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dragonwriter's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
When Rue’s mother died, her absentee father, Asim, swept in and whisked her away to Ghizon, an isolated island with magic inhabitants. Despite the legends that the Chancellor fought the gods for the magic and shared it with the people, Rue is more than a little suspicious of the lack of history before the Chancellor came. Rue defies the Ghizon rules of isolation to teleport back to America on the first anniversary of her mother’s death to give her half sister a special present, and has to use magic to save her, revealing her rebellion to the Ghizon authorities. In order to preserve her magic, Rue goes on the run, and learns the history that the Chancellor didn’t want anyone to know. Faced with extermination effort in both Ghizon and her home streets, Rue has to accept both sides of her heritage in order to save the people who need her.
This story was very upfront and blunt about its anti-racist themes. I wasn’t in the best mindset for confronting my white privilege, so it took me a while to struggle through it, but I’m glad I finished. Rue was a bit brash and impatient, but I enjoyed her attitude overall. The entire story is told in her POV, and her voice is very captivating. She loves her home and her people, and she’s very protective of them. I love how her ‘family’ comes together at the end to fight, and I enjoyed the justice they found together. I did think that the split timeline was a little confusing; it wasn’t always clear when Rue was in the present, or remembering the past. The first few chapters she had a backflash, I was very confused on how she’d changed location. I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I read it at a different point in time. I may try to read it again, just to see how it feels when my mental health is better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Genocide, Racism, Death of parent, and Colonisation
glass_carousel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Genocide
Minor: Vomit
ceilidhwilliams's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Death of parent, Grief, Racial slurs, and Racism
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
shadesofkate26's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Murder, and Death of parent
Moderate: Genocide, Racial slurs, and Grief
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
andromeda_1998's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Wings of ebony is one of those books that you want to love but even though you still liked it you feel like something is missing. It least it’s one of those books for me. Before I go into the book any further I want to put in a disclaimer: “I’m European, I have lived my whole life in a country that might not be perfect but where we can still 95% of the time trust the government to look out for us. I’m not going into the representation of this book since I do not have the knowledge to talk about his subject.”
Okay, with that been said what are my thoughts about this book?
The plot
Wings of ebony is about Rue. After her mom was killed she found herself in a strange magical country (Ghizon) where she had to learn to embrace her magic and deal with a father she has never known. We meet Rue a year after her mothers death. She found her way back to America to give her sister a birthday present but she ends up having to save her sisters life. When her sister touches her, rue breaks one of many rules of Ghizon. This starts a manhunt for Rue and she has to travel dangerous waters to keep herself and her sister safe.
The books storyline focuses heavily one Racism and police brutality. The storyline is actually pretty amazing and I really wanted to love it but the book has some flaws. The plot never really goes into a lot of different plotpoints. It is a lot of telling instead of showing. Rue is constantly telling that the block she comes from us fam, but we never actually get to explore her connections to the home she used to live in. We meet just 3 characters she knows and one she vaguely knows since he is the popular boy in school. I would have loved to see more of the connections between the main character and her home to make the reader understand the bond she feels with her community. I understand this is heavily inspired from real life but in the book itself it has no real foundation. There are more instances this happens but those are heavy spoilers so if your interested you can find them further below.
Worldbuilding
The worldbuilding is sloppy, we don’t actually get any worldbuilding about Ghizon. We just have to believe it exist but we don’t really get an explanation about who the world works. We also don’t really get to explore the magic. Magic was something the characters more really talked about than used and we never really got to see Rue grow into her powers or an explanation to the boundaries of the magic used in the book. We don’t even get an full explanation about how the magic works. Her is a piece of onyx, good luck! The history we do get doesn’t even cover the basics of the magic system.
Writing style
The writing is terrific! It’s fast paced and action pact. I’m not sure about the placing of the flash backs but some of the more emotional scenes have been done very well. I
Characters
Rue is a fun character she is a bit typical ya, she misses some major red flags but hé, she is young enough to learn. She is a really strong female character and I would have loved to she her grow.
Recommend, it’s a good book. I just miss a lot of explanation that could have made the book even better. I am a bit frustrated about that….
Other plot points that could have used more explanation:
1. The whole gang plot on the block… what does the chancellor and the governor win from selling drugs And power in a country they do not care for and don’t need to have controle over for there plans to actually work. They only endanger their ambitions with there connection with America. If it was only to hurt Rue than the did that in the most round about stupid way imaginable.
2. The father plot, we didn’t see them grow. She just hated his ass till he got killed. There is no relationship there and that’s her fault.
3. The romance plot, it basically was a case of: “o look, a dark skinned boy with dimples and magic, I’m willing to sell my soul for him now” we read one scene between them before the boy was willing to risk his life for his “queen”. This was a big case of telling and no showing. It’s a shame. Give us some bounding before making them randomly kiss. <spoilers>
Okay, with that been said what are my thoughts about this book?
The plot
Wings of ebony is about Rue. After her mom was killed she found herself in a strange magical country (Ghizon) where she had to learn to embrace her magic and deal with a father she has never known. We meet Rue a year after her mothers death. She found her way back to America to give her sister a birthday present but she ends up having to save her sisters life. When her sister touches her, rue breaks one of many rules of Ghizon. This starts a manhunt for Rue and she has to travel dangerous waters to keep herself and her sister safe.
The books storyline focuses heavily one Racism and police brutality. The storyline is actually pretty amazing and I really wanted to love it but the book has some flaws. The plot never really goes into a lot of different plotpoints. It is a lot of telling instead of showing. Rue is constantly telling that the block she comes from us fam, but we never actually get to explore her connections to the home she used to live in. We meet just 3 characters she knows and one she vaguely knows since he is the popular boy in school. I would have loved to see more of the connections between the main character and her home to make the reader understand the bond she feels with her community. I understand this is heavily inspired from real life but in the book itself it has no real foundation. There are more instances this happens but those are heavy spoilers so if your interested you can find them further below.
Worldbuilding
The worldbuilding is sloppy, we don’t actually get any worldbuilding about Ghizon. We just have to believe it exist but we don’t really get an explanation about who the world works. We also don’t really get to explore the magic. Magic was something the characters more really talked about than used and we never really got to see Rue grow into her powers or an explanation to the boundaries of the magic used in the book. We don’t even get an full explanation about how the magic works. Her is a piece of onyx, good luck! The history we do get doesn’t even cover the basics of the magic system.
Writing style
The writing is terrific! It’s fast paced and action pact. I’m not sure about the placing of the flash backs but some of the more emotional scenes have been done very well. I
Characters
Rue is a fun character she is a bit typical ya, she misses some major red flags but hé, she is young enough to learn. She is a really strong female character and I would have loved to she her grow.
Recommend, it’s a good book. I just miss a lot of explanation that could have made the book even better. I am a bit frustrated about that….
Other plot points that could have used more explanation:
1. The whole gang plot on the block… what does the chancellor and the governor win from selling drugs And power in a country they do not care for and don’t need to have controle over for there plans to actually work. They only endanger their ambitions with there connection with America. If it was only to hurt Rue than the did that in the most round about stupid way imaginable.
2. The father plot, we didn’t see them grow. She just hated his ass till he got killed. There is no relationship there and that’s her fault.
3. The romance plot, it basically was a case of: “o look, a dark skinned boy with dimples and magic, I’m willing to sell my soul for him now” we read one scene between them before the boy was willing to risk his life for his “queen”. This was a big case of telling and no showing. It’s a shame. Give us some bounding before making them randomly kiss. <spoilers>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Colonisation, Classism, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gun violence, Murder, Violence, Racial slurs, and Police brutality
teri_b's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
This book was a blast and truly YA, I would like to say.
We have a very strong main character who grew up in East Row with her mom and her younger sister until the moment her mother got killed and Rue got brought to this other place, where she is now to be educated as she is not only human, but also half god.
When she decides to return on the anniversary of her mother's death to the street she grew up in and meet up with her sister, she sets a series of events in action she could not foresee.
And as the world around seems to tumble down Rue has to understand more about her magic, her origins and also make sure that she keeps her sister and the friends she has found on the way, safe.
Absolutely compelling story telling. One of the best books I read this year.
Loved the narrator of this story. I felt, she got the voices of her characters just so right.
We have a very strong main character who grew up in East Row with her mom and her younger sister until the moment her mother got killed and Rue got brought to this other place, where she is now to be educated as she is not only human, but also half god.
When she decides to return on the anniversary of her mother's death to the street she grew up in and meet up with her sister, she sets a series of events in action she could not foresee.
And as the world around seems to tumble down Rue has to understand more about her magic, her origins and also make sure that she keeps her sister and the friends she has found on the way, safe.
Absolutely compelling story telling. One of the best books I read this year.
Loved the narrator of this story. I felt, she got the voices of her characters just so right.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cultural appropriation, Death of parent, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Murder, and Racism
alenezela99's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Cultural appropriation, Death of parent, and Genocide
elwirax's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
3.0
PROS:
Rue was such a strong character. She went through so much and still found the strength to fight for her family and justice. She didn't feel the need to change herself and was proud of the hood she grew up in and the people who made it home.
J.Elle comments on racism and colonialism in a raw and blunt way. She addresses privilege and the need for white people to fight against systemic racism without making the whole thing about themselves or being coddled by Black people. Racism must be called out as racism and nothing else. This is the strongest message in "Wings of Ebony" and one which is very much applicable to our society.
CONS:
The world building and magic fell flat in some aspects especially regarding Ghizon. I had a hard time picturing Houston alongside this magical city. However, "Wings of Ebony" is the first book in a duology so this may be expanded upon in the next book.
The romance was really insta-lovey and served no purpose to the overall book. I think the book would've been better if the romance was left out entirely. There was also an inkling of a love triangle which I really don't like and hope the duology does not go in that direction ( this is just a personal preference though)
The pacing felt a little off. Some parts were really well written while others not so much. As well as this, many of the characters lacked the proper characterisation needed to be well rounded and ultimately felt really flat.The dialogue between these characters was clunky and strange in some parts which meant I was not invested in any of them.
Objectively this was a good book with important commentary that needs to be adressed. I wish I could say it was a 5 star book but it simply didn't feel as such. It's dissapointing that I didn't love it as much as I'd hoped. Despite this, I would still recommend it. It's debatable whether or not I'll pick up the next book when it comes out but it's definitely not off the table.
Rue was such a strong character. She went through so much and still found the strength to fight for her family and justice. She didn't feel the need to change herself and was proud of the hood she grew up in and the people who made it home.
J.Elle comments on racism and colonialism in a raw and blunt way. She addresses privilege and the need for white people to fight against systemic racism without making the whole thing about themselves or being coddled by Black people. Racism must be called out as racism and nothing else. This is the strongest message in "Wings of Ebony" and one which is very much applicable to our society.
CONS:
The world building and magic fell flat in some aspects especially regarding Ghizon. I had a hard time picturing Houston alongside this magical city. However, "Wings of Ebony" is the first book in a duology so this may be expanded upon in the next book.
The romance was really insta-lovey and served no purpose to the overall book. I think the book would've been better if the romance was left out entirely. There was also an inkling of a love triangle which I really don't like and hope the duology does not go in that direction ( this is just a personal preference though)
The pacing felt a little off. Some parts were really well written while others not so much. As well as this, many of the characters lacked the proper characterisation needed to be well rounded and ultimately felt really flat.The dialogue between these characters was clunky and strange in some parts which meant I was not invested in any of them.
Objectively this was a good book with important commentary that needs to be adressed. I wish I could say it was a 5 star book but it simply didn't feel as such. It's dissapointing that I didn't love it as much as I'd hoped. Despite this, I would still recommend it. It's debatable whether or not I'll pick up the next book when it comes out but it's definitely not off the table.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Gun violence
Moderate: Genocide, Death of parent, and Murder