Skyward and side characters that work!

This post written by editor Emma Farnsworth.

Brandon Sanderson has done it again! In his newest novel, Skyward, Sanderson has created a fascinating alien world of complex and dynamic characters and an action-packed coming-of-age story filled with intrigue and lots of snark.

Skyward is a YA sci-fi set far in the future on an alien planet and narrated in first-person by Spensa, the daughter of a disgraced pilot who just wants to fly like her father and hopefully clear his name. Sanderson, known for his relatable, flawed, and dynamic characters has once again delivered a great cast.

As any author knows, giving supporting characters interesting arcs can be a challenge in any story. Simple characterization from little idiosyncrasies and catch phrases, or classic archetypes–like the quirky best friend or annoying rival co-worker­–can sometimes be enough to give a sense of depth to a minor character. However, the main supporting characters can become real driving forces for the plot of a story and need to have a complete internal arc of their own in order to really shine. Sanderson’s supporting characters in Skyward are a great example of this.

Sanderson gives several characters besides the narrator, Spensa, full character arcs of their own, including Spensa’s best friend, Rodge “Rigamarole” McCaffrey and her flight instructor Captain Cobb. However, my favorite supporting character arc is that of flightleader Jorgen “Jerkface” Weight.

When Sanderson first introduces Jorgen, Spensa makes a lot of assumptions—mainly that he’s a “useless aristocrat” who is in flight school “not because of any skill or aptitude, but because he wanted to sport a cadet’s pin and feel important” (ch. 8, p. 62). However, Sanderson lets the reader know pretty quickly that Jorgen earnestly wants to prove himself and is willing to work just as hard as everyone else, in spite of Spensa’s refusal to acknowledge this.

Over the course of the book, Jorgen develops into someone who not only wants to prove himself, but also wants to think for himself and do what’s right even if others disapprove. How does Sanderson do it, though? If the first-person narrator doesn’t think about it or acknowledge it, then how can the reader understand things that she doesn’t? He does it by showing Spensa’s clear narrator bias and by giving the reader the opportunity to judge for themselves based on Jorgen’s words, actions, and expressions.

Early in the story, Sanderson shows Jorgen’s earnest desire to prove himself through his actions and dialogue during the cadets’ first lesson with Cobb in chapter nine:

Spensa’s reaction is dismissive because she assumes that he’s trying to show off, but as the scene continues, Jorgen’s word choices, phrasing, and reactions give a different impression. Jorgen never says anything malicious, cruel, or demeaning to his team mates and is receptive to their ideas. Sanderson makes it easy for the reader to recognize Spensa’s bias and allow the supporting character’s actions and words speak for themselves.

During the trip, he talks to Spensa about how much his parents expect of him and dictate his life. He admires Spensa’s defiant attitude, and says, “I thought a pair of wings might let me escape [my father’s] legacy. But I’m not defiant. I’ll do what’s expected of me” (ch. 34, p. 344). When they return to the cave where Spensa’s been living and where she and Rig have been repairing the ship M-Bot.

Sanderson gives us a hint of how Jorgen wishes to change when he encourages her to fix the ship and says, “you fix it, and you fly. You find a way, and you defy them. For those of us who don’t have the courage” (ch. 35, p. 349). Sanderson uses the dialogue in these scenes to give the reader a sense of Jorgen’s background, personality, and goals.

I could go on to describe how Rig comes into his own and Cobb becomes the kind of teacher who learns from his students. I could also get into how well-rounded even the more minor characters are, but I don’t want to spoil the whole book. Besides, I don’t want you to read a novel length blog post because actual novels are much more fun.

So, if you haven’t already, go pick up Brandon Sanderson’s latest novel, Skyward, and meet all these fantastic characters for yourself. Or write your own using the tools of a POV character’s thoughts and biases toward a side character juxtaposed by that character’s actions and dialogue to create a complex and awesome character who just happens to not be the main character.

Find Skyward on Amazon or add it to your bookshelf on Goodreads.

Find Skyward on Amazon or add it to your bookshelf on Goodreads.