#SciFiMonth Review: Defiant by Brandon Sanderson

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Defiant by Brandon Sanderson

Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult

Series: Book 4 of Skyward

Publisher: Delacorte (November 21, 2023)

Length: 480 pages

Author Information: Website

As much as I love Brandon Sanderson, I always get a little nervous about his endings. His skills as an unparalleled storyteller can be a double-edged sword as the weight of expectations for a satisfying conclusion grows exponentially, not to mention I have definitely let my own hype burn me before. Yet, with Defiant, the fourth and final installment of the Skyward series, Sanderson did not let me down. Not only did he smash expectations, he has crafted an ending that feels at once resounding and poignant.

As always with a review of a sequel, please be aware there may be references and possible spoilers for the previous books. Defiant picks up soon after the ending of Cytonic, with Spensa dealing with the aftermath of her little sojourn in the Nowhere. The things she saw there may have changed her forever, but they’ve also provided the answers to a lot of questions she has about her own gifts. While she was gone, though, her fellow squad mates of Skyward Flight have been busy as well, as those who have read the novellas may be aware. But upon Spensa’s return, the entire team is joyous as they welcome her back into their ranks. Together, they will take the fight to the next level.

For one thing, the Superiority has not been idle either, continuing to tighten their stranglehold on the galaxy. With the formidable Winzik at its head, they are launching an unrelenting assault on the Defiant Defense Force, compelling Skyward Flight to meet this challenge head-on. Using the intelligence Spensa has gathered on her journeys, they will have more than a fighting chance. The stakes are higher than ever as the conflict escalates, and the fate of not just humanity hangs in the balance. New alliances have been negotiated and new friendships have been forged along the way, and in the final showdown, every fighter will need to draw upon their unique strengths to stand against the overwhelming threat of the Superiority.

I have to say, the more I turned the pages of Defiant, the more my initial worries dissipated, quickly giving way to hope and then relief and admiration as the plot thundered its way towards an epic climax and conclusion. As a final book, it succeeds in doing what it was designed to do: tie up loose ends, deliver on its promises, and leave readers with satisfying closure.

One of the book’s triumphs lies in the fact that Skyward Flight is whole once again. And indeed, the previous installment, Cytonic, was perhaps the weakest book of the series as well as the strongest argument for keeping the whole gang together. Having Spensa off off galivanting in the Nowhere helped develop what we know about the Delvers, the slugs, and cytonic abilities, but the move also split the focus and disrupted the balance. As Sanderson’s books often feature themes of teamwork, celebrating the victories that result when individuals unite for a common cause, Defiant does a great job hammering this point home.

Certain relationships are also given more attention. Spensa has grown so much as a character, and these changes are addressed in her interactions with her flight mates, none so prominently as her dynamic with Jorgen. Their romance, which has had its ups and downs, gets a jolt of energy in this one, as they reconnect and try to work out some lingering issues. Wait, a couple that actually talks to each other instead of just letting their misunderstandings fester and blow up? Seriously, does this Sanderson guy even know how to do YA? All joking aside though, Spensa and Jorgen are truly wonderful together. While some of their conversations are awkward as hell, they are awkward because they feel real, which in turn makes it cute. Ah, to be free of manufactured drama for the sake of drama, it does feel so refreshing!

I also love me a classic struggle between good and evil. Spensa’s enmity with Brade forms a captivating dichotomy that adds another layer of intensity to the story, and the evolution of their relationship from a mere rivalry is a good example of the superb character development we see in this series. The two are different sides of the same coin—similar in a lot of ways, but in the end it’s the choices and complexities of morality that define us.

In sum, I loved Defiant, which delivered an engaging and impactful conclusion to the Skyward series. For fans, this novel will be the grand finale we’ve yearned for and is a testament to Brandon Sanderson’s talents. It’s a fitting end that wraps up this chapter for Skyward Flight while leaving readers yearning for more adventure in the next stage in the journey, revealed to be Skyward Legacy.

More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of Skyward (Book 1)
Review of Starsight (Book 2)
Review of Cytonic (Book 3)