Lolu Sinclair has some pretty fantastic and original ideas, which is rare to find in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre (it feels like everything has been done). I really wanted to enjoy this book, and while there were aspects I enjoyed, there were things that were really hard to grapple with that left me feeling like I was out in the desert and someone handed me an empty glass. I'll start with the good, because even if I didn't love a story overall, I think it's important to highlight the wins.
We start off in...some world or place and meet Lyra, who works in a workshop with her uncle. When he's arrested for having contraband skycraft, she is sent to "The Academy" against her will, where she is placed as a mechanic and tasked with keeping their elite pilots alive. She befriends Rhea, a clever talented friend, and of course meets three heartthrob pilots she'll eventually work with. From her first week in the maintenance hangar, she begins to notice small anomalies that cannot be chalked up to happenstance. Someone is intentionally sabotaging not just one, but all three handsome pilots' skycarts. Is this a targeted attempt on their lives or does the plot run deeper and involve Lyra herself...and who can she trust?
Lyra - although I have no idea what this character looks like because character descriptions seemed to be all but forgotten, she is SASSY. For the most part, I really enjoyed her wittiness, trending heavily toward sardonic for most of the book. "He sighs, which is rich, because I'm the one being assaulted by stationery." This line actually made me laugh out loud. You can tell that this sarcasm is used often as a shield and I did appreciate her development throughout the story and seeing her begin to let that shield down at times. There were points where I felt it was a bit excessive, not everything has to be a witty one-liner, but for the most part I like a gritty, strong FMC. She's also extremely clever. Her adeptness was supported by her years of working with her uncle Orin, which I appreciated that there was a foundation for her brilliance rather than her just picking things up unrealistically fast at the Academy.
Finn, Auren, Jax - again, no clue what they look like (except Finn, for whom we get a brief description that he has brown hair and gold eyes) other than the fact that they are the devilishly handsome first year flight trio that Lyra ends up being a mechanic for. Since this book was all from Lyra's perspective and we don't really get to hear their "voices," I did appreciate that some effort went into giving them pretty different personalities.
The premise of the plot was just....itching to be amazing. I love a lower class main character who sticks it to the man (very Red Rising, Hunger Games, etc). But I felt like the book did not deliver what the description promised.
World building....is it in the room with us? I have no idea what this world is like or what timeline we're in. It feels slightly dystopian near future. I am not a big fan of phrases that are used commonly in the real world used in books like these because they pull me out of the story. For example, the author uses phrases like "clock", "vibes", "ten out of ten do not recommend" and also references TED Talks and Monopoly ("Do not pass Go") and instead of remaining immersed in the story, I'm wondering what time this all takes place where the MC knows about TED Talks and is saying things like "arranged by vibes." It feels anachronistic and slightly jarring. Besides the pretty standard hierarchical setup, I have no clue what the world looks like, topography, how the sky born/ground born division began, how the Sky born....land....remains in the air, and so many other questions. And what is the Academy? Students go around age 20, but it seems they are immediately thrust into doing the jobs they are there to learn. What is the Guild? Who is on the Council?
Sometimes extensive world building isn't necessary, but it certainly helps. If a little is sacrificed for the sake of good character development, it's forgivable, but I felt like we didn't truly get that either. Relationships felt so rushed, I found myself turning back pages to see if I missed something. Rhea immediately feels like a close friend and speaks of Jax, Finn, and Auren as if Lyra should already know them intimately when in reality, it's her first day at the school. Just 63 pages in, Lyra thinks, "That's the trick with Finn. He's a gravity well for honesty." And I found myself thinking....she's had one conversation with him, how can she know his tricks? Overall, this was the most unsettling thing about the entire book. We don't see any of these relationships develop, we are just catapulted into pretty flimsy attachments that seem rooted in nothing but physical attraction. And we are reminded far too many times how distracting Lyra's libido is. I'm not generally a fan of smut, but when done tastefully it's okay. Lyra nearly having sex with Finn while the two other boys slept in the same room was just...cringe (and she had already slept with Jax, but I guess that's the point of the 'Why Choose' genre?).
Aetherbond - what exactly is this? This seems like it could be a really cool premise as it's something that hasn't been seen in decades and yet, it's not really explained at all. They're bonded...linked...and can feel each other's emotions and thoughts. It makes sense that they instantly become guinea pigs to be monitored by the Guild (whoever they are), but I do wish we'd know a bit more of the backstory. Perhaps the nature of the Aetherbond will be revealed in the next book.
And this is just a silly criticism....why are they called skycarts? All I could picture was a wagon with thrusters!
This book could have been 150 pages longer with more detail and I think it could have been really intriguing. As is, 2/5 stars, but I'll probably still read the second book if it's as short and quick a read as this one was.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have rated this book 2 stars.
It was good - it was a good vibes read BUT the author forgot to do the world building.
First - let me say that what kept me reading and what I really enjoyed was the FMC. She’s a grease monkey that gave me tiny Mercy Thompson vibes. She’s confident and she is super sassy and she speaks her mind with absolutely no filter.
The story has potential to be a 4 - 5 star read if the author put in more time with the world building. The story is giving Elysium vibes - you’ve got your dystopian world with upper class sky born people versus your lower class ground born people…but that is all we know. We don’t know what caused this divide. We don’t know why this Skyborne Academy is so important other than that it is a school for pilots and mechanics…..what are the pilots used for? Is it supposed to be for military purposes? Is it like NASCAR for funsies? Also why is the FMC and her boo thangs being targeted?
Also - their relationships are very rushed. I mean, they literally just met and now they’ve got this Aetherbond and we know nothing about them. No back story for any of the characters. No character descriptions. What is the Aetherbond? What is the Aether? We haven’t been given any information as to the importance of literally anything - who is the guild? The council? Who are the bad guys and what makes them the bad guys?
Like I said, I really enjoyed reading it - but I can’t tell you anything about the story except that she is a badass mechanic who knows her stuff and she’s now bonded to 3 guys with completely different personalities. Oh, and someone is out to get them…but we don’t know who or why.
It was good - it was a good vibes read BUT the author forgot to do the world building.
First - let me say that what kept me reading and what I really enjoyed was the FMC. She’s a grease monkey that gave me tiny Mercy Thompson vibes. She’s confident and she is super sassy and she speaks her mind with absolutely no filter.
The story has potential to be a 4 - 5 star read if the author put in more time with the world building. The story is giving Elysium vibes - you’ve got your dystopian world with upper class sky born people versus your lower class ground born people…but that is all we know. We don’t know what caused this divide. We don’t know why this Skyborne Academy is so important other than that it is a school for pilots and mechanics…..what are the pilots used for? Is it supposed to be for military purposes? Is it like NASCAR for funsies? Also why is the FMC and her boo thangs being targeted?
Also - their relationships are very rushed. I mean, they literally just met and now they’ve got this Aetherbond and we know nothing about them. No back story for any of the characters. No character descriptions. What is the Aetherbond? What is the Aether? We haven’t been given any information as to the importance of literally anything - who is the guild? The council? Who are the bad guys and what makes them the bad guys?
Like I said, I really enjoyed reading it - but I can’t tell you anything about the story except that she is a badass mechanic who knows her stuff and she’s now bonded to 3 guys with completely different personalities. Oh, and someone is out to get them…but we don’t know who or why.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Lolu Sinclair and Lost Lust for this ARC read. I did really enjoy this story and was a little frustrated I read it as an ARC rather than when the series was complete as I am left wondering what next…
Skyborne Academy is fast paced and straight to the point. Which isn’t maybe a bit of a miss in some respects as it left a lot to be imagined around world building, terminology explanation and even character description. However, it is exciting sci-fi/ fantasy romance story that builds a bit of tension throughout.
Lyra is SASSY and it is great. “Do you validate trauma, or should I keep the receipt?”. That girl is full of brilliant one liners and come backs. Probably to mask all her trauma and allowing her to keep people at a distance. But again, other than her uncle being arrested, we don’t know much about her past. Something I really hope gets to come through more in the following book.
The trio are turning out to be a perfect man split into 3, each one having a trait which creates a balance that Lyra needs. I can’t say I’ve read a “Why Choose” before, and I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes.
Ultimately, I did enjoy Skyborne Academy but give me another 100 pages at least to build that world, tell us what the Aetherbond is, it’s history and what it could mean for the four. It’s definitely worth a read, and I am looking forward to seeing what is in store in the next book (and keeping my fingers crossed we get some lore).
Skyborne Academy is fast paced and straight to the point. Which isn’t maybe a bit of a miss in some respects as it left a lot to be imagined around world building, terminology explanation and even character description. However, it is exciting sci-fi/ fantasy romance story that builds a bit of tension throughout.
Lyra is SASSY and it is great. “Do you validate trauma, or should I keep the receipt?”. That girl is full of brilliant one liners and come backs. Probably to mask all her trauma and allowing her to keep people at a distance. But again, other than her uncle being arrested, we don’t know much about her past. Something I really hope gets to come through more in the following book.
The trio are turning out to be a perfect man split into 3, each one having a trait which creates a balance that Lyra needs. I can’t say I’ve read a “Why Choose” before, and I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes.
Ultimately, I did enjoy Skyborne Academy but give me another 100 pages at least to build that world, tell us what the Aetherbond is, it’s history and what it could mean for the four. It’s definitely worth a read, and I am looking forward to seeing what is in store in the next book (and keeping my fingers crossed we get some lore).
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“I'm a very high-strung person pretending I'm chill."
Skyborne Academy: Aetherbound is a fast paced romantasy with a splash of tech and sci-fi. I picked up this book because the cover is just SO pretty and the premise is interesting.
The chapters are short and I ran through this book. It had a lot of comedy and I loved being thrown into the mechanics.
Where this book fell short if I felt like I was pulled out of it. I could not imagine the skycrafts because they weren’t really described. And the main character is obviously very knowledgeable but talked so much about things without explaining that I was sorta lost.
The romance was predictable but still enjoyable. I do wish it had been explored with more emotional depth, as parts of it felt somewhat clinical and rushed. That said, I’m still very curious to see where this dynamic goes in future books.
Overall, this was a fun, quick, and entertaining read. If you’re looking for something light, fast-paced, and easy to get through, this book definitely delivers.
“Auren's cold focus, like a steel wire. Jax's hot mischief, like a lit match. Finn's quiet steadiness, like a weighted blanket.”
I want to thank NetGalley, the author and the publisher for granting me the opportunity to read the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 17, 2026
Skyborne Academy: Aetherbound follows Lyra, a ground-born mechanic who earns a full scholarship to an elite academy in a floating city. Just as she’s about to leave, her uncle is arrested under suspicious circumstances, and Lyra hopes to use her new position at the academy to uncover the truth and try to free him.
One thing that surprised me was how humour-forward this book is. At first, I found it charming and endearing, but as the story progressed, the constant similes and jokes began to feel a little overwhelming. While I didn’t dislike the tone, it occasionally distracted from the tension and emotional weight of the plot.
I really enjoyed Lyra’s relationship with Rhea — their banter was a highlight for me and brought some genuine warmth to the story. The plot itself leans heavily into character relationships and Lyra’s mechanics expertise. While this made sense given her background, I would have loved more emphasis on worldbuilding and the floating city itself, which felt full of potential.
Overall, this was a quick, lighthearted read with an engaging premise and a strong cliffhanger ending. Despite some pacing and balance issues, I’m interested enough to continue the series and see where the story goes next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
One thing that surprised me was how humour-forward this book is. At first, I found it charming and endearing, but as the story progressed, the constant similes and jokes began to feel a little overwhelming. While I didn’t dislike the tone, it occasionally distracted from the tension and emotional weight of the plot.
I really enjoyed Lyra’s relationship with Rhea — their banter was a highlight for me and brought some genuine warmth to the story. The plot itself leans heavily into character relationships and Lyra’s mechanics expertise. While this made sense given her background, I would have loved more emphasis on worldbuilding and the floating city itself, which felt full of potential.
Overall, this was a quick, lighthearted read with an engaging premise and a strong cliffhanger ending. Despite some pacing and balance issues, I’m interested enough to continue the series and see where the story goes next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Is this a book I would usually pick up? Not exactly. Is this a book I would recommend to everyone? Also probably not. I believe this book is great for someone who is used to fast paced books & loves mechanic / gritty humor. OR someone like me who wants a complete palette cleanser!
The first few chapter fly by in a blur. It’s a little confusing due to this whole new world but not having a lot of information to understand the vibes. I wish the scenes were written out in more detail, however if the book is meant to be fast paced then you are naturally going to sacrifice that. Once Lyra gets to the academy things start making sense & it becomes enjoyable to read. As I kept reading I really started enjoying it! We get love interests AND a plot that was not soley about them… When I came to the terms with the lack of world building/detail I just made things up in my head about what the setting is like & set the expectation that I’m reading for the vibes. The book ends set up nicely for the next book and the storyline to continue but it feels like it was unfinished in a way?
I can appreciate that Skyborne “tries not to be like the other books” and to me accomplishes that in a witty, silly, & one of a kind way.
The first few chapter fly by in a blur. It’s a little confusing due to this whole new world but not having a lot of information to understand the vibes. I wish the scenes were written out in more detail, however if the book is meant to be fast paced then you are naturally going to sacrifice that. Once Lyra gets to the academy things start making sense & it becomes enjoyable to read. As I kept reading I really started enjoying it! We get love interests AND a plot that was not soley about them… When I came to the terms with the lack of world building/detail I just made things up in my head about what the setting is like & set the expectation that I’m reading for the vibes. The book ends set up nicely for the next book and the storyline to continue but it feels like it was unfinished in a way?
I can appreciate that Skyborne “tries not to be like the other books” and to me accomplishes that in a witty, silly, & one of a kind way.
January 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Lost Lust and Lolu Sinclair for the ARC of Skyborne Academy: Aetherbond.
I'm not going to lie, the synopsis of the book held my attention more than the book itself. This story does start fast and jumps right into things- which isn't necessarily always a bad thing, but I just found it to be a little lacklustre for my tastes. I found the world building was missing and I couldn't find myself as immersed in the story as I would have liked to be.
Lyra has found herself part of the Skyborne Academy after her uncle is arrested. She's a ground- born and the sky was never meant for her. She's already got talents as she was raised on grease and gravity. She's now forced to use those skills as a mechanic to keep the pilots in the Academy alive.
I will admit that the banter and sarcastic sense of humour drew me in but I found that personally it wasn't enough. There could have been more history and backstory to everything that would give readers a better understanding as to what is actually going on.
All and all it was a quick read, just personally not my cup of tea. I would rate it more 2.5 stars for me.
I'm not going to lie, the synopsis of the book held my attention more than the book itself. This story does start fast and jumps right into things- which isn't necessarily always a bad thing, but I just found it to be a little lacklustre for my tastes. I found the world building was missing and I couldn't find myself as immersed in the story as I would have liked to be.
Lyra has found herself part of the Skyborne Academy after her uncle is arrested. She's a ground- born and the sky was never meant for her. She's already got talents as she was raised on grease and gravity. She's now forced to use those skills as a mechanic to keep the pilots in the Academy alive.
I will admit that the banter and sarcastic sense of humour drew me in but I found that personally it wasn't enough. There could have been more history and backstory to everything that would give readers a better understanding as to what is actually going on.
All and all it was a quick read, just personally not my cup of tea. I would rate it more 2.5 stars for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
🌸🌸🌸 | 🌶️🌶️
ARC Review – Skyborne Academy by Lolu Sinclair
First off, the banter in this book? Top tier. Lyra’s back-and-forth with pretty much everyone had me smiling the whole time. She’s a badass FMC—confident, sharp-tongued, and insanely capable as a mechanic. She knows her shit, even if I personally had no idea what half the mechanical references meant 😅
I really enjoyed the premise and where the story seems to be heading, especially with Lyra’s relationships. That said, I would’ve loved a little less technical detail and a little more relationship building. It felt like there was a missed opportunity to really get to know the MMCs and her best friend on a deeper level—give me the girl gossip moments, the bonding, the emotional beats to balance all the mechanics.
For me, the strongest part of this book is definitely the banter, and that alone kept me invested. While I wanted more character depth and connection, I’m intrigued enough by the plot and dynamics to stick around and see where everything goes in book two.
If the sequel leans harder into relationships while keeping that same sharp banter? I’ll be all in 💕📚
ARC Review – Skyborne Academy by Lolu Sinclair
First off, the banter in this book? Top tier. Lyra’s back-and-forth with pretty much everyone had me smiling the whole time. She’s a badass FMC—confident, sharp-tongued, and insanely capable as a mechanic. She knows her shit, even if I personally had no idea what half the mechanical references meant 😅
I really enjoyed the premise and where the story seems to be heading, especially with Lyra’s relationships. That said, I would’ve loved a little less technical detail and a little more relationship building. It felt like there was a missed opportunity to really get to know the MMCs and her best friend on a deeper level—give me the girl gossip moments, the bonding, the emotional beats to balance all the mechanics.
For me, the strongest part of this book is definitely the banter, and that alone kept me invested. While I wanted more character depth and connection, I’m intrigued enough by the plot and dynamics to stick around and see where everything goes in book two.
If the sequel leans harder into relationships while keeping that same sharp banter? I’ll be all in 💕📚
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
thank you netgalley for the advanced copy!
this book was hard to get into at first. the writing is a bit different and the scene setting of the first few chapters was confusing to me. i had to try really hard to care about all the mechanic/flight jargon.
i liked the fmc, lyra. she is a mechanic (we love a women with a trade in a male dominated field). lyra seems to sense engines and often thinks of her tools as beings who can communicate with her. she trusts her instincts and isn’t afraid to speak up, even when she is thrown into a totally new and intimidating environment.
the mmc’s, auren, jax, and finn, are pilots. their introduction in the book felt very sudden and unnatural. they are also extremely one dimensional. they each have a characteristic to describe them and their every action speaks back to that one characteristic. this is a why choose romance but the romance is still building in book 1, there is only one explicit scene with one of the mmc’s and lyra.
this book picked up at the end and i will most likely read the next book in the series to see what happens next. hopefully there is more character development as we get to know our mmc’s better!
this book was hard to get into at first. the writing is a bit different and the scene setting of the first few chapters was confusing to me. i had to try really hard to care about all the mechanic/flight jargon.
i liked the fmc, lyra. she is a mechanic (we love a women with a trade in a male dominated field). lyra seems to sense engines and often thinks of her tools as beings who can communicate with her. she trusts her instincts and isn’t afraid to speak up, even when she is thrown into a totally new and intimidating environment.
the mmc’s, auren, jax, and finn, are pilots. their introduction in the book felt very sudden and unnatural. they are also extremely one dimensional. they each have a characteristic to describe them and their every action speaks back to that one characteristic. this is a why choose romance but the romance is still building in book 1, there is only one explicit scene with one of the mmc’s and lyra.
this book picked up at the end and i will most likely read the next book in the series to see what happens next. hopefully there is more character development as we get to know our mmc’s better!
January 14, 2026
I am so grateful for having an ARC of this book through NetGalley, because it was one hell of a book!
I had never before read a why-choose story, I usually stay away from them, as I am not into the smut subgenre. However, this book was written so well that I was invested (and still am) in all of the relationships and am eager to continue reading about them! Also, the MC - the best sassiness I've ever read!
The main story was also intriguing, with great sci fi elements and interesting plotting. I would've liked to see them learn more things, more in an academic environment, though.
There are two reasons why I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars. One, I feel like the pacing was off at some points. Relationships evolved quickly, and I would've liked them to have been a bit more in terms of development. The second reason is, as I already mentioned, that I would've enjoyed seeing Lyra in the academic setting, being more knowledgeable than her peers and earning her way up.
All of this being said, when are we getting the next book? Because I need to know what happens!!!
I had never before read a why-choose story, I usually stay away from them, as I am not into the smut subgenre. However, this book was written so well that I was invested (and still am) in all of the relationships and am eager to continue reading about them! Also, the MC - the best sassiness I've ever read!
The main story was also intriguing, with great sci fi elements and interesting plotting. I would've liked to see them learn more things, more in an academic environment, though.
There are two reasons why I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars. One, I feel like the pacing was off at some points. Relationships evolved quickly, and I would've liked them to have been a bit more in terms of development. The second reason is, as I already mentioned, that I would've enjoyed seeing Lyra in the academic setting, being more knowledgeable than her peers and earning her way up.
All of this being said, when are we getting the next book? Because I need to know what happens!!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An entertaining read but nothing stellar. The fmc, Lyra, felt largely 2 dimensional with sarcasm and dry humor being her mainstays. She's written in a way that emphasizes "I'm not like other girls", thinking and speaking in engineer-esque language and metaphors that undermine the character's ability to feel "real". The humor feels forced and dialogue unbelievable at times, in a way that took me out of the story (ex. "nope with extra nope sauce", everything described as "sexy"?). It's evident that Lyra is meant to be portrayed as a gruff, no-nonsense, cynical, almost mercenary character whose lone-wolf attitude grows into a team-oriented, collaborative, sentimental character towards the end --- but the dialogue and flat-ish characters left more to be desired. The mmcs in this "why choose" novel are the standard tropes, but I wish they spoke in a more believable way -- one of them hardly takes anything seriously and makes everything into an innuendo or "sexy", and it would've worked if this wasn't his default and only way of speaking.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks, NetGalley for the chance to read this book!
Skyborne Academy: Aetherbond is a really fun academy romantasy that mixes romantic tension with a cool sci-fi vibe. You follow Lyra, who's a super capable and resilient main character. Being an outsider at the elite floating academy definitely creates some interesting conflict for her.
The story really focuses on the characters and their developing romantic connections. They also introduce this "Aetherbond" idea, which seems like it'll be a big deal in future books.
Even though the worldbuilding and character depth feel like just a beginning, the novel does a great job setting up its premise and relationships, laying a solid foundation for the rest of the series.
Overall, it's a strong start if you're into academy-based romantasy and stories driven by relationships.
Skyborne Academy: Aetherbond is a really fun academy romantasy that mixes romantic tension with a cool sci-fi vibe. You follow Lyra, who's a super capable and resilient main character. Being an outsider at the elite floating academy definitely creates some interesting conflict for her.
The story really focuses on the characters and their developing romantic connections. They also introduce this "Aetherbond" idea, which seems like it'll be a big deal in future books.
Even though the worldbuilding and character depth feel like just a beginning, the novel does a great job setting up its premise and relationships, laying a solid foundation for the rest of the series.
Overall, it's a strong start if you're into academy-based romantasy and stories driven by relationships.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I enjoyed this book—it was entertaining, the FMC was genuinely funny, and the three MMCs all had distinct personalities that really stood out. I didn’t expect such a heavy focus on mechanics and engines, and honestly, some of that information was hard to follow, but it was still a fast read, which I appreciated.
I would’ve rated it higher if there had been more world-building and clearer explanations—what the Guild actually is, why the academy is in the sky, and why groundborn people aren’t allowed skycarts, for example. I was able to piece some of it together, but it felt underdeveloped.
The character tension was enjoyable, though I would’ve liked more physical descriptions as well. Still, it kept me hooked, and I’ll definitely be reading the second book because I need to know what happens next.
I would’ve rated it higher if there had been more world-building and clearer explanations—what the Guild actually is, why the academy is in the sky, and why groundborn people aren’t allowed skycarts, for example. I was able to piece some of it together, but it felt underdeveloped.
The character tension was enjoyable, though I would’ve liked more physical descriptions as well. Still, it kept me hooked, and I’ll definitely be reading the second book because I need to know what happens next.
Read
January 21, 2026Lyra Caldris creció aprendiendo a escuchar motores cuando el mundo se empeñaba en no escucharla a ella. Como habitante del suelo, su talento siempre ha sido visto como una anomalía peligrosa, hasta que un suceso violento destruye su vida y la empuja hacia la Academia Skyborne, el lugar donde se forman quienes dominan el cielo. Atrapada en un entorno de reglas estrictas, privilegios heredados y miradas que la subestiman, Lyra deberá demostrar que su habilidad no es casualidad ni caridad. Mientras se adapta a una vida que nunca eligió, descubrirá que algunos lazos nacen del riesgo y que el verdadero poder no siempre proviene de volar alto, sino de saber resistir cuando todo intenta mantenerte abajo.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Very intriguing! This story grabbed me instantly and Lyra's tenacity was an instantaneous hook. I loved her love of engines and all the mechanical talk, though oftentimes I didn't fully understand the physics of everything happening. The writing pulled me through it and I understood the tense scenes and the various interactions while in Bay 12. The way Lyra was uber competent and confident with the way she listened to machines, and how that brought her into a beautifully coordinated unit with the three MMCs was really fun to read. Her snarkiness is hilarious and all three guys are different, refreshing, and interesting...I want to know their backstories asap! I am absolutely keen on reading book two because this was such a fun, unique read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this ARC!
Skyborne Academy had a great premise, but I think some parts could have been fleshed out a bit more. The first part of the book seems a little rushed, and there wasn't as much world-building as I wanted to fully understand what was going on. As far as the characters and relationships in the book, I feel like there could have been more character development. Overall, this book was okay, but I feel like everything was rushed. I think I will read the next book when it comes out to see if there is more development in the world-building and characters.
Skyborne Academy had a great premise, but I think some parts could have been fleshed out a bit more. The first part of the book seems a little rushed, and there wasn't as much world-building as I wanted to fully understand what was going on. As far as the characters and relationships in the book, I feel like there could have been more character development. Overall, this book was okay, but I feel like everything was rushed. I think I will read the next book when it comes out to see if there is more development in the world-building and characters.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First of thank you Netgalley, and Lolu Sinclair for the ARC copy of this book.
This story started out so fast and I was pulled in immediately into the world with the FMC. Im going to start off by saying I love the FMC and how sassy/vocal she is throughout the book. When we got to the academy the world building stopped and the romance began. What I would've really loved is if there was more detail in the world building along side with the romance. It would've brought the book from a 3 star to a 4 star for me.
This story started out so fast and I was pulled in immediately into the world with the FMC. Im going to start off by saying I love the FMC and how sassy/vocal she is throughout the book. When we got to the academy the world building stopped and the romance began. What I would've really loved is if there was more detail in the world building along side with the romance. It would've brought the book from a 3 star to a 4 star for me.
January 19, 2026
This book was only 200 pages, which made it seem rushed. Ai got this book as an ARC and I really overall do like it, although is some parts I wish the descriptions were more drawn out. Also, it was a why choose which I liked, but again, rushed. I wish there would have been more details about the men, as well as their background.
January 16, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for providing is arc. I really thought the idea of the book sounded great but it literally fell flat for me. I think there will be a group that absolutely devour this book but sadly it was not for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the advance reading. Although not my typical book, I enjoyed the fast, engaging pace. The chemistry between the main characters is good and the story leaves plenty of questions to wet the appetite.
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