Take Back the Skies

Take Back the Skies by Lucy Saxon

This book slots right in to the fantasy / steam punk genre. Think Mortal Engines with a feisty heroine desperate to put right her father's wrongs. Cat (Catherine) Hunter runs away from her privileged background and stows away on the skyship Stormdancer. Here she finds not only adventure but the family she never had. From here she becomes obsessed with exposing the sham government and their shameful lies and cover-ups. There are truly shocking secrets waiting to be discovered. This is an action-packed book full of daring exploits and fantastical settings. It's well structured with chapters that often leave you dangling on a cliff hanger. Cat is a strong character and will appeal to readers aged 11-14 with her stubborn streak and strong sense of moral outrage. The book isn't without problems though, just telling Cat's story puts a limited perspective on things - I would have really liked to have known more about other characters who, because of the way the book is written, fade into the background. There were parts of the story which I found quite difficult to believe - why are these smugglers so keen to suddenly risk their own lives and save the world? Fantasy worlds need believable characters to drive the plot, there is a lack of subtlety and nuance which makes the book feel clunky at times. Take Back the Skies is the first in a series each of which will be set in a different part of the world Saxon has created.

Suggested Reading Age 5+