Reviewed by David Korson for Readers' Favorite
The thrill of NASCAR meets futuristic aviation in the imaginative novella SkyRacers by Matt Watters. Having won the championship the preceding year, Aleeza Martin has proven herself to be an accomplished pilot in the international sport of SkyRace GP. Aleeza's sister Olivia, also a SkyRace pilot, is offered an opportunity to step out of her sister's shadow and prove herself by leading a competitor's team. Though personality differences have always existed between these two siblings, with Olivia being more reckless than her sensible sister, the bonds of family connecting them have never been severed. But could Olivia's carelessness and desire to be the best create a permanent wedge between the Martin sisters?
Although this story takes place decades into the future, Watters describes the SkyRace competition with such detail that it feels as real as any contemporary professional sports racing league. Besides explaining the logistics of setting up courses for flying race vehicles, referencing the big money that guides the sport, and exposing the intricacies of individual motivations within a team competition, there are numerous charts of scores and standings to keep readers informed and engaged. I appreciate the story's pacing, as so many unique characters and suspenseful events are packed into a relatively short book that there is never a dull moment. An exciting sci-fi tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page, SkyRacers explores intricate character relationships within the high-flying world of ultramodern aerial motorsports.