The Skyborn [Hardcover]

Paul Collins (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

After the crash of the ship Colony, 14-year-old Welkin was left for dead on the inhospitable landscape of a ravaged Earth. After being rescued by a gang of Earthborn, Welkin proves his value and becomes a trusted member of the Family. But existence is still hand to mouth. The nuclear ravaged landscape is hardly more than a vast wasteland. Dangers from bands of mutants threaten continually. As does the ominous presence of Colony itself. Inside the grounded starship Skyborn inhabitants feed on their hatred of the Earthborn. When on routine patrol a Colony scout is captured by the Family, he reveals a secret: authorities onboard Colony have regrouped and mean to launch a final assault-to rid the Earth of the "savage" Earthborn for ever. But even Welkin--armed with his knowledge of
Skyborn ways and methods--could never have been prepared for what he finds.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 8-11. In this sequel to The Earthborn (2003), teenager Welkin Quinn, former Skyborn, has been fully accepted into the Earthborn community that rescued him after his homeship, Colony, crashed onto the surface of postholocaust Earth. Despite the rival bands, harsh landscape, wasting disease, and ever-present danger of the Skyborn, his community has developed a stable agrarian lifestyle. The peace is not to last, however, as a captured Skyborn alludes to a devastating attack meant to wipe out the Earthborn forever. Welkin and others set off to find Colony and stop the attack, only to discover another infiltration--the alien Hiveborn, absorbing Colony people into its "collective." Because Collins covers a lot of ground very quickly, readers will never be bored, though they may have trouble getting a good look at the scenery. Even so, with plenty of hard science, a well-realized world, harrowing action, and a large cast of lightly sketched but still distinctive characters, Collins' compelling story is bound to appeal to many sf fans. Krista Hutley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

PAUL COLLINS, the author of the highly acclaimed young adult adventure The Earthborn. Paul Collins is the most prolific short story writer in his native Australia. An award-winning anthologist and editor, Collins is the author of many esteemed adult SF novels.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Starscape; First Edition edition (October 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765312735
• ISBN-13: 978-0765312730
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,512,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Skyborn, April 8, 2006

By 

Olive Rish (Tasmania, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Skyborn (Hardcover)

Starscape, Tor Books.
271 pp.

The Skyborn is a science fiction novel that presents a vision of the future that is startlingly relevant and intriguing sequel to The Earthborn. Set in an Australia (Melbourne) of the future that has been devastated by war and disease, The Skyborn picks up the story of Welkin Quinn, a former Skyborn himself who found a home among the Earthborn after being separated from the colony ship that had carried him back to earth. But his new found family is under threat by the Skyborn who are determined to rid the earth of its inhabitants.

This is a book that asks big questions about genocide and colonisation but it is also a vastly entertaining narrative that never flags. Paul Collins makes you care about these characters and it is that caring that makes the issues this book addresses all the more chilling. There are concepts in this story that are not easy to read or to think about but it is such a compelling tale that you will read on anyway and it is a journey well worth making.

The Skyborn is an excellent story, above everything else and I would have no hesitation about recommending it to a very large number of people. Because it's always excellent to share stories like these.

Olive Rish reviews for Educare.