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frog_appreciator's review against another edition
3.5
I picked this book up from the library because of its gorgeooous cover. I got instantly pulled into the story and was invested. The main issues for me were the magic system not being fully fleshed out, in regards to the plot twist at the end maybe contradicting somethings? And the romance alluding to a love triangle wasn’t it for me. However the meat of it dealt with the real world/the real world’s issues represented in the magical world, and it was emotional and impactful. I’m not a huge fan of the chosen one trope but it deserves to have diverse stories under it. An emotional tale
of a Black girl torn between two worlds. I picked up the second book from the library at the same time so I’ll be reading it as well.
of a Black girl torn between two worlds. I picked up the second book from the library at the same time so I’ll be reading it as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Drug use
alia_deberry's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
"In this riveting, keenly emotional debut fantasy, a Black teen from Houston has her world upended when she learns about her godly ancestry and must save both the human and god worlds."
Wings of Ebony was a wonderfully written book following a strong main character. Rue (mc) was powerful but still had some realistic mistakes and characteristics. There was a lot of character growth in not just her, but a lot of the other characters. I really loved Tasha and Ms. L. I also enjoyed Bri and Rue's friendship. Each of the characters were well developed and realistic. I LOVED CUPCAKE AS WELL.
I went in knowing romance wasn't a part of the plot, but the tiny bit included was short, sweet, and didn't overpower the plot.
The plot in this book mirrored colonization and many struggles in the real world. It was crazy how accurate and real it was. The author made a good point when talking about a character who although did not intentionally be racist or act wrong, their indifference and ignorance to the situation was just as harmful. This book conveyed a lot of important themes.
The magic, plot, and setting of this book were very well written. However, I really wish their was a different variety in power descriptions. The characters were told to have been able to move trees and control the earth yet all we saw was power/light blasts. The travelling between worlds and Rue's growth on finding herself as well as her family was very enjoyable!! It was action-packed and really easy to get into! The plot was consistent and there wasn't really any part that was less enjoyable. I loved this book!!
Wings of Ebony was a wonderfully written book following a strong main character. Rue (mc) was powerful but still had some realistic mistakes and characteristics. There was a lot of character growth in not just her, but a lot of the other characters. I really loved Tasha and Ms. L. I also enjoyed Bri and Rue's friendship. Each of the characters were well developed and realistic. I LOVED CUPCAKE AS WELL.
I went in knowing romance wasn't a part of the plot, but the tiny bit included was short, sweet, and didn't overpower the plot.
The plot in this book mirrored colonization and many struggles in the real world. It was crazy how accurate and real it was. The author made a good point when talking about a character who although did not intentionally be racist or act wrong, their indifference and ignorance to the situation was just as harmful. This book conveyed a lot of important themes.
The magic, plot, and setting of this book were very well written. However, I really wish their was a different variety in power descriptions. The characters were told to have been able to move trees and control the earth yet all we saw was power/light blasts. The travelling between worlds and Rue's growth on finding herself as well as her family was very enjoyable!! It was action-packed and really easy to get into! The plot was consistent and there wasn't really any part that was less enjoyable. I loved this book!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Drug use, Hate crime, Racial slurs, and Racism
candaceallison's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Drug use
calamitywindpetal's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Violence, Murder, Death, Death of parent, Child death, and Racism
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Vomit, Car accident, Classism, Grief, Colonisation, Blood, and Kidnapping
Minor: Drug use and Genocide
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Violence, Abandonment, Blood, Gun violence, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Car accident, Vomit, Racism, Colonisation, Panic attacks/disorders, and Drug use
hopevigilshuck's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Racism, Racial slurs, and Death of parent
Moderate: Xenophobia, War, Police brutality, Genocide, and Drug use
bretagnereads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, Drug use, Blood, Murder, Hate crime, and Racism
Minor: Car accident and Cursing
meluhnie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Murder, and Grief
Moderate: Racism, Cultural appropriation, Gun violence, Violence, Colonisation, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Drug use, Kidnapping, Police brutality, and Religious bigotry
leahsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is one of the 2021 debuts that I was really looking forward to, and I’m glad to say that it did not disappoint. You know when you start reading a book and know right away that it’s just going to be amazing? Yep. That’s what happened here.
It’s a crossover between urban fantasy, taking place in the hood of Houston, and fantasy, in Ghizon, which is an incredibly well-crafted world. The world building is done beautifully, with an entire caste-based society, history, language, magic system, and holidays/customs all described in such a clear and intriguing way. Just like any other society, Ghizon has a dark side to it as well, and involves discrimination.
J. Elle doesn’t shy away from portraying Rue’s Houston neighborhood realistically either, displaying both the good and the bad. While it’s clear that there is no trust between the people and law enforcement, media doesn’t show any interest in what happens to the residents of East Row, and the people living there are no strangers to drugs, violence, and death, the community is more than just neighbors — they’re family.
I loved the emotional impact this book had. Rue dealt with some heavy emotions throughout the entire story, but her feelings were all so realistic. She was dealing with grief, fear, anger, frustration, hurt, and loneliness. Rue is angry but channels it to create positive change for herself, her family, and her community, and even brings that change to wider circles. She faced an uphill battle, leaving a predominantly Black community that functioned as a supportive family after a traumatic event, and then being transported to a society where she’s basically an outcast and one of two Black people.
Rue wasn’t the only character who showed growth during the book. So many of the main characters had amazing growth arcs over the course of the story, and that wasn’t even the best part! The story itself was exciting, and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. I was actually disappointed when I had to adult and put the book down, and would count the time down until I could start reading again. The author wasn’t afraid to discuss racism, empowerment, hate, social justice, family dynamics, and forgiveness, and I can only hope that the next book in this series come out soon, because I’m here for it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Murder, Grief, Death of parent, and Gun violence
Minor: Child abuse, Genocide, and Drug use
ronniereadsbooks's review
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I don’t think I’ve related so much to a book in a long time. It reminded me of home in so many ways. The description of East Row felt like my neighborhood growing up. The whole block is family. The girls playing double Dutch. Eating kool-cups (or icebergs as we call them in New Orleans). The neighborhood grandma in Ms. Leola. The teenage boys that helped everybody out for either a plate of food or some cash. The block looked out for each other.
Then we get to Rue. I knew her. I grew up with her. She lost her mother and is now in a world that she never wanted away from everything she knew. She just wanted to protect her sister. Her world was turned upside down by a father she never knew and moving to a place she never wanted to be. Her refusal of her Ghizoni heritage is a huge part of the story. But shows how often we as Black people are forced to compartmentalize ourselves based on our environments. When she finally accepts her Ghizoni heritage that is when she truly taps into her potential. I will admit that there were times when I felt like Rue was being a brat. But I get it. I understand her motivations because again I grew up with plenty of people like Rue. She had to harden herself.
Another thing I enjoyed was the commentary on the real world experiences of Black people.The colonization of Ghizon and the erasure of the Black Ghizoni people by the Grays. The appropriation and bastardization of what makes the Black Ghizoni people special. The reality of racism and drugs being pumped into the poor neighborhood of East Row. The overlooking of Black trauma by the police and media. These themes got me in such a real way. The scene where Rue tells her Gray Ghizoni friend Bri about the plight of the Black Ghizoni people and Bri made the whole situation about her got me good! Not to mention how I lived for Rue calling Bri out especially after she tried to whitesplain a solution that did nothing to help the Black Ghizoni people because she was uncomfortable.</spoiler.
There were many notable phrases and quotes that I could easily hear my mother or grandmother saying. Like "make a way out of no way" or "mama raised diamonds". The entirety of this book felt real and authentic. The use of AAVE. The descriptions of locations. The realities of what it's like to be a Black person and deal with racism and the repercussions of colonialism. The belief that you can be nothing more than where you grow up. I personally felt that one. I felt so seen and heard.
I can go on and on about this book. I highly recommend. If you haven’t read it, read it! If it’s not on your TBR, add it. My sole gripe is that it ended with one plot point unresolved. But that means a sequel is hopefully on the way.I will also say that I am still a bit unclear about Rue's relationships with both Julius and Jhamal. </spoiler.
J. Elle has made a fan out of me and I can't wait to read whatever comes next.
Then we get to Rue. I knew her. I grew up with her. She lost her mother and is now in a world that she never wanted away from everything she knew. She just wanted to protect her sister. Her world was turned upside down by a father she never knew and moving to a place she never wanted to be. Her refusal of her Ghizoni heritage is a huge part of the story. But shows how often we as Black people are forced to compartmentalize ourselves based on our environments. When she finally accepts her Ghizoni heritage that is when she truly taps into her potential. I will admit that there were times when I felt like Rue was being a brat. But I get it. I understand her motivations because again I grew up with plenty of people like Rue. She had to harden herself.
Another thing I enjoyed was the commentary on the real world experiences of Black people.
There were many notable phrases and quotes that I could easily hear my mother or grandmother saying. Like "make a way out of no way" or "mama raised diamonds". The entirety of this book felt real and authentic. The use of AAVE. The descriptions of locations. The realities of what it's like to be a Black person and deal with racism and the repercussions of colonialism. The belief that you can be nothing more than where you grow up. I personally felt that one. I felt so seen and heard.
I can go on and on about this book. I highly recommend. If you haven’t read it, read it! If it’s not on your TBR, add it. My sole gripe is that it ended with one plot point unresolved. But that means a sequel is hopefully on the way.
J. Elle has made a fan out of me and I can't wait to read whatever comes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Blood, Murder, Gun violence, and Drug use