Review: The Skyship of Truskal

The Skyship of Truskal by D.M. Barnham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was written for readers aged 12 to 18 years old. I can see why that is, because my imagination just wasn't up to par! I am NOT saying that this book isn't appropriate for adults of all ages; on the contrary, I think that this book would be great for a book club to read and discuss. If I had someone to discuss this with as I read it, I think I would have gained a deeper understanding of the novel. This was a very creative and unique novel.

We have a strong female lead (Telena) in a world that favors males. She loves to observe the stars, build things, and invent things. She would love to go to school for higher learning, but that is not allowed in this world...until one of her inventions catches the eye of someone 'important'.

To make a long story short, Telena develops a machine that will hover and then one that will fly. Think of it as a smaller version of a dirigible. Telena has always wondered what was on the other side of the great ice wall, she decides to find out by using her skyship.

Adventures abound.

What I found most fascinating was the epilogue. I enjoyed this book, even when I didn't fully understand it!

*ARC supplied by the publisher, the author, and BookSirens.




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DESCRIPTION:

"Telana doesn’t want to settle down — she wants to soar!

Truskal was said to be the village at the end of the world, but Telana knew that probably wasn't so. There was the great icewall that was said to go all around the world, so large that it dwarfed mountains. Telana was determined to find out if that was true. But there was one hitch. Only boys are allowed in the fancy big schools. At least that was until she came along. It will be a long fight before she even sets sail. Between breaking centuries of tradition to antagonising dragonriders and their lucrative taxi service, she'd have a hard fight to just build her dream machine, let alone try and fly it.

319 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 1, 2025"