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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
bkwrm1317's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? No
4.0
What a fierce young femme protag we have in Rue, who shows up for her people, no matter the personal cost or risk.
When Rue’s mom is killed, she is whisked away by a father who she’s never known to a strange land called Ghizon, where there’s magic, and only one other Black or Brown face - Aasim, the man she doesn’t even want to speak to, let alone bond with.
As Rue learns more about Ghizon, Aasim, and her own ancestry, she is tasked with fighting back against 100+ years of her peoples’ subjugation - on East Row in Houston, as well as in Ghizon. Tough as nails, street-wise and funny, tender hearted and loving, Rue is absolutely the type of heroine we need in these times.
When Rue’s mom is killed, she is whisked away by a father who she’s never known to a strange land called Ghizon, where there’s magic, and only one other Black or Brown face - Aasim, the man she doesn’t even want to speak to, let alone bond with.
As Rue learns more about Ghizon, Aasim, and her own ancestry, she is tasked with fighting back against 100+ years of her peoples’ subjugation - on East Row in Houston, as well as in Ghizon. Tough as nails, street-wise and funny, tender hearted and loving, Rue is absolutely the type of heroine we need in these times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Gun violence
Moderate: Death, Cultural appropriation, Death of parent, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Violence, and Abandonment
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
tjazz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Cultural appropriation, and Death of parent
v4mpstarzz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, Hate crime, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Violence and Racism
Minor: Death of parent
liferhi_inspired's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5/5 Stars
📝 1st Person; C/W- Violence, Gangs, Death of Parent
I have to admit that urban fantasy isn’t a genre that I read often, but I love how this one was done. This is told between a modern day inner city and a hidden magical island, with flashback to the past as the story unfolds.
Rue’s character felt so real, I’m sure that there are a lot of kids out there that could relate to her and can see themselves reflected in her story. I can also appreciate the part that East Row as a community played in shaping these characters and their story.
I also loved all of the symbolism that was written into Wing of Ebony. So many social issues were woven into this story, some more obvious than others. There were several moments where I though “I see what you did there J. Elle”.
I really enjoyed this book by itself, but I appreciate it even more for the representation that it brought with it.
📝 1st Person; C/W- Violence, Gangs, Death of Parent
I have to admit that urban fantasy isn’t a genre that I read often, but I love how this one was done. This is told between a modern day inner city and a hidden magical island, with flashback to the past as the story unfolds.
Rue’s character felt so real, I’m sure that there are a lot of kids out there that could relate to her and can see themselves reflected in her story. I can also appreciate the part that East Row as a community played in shaping these characters and their story.
I also loved all of the symbolism that was written into Wing of Ebony. So many social issues were woven into this story, some more obvious than others. There were several moments where I though “I see what you did there J. Elle”.
I really enjoyed this book by itself, but I appreciate it even more for the representation that it brought with it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Death of parent, and Violence
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
shannnne_reads_words's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Racism, and Hate crime
Moderate: Classism, Child death, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Abandonment, Murder, and Grief
Minor: Cursing
ashlislibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Colonisation, Gun violence, Violence, and Death of parent
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