Common Sense Media Review
By Sage Moreaux
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Epic battle for peace in exciting sci-fi series finale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In DEFIANT, Spensa finally returns home, bringing her newfound knowledge of cytonics and the mysterious Delvers to her friends in Skyward Flight—only to discover she's not the only one who's changed during her absence. Spensa is confronted with a new level of responsibility as her team and their allies ready themselves to wage war against the Superiority in hopes of freeing the galaxy. But with so much on the line, will Spensa find a way to temper her impulses, or will her new powers prove too much to control?
Is It Any Good?
Action-packed and humorous, this book raises important issues around warfare and the nature of violence. Defiant brings together the plotlines of the first three books, tying them in a neat bow of a satisfying conclusion. The pacing drags at times, but enough characters and plot points cover the slower parts. While many favorite characters from the first three books make appearances, they don't get as much page time as fans might prefer. Much time is spent with Spensa's internal struggles, and perhaps not enough time with her friends. Defiant is an enjoyable finale, and does what a series closer needs to do, but it's just a bit less compelling than the first book in the series, Skyward. The intricate drawings of various species and ships that are peppered throughout the book add to the reader's experience.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Spensa's growth as a character in Defiant. How does Spensa's choice to lean into empathy instead of hate affect the final outcome?
What do you think of the use of the word "defiant" throughout the book? What instances of defiance most stand out?
Characters face the dilemma of killing a few people to save millions. Is collateral damage ever warranted?
The galactic war is over who owns vast regions of space. What right do people have to the land, or airspace, that they claim?
Defiant features sentient AI as powerful characters, with safeguards in place to help protect humans from their power. How does this reflect the current rise of AI-enabled technologies?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Communication , Courage , Empathy , Integrity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Delacorte Press
- Publication date : November 21, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 18
- Number of pages : 414
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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