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A review by caseythecanadianlesbrarian
Black Wings Beating by Alex London
4.0
3.5 Stars! This is a dark, fascinating YA fantasy that didn't quite meet my (admittedly high) expectations. I loved the world-building of this dangerous place on the brink of war that revolves around falconry and birds of prey as status and commerce. It felt completely new and unique as far as a fantasy world goes. None of the usual dwarves and elves, etc., although there is an epic quest! Who doesn't love an epic quest.
One of my favourite things about this book was the writing. I was impressed with how London seamlessly integrated the mentality and mythology of the world he created both in the language the characters use and in the language used to tell the story. Some beautiful metaphors and sayings involving birds and falconry were scattered throughout the book, but never in a way that felt unnatural or like London was trying too hard.
I loved Kylee, one of the two main characters. She has a special ability to speak the ancient language of birds, but it's a gift she's always resisted since falconry has been tainted for her by her abusive father. She's tough, smart, compassionate, and complex. I've seen some readers reading her as ace, which I definitely saw, as well as aromantic. I wish the book had been more explicit about this, and that it hadn't had people who apparently know her well nudging her to reciprocate the feelings of a boy who likes her. This felt especially odd considering the world didn't seem to have homophobia (another point on its own which is very cool! I love when SF/F chooses to do that!). I hope her identities are explored more and affirmed in further books. (This is the first of a series).
Her brother Brysen, the other main character, though, I have to admit I kind of disliked. I had a hard time connecting with him and resented how his actions negatively affected Kylee. He's selfish, reckless, impulsive, and wracked with jealousy over Kylee's abilities, all qualities that lead to a relationship with his sister where she's constantly making up for his shortcomings, fixing his mistakes, and protecting him. I would have really preferred a sibling dynamic where their strengths and weaknesses could have balanced each other, instead of having this lopsided situation where the girl is given all the responsibility of making sure their expedition is a success while her brother thoughtlessly chases glory and the love of a guy who is clearly a douchebag. It just felt a little too... familiar in the patriarchal way.
I mean, I'm all for gay characters not having to live up to some impossible standard of goodness. I also appreciate how the story doesn't focus on Brysen's queerness at all, although his bad taste in guys in one of his flaws that propels the plot forward. And I understand that many of his negative qualities can be connected to having borne the brunt of his father's horrific physical abuse. However, London chooses to construct the character with that background and my feeling sick at the abuse on Brysen's behalf didn't endear him to me as a character. I'm not sure giving a character that kind of intense childhood trauma is a good way to redeem him in the eyes of readers. Maybe that wasn't what London was doing?
Not being able to empathize with one of the two main characters definitely put damper in my enthusiasm for the book at times. Overall though: a very exciting new addition to queer YA that I mostly very much enjoyed.
Content warnings: some fairly graphic (for a YA) violence and suicide ideation
One of my favourite things about this book was the writing. I was impressed with how London seamlessly integrated the mentality and mythology of the world he created both in the language the characters use and in the language used to tell the story. Some beautiful metaphors and sayings involving birds and falconry were scattered throughout the book, but never in a way that felt unnatural or like London was trying too hard.
I loved Kylee, one of the two main characters. She has a special ability to speak the ancient language of birds, but it's a gift she's always resisted since falconry has been tainted for her by her abusive father. She's tough, smart, compassionate, and complex. I've seen some readers reading her as ace, which I definitely saw, as well as aromantic. I wish the book had been more explicit about this, and that it hadn't had people who apparently know her well nudging her to reciprocate the feelings of a boy who likes her. This felt especially odd considering the world didn't seem to have homophobia (another point on its own which is very cool! I love when SF/F chooses to do that!). I hope her identities are explored more and affirmed in further books. (This is the first of a series).
Her brother Brysen, the other main character, though, I have to admit I kind of disliked. I had a hard time connecting with him and resented how his actions negatively affected Kylee. He's selfish, reckless, impulsive, and wracked with jealousy over Kylee's abilities, all qualities that lead to a relationship with his sister where she's constantly making up for his shortcomings, fixing his mistakes, and protecting him. I would have really preferred a sibling dynamic where their strengths and weaknesses could have balanced each other, instead of having this lopsided situation where the girl is given all the responsibility of making sure their expedition is a success while her brother thoughtlessly chases glory and the love of a guy who is clearly a douchebag. It just felt a little too... familiar in the patriarchal way.
I mean, I'm all for gay characters not having to live up to some impossible standard of goodness. I also appreciate how the story doesn't focus on Brysen's queerness at all, although his bad taste in guys in one of his flaws that propels the plot forward. And I understand that many of his negative qualities can be connected to having borne the brunt of his father's horrific physical abuse. However, London chooses to construct the character with that background and my feeling sick at the abuse on Brysen's behalf didn't endear him to me as a character. I'm not sure giving a character that kind of intense childhood trauma is a good way to redeem him in the eyes of readers. Maybe that wasn't what London was doing?
Not being able to empathize with one of the two main characters definitely put damper in my enthusiasm for the book at times. Overall though: a very exciting new addition to queer YA that I mostly very much enjoyed.
Content warnings: some fairly graphic (for a YA) violence and suicide ideation