Sunreach is one of the easiest books to rate and the easiest five stars I think I have ever given.
"We aren't peaceful people. We fight."
Sunreach is the first novella from the Skyward universe. The main character, Freyja Marten a.k.a FM, tells us a behind the scenes story that happened between Starsight and Cytonic. We start FM's story on the day the delver had shown up on Detritus. The humanity realized that the Superiority isn't the only thing they should worry about. It made DDF put on a state of fighting against the worst enemy - the time. It was already obvious to everyone that they need to escape Detritus if they want to survive, and the delver only escalated that need. But there are a couple of problems that needed to be solved. DDF with the help of Spensa's friends are doing their best, but can they save humanity on time?
"I didn't intend to stay in DDF forever. I don't like the way the Defiant League acts like war is the most glorious thing ever, the way they make violence seem wonderful, when really it causes so much pain. But I thought if I was a pilot, I'd have the authority and respect to talk about that, you know? That I could stand up for people no one else would defend, and people would have to listen to me."
"People do listen to you," Rig said. "I've always respected that about you. When you talk, everyone listens. Not because you're a pilot. You command respect by being who you are."
My face got warm. "I don't feel like that," I said.
"Yeah," Rig said. "I guess none of us really believe the good things about ourselves, do we?"
I already liked FM while reading the previous two books. I could say that Sunreach was not needed and move on. But I will not, because it was certainly needed. You see, the Skyward series in general is narrated by only one person, Spensa Nightshade, so we didn't have any opportunity to see what was happening in the heads of the other characters. Sunreach not only gives us a different perspective, but also shows everything what was happening on Detritus while Spensa was absent.
FM is a great MC and a great character in general. With her perspective, we got much more depth to her character. She's from underground, like Spensa, but she was never fiercely wanted to become a pilot. She was supposed to get the pilot badge and choose another job, but she surprised everyone by continuing to fly. Sky isn't a home for her like it means for Spensa. I think it's really interesting that, despite working as a pilot (and choosing this job by her own free will), she seems to be terrified of the sky. She's still a pilot, because of the need to protect. Not only the people who became her friends, but to protect people in general (she's was also very protective of the slugs which was something I was incredibly grateful for). I deeply admire characters like this. She has her strong sense of justice and has her own political opinions (that are not very welcome by other people) and isn't afraid of speaking her thoughts out loud. I would really love to see more of her and, honestly, I think she would've been an amazing leader.
"So you think when you talked to it, you convinced it to explode?"
"Sometimes I have that effect on people. Just ask Spensa."
I am very happy to announce that the great sense of humour came back in this book! It was something I deeply missed while reading Cytonic. It's not that the book didn't have any intended funny moments, I just had trouble to feel it. I'm relieved that I didn't struggle with Sunreach. All the characters have such a great chemistry with each other that made the funny scenes work perfectly for me. The relationship between FM and Jorgen is definitely the highlight of the book for me. They bicker A LOT through the story and it's not only funny, it's also very, very cute. They are like siblings and I was so happy to witness it. I also really loved the FM/Jorgen/Rig trio - it was something I didn't know I needed! And I really love Rig's comeback into the field! Oh, and there were also plenty of slugs! I love them all with everything in me! The adorable things were EVERYWHERE and I couldn't help, but swoon every time one had shown up. I was observing with a great interest the progress of the relationship between the characters and the slugs. It was truly adorable and well, I need more now! ;)
"I like how steady you are, how confident. I'm always so anxious about everything. I've wondered what it's like to be, well, not."
"Are you disappointed to realize I'm not really like that?"
"No," Rig said. "More relieved."
I stared at him.
"What?" he said. "You think I want you to be some emotionless robot? It's good to have feelings, FM. It's good to express them. And it's kind of nice to know that I'm not the only one who's terrified."
I am a big fan of the Spensa x Jorgen ship, but FM x Rig is a very close second. I knew that Rig has a huge crush on FM, but I thought that it will be something that will never be addressed again. I'm so glad that I was wrong! These two are such a great couple! They match each other in every possible way and are just so, so cute together. I was smiling like an idiot every time I saw them together in a scene. I love how crazy FM is for Rig's dimpled smile (who wouldn't be?!) and how Rig blushed and didn't quite know what to do with himself every time FM was around. They got together a little bit too quick for my liking, but it's okay. I'm still satisfied and I hope to see more of them in the future.
Some other thoughts I have:
~ I knew that Jorgen was safe, but I still cried when his ship exploded 😭 And then with the possibility of everyone's deaths... that was too much for me 😭
~ I'm deeply satisfied that Jorgen's slug is purple 😌
~ Alanik's presence was too short in the story, I need more of her!
~ I'm sorry that Nedd was rejected by FM, but if he wasn't, Rig wouldn't get a chance, so... I hope that Nedd will find someone for himself, too ☺️
~ The slugs names are adorable, I love them all!
~ The way FM launched herself at Jorgen when she saw him again 🥺
~ The fact that all the slugs wanted was to help 🥹 I need all the flight members, especially the Skyward Flight, to have their own slugs. How cute that would be?!
Anyways, there is a second novella happening between book two and three, and I think it's about Alanik, so I'm jumping right into it! I hope that I will enjoy reading it just as much as I did reading Sunreach ☺️
Skyward
series - my rating:
1.Skyward: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
2.Starsight: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
2.1Sunreach: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
2.2 ReDawn: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
2.3 Evershore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
3.Cytonic: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
4. Defiant: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)