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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Great read if you want to learn more about African folklore in a fantasy setting.
adventurous
tense
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
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
5 Stars
EDIT:This is a solid 5. I reviewed over my highlights and J. Elle really did a beautiful job with this book. Excellent steady character development and solid magical system. Bri, Julius, and Zora were down for the cause! The relationship that they had with Rue was also a great part of the book. I still stand by that the love triangle was NOT really needed but I understand that I needed to be there as a plot device to drive the conflict. But Again 5 solid stars!!! One of the best YA fantasy books I read this year!!!
Old Review
4.5 rounded to 5.
Loved this book. Big improvement with character development, pacing, magical system and clan organization from the first book. B side romance was not needed but still good. Rue is wonderful in this book and a great leader. Well done. #BlackGirlMagic.
EDIT:This is a solid 5. I reviewed over my highlights and J. Elle really did a beautiful job with this book. Excellent steady character development and solid magical system. Bri, Julius, and Zora were down for the cause! The relationship that they had with Rue was also a great part of the book. I still stand by that the love triangle was NOT really needed but I understand that I needed to be there as a plot device to drive the conflict. But Again 5 solid stars!!! One of the best YA fantasy books I read this year!!!
Old Review
4.5 rounded to 5.
Loved this book. Big improvement with character development, pacing, magical system and clan organization from the first book. B side romance was not needed but still good. Rue is wonderful in this book and a great leader. Well done. #BlackGirlMagic.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Now, Wings of Ebony by J. Elle was indeed a ride. But when I tell you to hold onto your glasses, blanket, hat, etc or whatever you need when you read a book, I mean hold onto it. Ashes of Gold, the second book in this duology is nonstop action, twists and turns! At one point I thought I might need an antacid, because the twists were getting me all worked up. And I am a woman who loves some action in both books and movies.
I don’t want to giveaway any spoilers but I will say the following:
Learning About Ghizon
In Wings of Ebony, you watch Rue fight for her home in East Row. She spends time in both worlds, but you get to spend time getting to learn about her relationships with her sister Tasha, the neighborhood grandma Ms. Leola (who has me ready to bake a pound cake now) and her ex-boo Julius. In Ashes of Gold, we get to learn more not just about Ghizon, but mostly about Rue’s people. Rue now fights to save her Ghizoni people from the evil Chancellor. During her journey of becoming a leader she is also learning more about her people and their culture and traditions too.
Leadership Skills
As Rue is seen as a leader of her people because of the ancestral magic she has inherited, she must also grow and adjust to what that means for her. She must fight doubt and define for herself what a true leader is to her and what that means for how she treats people. I really enjoyed watching Rue develop as a leader in Ghizon. Her character has so much growth and she learns so much in the process of making mistakes.
Action-Packed
Ashes of Gold is action-packed and heart wrenching. There is betrayal. The love triangle continues. (You will have to let me know which team you are on, Team Julius or Team Jhamal.) Ms Leola still makes a mean Sunday dinner that will get you ready for some butt-kicking on the battlefield.
And just like in any good story that includes betrayal… there are some characters in this book that can go kick rocks. Like big ones. And I would fight them on sight. And I would also block them from Ms. Leola’s cornbread. Okay…I’m good.
Check out my full review, including educator recommendations on how to use it in the classroom on my blog, www.cocoawithbooks.com
Now, Wings of Ebony by J. Elle was indeed a ride. But when I tell you to hold onto your glasses, blanket, hat, etc or whatever you need when you read a book, I mean hold onto it. Ashes of Gold, the second book in this duology is nonstop action, twists and turns! At one point I thought I might need an antacid, because the twists were getting me all worked up. And I am a woman who loves some action in both books and movies.
I don’t want to giveaway any spoilers but I will say the following:
Learning About Ghizon
In Wings of Ebony, you watch Rue fight for her home in East Row. She spends time in both worlds, but you get to spend time getting to learn about her relationships with her sister Tasha, the neighborhood grandma Ms. Leola (who has me ready to bake a pound cake now) and her ex-boo Julius. In Ashes of Gold, we get to learn more not just about Ghizon, but mostly about Rue’s people. Rue now fights to save her Ghizoni people from the evil Chancellor. During her journey of becoming a leader she is also learning more about her people and their culture and traditions too.
Leadership Skills
As Rue is seen as a leader of her people because of the ancestral magic she has inherited, she must also grow and adjust to what that means for her. She must fight doubt and define for herself what a true leader is to her and what that means for how she treats people. I really enjoyed watching Rue develop as a leader in Ghizon. Her character has so much growth and she learns so much in the process of making mistakes.
Action-Packed
Ashes of Gold is action-packed and heart wrenching. There is betrayal. The love triangle continues. (You will have to let me know which team you are on, Team Julius or Team Jhamal.) Ms Leola still makes a mean Sunday dinner that will get you ready for some butt-kicking on the battlefield.
And just like in any good story that includes betrayal… there are some characters in this book that can go kick rocks. Like big ones. And I would fight them on sight. And I would also block them from Ms. Leola’s cornbread. Okay…I’m good.
Check out my full review, including educator recommendations on how to use it in the classroom on my blog, www.cocoawithbooks.com
A good conclusion to the duology. The book didn’t drag, but it felt like it took a long time to get to climax points where the first book built things up better. The ending was great, it just took a beat to get there.
Finished during Jolabokafloð 2024. Gray concept and better plotting than the first, Ave I appreciate a duology that doesn't force itself into a trilogy. A few pet peeves linger, including a frustrating tendency to have *every single character* stutter whenever they're frightened or uncertain, and a lack of consistency around factual details. (For example, if there are a hundred people in a room, the same room shouldn't be described a few pages later as having several hundred people. And if a population of "thousands" is cut in half, the remainder shouldn't be a hundred OR several hundred.")
But those are details that I mind only because they pull me out of the story. The fact that the biggest obstacle the MC faces is her own self-doubt is a fresh take on a sci-fi/fantasy Armageddon. And the bits of very PG romance don't get in the way, but rather enhance the story.
But those are details that I mind only because they pull me out of the story. The fact that the biggest obstacle the MC faces is her own self-doubt is a fresh take on a sci-fi/fantasy Armageddon. And the bits of very PG romance don't get in the way, but rather enhance the story.
adventurous
medium-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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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:
Complicated
What a sequel! Ashes of Gold is action-packed, encouraging, heartwarming, and funny in all the right moments. I loved continuing Rue's story and getting to know a lot more about Ghizon and the history of her magical side. We meet many new awesome characters in this sequel, as well as getting more of the characters we love from book 1. I especially loved seeing more of Bri, who still has a lot to learn but at the end of the day is a real "ride or death" friend. Ashes of Gold is a book about love – loving ourselves, others, and where we come from – as well as learning to trust yourself. Rue's story is one that I know will encourage many Black kids who need the reminder that they don't need to be anyone but themselves to be loved and worthy. If you loved Wings of Ebony, you'll love the strong finale to this duology.