Title: Wings of Ebony
Author: J. Elle
Type: Fiction
Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Denene Millner Books/Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
Date published: January 26, 2021

A complimentary physical copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“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 Review ⬻

Diving into J. Elle’s Wings of Ebony, I will admit that I was a little disoriented by the chronological order in which this story is told. I almost felt as if I had a bit of amnesia because I was missing what came before the point where the book starts out. But looking back, I think that this may have been on purpose as a storytelling choice (obviously) but also to give the reader that unsettled, “something’s wrong but I can’t put my finger on it” feeling. At least that’s what it did for me! I will tell you, I moved to the edge of my seat real quick!

J. Elle gives you the puzzle pieces that you need to see the whole picture bit by bit throughout Wings of Ebony, and I will say that I enjoyed the pain of waiting, haha! Like I said, it all added to that unsettled feeling, as well as adding mystery to the plot overall, and urgency to find out everything!

I really enjoyed how this urban fantasy was tied to a different kind of Urbania that I’m used to, and I would like to see more of this! We need more diversity in all genres! The way that J. Elle wove in where Rue is from, and the people there, added another layer of complexity to the plot and made it feel all the more believable.

For me personally, it added more mystery too, because I have never seen or been to a neighbourhood like the one Rue is from! I’ve also never felt such a strong sense of community, which plays an important role in how Rue developed as a character on the pages of Wings of Ebony as well as off the page (prior to where the book starts off). Please refer to the reviews of ownvoices reviewers for this aspect of the book as well as the book as a whole.

I won’t say anything about some of the other settings in this book, because I might accidentally give something away. But I will say that Wings of Ebony was an enjoyable and thrilling read for me! It also made me feel things that I can’t name because they touch on spoiler territory. I’m curious and eager to see where J. Elle will take the story next and will try to await the sequel as patiently as possible!

⤖ 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. Wings of Ebony is her first novel.

⤖ Places to Purchase the Book ⬻

⤖ Let’s Chat ⬻

Thank you for reading my review! Have you read this book? What did you think? And if you haven’t read it, do you want to? How come? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!