Please Note:  I received an advance audio copy of this book from Libro.fm and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

A broken world.
An overwhelming evil.
A team of warriors ready to strike back.

Talin is a Striker, a member of an elite fighting force that stands as the last defense for the only free nation in the world: Mara.

A refugee, Talin knows firsthand the horrors of the Federation, a world-dominating war machine responsible for destroying nation after nation with its terrifying army of mutant beasts known only as Ghosts.

But when a mysterious prisoner is brought from the front to Mara's capital, Talin senses there’s more to him than meets the eye. Is he a spy from the Federation? What secrets is he hiding?

Only one thing is clear: Talin is ready to fight to the death alongside her fellow Strikers for the only homeland she has left . . . with or without the boy who might just be the weapon to save—or destroy—them all.

Loyalty is life.

#1 New York Times-bestselling author Marie Lu is back with an adrenaline-laced novel about the lengths one warrior will go to fight for freedom and those she loves.

Review:

I think I've read nearly all of Marie Lu's books.  They are filled with adventure, strong characters, and dystopian angst.  While Skyhunter, her newest novel, has many similar elements, it has a fresh story.  What is missing, which I am actually happy about, is a sweeping romance.  Given that the fictional country of Mara is under siege, I appreciate that the characters are focused more on staying alive than falling in love.  That's not to say there aren't hints of love in the future.  But the book is more focused on the tragedies of war.  Add to this a wonderful narrator, and you have an entertaining good time.

What I Liked:

Narrator:

Natalie Naudus does a wonderful job with all the voices in this book, particularly Talin (the main character) and Constantine (the bad guy).  I especially like her voice for Contantine. It is so creepy!!!  But she is also wonderful at showing the disdain the Maran citizens show Talin.  The racism Talin faces throughout the book is subtle and palatable.

World-Building:

The world of Skyhunter is a world at war.  Talin and her mother are refugees.  As the Federation invades their homeland, they flee to Mara, only to face an ongoing siege.  There, they face discrimination, poverty, and the threat of even more violence.  There is a huge disconnect between wealthy Marans and refugees.  The wealthy live barricaded behind a huge wall, secure from the threats of the Federation, while refugees live in the crowded outer city.  Refugees also face food shortages, crime, with no possibility of  having the opportunity of using their natural gifts.  By keeping the refugees down, Mara is not utilizing everything they could to resist the Federation.

Characters:

Talin is a wonderfully powerful , brave character.  Just as Japanese-American who were held in internment camps, volunteered to defend The United States in WWII, Talin volunteers to train as a Striker to defend Mara from the Federation.  This shows such character and integrity to put her mistreatment aside to risk her life for a country who treats her so poorly.

Talin is also disciplined.  She trains constantly to become a better soldier.  Her friendships strangthen her fighting skills, as she works as a team member on the battlefield.  While she is attracted to a certain character, she knows this is no time for romance.

Red is a former Federation soldier who is about to be executed.  Talin sees that there is something more to him than meets the eye.  He is no ordinary soldier, and intervenes just before he is about to be killed.  He is, in fact, a Skyhunter, who has been genetically engineered to be a killing machine.  The Federation may have changed him physically, but he actively doesn't wish to kill others.  It takes him a while to trust Talin.  But as they are paired up to fight at the warfront, Red can see what a good person Talin is, despite being an effective killer.

I think this is what Red and Talin have most in common.  They are both conflicted about killing, even in war.  They know, all too well, the pain of losing a loved one.  They know what they are doing will cause incalculable suffering for the families of those they cut down.

Story:

This is a story of war.  A story of why people volunteer to fight.  It's not to get a free pass to kill others.  It's about defending your family, your values, your way of life.  This book in no way glorifies war.  What it does is helps the reader understand why people will sacrifice their lives in order to protect others.  This is definitely a book that is relevant to our times.

Rating: 

Release Date:  September 29, 2020

Author:  Marie Lu

Genre:  YA Dystopian

Audio Publisher: MacMillan Audio

Narrator:  Natalie Naudus

Audio Length:  11 Hours, 58 Minutes

Print Publisher:  Roaring Brook Press

Print Length:  384 Pages

Source:  Libro.fm

Format:  Audiobook

A word about audiobooks:  

 If you like audiobooks, and want to support Independent bookstores, please consider buying your audiobooks from Libro.fm.  The money you spend supports Independent bookstores and not Amazon. 

If you are interested, please click on my link.  When you sign up, you'll get a free audiobook:

 http://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm75477

Full Disclosure:  I do earn audiobooks if you sign up.