I really wanted to love this book after reading the blurb and while it was enjoyable it didn't wow me. I often felt like the writing wasn't going anywhere and needed more direction. The worldbuildjng however, was fantastic.

Wings unseen by Rebecca Gomez Farrell.
To end a civil war, Lansera's King Turyn relinquished a quarter of his kingdom to create Medua, exiling all who would honor greed over valor to this new realm on the other side of the mountains. The Meduans and Lanserim have maintained an uneasy truce for two generations, but their ways of life are as compatible as oil and water.When Vesperi, a Meduan noblewoman, kills a Lanserim spy with a lick of her silver flame, she hopes the powerful display of magic will convince her father to name her as his heir. She doesn't know the act will draw the eye of the tyrannical Guj, Medua's leader, or that the spy was the brother of Serrafina Gavenstone, the fiancèe of Turyn's grandson, Prince Janto. As Janto sets out for an annual competition on the mysterious island of Braven, Serra accepts an invitation to study with the religious Brotherhood, hoping for somewhere to grieve her brother's murder in peace. What she finds instead is a horror that threatens both countries, devouring all living things and leaving husks of skin in its wake.To defeat it, Janto and Serra must learn to work together with the only person who possesses the magic that can: the beautiful Vesperi, whom no one knows murdered Serra's brother. An ultimate rejection plunges Vesperi forward toward their shared destiny, with the powerful Guj on her heels and the menacing beating of unseen wings all about.
A good read with good characters. Slow but readable. 3*.

The fantasy and magical elements of the plot were really cool and interesting to read about, I found that to be unique in the ways of magic systems and it kept me intrigued.
There was this weird kind of love triangle with some jealously that happened, this was ok, typical for a YA novel but I thought the third person involvement wasn’t necessary or added anything in the way of development for the main characters.
Not a big fan of multiple perspectives, but none of them felt like they were telling more of the story than another.

The book really surprised me. At first it was slow but once I got the hand of it. I was able to get momentum and confine reading. I enjoyed it from start to finish.

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
"Wings Unseen" is rich in unique and detailed world building and adventure. The main characters and side characters are drawn in an intricate manner, and I enjoyed the twists and turns in the journeys of the protagonists. All of them had to change and grow as they faced challenges which took them off their original life paths, and there were many surprises along the way, which delighted me as a reader. A thoroughly wonderful story!

The writing is a little discontinuous. At some places I felt a bit lost. But the characters and premise is interesting enough to make you finish the book.

I was expecting a lot more of this book and was left very underwhelmed. It was still a bit enjoyable to read but I wanted a lot more from the book. The plot twist wasn’t very exciting.

Once I started this book I was immediately intrigued by the premise and the world the author so effortlessly builds. The characters are all unique and the writing reminds me of a chocolate mousse - rich and satisfying. I truly enjoyed the world the author created and the story she weaved.

This was an okay book. Great world-building but a confusing execution at times. I don't know if I'll look for the second book but it was definitely interesting.

Wings Unseen by Rebecca Gomez Farrell is a complex book that clearly owes a debt towards A Song of Ice and Fire in its multi-POV structure. In my experience, YA fantasy books have a tendency to lay out the facts and expect the readers to accept them without further explanation, granting them a much faster pace than the more methodical approach of adult fantasy. This style of writing also lends itself to more abrupt emotional responses. A lot of adult fantasy books are a slow burn, particularly in the romantic arcs, but YA and this book specifically, counter that by laying out the emotional elements in a very forthright manner.

My love for the character of Vesperi may be an indication of some sort of personality flaw on my part, much like my immediate fixation on the Kingdom of Medua in comparison to the entirely more subdued and traditional fantasy land of Lansera. Lansera felt like a throwback to an early generation of fantasy stories where the good kingdom and the forces of evil where clearly delineated, even their noble king. The idea of good royals has been fairly eviscerated in contemporary fantasy so it is interesting to find it appearing here like an old friend. Too much reading in the genre has left me terribly suspicious of all the Lanserim throughout the book, constantly waiting for the Scooby Doo mask of kindness to be stripped away. This old-fashioned ideal of nobility is paired with the more modern moral attitudes of the two kingdoms, but this left it flat compared to the depth of political machinations that were at work on the other side of the border.

Medua is not a culture interested in morality. The theocracy that secretly controls that country is thoroughly Machiavellian and the denigration of women to a role of nothing more than communal property is the foundation on which their system of governance is built. Meduan society is constructed in such a way that no emotional ties can be forged, so that there can be no loyalty except to the state. It is delightfully dystopian for a fantasy book, and this is far from the only out of place element that greatly improves on the quality of Wings Unseen.

The existential threat of this story seems more suited to a contemporary thriller or horror book and it adds so much to this quasi-mystical world to have it threatened by something so unexpected. It is very much like a science-fiction story that suddenly discovered that a wizard was the one destroying spaceships.

Vesperi is one of the three central characters, while there are other points of view throughout the book, including a memorable section seen through the eyes of a carrier pigeon, it is primarily through their three viewpoints that the world is fashioned. Because Vesperi is from the “evil” kingdom of Medua she treats everything in Lansera with exactly the level of suspicion that I was feeling towards it throughout the story. The fact that she is the one granted magical powers to counter the greater evil that they are all facing is a sweet irony considering how devout the other two are to the “true religion” of the setting.

It is interesting to see a religion included in a fantasy book without any of the usual subversions being brought into play. While there is an “evil” religion in Medua it is never treated as anything more than a tool for social control. The blending of the religious and magical elements of the setting underline the reality of the Lanserim faith while also reflecting mystical beliefs from the real world.

I can imagine that there will be a strong feminist critique of this book, in particular to Vesperi’s responses to the men who are essentially abusing her, but once the culture of Medua was more thoroughly explained, it did make sense, even if it did make for some extremely uncomfortable reading.


While there are elements of Wings Unseen that do not appeal to me, in particular the use of fate as a keystone for the plot, the strength of the characters and the central mystery were enough to carry me through.

I did not understand anything that was going on so I DNF'd it. I am not interested in writing a review.

I give the book 4.5/5 wasps.

I got this from Netgalley. I read this about two days before Christmas and only got the time today to write a review. It's been a long time coming. I'm still busier than a bee, which I am so thankful for.

Wings Unseen is a story of three people who are next in line. A prince who is about to inherit the throne. A princess who is to be married to the crown prince. And a daughter of a rich nobleman who have the power of the flame. The first born but was denied being an heir. These three people will cross paths and share a common destiny. Each will discover his/her own strength and would help beat the evil that is wreaking havoc all over the land. A trio of headstrong characters. And in this story, they will discover what they were meant to be. They will find their purpose.

This story is set in a kingdom that has been divided. Lanserim and Medua. Medua is a quarter of Lanserim that was given up where all the greedy and the bad people were exiled to have peace in Lanserim. Prince Janto and her bride-to-be Serra, must go their separate ways before their wedding to learn more of their individual selves. Janto will have to train and pass a test. Serra will need to discover her gift. Vesperi, the girl from Medua will find her place elsewhere. Since her father deemed her unfit to be his heir, then she'd rather be someplace else.

At first, I wasn't sure if I should hate Vesperi or not. At the onset, she seemed to be a misguided person, just like all the other Meduans were. Meduans are greedy and selfish by nature, so it was to be expected that Vesperi is exactly one. She had her own share of misdeeds. She had used her gift of the flame to cause harm but was smart enough to cover her tracks. So, it was a relief to find that she was different from the rest. She proved that she was not like any Meduan. Yes, her speech and her manners are rough and needed a lot of finesse. That would take time to change and soften. But to her surprise also, she liked being this different version of herself. The better version. It wasn't that bad at all. She could actually get used to it. Being good actually felt nice.

Janto, the crown prince. If he had a choice, he wouldn't want to rule the kingdom. He wants to do something else. He wished his path was not already carved out for him. He wished he could refuse but there's no one else to inherit the throne, so he has to step up.

This contained a lot of unexpected turns and surprises. The three main characters themselves were often recipients of these unlikely turn of events. The good thing is, these three have proven they are more than what their inheritance were. Janto, was not just a prince, he proved his worth that he can hold his own and he is ready to rule the kingdom. Serra, of the three, I think she had most tragic and heartbreaking experiences. Too much is asked of her in this story. She was asked to accept a lot of things that were just too painful. She asked to forgive which was probably the most difficult thing. In the end, she learned to accept her role and the lot given to her. It wasn't that bad at all. And lastly, Vesperi. She probably had the most amazing transformation of all. I think she made this story very interesting. I admit Janto and Serra's adventures, if we were to call them were interesting in their own. But adding Vesperi to the mix made it even more fascinating. Vesperi is the odd one out here. And how she wormed her way to become part of the trio with Janto and Serra, is the most intriguing part of this story.

This is a well-written tale of adventure, of coming of age and of finding one's self. These three people gave up their personal needs and agendas to help save the kingdom. Vesperi proved all people wrong. Her inner goodness came to the forefront and she can't help but embrace it and forget all together that she's a Meduan who by nature should only think of herself and for herself. I can't wait for the next book. The ending hinted of one.

My favorite part of the story was when Janto joined the Murat. It was a fascinating adventure. I think their adventures and challenges in the Murat could make another story altogether. The enchanted island and the magical creatures living there are enchanting. And to top it all, having a group of boys of different personalities out to prove himself better than the other is very entertaining. In a way, it was like a pissing contest. They first entered the island as boys and they came out as men, ready to be take on the role they were meant to play. Ready to take on the world.

I give the book 4.5/5 wasps. The story is full of twists and turns. Right at the onset I know that Vesperi will be important, I just didn't realize how important she was. Her role started as someone you were likely to hate but as the story unfolds, there was so much more to it. And Serra, I think my heart goes out to her. Yet, she stood tall and took everything in strides and with grace. Her character is probably the most admirable of all. At first, she seemed liked a decorative character. Just put in there for her beauty. Like she was told to jus sit there and look beautiful and do nothing else. But it wasn't. Of the three, I think she took more than her share of the weight that they were to bear. Plus her own personal struggles, doubts and insecurities. In the end, she came out more graceful and beautiful and even powerful. So, cheers to these two strong women in this story. They are two very different people yet they found a common ground to work together and became very formidable together. I can't wait for the next book. Will they eventually vanquished the evil that is destroying the kingdom and will they be able to unite Lanserim and Medua as one again?

I am so tired of being led like a child with a blindfold over my eyes, grasping at feathers I cannot see.
- Rebecca Gomez Farrell, Wings Unseen -


Thank you again, Netgalley for the copy.

This was a DNF for me, I was confused from the beginning and I couldn't keep reading it. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review.

This book was extremely slow. I DNFed it because I couldn't stand it any longer. The writing was weak and the characters did not seem real. And on top of it, this book is sexist. There is zero to no plot at all.

The descriptions throughout are vibrant and filled with emotion. Even the minor characters are brought to life and they add some humor to the story. This is an epic adventure in a world filled with mysterious creatures and magic! I would definitely be interested in a sequel and recommend this fantasy novel

I really enjoyed this book. I've been in a rut of reading books that have such great potential and then fail in some pretty major ways, but this book was refreshing in the fact that it didn't do that to me. It was a solid story, made even better by the fact that it was a debut and as of right now, a stand alone.

One of my absolute favourite things about this book is the fact that it doesn't end on the last page in the middle of a sentence in order to force you to come back for the second installment, which conveniently, is already written and suspiciously reads exactly like it was all once one story that someone decided to just split up. Because, you know, you make more money with squeals and series these days. With that though, I think this story proves that if you don't force it on people, they will actually want the story to continue. I wouldn't mind at all, if one day I see this world get revisited.

Wings Unseen brings with it a unique world and a unique plight. The characters are unique and actually have some commendable development put into them, a king who didn't want to be a king, yet rules with compassion and understanding, a prince that is actively doing what he can to prepare himself to be just as good of a king as his father one day, a gentle lady who discovers in herself a desire to be more than what she once thought she would be, and my favoutire: A prickly, mistrusting, violent, and difficult woman, who also happens to be born on the enemy side of the mountains from everyone else in the list above.

I don't want to go into the characters of every cast member in this book, but I feel the need when it comes to Vesperi. If you never make it past the first two chapters of this book then you wouldn't understand why I would call this woman my favourite character. Or maybe you would just rule my opinion out as idiotic and just blatantly wrong. But if you make it past the first two chapters then you can see how she develops, and that's probably the best part of the story, and I think, one of the main ideas behind the book. I read one review that just summed Vesperi up as a murderer and kind of left it at that. What they left out is the world that built her to be what she is.

Medua is its own land now, broken away from the rest of Lansera a few generations back. They are similar to Lansera in the idea that they too have a ruler, (though only really in name), priests, and a God. However in this realm the priests actually control everything, and they do it through manipulation, gruesome murder, and fear. There is also a little magic thrown in, but that only adds to the intimidation. Under their leader: the Guj, everyone in Medua is taught to either live in, or rule by, fear. Women only exist as play things to be "taken" at any mans will, and then expected to slip off without complaint to the kitchen, convent, or exile when the man is through with them. If they don't then they are beaten, further raped, and sometimes killed. Some, like Vesperi are born into a "noble" house. This is the only level of society where the reader will see women titled "wife" or "daughter". And yet, those titles mean very little. The wife is nothing more than the means to a legitimate male heir. She is still subject to being beaten, and raped at will. She is just also expected to be grateful that its one man doing the raping and beating, as appose to any random man from the town coming in to do the same.

Vesperi is the product of this environment. She is violent in thought, (and sometimes action) because that is how she has survived without becoming like the broken women that live in the town, or like her broken mother that lives and slaves in the manor kitchen. Shes learned that its not rape if she seduces them first, and if she learns to read them just right they are less likely to swing a fist in her direction. There is actually a place in the book where Vesperi has to consider which male guard she is faced with because some are more likely to beat her more freely than others. The only person in her small world that she wants approval or even just acceptance from is her father. When she finally has to face the fact that he would exile her without a second thought, she runs. This is what throws her into the journey she finds herself on for the rest of the book. This woman, who was broken in her own way, learns to care about other people. Genuinely care. She not only learns to care about people she knows personally, but she cares about people in general. She learns what its like to be safe in the company of other people, especially a man, for the first time in her life. Her character development is huge considering where she starts and where she is by books end.

If I were to fault this book, it would be on one thing. It feels too much like the foundation to a story. It is so good at getting in the minds of the main characters, and even though some of them aren't as interesting as others, I feel that a good effort is made in this regard. However, there is so much examination of the characters and the dynamics of the group that there isn't much story outside that. For a story that brags of a mysterious enemy that this trio and their friends must defeat, its only really in the last few chapters that this side of the story starts to get interesting. In the end, I felt like the whole book could just have been the set up for the real adventure coming.

Overall though, it is a lovely read. The writing is clean and not convoluted. The characters are denominational and, for the most part, complex, and the world they live in is explained in some depth. I was happy with what I got out of it, and I would come back if a sequel was every presented.

The Meduans and Lanserim have maintained an uneasy truce for two generations. As Janto sets out for his Murat, Serra accepts an invitation to study with the religious Brotherhood. What she finds instead is a horror that threatens both countries. To defeat it, Janto and Serra must learn to work together with the only person who possesses the magic that can: Vesperi, whom no one knows murdered Serra's brother. An ultimate rejection plunges Vesperi forward toward their shared destiny, with the powerful Guj on her heels and the menacing beating of unseen wings all about.



We follow the main three characters in POV chapters which helps develop each of them throughout the book. Although these characters grew, evolved and turned out to be better people by the end of the book, the other characters in the book didn't receive the same fate. For example the other men at Janto's Murat were interchangeable in my head. As the main characters were developed so much it flaunted this shortfall. 

Although Gomez has worked hard on world building, and the lands sound wonderful when reading, I felt there was too many new names. There were new kingdoms, animals and plants with little to no explanation for some. This made it quite difficult to read because how can I imagine a new animal when I only have its name?  I did however enjoy the religion and faith that was created. This was really well thought out and explained on the page. 

The prophecy and the focus on individual choices was a really important aspect in the book. Each character had to make the choice to save themselves and those around them and then work hard to achieve it. The Claren were a product of the bad choices of humans within the story which makes it full circle to the good choices of our protagonists. 

But I did question how overpowered Vesperi and co were with her magic. I know she has the powers to stop the Claven but there's a lack of push back from there which makes it seem almost too easy. I felt like we were rushing to the end of the plot, had a bit of a problem there but otherwise they could defeat anything. 

I received Wings Unseen* by Rebecca Gomez Farrell from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an unbiased and honest review.

I loved this book. The writing was intelligent and didn't insult the reader. There were a few spots where the pace was a little slow, however I enjoyed the overall plot and the rich character development. There was a love triangle in this book but I felt it was done well.
The author addresses sexism in this book in a way that worked with the world yet was bold enough to make a statement that readers could take away.

This book really surprised me. I went in expecting a cool fantasy setting (and yes it's as good as the blurb makes it sound), some different magic and a really annoying love triangle. I was partially right, and partially wrong.

The Not-So Love, Love Triangle
So let's deal with the 'three-headed' love triangle first. Is there a love triangle... not really. There are three people who are caught up in each others lives in some unlikely ways and there is some jealousy that happens at some points but it's not like a cat fight over the lead man. Nor is it a caddy fight between the two girls. Instead it's just progression of friendship, possible love and how tough circumstances create unbreakable bonds.

The Overall Feel
The three perspectives (two gals, one guy) are all equal and none of them feels like a more important character than the other. Kudos to Rebecca Gomez Farrell for pulling this off. It's a hard feat to have equal standing characters in the lead. The magic is really cool. I love how sparse and yet how important it is. The 'enemy' is subjective and yet obvious all at the same time. The politics are brilliant and I adore our lead man's father who accepts that while he never wanted to be King it was his duty. This solid political base that the world is built around is part of what gives Wings Unseen it's unique feel.

Of course my favourite character of the three is the morally questionable Vespiri (and she has a snake as her icon!). But don't worry the other two main characters, Jantos and Serra, bring in more than enough sweet, moral, hero traits to make up for any pitfalls Vespiri may have. Additionally they all have real personalities and real faults. Just like real people. I can't emphasis enough how REAL they all felt to me at times. I started wanting to savour this book at the halfway point. Something I rarely do these days.

Now, what's the best part about Wings Unseen?
It's a STAND ALONE fantasy book!
That's not to say that it might have future books; but you can easily read Wings Unseen and have enough closure to feel satisfied. I'd love to see future books (and it's unclear to me if it's going to be a series or not...) but it's also so rare to find stand-alone fantasy novels that I almost want to relish in it's uniqueness this way.

Could I find faults in this novel?
Of course. But honestly I feel this is a stronger debut than Gilded Cage and I really enjoyed it and gave it four stars. Wings Unseen doesn't have the same plot holes or unexplained circumstances the way a lot of my 4 star fantasy books have had this year and so I've given it 5 stars because I'd happily read it again... is tomorrow too soon?!

Wings Unseen by Rebecca Gomez Farrell was excruciatingly slow. It had great potential but it was lost in way too many details and nonsense. The characters were all pretty boring, except Vesperi who had a good overall character evolution. I wouldn’t waste my time for this one. I almost DNF’ed a couple of times.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this free ebook.