Set in the last country free of the Karensa Federation, Mara, Talin is a Striker, an elite group trained to protect their country and fight against the monstruousities created by the Federation, the ghosts (creatures that were once humans, twisted in monsters hunting for blood).
Talin is a Basean, she and her mother escaped their conquered country, seeking help in Mara, the last free nation, but they are considered rats and mistreated.
Talin is a talented Striker, but after a fight with Ghosts she loses her friend and Shield, Corian (Strikers are paired to protect one other and to kill each other if they are bitten and transformed in Ghosts).
When a prisoner of war, escaped from the Federation, is brought to be killed, Talin senses that's more to him that what seems and she decided to intervene. Forced to be paired with him, Talin and Redlen ( Red) don't see eye to eye and they can't communicate with each other. Talin can't speak, Red doesn't speak Maran and thanks to her friend Jeran that translated for them they can communicate. When Talin discovers the truth about Red she and her friend, Jeran and her Shield Rooke, are ready to try to do everything to strike the Federation as hard as they can.
Marie Lu wrote an amazing and chilling beginning of a new series, tackling many themes like abusive families, racism, murder, torture, injustice, social and classist injustices.
Talin is unable to speak so she uses signs to communicate, as the rest of the Strikers. She faces discrimination about her being Basean, her having a different skin colour, her inability to speak. Social and classist injustices are present in the Maran society, between poor, relegated in the Outer city, unprotected, and the rich families.
I really enjoyed reading about the bond between Strikers, the friendships between Talin, Corian, Jeran and Rooke, how they help, support and stand by one other. The relationship between Talin and Red is a very important and peculiar one. They start as enemies, don't trusting one other, but slowly they start to know and trust one other. The cruelties of the Federation push them all to fight to be free and indipendent.
The characterization is brilliant. The story is told by Talin's POV and she's fierce, brilliant and talented, willing to do anything to protect her family and friend.
Rooke is one of her friend, so furious with the Federation for a personal loss, full of inventive in her workshop, creating ingenious weapons and tools.
Jeran is another complex character, gentle and supportive and fierce and a talented warrior at the same time. Abused by his own family, Jeran is a very interesting character, with her loyalty and his relationship. I really loved his relationship with her friends and with Aramin and I really want to see more of that in the next book.
Red is a very captivating character, his relationship with Talin strenuous at first and then one of the most beautiful in the book. Having seen and experienced the cruelties of the Federation he's more than willing to try to destroy it.
Corian...my heart can't take it...
Skyhunter is full of twists, captivating characters and a chilling worldbuilding, set in a world maybe centuries in the future, after the Early Ones disapperead, leaving ruins and mysteries behind. Interesting and heartbreaking the technology used by the Federation able to twist and control creatures that were once human beings. Talin and her friends fight to not succumb to this destiny.
A thrilling start and I can't wait to read and know more about this world.
Talin is a Basean, she and her mother escaped their conquered country, seeking help in Mara, the last free nation, but they are considered rats and mistreated.
Talin is a talented Striker, but after a fight with Ghosts she loses her friend and Shield, Corian (Strikers are paired to protect one other and to kill each other if they are bitten and transformed in Ghosts).
When a prisoner of war, escaped from the Federation, is brought to be killed, Talin senses that's more to him that what seems and she decided to intervene. Forced to be paired with him, Talin and Redlen ( Red) don't see eye to eye and they can't communicate with each other. Talin can't speak, Red doesn't speak Maran and thanks to her friend Jeran that translated for them they can communicate. When Talin discovers the truth about Red she and her friend, Jeran and her Shield Rooke, are ready to try to do everything to strike the Federation as hard as they can.
Marie Lu wrote an amazing and chilling beginning of a new series, tackling many themes like abusive families, racism, murder, torture, injustice, social and classist injustices.
Talin is unable to speak so she uses signs to communicate, as the rest of the Strikers. She faces discrimination about her being Basean, her having a different skin colour, her inability to speak. Social and classist injustices are present in the Maran society, between poor, relegated in the Outer city, unprotected, and the rich families.
I really enjoyed reading about the bond between Strikers, the friendships between Talin, Corian, Jeran and Rooke, how they help, support and stand by one other. The relationship between Talin and Red is a very important and peculiar one. They start as enemies, don't trusting one other, but slowly they start to know and trust one other. The cruelties of the Federation push them all to fight to be free and indipendent.
The characterization is brilliant. The story is told by Talin's POV and she's fierce, brilliant and talented, willing to do anything to protect her family and friend.
Rooke is one of her friend, so furious with the Federation for a personal loss, full of inventive in her workshop, creating ingenious weapons and tools.
Jeran is another complex character, gentle and supportive and fierce and a talented warrior at the same time. Abused by his own family, Jeran is a very interesting character, with her loyalty and his relationship. I really loved his relationship with her friends and with Aramin and I really want to see more of that in the next book.
Red is a very captivating character, his relationship with Talin strenuous at first and then one of the most beautiful in the book. Having seen and experienced the cruelties of the Federation he's more than willing to try to destroy it.
Corian...my heart can't take it...
Skyhunter is full of twists, captivating characters and a chilling worldbuilding, set in a world maybe centuries in the future, after the Early Ones disapperead, leaving ruins and mysteries behind. Interesting and heartbreaking the technology used by the Federation able to twist and control creatures that were once human beings. Talin and her friends fight to not succumb to this destiny.
A thrilling start and I can't wait to read and know more about this world.