There are red drones closing in on you and your airplane. You tilt right, left, and do tricks because what else would “The Dragon” do? “Breaking Sky” by Cori McCarthy is redefining dystopian novels for young adults. While others focus on love triangles, war, and overcoming the corrupted government, “Breaking Sky” focuses on finding yourself, doing what you love, and the Second Cold War.

“Breaking Sky” begins in the Second Cold War, this time between America and a revolutionized China, in the near future. The book synopsis can make non-airplane loving readers a little nervous about the story line, but the airplanes are really just an extension of the pilots and their Radar Intercept Officers (RIO). I loved that the pilots were written this way, and it shows readers to truly not judge a book by its cover or synopsis.

The main pilot that readers get introduced to is the protagonist, Chase. The story revolves around Chase, and there is no other way this book could have been written. The decisions made would not make sense if they were from her RIO’s point-of-view, Pippin, because he did not understand what was going on in the headquarters. Chase brings out my reckless side, and she outright broke the rules. Many protagonists might try to stretch or bend or manipulate the rules to their favor, but Chase bursts through them and does not look back. Her passion for flying does not let anything get in her way, even romance or parental issues. When Tristan and Chase first fly together, it is so intimate because of their passion for flying, and the planes being an extension of themselves. Chase is the Dragon. Only Chase can make something so awkward and mechanical move smoothly and silently.

Tristan is the love interest in this book, except he is there for Chase, Pippin, and Romeo, his RIO, and not just Chase. The romance is not the main focal point of this story though, so that part is on the back burner throughout the plot line. From the moment we met him, before we knew his name, when Tristan and Chase were flying the airplanes next to each other, the way the airplane moved showed how snarky and sarcastic Tristan is. There may be some skeptics out there for thinking that an airplane cannot possibly show how a character’s personality is, but until you read the book for yourself you will never know that is true.

Pippin is the best RIO a pilot could ask for. Pippin was my number one favorite guy in this book, no doubt about it. He had some problems throughout the book, but that just made his character more 3-D and real. Readers can pick up hints on what his secret is, but there are moments where readers doubt themselves as well. Pippin and Chase’s relationship with each other is the best friendship written in young adult dystopian. They banter like siblings and love with the greatest passion for friends.

Overall, this book is breaking boundaries like Chase broke rules. There is a variety of events that occur through the story line, and there are tear-jerkers as well. It doesn’t matter if you do not like romance, war, dystopian, airplanes, readers are 95 percent guaranteed they are going to love this book. Cori McCarthy has stated on Twitter that she is unsure if there is going to be a sequel or not, since the ending of the book was halfway concluded and halfway hanging open. It’s still a phenomenal read all around. I rate this book 10 stars out five stars.