Skyward

For Stormlight fans: this YA, soft sci-fi book reminded me heavily—in the best ways possible—of the Shattered Plains scenes from The Way of Kings, except with Starfighters instead of ladders and shards, Krell instead of Parshmen, Acclivity rings instead of gemhearts, and Spensa instead of Kaladin. Further comparisons could spoil the story, for example... M-Bot is Syl, and Spensa's growing magical bond with M-Bot unlocks some important superpowers for the sequel..

It was also reminiscent of Ender's Game and Armada but, in many ways, more fun and gripping than either.