Defiant was a great wrap-up to a fun series. The middle books were a little rocky, but this final book stuck the landing and made them worth it. Essentially, the last three are kind of one big novel, which makes sense. This is Brandon Sanderson. He just doesn’t do short very well.

Defiant is the final book in Brandon Sanderson’s Skyward series. Having escaped her planet in book 1 and spent the last two books learning how the universe works, she has everything she needs to ensure her people stay free forever.

The story is epic and executes on the many promises Brandon made throughout the series. The conclusion of Spensa’s internal character arc is touching and far more satisfying than that of other rebellious teenage hero characters I’ve read. But I admit that I prefer neat endings, even if they may not be as “real.”

A theme that appealed to me is the need for other people – the way we heal and uplift each other. It’s an interesting topic for an author to write about, considering how isolating writing can be. Since I decided to start writing, one of the things I miss most is interacting with other people on a daily basis. Office life is much derided, but working with other people is really great. Writing is a way of connecting with people, but it doesn’t have the immediate feedback of seeing other people daily.

This is a bit out of left field, but I find myself thinking of Leslie Knops at the end of Parks and Rec, saying “Find your team and go to work.” One of the reasons I loved that show is because this theme – that very different people, even a bunch of screwups, can accomplish something when they come together. They not only do some good in their little town, but they make each other better.

The Good Place does something similar. Again it’s about a group of people who come together and do something meaningful. Admittedly, escaping hell and fixing heaven are a little more big picture than building a park in a small town, but they’re still a bunch of screw-ups accomplishing something together and making each other better.

This book hits the healing of other people a little harder. Spensa drives the team forward, but she needs them to finish what she started. She uses that lesson to wrap up the external conflict, as well, a nice Brandon Sanderson touch. Sometimes I feel like the last several years have ruined my optimism. Then I read books like this and find that, nope, it’s still there.

Oh, and there are giant space worms. Plus 2 stars for that.