A review by elaichipod
House of Beating Wings by Olivia Wildenstein

adventurous mysterious 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

4.75

I'm so glad the second book came out just a week ago because this book was so amazing. The characters were written so well and they were so dynamic. I loved that Fallon had such a tight knit group and how devoted they were to each other. Fallon would be so frustrating sometimes but she had a lot of room to grow and secrets to unveil, so I considered it to just be a part of the process. In the beginning, when she was weirdly obsessed with giving her virginity to Dante, I felt like screaming. I really had a major crush on Antoni and Phoebus, especially after that scene with Phoebus in his family locker.

I liked Antoni for most of the book, but was a but confused when he kind of switched off when Fallon leaves. Lore really was such an amusing companion. Sure, he was in animal form for like 99% of the book but Fallon and him had more chemistry in that situation than Fallon and Dante. I loved how dedicated Lore was to Fallon and even though Fallon said she felt like I tool, I knew Lore would be a much more desirable partner and king compared to Dante. I'll confess, I never liked Dante to begin with. When the oracle was revealed, it was clear to me that Fallon would not be ruling alongside Dante. She deserved so much better. He was never going to put her first, unlike Lore, who wanted her to leave his 2nd to last crow figure behind so that she could be safe. The slow burn nature of the book with the 2 polar love interests in the beginning really made like it was going to take forever for Lore to make an appearance. I felt like I spent 50% of the book wondering when our mythical creature would finally show his face. But I also think that delay and his crow forms made the buildup so much more exciting. Plus his banter with Fallon was so attractive. Lore's epilogue felt like such a tease and I was so giddy, I couldn't stop grinning.

Overall, I felt engaged throughout the entire story and although this was a pretty lengthy book, I never felt like I was wondering when it would end. I'm excited to see what is in store for Fallon!

“What could I be then?”

He peeks up at me through his long, pale lashes.

“The child of a serpent?” 

“The child of a—” I scoff. “You think my mother had sexual relations with a freaking animal?” 

“Maybe Agrippina was kinky like that.” A corner of Phoebus’s mouth tugs up. 

“Yuck, Pheebs. Yuck.” A vile visual of a serpent humping a human illuminates the backs of my lids. I shudder. 

Phoebus snickers. “You should see your face.”
...

He gestures to the shelves. “What do you think, picolo serpens?”

“What I think is that your new nickname better not stick.” 

“Or what? You’ll whistle for your pappa and ask him to whisk me into the fault?” 

Even though I honestly don’t think I’m related to a serpent, I raise my chin and deadpan, “I’ll whistle for my serpent brother and make him drag your ass away.” 

He grins, wedging his foot in the door and kicking up the bag. He opens it wide so that I can maneuver the bird in.

Once you make me whole, I will owe you my life, Behach Éan. You’ll have nothing to fear from me. 

I’m sorry for being so harsh on you, Behach Éan.

She spoils me with a smile intended to maim my dark heart, and I devour it beat by beat.