*I got this book for review from the publisher for my honest thoughts*

This was such a impactful and thoughtful read. I really loved how this book combined some of my favorite YA elements in one story but def also tackled some harder and more contempory issues like gun violence, issues that effect black communities and also gangs. I also really liked the focus on gods as well. I also liked the important discussions about race relationships in the new world. It was not easy read but really struck me in the emotions. I also thought that the romance in this book, was really fun but not the main focus. This book also did tackle grief and also strong siblings realionshps as as well. I will def check out book 2 and this author in general. ( )

*I got this book for review from the publisher for my honest thoughts*

This was such a impactful and thoughtful read. I really loved how this book combined some of my favorite YA elements in one story but def also tackled some harder and more contempory issues like gun violence, issues that effect black communities and also gangs. I also really liked the focus on gods as well. I also liked the important discussions about race relationships in the new world. It was not easy read but really struck me in the emotions. I also thought that the romance in this book, was really fun but not the main focus. This book also did tackle grief and also strong siblings realionshps as as well. I will def check out book 2 and this author in general. ( )

What a ride! Make this a movie (either animated or live action is fine)! I loved the strong sense of community Rue’s (neighbor)hood had and all the soul food references. Collard greens and neckbones and thick, lemony slices of pound cake? Yum!

Also, I enjoyed Rue’s narrative. Girl got some spunk. She’s not just this magical brick wall of a girl who pushes everything down inside; she has vulnerability too. It was a great and needed balance.

Wings of Ebony was a breeze to read. The chapters passed by quickly and kept my interest. Shoutout to Ms. Leola you the real MVP!

I’ll read a book two for sure! we’re going to get that Jhamal vs. Julius love triangle, right? I don’t care if it’s a YA cliché. I WANT IT!

4.5

Ending thoughts:
the dad dying was a lil’ cliché. Yeah, Jhamal and Rue has those insta-lovey teas, but crushes don’t have rhyme or reason. I’m not like Rue I don’t need any explanations or apologies from racists. I just need their power taken away from them. But in the context of the story, yeah, the full confession was needed to help throw the book at him. ( )

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I was really impressed at the world-building in this book and how figuring out who to trust gives an insight into how race and culture intertwine. I sometimes have a hard time reading books with narrators from other cultures because the slang can be so heavy that it feels like I'm trying to figure out another language. This book had slang used deliberately and repetitiously, so I could really follow what was going on.

My local library had a signed, first-edition copy of this book to borrow, which I really enjoyed. I'd recommend this to fans of fantasy and magic. Additionally, this book is both tactful and clear in discussing racism, discrimination, and violence and serves as a strong narrative for how not to be a racist, which is something I know I'll always need to keep learning about. ( )