Author: J. Elle
Series: Wings of Ebony #1
Age: YA
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Publication Date: January 26, 2021
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Source: eARC
Purchase: Hardcover | Kindle | Audible | B&N | Kobo | Play Store | iBooks
Synopsis:
“Make a way out of no way” is just the way of life for Rue. But when her mother is shot dead on her doorstep, life for her and her younger sister changes forever. Rue's taken from her neighborhood by the father she never knew, forced to leave her little sister behind, and whisked away to Ghizon—a hidden island of magic wielders.
Rue is the only half-god, half-human there, where leaders protect their magical powers at all costs and thrive on human suffering. Miserable and desperate to see her sister on the anniversary of their mother’s death, Rue breaks Ghizon’s sacred Do Not Leave Law and returns to Houston, only to discover that Black kids are being forced into crime and violence. And her sister, Tasha, is in danger of falling sway to the very forces that claimed their mother’s life.
Worse still, evidence mounts that the evil plaguing East Row is the same one that lurks in Ghizon—an evil that will stop at nothing until it has stolen everything from her and everyone she loves. Rue must embrace her true identity and wield the full magnitude of her ancestors’ power to save her neighborhood before the gods burn it to the ground.
My Rating:
Trigger/Content warnings:
Representations of gun violence (not graphic)
Reference to drugs
Reference to murder
Reference to genocide
On-page racism
Violence
My Thoughts:
This was such a great debut for miss J. Elle. The writing, world and characters gripped from beginning to end. I was so glad that I was able to relate to Rue on a personal level in some scenes. Rue is loud and proud to be. She doesn't hold back or silence her voice for anyone and that made me extremely happy! I loved both the Houston setting and that of the land of Ghazan.
Rue was a strong female protagonist -- the type I want to see more of in YA novels. The themes and topics handled in this novel were so well done! The magic involved kept me glued to my seat. I am extremely excited for the sequel to come out.
As much as I want to be thorough with my thoughts, I am still in awe of this book, so once I have the chance to re-read this beauty I will do an updated post with more thoughts. I am just still at a lose for words of this beautiful gem!
About the Author
J. Elle was born in Houston, Texas, and is a first-generation college student with a bachelor’s in journalism and MA in educational administration and human development. An advocate for marginalized voices in both publishing and her community, J. Elle’s passion for empowering youth dates back to her first career in education. She’s worked as a preschool director, middle school teacher, and high school creative writing mentor. In her spare time, she volunteers at an alternative school, provides feedback for aspiring writers, loves on her three littles, and cooks up dishes true to her Texas and Louisiana roots.
About the Author