Starsight Audiobook – The Skyward Series, Book 2

Some audiobooks make the world pause around me—Starsight did exactly that on a rainy Saturday, as I curled up with my favorite throw and let Spensa’s universe unfold. There’s something electric about stepping into Brandon Sanderson’s vision of interstellar survival, especially through the passionate voice of Suzy Jackson. As an audiobook lover who often seeks fierce heroines and layered worlds, Starsight swept me away in all the best ways.

Spensa is not just another young pilot dreaming of glory—she’s a complicated bundle of stubbornness, raw hope, fear, and resilience. As she navigates the shattering revelation about her father—a supposed hero turned traitor—I couldn’t help but remember moments when truths about people I loved didn’t match the stories I’d built around them. Sanderson treats her struggle delicately; it never feels melodramatic or forced. Instead, Spensa’s quest for answers resonates deeply with anyone who has ever questioned their place in a family or fought to define themselves apart from others’ expectations.

The novel shines brightest when Spensa leaves everything familiar behind and dares to infiltrate enemy ranks in search of truth—and maybe even peace for humanity. The scope here expands so beautifully: aliens aren’t just mysterious monsters; they’re nuanced characters with agendas and surprising warmth (or menace). Some interactions reminded me how friendships sometimes bloom in unexpected places—a theme that tugged at memories from times I’ve felt like an outsider forging connections on new ground.

Suzy Jackson’s narration is flawless throughout. Her voice captures Spensa’s grit but also softens for moments of vulnerability—the way she delivers lines packed with sarcasm or sudden awe brought real smiles and chills alike. Distinctive voices for various alien species add layers of immersion without feeling cartoonish; instead, they made every scene pulse with life beyond our world. If you listen while commuting (as I did on Monday), you might find yourself grinning at traffic lights—or dabbing your eyes before facing coworkers.

What truly stands out is Sanderson’s handling of action versus introspection: heart-pounding dogfights sweep you along (I almost missed my train stop!), yet there are quiet pauses where doubt, loyalty, and courage weave together so convincingly that you can feel Spensa growing before your ears. It isn’t only big battles—it’s also learning whom to trust when alliances shift beneath starlit skies.

My only quibble lies in occasional info-dumps typical to sprawling sci-fi series; a few passages required rewinding because details came fast amidst dense lore. But honestly? The richness pays off—each piece fits into larger revelations that satisfy curiosity sparked back in Skyward (and make me hungry for book three).

For those who crave ambitious space adventures led by unforgettable women—with plot twists galore and themes worth mulling over long after listening—Starsight absolutely delivers. Listening was both escape and inspiration; it left me hopeful not just for Spensa but for all our own quests to rise above inherited doubts.