32. Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

listened on Audible
read by Suzy Jackson
Unabridged audio (15:28)
2018 Gollancz
510 pgs.
YA SciFi
Finished 3/24/2019
Goodreads rating: 4.55 - 22,753 ratings
My rating:  4


First line/s:  "Only fools climbed to the surface.  It was stupid to put yourself in danger like that, my mother always said.  Not only were there near-constant debris showers from the rubble belt, but you never knew when the Krell would attack."

My comments:  Hours and hours of simulated flight instruction and fighting the Krell, much of it over my head.  But for some reason I continued to listen and somewhat enjoy.  This world was hard to imagine, but I found Spensa's story and character development, as well as the writing, excellent.  Fascinating, actually.  So many questions, good ones, throughout the story.  Great narrator. 
     To remember before reading the next installment:  Spensa did not quite earn her captain status because she ejected, which is a no-no and not "brave."  However, in a battle to end all battles, she piloted Mbot, a mysterious flyer that she had found hidden in a cavern and repaired with the help of a friend.  Four of the ten people in her flight had been killed on missions - during training! - three had quit, and only two of her classmates had graduated and moved on.  Her arch enemy from the beginning has actually become a good friend (possible romance to come?).  Her instructor, Cobb, always on her side, had been her father's wing man.  It now looks like she is going to be a hero.  Still lots of questions to be answered about what is really going on out there in space.  Interesting.  Definitely want to continue.

Goodreads synopsis:  Defeated, crushed, and driven almost to extinction, the remnants of the human race are trapped on a planet that is constantly attacked by mysterious alien starfighters. Spensa, a teenage girl living among them, longs to be a pilot. When she discovers the wreckage of an ancient ship, she realizes this dream might be possible—assuming she can repair the ship, navigate flight school, and (perhaps most importantly) persuade the strange machine to help her. Because this ship, uniquely, appears to have a soul.

33. Where There's Smoke - Sandra Brown

Audio read by Natalie Ross
14 cds (16:44) unabridged cds
Read in car between Tennessee and Pennsylvania
1993 - Brillianc Audio edition 2009
417 pgs.
CRF/Mystery
Finished 6/2/16
Goodreads rating: 3.92 (5523 ratings)
My rating: 1.5 (2 for goodreads; 1 as I recollect)
Setting: contemporary tiny Texas town and unknown (because the name is changed) Central American country.

First line/s:  "He'd never like cats.  His problem however was that the woman lying beside him purred like one."
        This alone should have tipped me off.....

My comments:  I've always shied away from Sandra Brown, but recently read Deadline, which was pretty good.  So when I saw the chance to nab another - unabridged on cd - I went for it.  Big disappointment.  Simply put: not enough characters to like, and plenty to not like.  Too many unanswered ridiculous maneuvers and happenings.  Bullying and meanness.  Way too much romance for me.  Couldn't wait until it ended.  (And probably should have given it a "1".)

Goodreads synopsis: No one knows why Lara Mallory opens up her medical practice in the rowdy Texas town where Tackett Oil owns everything. But everyone remembers her role in the well-publicized scandal that caused the downfall of White House hopeful Senator Clark Tackett. Now the ironfisted matriarch of Tackett Oil intends to use her money and power to drive Lara out of town…especially when Lara meets Key, the hell-raising, youngest Tackett son. Before long, this determined woman doctor and brash, daring flyer find themselves hurtling on a soul-searing quest for the one secret that can destroy the Tackett empire, as rumors start flying that…Where There’s Smoke.