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Skyship Academy #3
Skyship Academy: Strikeforce
Two brothers battle for one planet’s fate As the alien Authority’s invasion begins, mankind stands on the brink of annihilation. Cassius Stevenson and his brother Jesse Fisher—descendants of the planet Haven’s resistance forces—must forge alliances with the embittered factions on Earth to defend against the brutal attack. But the Authority has only begun to fight. When their terrible new weapon sends Earth’s fragile coalition into turmoil, humanity’s last chance at survival lies in the hands of the two brothers, whose fates are linked more closely than they ever imagined.
Praise for the previous books in the Skyship Academy
“A fast-paced adventure that delivers solid action sequences throughout.”—Publishers Weekly
“Skyship Academy is the perfect book for teens that like science fiction.”—SLJTeen “A definite must-read!”—James Dashner, New York Times bestselling author of The Maze Runner
Praise for the previous books in the Skyship Academy
“A fast-paced adventure that delivers solid action sequences throughout.”—Publishers Weekly
“Skyship Academy is the perfect book for teens that like science fiction.”—SLJTeen “A definite must-read!”—James Dashner, New York Times bestselling author of The Maze Runner
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2013
11 people are currently reading
653 people want to read
About the author
Nick James
4 books167 followersI grew up in the small island town of Anacortes, Washington, where an active imagination was often a prerequisite for a good time. No shopping malls, no movie theater, etc, etc. My first brush with publishing was in third grade, where we were encouraged to not only write stories, but to publish, bind and present them. I think the teacher got more than she bargained for because I was soon amassing quite a personal library of colored-paper bound sagas.
As a kid, I was a voracious reader of comic books. Of course, they didn’t sell them anywhere in little Anacortes, so it was a thirty-mile drive “off island” to get them. At that age, it wasn’t even about the pictures. It was one hundred percent the stories. I was always attracted to the big drama and dialogue.
I started writing seriously when I entered college. Five “practice” novels later (some weirder than others) and I started querying what was to become Skyship Academy. Then I was lucky enough to find a fantastic publisher in Flux. And next comes the moment when I get to share my debut novel with readers!
As a kid, I was a voracious reader of comic books. Of course, they didn’t sell them anywhere in little Anacortes, so it was a thirty-mile drive “off island” to get them. At that age, it wasn’t even about the pictures. It was one hundred percent the stories. I was always attracted to the big drama and dialogue.
I started writing seriously when I entered college. Five “practice” novels later (some weirder than others) and I started querying what was to become Skyship Academy. Then I was lucky enough to find a fantastic publisher in Flux. And next comes the moment when I get to share my debut novel with readers!
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 5, 2014
I feel numb. I'm shocked. It's.... too much to handle.
Yaaaaay!!!! *.* Give me... like now? I want it sooo much! And that cover.... aww... givemegivemegiveme... I like this series sooo much. Givemee.
Yaaaaay!!!! *.* Give me... like now? I want it sooo much! And that cover.... aww... givemegivemegiveme... I like this series sooo much. Givemee.
December 31, 2013
As the final instalment in a series I've been a pretty big fan of, I definitely found this book has served it's purpose by wrapping things up and throwing in a few twists while doing so. It ticks all the right boxes, but I can't help feeling a little deflated at how it all played out. I found that it's climax and subsequent few chapters probably won't be leaving much of a lasting impression, lacking the emotional punch found in recently released series finales such as Champion and Horde.
The strongest aspect of this series for me has always been it's incredible action scenes and in that sense this book is no disappointment, James has taken them to a gym, plied them with protein shakes and steroids and screamed "motivational" statements at them until he's blue in the face. I loved them. He chooses fantastic set pieces to hold the action and the destruction left in their wake was truly cinematic and breathtaking.
The two lead characters, Cassius and Jesse, see plenty of growth throughout this conclusion which I really enjoyed, but at times they were a little frustrating. The secondary characters, though I did like some of them, were relatively interchangeable. I felt this affected the way I viewed and cared about their roles and relationships in connection with the two leads. Though the character of Madame and her story arc throughout was one I thought worked pretty well.
I also felt the actual plot line of this novel got a little too convenient at times, or things were explained away too easily that it came across slightly lazy, it seemed these things happened as a means to push the story forward or reveal something the main characters needed to know rather than coming about organically making it feel forced.
This was a fun story with lots of heart pounding action but in the end was let down slightly by it's conclusion. I would give the Starship Academy series 4 stars overall, but this specific entry gets just 3.
The strongest aspect of this series for me has always been it's incredible action scenes and in that sense this book is no disappointment, James has taken them to a gym, plied them with protein shakes and steroids and screamed "motivational" statements at them until he's blue in the face. I loved them. He chooses fantastic set pieces to hold the action and the destruction left in their wake was truly cinematic and breathtaking.
The two lead characters, Cassius and Jesse, see plenty of growth throughout this conclusion which I really enjoyed, but at times they were a little frustrating. The secondary characters, though I did like some of them, were relatively interchangeable. I felt this affected the way I viewed and cared about their roles and relationships in connection with the two leads. Though the character of Madame and her story arc throughout was one I thought worked pretty well.
I also felt the actual plot line of this novel got a little too convenient at times, or things were explained away too easily that it came across slightly lazy, it seemed these things happened as a means to push the story forward or reveal something the main characters needed to know rather than coming about organically making it feel forced.
This was a fun story with lots of heart pounding action but in the end was let down slightly by it's conclusion. I would give the Starship Academy series 4 stars overall, but this specific entry gets just 3.
January 20, 2014
2.5 stars.
So, as not only a book and the end of the series, the Skyship Academy series had great potential and a failure to launch properly. It's like...when you light a bottle rocket fuse and the fuse is quickly eaten away. You throw the bottle rocket high into the air and you hold your breath in glorious anticipation of the BANG and the sparks and....it's a dud. The bottle rocket only flies as high as your weak little arms could fling it. It plummets to the ground to land in a dejected mess, broken and worthless. Ah, but was it still worth lighting that rocket? Of course. So I'm not disappointed I read them; merely that they fell so achingly short of my expectations.
So, as not only a book and the end of the series, the Skyship Academy series had great potential and a failure to launch properly. It's like...when you light a bottle rocket fuse and the fuse is quickly eaten away. You throw the bottle rocket high into the air and you hold your breath in glorious anticipation of the BANG and the sparks and....it's a dud. The bottle rocket only flies as high as your weak little arms could fling it. It plummets to the ground to land in a dejected mess, broken and worthless. Ah, but was it still worth lighting that rocket? Of course. So I'm not disappointed I read them; merely that they fell so achingly short of my expectations.
February 20, 2015
The main characters are Cassius Stevenson and his brother Jesse Fisher. It's about these brothers trying to stop an alien authority, Which means the worlds fate is in the hands of two brothers. I predict that the alien authority will lose all power, and the brothers will have saved the world
July 21, 2025
Could be because I waited too long to read this and forgot everything but this didn't feel like a finale it was a lot of just going places with no end goal in sight. I wish it was better bc that first book had real potential
Edit: I wrote that review about 20 pages from the end because I figured I got the gist of it but what the hell my man cassius didn't deserve that wtf was that ending
Edit: I wrote that review about 20 pages from the end because I figured I got the gist of it but what the hell my man cassius didn't deserve that wtf was that ending
July 29, 2021
I used to enjoy this series a few years ago, but after reading a lot more books and knowing what I know now, I noticed that this book has a lot more flaws that made the reading experience less enjoyable.
The world was really underdeveloped. The character growth was okay, though I still found myself getting irritated with their choices. The antagonist was meh, though I was confused with how much really was at stake. The narratives were too long that it took away the plot and creativity of the story. I felt like the story fell flat throughout the entire 200-pages, and it seems like nothing exciting was really happening and nothing was propelling the story forward. Although this is considered a sci-fi fantasy, nothing new was brought up to the table. As a conclusion to a series, I expected more.
The world was really underdeveloped. The character growth was okay, though I still found myself getting irritated with their choices. The antagonist was meh, though I was confused with how much really was at stake. The narratives were too long that it took away the plot and creativity of the story. I felt like the story fell flat throughout the entire 200-pages, and it seems like nothing exciting was really happening and nothing was propelling the story forward. Although this is considered a sci-fi fantasy, nothing new was brought up to the table. As a conclusion to a series, I expected more.
June 2, 2015
I'm hesitating between four and five stars.
The reason why I gave both The Pearl Wars and Crimson Rising four stars is that the characterisation didn't quite gel and I found the alternation between chapters narrated in the first person by Jesse and chapters written in close personal third perspective about Cassius to be just a little discordant. It seemed like a clever technique - but at the very end of the series both the extreme characterisation and the jarring points of view are all explained.
It's far more than clever technique. It's actually a devious clue about the true relationship between Jesse and Cassius. Still, despite it being (kinda) integral to the plot, it doesn't have a satisfying feel. Hence my equivocation.
Some spoilers follow:
The alien war has started. The Red Pearls contain Matigo's warriors with their armour of ridium, their ability to fly and their implacable hostility to everything on earth. That's devastating enough but then the sky starts to bleed. And when it finishes, all the Skyship cities over the continental USA plummet to earth in catastrophic crashes. The only ship left is the Academy which was over the Pacific to avoid having to explain too much to the Tribunal.
Cassius, Madame and Jesse's friend Eva are on Skyship Atlas when the bleed occurs. They escape via a parachute turned to a hot air balloon through Cassius' ability to fire up his hands. However they drift down and land in the worst possible place: right at the spot where a spaceship has drilled into the earth after coming through the bleed.
Gung-ho as usual, Cassius decides to see if he can have a look inside. Eventually, after fighting his way to the top of the spaceship, he is able to retrieve some memory cubes. He figures that given how well they were guarded that they must be hugely significant. However, some undetermined action of his triggers the destruction of the spacecraft which begins to eat itself up from the top down.
Barely escaping, Cassius and co. make their way through the desert until they are clobbered by the bad guys and dropped into a coffin-like transport.
Meantime, in the middle of massive mayhem and destruction, Jesse is rescued by a flying alien with a patch over his eye. It turns out to be Savon, his father, who wants to reunite Jesse and Cassius so that, together, they can defeat Matigo's forces. They have been gifted with incredible powers before they left Haven but neither of them has truly awakened to their potential. Jesse isn't so sure that a wimp like him really has any hidden powers but the advent of his father fills a deep need in him.
Meantime, Cassius has awoken and realises it's pointless breaking out of confinement until they actually reach some form of civilisation. He spends his time probing into the memories contained in the cubes he retrieved. And in one of them he witnesses a scene that shocks him to the core: the death of his parents, Adaylla and Savon ...
The reason why I gave both The Pearl Wars and Crimson Rising four stars is that the characterisation didn't quite gel and I found the alternation between chapters narrated in the first person by Jesse and chapters written in close personal third perspective about Cassius to be just a little discordant. It seemed like a clever technique - but at the very end of the series both the extreme characterisation and the jarring points of view are all explained.
It's far more than clever technique. It's actually a devious clue about the true relationship between Jesse and Cassius. Still, despite it being (kinda) integral to the plot, it doesn't have a satisfying feel. Hence my equivocation.
Some spoilers follow:
The alien war has started. The Red Pearls contain Matigo's warriors with their armour of ridium, their ability to fly and their implacable hostility to everything on earth. That's devastating enough but then the sky starts to bleed. And when it finishes, all the Skyship cities over the continental USA plummet to earth in catastrophic crashes. The only ship left is the Academy which was over the Pacific to avoid having to explain too much to the Tribunal.
Cassius, Madame and Jesse's friend Eva are on Skyship Atlas when the bleed occurs. They escape via a parachute turned to a hot air balloon through Cassius' ability to fire up his hands. However they drift down and land in the worst possible place: right at the spot where a spaceship has drilled into the earth after coming through the bleed.
Gung-ho as usual, Cassius decides to see if he can have a look inside. Eventually, after fighting his way to the top of the spaceship, he is able to retrieve some memory cubes. He figures that given how well they were guarded that they must be hugely significant. However, some undetermined action of his triggers the destruction of the spacecraft which begins to eat itself up from the top down.
Barely escaping, Cassius and co. make their way through the desert until they are clobbered by the bad guys and dropped into a coffin-like transport.
Meantime, in the middle of massive mayhem and destruction, Jesse is rescued by a flying alien with a patch over his eye. It turns out to be Savon, his father, who wants to reunite Jesse and Cassius so that, together, they can defeat Matigo's forces. They have been gifted with incredible powers before they left Haven but neither of them has truly awakened to their potential. Jesse isn't so sure that a wimp like him really has any hidden powers but the advent of his father fills a deep need in him.
Meantime, Cassius has awoken and realises it's pointless breaking out of confinement until they actually reach some form of civilisation. He spends his time probing into the memories contained in the cubes he retrieved. And in one of them he witnesses a scene that shocks him to the core: the death of his parents, Adaylla and Savon ...
June 3, 2020
Great series, I didn’t find much wrong with it but it wasn’t great enough for five stars. I was taken back by some of the things in this book with the plot twists and the explanations, I was also fairly surprised that I actually liked the POV switching between the two brothers. Normally I’d hate it because I want to focus on one person and the other is boring but I was captured by both of them and found myself waiting for the pov to switch between them again. So well done there I guess.
——————Spoilers———————
However I still feel like there’s some stuff that doesn’t make sense, we know that after the authority dropped In from the sky that all the skyship fell but what happened to the tribune? I also want to say I really like madams character, even though she was an ass through a whole series i still found a way to like her, I guess that’s just my twisted mind though. And why in the hell did Matigo give a villain speech? How cheesy, like he literally just gave his whole plan away to the protagonist and told him that he had to wait for both of them to be together so he can fulfill his satisfaction but that is the most plot convient thing I’ve ever heard. If the prophecy says that the two brothers will kill him when they get together why would he put them together that has to be one of the most dumbest things he could’ve done. He even admitted that he could’ve killed the brothers separately and he wouldn’t been able to win the war but nooooo, we need the plot right? And the unnecessary commentary in the fights? Like what is this a Disney movie? Why do you need to tell your whole life story while fighting it’s such a waste of time. And HOLD UP A MINUTE, what the hell was the twelve year time skip on chapter 51? Why? Why would you do this? And Cassius dies? I’m so pissed. They really tried to write it off like oh his legacy lives on and the fire burns within everyone like no he’s dead you killed him. I am distraught. But anyways yeah the series was pretty good, better than I expected, surprised on how underrated it is.
——————Spoilers———————
However I still feel like there’s some stuff that doesn’t make sense, we know that after the authority dropped In from the sky that all the skyship fell but what happened to the tribune? I also want to say I really like madams character, even though she was an ass through a whole series i still found a way to like her, I guess that’s just my twisted mind though. And why in the hell did Matigo give a villain speech? How cheesy, like he literally just gave his whole plan away to the protagonist and told him that he had to wait for both of them to be together so he can fulfill his satisfaction but that is the most plot convient thing I’ve ever heard. If the prophecy says that the two brothers will kill him when they get together why would he put them together that has to be one of the most dumbest things he could’ve done. He even admitted that he could’ve killed the brothers separately and he wouldn’t been able to win the war but nooooo, we need the plot right? And the unnecessary commentary in the fights? Like what is this a Disney movie? Why do you need to tell your whole life story while fighting it’s such a waste of time. And HOLD UP A MINUTE, what the hell was the twelve year time skip on chapter 51? Why? Why would you do this? And Cassius dies? I’m so pissed. They really tried to write it off like oh his legacy lives on and the fire burns within everyone like no he’s dead you killed him. I am distraught. But anyways yeah the series was pretty good, better than I expected, surprised on how underrated it is.
March 26, 2016
Jesse and his brother Cassius are working together to save Earth from the deadly threat of the Authority, a powerful soldier force arriving in the form of Red Pearls from the planet Haven. The Authority’s goal is to destroy all of humanity, using Ridium as their powerful weapon. In the first two books of the Pearl Wars series, we learned that Jesse and Cassius were also from this distant planet and yet they were sent by the Resistance to settle peacefully and help the Green Pearls, who wanted to find a safe haven. Humans have not been kind to the Green Pearls and saw them solely as energy sources. In this installment, the brothers come together as the Key and the Catalyst, fighting to save earth and defeat Matego who is the leader of the Authority and intent on taking over the earth.
The dual action plotline continues as the two brothers split up in their attempt to defeat Matego. The alternating chapters keep the action moving along and keeps the reader turning the pages. There are changes afoot and characters switch allegiances as they unite against a common enemy.
The ending is one that may surprise and bother some readers but James works to resolve the changes that happen as the series comes to a close. The story is intense and riveting and the world building seems more complete with this final installment. The main characters and their sidekicks are strong and interesting. In this final book the enemy has changed and humanity’s fate is held in the balance. It is a fitting ending to this fascinating series.
The dual action plotline continues as the two brothers split up in their attempt to defeat Matego. The alternating chapters keep the action moving along and keeps the reader turning the pages. There are changes afoot and characters switch allegiances as they unite against a common enemy.
The ending is one that may surprise and bother some readers but James works to resolve the changes that happen as the series comes to a close. The story is intense and riveting and the world building seems more complete with this final installment. The main characters and their sidekicks are strong and interesting. In this final book the enemy has changed and humanity’s fate is held in the balance. It is a fitting ending to this fascinating series.
August 17, 2013
Skyship Academy: Strikeforce is an adrenaline packed conclusion to the Skyship Academy series. James continues his adventurous blend of dystopian and science fiction with alternating chapters between the brothers Jesse Fisher and Cassius Stevenson and their quest to save Earth from the ongoing alien invasion. Only by uniting together as the “Key” and “Catalyst” can the brothers overcome the evil forces of the Authority and the red pearl army set on destroying the Earth for human inhabitance. Characters and alliances introduced in the first two titles of the series, Skyship Academy: The Pearl Wars and Skyship Academy: Crimson Rising will be tested and survival will be tenuous as the battle wages on for dominance. James description of Ridium, a black substance which can flood the Earth’s landscape is spine-chilling. With the return of the evil alien ruler Matigo, the brothers are the only option for survival of the human race.
In order to understand the complexities of the plot and the characters, teens will have to read the first two titles in the series. Teens looking for a book with action reminiscent of a well done video game will thoroughly enjoy this series with its battles and surprising twists. Teens interested in the Hunger Games and other dystopian tales will be satisfied with this series.
In order to understand the complexities of the plot and the characters, teens will have to read the first two titles in the series. Teens looking for a book with action reminiscent of a well done video game will thoroughly enjoy this series with its battles and surprising twists. Teens interested in the Hunger Games and other dystopian tales will be satisfied with this series.
November 30, 2013
In the third and last installment of Skyship Academy, Matigo and the Authority have arrived on Earth to destroy all humans and take the planet for theirselves.
This book hits the ground running and is non-stop action the entire time. There aren't a lot of slow moments and not as much character development and drama this time around. The novel is solely focused on the plot and action as it works to resolve the war and resolve all the lingering threads. It is a race against time as Fisher and Cassius continue to discover their abilities and destiny, and fight to gather their forces before Matigo does. If you look at all three books together, they were basically building up to this book and this is the payoff, when everything comes to fruition.
Overall, it was a quick and fun read, and we get to continue following all these characters we got to know from the first book. And in the end, it comes back full circle. Unlike some other trilogies I have read, I have no qualms about how this series ends, and I think the third book is a solid bookend to the series. If you've read the first two, then you owe it to yourself to get this book and see how it all ends.
NOTE: I was provided with a free copy by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
This book hits the ground running and is non-stop action the entire time. There aren't a lot of slow moments and not as much character development and drama this time around. The novel is solely focused on the plot and action as it works to resolve the war and resolve all the lingering threads. It is a race against time as Fisher and Cassius continue to discover their abilities and destiny, and fight to gather their forces before Matigo does. If you look at all three books together, they were basically building up to this book and this is the payoff, when everything comes to fruition.
Overall, it was a quick and fun read, and we get to continue following all these characters we got to know from the first book. And in the end, it comes back full circle. Unlike some other trilogies I have read, I have no qualms about how this series ends, and I think the third book is a solid bookend to the series. If you've read the first two, then you owe it to yourself to get this book and see how it all ends.
NOTE: I was provided with a free copy by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
October 10, 2013
It was a fitting conclusion to the series. Started off so dark and bleak but I liked how the story grew and transformed into all it's own. The characters, due to their experiences, are forced to grow up and leave behind some of their more childish tendencies, so that was nice. There was tense, sad, and happy moments, and even some dry humor. Overall I'm glad I read the series. If you like SciFi YA books and want one that doesn't have irritating love triangles and mystical creatures from fairyland or the underworld, you should love this then. :) But it's still YA... so if you dislike that, then you will find fault with this as well - But I definitely liked it!
July 26, 2016
Wow. I started out a little hesitant, because it had been a while since I'd read the other two books, but I quickly joined the story, and it pulled me in. This book is action packed, but it still leaves space for well-developed characters, and best of all, the story makes sense. No matter how 'other-wordly' the book becomes, all your questions are answered, which makes this a very satisfying read.
Another good series comes to an end. I highly recommend reading it. The ending is a little odd, but we are talking science fiction here, and it does work.
Thank you Nick James!
Another good series comes to an end. I highly recommend reading it. The ending is a little odd, but we are talking science fiction here, and it does work.
Thank you Nick James!
July 23, 2016
I felt obligated to read this book as I had read the previous two books in this series. I believe I would have enjoyed this book more had their not been such a long gap between this book and when I finished the second book. I often was confused when minor plot points from the previous book were mentioned as I had no recollection of them occurring. I found this book to be a good conclusion to the series overall. It really answered all of the questions that I had about the series.
February 13, 2016
I don't know what to say about this book. The series started really well i enjoyed the first book a lot and i couldn't wait to read Jesse growing up with his brother. But this book lacked the Cassius and Jesse moments that I craved and somehow i needed more of a dramatic ending. This book was slow to begin with and i was worried i wasn't going to be able to finish it, however i carried on knowing that i had to understand what happened to the two brothers.
March 14, 2015
This series was full of great ideas. But they were never fully utilized. I think this author could do better with more "practice," but I just feel like this fell short of what it could have been. I am obviously no writer, even in these reviews, I second guess every word, but as a reader this feels forced. The story at times, flowed so well it seemed to just happen, but it didn't live up to the full potential that I could feel was there.
October 2, 2013
middle and upper grades
alternating POV, one first person, the other third person
fast-paced adventure, told from two boys' perspectives, but strong female characters so should appeal to both boys and girls
satisfying conclusion, the reason for the unusual POV is revealed at the end
third in a trilogy
science fantasy (i.e. not hard science)
dystopian future
alternating POV, one first person, the other third person
fast-paced adventure, told from two boys' perspectives, but strong female characters so should appeal to both boys and girls
satisfying conclusion, the reason for the unusual POV is revealed at the end
third in a trilogy
science fantasy (i.e. not hard science)
dystopian future
May 31, 2013
Perfect ending to the series!
December 9, 2013
Ah. So this is why I abhorred Jesse. And why Cassius' character was slightly flat and underdeveloped.
December 10, 2015
awesome book!!!!!!!
Want to read
July 1, 2013I NEED this book and I am so glad that it comes out the same day as the house of hades
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews