A review by marginsandmeanings
House of Beating Wings by Olivia Wildenstein

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

4.0

I’m a sucker for a crow/raven theme and an underdog FMC, and this hit both so well. I loved that she’s just unapologetically herself, even around the mysterious bird she doesn’t know is a man (iconic behavior, honestly). Her little found-family friend group was a great touch, and I really appreciated her inner conflict between craving adventure and staying grounded in her family responsibilities.

My one gripe? Some of the writing pulled me out of the world. Phrases like “meet cute” and “I’ve lost the plot” made the FMC feel a little too modern and a bit immature… it reminded me that this was a book, when I wanted to stay lost in the fantasy.

That said, the story itself was a cool, fresh concept and had me hooked. I’ll absolutely be picking up the next one.

If you’re into bird shifters, underdog girls with attitude and a fantasy world that feels a little different than the usual, you’ll probably have fun with this one. If modern slang in fantasy gives you whiplash, maybe go in with your expectations adjusted.