I've read a decent amount of YA this year. More than is probably appropriate for my age. I guess you can look at it as one of my guilty pleasures. But I think this genre holds the occasional gem, and Skyward is exactly the kind of gem I've been mining for. I must admit that I'm a huge Cosmere fan, so I'm already predisposed to like Sanderson's writing. However, I think if I had read this without knowing it was Sanderson, I still would have loved it. The tight plot, unique setting, and compelling mysteries had me hooked. This type of book doesn't have the most mature dialog or complex contemplation, but I think that adds a fun quirky vibe that I can appreciate. And that's just it. It was a fun read. It was entertaining, and I'm excited to continue with the series. If you can't tell by now. I highly recommend this read. If you're a Sanderson fan, then it's a no-brainer. If you're not a Sanderson fan, then I pity you.