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meluhnie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Murder, and Grief
Moderate: Racism, Cultural appropriation, Gun violence, Violence, Colonisation, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Drug use, Kidnapping, Police brutality, and Religious bigotry
foreverinastory's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed this debut!
Wings of Ebony follows Rue after the fatal shooting of her Moms. Her estranged father comes and takes Rue to a land called Ghizon where its inhabitants have magic. Rue is stranded there for a whole year. But with the help of her genius best friend, she's able to transport herself back to Earth without being tracked. What starts out as a simple task to deliver a birthday gift to her sister, becomes increasingly more complicated when Tasha is almost killed in a car crash. Not only that but something is infiltrating East Row with drugs and murdering young Black kids. Rue knows the police are no help, so it will be up to her and the other occupants of East Row to figure out what's happening.
Y'all this book was so good! I really enjoyed the portal fantasy type world going on here. There's also so much going on in terms of colonisation, and systemic racism. J. Elle put so much into this book. I loved getting to know more about Rue's home of East Row, and the magical world of Ghizon. Rue is such a strong and relentless character, I loved her so much. She is fierce in her determination to protect those she loves and cares for. I was rooting for Rue 200% of the time, I wanted to see her succeed.
The world building is done so well in this book. But it is more of a slow build. We don't get all of the mechanics of Ghizon right away. The other thing is that the history of Ghizon has been written by the victors, which have secrets to hide. So if you're confused about how things work, just keep going. Trust me.
I loved how much family plays a role in this story. J. Elle didn't pull any punches either when it comes to the emotional side of things. I definitely was traumatized by a particular scene in the end. I can't wait to see what else J. Elle writes!
Rep: Black and Indigenous (to a fantasy land based off Africa) female MC, Black and Indigenous side characters.
CWs: Abandonment, blood, car accident colonisation, death, death of parents, gaslighting, fire, grief, gun violence, injury/injury detail, murder, racism, violence.
Wings of Ebony follows Rue after the fatal shooting of her Moms. Her estranged father comes and takes Rue to a land called Ghizon where its inhabitants have magic. Rue is stranded there for a whole year. But with the help of her genius best friend, she's able to transport herself back to Earth without being tracked. What starts out as a simple task to deliver a birthday gift to her sister, becomes increasingly more complicated when Tasha is almost killed in a car crash. Not only that but something is infiltrating East Row with drugs and murdering young Black kids. Rue knows the police are no help, so it will be up to her and the other occupants of East Row to figure out what's happening.
Y'all this book was so good! I really enjoyed the portal fantasy type world going on here. There's also so much going on in terms of colonisation, and systemic racism. J. Elle put so much into this book. I loved getting to know more about Rue's home of East Row, and the magical world of Ghizon. Rue is such a strong and relentless character, I loved her so much. She is fierce in her determination to protect those she loves and cares for. I was rooting for Rue 200% of the time, I wanted to see her succeed.
The world building is done so well in this book. But it is more of a slow build. We don't get all of the mechanics of Ghizon right away. The other thing is that the history of Ghizon has been written by the victors, which have secrets to hide. So if you're confused about how things work, just keep going. Trust me.
I loved how much family plays a role in this story. J. Elle didn't pull any punches either when it comes to the emotional side of things. I definitely was traumatized by a particular scene in the end. I can't wait to see what else J. Elle writes!
Rep: Black and Indigenous (to a fantasy land based off Africa) female MC, Black and Indigenous side characters.
CWs: Abandonment, blood, car accident colonisation, death, death of parents, gaslighting, fire, grief, gun violence, injury/injury detail, murder, racism, violence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Racism, Violence, and Car accident
queer_bookwyrm's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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? No
5.0
"Moms raised a diamond. And diamonds don't crack."
I was gifted an arc copy of Wings of Ebony by J. Elle. Wow. Just wow. This book is the perfect blend of urban fantasy and social justice novel. I devoured this book in two days.
We follow Rue in East Row, where we see the desolation that gang and drug activity can reduce a hood to. Rue is trying to see her younger sister Tasha from a distance on the anniversary of their mother's death. Rue isn't supposed to touch any human now that she lives and Ghazan and has magic. Tasha is almost in a car accident until Rue intervenes, touching Tasha.
A whole bunch of problems ensue for the sisters, but we get to see Rue grow and learn about her abilities and her true history in Ghazan. It was so nice that romance was a main piece of the plot! There were hints of maybe romance to come, but this story was about getting justice.
This book was also about the importance of family; sticking together. And just blood family. "The whole block fam." I loved the way Elle depicted Bri struggling with her privilege, and the nuance she brought to the conversation without apologizing for it. We also see the ill effects of colonialism depicted in Ghazan along with an oppressive caste system.
It was also refreshing to have a book that ends with the racist getting exactly what he deserves. I loved this book so much, but I don't want to say much more for fear of spoilers. Just read this book! I seriously hope there is a second book coming!
The only thing I didn't like was the way the author made everyone stutter all the time. It took me out of it every time. Such a minor issue that it didn't impact my rating. I would have liked to see more of the world building, but maybe that happens in a later book?
I was gifted an arc copy of Wings of Ebony by J. Elle. Wow. Just wow. This book is the perfect blend of urban fantasy and social justice novel. I devoured this book in two days.
We follow Rue in East Row, where we see the desolation that gang and drug activity can reduce a hood to. Rue is trying to see her younger sister Tasha from a distance on the anniversary of their mother's death. Rue isn't supposed to touch any human now that she lives and Ghazan and has magic. Tasha is almost in a car accident until Rue intervenes, touching Tasha.
A whole bunch of problems ensue for the sisters, but we get to see Rue grow and learn about her abilities and her true history in Ghazan. It was so nice that romance was a main piece of the plot! There were hints of maybe romance to come, but this story was about getting justice.
This book was also about the importance of family; sticking together. And just blood family. "The whole block fam." I loved the way Elle depicted Bri struggling with her privilege, and the nuance she brought to the conversation without apologizing for it. We also see the ill effects of colonialism depicted in Ghazan along with an oppressive caste system.
It was also refreshing to have a book that ends with the racist getting exactly what he deserves. I loved this book so much, but I don't want to say much more for fear of spoilers. Just read this book! I seriously hope there is a second book coming!
The only thing I didn't like was the way the author made everyone stutter all the time. It took me out of it every time. Such a minor issue that it didn't impact my rating. I would have liked to see more of the world building, but maybe that happens in a later book?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Genocide, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
stormywolf's review
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
fast-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 believe I found this one through Facebook and/or new release emails from my library. Since reading Legendborn last year I'm really interested in reading fantasy woven into and around Black traditions and experiences. Other than reading the summary blurb, I really had no idea what I was getting into, or just how much this book would dig its claws into me.
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
Overall, I highly recommend this book. This was the first book about the Black experience and systemic racism that had me legitimately questioning my own views and prejudices by offering some conflicts in shades of gray. As a debut novel, there are some rough edges still to be worked out, but I'm trusting details (like with magic and the title of the book) will be further addressed in the upcoming sequel(s). If you're interested in or looking to get into YA fantasy, social justice reform, Afrofuturism, or other subjects concerning Black experiences, this one is definitely worth a read. I, for one, am definitely going to be returning to this series as soon as I can.
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
Overall, I highly recommend this book. This was the first book about the Black experience and systemic racism that had me legitimately questioning my own views and prejudices by offering some conflicts in shades of gray. As a debut novel, there are some rough edges still to be worked out, but I'm trusting details (like with magic and the title of the book) will be further addressed in the upcoming sequel(s). If you're interested in or looking to get into YA fantasy, social justice reform, Afrofuturism, or other subjects concerning Black experiences, this one is definitely worth a read. I, for one, am definitely going to be returning to this series as soon as I can.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Racism, Racial slurs, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, and Murder
Moderate: Blood and Genocide
Minor: Bullying, Child death, and Grief
kaycee_k's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Racism
leahsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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
4.5
This is one of the 2021 debuts that I was really looking forward to, and I’m glad to say that it did not disappoint. You know when you start reading a book and know right away that it’s just going to be amazing? Yep. That’s what happened here.
It’s a crossover between urban fantasy, taking place in the hood of Houston, and fantasy, in Ghizon, which is an incredibly well-crafted world. The world building is done beautifully, with an entire caste-based society, history, language, magic system, and holidays/customs all described in such a clear and intriguing way. Just like any other society, Ghizon has a dark side to it as well, and involves discrimination.
J. Elle doesn’t shy away from portraying Rue’s Houston neighborhood realistically either, displaying both the good and the bad. While it’s clear that there is no trust between the people and law enforcement, media doesn’t show any interest in what happens to the residents of East Row, and the people living there are no strangers to drugs, violence, and death, the community is more than just neighbors — they’re family.
I loved the emotional impact this book had. Rue dealt with some heavy emotions throughout the entire story, but her feelings were all so realistic. She was dealing with grief, fear, anger, frustration, hurt, and loneliness. Rue is angry but channels it to create positive change for herself, her family, and her community, and even brings that change to wider circles. She faced an uphill battle, leaving a predominantly Black community that functioned as a supportive family after a traumatic event, and then being transported to a society where she’s basically an outcast and one of two Black people.
Rue wasn’t the only character who showed growth during the book. So many of the main characters had amazing growth arcs over the course of the story, and that wasn’t even the best part! The story itself was exciting, and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. I was actually disappointed when I had to adult and put the book down, and would count the time down until I could start reading again. The author wasn’t afraid to discuss racism, empowerment, hate, social justice, family dynamics, and forgiveness, and I can only hope that the next book in this series come out soon, because I’m here for it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Murder, Grief, Death of parent, and Gun violence
Minor: Child abuse, Genocide, and Drug use
daniellestarredpages's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I think this book could've shone better if it was longer. Which would've given more time for the story to develop. The beginning of the story was rushed and the pacing was off for the entire book. Towards the middle of the book when the story began to get intriguing, that's when they pacing issues became really prominent. The setting kept switching from one place to another and there was no cool of time between one action scene that ended in disaster for the characters to another scene. The resolution was also very rushed and unbelievable. The way Rue just handed out Ghizon technology to the people on her row and used that to solve the problem was one of the most unbelievable things. And I don't think the casual way that Rue exposed the magic at the end to the entire world was a good idea, considering the fact that her people at Ghizon worked so hard to hide themselves originally. However, Rue's dedication to her family was very admirable and her drive was really easy to root for. The other characters while not fleshed out entirely was enjoyable for the time they were on the page. The themes of racism, and white people making themselves the victim in the Ghizoni setting were well handled.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Death, Blood, Murder, Racism, and Racial slurs
books_and_mags's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Genocide, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Vomit
whysomanysams's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Cursing, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Car accident, Genocide, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Murder, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Racism
Minor: Vomit
marissasbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
TW // death, blood, shooting, violence, racism, genocide (discussed)
I don't think I've ever read a book like this one. And that was part of its appeal because while it had certain elements that made it feel familiar, I never quite knew what to expect or what would happen next and I like stories that keep me guessing!
I will say it wasn't quite what I expected in many ways and I think that affected some of my enjoyment (not to mention the arc wasn't fully formatted), BUT if anything it makes me more excited to read it again because now that I know what to expect I'm curious to see how I feel a second time around. Not to mention I'm just curious to see the final version with it fully formatted and see what may or may not have changed!
After Rue's mom is shot to death, the father she never knew shows up and whisks her away from her sister to Ghizon, a hidden island of magic wielders. Rue is the only half-human there as well as the only Black person besides her father so when she gets the chance to return to Houston she jumps at it even if it means breaking Ghizon's most sacred law not to leave the island. When she finds her sister in danger she breaks another law and touches a human to save her sister from a deadly accident. Soon Rue discovers that her neighborhood is under attack and evidence is mounting that the forces at work are connected back to Ghizon. Rue must learn to embrace her true identity and accept her history in order to wield the full strength of her powers to save her neighborhood and her family.
I loved the characters and the family/friend dynamics which is one of the main reasons I'm excited to read the finished copy of this book and to check out what comes next because the characters are left in a bit of limbo at the end of this book and I need to know what happens to them next!
Additionally, I enjoyed the magic system because I'm a big fan of systems that have rules/structure but are also flexible and ever-changing whether that be because the characters learn more or because the magic system itself is constantly evolving, and this book and its magic falls into this category. I always had this feeling that there was more to the system and the world that was just waiting to be discovered and I have a strong feeling we will learn more in the next book as Rue uncovers more secrets.
Finally, I loved the way the author tacked racism, colonization, and the long-lasting effects of both as well as reparations. It was nuanced but also direct while still fitting in seamlessly with the fantasy worldbuilding and it was amazing to see Rue come into her own and do what was necessary without losing herself in the process and I can't wait to see her develop further.
Thank you to Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (and NetGalley) for sharing this arc in exchange for an honest review!
Check out my blog for my full review!
I don't think I've ever read a book like this one. And that was part of its appeal because while it had certain elements that made it feel familiar, I never quite knew what to expect or what would happen next and I like stories that keep me guessing!
I will say it wasn't quite what I expected in many ways and I think that affected some of my enjoyment (not to mention the arc wasn't fully formatted), BUT if anything it makes me more excited to read it again because now that I know what to expect I'm curious to see how I feel a second time around. Not to mention I'm just curious to see the final version with it fully formatted and see what may or may not have changed!
After Rue's mom is shot to death, the father she never knew shows up and whisks her away from her sister to Ghizon, a hidden island of magic wielders. Rue is the only half-human there as well as the only Black person besides her father so when she gets the chance to return to Houston she jumps at it even if it means breaking Ghizon's most sacred law not to leave the island. When she finds her sister in danger she breaks another law and touches a human to save her sister from a deadly accident. Soon Rue discovers that her neighborhood is under attack and evidence is mounting that the forces at work are connected back to Ghizon. Rue must learn to embrace her true identity and accept her history in order to wield the full strength of her powers to save her neighborhood and her family.
I loved the characters and the family/friend dynamics which is one of the main reasons I'm excited to read the finished copy of this book and to check out what comes next because the characters are left in a bit of limbo at the end of this book and I need to know what happens to them next!
Additionally, I enjoyed the magic system because I'm a big fan of systems that have rules/structure but are also flexible and ever-changing whether that be because the characters learn more or because the magic system itself is constantly evolving, and this book and its magic falls into this category. I always had this feeling that there was more to the system and the world that was just waiting to be discovered and I have a strong feeling we will learn more in the next book as Rue uncovers more secrets.
Finally, I loved the way the author tacked racism, colonization, and the long-lasting effects of both as well as reparations. It was nuanced but also direct while still fitting in seamlessly with the fantasy worldbuilding and it was amazing to see Rue come into her own and do what was necessary without losing herself in the process and I can't wait to see her develop further.
Thank you to Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (and NetGalley) for sharing this arc in exchange for an honest review!
Check out my blog for my full review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Grief, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence