Breaking Sky by Cori McCarthy

YA Science Fiction

From Goodreads:

In this high-flying, adrenaline-fueled debut thriller, America's best hope is the elite teen fighter pilots of the United Star Academy

Chase Harcourt, call sign "Nyx," is one of only two pilots chosen to fly the experimental "Streaker" jets at the junior Air Force Academy in the year 2048. She's tough and impulsive with lightning-fast reactions, but few know the pain and loneliness of her past or the dark secret about her father. All anyone cares about is that Chase aces the upcoming Streaker trials, proving the prototype jet can knock the enemy out of the sky.

But as the world tilts toward war, Chase cracks open a military secret. There's a third Streaker jet, whose young hotshot pilot, Tristan, can match her on the ground and in the clouds. Chase doesn't play well with others, but to save her country she may just have to put her life in the hands of the competition.

I have seen this theme several times before.  The theme: only teens can do the job.  In this case it is fly the new “Streaker” jets.  These jets are prototypes and there are only three in existence. 

Breaking Sky is set in a world where the US is isolated and cut off from the rest of the world.  That happened years ago and now there is a move to break the isolation and the Streaker is a big part of the plan.

Chase Harcourt is the pilot of one and she is the main character in the book.   She has problems that cause some of the tension in the story.  The problems that are common to teens all show up in the story.  It is fast paced and full of action.  Chase has to change and grow as the story progresses and some of the side characters play a big part in her growth.

The book is written primarily for teens but adults will remember those problem teen years and enjoy it for the story and adventure.

Scorebook Fire published BreakingSky by Cori McCarthy in 2015.

I received an ARC of Breaking Sky from Goodreads in return for an honest review.